The world seems to be in apocalyptic mode at the moment. I am in the UK and have been a bystander to the recent really horrific events here….the slaughter of innocents at a music concert in Manchester, the brutal attack of people having a fun night out on London Bridge, the unimaginable fire in a tower block, near to where I am staying and now the attempted murder of Muslims in another ferocious attack. As someone said, the next thing will be “the plague of frogs”…one of the ten disasters to strike Egypt …book of Exodus. It is very hot and humid in England at the moment and the heat does strange things to people, patience withers, and tempers rise. I found myself telling a bad tempered man on the bus, not to be so miserable as he yelled at the poor beleaguered bus driver, as she struggled to straighten her outside mirror after it had been dislodged by a wayward branch. We really must learn to be kinder, nicer and more considerate of each other…otherwise what’s the point of it all? I must also add that I am deeply sorry about the fate of the poor young American, Otto Warmbier, who has just died after being returned to the US by N. Korea, without explanation nor apology for his tragic state.
Just felt I had to reflect on the sorrow in some people’s lives while mine has been so good recently. It has been time spent with dear friends in England at its best in June, despite the heat. An English garden is one of the great pleasures in life and I have been lucky enough to enjoy some very good theatre, museum and art exhibitions and just good walks in the parks and in the countryside. I went to the amazing Pink Floyd exhibition at the Victorian and Albert Museum…happy memories of my early working life in the swinging Sixtes.
Pink Floyd exhibition
I saw a beautiful ballet of the sad and moving story “ The Boy in the Striped
Pyjamas”, staged by the Northern Ballet, where my oldest friend in the business Patricia Doyle, is Dramatic Associate. Pat and I roomed together when we were at RADA. Also saw “ The Octoroon” by the brilliant American Pulitzer finalist writer Branden Jacob-Jenkins, the slavery melodrama, taken from Dion Boucicault’s play…..wonderful….black face playing white face and white face playing black face. Loved it…funny, clever and enthralling. So much young talent about.
You will probably realise (if you’re still reading) that I am in philosophic mood at the moment…but a personal experience a couple of years ago, seemed to wake me from a period of rushing through life, stressed and not very happy. It has slowed me down and opened my eyes to the pleasure of just being and enjoying life on a day to day basis…being open to new people and new experiences, while still enjoying and appreciating the old. So slow down, open your eyes and your heart and live life as it comes. I highly recommend it.
Anyway that’s all for now.
Happy Day at cloudy Great Yarmouth
