Theatre and Comedy

This post may seem somewhat lacking, but it's just a record of the wonderful shows we saw during this trip.

If you're unfamiliar with the comedians in question, hie thee to YouTube and check them out. Clearly, seeing them in person is better, but you'll get a taste for them. I would like to have taken photos or recorded bits of the shows, but that is forbidden, so I'm just adding pix of the theatres beforehand and the players, where possible.

Ross Noble at the New Theatre in Oxford. The man is completely mad!

Arcadia by Tom Stoppard at the Old Vic. A wonderful production of what is arguably Stoppard's best play. It was nominated for Best Revival of a Play. but didn't win the Olivier Award which went to All My Sons by Arthur Miller.

Man and Boy by Terrance Rattigan at the National Theatre. The play was really interesting and Ben Daniels' performance was astonishing!

Paddington, the musical, at the Savoy Theatre. I wish I could say I loved it but it was so pedestrian with melodies ripped off from Wicked and possibly the worst lyrics ever written. Several excellent performances, but we left after act one because even orange marmalade couldn't save this show. I'm gobsmacked that it was nominated for eleven Olivier Awards and won seven.

Foil, Arms & Hog at the Palladium. These three Irish comedians/singers/improvisers were nothing short of brilliant! Follow them on Facebook or subscribe on YouTube.

Oh, Mary! at the Trafalgar Theatre. Kitsch, crass, over-the-top hilarity. Sort of Ru Paul meets American history. An Olivier Award winner this year for Best Entertainment or Comedy Play.

Now, technically, this isn't a show, but Flute bar in Soho was fabulously over-the-top.

For those of us who remember, however vaguely, the excesses of the 1980s, one of their features is "Champagne and a Bump": a glass of Billecart-Salmon Blanc de Blancs & 5g Osciètre Caviar by Kaviari Paris, served on your hand, as a proper bump used to be.

We missed the DJ. Judging from the shoes sticking out from under the console I'd guess that she enjoyed one bump too many. Maybe we'll catch her next time.