I've got tickets

Last month I wrote about the book The Happiest Refugee by Anh Do. I suggested that everyone should read it and am pleased that my 12 year old Grand-daughter and her mother both followed my recommendation. I wonder if anyone else was prompted to read it.

My mate Jackie made this comment on my post "I went and saw him recently in the city - a wonderfully funny and poignant show. He announced that someone (Russell Crowe I think) is going to make a movie from part of the book. Anh will play his Dad in the movie - one to watch out for I think."

This week I got a notification from Ticketmaster that Anh would be doing a show in Sydney in November and that a presale would open this morning. At 10:00 am when the bookings opened I logged on in an effort to get tickets. By the time I managed to connect the only tickets available were back about 8 rows or on the ends of rows closer to the stage, I opted for further back in the centre and after three attempts managed to get some seats. I presume that a very tall gentleman and a lady with a big hairdo have booked the seats in front of us.

The State Theatre in Sydney, a venue that I love for its decor although some of the seats are a bit lumpy, will host the performance. Mr Geniaus appreciates the generous legroom between the rows at The State. A trip to the State Theatre brings back childhood memories of many movies seen there with Mum, Dad and schoolfriends.

Anh impressed me so much in his book that I am so looking forward to seeing him in person. 

I've got something to look forward to in November.

Highway Robbery

I proffered a 20 pound note for two Diet Cokes and this cheese plate at Royal Albert Hall just now. That wasn't enough! I had to hand over an additional 40 pence. 

This is the worst value I have encountered on my trip. It's highway robbery.

A Right Royal Day

Windsor Castle was our destination this morning but more of that later. The Queen was in residence there because there was a big party happening at her London residence, Buckingham Palace.

On our return from Windsor early this afternoon we put our feet up for half an hour then donned our glad rags and set off on the Tube to Buckingham Palace for the Gala Concert to celebrate 60 years since QE2's Coronation.

At the Palace - will they let us in?

Yes, we got through those gates (and security)

HRH has pretty nice gardens

The concert was in the Queen's backyard

One could purchase a picnic

There were lots of stalls set up by those privileged to have a Royal Warrant

The Signage was pretty posh too

A polite reminder to take our seats

The best of British (performers)

The Good Life

I was wandering aimlessly near Leicester Square in London yesterday when I saw a familiar name on a Theatre awning. I remembered that name particularly from The Good Life a British comedy I enjoyed many years ago. As well as starring in The Good Life I also remember watching Felicity in Rosemary & Thyme.

As I had been thinking of checking on the day's matinees I wandered around to the TKTs booth and found tickets available for Alan Ackybourn's play Relatively Speaking with Felicity Kendal for 29.95 pounds. I bought one. Before I set off to the theatre I sat on the fence at Leicester Square, ate my Pret a Manger baguette and people and pigeon watched.

Baguette

Fellow Fence Sitters at Leicester Square

The Alternative Company in Leicester Squar

Wyndham's Theatre

The play venue Wyndham's Theatre was a pretty and well maintained theatre except for the two Ladies loos which didn't flush properly and were totally inadequate for the number of ladies in attendance. My seat in Row L was like economy class so I was reminded how fortunate I was to have had more generous accommodation on the previous evening's long haul flight from Sydney. I am a large lady but I was positively dwarfed by the gentleman who sat on my left, thankfully the man on my right was not so generously proportioned.When a group of ladies filed into the row in front of me I drew the short straw as the tallest in the group sat in front of me obliterating my view of one third of the stage - the centre third. I started daydreaming about sardines. After the play commenced the man on my right moved along to an empty seat and so did I - no more daydreams.

Wyndham's Theatre

The first half of the play was very ordinary while the storylines for the second half were set. I am wondering if the large man on my left was related to the writer, actor or producer as he was one of the few in the theatre who laughed a lot. Thankfully the play improved in the second act with a good amount of genuine laughter coming from the audience.

Wyndham's Theatre

I would not recommend this play as a must see but it was an enjoyable diversion in a pretty venue and I got to see Felicity Kendal and her amazingly skinny legs in the flesh. Thank goodness I didn't pay the full price of over 50 pounds for my ticket. I really would have felt cheated if that would have been the case.

One is pleased...

... that one isn't required to wear a hat to The Spectacular Evening Gala at Buckingham Palace on July 13th but I have packed a party frock.

We're in for quite a treat at this gig.  

https://www.coronationfestival.com/the-event/spectacular-evening-gala