Plurality is not some obscure and possibly deviant practice; in my case at least it amounts to an often challenging multi-tasking in which I am constantly aware of balls being dropped and deadlines looming too large. There are elements in the plurality that are ‘just for me’ and this past week (….but I am determinedly not writing a diary….) saw some of the more pleasurable aspects come to the fore.
As a member of Surrey County Cricket Club I had to attend the annual general meeting at the club’s ground, the Oval. Some of my fellow members – who all seem ancient but are probably younger than me – were there to challenge the future direction of the club’s cricket, which is what our membership should be all about. Others were there to complain about the members’ catering arrangements – they are right to complain – and still others were perhaps there for the tea beforehand and the alcohol afterwards (the Rioja was far better than anything I have paid money for at the Oval). Not much emerged other than an impressive opening appearance by the club’s new captain, Rory Hamilton-Brown, who at 22 is said to be younger than any of the players he will be leading.
I was, quite exceptionally, at the Royal Opera House for four days out of a run of five during last week. There were treats aplenty, including La Fille Mal Gardée, a Masterclass with Gary Avis and Bennet Gartside, Il Turco in Italia and a ‘final rehearsal’ of Cinderella. Standout for me was Yuhui Choe, dancing in both La Fille and in Cinderella: charming, graceful and technically very confident.
Some may have been wondering about Archie. I could not go the pub this past week – Il Turco stood in my way – but Archie may have gone; I shall try to find out. If he did, crisps will certainly have been eaten.
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