Today I caught a matinee of “In Extremis” the magnificent love story of Heloise and Abelard, by Howard Brenton, at the Globe theatre. It was a magical show and a wonderful day of good fortune. While waiting in line to buy a 5 pound standing ticket, several people tried to sell me spare tickets they had, but they were out of my price-range. Then, randomly, a lady offered me a 19 pound ticket, as her brother wasn’t feeling well, and had told her to pass on his ticket to someone who looked nice :-) So I had a great seat next to a very kind Swiss lady called Constance (yes, Lady Constance!). We chatted, both alike in enthusiasm and she even bought me tea and a cookie in interval! I spent my 5 pounds on a program for Constance and cushions for us both to cover the hard wooden bench seats. Not exactly going Elizabethan! (I will stand for Othello next month and have a pint in the pit). In Extremis was brilliant in the spectacular round Globe. The stage is glorious and the actors impressively engaged all the audience from the opening greeting and reached the high galleries vocally and physically. The play was very funny, the humour, slapstick, especially working in such an immense open space. I would LOVE to work in that space. The theme of Aristotle’s logical approach to faith and ensuing religious debate was made completely accessible by clever writing and articulate performances. Awesome.
Unfortunately it’s raining again. And bloody cold.