Evidently somebody on the other side of the world was having a wonderful time last night.
As I sat down to an evening of Gilbert & Sullivan, my immediate reaction was what the fire officers might think if they saw the usher crowding extra people into the centre aisle/only fire exit. It's always great to see a full house but this was claustraphobic to say the least. The production of HMS Pinafore was not bad, though lacked focus and balance. There were good moments and the scaling down of G & S can work remarkably well but it must be done with an eye on the whole. Here we had accomplished singers but decidedly ropey acting - generally more befitting pantomime rather than G & S and flabby direction. The make-up was particularly bad, especially as the design team seemed to be accomplished in other areas.
I recognised one of the cast from a crowded bar, many years ago.... - well, the embarrasment kicked in. Finally, to cap it all, one of the cast stood at the bottom of the exit stairs - in full costume and make-up but out of character - with a bucket requesting donations for cast drinks! All very disturbing. To cap it all, my cycle was stolen. The lock had been professionally snapped in two and I was left standing in Islington with a helmet and saddlebag.
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