Wednesday, March 05, 2008

A Trip to Scarborough

Aside

Last Saturday we had another trip to Bath to see Alan Ayckbourn’s play, ‘A Trip to Scarborough’ which is based on R.B, Sheridan’s original play. We were told not to worry too much about the plot but just sit back and enjoy. This was good advice as there were three different time periods; the 18th century, WW2 and the present day – sometimes seeming to be happening at the same time. The 15 actors had three roles each and we understood why there was no information about scenes in the programme, as all the time scales merged seamlessly into each other.

It was all fairly chaotic and we felt bewildered by the interval but there was much to be enjoyed. The setting is the Royal Hotel, Scarborough and the two constants are the hall porters. The actors work extremely hard with all the costume and character changes and make the usual excellent Ayckbourn cast working as a first rate team. There’s a lovely bit where three chaps – in their cups become The Andrew Sisters.

There was a three piece band and I was thrilled to see Dennis King strumming. Anyone remember the King Brothers from the fifties? Dennis was the youngest and looked great. There was some singing and dancing and even a very moving moment when a young wife was told her fighter pilot husband was missing presumed…

You could tell when it was the present day with the constant use of ipods and mobile phones.

We had lunch at The Garrick’s Head – Bath Restaurant of the year 2007. I loved the mussels but I always prefer something sweet with pork although there was nothing wrong with the dish and the puds were great. A crisp sunny day and all in all, good fun.

16 comments:

savannah said...

sounds a truly wonderful day, sugar! ;-)

kenju said...

I'd like that day, too, Pat. But the play sounds like hard work to sort out. I always hate TV shows or movies that jump back and forth from time period to time period like that.

FOUR DINNERS said...

Where they called The King Singers? Just seem to remember that name from when I was tiny

Anonymous said...

It's taken me awhile, but I now know that "puds" is short for "Pudding" which over here means desert.

BTW, should you return to our dear land, I would suggest avoiding the word "pud" as it is a slang, slightly salacious anatomical reference.

Cheers.

Pat said...

4d: they were brothers - three of them - but I expect you are thinking of the same ones.

Pat said...

Randall: thanks - I'll bear that in mind and apologies for reverting to slang. I suppose it means bosoms although it could mean - oh my goodness! Now I'm covered in confusion!

Anonymous said...

You shall not bait me into saying something I'd rather not.

Cheers.

Pat said...

Randall: no no! I think we won't go there.

OldLady Of The Hills said...

This looks like a fascinating play, and a wonderful day, too Pat....Bath is so damn pretty, isn't it? Would I know any of the actors in this production? And was it Peter Hall again, or someone else? I'm sorry for all the questions...Just so hungry for Theatre, you know? Especially since I cannot go anymore....!
WONDERFUL Pictures, my dear....So happy you share your outings with us---Especially the Theatre ones!

OldLady Of The Hills said...

LOL, LOL...Another word for p**is!
LOL!
The expression...'He pulled his pud...'
I can't believe I just wrote that for all the world to see....LOL!

Anonymous said...

My God, I'm now going to have to attempt to remember every single instance I have said puds over here where it might have been misconstrued.

I have a long held yen to visit Bath. It lives vividly in my mind from Austen but I reckon I'll need to allow for mobile phones when I go.

Anonymous said...

Naomi, I can't believe it. Naughty, naughty, naughty.

Cheers.

Pat said...

Naomi: I keep my programmes so was sad to find I left this one at the theatre. The only recognisable name was the writer, director, producer - Alan Ayckbourn. The rest were very good jobbing actors.
BTW Randall is shocked, but bless you for explaining the meaning of puds. I would have put it/them a touch lower - anatomically:)

Pat said...

Sam: maybe you should hide your puds behind your long held yen. Oh dear now I'm hysterical.

Randall: musn't tease!

Nea said...

The King's Singers sang a cappella. Sorry, Pat, I don't remember the King Brothers.

I love English puds, they're one of the things I yen for. One of my favourite puds is my mum's Spotted Dick with butter and brown sugar. But why is Randall teasing and Naomi taking the p**is?

Pat said...

Nea: I've muddled them up. See below - they are the ones I meant.

King Brothers
The King Brothers first appearance on British TV was during the early 1950s in a children's programme called 'All Your Own', in which talented youngsters ...
www.45-rpm.org.uk/dirk/kingb.htm - 13k - Cached - Similar pages - Note this
As for puds and spotted dicks, this blog is sinking into den of iniquity and we are all going to sit quietly and behave now.