Shades of Grey

We were in the extreme side of the front row for today’s Matinee of Dr. Dolittle at the Grand. I was confronted by an enormous PA speaker almost opposite my end seat and a Source Four on a horizontal pipe intruded into my vision somewhat but we were close enough to see the capsule pips on the cast foreheads for the radio mics.

The part of Dolittle was played by Tommy Steele who at 71 was quite spritely but looked a bit leathery and rather orange in skintone with our close-up view. (Perfect teeth though!)

One other thing about sitting at the extreme side up front- you can see into the wings and occasionally see things you shouldn’t, like a Pushmipullyu with its head off!

Sitting directly above the percussionist and with a great view of the ten musicians in the Pit, it is also interesting to watch the performance from the point of view of the Musical director. I could hardly hear the tiny little tubular bells that the percussionist occasionally tinkled but Karen said they were very distinct- I often forget my high frequency hearing is shot, something i put down to wearing Intercoms at Rock shows. I was curious as to waht those Chinese tinkly chimes are called- according to wikipedia it is a Mark tree.

Click on the chime pic to head off and listen to what they sound like.