SAW ARTHUR MILLER PLAY: DEATH OF A SALESMAN AT THE YOUNG VIC, WATERLOO
6:30 PM Yesterday, evening...on Tuesday, I had been given a FREE ticket by my local 'volunteering in the community' group -(a listed charity)- called: PGTB/Paxton Green Time Bank...to go and see the play: Death of a salesman, written by Arthur Miller...at the Young Vic Theatre in London, Waterloo.
-(Going to see the play actually clashed with my exercise class: Aikido; however, because seeing the play was such a 'rare' thing...happening only 6 monthly/or, once a year...when compared with my exercise class that takes place twice per week...so, I decided I might be far better off going see the play, instead.)-
The first thing I did was arrive there really 'late', as usual. I was actually meant to go and collect the ticket somewhere between, 6:30-7 PM. But, instead, I got lost...I ended up on the other side of the road...which is the London Eye end of Waterloo...when I should have been on the side where the tube station is, instead. By the time, I had managed to go figure this all out...; and, had finished chaining up my bike quite safely; the time already said 7:25 PM; and, the play started at 7:30 PM; so, I actually went and collected my ticket with just barely 5 minutes being left to spare...consequently, I counted myself extremely lucky to have been let in at all!
As the lights went out...; and, the play started...
First, I was very surprised to see...it was 50% musical/and, 50% straight play acting; not only that but the cast was mainly Afro-American (I was expecting to see an all white cast, instead); they sung/played musical instruments extremely well, though. There were 2/or, 3 actors (1 female) who were white; but, the rest, mainly, black.
Second, I had taken a packet of crisps with me...; and, as I opened up the crisps to go and eat...the noise the crisp packet made was almost deafening, especially, in the quiet silence. Eventually, a theatre visitor elder lady told me to, please, stop...and, I agreed. (I have had this sort of really embarrassing experience before...; only the last time it occurred was at a music recital somewhere along Oxford Street; again, I felt I had no choice but to, simply, stop eating.)
Third, my drink by accident fell out of my pocket onto the floor...in fact, it went somewhere underneath the seat I was sitting on. Kneeling down in the darkness, I tried to find it...but, couldn't; finally, I quit searching...and, just decided to look whenever the lights came back on, again; that is, during the break(which is when I did manage to find it).
The play lasted long...1 hr 15 min...with a 15 min break in between...then, 1 hr 30 min...right up to the end.
Fourth, when the break occurred...I was really happy to go eat/drink a bit. Only when I decided to go over to the toilets...before eating/drinking...I discovered these toilets are, actually, 'unisex'...you would think there would at least be a screen put up in front of the men's urinals...so that the women there can't see you holding your dick to go take a piss; but, no, no screen at all! Frankly, I felt very deeply self-conscious; and, also, completely disgusted! I decided to not bother with using the theatre's own provided toilet facilities. I actually went outside to go see if there was any place I could go take a leak...; but, again, found none; not even on the streets...which seemed to be really busy thronging with loads of people; plus, it was cold and drizzling down rain. So, I decided to eat the crisps/but, drink nothing...I would drink only when the play was over, instead; then, I can find suitable toilet facilities, later on. What actually happened in fact; was as soon as the play ended...I literally raced to the 'unisex' toilets to see if I could beat everybody there...luckily, I found the place completely empty; and, thus, I was finally able to take a piss...without needed to worry about 'girls' staring at me.
Returning back to the subject of the play itself. I managed to follow some of the plot...but, not entirely well. Some of it left me feeling a little bit confused? What I got was...there was a family, in this case, a black family...who had some difficulties making money for themselves...and, the father was having a bit on the side with a 'white' girl...the which relationship was discovered by the son, later. And, there were some fierce business dealings/quarrels. Er, not sure I got a whole lot more than that; but, really, I didn't care. It was a good evening's entertainment...and, furthermore, I got in FREE...; plus, I really 'loved' listening to the music...which sounded really sweet; easy listening tunes/together with bouts of the blues.
I was always planning to read some of Arthur Miller's work -(I often see his drawings/paintings online of which I'm a big fan...and, I also wanted to read some of his famous erotic novels)-; but, somehow or other, I never quite got around to reading/studying anything of his...so, I saw this as being my first opportunity to get to know his work more; not sure I realised he wrote 'plays', as well; I'd heard of the title: 'Death of a salesman' before....just never knew it was one of Arthur Miller's own works.
When the play ended, I quickly rode my bike straight off home. What was strange about that...was it was cold/wet/raining...lightly drizzling; and, all I had on top was just merely a t-shirt...; this made me ride my bike faster in order to keep warm. When I reached Stockwell...I was going to check out my mum's flat...however, I had forgotten to take the keys with me...which were left inside of my coat pocket at home; so, instead, I just continued riding off home. I believe I reached home somewhere around 11 PM.
It was a good night...not necessarily a 'great' night...but, most definitely a good one...where I'd gotten to do something 'different' from what is my. otherwise, dull and boring regular routine.
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