There’s No Business Like Show Business

The end of our first visit to the theatre in over eighteen months - though this particular play was only a year overdue. I originally thought this show was the first casualty of lockdown, but that was something different, at the same venue. And whilst that show is still in the diary, it’s now not until March 2022!
The play we went to see last night was “Groan Ups”. It follows the lives of five characters from primary school to adulthood. Same actors throughout and clever use of oversized furniture and sets when they are playing children. It’s performed by the Mischief Theatre Group, best known for “The Play That Goes Wrong”. This particular show has a bit more pathos than their usual comedic performances, but still had a lot of really laugh out loud scenes, as well as a couple of more thought provoking moments.
We thoroughly enjoyed the show and it was great to be back in a theatre watching real live people up on stage! We only had to wear masks whilst moving around, but I noticed that the auditorium doors were kept open throughout, in order to give increased ventilation. Weirdly, it all felt quite normal and I didn’t have any sort of “Hallelujah, I’m back in a theatre” feeling. Possibly because this play was a “wouldn’t mind seeing it” as opposed to a “will kill to acquire tickets”.
And talking of the latter, I have finally acknowledged that there is going to be a clash of gigs three weeks from now. I have tickets to see Genesis at the Manchester Arena that night. I also have tickets to see the groups erstwhile guitarist, Steve Hackett, performing tracks from his Genesis days, at Manchester Apollo. On the same night. Originally, these gigs were months apart but have somehow ended up on the same day, after all the reschedules. I had hoped that someone might see sense and move one of the gigs, but it seems that is not going to happen.
So, anybody want tickets to see Steve Hackett….