Two weekends, two plays
I have spent two successive Saturday afternoons doing one of my favourite things - going to the theatre. Last weekend I saw All The Fun Of The Fair at the Garrick Theatre on Charing Cross Road. This musical is based on songs by, and stars, David Essex. David and I have come on a long journey together since 1972, and I remain a fan to this day.
The storyline is quite obvious - a love story set in a travelling fairground, with David playing the fairground owner, Levi Lee. The hair may be shorter and greyer these days, but the voice is still there, and David retains that naughty and slightly dangerous twinkle in his blue eyes.
I loved All The Fun Of The Fair: pure escapism based on songs that formed the soundtrack to my teenage years and beyond. It's a timeless tale of thwarted and unrequited love, and of relationships. Great stuff!
Afterwards, I stood at the Stage Door, hoping David would appear so that I could tell him how much I'd enjoyed the show. One of the theatre staff came out and said that David wouldn't be appearing but would be happy to sign programmes in his dressing room for those of us waiting! I wrote my name on the front of my programme, and sure enough after about five minutes this lovely man returned with our programmes, all signed! Mine has a lovely autograph on the page with David's photo and biography. I thought this was a lovely gesture, and reinforces why I am still a fan of this exceptionally talented man after all these years!
Yesterday, by way of complete contrast, I went to the Trafalgar Studios to see Holding The Man. What a stunning play, hilariously funny and incredibly moving. Based on a true story, and set in Australia, Holding The Man follows Tim and John through all the ups and downs of their relationship, until the spectre of HIV/AIDS rears its head and "the only problem that love can’t solve turns up to part them". The two lead actors are supported by a cast playing multiple roles, acting their hearts out and frequently in tears on stage. I was glad I heeded advice to take tissues, because I certainly needed them. I found the play quite cathartic.
I was fortunate enough to be able to meet all the cast members, including the lovely Simon Burke, who won my heart when he played Georges in La Cage Aux Folles last year.
Unforgettable.
The storyline is quite obvious - a love story set in a travelling fairground, with David playing the fairground owner, Levi Lee. The hair may be shorter and greyer these days, but the voice is still there, and David retains that naughty and slightly dangerous twinkle in his blue eyes.
I loved All The Fun Of The Fair: pure escapism based on songs that formed the soundtrack to my teenage years and beyond. It's a timeless tale of thwarted and unrequited love, and of relationships. Great stuff!
Afterwards, I stood at the Stage Door, hoping David would appear so that I could tell him how much I'd enjoyed the show. One of the theatre staff came out and said that David wouldn't be appearing but would be happy to sign programmes in his dressing room for those of us waiting! I wrote my name on the front of my programme, and sure enough after about five minutes this lovely man returned with our programmes, all signed! Mine has a lovely autograph on the page with David's photo and biography. I thought this was a lovely gesture, and reinforces why I am still a fan of this exceptionally talented man after all these years!
Yesterday, by way of complete contrast, I went to the Trafalgar Studios to see Holding The Man. What a stunning play, hilariously funny and incredibly moving. Based on a true story, and set in Australia, Holding The Man follows Tim and John through all the ups and downs of their relationship, until the spectre of HIV/AIDS rears its head and "the only problem that love can’t solve turns up to part them". The two lead actors are supported by a cast playing multiple roles, acting their hearts out and frequently in tears on stage. I was glad I heeded advice to take tissues, because I certainly needed them. I found the play quite cathartic.
I was fortunate enough to be able to meet all the cast members, including the lovely Simon Burke, who won my heart when he played Georges in La Cage Aux Folles last year.
Unforgettable.