Glasgow GTG January 2011 - Page 9

monster · 01-12-2011, 09:19 PM

mustn't, mustn't, mustn't.......uh oh.......

.

Sundae · 01-12-2011, 03:11 PM

And finally, while I work out how to describe the pantomime (and possibly crib from emails I've received from other JB fans) here are two last pictures.

Me - because I'm not as much in evidence so far (this will change so don't cry). Am wearing my glasses because like Steve Tyler, I don't want to miss a thing.

And a pic showing how close I was to the stage. The centre of the theatre had seats from Row A, but the wings were from Row B. As I was in Row D on a wing I was effectively three rows back. And as I was on the aisle, I easily had a view as good as being in the centre. But then I did book pretty much a year in advance.

NO pics during the performance (of course!) the second photo is before the show - as I hope you can tell given that people are still wandering about.

The next post will be pure (almost) raving text. Feel free to skip.
After that we go out for dinner - again!

limey · 01-12-2011, 05:41 PM

This is great, SG!!!! As good as being there!!!!!!

DanaC · 01-12-2011, 05:50 PM

I had intended to get my act together and sort out vids, pics and posts this evening, but my scrutiny panel meeting went way over and I didnt get home til 10:00.

Yesterday I was sooo tired. Dunno why, it's not like I got back late or anything. Slept loads lol.

kerosene · 01-12-2011, 06:03 PM

I love your photos and narration! I noticed on that menu that the lasagna came with chips (fries I assume). I don't think I have ever seen that combination.

And for the meal, I would have also picked those Russian pancakes. They looked yummy.

Sundae · 01-13-2011, 04:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kerosene

I love your photos and narration! I noticed on that menu that the lasagna came with chips (fries I assume). I don't think I have ever seen that combination.

Look again. The meals with asterisks by them are the ones NOT served with chips. For example you wouldn't get Haggis, Neeps and Tatties with added chips because the meal already contains potato. The lasagne comes with either chips or garlic bread. Important distinction

What Dana says about chips is true though - there are the default in the majority of pub meals.

footfootfoot · 01-12-2011, 08:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DanaC

I had intended to get my act together and excuses excuses

The road to hell is paved with good intentions...

DanaC · 01-12-2011, 06:47 PM

Pub food is generally offered with chips.

Chips are not fries, though these days many pubs serve fries as chips. Basically, whereas fries have stuff like corn starch and what have you, proper chips are just long chunks of potato either deep-fried or oven-baked, with nothing added during cooking. They are then (usually) soused with vinegar and sprinkled with salt before eating. They're much fatter and chunkier than fries, and when done properly they are delightful.

Sundae · 01-13-2011, 04:37 AM

So, the pantomime.
It’s an art form John Barrowman was made for. Watch an interview with him - he’s irrepressible. The typical pantomime requirements of singing, dancing and having a cheeky sense of humour are all there already. Also the man has so much charisma you’re bound to care about the character he plays. Okaya 43 year old Aladdin should be a stretch, but panto isn’t about reality and never has been. His mother is played by a man after all.

JB played Aladdin pretty much as himself. There were sly (and not so sly) nods to the fact that he’s gay, but Aladdin gets married to the Princess and therefore so does John. The show opened with the baddie Abanazer, but as soon as he set up the story we were in the village of Won Long Pu with John singing I’m Coming Up (So You’d Better Get the Party Started) with a wonderfully young and lithe ensemble troop. It’s one of his staple songs when he tours, so it would have pleased many of us there just for John.

At this point he was in a patchwork jerkin and leggings - actually every costume had leggings, all the better for showing off thighs and bum - and he remained in this most of the first half. The Krankies were introduced as police (polis) after this. The premise was that Aladdin had been caught trying to look at the Princess Jasmine, an act punishable by death, so they were trying to get him. Abanazer needed Aladdin to get the magic lamp from the cave so that he could use it’s power to take over the world. Aladdin wanted to be rich so he could marry the Princess. That’s pretty much the story.

The Krankies - for those of you not in the know - are a husband and wife entertainment team. They were often on children’s TV and variety shows back in the 70s and 80s. Ian is normal height, but his wife Janette is only 4’5”. Their act is based on Janette playing a naughty schoolboy called Wee Jimmy Krankie. It’s ridiculous of course, but I loved them as a child and they work exceptionally well in a panto setting. Janette had a couple of delightful ad libs - which may have been repeated every night but got a big laugh regardless. She also had some excellent costume changes, dressing up as Ozzy Osbourne, Lady Gaga and Susan Boyle. She had a couple of her own songs too - far more than Princess Jasmine (and much more stage time!)

The 3D kicked in when Aladdin got into the cave and summoned the genie. It was brilliant. At one point I realised I had been sat there with my mouth simply open. The effects seemed to be directed at each person individually, so for example all the bats flew at me, and the snake struck right before my nose. People were flinching and children trying to reach out and touch things. It wasn’t over-used imo, but the panto could easily have coped if it hadn’t been included. And yes, there were times when I was watching John at the side of the stage rather than the 3D genie he was talking to.

Aladdin gets the lamp and wishes himself out of the cave and back home again. He is also rich, cue Aladdin arriving on a huge mechanical elephant in a gorgeously sparkly and sequinned suit - white I think. The Emperor allows Aladdin to marry his daughter as he is now the richest man in China (should we really be teaching children this?) and the Krankies are called off.

But what about Abanazer? He is not daunted and turns up as a New Lamps For Old seller. He tricks Widow Twanky and Jasmine into giving him the magic lamp - aren’t women stupid? - and kidnaps Jasmine. Aladdin, the Emperor, the Krankies and Twanky use a magic carpet to follow them. Somewhere in this there are more songs and sketches of course. Everyone changes into a sparkly powder blue costume. Jasmine is rescued and kissed (eeeergh!) and the lamp retrieved. Abanazer is changed into a nice man with a very bizarre cod-Scottish accent and the show is done.

Quick change into sparkly red for the final bows.

I could happily have gone back that evening and watching it all again. Apparently the final audience gave them a standing ovation.
I wish we could have - they deserved it. It was very slick, very funny - I laughed as much as I would have at an evening of stand-up comedy - and the songs and dancing were flawless. John can sing, of course. He’s a West End star because of it. But there is something special about seeing him do it live.

Dana says she’ll come with me if he’s in panto again next year. If he is, I hope it’s not in Scotland. Much as I adored my time there, the journey is a killer. Still, maybe I can pretend not to have an environmental conscience and fly next time. Which reminds me - I really need to start saving now. This time last year we were already booking our tickets.

Sundae · 01-13-2011, 04:51 AM

We all left the SECC on a bit of a high I think.
We walked back over the deadly streets, although once we got onto a main road the pavements had been cleared again. Two sweet Glaswegians offered us directions without even asking - although as we were standing clueless on a street corner I guess our plight was obvious.

Back to the hotel via another trip to another caged in offie for evening supplies. Then off to a restaurant recommended by the hotel - and close enough not to worry about having a few cheeky drinks while we were there.

Oh, in between I lost my pants. My jogging bottoms to be precise. It turned out housekeeping had made the bed over them, but there was a baffled five minutes of me walking round in my underwear thinking I had gone stark staring mad.

So, off to the ButcherShop Bar and Grill. It looked good from the outside and the menu looked fantastic - if a little meat-centric. Inside it was perfect, all scrubbed tables, muted but adequate lighting, wooden floors, exposed brickwork and leather booths. To me it smelt of raw meat, but not unpleasantly so.

Here are two pics of the menu. The girls wanted me to take one with the cover on, so I obliged. I'm posting it now because they thought you would like to see it. The second is a detail of the section we three ordered from. I had the salad, Dana the chicken and Limey the Catch of the Day (seabass with prawns I believe).

The full menu is on their website - it's worth a look. They do a Chateaubriand Steak for two for £55.

Sundae · 01-13-2011, 05:00 AM

No photos of the food, except our shared starter of bread.
It was gorgeous. Dani made a right mess with the crumbs

The mains were also well received.
Again, I couldn't even finish mine. I made a good stab at it though.
My only single nit-picky complaint was that it contained cucumber, even though this was not mentioned on the menu. I hate cucumber, and picked it all out.

Following dinner we declined dessert in order to have a Disgestif.
This is because we are well-travelled and cosmopolitan, not because we fancied another way of imbibing alcohol.

Second pic is Limey with her gorgeous Cinnamon, Nutmeg & Rum Flip
This is Goslings Black Seal Rum, Sugar Syrup, 1 Egg, Pinch of Cinnamon & Grated Nutmeg
It's heaven in a glass. Limes says she's going to modify the recipe slightly and make it her new Christmas morning drink. Beats Bucks Fizz into a tartan hat I agree.

Please note grease spatters on Limey's top.
From removing the shells from prawns, not from dropping her dinner down herself.
(She'll be so pleased I pointed this out)

Sundae · 01-13-2011, 05:05 AM

Dana and I had As Time Stands Still
Calvados, Port, Peach Bitters & a drizzle of vanilla syrup. Steamed and served mildly warm.

It was okay. I mean it had alcohol in it, so I drank it, but Limey's was nicer.
It think it was the Peach Bitters. Something made my mouth purse up anyway.

Self explanatory pictures.

Sundae · 01-13-2011, 05:06 AM

Back to the Alamo, where we treated Limey to a viewing of Hot Fuzz.
She was very patient, given that Dana and I know it off by heart and couldn't help laughing ahead of the jokes or (in my case) annoying saying the best lines along with the actors.

Off to bed - our last night together.

Sundae · 01-13-2011, 07:04 AM

So, on to Monday morning and farewells were in the air.
We had breakfast, got ready and checked out.
Off to Glasgow Central station where Limey and I were to depart on the boat train for Arran, and Dana back to Halifax.

Bye-bye Dana, bye-bye.

Sundae · 01-13-2011, 07:07 AM

Note the difference in attire.
I'd stowed my cape in my bag by this point, far too hot to continue wearing it!
Also note that all Limey's woollens are hand-knitted. OMG - I forgot to mention she brought us both gifts - Dani's was a red bag and mine a pink of pink socks. The second sock is still a work in progress as she wanted to check the size first. She's going to send it to me and I will def take a photo - the one I saw was most splendid.

Second pic is our train to Ardrossan Harbour, where we get on the boat to Arran.

01-12-2011, 09:19 PM	#1
monster I hear them call the tide Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Perpetual Chaos Posts: 30,852	mustn't, mustn't, mustn't.......uh oh....... . Attached Images __________________ The most difficult thing is the decision to act, the rest is merely tenacity Amelia Earhart

01-12-2011, 03:11 PM	#2
Sundae polaroid of perfection Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: West Yorkshire Posts: 24,185	And finally, while I work out how to describe the pantomime (and possibly crib from emails I've received from other JB fans) here are two last pictures. Me - because I'm not as much in evidence so far (this will change so don't cry). Am wearing my glasses because like Steve Tyler, I don't want to miss a thing. And a pic showing how close I was to the stage. The centre of the theatre had seats from Row A, but the wings were from Row B. As I was in Row D on a wing I was effectively three rows back. And as I was on the aisle, I easily had a view as good as being in the centre. But then I did book pretty much a year in advance. NO pics during the performance (of course!) the second photo is before the show - as I hope you can tell given that people are still wandering about. The next post will be pure (almost) raving text. Feel free to skip. After that we go out for dinner - again! Attached Images __________________ Life's hard you know, so strike a pose on a Cadillac

01-12-2011, 05:41 PM	#3
limey Encroaching on your decrees Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: An island within the south-west coast of Scotland Posts: 7,016	This is great, SG!!!! As good as being there!!!!!! __________________ Living it up on the edge ... of civilisation, within the southwest coast of

01-12-2011, 06:03 PM	#5
kerosene Touring the facilities Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: The plains of Colorado Posts: 3,476	I love your photos and narration! I noticed on that menu that the lasagna came with chips (fries I assume). I don't think I have ever seen that combination. And for the meal, I would have also picked those Russian pancakes. They looked yummy. Last edited by kerosene; 01-12-2011 at 06:04 PM. Reason: spelling error

01-13-2011, 04:37 AM	#9
Sundae polaroid of perfection Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: West Yorkshire Posts: 24,185	So, the pantomime. It’s an art form John Barrowman was made for. Watch an interview with him - he’s irrepressible. The typical pantomime requirements of singing, dancing and having a cheeky sense of humour are all there already. Also the man has so much charisma you’re bound to care about the character he plays. Okaya 43 year old Aladdin should be a stretch, but panto isn’t about reality and never has been. His mother is played by a man after all. JB played Aladdin pretty much as himself. There were sly (and not so sly) nods to the fact that he’s gay, but Aladdin gets married to the Princess and therefore so does John. The show opened with the baddie Abanazer, but as soon as he set up the story we were in the village of Won Long Pu with John singing I’m Coming Up (So You’d Better Get the Party Started) with a wonderfully young and lithe ensemble troop. It’s one of his staple songs when he tours, so it would have pleased many of us there just for John. At this point he was in a patchwork jerkin and leggings - actually every costume had leggings, all the better for showing off thighs and bum - and he remained in this most of the first half. The Krankies were introduced as police (polis) after this. The premise was that Aladdin had been caught trying to look at the Princess Jasmine, an act punishable by death, so they were trying to get him. Abanazer needed Aladdin to get the magic lamp from the cave so that he could use it’s power to take over the world. Aladdin wanted to be rich so he could marry the Princess. That’s pretty much the story. The Krankies - for those of you not in the know - are a husband and wife entertainment team. They were often on children’s TV and variety shows back in the 70s and 80s. Ian is normal height, but his wife Janette is only 4’5”. Their act is based on Janette playing a naughty schoolboy called Wee Jimmy Krankie. It’s ridiculous of course, but I loved them as a child and they work exceptionally well in a panto setting. Janette had a couple of delightful ad libs - which may have been repeated every night but got a big laugh regardless. She also had some excellent costume changes, dressing up as Ozzy Osbourne, Lady Gaga and Susan Boyle. She had a couple of her own songs too - far more than Princess Jasmine (and much more stage time!) The 3D kicked in when Aladdin got into the cave and summoned the genie. It was brilliant. At one point I realised I had been sat there with my mouth simply open. The effects seemed to be directed at each person individually, so for example all the bats flew at me, and the snake struck right before my nose. People were flinching and children trying to reach out and touch things. It wasn’t over-used imo, but the panto could easily have coped if it hadn’t been included. And yes, there were times when I was watching John at the side of the stage rather than the 3D genie he was talking to. Aladdin gets the lamp and wishes himself out of the cave and back home again. He is also rich, cue Aladdin arriving on a huge mechanical elephant in a gorgeously sparkly and sequinned suit - white I think. The Emperor allows Aladdin to marry his daughter as he is now the richest man in China (should we really be teaching children this?) and the Krankies are called off. But what about Abanazer? He is not daunted and turns up as a New Lamps For Old seller. He tricks Widow Twanky and Jasmine into giving him the magic lamp - aren’t women stupid? - and kidnaps Jasmine. Aladdin, the Emperor, the Krankies and Twanky use a magic carpet to follow them. Somewhere in this there are more songs and sketches of course. Everyone changes into a sparkly powder blue costume. Jasmine is rescued and kissed (eeeergh!) and the lamp retrieved. Abanazer is changed into a nice man with a very bizarre cod-Scottish accent and the show is done. Quick change into sparkly red for the final bows. I could happily have gone back that evening and watching it all again. Apparently the final audience gave them a standing ovation. I wish we could have - they deserved it. It was very slick, very funny - I laughed as much as I would have at an evening of stand-up comedy - and the songs and dancing were flawless. John can sing, of course. He’s a West End star because of it. But there is something special about seeing him do it live. Dana says she’ll come with me if he’s in panto again next year. If he is, I hope it’s not in Scotland. Much as I adored my time there, the journey is a killer. Still, maybe I can pretend not to have an environmental conscience and fly next time. Which reminds me - I really need to start saving now. This time last year we were already booking our tickets. __________________ Life's hard you know, so strike a pose on a Cadillac

01-13-2011, 04:51 AM	#10
Sundae polaroid of perfection Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: West Yorkshire Posts: 24,185	We all left the SECC on a bit of a high I think. We walked back over the deadly streets, although once we got onto a main road the pavements had been cleared again. Two sweet Glaswegians offered us directions without even asking - although as we were standing clueless on a street corner I guess our plight was obvious. Back to the hotel via another trip to another caged in offie for evening supplies. Then off to a restaurant recommended by the hotel - and close enough not to worry about having a few cheeky drinks while we were there. Oh, in between I lost my pants. My jogging bottoms to be precise. It turned out housekeeping had made the bed over them, but there was a baffled five minutes of me walking round in my underwear thinking I had gone stark staring mad. So, off to the ButcherShop Bar and Grill. It looked good from the outside and the menu looked fantastic - if a little meat-centric. Inside it was perfect, all scrubbed tables, muted but adequate lighting, wooden floors, exposed brickwork and leather booths. To me it smelt of raw meat, but not unpleasantly so. Here are two pics of the menu. The girls wanted me to take one with the cover on, so I obliged. I'm posting it now because they thought you would like to see it. The second is a detail of the section we three ordered from. I had the salad, Dana the chicken and Limey the Catch of the Day (seabass with prawns I believe). The full menu is on their website - it's worth a look. They do a Chateaubriand Steak for two for £55. Attached Images __________________ Life's hard you know, so strike a pose on a Cadillac

01-13-2011, 05:00 AM	#11
Sundae polaroid of perfection Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: West Yorkshire Posts: 24,185	No photos of the food, except our shared starter of bread. It was gorgeous. Dani made a right mess with the crumbs The mains were also well received. Again, I couldn't even finish mine. I made a good stab at it though. My only single nit-picky complaint was that it contained cucumber, even though this was not mentioned on the menu. I hate cucumber, and picked it all out. Following dinner we declined dessert in order to have a Disgestif. This is because we are well-travelled and cosmopolitan, not because we fancied another way of imbibing alcohol. Second pic is Limey with her gorgeous Cinnamon, Nutmeg & Rum Flip This is Goslings Black Seal Rum, Sugar Syrup, 1 Egg, Pinch of Cinnamon & Grated Nutmeg It's heaven in a glass. Limes says she's going to modify the recipe slightly and make it her new Christmas morning drink. Beats Bucks Fizz into a tartan hat I agree. Please note grease spatters on Limey's top. From removing the shells from prawns, not from dropping her dinner down herself. (She'll be so pleased I pointed this out) Attached Images __________________ Life's hard you know, so strike a pose on a Cadillac

01-13-2011, 05:05 AM	#12
Sundae polaroid of perfection Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: West Yorkshire Posts: 24,185	Dana and I had As Time Stands Still Calvados, Port, Peach Bitters & a drizzle of vanilla syrup. Steamed and served mildly warm. It was okay. I mean it had alcohol in it, so I drank it, but Limey's was nicer. It think it was the Peach Bitters. Something made my mouth purse up anyway. Self explanatory pictures. Attached Images __________________ Life's hard you know, so strike a pose on a Cadillac

01-13-2011, 05:06 AM	#13
Sundae polaroid of perfection Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: West Yorkshire Posts: 24,185	Back to the Alamo, where we treated Limey to a viewing of Hot Fuzz. She was very patient, given that Dana and I know it off by heart and couldn't help laughing ahead of the jokes or (in my case) annoying saying the best lines along with the actors. Off to bed - our last night together. __________________ Life's hard you know, so strike a pose on a Cadillac

01-13-2011, 07:04 AM	#14
Sundae polaroid of perfection Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: West Yorkshire Posts: 24,185	So, on to Monday morning and farewells were in the air. We had breakfast, got ready and checked out. Off to Glasgow Central station where Limey and I were to depart on the boat train for Arran, and Dana back to Halifax. Bye-bye Dana, bye-bye. Attached Images __________________ Life's hard you know, so strike a pose on a Cadillac

01-13-2011, 07:07 AM	#15
Sundae polaroid of perfection Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: West Yorkshire Posts: 24,185	Note the difference in attire. I'd stowed my cape in my bag by this point, far too hot to continue wearing it! Also note that all Limey's woollens are hand-knitted. OMG - I forgot to mention she brought us both gifts - Dani's was a red bag and mine a pink of pink socks. The second sock is still a work in progress as she wanted to check the size first. She's going to send it to me and I will def take a photo - the one I saw was most splendid. Second pic is our train to Ardrossan Harbour, where we get on the boat to Arran. Attached Images __________________ Life's hard you know, so strike a pose on a Cadillac

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