Shades of Grey

I didn’t really go down the Pub…

I had a long-standing meeting arranged in Birmingham so rather than just go down for the day on the train, Karen and I stayed in the West Midlands and took in a show.

We went to the Belgrade in Coventry, the first post-war theatre built in Britain (as late as 1958 due to post-war restrictions, a good year though). They now have a second theatre which has only recently opened, known as B2. (They didn’t call the main house B1 though, which would have made a few people chuckle). The show was called and was billed as a 21st Century Farce, called In the Club.

As the Belgrade website blurb will shortly go, here it is:

Much loved actor James Fleet (Four Weddings and a Funeral, The Vicar of Dibley) is joined by a talented cast including The Bill favourite Huw Higginson in this “wildly inventive” (Guardian) and hilariously witty new comedy.

Hapless MEP Philip Wardrobe has a busy day ahead, balancing his less-than-irreproachable political career with his attempts to start a family.

As he prepares for his girlfriend to fly in from Kettering for an afternoon of ‘frolics’, his plans to be voted President of the European Parliament are foiled by his unpredictable colleagues: uncouth Yorkshiremen, irate Turks and amorous Frenchwomen … to say nothing of the mysterious man in the linen cupboard.

“ more corking one-liners than a whole season of new plays in London put together.” Daily Telegraph

“Crammed with running gags, slapstick and witty one-liners… this show will make everybody laugh.” Financial Times

“The most and loudest I’ve laughed in the theatre for a long time.” The Stage

“A raucous affair… directed at a cracking pace.” Metro

I have always liked the original lobby spiral light fittings there, here is a snap:

Here’s my review: It was good, but not that good. Our hotel, however, was stunning. Despite having lived in Coventry for five years, I had never visited Coombe Abbey, although I did go to on of their legendary Medieval Banquets when I was involved with our stand for a big Trade Show called Telecommunications ‘84. Nearly twenty five years later, it has become a sumptuous hotel in a historic building, some parts of which are straight out of Disney. Being built in the remains of a 10th Century Cistercian Abbey and with parts of the current structure dating back to 1539, this is certainly no ordinary hotel.

Our room was breathtaking and a very special treat indeed. Real ostrich feathers above the four poster bed! More photos in due course.