Rob's Log
No pop, no style.
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.
Monday, August 07, 2023
23-08-07 - Monday I - Jaguar Skillz @ Factory Live, 14/04/23
Thursday, August 03, 2023
23-08-03 - Thursday I - Barbie @ The Dome Cinema, Sunday 30th August
Tuesday, July 18, 2023
23-07-19 - Wednesday I - Pub In The Park @ Preston Park, Brighton, Sunday 16th July 2023
Wednesday, May 24, 2023
23-05-24 - Wednesday I - Good Luck to You, Leo Grande
Sunday, May 21, 2023
23-05-21 - Sunday I - The Night Agent
So, last week TW & I watched The Night Agent. An absolutely brilliant bit of telly, it had our hearts in our mouths several times in every episode and it was so enjoyable we watched all ten episodes in three nights.
We did have to suspend disbelief, I mean some of it is complete cobblers, but why let reality get in the way of a story well told? I said it was enjoyable hokum, and I stand by that, and I think we’ll watch the second series if and when it appears.
We haven’t watched much telly at all since we moved house to be frank, and it’s been nice to take some time to immerse ourselves in a story and relax as the story happens “to” us. We enjoyed it so much we are now watching The Diplomat which is another Netflix special; it is not as “high octane” as The Night Agent, but it is enjoyable and it’s got a pretty good cast too.
I do need to carry on watching The Expanse, I stopped watching that a while ago, but I really enjoy it and I’ve been told that it just keeps getting better - I’d like to find out! So we’ll see how that goes.
Anyway, it’s sunny out so I am going to enjoy some sunshine.
TTFN.