Timon of Athens

Mostly, today, we were all pooped.

I was at work at seven again to open up. Kris had been there until gone eight last night.
I was there, the location production assistant was there, the plumber who had nothing whatsoever to do with the film crew was there.....and the set department rolled up at something like ten thirty.

At lunchtime, Kris and I decided we'd go to the inappropriately named Aberdeen Mall - aka the Chinese Mall, to see the animatronic dinosaur. We arrived after midday and there was a 'show' scheduled for 13.00, so we thought we'd better eat there. We regretted that. You can eat any type of Chinese or Japanese food you like for around six dollars, but it makes you yearn for Tang's in Elmgrove. (Portsmouth).

Finally the dino did its thing. It moved its tail and head a bit and roared, however, the lead up to it was more impressive, the fountains dance to music and the music was anything even remotely connected with dinosaurs.

This evening we had tickets for Timon of Athens at Bard on the Beach. This play is not often performed so we were keen to see it. And unlike the dinosaur and general Chinese food debacle, we were not disappointed.

The set never fails to astound us, the simplicity and versatility of every part of it and the way the cast members subtly move bits of it around, a well-oiled machine.
The play was riveting, the players, the same who had performed Julius Caesar, which Kevin and I had seen with Austen, were as ever, exceptional. There's just nothing quite like it. The tent, the lights, the fluidity of costume changes, the actors so near, the constant movement on which you cannot help be focussed.
Magical. Made the whole film thing look very klunky and unpolished. But then....good Shakespeare can do that.

Shakespeare done badly just makes you want to boil your head.