Went to see Chun Yi - the legend of Kung Fu at the London Coliseum. It was a really energetic performance of a very familiar tale. A bit of fun to cheer up a fairly low-key summer. The little guy in the photo was drumming in the foyer before the performance. On the way there we got held up by a cavalcade of motor cycles protesting about parking charges. There were hundreds of bikes - ah- what memories were evoked. I took some phone spics but they weren't good enough to post, sadly. I have to admit that I overspent on alcohol - two glasses of champagne at £10 a pop in the Colly (Bex didn't want all of hers, so I was forced to drink it for her- what a trial), and a £4.50 glass of Merlot in Pizza Express after the show. I could have bought salads for the week for what I spent on booze. Probably went over my recommended units too. I did economise on the show tickets - balcony seats at £18 each (a similarly-positioned seat at the Duke of York for Arcadia last week cost me £30 - obviously the difference between high and low brow culture).
First things first - my grandson is growing ever more beautiful, trying to sit up/roll over etc. He'll soon be on the move.My nephew's wedding was really nice - a simple service in a 
really nice church - plain wood and stone, but lovely embrodered hassocks. The bride was seriously corseted and not meringuey at all. And the bridesmaids wore pink. My outfit worked (hooray) - and I was really pleased with the hat, which I had customised with a turquoise flower. The reception was a nice family party with plenty of food and drink. It was good to catch up with relatives I haven't seen for ages. I was a bit concerned when my mother kept asking the baby's name - I hope this isn't a sign of anything serious.
Had a bit of a cultural week - went to see the BP portrait awards exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery (I like to do this every year) - but there was nothing that really caught my imagination. I particularly disliked the winning entry- it looked like a bad fantasy art picture.
I saw my first "4th plinthers" in Trafalgar Square - probably one of the least interesting ones on Tuesday - just a young man shouting down to a crowd of girls, but when I was back there on Wednesday, there was a young woman obviously sketching the view from the plinth - a much more appropriate use of the hour.Why was I back in Trafalgar Square on Wednesday? Well - I had a ticket for "Arcadia" at the Duke of York Theatre. What a great play - I really enjoyed it. Great performances, a simple set and a completely wonderful experience. I had forgotten how the mathematical theme works with the romantic theme. Fabulous.Afterwards I met Bex for dinner at Meze Mangal - turkish tea and bobrek kebab (whole lamb's kidneys on a stick). I always enjoy the food there, and it doesn't cost the earth.
