Thursday, June 30, 2005

The Postman Always Rings Twice

The Postman Always Rings Twice

From Left to Right: Charlotte Emerson, Joe Alessi, Lucy Bailey (Director) & Val Kilmer

One of my work colleagues had tickets she couldn't use for tonight's show of The Postman Always Rings Twice at the Playhouse Theatre, near Charing Cross. She was offering them to anyone who was interested for half price. I snapped them up (well, okay, after my boss had beaten me to it, but then couldn't use them either) and that was that. Brett was in Sweden, Rosie wasn't answering her phones, so Owen got the invite as he happened to ring me up at work today.

I don't think I've ever seen the film and I'm sure I've never read the book, so I didn't really know the plot - and I won't spoil it for those who haven't seen it before either by discussing the plot. Suffice it to say it is intense and dramatic and worth paying money to see. We had seats in the centre of the second row, so had an excellent (often intimate) view of the action which is very emotionally charged and both sexually explicit and violent at times.

The evening was rounded off exceptionally by a question and answer session after the show with the three main actors and the director (pictured above.) It was interesting to see them out of character and to hear them talk about the show that you had just experienced. Unfortunately Val Kilmer, who performed very well in the show, didn't come across so well in the Q&A, coming across very much as The Celebrity, rather than a real person. The most surprising thing though, was not any of their answers but the fact that Joe Alessi, who plays a Greek immigrant in the first half and a fast-talking Jewish lawyer in the second, actually has a broad Lancashire accent!

So this is another show I would recommend to anyone who has the opportunity of seeing it.

Tuesday, June 07, 2005

Morale Booster


Morale Booster, originally uploaded by PhoenixUK.

One of the things I like about our company is that it still maintains a sense of humour. This photo shows you it in operation.

I work for a Transport Consultancy. The company advises clients on all kinds of transport issues relating to pedestrians, bicycles, motorists, buses and even trains. The fact that we have this picture on the wall of our head office always makes me smile. I find it far more morale boosting and motivating than any cliched poster extolling the virtues of teamwork or good customer service or pontificating on the pitfalls when you 'ASS U ME'.

Saturday, June 04, 2005

Brett's Birthday dinner

Brett's Birthday dinner

Tonight we were out for dinner with a group of friends from the Chorus to celebrate Brett's birthday. Pictured from left to right are John W, Me, Jeremy F, Ping, Mark G, Chris (Mark's partner), Brett, Russell E and Rich C.

An excellent meal at L'Estaminet on Garrick Street. It was very French; great food and wine with idiosyncratic service. Worth trying if you are in the area! You can read more here.

Wednesday, June 01, 2005

Chorus rehearsal

Chorus rehearsal

"Another hundred singers waiting out in the rain." Here is what happens when rehearsal venue bookings get confused.