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Post by Backdrifter on Jul 22, 2019 12:20:35 GMT
What booking are you looking forward to most Backdrifter ? We went to the The Kitchin last year, incredibly good meal. We're going to Castle Terrace this year to change it up and because whilst Leith is nice, it felt like a long journey to get there. Hmmm, hard to pick out just one. Coma would be up there, as would Shenanigan but the latter is slightly shaky in that Kitson's made it clear it's far from finished and while I usually enjoy the looser work-in-progress stuff it doesn't match the more structured end product. And I can only go to the first performance! In Loyal Company and Heroin(e) For Breakfast seemed to get very good reviews for previous runs so I'm looking forward to them. The only two out-and-out comedy shows I've booked are Stewart Francis and Matt Forde, both of whom I like a lot so I'm hoping those will be highlights. What are your most-anticipated ones? Yeah I ate at Kitchin once before, last autumn and it was absolutely superb. You probably know Castle Terrace is a sister restaurant, also very good and another favourite of mine. Based on my one experience of Kitchin it edges into the lead, but while I don't find Leith too much of a trek I'm not actually very keen on the area. I'm not sure why that is though.
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Post by Backdrifter on Jul 22, 2019 12:10:35 GMT
I think that Skinner has misread this, the Rooster character is a Falstaffian disruptor, an antihero, not someone to be followed. To be fair to Skinner, his comment was on his wariness about the general celebration of the 2012 Olympics opening ceremony, which made hal9000 think about Jerusalem in the same sort of context. But yes I agree with your points.
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Post by Backdrifter on Jul 22, 2019 10:52:37 GMT
It's taken me longer than usual but yesterday I finally completed my bookings for my 8-day Fringe trip. Sitting back and looking at it, I realise I've fallen back into my old bad habit of booking far too much. But at least I've avoided another previous annoying tendency, that of booking stuff in venues too widely scattered. This time almost everything is in venues which on the Fringe map are in squares E5&6 and F5&6, with much of the rest in G6 thanks to a big load of Summerhall bookings.
I think I made a slight mistake in making bookings from the early online ticket releases, then getting the programme when it was published and realising I'd now blocked a few things I'd have liked to see, but then every year I end up having to sacrifice a lot of things that appeal so in that sense it's no different.
Even if I have booked too many, because I'm arriving earlier than I usually do - Mon 29th - I have that whole day free as there are apparently no events that day, and just one on the Tuesday evening, and two on my final day Mon 5th. It's the intervening days when it's quite rammed but I'm really looking forward to it.
Also gearing up for meals at some of my favourite places - The Kitchin, Field, Educated Flea, and hoping to give Monteith's a try for the first time as I keep meaning to but never have. I was in the city briefly last week and noticed a few new coffee places I don't know so might give them a try, while also revisiting old favourites of course. A couple of cocktails and maybe a meal at Under The Stairs is in order too.
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Post by Backdrifter on Jul 22, 2019 9:19:48 GMT
With regards to the 2012 Olympics Opening Ceremony, I remember Frank Skinner on his podcast not gushing over it the way his cohosts did. He didn’t say it sucked, but his response was noticeably subdued. In 2016, he said that he could trace the stirrings of Brexit to it. People saw the kitsch and carnivalesque green-and-pleasant-land and thought: “This Is England. I want some more of that.” I don’t entirely agree with him, and though I don’t link that Jersalem to Brexit, I can see his point better illustrated with the play. This is interesting. It did occur to me when enjoying a few performances of Jerusalem that it conveyed a strong sense of English heritage through enduring myths and storytelling, but personified in the form of a figure we'd probably all find annoying and disruptive if he were within our space.
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Cheese
Jul 20, 2019 19:44:59 GMT
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Post by Backdrifter on Jul 20, 2019 19:44:59 GMT
they also serve a blue cheese board for £20. (I assume it's the cheese that is blue, not the board!) I was wondering if it meant the board was full of undressed cheesecake. What?!
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Cheese
Jul 20, 2019 14:08:20 GMT
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Post by Backdrifter on Jul 20, 2019 14:08:20 GMT
It’s to share too, so double-dipping is inevitable. GAAAAAAAAHHHH! Pure restaurant barbarism.
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Post by Backdrifter on Jul 20, 2019 10:47:34 GMT
The original NT run of Madness of George III. End of act 1 - "No, sir. You are the patient." King shouting, Zadok the Priest blaring out; curtain. Along with the rest of the audience I was so stunned I just sat there. Almost nobody applauded, there was a pause then some scattered applause. I found myself out by the river ready to head home when I realised it was just the interval.
2008, The Battle of Pots and Pans, St Cuthberts Church, Edinburgh Fringe. I had low expectations of this budget production by the Prestoungrange Society with its cardboard props and lights full on in a church back room. An hour or so later I left, having seen what still remains one of the cleverest and most entrancing pieces of theatre I've had the pleasure of witnessing. In that harshly lit room those performers with their bits of cardboard absolutely transported me to a misty night time Highland Moor.
Plus another one I haven't decided yet, too many contenders.
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Cheese
Jul 20, 2019 10:33:23 GMT
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Post by Backdrifter on Jul 20, 2019 10:33:23 GMT
Paneer. Anyone else enjoy some torn-up paneer, dry fried to char it a bit, with onion, garlic, cherry tomatoes, Indian spices, curry leaves, coriander?
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Post by Backdrifter on Jul 20, 2019 10:23:48 GMT
I've accidentally done that before.
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Post by Backdrifter on Jul 20, 2019 9:53:45 GMT
Thinking of resurrecting my suggestion of a puns thread Ok. I'll say it then....now where would the pun be in that? I don't think you can begin to imagine just how much I resent you right now. You think you can, but you really can't.
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Cheese
Jul 20, 2019 9:08:17 GMT
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Post by Backdrifter on Jul 20, 2019 9:08:17 GMT
There’s a restaurant in Manc that does fondue Sunday roast. You get all the bits, including waffle style Yorkshire puds, and a vat of bubbling gravy to dip it all in. 🤮🤮🤮 My reaction too. What an utterly idiotic idea. "including waffle style Yorkshire puds" Still, there's another John Peel Band name. "Coming up, a great little session from a promising Manchester band, Vat Of Bubbling Gravy".
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Cheese
Jul 20, 2019 9:03:21 GMT
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Post by Backdrifter on Jul 20, 2019 9:03:21 GMT
...Aaaaaaand..........I think the whole Board is wishing you'd stayed with the cheesy puns.... There I was, forlornly hoping my attempt to return us to the cheese discussion might just work, but then I am an optimist. Thinking of resurrecting my suggestion of a puns thread so I know the puns are all in there and I can treat it as a sort of radioactive roundabout.
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Post by Backdrifter on Jul 19, 2019 20:30:06 GMT
Teviot "just down the road" from Hula?!
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Cheese
Jul 19, 2019 20:15:52 GMT
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Post by Backdrifter on Jul 19, 2019 20:15:52 GMT
I tried a fondu once, in a restaurant and two of us shared it. I liked the first 3 or 4 dips but it quickly became a bit much and I had to leave my companion to finish it.
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Cheese
Jul 19, 2019 13:23:52 GMT
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Post by Backdrifter on Jul 19, 2019 13:23:52 GMT
Toasted cheese in its decadent gooey glory is of course one of the great cheese manifestations. Just today I had a very good toasted sandwich of absolutely gorgeous brisket with pickled cucumber, dijon and emmental, the cheese beautifully soft and stretchy, nicely setting off the crunchy pickle and crispy toasted bread. Gannet & Guga, Market Street arches, Edinburgh. Good service too.
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Cheese
Jul 19, 2019 13:18:22 GMT
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Post by Backdrifter on Jul 19, 2019 13:18:22 GMT
Dairylea slices. On a sweet bread like brioche or challa. Yes. Excellent challah mention. I second that 'yes' and add an 'indeed'.
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Cheese
Jul 19, 2019 8:19:47 GMT
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Post by Backdrifter on Jul 19, 2019 8:19:47 GMT
There doesn't seem much love for blue cheese here even among the cheesophiles. I love a blue cheese and am very partial to a soft rich roquefort or gorgonzola. Oh no, I love me a hunk of Stilton Blue particularly with pickled walnuts. A hunk! My word. Good on you. I'm imagining you just picking up the hunk like it's a big apple, biting into it and laughing maniacally. But I'm sure it's a much more refined experience.
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Cheese
Jul 19, 2019 6:29:06 GMT
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Post by Backdrifter on Jul 19, 2019 6:29:06 GMT
I'm surprised how many are surprised by cheese with fruit cakes etc. One of my favourite desserts is the eccles cake with Lancashire cheese that's a fixture on the menu at St John in Farringdon. It helps that their eccles cakes are so gorgeous, best I've had.
Mull cheddar is a staple in our house. Whip-crackingly strong with those slightly crunchy bits. No other cheddar will do.
I agree about the fried halloumi. Lightly flour-dusting it gives a pleasing crust.
I don't like any kind of pre-flavoured cheese. Adding stuff to it can work though, eg a baked brie or camembert studded with thin slices of garlic and sprigs of fresh thyme.
There doesn't seem much love for blue cheese here even among the cheesophiles. I love a blue cheese and am very partial to a soft rich roquefort or gorgonzola.
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Post by Backdrifter on Jul 19, 2019 6:02:40 GMT
The indignities being heaped upon cider here are just upsetting. I'd say the indignities being heaped on the apples that go into it are worse... Indignifying them into cider is the best possible use of apples.
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Post by Backdrifter on Jul 18, 2019 16:16:37 GMT
I can barely stretch to a solitary strawberry cider. Tesco Metro's wide selection of quality £1 a litre paint-stripping Ciders. The indignities being heaped upon cider here are just upsetting.
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Post by Backdrifter on Jul 18, 2019 12:27:56 GMT
I'd have a small and large space both with flexible staging. Not yet sure about location. A welcoming bar/cafe. Dayseats available.
Main house:
The Madness of George III with Rylance and SRB alternating the roles of the King and Willis.
Macbeth and Rii.
A new play starring Denise Gough.
Big overseas production, eg Schaubunhe, Isango doing The Observer
Studio:
Pacific Overtures
Fourth Monkey doing a new piece and a revival of their 4.48 Psychosis.
Drunk Enough To Say I Love You.
Something by Daniel Kitson
Various full and work-in-progress comedy shows (the latter maximum £8)
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Post by Backdrifter on Jul 18, 2019 6:23:17 GMT
Though the fact this is happening on Friday and Saturday evenings makes me wonder if it's time for them to review their policies on sale and consumption of alcohol? Because surely promoting your bar being open 90 minutes to an hour before the start of the show is only going to help fuel these incidents. A fair enough thought but the determined hey-woo-yeah-party-time groups will just get tanked up beforehand.
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Post by Backdrifter on Jul 15, 2019 20:20:56 GMT
What cover version(s) do you prefer to the original?
The first ever single, indeed record of any kind I bought was This Flight Tonight by Nazareth, so partly for nostalgic reasons I always think of that one. The 8-year-old me was very excited by it.
I've always preferred the Pet Shop Boys version of U2's Where The Streets Have No Name.
A group of session musicians called themselves The Replicants and did a one-off album with some great covers. Are Friends Electric is a favourite off that.
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Post by Backdrifter on Jul 15, 2019 14:51:01 GMT
I think she essentially consists of lipstick, nails, fur stoles and jangly bracelets. I'm not sure there's any actual flesh and bone left is there? She is a National Treasure and as such exempt from the pettifoggy ephemera above. Blimey. I need to re-read the official National Treasure criteria. By the way, nice evoking of the voice of John Peel there. "Great band, great session, this is Pettifoggy Ephemera."
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Post by Backdrifter on Jul 14, 2019 19:26:53 GMT
Could have put this in 'Famous People...' too but fits better here - Katy Manning, formerly of Pertwee-era Doctor Who, was wearing an annoyingly jangly bracelet at Death of a Salesman tonight. Very distracting for a while during the first half but I think somebody had a word during the interval. I think she essentially consists of lipstick, nails, fur stoles and jangly bracelets. I'm not sure there's any actual flesh and bone left is there?
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Post by Backdrifter on Jul 12, 2019 16:17:51 GMT
There's a time and a plaice for fish puns. ...and that time is never.
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Post by Backdrifter on Jul 12, 2019 14:49:52 GMT
Annoyingly a lot of what I want to see starts around 2pm or 7pm so there's gonna have to be some compromises. Every year I find in particular the 2pm-4pm period is very crowded, it's the time where I most have to sacrifice stuff I want to see.
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Post by Backdrifter on Jul 12, 2019 13:39:46 GMT
I then saw a number of the plays in which KW appeared but he had a tendency to 'muck about' during some performances and it became fairly clear that he was not temperamentally suited to a career in the theatre, even in comedies.
I believe all this has been documented in books and articles but I just thought I would register that I saw it for myself first hand and I think it was the right thing that he took the 'Carry On' route rather than remain in the world of 'straight' theatre. Thanks, that's interesting.
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Post by Backdrifter on Jul 12, 2019 11:06:31 GMT
A new one for me, but maybe not for this thread, a tall woman at Noises Off tonight had her glasses on her head tonight. It was very distracting as every time she moved her head another little bit of the stage became distorted. I got a little respite when she put her glasses over her eyes to check her fully lit phone halfway through the act though. (Circle B1, just in case.) It's not great that the respite comes from her indulging in a different form of bad behaviour! Tall and with glasses perched on her head... All it needed was for the glasses to be gigantic Elton John style novelty ones, perched atop a big Marge Simpson/ Mari Wilson hairdo. And with the tall woman inexplicably sat on a booster cushion. I had no idea where your blazered schoolkids anecdote was going. Adolescents can generate a fair amount of stench, grease and stickiness just generally, but imprisoned in blazers in a theatre on a hot humid day... I hate West End audiences. Me too. I concluded this a number of years ago. For me it's largely the preponderance of middle-aged middle-class types who seem to have no concept of etiquette or any indication of awareness of other people's existence. Being in WE theatres frequently makes me think wistfully back to my childhood fantasy of being able to simply look at people who annoyed me and vaporise them.
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Post by Backdrifter on Jul 12, 2019 8:21:02 GMT
I'd go with the KW as it keeps us in the music category, his of course being a music recording artist with his album On Pleasure Bent. His ditty Above All Else about lovesick computer Elsie is a delight. Kenneth Williams was in a few musicals and revues. One of the latter, with the perplexing name of Share My Lettuce, also starred Maggie Smith (yes, she did sing and there’s a recording). It was written by a most unexpected name, too. Bamber Gascoigne, presenter of the old University Challenge. Bonus bit of Carry On trivia, Sid James was in the original London of cast of Kiss Me Kate (one of the gangsters who sing Brush Up Your Shakespeare). Yes I think BG was a former Footlights writer/performer. KW also appeared in the revue Pieces Of Eight (with Fenella Fielding) which included young unknowns Peter Cook and Harold Pinter among the writers. Buried in KW's diaries is a reference to Cook as "a very bright boy." Its sequel was One Over The Eight, written solely by Cook and featuring an early appearance of the famous One Leg Too Few sketch, and Williams playing a sort of prototype EL Wisty character. He had a seemingly very promising stage career and would get really positive reviews for his performances in weighty plays such as Saint Joan. But he seemed to quite consciously choose to go down the Carry On and TV light entertainment route despite complaining viciously in his diaries that it was all "rubbish". Mind you the early Carry Ons are good films, they hadn't yet descended into pure seaside postcard smut and Williams was often the somewhat stern character, still not yet playing to the gallery. Not sure I knew about Sid James in Kate, interesting one!
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