On Saturday afternoon we travelled up the motorway to Leeds. We were in a minibus with several local friends and acquaintances - on our way to watch "Sunshine on Leith" at The West Yorkshire Playhouse. It's a feelgood musical that I first saw in the form of a film back in 2013. I blogged about it here.
Before taking my seat, I had a little stroll around the area and snapped these two pictures:-
The window is part of Leeds College of Music and the stencilled picture outside the BBC building appears to be of Alan Bennett, a wry and gifted writer who is one of Leeds's most famous sons.
The musical was filled with youthful energy, cleverly choreographed dancing and familiar songs by The Proclaimers. We enjoyed it immensely. It received rapturous applause from the assembled audience.
Afterwards we were transported swiftly back down the motorway to Sheffield. Once back in our suburb we all sat down in our local Indian restaurant - "Urban Choola" and enjoyed a hearty meal washed down with wine and "Cobra" beer.
It had been a grand day out spoilt only by the Eurovision Monster on our television when we got home. That annual phantasmagoria is a monument to bad taste, hollowness and mediocre, instantly forgettable songs. The ridiculous winner came from Israel which - like Australia - isn't even in Europe. What a mad world!
 |
| "Sunshine on Leith" |
However, Israel, like Australia is part of this mad world. There are times I'm sure Israel, like Australia, wishes it wasn't.
ReplyDeleteJessica Mauboy, our Australian entrant in this year's Eurovision is a lovely young woman...talented, humble and just naturally happy.
It sounds like you had a very enjoyable Saturday, Yorkie...in your part of this mad world.
And I do recall it was you, only the other day, not for the first time, either, who complained there were too many crime shows on television.
DeleteAnd Eurovision is a crime programme! It murders good taste in both music and entertainment, defrauding the viewing public.
DeleteIt's always good to see something cheerful. Then you had more fun by eating out!
ReplyDeleteThe only way the day would have been better is if you and THe Micro Manager had walked in through the doors of "Urban Choola"..."Hi Red! How ye doing?"
DeleteThe Proclaimers! Not quite up there with Paul Simon but a terrific band just the same. And Sunshine on Leith was a wonderful vehicle for their songs. How could you come away from either the film or the musical and not feel upbeat about life?
ReplyDeleteAlphie
I agree Alphie. It is uplifting to see something so joyful.
DeleteI am not usually a fan of musicals but I still remember very well the great performance of The Buddy Holly Story I saw with my sister and a friend in London in the early 1990s. The show managed to pull you into the times and live of Buddy Holly that for a moment, I was unsure of what year it was when we left the theatre.
ReplyDeleteThe first picture is intriguing, an unusally shaped room, I thought it was a very modern home with what looks like an extremely high ceiling.
As for the ESC, I couldn't care less, but it means a lot to many people. There was a discussion on the radio the other day, whether the UK should leave the contest once they are not part of the EU anymore.
For years the United Kingdom has obviously been scorned by the voting systems with far inferior songs from other countries winning more points each year. Britain is a giant in the world of popular music and it is insulting to find our entries spitefully condemned to failure each year. We should leave the awful thing.
DeleteJust on a point of information the Eurovision Song Contest isn't actually anything to do with Europe per se. It's organised and open to members of the commercial Eurovision Network. Australia happens to be a member as are quite a few non-European nations.
ReplyDeleteThe film 'Sunshine on Leith' is an excellent feel-good factor watch.
Thank you for your note Graham. Naively I had thought that Eurovision was about Europe.
DeleteAs regards Eurovision, I'm with you, YP. It's appalling and I haven't watched it, apart from the odd couple of minutes through half closed eyes, since the days of Sandie Shaw - or thereabouts. Glad you enjoyed your evening out and the performance.
ReplyDeleteGood. I thought I was on my own about Eurovision as it is widely considered to be mischievously hip to lap up that glittery annual festival of pap. There is no substance to it.
DeleteI like watching Eurovision specifically BECAUSE it's appalling. I always get a kick out of it, especially when I can simultaneously drink and make catty comments about the performers with my pals. :)
ReplyDeleteCatty comments? Surely you mean intellectual criticisms? Anyway, I accept your defence Mr Reed and your file has now been returned to the "Admirable Human Beings" drawer.
DeleteThe lady in the first picture doesn't seem pleased that you were taking a picture :)
ReplyDeleteI did not watch the Eurovision. I Googled to see if Italy participated. I see we came 5th with an anti-war song.
Greetings Maria x
I think you are right about that lady. She was covering her face. Perhaps she foresaw that she would be appearing in this blog!
DeleteIf it wasn’t for Eurovision would ABBA have made the big time? 😮
ReplyDeleteI despise ABBA. In my opinion they never created one song that was worth listening to.
Delete