The Odd Couple, The Bridewell Theatre

Present: SCEE L&BA

Date: January 24, 2013

This was our first outing to see Alex Hornby since last year's panto.  Oh no it wasn't.  Oh yes it was.  He was in front of us for the whole thing - never off the stage but for a couple of minutes, while he was making drinks and Rebecca Manley was making us laugh.

Good stuff.  Some great accents and acting.  Lots of fun for audience and cast alike.

The Magistrate, The National Theatre (The Olivier)

Present: Nic, Brian, Gill, Pierre-Yves, Luuk, Barbara, Nicola DL

It didn't get rave reviews in the press but we all heartily enjoyed this - a clever moving set that was repositioned around a chorus who sang "Gilbert and Sullivan"-ish songs that foretold the coming chaos on the next scene.  The boy, who didn't know he was a man, was entertaining yet oddly and comedically sinister and John Lithgow struck a quite excellent upper class English accent to play the worn-down magistrate.  Comic capers and entertainment for post-Christmas, blue January.  And a celebrity spot off stage as Felicity Kendall was in the audience - old Rosemary scrubs up well after the gardening.