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Theatre Visits: April - June 2009

Posted on July 11th, 2009 by bryan.
Categories: Theatre.

I’ve been neglecting this site again.  I would apologise, but I suspect that I’m the only reader!

However, I have updated the Theatre Visits page.  It was a slow start to the year, but I’ve now notched-up four visits in two months to the Royal Albert Hall, as well as a night at the Queen Elizabeth Hall in the Southbank Centre.

Classic FM Live - 16 April **** (Royal Albert Hall)

Cassic FM’s very own Simon Bates compered a great evening.  The programme was wide-ranging and, reflecting the audience, ‘popular’.  And I don’t mean that in a snooty, bad way.  Soloist Faryl Smith (formerly of Britain’s Got Talent) was excellent - Ave Maria and Amazing Grace, sung with an innocence that only a 13-year-old could manage.  We were expecting a rendition of Concierto de Aranjuez by the maestro John Williams, but unfortunately he was taken ill at short notice.  However, his ‘under-study’ (whose name I forget) was a worthy replacement, helping me to realise that the guitar actually is an incredibly difficult and (when played well) beautiful instrument.  The London Chamber Orchestra demonstrated its talent throughout, but I remember especially Prokofiev’s ‘Montagues and Capulets’ from Romeo and Juliet and of course Strauss’ The Blue Danube Waltz - one of my all time favourites!

Various Voices: Voices of Our City - 1 May *** (Queen Elizabeth Hall)

London hosted for a long weekend Various Voices, a series of performances show-casing the wealth of talent in the worldwide gay and lesbian choral community: 60 gay and lesbian choirs from 14 countries; 2,000 singers; 50 concerts; 96 hours; and, no doubt, lots of ‘fun’!  The London Gay Men’s Chorus (including my partner) performed a number of traditional and commissioned London-themed pieces, easily over-shadowing their fellow choirs - Pink Singers and Diversity - both with their presence on stage and the power of their voices.  I’m not the biggest fan of ‘gay’ events / clubs / etc, but this was a great demonstration of talent by a community that really is no less nor more diverse than any other.

RPO Presents Filmharmonic - 8 May **** (Royal Albert Hall)

The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and a celebration of film music, featuring classics from the ‘Golden Age of Hollywood’, together with the latest Box Office blockbusters.  OK, I stole that direct from the programme, but it sums-up exactly what the night was about.  We heard themes from all genre: Star Wars and Mission: Impossible (futuristic); Chariots of Fire and Out of Africa (very ‘Empire’); Gladiator and The Lord of the Rings (epic); and Dynasty and LA Law (very nostalgic).  It was also a reminder that really crap films can (almost) be saved by great compositions - Lesbian Vampire Killers being a prime example!

John Barrowman plus Special Guests - 1 June **** (Royal Albert Hall)

This was an outstanding performance by John Barrowman.  Unfortunately, the (very expensive) programme does not record for my failing memory what he sang, but needless to say it was top quality.  His range of songs was impressive, and he spoke openly and emotively with the audience.  I remember in particular stories about his childhood, parents, long-term partner and … dogs, lots of family dogs!  And, of course, he sang what is quickly becoming his song - I Am what I Am (from La Cage aux Folles).  There was also a special guest appearance by Daniel Boys, formerly of the BBC’s Any Dream Will Do and now appearing in the West End’s Avenue Q.  He has recently launched his debut album, and personally I hope that we will be seeing lots more of him!

The King and I - 21 June **** (Royal Albert Hall)

Rodgers & Hammerstein’s classic, staged in the round of the Royal Albert Hall and featuring the hugely talented (and expertly casted) Maria Friedman as Anna Leonowens.  Well-loved songs, a strong supporting cast and orchestra matched by an equally impressive set and venue, and a bottle of wine.  There is nothing more to say.

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Happy New Year!

Posted on January 8th, 2009 by bryan.
Categories: General, Holidays, Restaurants, Theatre.

2009!  Where did that come from??

The festivities proper started on 19 December, with an indoor picnic and party games at my last day in the office in 2008.  In the evening, a friend and I went to Cadogan Hall, where the London Gay Men’s Chorus (including Graeme) was performing “For Christmas’ Sake”, featuring carols, comedy and very exhausting audience participation.  This was my second LGMC concert, and they’ve both been great - although there is one member of the Chorus that I just wish would choke on his microphone!  Never mind, I got to gush over my ’star’ boyfriend and I even won a raffle prize - a very impressive set of xmas tree baubles!  It wasn’t a very late night, because I was up early the next day to head to Edinburgh.

It was another early start on 23 December, but this time it was for a visit to the dentist and the news that I’ve to get a wisdom tooth out under general anaesthetic - great!!  I then met a friend at Le Sept, probably my favourite restaurant in Edinburgh.  I know smoked haddock and crayfish crepes won’t appeal to everyone, but I’ve yet to be disappointed!  As my friend was abstaining from alcohol, it wasn’t one of our usual marathon lunches, and I spent the rest of the afternoon and early evening attempting (unsuccessfully) to finish my xmas shopping.

Christmas Eve was relatively quiet - just a visit with my Dad and Sister to Edinburgh Zoo.   Unfortunately, my Sis was working night shifts over xmas, but I still had Graeme to look after me - amazingly, it would be the first time that we would wake up together on Christmas Day.  After opening a few presents, Graeme, my Sister and I went round the corner to my Dad’s house, where we exchanged family presents and tucked into brunch.  Graeme and I then went to wish the animals at Edinburgh Zoo a ‘Merry Xmas’ - yes, my second visit in as many days!  Meanwhile, my Sister was preparing an informal (but very tasty) haggis supper, which we had to throw back before she started her night shift.  Graeme and I spent the evening lounging in front of the TV, enjoying the traditional xmas nonsense - although Wallace & Gromit’s “A Matter of Loaf and Death” was excellent!  Boxing Day was our formal family xmas celebration, with a steak pie dinner at my dad’s house.

Our trips to Edinburgh are always pretty manic, and we never have enough time to see everyone and to do everything that we want.  However, on 27 December, Graeme and I met up with my long-time friend, David.  We had dinner at the Smoke Stack, which is definitely in my list of top five restaurants in Edinburgh, and drinks at The Street; but we had no energy for the clubs.

We had a relatively quiet day on 28 December, but after dinner at dad’s house, Graeme, my sister, a couple of her friends and I headed to The Spylaw Tavern, to test our brains in the local pub quiz.  Amazingly, we came second in the main event, and somehow won (yes, won!) the bonus round and the £50 prize!  In the mood to celebrate, but not quite dressed for the occasion, we bought pizzas and alcohol and headed back to my sister’s house, going to bed in the wee small hours.  After a late rise the next day, we sought some retail therapy for our sore heads at The Centre, Livingston.  30 December brought our annual dinner with family friends - it’s one of those ‘traditions’ that nobody remembers why or when it started, nor indeed (if I’m being totally honest) why it continues.  Oh well!

Hogmanay is one of my favourite times of the year - Scottish, world recognised … and really, really fun!  Graeme and I celebrated with dinner at the Smoke Stack (I said it was one of my favourites!) and drinks at The Street (sound familiar ??), before watching the fireworks that heralded the arrival of 2009.  The pyrotechnics are impressive, but the best part of Edinburgh’s Hogmanay celebrations is the sight of over 100,000 strangers cheering, dancing and embracing as if they were ‘well kent’ friends - I’ve only spent one New Year’s Eve in London, but it definitely lacked the atmosphere that you get in the Scottish capital.  After the fireworks, we headed to what is now a traditional Hogmanay flat party, hosted by more or less the same people for almost 10 years.  Needless to say, there was chatting, drinking, singing, drinking, games … and a bit more drinking!  Continuing the Scottish theme, we finished a great night of celebrations with a haggis and sausage from Rapido, undoubtedly my favourite chip shop.

Despite not getting into bed until the wee, wee small hours (i.e. 5am), I was up on New Year’s Day at 9am to officiate at the Portobell Promathon, a surprisingly popular (to the extent that it does not have to be advertised) race that attracts hundreds of runners.  I don’t understand the attraction of running practically in the North Sea during a Scottish winter, but then again I go along every year to watch.  Weird!  Anyway, I was shattered and hungover, so I spent the rest of the day at my dad’s house.

2 January was our last full day in Edinburgh, so we had a lot to fit in - lunch with my friend Laura and her fiance, coffee (and PlayStation 3) with David and lastly dinner with my Dad and his partner at another favourite haunt, Katie’s Diner (the food is great and the owner is hysterical).  Then it was up early on 3 January for the return journey to London, work and a bit of a rest!

So that was how I ended 2008, and welcomed in 2009.  Who knows what the year ahead has to offer, but it looks set to be ‘interesting’ - a looming recession, soaring unemployment, a general election, pointless wars, a dying planet.  As you can see, I’m staying positive.

Happy New Year!

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A quick catch-up

Posted on October 7th, 2008 by bryan.
Categories: Films, General, Theatre.

It’s been a while since I posted a blog, so here’s a quick update about what I’ve been doing:-

• Graeme and I enjoyed another two BBC Prom performances (Nos. 66 & 75), including the Penultimate Night of the Proms.  I know the latter does not have the kudos of the Last Night, but Beethoven’s Symphony No 9 (’Choral’) was outstanding: I’ve wanted to hear it live for years, and now I can’t wait to experience it again.  Ratings - ****/5 & *****/5.
• We also got the use of a Royal Albert Hall box for Classic FM Live.  The Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra and its conductor, Vasily Petrenko, were on fine form, with a programme featuring Bizet, Puccini, Schubert, Sibelius and Tchaikovsky.  There were also quality clarinet and trumpet solos by Emma Johnson and Alison Balsom; and the voices of Alfie Boe and Kate Royal - especially when united for Ave Maria - were sublime.  The canons and fireworks of the 1812 Overture were a fitting end to a great evening.  Rating - *****/5.

• My sister visited us for a long weekend, which included a night at the cinema (’Taken‘ is excellent - ****/5) and a day trip to Whipsnade Zoo (very cold, but great fun - ****/5).  However, the best part of the weekend was a visit to Alton Towers, undoubtedly the UK’s best theme park.  My queasy tummy and dizzy head testify to us trying most of the big rides (’Oblivion’ and its vertical drop was the best), but my favourite ride was probably the ‘Runaway Mine Train’ - plenty of twists and turns, kids laughing and lots of smiles, all without the need for a post-ride sick bucket!  We visited on an October weekday outwith the school holidays, which I would definitely recommend.  Alton Towers - *****/5.

That’s all for just now.  B x

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Edinburgh Fringe 2008: 1-3 August

Posted on August 4th, 2008 by bryan.
Categories: Restaurants, Theatre.

It’s August, so it must be time for the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and our annual trip north.

Friday 1 August

We treated ourselves to a First Class trip to Edinburgh. For once, it was pretty uneventful, except for seeing my dad and his partner hanging out their bedroom window waving with towels to the train. The tourists in our carriage looked a bit bemused, but I’m sure they thought it was a quaint Scottish custom!

We spent the evening playing Wii Mario Kart at G’s sister’s.

Saturday 2 August

We spent the afternoon at Edinburgh Zoo, with my sister and her friend. It was our first visit to the Budongo Trail, the chimps’ new multi-million pound enclosure: it’s much more realistic and focuses more on visitor education, which is what zoos should be all about. We also saw the new patagonian sealion, which is still technically in quarantine and to be joined by some new ‘friends’.

After the zoo, we spent the evening relaxing, eating and ‘Wii-ing’ at G’s sister’s - have you spotted a trend?

Sunday 3 August

The first Sunday of August always hosts the Edinburgh Festivals’ Cavalcade, a series of floats that proceed through the centre of town advertising Festival and Fringe events. It started years ago as an opportunity for community groups to raise awareness of their work in and around Edinburgh, but I think this is now considered to be too ‘amateur’. There were still some community floats, including the annual entry from Radio Lollipop, a charity providing play, care, comfort and entertainment to children in hospital. I used to volunteer with RL, so it was a good opportunity to catch up with some old (and not so old) friends. In the past, we helped out on the float, but we had to leave before the Cavalcade started to go to our first show of Fringe 2008.

‘What’s wrong with angry?‘ (venue: C+1) is set during the Section 28 era, when British schools were prohibited from ‘promoting’ homosexuality and there was an unequal age of consent. The plot is simple - a 16 year old falls for, gets and then leaves behind the closeted school jock. Although at times emotional, the play is now slightly dated, with Section 28 (and Scotland’s Clause 2a) abolished and the ages of consent equalised. But as a ‘love story’ and a depiction of gay discrimination until only very recently, it is excellent. Rating - ****/5.

‘The Meeting’ (venue: Pleasance Courtyard - The Meeting Point) is a great concept - instead of performing a play in front of people, you perform it around them. We were taken to a real meeting room, sat around a table and then … subjected to an hour of discomfort, boredom and pretty poor acting: which served only to remind me of some painful meetings that I have attended! Rating - */5.

‘Russell Kane: Gaping Flaws’ (venue: Pleasance Courtyard - Cavern) is an hour of non-stop, top humour about the ‘flaws’ of Britain and our hatred of perfection. He covers everything from the Scottish diet to his father’s lack of pride about his son’s achievements, moving seamlessly from one tale to the next. G has seen Russell Kane a couple of times in London and promised a quality stand-up show - and that’s exactly what we got. This is likely to be the only show we see with G’s sister and brother-in-law, but we’d have struggled to find anything better. Rating - *****/5.

G and I had dinner at Edinburgh’s original Vittoria restaurant, a long-time family favourite. I recommend the mussels and the salmon pasta, but beware of the big portions!

I love this time of year!

The official website of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe

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A quick half-year update

Posted on July 20th, 2008 by bryan.
Categories: General, Holidays, Theatre.

We’re now well into the second half of 2008, so I thought I’d write a quick update about some of the things we’ve been doing over the past six months:-

• Graeme and I moved into a new flat. It’s just along the corridor from our last flat, but it’s much bigger - there is actually room to swing a cat (maybe even a tiger)! On the whole, it was a good move, although we could do without the noisy kids playing outside and the floor that has a bad habit of flooding and lifting. The joys of London living.
• We spent three weeks in South Africa, visiting Graeme’s parents in Jo’burg, Cape Town, Kruger Park and Pretoria. The holiday was amazing, as the 2,500 pics prove. I’ve only managed to upload a hand-full (click here), but the rest will follow - over the next few months. I’ve been wanting to go to SA for years, and it really was the holiday of a life time - but we will definitely go back.

Enjoying the sun, sea and sand of South Africa

• We’ve had a few visits from our respective sisters (Gillian and Lesley). I miss my sister a lot, so it’s always fun to catch up - even though we struggle to find new things to do. It’s not through lack of choice, it’s just that we have different tastes and neither of us can make a decision! We also had a visit from my dad, who was in town for the London Marathon.
• Graeme joined the London Gay Men’s Chorus (LGMC), which is keeping him out of mischief. He’s really loving the opportunity to meet new people and to perform, so far in two of London’s top venues - Leicester Square and Cadogan Hall. Both shows were excellent and I am hugely proud of him.
• I finished and passed my company secretary exams, which means that I’m finally a Graduate (and eligible to become an Associate) of the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators (ICSA). My previous blogs testify that the exams were not the easiest in the world, so I’m glad to have that all behind me.
• I started a new job just after we got back from South Africa: it’s a similar role, but working for a bigger not-for-profit organisation. It means a slightly longer commute, but it really was time to move on from my former employer: I’d been there for three years and I needed a new challenge. I miss my old work colleagues, though.
• Graeme and I enjoyed a weekend in Cardiff, the hen and stag party capital of the UK - which is not a sentence I thought I would ever write. The pics will follow, eventually.
• We had a great night out at The Old Vic, where we saw Pygmalion. I am a huge fan of My Fair Lady (and Audrey Hepburn), so it was great to see the ‘original’, particularly in such a unique venue. We’ve not been to the theatre much this year (only two productions: The Lion King and The Mikado), but this definitely made up for it.
• Finally, Graeme and I joined London Zoo, which means this site will soon feature even more pics of penguins. I apologise in advance.

I don’t think there is anything else - well, nothing worth writing. We’ve bought our tickets for the Edinburgh Fringe, so we’ll be travelling north for 1-10 August - an opportunity to see family and friends and to enjoy some top quality entertainment (The Caesar Twins, Joan Rivers, Russell Kane, etc.). Then it will be back to London and all the good and bad that brings.

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Happy New Year !!!

Posted on January 1st, 2008 by bryan.
Categories: General.

What better way to start 2008 than celebrating my fourth anniversary with Graeme.

Loving you forever, Graeme! xxx

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Happy Birthday, Graeme!

Posted on November 22nd, 2007 by bryan.
Categories: General.

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Bank Holiday weekend - August 2007

Posted on August 28th, 2007 by bryan.
Categories: General.

I’m not the religious sort, but thank God for Bank Holidays! Work has been a nightmare recently - and probably will be until October - so it’s great to have a long weekend followed by a four-day week. And not just any long weekend, but a SUNNY weekend - maybe He is keeping an eye on us!

As with all Bank Holidays, the weekend began at work on the Friday. A group of us went for lunch to Miso in Camden - not bad food and great portions! We didn’t touch a drop of alcohol, but we still managed to giggle our way through the rest of the afternoon. It wasn’t a totally ‘dry’ day though, as I went out for a few drinks after work - OK, so it was probably closer to four bottles of wine - but it had been a hard week.

Graeme and I spent Saturday afternoon getting lost in Epping Forest. This gave us the chance to use the hiking boots we bought for Madeira and to enjoy the sun. It also proved wrong the myth that London is all concrete. We live almost bang in the middle of capital, but it only took 40-50 minutes on the Tube to get to the end of the Central Line and into a different world - suburbs, grass, no heavy traffic, country paths, picnics, etc. We did get a bit carried away though - during our post-walk pint, we got round to discussing possible house purchases! Oh well, apparently the average person spends only 17 minutes deciding whether or not to buy a house.

Sunday was a bit less adventurous - a walk along the Thames from Embankment to Tower Bridge, stopping off to watch the street performers, drink a pint and eat a cheese board! We then headed into Soho to look at the sights (read: ‘the boys’), before heading back to get ready for a Bank Holiday weekend night on the town. Needless to say, we both sat down and fell asleep - but it was the thought that counts!

Graeme put me to shame yesterday (Monday), leaving me at home to watch the World Athletics Championships in Osaka, whilst he went to the gym. I tried to justify this on the basis that I spent the weekend walking through Epping Forest and along the Thames - but, if I’m being honest, it’s because I hate the gym and I am naturally lazy! I did have enough energy to enjoy the sun at Hyde Park’s Diana Memorial Fountain - we were hoping, as we approach the tenth anniversary of Diana’s death, to spot the odd hysterical tourist, but maybe the world is finally beginning to realise that (while she did some good things in her life) she was not a Mother Theresa. We finished the day, and the holiday weekend, at Ed’s Diner - just to add a few extra calories!

As for being back at work today - thank God (again!) for four day weeks!

NOTE: I have got loads of pics to add to the Photo Album - from this weekend and before - but I spilled a cup of tea on my laptop (doh!) and it’s away getting repaired. Unfortunately, I don’t know when I’ll get it back - Sony seems not to care about its customers (unless you’re phoning its peak rate helpline)!

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San Francisco - a few more pics

Posted on April 22nd, 2007 by bryan.
Categories: Holidays.

After deleting a lot of my own pics from San Francisco (!!), it was great to find out how good Graeme’s pics were. Click below to see just a highlight …

San Francisco - a few more pics

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God, I need a holiday

Posted on October 6th, 2006 by bryan.
Categories: General.

I’ve been neglecting this site recently - sorry! Work has been a total effin’ nightmate, but it’s all over now. I can get back to eating, drinking, taking photos and … bugger, studying! Oh well, I should be done just in time for Xmas.
Incidentally, Graeme has now jumped in (head first) to the world of podcasting. I’ve not been brave enough to listen to them but, if you have some time spare, visit www.frozendreamer.com

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