Men

I suspect I must sound very lacking in discernment but I’ve had another great day at the Festival.
Started with a quick sort out of the flat and making up beds as M has decided to bring E&H up for a few days to see Ad and catch a couple of fringe shows before it all ends.
As I walked down to the Festival Theatre for the first event I realised my little gold Russian ring (3 intertwined rings) wasn’t on my finger. I have to hope it came off during my chores this morning and that when I empty the bins out or look around the beds I’ll find it again.
We were treated to a session hearing from the creative team begind the Fifth Step that we’re going to see tonight….David Ireland the writer, Jack Lowden one of the two actors and Finn Den Hertog the Director, who’d all trained as actors at RCS, interviewed by two of their former teachers. It was an extraordinary session…they talked really openly and with some deep self insight about their journey into college and acting, their highs and lows at college, and how they’d taken their different paths since. The current students and alumni would have been heartened to hear about their periods working as baristas, their self doubt and crying in the college loos, and the ways they collaborated on this production. It was both interesting and very moving and I was pleased to see how our guests (and potential donors) enjoyed it.
From there I walked over to Usher Hall in bright sunshine to see a  rehearsal of the Strauss opera Capriccio which I’m going to see on Sunday evening. Beautifully played by the Philharmonia Orchestra and singers were all on top form. Other than the performers all wearing casual clothes it was a full performance straight through….and although I missed the chance to hear conductor commentary/repeating sections to get the sound he wanted it was great to see a free extra performance! Only thing is I’m not sure I’ll now need to go again on Sunday (to a less good seat!).
Down to the Caledonian to meet up with PR for his annual review. Good discussion although we have some tricky stuff to handle….we made plans.
Ran up the road when we’d finished (although we could have done with longer) to meet CW for some Japanese food before we met CR and her guest to see Fifth Step play.
Wow…talk about a tour de force! Jack Lowden, the gentle, self effacing and charming young man from this morning was totally transformed on stage and gave a tour de force performance as a young alcoholic struggling with sobriety, sexuality and religion as he worked with a flawed and delusional older sponsor at AA. (It’s coming to Glasgow next week…try and get a ticket Laura!). We were all blown away and stood outside afterwards for quite a time talking about the production, the performances, the set, other landmark plays and actors they’d all seen there in previous decades, and modern masculinity. Fabulous evening.