172 - Map

Theme 119.

I went to London at the weekend to see Avenue Q with my friends Simon and Andy, and Andy's girlfriend. We'd tried to get tickets to the Doctor Who Prom (part of the BBC Proms), but no luck. Anyhoo, this is the dropcloth that comes down before the show and during intermission. I thought it was OK to photograph it, but just checked with an usher to be sure.

I saw the show in April too, and left my camera in the hotel (I was alone and it finishes about 10:30pm, so didn't want to risk carrying the camera then), and I'd bought a programme while the matinee was playing, so I could leave it at the hotel and have one thing less to carry. All of which meant I got no autographs or photos that visit (bar two crappy mobile phone camera photos of Daniel Boys). This time, I had my camera with me, and friends to take a photo of me with some of the cast. I didn't bring my old programme or buy a new one, but I'd bought a book earlier that afternoon (Long Way Down, by Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman), and got them to sign that instead! Resourceful is my middle name :P

Last time, we had an understudy for the role of Gary Coleman. This time, we had the normal guy, but we had one of the ensemble cover Nicky/Trekkie Monster (and one of the swing girls who does the Bad Idea Bears/Mrs. Thistletwat was different too). I noticed subtle changes - different words stressed, more hand gestures (noticeably in the songs like "Loud As The Hell You Want (When You're Making Love)" and more dancing steps than I remember). Still funny though, in fact I enjoyed it more I think, being sandwiched between Andy's girlfriend and Simon, both of whom laughed a lot. And Daniel Boys (the Princeton/Rod singer) looked straight at me at one point (at a fairly key part of one song, though I forget which now). Swoon!