Musical: A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum

Well, Helen said she'd come up to town today, and asked me what I fancied seeing. O dear.. amid everything that was happening, but with nothing standing out, what was I to suggest?! I forwarded her a couple of promotional emails I'd got, and suggested she have a look and pick something. And so it was that we got a couple of cheap tickets to A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum.

It's showing in the Broadway Theatre in Catford. Never been anywhere near there before - Google Maps suggested the Overground to Denmark Hill, then the Thameslink (which I'd never taken either) to Catford. Hang a left from the station, and it's straight ahead on the left. We had not a problem at all - it helped that Google Maps had said we'd need Platform 4 at Denmark Hill. As the train headed for Catford, through the gaps in the treeline we could see the city centre, receding in the distance.. (new phone on the way, and I'll soon be able to furnish you with fotos again..)

We had no trouble finding the place. Mind you, this is showing in the Studio, whose entrance, I'd been told when booking, was to the right of the main entrance: so we passed the main entrance (which looked pretty closed) and came to the entrance to the (art deco) café. Well, that was where the Studio box office was supposed to be - and sure enough, they'd set up a table with a list of bookings, and a pile of tickets. We bought a programme while queueing, got our tickets, made our way downstairs to the toilets.

There are some lovely art deco touches throughout - stained glass, gilt banisters on the stairs. They weren't ready quite as early as promised, but by the time we were done with the loo, we could go in - our seats were in the second row from the front of quite an intimate venue. The stage was a very simple one - three house fronts, side by side, looking as though they were made of cardboard. Doors and windows that could be opened. A couple of benches.

An interesting sign outside refers to a previous production, but could be applied to this.. It's a newspaper quote about how the production gave the West End a "canter for its cash", and how, although many small productions punch above their weight, this one pulverises! Now, I knew when I went in that it was Stephen Sondheim - so, great songs, great melodies, great lyrics. But I have to admit, I wasn't expecting anything this good!

It was terrific - a large cast, all of whom were fine singers, also displayed great comic timing. Some fantastic direction went into the production - well timed slapstick, good costumes, perfect casting. Pseudolus and Hysterium made the perfect comic pair, Philia was perfectly.. lovely. The sundry courtesans were great fun, and the ladies had obviously gone to town with the Roman sandals. Handy that's a trend.. And to a man (and woman), they threw themselves into the show with gusto. Reading the programme afterwards, I noted that at least one of the cast used to be professional - not a surprise: and the others have a lot of stage experience. They really take it seriously - yes, they do give the West End a canter for its cash! Last performance is tomorrow's matinee - highly recommended, it would be a great way to spend a Sunday.

In the best tradition of a musical, we were humming it at the station as we waited for the train back. And then we were humming it on the train. (Back at Denmark Hill, I noted that they could do with better signposting - there really isn't anything to tell you where to go, if you're already on the platform.) We headed back to Clapham Junction for food.. via a couple of detours via shops that sell party goods (Helen's throwing a party next month, which promises to be legendary). I must particularly mention Party Superstores, which we explored for a bit (and where some purchases were made), and which has the most amazing selection of costumes, including Venetian masks of excellent quality..

Dinner was easy - back to Revolution, right next door, where we gratefully collapsed onto the sofas at a table by the window, and marvelled at all the buses passing. With a deal on small plates/starters if you bought three, that's what we did - some of the excellent garlic flatbread I had before, chicken strips in breadcrumbs with a spicy dip, little breadcrumbs of goat's cheese balls. Main courses were chicken in bbq sauce, and a pizza made with vodka salsa. We shared a carafe of very refreshing sangria. And were too stuffed for dessert.. As very mellow dance music pumping out of the sound system gradually got louder, and the place filled with the Saturday night crowd, we called it a night. For now..

Tomorrow, I've booked to go with Henning from the London European Club - the poor chap was going all alone to a classical concert, by a deaf orchestra, in King's Place. Well, it sounds good, so now I've booked as well. And on Monday, 'tis back with the wild and crazy followers of the Man with the Hat, as we return to Southwark Playhouse, for Through the Mill, a musical about Judy Garland. Place won't know what hit it.. Anyone for a karaoke rendition of Over the Rainbow..? ;-)