Betty Blue Eyes

Today's highlight was a matinee at the Novello Theatre on the Strand of Betty Blue Eyes, a musical that opened in March.  It was based on a comedy by Alan Bennett from the 80's which starred Maggie Smith and Michael Palin.

It was set in 1947 when England was still suffering from war shortages and rationing.  Set in the North, the village elders plan a banquet in honor of the marriage of Princess Elizabeth and Prince Phillip at which they hope to serve an illegal and unregistered meal of pork.

Meanwhile, an irrational government inspector is in the village tracking down illegal meat and arresting butchers who were not obeying the law to the letter.

The hero of the story is a mild-mannered chiropodist whose social-climbing wife pressures him to join the village society.  When he discovered the illegal pig, Betty, he steals her.  Hilarity ensues.

The talent of the actors was amazing, especially their voices and the choreography.  The set was, of course, impressive and clever.  The story was corny, sentimental, funny and did not take itself seriously, which was, in itself, a joy.

Later, we walked to St Martin in the Fields and went into the crypt for tea.  In all the years, I have visited that church, I never knew about the crypt tea room.  We met a charming elderly woman from Rugby who told us about being evacuated in the war.  She told us about her life as a teacher and an artist.

Oh, and also:  in the morning, we went with Maura when she bought the Picasso after test-driving it.  She will pick it up next weekend. She is very happy with her purchase.  She's had quite a week; she paid off her house and has a new car!