Eric Idle at Mr B's, and Brian Blessed

I like Mr B's, and I like Monty Python, so when I saw that Eric Idle would be appearing in Bath, as one of the events organised by Mr B's, and to promote his new book, I decided to go. Plus, it was on my birthday, so it seemed like a good idea!

The event was at the  Assembly Rooms in Bath, which is a nice venue. Lots of chandeliers. 

Eric Idle was introduced and interviewed by Sir James Dyson, who, as well as making fancy vacuum cleaners, is apparently a long term friend of his, and a neighbour in La Haut Var, Provence . (Cue a hint of the Four Yorkshiremen, as they compared experiences of living in properties without adequate windows, or electricity, when they each first moved there)

Eric spoke about writing a memoir (his top tip for writing a memoir - do it when you are still young enough to remember what happened)

He then talked briefly about his childhood, and the advantages of a boarding school education "after all, nothing can be worse, plus they put us in the army so I could strip a Bren gun in minutes by the time I was 14"  

He then talked about going from Wolverhampton  to Cambridge University, and how he met John Cleese, Tim Brooke-Taylor and Bill Oddie, among  others.

Eric Idle and James Dyson

He  then went on to talk about being part of Monty Python, his friendship with George Harrison (who mortgaged his house to fund 'Life of Brian',)

The evening then concluded with a few songs, from Eric and John Du Prez, They started with one (suitable for a eulogy, with lots of swearing) from the un-produced musical 'Death, the musical' then we got the Galaxy Song (Eric explained that he had had arguments with Professor Brian Cox over it, as Brian objects to the fact that the science isn't correct, and Eric points out that it was when he wrote the song!). This resulted in the scene which was shown before the O2 live reunion shows, in which Brian Cox was pushed into the Cam by Professor Stephen Hawking...

And then, of course, there was 'Always Look on the Bright Side of Life' (Snippet video below - I didn't record it all as I was too busy enjoying it!

The Eric Idle event was on Monday, and then on Thursday, there was another event  - this time, Brian Blessed, who is touring, simply talking about his life and interests.

He came on stage to the sound of the Flash Gordon theme tune, bellowing 'Gordon's Alive!' 



Before going on  to describe how this catchphrase is something *everyone* asks him for, from the captain of a Russian sub, in Arctic waters near the North Pole, to Masai tribesmen on Kilimanjaro, David Cameron in the Cabinet rooms and  even her Majesty the Queen.

He then talked about his childhood (much admiration for his coal-hewer father, who was also a cricketer for Yorkshire, and fond of Shakespeare) and about his time at Bristol Old Vic theatre school, and as an actor, and about his mountaineering and exploring, and his training with NASA and the Russian  Space program, and his passion for science and space. 

It was very entertaining, and I had a good time, and got the impression that he was thoroughly enjoying himself!

Catch up - Monty Python, Sandi Toksvig and Bad Jews

I've mostly been working over the last week or so, which is not terribly interesting for blogging purposes.

However, there have been some entertaining bits and pieces I haven't had time to write about.

I went over to Wells to the cinema to see the live broadcast of the Monty Python show, from the O2 Arena, which was lots of fun - predictable, of course, as any 'greatest hits' show was bound to be, but generally most entertaining. (I did get rather a lot of amusement from watching the family sitting in front of me - I don't think the parents were expecting the Penis Song or the giant candy-striped penis shaped confetti cannons!) And I loved the appearances of Professors Brian Cox and Stephen Hawking, and the sight of the Pythons, now all old, rich men themselves, performing the 'Four Yorkshiremen' sketch.

Then last week, Sandi Toksvig was in Bath promoting her recent book, 'Peas and Queues', and was speaking at an event organised by Topping & Co. - the evening was a lovely mix of personal anecdotes, and comments about manners, and finished up with a short Q and A session. As it was  a very warm night, and I was tired, and there were a lot of people, I didn't stay to get a book signed (or just to say hello - I loved that she specifically said that people were welcome to come just to say hi, and that no one had to buy the book, as it is available in libraries too!)

then on Friday I headed back into Bath to go to the Theatre Royal's Ustinov Studio to see Joshua Harmon's 'Bad Jews'. I booked it as I noticed that one of the actors involved was Ilan Goodman, who played 'Mr Marks', the shy Jewish haberdasher in the production of  'Intimate Apparel' I saw in June. 

This play is very different - a darkly comic tale about who should have a family heirloom, and why.. Special mention goes to Joe Coen, as Jonah, who has I think, the fewest lines, and whose character is b far the least dramatic, but whose anxious (and vain) attempts to avoid conflict are essential to the play.

It's playing until 30th August, and is well worth seeing if you are, or can be, in Bath.