Pacific Overtures

I thought I’d never see Pacific Overtures, I missed the ENO revival in the ‘80s but Manda was going on the last matinee at the Chocolate Factory and so I joined her.  The musical is an odd one, written as early as 1976 about the opening of Japan up to the West and when you see a musical where you know the songs well but have never heard the book there are a few surprises.  For example songs you’d assumed were in one tone but that in context were quite other.  In a co-production with a Japanese company the cultural issues were dealt with surprisingly comfortably (one song was cut!) and the staging was beautiful. 

We had lunch before at Caravan, more brunch really. The trains were slow so it was a leisurely trip both ways.  

Dinner and watched more of ONE DAY.  Still reading THE NEW LIFE by Tom Crewe.  

PS If I were a better photographer I would have got the top of the Shard in the photo.