Les Mis

One of the worst things about early morning starts to conferences is that I have to travel the night before, and really I'd rather be in my own house and bed. But, if I'm going to be away from home, I try and find something to do that doesn't involve just sitting in a hotel room. In London it's easy, go to a show. Tonight I went to see this:



Les Mis. Can't believe it's been on for 27 years and I've never seen it. I had a good 30 minute walk from my hotel through Westminster, along Whitehall, Trafalgar Square, Piccadilly to the theatre in lovely evening sun. I had all the wrong things to eat - butter on my bread and chips with my steak - before the show. Then settled down to watch. The imagery is very evocative, even on the safety curtain



And I can sort of see why when it first came out it was called The Glums. It's not exactly a bundle of laughs, but there are some very funny bits in it from the Inn keeper and his wife, the Thenardiers.

I thoroughly enjoyed it. The set was amazing, based on a revolve. I've worked with revolves, and they're bloody difficult, but this was seamless. There was no normal flying in of flats, it was all built on the stage, and when the barricades were formed, all of the audience gasped. I was sitting right at the front, and as usual watched the stagecraft carefully. The stage was very dark most of the time, and I particularly liked the green and red lights that lit up in the wings to guide the actors off.

The cast were great, and the leading character, Jean Valjean, was played by an understudy. I can't imagine anyone playing it better than he did. The songs were fantastic, especially Do You Hear the People Sing, and I spent most of the Second Act with tears steaming down my face. I did think it was a bit off to loudly applaud a suicide though :-).

It was a fantastic night, and at the end, Alexandra Burke came on and sang Eponine's song, On My Own. Apparently it was being filmed for Children in Need. Will watch out for it. If you haven't seen it yet. Go.





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Sheffield in the Sun

Sheffield has really come alive today. The sun is shining, and the new students are starting to come back. Freshers are arriving today and tomorrow, and within the next couple of weeks about 40,000 students will come into the City.

Also today is the food festival. The City Centre is buzzing and packed.


Fargate is full of food stands selling all sorts of local produce, and giving away samples, including some very tasty Strawberry and Rhubarb vodka. The Peace Gardens has loads of pop up restaurants, selling everything from pizza and burgers to authentic Turkish food and freshly made sushi. There's even a beer tent selling Sheffield beer from the many breweries we have here. In the glorious sunshine I had a mohito, a mini Yorkshire pudding, an excellent burger and salad, and a selection of deserts washed down with a half of Farmers Blonde. You can't beat Sheffield in the sun! There were some pretty classy carved watermelons as well.

Whitby - the end

Friday morning was miserable. Raining and misty. Drove Dan back to Scarborough so he could catch his bus back and saw nothing. Just mist.

Got back, and went for a walk up to the Abbey and Church. Love the Church.

 Lots of little boxes for people to sit in - all marked with names, or groups, such as this one, and if you look carefully you can see that it's my place as well!

The view is fantastic from up here, and the sun had begun to come out.

After a walk down the Abbey Steps, a drink in the Shambles  and a mooch round the East Side, it was up to the Spa for the workshop showcase. This is where all of the workshops which have been happening all week show off what they've learned. Some friends had been in the Playing for dancing workshop, and some in the longsword.

The parade sets off ay 4.30, always led by the garland, made from heather collected from the moors that morning

 and carried by a sword team, who traditionally mange a few halves of beer as they pass pubs on the way. This year it was Goathland Plough Stots.

After the procession Stu and I dashed off to The Colisuem to catch Dave Burland, one of my favourite singers - lovely voice and so relaxed.

We were lucky to catch the end of Nancy Kerr and James Fagan's set as well.

And at last we managed some Pie and Mash. From the Pie and Mash shop of course. We carried it home, and it made a good dinner after we'd packed.

Then it was off for a pint in The Elsinore and off to the Spa for the final ceilidh. Packed as usual, and we got lots of dancing in. Some of us snuck out to see Bernard Wrigley in the Theatre - he was great. So funny.

Finally, the garland came in, the Plough Stots guarded it,

and we all sang Wild Mountain Thyme.




Got a piece of heather and strolled back. For a nightcap of course.

Saturday we were up early and slightly the worse for wear, but managed a coffee in town, a walk round the shops, and lunch at our normal spot, The Crooked Billet.

The end of a great week - good weather most of the time, some really enjoyable concerts, lots of dancing and good company. Accommodation already booked for next year!