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Post by Backdrifter on Sept 20, 2017 14:00:19 GMT
Amber Rudd has just confused 'allegory' with 'analogy' on Andrew Marr Love from tmesis B. Mus. (Hons), cycling proficiency badge. Also not really a gripe but in the same mould as the above, I just saw a retweet of an Ivanka Trump tweet with her holding a baby and with the caption, "Me with my newborn nephew on an otherwise brilliant day." Otherwise? Not too happy about the new nephew then?
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Post by Backdrifter on Sept 20, 2017 13:55:18 GMT
People in other countries would be forgiven for thinking there are only about 5 actors in the UK - Dench, Smith, Nighy, Mirren and That Other One. Few things dampen my filmgoing interest more than another film with any of them in, or about some royal or other, or a combination of those things.
So - ahem - no, I haven't seen it, nor will I.
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Post by Backdrifter on Sept 15, 2017 21:06:42 GMT
Really? Pearl Permanently-Surprised-Face Mackie? As Lulu? Well yes really. Obviously. Otherwise I wouldn't have said it. I've no idea who this 'Pearl Permanently-Surprised-Face Mackie' is, I meant the Pearl Mackie that almost single-handedly rescued a dying tv show that I've loved since I was a child. I'm struggling to think what show that is, but she was crap in Doctor Who.
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Post by Backdrifter on Sept 15, 2017 14:04:41 GMT
Really? Pearl Permanently-Surprised-Face Mackie? As Lulu?
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Post by Backdrifter on Sept 15, 2017 12:31:00 GMT
The thing is, I'm not sure some of these are ruining the original so much as sounding more enticing. I'd seriously consider seeing The Kong & I and A Little Fight Music.
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Post by Backdrifter on Sept 15, 2017 12:14:32 GMT
Given the timbre of some posts: Dicked? Licked? (Followed by Sicked?)
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Post by Backdrifter on Sept 15, 2017 12:13:21 GMT
Now I would pay to see this! Make sure you catch its companion piece Aspects of Gove. (I wouldn't see either, even if paid).
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Post by Backdrifter on Sept 15, 2017 11:48:40 GMT
Given this and your 'Fister Act' and 'Seven Brothels' are we getting an insight of some kind here? I used to work for a bit of the BBC that provided TV listings info to various magazines and newspapers. Someone in the team - it wasn't me! - actually sent xmas listings info out with Chitty Chitty Gang Bang included, and it got published. Given who did it, we didn't rule out it not having been a genuine error.
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Post by Backdrifter on Sept 15, 2017 11:44:46 GMT
Gove Never Dies
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Post by Backdrifter on Sept 15, 2017 8:11:27 GMT
I was already finding it mildly irritating when people talked about someone doing something really well as "smashing it". Now I notice they are "crushing it". I look forward to their pulverising, shredding, vapourising and generally destroying it in various other ways.
And anyone who talks about someone "rocking a look" should be repeatedly poked in the eye and subjected to high-frequency noises until they agree to stop.
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Post by Backdrifter on Sept 15, 2017 8:07:05 GMT
Hmmm. Episode 2 didn't improve things much for me. The script is getting even worse - the scene with the first estate agent where they just exchanged questions at each other was like something out of a challenge from 'Whose Line Is It Anyway?' and the quick-fire responses in the 'dinner' scene with Gemma and her work colleague felt like there was no thought or reason behind any of it, literally like they were reciting lines at a table read. And the situations - even for someone who appears as unhinged as Gemma, her constant over-sharing, especially to her son's young teenager friend, asking if he has wine and then that 'conversation' they had; it was annoyingly unbelievable and unrealistic. Also, I'm not a huge fan of the acting styles in this, either - Suranne Jones is really starting to grate. Bertie Carvel is, for me, the only one who's pretty watchable. Ah well. Can't win 'em all! See? As I said above, this is one they should have just left alone. I often think back to State of Play as a great example of how to do that; have a brilliant drama series, it ends, and that's it, you don't need anything else. But there's a greater tendency to want to drag things out because they've been well-received, regardless of how viable that will be. I know this is only 2 episodes in, but I felt strongly after the first episode it was a mistake to have stretched it to a second series. I suppose that at least it didn't stoop to my first thought on hearing the 2nd series had been commissioned, that she'd find a red hair as well and it'd all start back up again.
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Post by Backdrifter on Sept 15, 2017 7:56:13 GMT
Lists of 50 books or places to visit that "you must do before you die." As opposed to after you die? Anyway, why must I do these things? What will happen if I don't? On a different part of the same spectrum: "If you only see one film this year, make it this one." There are various levels of stupid with that.
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Post by Backdrifter on Sept 14, 2017 8:50:32 GMT
Shame there were only about 30 people there last night though. I'm sorry to hear that, it deserves a bigger audience. I agree with all your comments, except about the temperature.
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Post by Backdrifter on Sept 13, 2017 14:34:11 GMT
And the one about not ending a sentence with a preposition is a rule up with which I will not put. Excellent! Yes following that rule can turn you into Yoda.
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Post by Backdrifter on Sept 13, 2017 10:14:50 GMT
Loot, Park Theatre, Sat mat.
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Post by Backdrifter on Sept 13, 2017 9:55:46 GMT
I love this play, it's one of those where I'll always try to see a new production if there's one nearby. Hopefully I can get to this one as by then I'll be living in Inverness (but expecting to make occasional London trips). Also hopefully, it will have front-row dayseats as the HP Theatre often does.
But I doubt it will sway any HP waverers, especially those who have an aversion due to finding his work too opaque. Ultimately it's as opaque as you want it to be, but for many his work will simply never click with them and I can't see this changing that for many or any of them. It might help to regard it as an exercise in rhythm and texture, in fact I often see it as a young writer flexing his muscles in that sense. The story is open to our interpretation but when handled well in a good production the dynamics of it can be exhilarating.
I really enjoyed the 50th anniversary production at the Lyric Hammersmith. It made me sit up and take notice of Sian Brooke, as she actually managed to bring substance to the very slight role of Lulu. There's an exchange where Stanley asks her what sort of sandwiches she has, and she replies "cheese". Brooke somehow invested that one syllable with more meaning and enticement than I thought possible.
I'm having trouble picturing Mangan as Goldberg so it'll be very interesting to see him in the role.
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Post by Backdrifter on Sept 12, 2017 11:29:34 GMT
I'm more concerned with the lack of obligation to provide science broadcasting. People get little enough exposure to science as it is, and already most of it treats science as something where truth is up for debate. TV is particularly bad, where coverage seems to be aiming for "dramatic" rather than "interesting", every show is filled with moody shots of people staring into the distance, and graphics are designed for maximum visual appeal even if that means sacrificing all informative representation. (I remember when Horizon was a science programme. Now it seems to be a place where directors gain experience before going off to make the cinematic masterpiece they've always believed was inside them if only they could get the world to pay attention.) I'm completely with you on all this. One of my most formative TV moments was the 1978 Horizon in which they dismantled an increasingly red-faced Erich von Dainiken regarding his ancient astronauts "theories". Up until the 1990s Horizon remained a compelling science documentary series. Then, in common with most factual (and certainly science) output, it became shallow, superficial and style-obsessed. Now all factual programmes follow a rigid formula aiming for as you say drama. There has to be a lengthy introduction telling you all the stuff you're going to see in the programme anyway, including the obligatory "We'll be taking you... on a journey" and yes the staring-into-the-distance nonsense plus non-stop music, and every whizzy graphic accompanied by whooshing noises. I chanced the volcano documentary on BBC4 last night and it had all of this, and of course the usual delivery that sounds like they're addressing primary school children.
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Post by Backdrifter on Sept 11, 2017 9:14:28 GMT
I saw it last week and really enjoyed it. A teeny bit shaky here and there but no more than expected from an early preview.
The cocktails at the SP bar have really come on. I had a damn good cosmopolitan.
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Post by Backdrifter on Sept 11, 2017 7:28:33 GMT
I'm not going to bother with the rest of it. I enjoyed series 1 but I now feel like they're needlessly stretching it out.
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Post by Backdrifter on Sept 10, 2017 21:39:32 GMT
This might be a tad off the topic of the language as such but one of mine would be getting well-known sayings wrong, such as "it was a bit of a damp squid"
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Post by Backdrifter on Aug 31, 2017 13:55:46 GMT
Going straight from spring to autumn sounds good to me. Summer is massively overrated. I'd be happy with it being officially just autumn and winter in the UK, lose the whole spring and summer thing. Putting on an extra layer - no problem. Long cold dark mornings and evenings - excellent! In that case, you'll be in your element in Inverness! Yes, I did think of mentioning that! I'm looking forward to it.
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Post by Backdrifter on Aug 31, 2017 12:26:57 GMT
Would the person who has stolen summer please return it. Here in the grim north we seem to have gone from spring straight to autumn. The day got off to a bad start when I had to wear a sweater to eat my breakfast in comfort. Then I spent most of my lunchtime perambulation sheltering from a 'shower' that lasted half an hour. Now, typically, when I am back inside, the sky is a beautiful blue. Going straight from spring to autumn sounds good to me. Summer is massively overrated. I'd be happy with it being officially just autumn and winter in the UK, lose the whole spring and summer thing. Putting on an extra layer - no problem. Long cold dark mornings and evenings - excellent!
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Post by Backdrifter on Aug 31, 2017 11:48:04 GMT
Aha! Last Day Snap. The first time since autumn 1991 that I leave a job with no firm plans of anything else to move on to. But it's exciting to have a bit of uncertainty. The one definite thing I do know is that, due to Mrs Backdrifter's new job, this autumn we will be moving to Inverness! So a big life-change culturally as theatregoing is pretty thin pickings there. But for now, still quite a few pre-booked London things between now and then.
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Post by Backdrifter on Aug 31, 2017 9:30:15 GMT
It was upsetting seeing a bereaved family handling this tragedy at the time. That situation will always be upsetting regardless of who the dead person is, but in this case it was as public as it can get. I was surprised at how emotional her brother's funeral speech still made me feel when I saw a snippet of one of the recent programmes. In the same programme, Prince William said he felt baffled by all the emotion and mourning by people who never knew his mother.
Having seen a bit of that show I have no desire to see any more of the seemingly obligatory 20-year raking-over. Did we get similar at the 10-year mark as well? I can't remember.
Yes she is still used as a circulation-booster. The already-repulsive Express, with its track record of total obsession with Diana, has set the bar high (low?) with its "Diana speaks from beyond the grave to back Brexit".
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Post by Backdrifter on Aug 31, 2017 9:20:31 GMT
At The Public's Hanlet last week I was sat next to an incredibly irritating man who was not only an over-laugher but also decided to fiddle with a sweet wrapper throughout the first third of To Be Or Not To Be. He wasn't even unwrapping a sweet to eat - he was just rustling the empty wrapper for no apparent reason. Gaaaah! This sort of thing drives me up the wall. Years ago at the old Bush, a man a few rows in front of me had his plastic glass resting on the floor next to him in the aisle. For absolutely no reason he was holding the rim of the glass and occasionally moving it around and tapping it against the floor, making a continuous hollow scratching and tapping noise. WHY?? And also, something that often gets me in these situations, how was no-one else around him registering annoyance? A variation on this at the Southwark more recently, again annoyingly a few rows away and this time the bloke was just lifting his glass and putting it back down repeatedly, each time making a small but audible tap. he wasn't even drinking from it, just lifting and lowering it. And yes as per the other recent posts above, I've had the coat-rustlers etc. My partner had a woman behind her constantly rustling the coat on her lap throughout act 1 of a play, and politely mentioned it to her at the interval. The woman was really apologetic and said she had no idea she'd been doing it! The coat went under her seat for act 2.
I once had someone near me constantly flicking the corner of their ticket, making a flap-flap-flap noise. Someone in front of them whirled around to tell them to stop it - it must have been right in her ear.
And never mind over-laughers, what about over-breathers? Not as in breathing too much, just breathing bizzarely loudly. But maybe this can be a condition and I'm taking this up to a stratospheric level of nit-picking!
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Post by Backdrifter on Aug 30, 2017 11:07:26 GMT
Well, ahem, a certain rockinrobin sat in a wrong row last night. In my defence - when I realised I took someone else's seat I moved immediately, feeling horribly embarrassed. And I was punished - by a lady who sat next to me and kept on texting for the entire show! I've done that before, but a whole wrong row at the Donmar where the banquette seating meant I created a bit of a squeeze, but no-one commented.
A number of years ago my partner and I had taken our row A seats in the Lyttleton stalls and were then challenged by an irate woman and her husband who arrived and said they were their seats, jabbing her finger angrily at her tickets and demanding we shift. I looked at their tickets, puffed out my chest, cleared my throat and took the greatest pleasure saying to her huffing-puffing face, "Yes, row A... circle. Up there." and jabbed my finger in the direction of where she needed to bog off. You could practically see her shrinking into a spot of grease on the floor. But if only she'd been polite and measured about it.
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Post by Backdrifter on Aug 30, 2017 10:59:23 GMT
Here's my first contribution to this already rather long but fascinating thread. At Follies last night, the woman next to me produced from her several copiously large handbags a half-eaten and very smelly doner kebab, which she picked at for a while and then re-wrapped it and put it back into her bag. Fortunately she did not return to it during the show but what she did do was take off her shoes and by some gymnastic trick managed to get one of her naked feet up into her lap where she massaged a rather large blister. Thank heaven for the good sized armrests at the NT which kept her feet away from my personal space. It's no wonder I was not in a receptive mood to enjoy the show when it eventually started somewhat lateish. I wonder if the doner and the blister-massage are linked - maybe she'd read that lamb fat was good for treating blisters so wanted to get some on her fingertips? Whatever the case, that's something you don't want to see. Hopefully she wasn't the same woman someone mentioned on the old board's same thread, who took her shoes off and proceeded to stink the place out. (If it was her, that and the doner aroma would have combined like two colliding weather fronts to create a stench storm).
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Post by Backdrifter on Aug 30, 2017 9:34:15 GMT
Sorry about that. Damn that weird editing glitch I always get that flashes a "Sorry time's up" message then just creates a quoted version of the message.
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Post by Backdrifter on Aug 30, 2017 9:32:53 GMT
The Madness of George III with Rylance and SRB alternating the roles of the king and the physician.
More realistically, one more chance to see MR in Jerusalem.
In a way though, I feel very fortunate to have seen so many great productions with brilliant performers already. If there was just one I could experience again before conking out, I would go back to a day in August 2008, and re-live my experience of being in St Cuthbert's church in Edinburgh, watching the Prestoungrange company performing the Battle of Pots & Pans. I could (but won't) write reams and reams about why this has stayed with me so strongly. Suffice to say that before it started I was sitting there feeling irritable and uncomfortable in a tiny too-brightly-lit church hall, looking at a range of unpromising-looking primary-school-style cardboard props on the stage, actually contemplating legging it before it started; but having stayed put, afterwards I left in a sort of daze, thinking I'd just witnessed a piece of simple genius that was the very essence of theatre. Or something. It's saying something that I welled up a bit even just typing this post.
So yes, going into a complete fantasy realm, being transported back to that day, that'd do me.
Remaining in fantasy land, not theatre but I'd die happy if I got to see The Beatles and/or the early 70s line-up of Genesis reform and play live. Yes, yes, I know one of those is well and truly impossible, but, you know...
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Post by Backdrifter on Aug 30, 2017 8:41:02 GMT
The Madness of George III with Rylance and SRB alternating the roles of the king and the physician.
More realistically, one more chance to see MR in Jerusalem.
In a way though, I feel very fortunate to have seen so may great productions with brilliant performers already. If there was just one I could experience again before conking out, I would go back to a day in August 2008, and re-live my experience of being in St Cuthbert's church in Edinburgh, watching the Prestoungrange company performing the Battle of Pots & Pans. I could (but won't) write reams and reams about why this has stayed with me so strongly. Suffice to say that before it started I was sitting there feeling irritable and uncomfortable in a tiny too-brightly-lit church hall, looking at a range of unpromising-looking primary-school-style cardboard props on the stage, actually contemplating legging it before it started; but having stayed put, afterwards I left in a sort of daze, thinking I'd just witnessed a piece of simple genius that was the very essence of theatre. Or something. It's saying something that I welled up a bit even just typing this post.
So yes, going into a complete fantasy realm, being transported back to that day, that'd do me.
Remaining in fantasy land, not theatre but I'd die happy if I got to see The Beatles and/or the early 70s line-up of Genesis reform and play live. Yes, yes, I know one of those is well and truly impossible, but, you know...
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