Money & Musicals

If I wanted to buy any French & Saunders tickets that weren't so far back I'd need a telescope to see the stage, it would have cost me considerably more than my current bank balance (which, admittedly, is so low it is barely existent).  I dread to think what these tickets would cost after considerable inflation from a secondary agent.
If I wanted a ticket for Russell Brand, I had no choice but to go through secondary ticket agents, all of whom were selling tickets for considerably more than the original price.
None of this however, compared with the extortionate price I was forced to pay for the Pussycat Dolls concert, with tickets inflated to approximately three times their original price - and those were some of the cheaper tickets on offer!
But so long as people like me continue to buy from these agents (yes, I bought the Pussycat Dolls tickets!), there will be no stopping them.  And of course, there will be no stopping the individuals who make block bookings in order to sell them on eBay.

As I was unable to see French & Saunders this week, I opted instead for some affordable theatre.  I was treated to a beautifully performed musical by LIPA students, "I Love You Because" (which is about precisely what it says in the title).  The performance broke the boundaries of "polite" British theatre and instead had the audience moving around in promenade.  It created the "hustle and bustle" feel of New York City perfectly, although it was very much a case of "if you see an actor coming your way, get out of theirs!" Thankfully, stewards were appointed to sections of the audience to ensure they were in the right places at the right moments, so there wasn't too much frantic dispersing as actors wove their melodic path through "New York".
The most wonderful thing about this production was that so often it was hard to know where to look.  At moments when actors were on all sides of the room, each face would tell a different story and it was fascinating to look from one to the other.  It was a credit to the actors that I was surprised at the end of the show to realise that they were a cast of only six; the focus and energy in the performance had duped me into thinking the cast was far larger.  This was a simple but delightful story about love that everyone can relate to.

Another feel-good musical to look out for that many people, particularly women, should be able to relate to is Nick Cox's "Weight Watchers: The Musical".  I saw a performance of this a couple of years ago and have been eagerly anticipating its Fringe debut with a professional cast. Two years later, I am still waiting, although I hear on the grapevine it may be performing at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival this year or next.  Again, this musical is exactly what it says on the tin - a hilarious insight into a Weight Watchers meeting, with a range of characters from the super-fit and condescending to the lonely and middle-aged.  If you've ever been to a slimming meeting, this is definitely not one to miss!