Sunday 4 June 2017



It was rude, exuberant, raucous, joyful, a little bit sad, brimming with youthful joie de vivre. I found myself sitting at one of the tables on the stage - stacked with bottles of Irn-Bru  - well, I hadn't expected that when I booked a last-minute ticket and didn't realise until I collected it from the box office ... but it just added to the fun, and now I can claim that I've appeared on the West End stage, tapping my feet to music that I'd have been up and dancing to on a Saturday night - errrr, nearly 40 years ago. (It took me a while to place this more recent tune.) I wasn't quite as naughty a convent schoolgirl as the choirgirls of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour on their day out to Edinburgh - I'd never heard anyone use language like that! - but it did make me think fondly of a school trip to Stratford-upon-Avon c1971, smoking Consulates with the bad girls at the back of the bus and not letting on that I really didn't like them once the Polo-mint taste wore off.

I hurried straight home at the end of the show, completely unaware of the terrible events that were unfolding only a mile or so away across the river. So sad to think of those who didn't make it home safely.

8 comments:

Vronni's Style Meanderings said...

Didn't know about the dreadful news until I read your blog.

I'm wondering if this play was based on Alan Warner's book 'The Sopranos'? It has a similar story line...

Mary said...

I'd been home a couple of hours before I realised, Veronica. Then the penny dropped that there were too many sirens going for a normal Saturday night.
The play was indeed based on The Sopranos. I've never read it, have you? It was brlliant - but not for the faint-hearted!

Cosy Books said...

Another wonderful last-minute ticket experience...and on the stage, Mary! London is the best city in the world, despite the actions of some. I was thinking of you while watching the news last night, and hearing about yet another act of terrorism.
p.s. - You and a sneaky smoking incident. Why am I not surprised?

Mary said...

Good for you for still believing in us, Darlene! I was wondering whether you'd enjoy the play - you'd have loved sitting up on the stage but I think the Scottish accents might have defeated you. I couldn't make out everything they said, but it didn't seem to matter, it was so lively.

Unknown said...

Thinking of London here in Canada and sending it my love.

Mary said...

Thank you Bronwen.

Vronni's Style Meanderings said...

On my shelves, Mary but still unread...

Mary said...

My theory is that I'll catch up on the pile when I'm retired, Veronica- although it will only work if I stop buying more.