Two's Company

In a complete reversal from my last post in which anti-socialism and enforced solitude seemed the order of the day, in the past week I have been nothing but sociable. That might serve to somewhat explain the elongated pause between this post and the previous one. My prolific apologies to the hoards of raving fans who have had to wait so long for the next instalment.

So - here goes. You’ll realise, should you choose to read any further, that the title of this post is somewhat witty, for it refers not only to the string of meetings, rendezvous and fraternisations that constitute the company I was keeping, but it also refers to the company I had in Barney for the experience of Company: the musical. Yes that’s right - company squared.

Barney has become my theatrical buddy (I say become as if this is a recent development, but in truth this relationship has been in the making since around 2009. There really is no escape now!) So it is usually thanks to her that my diary is filled with theatrical experiences, often of the musical variety. As someone who knows comparatively little about musical theatre culture, I think the chance to educate and expose me to a whole new world of key changes and chorus lines is irresistible. Barney therefore booked two bargain tickets to see ‘Company’ by Sondheim on Thursday 17th January.

The day itself was plagued by several setbacks as a meeting I was supposed to have - in this newfound sociable spirit - was cancelled and Barney ended up being kept late at work which meant that a hastily consumed boots meal deal was her dinner, kindly provided by my own fair hand. Nevertheless, once we had both reached the theatre, filled our bellies and collected our tickets, we entered the Gielgud theatre and shared a much needed and indulgent glass of champagne. The shared nature of the single drink will tell you a little about the state of our finances at this present time. Needless to say it tasted like liquid gold. Although distinctly less hazardous. So we entered the theatre in good spirits and with very little in the way of expectations.

Before too much suspense builds, I am pleased to report that on the whole the experience was a positive one. Sondheim can be a little unusual and unlike most musical theatre in that you can’t predict every key change or cadence because he rather likes to do the unexpected. This means the songs are very interesting. I use a qualitatively neutral word because my feelings fluctuated between enjoyment and dislike. There were certain songs I thought were brilliantly clever and brilliantly performed. There were, however, others that were less brilliant on both accounts. But at least it could never have been accused of being boring. So although we didn’t come away singing our hearts out, we did both agree that much of the comedy was excellent, the set very clever, and the gender reversal far from tokenistic and actually rather enlightening.

The sociable nature of my week didn’t end with the title of the show I chose to see, but in fact continued right through the weekend. I had coffee with a local lady whose brains I was picking (although that image is rather sinister) over my slow-moving acting career. After this coffee I then saw Rupert, and he even came to the local pub where we engaged in conversation with even more people. The sociability was overwhelming! And the next day I found myself at a cocktail party socialising with old college friends - although socialising might exaggerate the amount of conversation to be had over the thumping noughties music. To top it off I played a Sunday round of tennis with the Chalfont gang. Even today I had a coffee date with our family pal ‘Big Al’. I am sure soon I’ll run out of this sociable steam, but it is proving rather a good way of combating those January blues everyone is going on about. So you heard it here first: watch out everyone, because I’m in a sociable sort of mood. Invite me for coffee at your peril!