WeatherGrrrl's Station

Last night we joined a full house at the Mercury Theatre in Colchester for the riotous fun that is British panto. Silliness abounded. Awful jokes were the order of the day as we were booing the evil fairy, singing along, and shouting out at the goings on on stage at all the appropriate moments.

This was very very silly and huge amounts of fun. Talk about audience participation! We walked home afterwards, hoarse and very happy.

Current temperature: here 5C/41F, there 12F/-11C

As the school term ended I had the good fortune of seeing the young’un performing in the school Christmas concert. (Phi, unluckily, was galavanting around Dublin, or at least making his way home from galavanting, and missed out.) As they say, it was not like it used to be. When I was a kidlet in school these concerts were mainly made up of carols and religious items related to the season. This concert was all over the shop but with the bonus of various kids having the opportunity to share their talents and interests rather than only being allowed to perform what the teacher in charge deemed suitable.

As a consequence the young’un was up and down on stage all night joining in with a variety of vocal groupings, instrument ensembles, a solo on his french horn plus as backing, for the singing of an aria, with his trumpet. It was very enjoyable if a little unconventional and a little rough at the edges.

Next term the young’un has the opportunity to participate in a local music school and we’re keeping our fingers crossed that it all works out well. The listing of ensembles and classes he can participate in is quite broad. (So lots of opportunities to try many different things.) I’m not sure how it’s all going to work as his not having participated in the musical exam/grading structure here means it’s not entirely clear how he will mesh with their requirements. I’m keeping my fingers crossed.

Current temperature: here 8C/46F, there 12F/-11C

Better late than never, eh? This production was fantastic. The all female cast was impressive and made a very interesting juxtaposition with the all male casting of Coriolanus. Interestingly, if anything, what I discovered was that the first third of the play, as written by Monsieur Shakespeare, was weaker than the second two thirds. The beginning involved much standing around speaking. Not the most riveting of set ups. When the action finally got going, however, holy molely, was it something else.

Much thought had been clearly given to every element of this production and they all worked together to set the scene and enhance the action. The basic set from Coriolanus was reused with some modification in decoration and the removal of certain structures. Costuming was excellent and differentiated male and female roles as well as allegiances. Drumming was used as an integral part of the soundscape. In fact, the whole music/sound design was incredibly well thought out and produced. All the different elements came together as a united whole to tell the story and by the end left you with a significant emotional wallop.

Current temperature: here 8C/46F, there 18F/-8C