Frank, Maria and Me ...

The last time I was here I was no older than seven.

In those days I thought the height of sophistication was eating breaded plaice, chips and peas. Everywhere we went I ate, and sometimes ordered, this.

So, over thirty years ago, I was sitting down after my favourite meal in the restaurant next to the Palladium when my parents announced that we were about to go next door to watch a show. That’s when my love of the theatre started and it’s a moment I’ve never forgotten.

Today the restaurant is still there. We didn’t have time to sit down to eat and, instead, grabbed a sandwich and coffee over the road in Carnaby Street before we waited to go into the theatre to watch The Sound of Music.

The Palladium is one of Frank Matcham’s remaining London theatres. Built during the golden age of theatre building it has his, self taught trade mark cantilevered balcony and richly decorated interior. The opera glasses are still there, just plastic now but the same excitement was there walking into the place.

It’s odd given the number of times I go to the theatre over the years that it’s taken this long to get back to the Palladium but the show was amazing. After all the build up from the BBC show Connie Fischer doesn’t disappoint.

Jeremy Sams’s production looses all the twee kitchiness that has surrounded the musical and the sing-a-long re-showings of the film of recent years and returns it to the operetta that it really is. Add into the mix Lesley Garrett as a Mother Superior with her amazing voice and the show is complete.

Tonight we were guests and I have to say the hospitality of the front of house staff easily matched the performances on stage. With a private bar and escorted to and from our seats it was a night to remember and a wonderful welcome back to this theatre.

After a stop off at Smollenskys in The Strand K and I headed up into Covent Garden for a meal, to sit out under the Christmas lights and enjoy a glass of mulled wine.

Just a few of my favourite things ….

What are the 39 Steps ?

I’ve walked past the Criterion many, many times and never considered just where it’s built. Today we found out.

When, in 1870, the caterers Spiers and Pond decided to develop the site of a seventeenth century posting inn known as The White Bear it was Thomas Verity’s design for a new development consisting of a large restaurant, dining rooms, ballroom, and galleried concert hall in the basement which won. Like many projects it was changed in construction and the concert hall changed to a theatre. It almost didn’t open as the local council feared people would be gassed as fresh air had to be pumped down into it to counter the effects of the gas lights. In the Second World War it was used by the BBC for recorded and live broadcasts, it’s unique location ensuring that, despite the bombings, the show always went on.

We didn’t dine at the Criterion but chose instead Don Luigi’s a few streets away in Soho for some good, authentic Italian food. Surrounding us on the walls were pictures of all the celebrities who had done the same before us. It’s a little odd to be watched by the likes of Pauline Quirk and Freddie Mercury while you are eating but the Don himself was there to ensure everything was attended to. So, after chicken and veal and a rather nice bottle of white we settled down to watch the 39 Steps.

Recreating a movie which required 24 people with a cast 4 needs a lot of invention but on the whole it worked well. Of course it wasn’t just the people on stage, some very funny special effects helped as well (watch out for the plane crash and the train journey).

Back outside in the London night we headed over to Covent Garden for a drink after the show. The nights are definitely drawing in and we didn’t sit outside quite as long but it was a nice way to end the evening.

The Woman in White

Matinees are a whole new thng to be, but when you're theatre buddy is asleep by 8pm nowadays you have to go with the flow and change the order of things.

I'd wanted to see the Woman in White since I read the posters at the theatre ahead of the production starting. Mind you that was so long ago that I'd forgotten a lot of detail of this show. I knew the book well as many years ago it was a set book at my English O Level. What Id forgotten was that the show has few props and no backcloths. Set onstage with a set of circular walls, which move around to enclose the stage of move from the back to the front of the stage, all of the scenes are played in front of projected backdrops using either still or computer generated, and animated, images.

I have to admit it takes a little getting used to but the story is so strong, and so well portrayed, you soon forget.

Maybe I could get used to matinees after all...

In Town Tonight

Today I went to see the exhibition of Lee Miller's portraits at the National Portrait Gallery. It was really nice to see Sian and great to have someone to talk to as I wandered around. All of Miller's work, both in front of and behind the camera, was covered. Some very impressive fashion shots, some sad and haunting war reportage.

After some drinks at Browns and tapas in Covent Garden we wandered back through London before heading home. All in all a very good day.