The Mousetrap and other tales

Last night was quite interesting.

First, I went to see The Mousetrap, the longest-running play in theater history (56 years and counting!). It was fun, not quite excellent, but fun. I realized, though, that I like the play itself less than I thought I did. Maybe I'm finally outgrowing Agatha Christie. Also, just a warning for anyone who ever wants to go to St. Martin's Theatre: the seats in the Upper Circle are tilted in such a way that you feel as though you are going to be catapulted head-first onto the stage. Except the front row, where I moved once the lights went down and it became apparent that the actors onstage were in danger of outnumbering the audience.

My main problem with the show was the portrayal of Christopher Wren. He was just annoying. The actor looked like he was having fun camping it up on stage, but I winced every time he appeared. The acting in general just wasn't as sharp as it could have been. The dynamics between Molly and Giles just were more or less blah, though Giles himself was pretty good. Mrs. Boyle was the one stunning exception, and Sergeant Trotter was quite good as well. I didn't pay 3 pounds for a program and I'm too lazy to go look up the actors online, so I can't tell you any of the names that go with this show. Sorry. Overall I'd just say that it's a pretty good show. I enjoyed myself.

Oh, I guess I lied. My actual main problem with the show was nothing the theater people could do anything about: the audience was full of annoying people. People who said "it was him!" really loudly well before such an announcement was being made on stage. People who were explaining the plot in a loud whisper right before it was explained on stage. People who slurped whatever they were drinking really loudly during quiet moments. Seriously people. Shut up. I may start taking a cattle prod to shows with me and zapping the people that annoy me. That'll larn 'em.

After the theater things got even more exciting. After the homeless Welsh man who tried to get money and/or cigarettes from me, I ran into someone from my college. The college in Minnesota. He was just walking down the street; we practically ran into each other. Of all the gin joints in all the world...crazy.

Then on the way home I passed by a man who was lying in a pool of his own blood--other people were taking care of him and I don't like to gawk, so I kept on my merry way. And then I walked with a rather dotty old lady from the north for a while since we were both alone and going the same direction. It was interesting if a bit strange; generally in London random people don't talk to you unless they want something (see Welsh homeless man, above).

So that was my evening. And today I got a haircut, which was exciting and much-needed. When he was done operating, the hairdresser looked at me and said, "You look much better now."

Until next time...