Doctor Who and the Attack of the Botox

As a fan of the series I was somewhat bemused by the appearance of Billie Fox nee Piper as Rose Tyler. Not in a peculiar plot-twist way, but in the fact that she seemed vaguely unable to speak without a lisp? What made me smile – thankfully I still can – is the fact that judging by the promo for this weeks exciting episode, Miss Barrowman has been zapped disastrously too! Will these beauties never learn?

Ever Feel The Urge?

I have never really been a big fan of takeaway food in the West End. When I have a shift at the hotel it can be so difficult to find something that can satisfy me. Now I have discovered how wonderful the Cornish Pasty Shop can be! One large traditional pasty left me feeling slightly guilty but thoroughly satisfied. I may try them more often now as it really filled a hole!

A Midsummer Night's Pantomime

On what seemed destined to be a show-free week for me I was somewhat delighted when Lloyd called me to ask me to the RVT for a production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Naturally it was so sweet that somebody was actually asking me to a play and it was even more of a lovely surprise when it turned out that Jonotron, Howard and Griff were there too. Midsummer was a time for revels that seems to have been lost for many years and I thought it a marvelous opportunity for the team in Vauxhall to reclaim the festival and make it their own. And what better way than with this play! Upon arrival I studied the cast list with glee as it seems I had already reviewed each member and they all held a particular affection as promising stars in an increasingly eclectic cabaret firmament.

I can never quite fully take off my reviewer’s hat however and whilst I thoroughly enjoyed the evening’s entertainment I couldn’t help but wonder whether or not this had been a missed opportunity. Nathan Evans, who was responsible for the adaptation and also performed really hit the nail on the head giving relatively large audience just the sort of silly, camp entertainment they wanted. His cast were by and large impeccable. Each one, so used to handling a lively audience and ready and willing with a sly ad lib or an hilarious put-down – sadly ignored by a chattering bunch of late-arrivals right at the front! Rather like Shakespeare’s play this production was a broad, colourful pantomime interspersed with a few musical numbers, rhyming couplets, sauce, filth and audience participation.

Where was the opportunity that had been missed, I hear you ask? Rehearsal. Rehearsal. Rehearsal. The performances just – ONLY JUST - saved this show from looking thrown together the evening before. Nathan Evans – if you are listening – we deserve better than that so look to the future. You need to prepare this in plenty of time for next year. Fine tune the script, get the cast to commit, get access to more funding. Start a tradition. I want to be one of the people who in 10 years time whines on about how I was there when it all began. Make the RVT Midsummer Panto THE thing to do on Midsummer’s Night.
And if you ignore this? Well I may just have to put you over my knee, young man!!!!!

The Brooklyn Bridge

I couldn't help myself :-)

Quiz Night

It’s very rare that I manage to socialize with the people at work, save the occasional foray with Scott to a play. Last night a Quiz Night was organized at The Woolpack and I must say a rather good time was had by all. There was a meal – always a plus – and plenty of booze on tap. People were on fine form and the question rounds were a laugh too! They included a Tasting Round, where we had 10 bags of crisps and we had to guess the flavours; a Movie Soundbites round, that failed a little on sound quality and a TV Themes round – my strongest round. I must admit, you were fairly unlikely to get anything right in that round if you were born less than 25 years ago. Although a surprising number of people didn’t get The Sopranos – which I never watched.

TV Theme tunes wave over me with a glow of nostalgia and in actual fact, I have a bookmark on my computer at work to a site dedicated to many from around the world. If you fancy a touch of nostalgia, or a round or two against your loved one then click on the link to enjoy. Rediscover the delights of classics such as Laverne & Shirley, Cheers and St. Elsewhere or classic English fayre such as Juliet Bravo, The Gentle Touch or The Onedin Line.

Enjoy! And I hope you have better luck that my team had – we were fifth out of five!

An Offer I Can Quite Easily Refuse

This is the third message I have received on Gaydar in as many weeks in a similar vein. I am not sure what these boys, and they are just boys, are actually looking for but I was rather hoping my profile didn’t attract teenage Eastern European gold-diggers.

Hello!!!!!!!!!!!!My name Aleksandr!!!!!!! You know, what at you very remarkable structure? Yes it is valid so. I have read your structure. And you have seemed to me very good and remarkable the man. I would like to get acquainted with you. I would be very happy to our acquaintance. If you also want to get acquainted with me. I shall be very glad. Write to me on mine mail. Aleksandropen@rambler.ru

Father Dear Father

Sunday has been rather fun but very knackering. Howard had a lovely party in Brockley to celebrate his birthday and after midnight I was in the garden fighting with lightsabres and drinking red wine. Also I got to slouch on the couch with Lloyd, which was nice. I got home at about 3.00am to find that Jules had fallen asleep on the sofa and had just woken up.

I got up at about 10.00am tidied up and then awaited the onslaught of children and fathers. I managed to get William and Taylor into the garden to help for a bit but they weren't very interested - I ended up doing a lot of work though, planting my sunflowers, some geraniums and replanting the lavender. I hope it was all worth it.

I then took the boys swimming which was very strange as, obviously, I could do very little except keep and eye on the kids and stop them from enjoying themselves too much. Back home there was a roast dinner in the garden. By the time they left at 7.00 I was out of it. Jules managed to take this photo of me after trying to be a father for a day! I think I will need to go back to Daddy School!