Rob's Log
No pop, no style.
Saturday, October 05, 2024
24-10-05 - Saturday I - What a Week
Wednesday, August 14, 2024
24-08-14 - Wednesday I - Riots
I like to think I'm a regular guy, but I abhor the recent riots in the UK. There is just no need for them. Or, if there is a need for them (and I think there might be), the root cause or trigger for the riots is not the basis that the rioters or the "mainstream media" think it is.
Let me explain.
There are people who can't get council housing. There are people who don't get swift police response when shit happens. I think a lot of people have experienced delays at hospitals and A&E departments.
These things are not related to the (relatively) small number of people arriving on our shores "irregularly" in small boats.
The fact that there is no social housing is attributable to the fact that there has been no investment in housing by central government.
The reduction in police numbers and the "reprioritisation" of crimes has been attributable to the fact that there has been no investment in policing by central government.
The delays in treatment in A&E has been attributable to the fact that there has been no investment in healthcare by central government.
I am hoping that a change in government will change this, but actually I am very concerned by the early signals from the current Labour govt. They need to change the way they look at the economy, because if Rachel Reeves has the same approach as George Osborne, then to my mind there is no benefit in having a Labour govt. What I am hoping is that this is a moderate "don't startle the horses" beginning, before more radical policies are adopted. At least it looks like the union issues are being resolved, and speaking personally as a commuter that is a fantastic breakthrough.
It's only been five weeks, let's wait and see, I guess?
TTFN.
Saturday, July 20, 2024
24-07-20 - Saturday I - Present Laughter @ Connaught Studios, Worthing, Thursday 18th July
Thursday evening took us to Connaught Studios to watch Present Laughter, a play by Noel Coward revived and starring Andrew Scott (he of Moriarty / Sherlock fame).
It was a very funny play, I really enjoyed it. There were moments when it was all a bit too hysterical, the actors were screeching at each other, but I’m sure that was intentional. It was a view into a very niche bohemian way of life where people were awfully catty to each other but it didn’t really matter, they carried on anyway. And their love lives were very complicated; Garry (Scott) was married to Liz (Indira Varma) but sleeping with Joe Lypiatt (Enzo Cilenti). Joe’s wife Helen was having an affair with another woman. It was hard to keep track of what was going on, tbh. But that was half the fun.
We have seen Indira Varma in a couple of filmed plays, one was The Seagull, which was a bit meta, and tbh I can’t remember the other. But she is always good value and she was in this play as well.
It was a great night out and I think these plays filmed by the National Theatre are well worth going to see, even if the subject matter doesn’t look that interesting. It’s something a bit different from a Marvel film or the latest Mission Impossible. They normally leave you with something to think about, and I think that’s a good sign in an evening’s entertainment.
TTFN.
Wednesday, July 17, 2024
24-07-17 - Wednesday I - St Swithin’s Day
Friday, June 21, 2024
24-06-21 - Friday I - Labour Labour Labour
Monday, May 27, 2024
24-05-27 - Monday I - Bank Holiday Sunday
Saturday, March 23, 2024
24-03-23 - Saturday I - Plaza Suite @ The Savoy Theatre, Friday 22nd March
Tuesday, February 27, 2024
24-02-27 - Tuesday I - Drop the Dead Donkey @ Chichester Theatre, Wednesday 21st Feb 2024
24-02-27 - Tuesday II - Alien Chicks @ The Green Door Store, 10th February 2024
Well, that was a thoroughly enjoyable night. I love the Green Door Store as a venue, it is so straightforward and without pretention. The support band came on at about 8pm and were good; I thought initially that they sounded like the Cocteau Twins but by the end of their set I thought they sounded like an evolution rather than a re-run - hopefully that is a good thing?
Then it was time for the main event and true to form it didn’t go smooth from a technical perspective for Alien Chicks. This time, the guitarist / lead singer realised that his guitar had packed in within the first bars of the first song. So, once he had sourced a replacement, the show got into full swing. And very enjoyable it was too. They are quite a punky band but I think what saves them from being a pedestrian punk band are their rhythms. I thought that when I saw them at The Great Escape last year and I still think it; they owe an awful lot to their drummer. But, whatever, I really enjoyed the evening and even threw a couple of (mental) shapes to complement the dancing going on at the front.
In the pantheon of live acts that I have seen recently and would be happy/willing to see again, Alien Chicks are in there.
TTFN.
Saturday, December 30, 2023
23-12-30 - Saturday I - Star Wars IV A New Hope @ The Connaught, 29th December
I saw just before Christmas that the Connaught Theatre had scheduled the original Star Wars trilogy over three days - yesterday, today and tomorrow. So naturally I bought tickets to all three films. I did actually buy a pair of tickets to each showing and I thought TMO might be able to accompany me, but unfortunately she had other plans, and neither of the other two were able / wanted to come with. TW is laid low with covid as well, but it's not her bag anyway.
Before the showing I had a look and it seemed like only about 30 or 35 tickets had been booked, which is a shame in such a big theatre.
Anyway, I turned up, having fortified myself with a cheeky KFC, and sat down to enjoy Mark Hamill and Harrison Ford and Carrie Fisher run around in space. The music and titles started and I thoroughly enjoyed the whole thing. The music especially is a thing of beauty, although I am not one for a soundtrack. I also liked the way the movie transitioned between scenes.
Watching it now, there are a couple of scenes which seem unnecessary and there are a few things which don't make sense. The lightsabre special effects aren't great, and seeing Han Solo step over Jabba's tail was a bit jarring. But the space fights are excellent, and the finale where they (spoiler!) destroy the Death Star was as exhilarating as ever. Rewatching this film as an artefact from my youth was an absolute pleasure, and I am looking forward to seeing The Empire Strikes Back later this afternoon...
TTFN.
Saturday, December 23, 2023
23-12-23 - Saturday I - A Cup of Tea
Thursday, November 23, 2023
23-11-23 - Thursday I - Prima Queen @ The Green Door Store, 22nd April
Sunday, October 01, 2023
23-10-01 - Sunday I - A Little Life, Connaught Theatre, Worthing, 30th September
Yesterday we went to see A Little Life, which was a filmed version of the play which was performed earlier this year in London. TW and a friend had been to see it and has been singing its praises ever since. We had gone out on Friday night and had a fairly heavy one, so I was expecting that maybe this would pass me by. Probably, at my age, I'd spend most of the first half wondering when the interval would be, and if I'd be able to make it without needing a wee.
Well. What an amazing, intense play. The first half was 1hr & 40 minutes, and it passed in a flash. As the story unfolded it became more grim. I was a bit confused over what was past and what was present, but it became clearer as the play went on.
The second half was more emotional if that is possible, but it piled on the injustices and amplified the hideousness suggested / partially revealed before the interval.
It was a four-hour marathon, and in advance of going I was a bit concerned about whether I'd last, but I'd go and see it again in a heartbeat.
It's an amazing, gut-wrenching play and I'd recommend it to anyone and everyone.
TTFN.