The passage of time in Wellington and elsewhere
A grown up family event, though by rights one should be taking children to Panto. I am not sure that Joe still counts. However there were plenty of other ‘unaccompanied adults’.
Shaz enjoyed the event with her shouting at the stage, hissing the baddy and clapping along.
It was all very traditional and fun, just as was expected. Paul Merton was very good both in his portrayal of Widow Twanky and his ability to ad-lib in general.
As ever Shazz is hooked.
A trip to see the classic play in the flesh.
This was a you persons twist on the play with more young actors plus the use of woman to play male characters.
I found the words hard to follow at times which I take as typical- it is after all a different version of English. However a review does promote the energy of youth but complain of the lack of clarity in the spoken word. I am not sure what the change in gender of roles was set to achieve other than balancing of opportunity.
I good night out which Shaz enjoyed a lot a little to her surprise.
Not a cheap way to spend an evening but we will keep in mind again for the future.
Another performance of the Messiah and this time back to the original venue. Is it fifteen or more times now?: from the small churches to the international venues.
The chorus comprised 130 people this time and it showed. The volume overall was impressive and as Shazz noted, the balance was better between male and female voices. More man with a better balance and power.
The soloists dod well with projecting in such as venue which maybe was helped for us being in seas quite low down though not the stalls.
I really enjoyed the experience and would probably rate it as number 1 in the hit parade of Messiah performances. Maybe we will have the opportunity of listening to the Huddersfield Chorus again sometime.
Thursday night after work and we were at Westminster Cathedral; the Catholic version.
Shazz wanted to go to a big carols event and the evening here was available. It was a paid event but full all the same. I suppose used to help with the upkeep of the building and support the musical infrastructure: choir, musical directors and I assume and organ that is not cheap to keep in ideal condition.
The evening was a combination of music and readings. The latter delivered by a variety of well known individuals.
There were German language carols and traditional English language ones. Maria wiegenlied was beautiful whereas the arrangement for Wachet auf did not seem to work so well for me. Sometimes the choir was difficult to appreciate. O come all ye faithful and Hark! the herald angels sing were winners as to be expected.
I loved the John Betjeman poem ‘The Advent wind begins to stir’ which was read by one of EQ’s favourite actors.
Keep the music flowing!
A overcast day and disappointing game against the Swans.
Brentford played poorly and offered little to give confidence. Not helped by letting in a goal within 20 seconds. 3-nil down within 20 something minutes and a crowd that could not find more than a whisper.
There was murmuring everywhere with the typical reaction to sack the manager. I am not sure of the necessary response but his hold on employment does look precarious.
Middlesbrough returned to second in the Championship as they held off a late Brentford fightback to win at Griffin Park.
After a relatively quiet, goalless first half, Jordan Hugill tapped in to put the visitors in front.
When Marcus Tavernier’s downward header doubled the lead soon afterwards, the points looked safe, but Alan Judge fired in to pull one back for Brentford.
A tense finale followed but Darren Randolph did well to save from the Bees’ Josh Da Silva as Boro claimed back-to-back victories.
The hosts, for whom defeat was their fifth in six games, had chances to level after Judge’s effort, but Sergi Canos’ low shot lacked the power to trouble Randolph.
I had to leave at half- time so I could reach the RAH on time for the music. Kick- off changed to 5-30pm for the sake of TV- very annoying.
The football was again very frustrating. Brentford again played in their usual style which to me has become a cliche of football – possession without purpose. At one point the player with the most forward passes must have been the goalkeeper with his ‘hoofs’ up the pitch. The ball is passed along the back four but no one has the confidence, skill or permission to take the ball forward and commit the opposition who are able to remain back, covering space and not really being troubled. So as ever the stats give a lie to the effectiveness of the ‘Bees’. Players seem to not know each other.
I am finding it hard to be excited even though I have missed a few games with being away.
The Beesotted podcast and the fans response seems to place more emphasis on the opposition and bad periods during a match. I think there is something more fundamental going wrong.
A trip for Shaz and I again to the RAH seeking musical entertainment.
This is a classical ‘pops’ show of many well known pieces from the classical and opera worlds.
We had better tickets this time than for the Proms which for the most part made a difference. However at times the sound seemed a little off; the choir did not seem quite clear or powerful enough at times and the orchestral sound seemed a little muted at times.
The audience were supplied with Union Jack flags to wave during ‘Land of Hope and Glory’ and ‘Rule Britannia’ but also managed to do so during the ‘1812’ maybe not knowing it does not celebrate a British victory! I found the patriotism come jingoism too much really during these songs. Why do the British need this stuff? However, I can appreciate the beauty and sentiment of ‘Jerusalem‘, which also received a warm welcome from the audience.
The content of the night was:
GRIEGMorning and In the hall of the mountain king
ROSSINILargo al factotum from The Barber of Seville
JENKINSBenedictus from The Armed Man
BIZETDuet from The Pearl Fishers
HOLSTJupiter from The Planets
SUPPÉLight Cavalry Overture
TCHAIKOVSKYWaltz of the Flowers
SOUSALiberty Bell March
VERDILa donna è mobile
HANDELZadok the Priest
PARRYJerusalem
SIBELIUSFinlandia
PACHELBELCanon
LANDOF HOPEANDGLORY
RULE, BRITANNIA!
NESSUNDORMA
HORNPIPE
1812 OVERTURE
With
THUNDERINGCANNONSANDINDOORFIREWORKS
So much good stuff with the addition of dancing and the general spectacular add ons of balloons and light show. The music was good but maybe there was a little too much ‘cheese’.
So Ireland beat the All Blacks and we were in Duffy’s to witness the match. Joe wore his All Blacks shirt with pride and Shaz and I were also on the side of the men in black. Anthony and the lads were ecstatic with the deserved victory.
A fun trip to west London with more due in the future.
| Autumn internationals: Ireland v New Zealand |
|---|
| Ireland: (9) 16 |
| Tries: Stockdale Cons: Sexton Pens: Sexton 3 |
| New Zealand: (6) 9 |
| Pens: Barrett 2 Drop Goal: Barrett |
Ireland have beaten New Zealand on home soil for the first time with a frenzied 16-9 win at the Aviva Stadium.
Jacob Stockdale’s superb chip-and-gather try decided an absorbing contest between the top two sides in the world.
Johnny Sexton advanced his claims for the world player of the year award with the rest of Ireland’s points.
The Grand Slam champions added to their historic first win over the All Blacks in 2016 as they sent out a warning before next year’s Rugby World Cup.
Stockdale’s try pushed his side into a 10-point lead in the 49th minute and they produced a heroic defensive display, led by man-of-the-match Peter O’Mahony, to repel the inevitable New Zealand fightback as ‘The Fields of Athenry’ rang through the Dublin night.
Saturday morning run done.
A beautiful autumnal morning-so English or at least temperate.
The crunch of fallen leaves under foot and the noises of children playing football and others exercising. Cold but fresh and with the added beauty of the Thames and Barnes common.