40 Steps Backwards and A Pirouette. : Leaning in Liverpool - Day One

Leaving my usual station seated on the train, I mentally noted the legend, 'The ladder is adjacent to the toilet.' I absorbed this knowledge as though an eager student of Zen philosophy. In the event of a biblical flood or man made apocalypse, at least I will see the world from a different vantage point.

In many respects, Liverpool is that vantage point. Freeing myself from London and marvelling at the sound of Gulls and a very late sunset, this is a city moving to a different pace than the frenzy of London.

In my wanderings today, I have experienced genuinely nice people, concerned that I have enjoyed my meal. Maybe, even a little surprised that I had chosen their restaurant to eat (nearly empty restaurants in London repel casual diners as readily as a cross on the door dissuaded callers to the households of plague victims in the past).

Culturally, I have hung out in the Walker Art Gallery and felt oddly at peace amongst the sculptures and modern art. In the evening, I went to the Everyman Theatre to see the new Kneehigh show, 'Dead Dog In A Suitcase (and other Love Songs)'. It is effectively a performance piece based on 'The Beggar's Opera'. A modern morality tale occupied by greedy, self-centred people and the odd 'good' person corrupted by the unfolding events. It doesn't have a happy ending. Although, the best intentioned villains are allowed to move on to live their lives. The 'Bring It All Down' sign affixed to part of the set becomes a rallying cry for one member of the audience who is looking for answers. The cast's exhortation that there will be no revolution and that the story will go on offers little relief, but hope is never lost if you look for it.

Barry Watt - 23rd June 2014.

Afterword

'The Beggar's Opera' was written by John Gay in 1728 with music arranged by Johann Christoph Pepusch. Please see Wikipedia for more details.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Beggar's_Opera

'Dead Dog In A Suitcase (and other love songs)' is currently on at the Everyman Theatre in Liverpool. Mr Punch and Judy plus their friends play a prominent role in the proceedings. I do like Punch and Judy for the important role they have played in many cultures.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YZomjRECjdo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3N0YgC186PU

(Please see above links for some quite interesting promotional stuff for the show).

My endearing memory of today is the Road Fatality monument in one of the green spaces. Haunting reminded of human frailty and endless risk taking.

BW