40 Steps Backwards and A Pirouette. : Blackpool Bonanza - Day 2 - 20th June 2017

After a wonderful night's sleep as a result of the local nightclub (if that's what it was), which must have closed at 2.30 am, I woke up at 6.30 am (fortunately, I have now closed the window, so with any luck tomorrow night's sleep won't be as disrupted). I had a shower, allowing the cold/hot sensation of the shower to reinvigorate me then at about 7 ish, I went into the dining area for breakfast. The usual continental breakfast fare, croissants, fruit, ham and cereals. Through an exciting combination of some of these elements, I have at least been able to function.

I returned to my room and read. At just after 9.30 am, I resolved to visit the Grundy Art Gallery. I arrived there at 10 am. It wasn't open. I then took a walk along the Promenade in the other direction, away from the piers and other tourist attractions. I was mainly struck by how many closed bed and breakfast's litter the seafront. The seagulls seem to be the only species thriving from tourism. I returned to the Grundy Art Gallery.

A lady warmly greeted me as I entered the Gallery and I walked towards the bizarre dysfunctional family art installation ('Love Life' by Emma Hart and Jonathan Baldock). An usher told me that I could stand in the living quarters if I wanted (basically, the art installation was partially made up of a bizarre series of linked rooms). She also directed me to the film. A couple eat Monster Munch crisps, watch TV, perform violent acts with each other involving a stick and physically handle frying sausages in a pan (not for the squeamish). Although, the installation was crazy, it was crazy in a good way. There was also a room dedicated to Punch and Judy, which was apparently one of the inspirations for the work as a whole.

The other exhibition consisted of a series of photographs of Blackpool and the French Riviera, focusing on the essential similarities and differences between people enjoying their holidays in the two locations. Essentially, there doesn't seem to be that much difference. The exhibition, 'Shirley Baker: On The Beach' made me want to spy on people on the beach, which of course, one can do when you are in a coastal resort. Art can be inspirational. But seriously, it's fascinating seeing photographs of people relaxing on holiday. It brings out a different persona in some people. Not always a better one.

I left the Gallery and in some respects, I wish I had spoken more to the staff. The Grundy Art Gallery seems to be an interesting creative space, although I doubt it gets many visitors, although I hope I am wrong.

I then headed off to the 'Star Trek Exhibition', where I was given a lengthy talk from the customer service guy concerning an application I could download to enhance my experience of the exhibition. Basically, it's an exhibition of costumes and props. At its most interesting, it did suggest how influential 'Star Trek' had been on the development of technological gadgets. In many respects, the iPad and iPod seem to be very similar to various devices on the show and its spin-offs. Also the idea of memory sticks seem to have been invented by the show. The exhibition was okay, but hardly life changing. I think the shop may see more action than the exhibition as a whole.

I then went for another long walk, eventually ending up at the comic shop I went to yesterday. They were open but didn't have the comic I was looking for, although the customer service guy seemed nice. Weird hours though. 12pm until 4pm on the day I went there.

I continued walking, gazing at the sun, eavesdropping on the conversations around me and spotting the pair-bonders with their hands tightly linked.

I went to eat fish and chips in a cafe where I performed the act of brinkmanship with a member of staff. I lost of course. But seriously, I waited ages once I had been given the bill; so long I went to find the waiter. I then learnt that he seemed to be the only member of staff in the cafe at that moment explaining why he forgot all about me (he was dealing with both the takeaway aspect of the business and the cafe in the bit next door, which he couldn't see). I forgave him mentally.

I am now back in the hotel. I have felt more upbeat. I don't really feel like doing much. I am off to the theatre tonight that should cheer me up. Blackpool continues to elude me.

I also forgot the elderly gentleman who asked me for money. Homelessness and coastal resorts seem to have an unfortunate (and growing) connection.

This evening, I went to the Grand Theatre to see 'Waiting for God'. Imagine my surprise when I learnt that the seats are separated into odds and evens. 10 next to 12 next to 14. Why on Earth, was this seating arrangement encouraged? Well acted performance with just the right level of pathos from a playwright who is clearly exploring intelligently, sensitively and humorously his own issues surrounding ageing and mortality. Geoffrey Holland and Nichola McAuliffe were great. The play was pretty much a summation of all of the great ideas from the television comedy series, which continues to be repeated from time to time. It was a pity that the audience wasn't larger for the show. Oh yes, the bang incident... During the show, a loud bang was heard. It transpires it was the lid exploding off of the top of bottle of sparkling mineral water. I was hoping it was a champagne cork, it definitely wasn't and it certainly made everyone including the cast flinch for a second. Also whilst killing time prior to the performance, I discovered a secondhand bookshop with loads of plays in the window. The weird world of synchronicity strikes again.

But in all the excitement of today, I forgot the panda on the pavement. It was tiny, yet I still noticed it. What could it mean? Did a child lose a loved one?

Barry Watt - 20th June 2017.

Afterword.

The Grundy Art Gallery is well worth a visit and they have their own website. The two exhibitions I mentioned are on there until August 2017:

https://www.grundyartgallery.com/programme/current/

'Monster Munch' crisps are made by Walkers and have changed over the years in their design and flavours:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monster_Munch

Punch and Judy has a fascinating history. To see more, please see the below link:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Punch_and_Judy

The 'Star Trek Exhibition' is a paid exhibition that is almost worth a visit. It's based on the 'Star Trek' series created by Gene Roddenberry:

http://startrekblackpool.co.uk/

iPad and iPod are made by Apple who surprisingly have a website:

https://www.apple.com/uk/

The Grand Theatre Blackpool is a nice old building and has its own website:

https://www.blackpoolgrand.co.uk/?gclid=CLKGpafA-dQCFc0V0wodHRwGiQ

'Waiting for God' was written by Michael Atkins. He wrote both the play and TV series. Please see the links below for more on the TV series and play:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waiting_for_God_(TV_series)

http://www.seabrights.com/waitingforgod/

BW.

Photos.