Publically Exploding the Utopian Ideal
Friday
Having got in so late on the thursday I was obviously in less than top condition when it came to Friday.
I dragged myself into work pretty late and, since I had some work that *needed* doing, this had the knock on effect of having to stay late, which kind of bunched the rest of the day into a concertina’d malady of events.
Indeed, as soon as I got home I was rushed into making a spaghetti carbonara, which I wolfed down, and then I rushed out to Kro 2, which “Sucks sweet monkey ass” apparently.
The reason for this excursion was again vaguely mugss related, but mostly because it was a Friday and Mike n’ Pam had just come up from Cheltenham and were meeting and greeting. Lots of people were there, so I’m not going to start naming them all.
The Fab Café happened next, though it was extradordinarily busy and I was extraordinarily tired, from the previous night, a good night was had by all.
rolled in home around some-time-o-clock. I’ve actually no idea.
Saturday
Woke up late on Saturday in an ultimately vain attempt to regain some sleep, and had it suggested that a game of badminton might be a good idea.
I agreed, so LW, Lees, Jenn, Rosy, Mahinda, Adam and I met up for a 2 hour session (extended since the court wasn’t booked after us and we just stayed on). I was naff to begin with but some helpful coaching from Mahinda once again improved my game a little.
Good fun.
I returned home and watched a little of the England v Ireland match before another brief sleep retrieval attempt.
Rosy cooked a fine set of burgers, and we literally ran out of the house to try and catch the bus in time to escort us to the Dancehouse, scene of the Mugss Musical “Utopia”.
Arriving comfortably in time, due to a lack of traffic in Rusholme, and a lack of stopping at Owen’s Park we met up with our group and sat down towards the front to watch the show.
Act 1.
Act 1 was a colourful infusion of standard songs and plot development. The performers, most of whom I kinda know through the mugss connection, were pretty good, with Justin a memorable stand-out in the “Pantomime Villain” role (nicely supported by Will, too!) though all the principles performed well to my untrained eyes.
The plot, an allusion to which is the title of this entry, seems to revolve around some Island being turned into a replica of British society. It’s Typical Conceptual nonsense from G&S and in my opinion fails to work.
This is most clearly demonstrated in….
Act 2.
Which seems to go nowhere before inadequately resolving itself at the end.
I can’t sum up the plot in act 2 as I’m still confused as to what it was.
Overall I enjoyed it, and thought it was performed incredibly well by the players. Indeed, imo, this was the best performed show of the three I’ve seen. The problem was the show itself, and the lack of any real stand out musical numbers.
But then, I’m not into my musicals, so who am I to judge?
After the show we all headed down to the RNCM for the after-show. Fortunately early to arrive we procured first use of the bar and I spent the next 4 hours chatting to many different people.
Then it was onto James Heavers flat for the after-show.
After arriving out of breath (having had to climb 9 flights of steps!) I was generally impressed with:
a) The Flat
b) The Atmosphere
c) The Company
and therefore
d) The Party.
Now if I could remember much about what happened I would write some of it here, no doubt, but I can’t so I won’t.
Lets see what I can remember:
* Ollie from Cheltenham. Legend.
* Beer in a wine bottle, due to a lack of cups.
* chatting to lots and lots of people. Particularly I remember chatting to Pam, Mike & Mahinda.
* the funny keg beer thing in the kitchen
* the outside balcony.
* the lightening sky.
* the inside balcony (including “Bed in a corner”)
* Rosy and his Dinosaur.
* Bags, Coats and the pile of mysterious movement.
* Metal music at the end, and the oblivious “DJ”.
* Funny chairs that tried to throw you back off them.
* Spiral Staircase.
* having a pretty good time.
oh, that seems like quite a lot of memory! I can’t have been as drunk as I thought I was.
we left at 630am when Mike pointed out that if he left now he could make it back to his hotel for breakfast.
Intrigued when I arrived home I cooked myself breakfast and watched some of the cricket. I went to bed at 9.
Sunday
Sunday was spent chilling out with friends.
After eventually waking up I headed down to Tribeca, not my most favourite of bars, for a few coffee’s and general muted sunday apathy from some of my fellow party-goers.
It was also Mike’s birthday, so birthday wishes abounded before he headed off around 4? with Pam.
Again lots of people were there, so I won’t bore you with the details.
Went back to mine around 5 and watched the end of the football before effectively bedding down for the day in front of the tv. I cooked another pasta meal in the evening and watched 24, but I think that’s about it.
All in all, an enjoyable weekend.
