Ambrose and the Bombed Out Church

This afternoon, the Minx and I drove down to Liverpool to see Bill Drummond's play 'Best Before Death' at the Picturehouse. We had a bite to eat at Papillon on Upper Hope Street before walking down to the cinema.

At the bottom of the hill is the Bombed Out Church. The Minx suggested we cut through the grounds and walk around this amazing old building, which we did, lamenting that you couldn't see inside. 

As we reached the far side, we encountered a chap who was clearly working on the grounds. The Minx mentioned to him how lovely it would be to see inside and, to our surprise, he nodded to a large black door and told us we could go on in.

God, it was beautiful inside. The chap, Ambrose, gave us a quick tour around, telling us about how the interior space was being renovated (you can read about it here). As he and the Minx were chatting, he asked what we were doing that evening and she told him that we were going to see Bill Drummond. "Oh" he replied "I used to be in a band with him."

I looked 'round. "Which one?" "It was called Big In Japan. I was only seventeen. Bill threw me out because I wouldn't dye my hair orange." Well, I was absolutely stunned by this. Big In Japan were around in the late 70s and, as the Liverpool Echo pointed out, "Big in Japan were a supergroup with a difference - its members only became super after they left." In addition to Drummond, members included Budgie (Siouxsie and the Banshees), Holly Johnson (Frankie Goes To Hollywood), Ian Broudie (The Lightning Seeds), Dave Balfe (The Teardrop Explodes), and the producer, Clive Langer.

I think both the Minx and I would have liked to stay longer - I had a lot of questions! - but we had to get to the Picturehouse, where we both enjoyed the play in three parts, the middle part of which was actually a documentary about Bill's current, twelve year project, 'The 25 Paintings World Tour'. I think my favourite part was when Bill undressed and the other actor put on his clothes, to play the part of Bill Drummond (briefly stepping out of Bill's boots to make an aside out of character).. 

Both the performances and the film were absorbing, entertaining, and thought provoking, and I was delighted to find that the Minx had really enjoyed it, too. We queued up afterwards to get a book and poster, which Bill signed for us. As he deliberated over the poster - it was the first one he'd signed - we mentioned that we'd met Ambrose and that he'd sent his regards. "Aye" replied Bill drily, "I know Ambrose". 

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Reading: 'In Aleppo Once' by Taqui Altounyan