No, no, it's no good trying to persuade me and I do realise what a loss I shall be but the truth of the matter is that I can no longer trust my own judgment in picking plays. Last year, you may recall if you didn't die of terminal boredom, I went to see a production of Stoppard's Arcadia which is, without doubt the greatest play of the 20th century. The director was a total plonker and we left at the interval. Eager to make amends to the 'Memsahib', I took her next to a production of Rattigan's Flarepath. Cue non stop sotto voce obscenities and again we left at the interval.
Last week, as I think I may have mentioned, it was the Memsahib's birthday and by chance there was a production of Ira Levin's play Deathtrap. Now you need to understand that under the Memsahib's direction, night after night (or at least, that's what it feels like) we watch nothing but Midsomer Murders, followed by Lewis and then Miss Marple. Her fascination with murder mysteries is beginning to get me worried! What can she be planning, I wonder? Anyway, I understood that Deathtrap is up there with The Mousetrap as one of the all-time greatest theatrical murder mysteries. The latter, incidentally, has been running non-stop since 1952! Anyway, with the utmost confidence I booked a couple of seats.
Yes, you guessed it - we left at the interval! - again!
Don't ask me whether it was the script, the production or the acting because I just don't know. Within a very few moments I was contemplating the murder of the entire company and wondering if I could dig up the dead body of Mr. Ira Levin in order to drive a stake through his heart!
Anyway, the day was not entirely lost. We stopped at a garden centre and bought some plants for the garden and I treated the 'Memsahib' to a particularly flashy orchid, a favourite of hers. Also, we managed to buy a small armchair that will just fit into our somewhat tiny parlour, as we call it. So the day was not entirely lost but I still have murder in my heart . . .
I'm a great fan of Lewis and its kindred associated series Morse and Endeavor. Midsommer [if it existed] would be the murder capital of the UK.
They beat the hell out of the US shows [sorry Whitewall] where you have to clean the bodies out of the bottom of the tele between episodes.
Remember Z Cars and The Sweeney. Now they were great
Posted by: AussieD | Friday, 12 February 2016 at 09:25
Interesting. Flarepath is playing at Buxton until Saturday and only this morning we were wondering whether to nip up and see it. In spite of the good reviews we decided it probably isn't to our taste.
Posted by: Uncle Mort | Friday, 12 February 2016 at 13:33
David, I have a possible solution for you. Since you and your date only stay for half the show, arrange for half price tickets. You get what you stay for and can then use the balance of funds to buy something for the Memsahib.
AussieD...unfortunately you are right.
Posted by: Whitewall | Friday, 12 February 2016 at 13:35
It's a terrific play, Uncle, but the actors and the director need to understand the times in which it was written - it was a different England then. It's definitely worth a visit and if the company are unconvincing, well, you can always leave at the interval and take the missus out to dinner.
Some people criticise it today for its streak of sentimentality but, dammit, we were in the middle of a war when it was written and London audiences needed - and deserved - a happy ending. Mind you, with Rattigan's usual subtlety, when you think about it the 'happy' ending might not be quite so happy!
Worth a try!
Posted by: David Duff | Friday, 12 February 2016 at 13:43
Good thinking, Whiters, I may have to employ you as my financial advisor!
Posted by: David Duff | Friday, 12 February 2016 at 13:45
NCIS was good in its day, somewhat past, but it was good, when Ziva was still there. I like Midsomer, too, and have been binge watching it for about a week, now. I have heard that Midsomer fades in future seasons. It's not always nice to be able to see the future.
Posted by: Michael Adams | Friday, 12 February 2016 at 18:53
Michael - in Italy we get NCIS with Ziva and you are correct it is excellent. And the Sweeney is/was the greatest ever.
Posted by: Cuffleyburgers | Friday, 12 February 2016 at 21:09
Aussie D - I see that ABC 1 is running The Bill in the afternoons. I haven't actually been watching it but I see Reg is there and the nice blonde lady policeperson.
I must sit down and watch an episode one day to see if I still like it.
Ira Levin was very good writer and I'll bet it wasn't easy to ruin it so comletely.
Sorry you had such a lousy time - up until the gardening part, of course.
Posted by: Andra | Friday, 12 February 2016 at 21:30
Duffers, a question for you: could it possibly be the luvvie in you that prevents you from enjoying these masterpieces? Bit like a back seat driver, if I may be so bold.
Posted by: Timbo | Friday, 12 February 2016 at 22:54
AussieD. I always have liked the tune from Z Cars.
Posted by: jimmy glesga | Saturday, 13 February 2016 at 00:31
David
This doesn't mean you are going to stop reporting on those Theaters' of the Absurd also known as British, European, and American politics.
Try Utube it has many of the classic movies and TV programs for free.
Posted by: Hank | Saturday, 13 February 2016 at 00:47
I see that Glenda Jackson is going to play King Lear.
Posted by: Backofanenvelope | Saturday, 13 February 2016 at 08:28
I used to enjoy 'Z Cars' back in the day and it was handy having 'Scousers' in the barracks to help with the translation!
No, Timbo, I always have the same approach to theatre, I just sit back, 'thumb up bum and mind in neutral' so to speak, and just say 'do it to me, people!' It's only afterwards that I try to analyse the rights and wrongs.
Don't worry, Hank, I will continue to 'Bore for Britain' on our mutual political scenes - best theatre in town!
BOE, it will be fun watching her staggering on with the dead Cordelia - hope she's even more light-weight than usual!
Posted by: David Duff | Saturday, 13 February 2016 at 09:51