WC August 17.
On Monday I went back to talk to a group who regularly meet at the Brading Church Hall. It was something of a quick return for another of my talks but I managed to make it all different to the other one I did earlier this year. A nice friendly atmosphere.
With due respect to any Island amateur theatre group, of which there are several of a high standard, whenever I go to Chichester it is another world. We went on Thursday to see a matinee of For Services Rendered which was given 5 stars in national newspapers. This W Somerset Maugham is superb and the acting quite sensational. Brilliant casting and you are almost on stage with the actors at the Minerva Theatre. Loved every minute – and it is perfectly timed at just over two hours. Full of famous stage and TV faces.
Saturday night was rather busy. I headed for Shanklin’s Landguard Manor to see Henry V performed by the Isle of Wight Shakespeare Company. They did particularly well as there were two late cast substitutions just a week or two before they opened the previous night. Watching Michael Mullin, as Nigel Bardolph, in the opening stages made the visit well worth it. As ever, the fight scenes were wonderfully energetic, realistic and entertaining. Loved the proposal scene between Henry V (Josh Pointing) and Princess Katherine (Emily Scotcher). I must admit I did enjoy their May production of Henry IV a lot better.
I drove straight from Shanklin to Ryde to catch the Railing Stains at Coburg’s in Union Street. Their charismatic drummer, Dylan Amey, had recently been on John Hannam Meets. I enjoyed their set and when Dick Taylor joined them on stage it was quite brilliant. I broke my tradition of not going to see tribute bands. They were a Rolling Stones tribute band and the fans loved them. Dylan lives in Arreton and the rest of the band had escaped probable death by just a few feet. They were on the road very close to the jet crash at Shoreham and their van could be seen in the TV pictures as it was that close to the crash scene. They are based in the Brighton area.
The week ended with a Sunday night visit to Brading Roman Villa to see the latest play from the Island’s Glen Koppany. As to be expected, any new play from him is well worth a view. I was so pleased I went and it was 90 minutes well spent watching some fascinating entertainment, much of which was unexpected. Whatever Happened to Tom O’Bedlam? proved an enjoyable night. It was also rather good that they decided to have it indoors, as the weather was unpredictable. Just to give it that outside atmosphere they left the door and windows open!!