World City
11 May
By 8 o'clock on that Sunday night, I was up the M1 and M6 to Pemberton again to stay the night with Colin and to deliver the best part of my wardrobe into his safe keeping.
It was immediately apparent to me how much tension I had been carrying around with regards to the house sale. With prospective buyers now to hand, I could feel the weight lifting from my shoulders.
Following day, I was in Manchester for a meeting and talking to a colleague from Newcastle who reminded me of what I will and won't miss about London. And it all really comes down to the fact that London is a world city. The noise, dirt, colour, pressure and poor infrastructure are themes I've rehearsed many times in these postings.
What of the advantages? Well there is a lot happening. And, in these final few weeks, I've been taking advantage in a way that I hadn't since I arrived.
For example on Wednesday I took time off in the afternoon to go and see The King and I.
It's the first time that I have seen a first run of a West End musical. Visually, it is very opulent. The show is a classic with lots of tunes that you say to yourself "Oh, that's where that comes from". But Elaine Paige was somewhat of a disappointment. I thought her voice was quite tinny and she doesn't bring much characterisation to the role of Anna. Frankly, Ms Paige was just a bit too common for the widowed wife of a British diplomat in nineteenth century Siam. Jason Scott Lee however was very good, acted well, sang passably and looked good enough to eat whipped cream off.
Thursday night brought a change of gear and Ernani at the London Coliseum.
Early Verdi, lots of ooomph, costumes à la Velázquez, simple effective setting. Great evening. Julian Gavin sang his heart out, Alan Opie was good, Sandra Ford was sickening for something and had a curtain announcement and sang with commitment but little support and the pride of the vocal honours went to Peter Rose whose rich bass amply filled the large auditorium. I was most pleased with my evening out.
Tomorrow is the London Eye and then the pace picks up. Thank goodness I don't have to do much work at the moment.