Confessions of a Theatre Snob

Friday, September 28, 2007

The Perils of Facebook

My drama class started again last night. Yes, despite my somewhat mixed feelings at the end of last year, I've signed up again - mainly because it's the only way I get to do some drama, as I haven't the time to commit to anything else at the moment.

As usual, we do the introductions, who we are and why we're here. There are 3 of us who have gone back, and 5 'newbies'. As it gets to me Kate says 'and we always know what Val's up to and where she is from her Facebook status'.

I suppose it serves me right for adding her!

Labels: ,

Tuesday, September 25, 2007

I think this is what is meant by a 'flying visit'*


*Only, we were sailing!

I’ve been busy, as predicted. In fact till this weekend I feel like I’ve hardly been at home over the last couple of weeks. It’s not all been work though, a week ago, just as the weather seemed to turn from summer to winter in the space of one day, Cat and I sailed from Newcastle to Amsterdam.

A slightly delayed arrival meant that our sightseeing turned into a bit of a route march once we arrived. The plan had been for a leisurely boat ride down to the museum area, to then go round the Van Gogh Museum, and then walk up through the Jordaan area to the Anne Frank Huis, perhaps stopping for a nice lunch and a little shopping.

It might have worked, if we hadn’t discovered that it would be half an hour’s wait for the boat, and then an hour to get to the museum. Ah, I guess we were walking then. It’s a good job I’m fitter than I was a few months ago.

We did stop off as we walked across the city – at the diamond centre (no, we couldn’t afford anything), at the floating flower market, and to take lots of photos of the canals, whilst dodging the killer bicycle, and the trams.

Having arrived at the Van Gogh Museum, we went round it pretty quickly. I’d wondered if seeing more of his paintings might convert me, as I’d been converted to the Impressionists in the Musee D’Orsay, but no, I still don’t care for him. There was a picture of spring blossom that I liked, (that's the one in the banner for the website) as for the rest, including the Sunflowers, not really.

As we headed for the Anne Frank Huis, where we had a timed entry ticket, lunch became a mini box of Pringles each, to keep us going until we could take a break. Pre-booking was great, though, as we could just sail in ahead of the queue. It’s definitely the way to do it, and essential if you have limited time.

This was one place that you couldn’t rush. It’s so beautifully done, and quite difficult to describe. The story is told through small extracts from the diary, through film, and filmed recollections of survivors, including those who helped those in hiding. As you walk through that annex, up the incredibly steep stairs, and see the small rooms in which a group of people lived for two years, it brings into sharp focus the horror of the war, and the almost unbearable knowledge that only one person from the group survived. By the time we reached the last room, I was in tears, and had to find a quite corner to pull myself together before emerging into the shop. For once I didn’t feel like buying anything.

After this, we did find a brown café, and sat down for a drink. All too soon, and after a bit of shopping (a new pashmina, lovely) and brief detour through the red light district it was time to get the coach back to the boat.

At least we left a lot for ‘next time’.

Labels:

Sunday, September 16, 2007

Panic stations

It arrived by email last weekend. A document that means my workload is going to be huge over the next few weeks. A time period in which I should also be revising for my literature exam*.

The more I look into it, the more I can’t see a way through it. I’m in that state of mind when the task seems too huge to even think clearly. I’ve sourced some help with the ‘leg work’, but there’s stuff that I have to do, and I can’t even see where to start. I know I’m panicking, and it’s visible. But it’s a process I have to go through before I actually start to do something.

The logical part of my brain says that we haven’t had the time or the resources to do more than we have, the illogical side feels guilty that I haven't done more. I can feel the stress levels rising.

I may be noticeable by my absence on here.

*my exam for the qualification that I do not need, therefore one it's difficult to gain any sympathy for

Labels:

Sunday, September 09, 2007

The Handbag Walks, Part 9





The last time I went to Fountains Abbey was April last year. Shona's birthday. I remember it vividly, particularly the whinging that went on about the 'long walk', and the fact, having reached the Abbey, we sent Cat and Steve back for the picnic. Corinne joined the National Trust that day. I didn't, it took me another year.

On Friday, I went again. This time we started at the Abbey end. The weather was glorious, as good as we've had all summer - I even wore my sun hat!

As we walked through the park, it didn't feel very far at all. Of course, we stopped for tea and cake when we reached the other end. That was 'lunch'. Walking back we decided to go up over the hill to the High Ride. There'd been no chance of that last time. I discovered new areas of the grounds that I'd never seen before, including the Temple of Fame (above). There was a lot of posing done. By the time we finished, and walked up the hill, only slightly out of breath, it hadn't felt like a long walk at all. We were soon back to the visitor centre, and yes, there was another tea shop.

I think I'm really getting the benefit of my NT membership.

Labels: ,

How bizarre!

Seen emblazoned across a poster for Terms of Endearment whilst walking past York Theatre Royal yesterday:
'Tuesday 11 September - Post show autograph signing with the cast'

So, what’s wrong with the stage door then?

I’m not that anxious to have Linda Gray’s autograph, after all, she’s not David Tennant, is she?

Labels:

Thursday, September 06, 2007

You can see why I don't get invited to many dinner parties

At one of my workplaces, we have a regular feature of working lunches. I’ve learned over the years to take my own, as otherwise it just gets complicated. But as I’m fairly new here, they’re trying hard.

They understand that I don’t eat pre-made sandwiches (all that butter, mayo, or other random stuff I don’t like), so they attempt to provide me with salad. So, again, no mayo, no vinaigrette, but then also no onion, tomato, cucumber…the list continues.

This week I was offered a salad. Crayfish and rice. ‘Ah, sorry, don’t eat shellfish’. ‘How about this one?’ (it’s bacon, avocado and spinach) ‘Ok’.

A little dubious, I start to take it apart. M&S have helpfully put the various bits in separate packets, so it’s a DIY salad. Bacon bits, no, don’t want those, vinaigrette, no thanks, tomatoes, well, I can leave those at the bottom of the dish. I’m munching my way through avocado and spinach, helped down by a handful of crisps. It’s not the most appetising lunch I’ve ever had, so I soon give up.

Afterwards I’m asked ‘wasn’t it any good?’ and try to explain that I’m just, well, difficult, and awkward. ‘Can’t you ever eat in restaurants then?’ ‘Oh yes’. I can see the confusion, about what I can possibly eat.

‘You know, you really don’t have to bother’.
‘Oh, I will, I like a challenge’.

I wonder what I’ll get next time?

Labels: ,

Tuesday, September 04, 2007

The Handbag Walks, Part 8

‘You have to admit our walks are different’

It’s been said before, but as we sit in our second tea shop of the day, it’s worth saying again.

This week, we headed north of York, towards the White Horse of Kilburn, and did a circular walk around Husthwaite and Coxwold. For once, the directions in the book were remarkably good. Ok, the author did occasionally use a little artistic licence, ‘Abandon your path...’, but we never got lost, or had to strike unerringly towards an oak tree!

As we walked up onto Beacon Banks, and saw the better part of North Yorkshire falling away to our left and right, it was glorious, and once again made us realise how lucky we are to live in such a beautiful part of the country. We commented that our walks should really be called handbag and photography walks, as there were lots of stops for photos* and posing.

Reaching Coxwold, we visited our first tea shop. As neither V or I had had lunch, we allowed ourselves cake, which was home made, and delicious. Leaving there, we called in the village shop (our only shop of the day, but we have to find one somewhere), and emerging spotted some ‘proper walkers’, three women on the opposite side of the road. No one would have stopped and offered them a lift, as they looked like they meant business – rucksacks, sticks, shorts, ‘proper’ shoes and socks. I’m sure they were doing a much more strenuous walk than we were!

As we walked, the talk turned to whether we’ll keep this up as the weather grows colder. I think we’re all amazed just how well we’ve kept it up, despite the awful summer. We also discussed that we’d need new clothing – I certainly don’t have a winter ‘walking jacket’ - and I’d need new trousers (possibly, shock horror, new jeans!). We want to, but then we’re fair weather walkers, so there might be a lot more time spent in pubs and tea shops.

After we arrived back in Husthwaite, V suggested stopping at a coffee shop in Easingwold, if we had time – well, we made time, and it was lovely. Definitely one to return to in the future.

*which I don’t have any of at the moment, as I reverted to using film.

Labels:

Saturday, September 01, 2007

'The readiness is all'

I got my 2008 Stratford leaflet this morning. I was idly glancing through it, and came across a name. I had to read it again.

A certain Mr David Tennant is playing Hamlet next summer. I am just a bit excited by this!

I can't actually book until 24 September, so that gives plenty of planning time.

And, if that wasn't enough, he's also in Love's Labour's Lost

Labels: , , , ,