I love that observation Faith, about not being able to create your own dramas as a teenager, because "Your parents have already zapped all the limelight." The sensible daughter, like Saffy in Absolutely Fabulous. You were so resilient.
Thank you very much Wendy - yes, and funny to think this is when Ab Fab was being broadcast. I didn't think of the resilience point much before, so thank you for saying that. It's funny how writing this has crystallised a lot of feelings/thoughts. So glad you enjoyed it.
Yes I was thinking to same thing! I always wanted more lax and distracted parents as I was an only child and there was way too much scrutiny on me. This is the total other side of the coin. Funny how our experiences pan out. Loving this series, Faith!
They were the headliner for a festival at Nurburgring (an F1 race track in Germany that also hosts gigs and festivals in the summers) in May 1999. They were the reason my best friend and I got tickets for the event!
Yes, Pop Tarts are and always have bedn a guilty pleasure of mine 🙈
Reminds me a bit of peanut butter. For the longest time you couldn’t get that in the UK. My British friends would often say ‘what is it with you Americans and your peanut butter?’ And now? The British I know love peanut butter more than the Americans. It’s all topsy-turvy.
Stephanie, just to make you perhaps a wee bit jealous - I saw Oasis in Boston in 1995 at a venue with a capacity of 500. Even though I was disappointed to be missing out on the Britpop fun in the UK, that was one of the biggest upsides to being in the US - these big acts (Radiohead, Blur, Pulp, etc) would play pretty intimate venues in the mid-90s in the states.
That does make me more than just a wee bit jealous 🙈 True, I never thought of that and that definitely was an advantage for you! While I was in the States in the mid 90s at the height of Britpop, I was too young to attend gigs on my own. I was 17 when I saw them in '99.
‘Finally I’d be able to shake off these losers’ made me chuckle 🤭 Did we have pop tarts in the UK? I can’t remember seeing them ? I don’t think I like them anyway 😆 loving this series Faith.
I did English A-Level and we studied Antony & Cleopatra. We even went to Stratford-upon-Avon to watch a production with John Nettles playing Caesar - every time he appeared on stage someone in the audience would start whistling the Bergerac theme music!
I'm not sure about that. I do mention bits and pieces related to other topics, but I don't know if it would be that interesting as a stand alone topic.
I was shy, then I discovered alcohol and music, grew my hair, acted like a twat, had a lot of fun, had a lot of trauma and finally matured in my 30's. I'm not sure that's a very unique story.
Yours, especially the way you've written it, is really engrossing. I think it's less about the story and more about the storytelling.
This is not about my first dramatic moment. It came in midlife for me and was important because I shared it with my wife, my children and a dear friend. Richard Dysart was an actor all his life and broke through with one of the Los Angeles law firm TV series. On break one year, he weekend performances of Our Town in an outdoor theater in the round created by Will Geer, another famous character actor. Dysart played the Stage Manager and commentator in a dirt arena among the eucalyptus trees in a SoCal coastal canyon. A warm August night, maybe a hundred spectators and an old yeller dog.
Dysart played the manager with an accent that was New Hampshaw rather than Maine. In the long soliloquy at the beginning, I think of the third act, he dropped so deeply into the part that I could feel myself fall into his reality. I looked at my kids, not yet teens. They were riveted. He was speaking to them. And maybe halfway through, the old yeller dog came out to just off center stage, lay down on the dirt, and watched Dysart as though it understood every single word and agreed with the actor's (and playwright's views of life.
It was a magical moment, so universal that one wanted to laugh and cry in the same moment. None of us, not even the dog, would ever forget it.
And afterward, Dysart stood as every member of the audience lined up to shake his hand. The young couple in front of us was from New Hampsha, where the play is set. They knew Dysart well enough to know that htge had been born not in that state by in East Vassalboro on the Downeast Coast of Maine. And the woman complimented Dick on his ability to overcome his Maine accent and nail the one from the next state west.
Now that is acting.... So there is a share, Faith, to repay your work.
Wow what an incredible anecdote - thank you so much for kindly sharing that Evan. I can see why that made such an impression. And thank you so much for the pledge - this is beyond kind of you!
this series is so good I've started hitting like before I've read a word of the post. A recording of Alan Cumming's Cabaret is on youtube btw 👀 highly recommend
I wonder Faith, if you ever imagine an alternate reality, one where financial ruin didn't blight your lives? Sometimes, the worst things that happen do so for a reason, but it's hard to see why for a time - if at all. Another enjoyable read!
Thank you Sharon! Yes I think about that often - I think I would have ended up very conceited actually, judging by my very scant 80s diaries. I really didn't have a clue and was very snobby, so it's been a good thing in the end. 🤗
On a personal note, when I lived in Winchester the Theatre Royal was a very seedy cinema. My parents took me there for my eighth birthday. I sometimes blame the place for my occasional eczema. It's so good to know that it had a life ahead as a proper theatre.
Thank you so much Gillian. How interesting! I don't remember much about the venue itself - although perhaps it seemed quite small. Winchester is a lovely place but has some odd bits to it too! So glad you enjoyed it - and thank you so much for the restack 🤗
I thoroughly enjoyed this one, and don't have much to add other than being a pest and making snarky comments about my dislike of Pop Tarts.
It wasn't my first gig, but I did see Oasis in 1995 after Definitely Maybe in the US and the venue had a capacity of 500. That was one HUGE plus for seeing the Britpop stars in the US before they'd made it big over there. A short while later I saw Super Furry Animals in the same venue and it was half empty.
I was never allowed Pop Tarts and it still rankles.
I don't want this series to end, Faith. It's so good.
And I thought I had it bad!! I hope you've made up for lost time Lewis, I still love them.
Thank you so much for your lovely comments.
No, no, no! You missed nothing. Pop Tarts are overrated 🤮 (😂)
I love that observation Faith, about not being able to create your own dramas as a teenager, because "Your parents have already zapped all the limelight." The sensible daughter, like Saffy in Absolutely Fabulous. You were so resilient.
Beautifully told.
Thank you very much Wendy - yes, and funny to think this is when Ab Fab was being broadcast. I didn't think of the resilience point much before, so thank you for saying that. It's funny how writing this has crystallised a lot of feelings/thoughts. So glad you enjoyed it.
Yes I was thinking to same thing! I always wanted more lax and distracted parents as I was an only child and there was way too much scrutiny on me. This is the total other side of the coin. Funny how our experiences pan out. Loving this series, Faith!
Thank you so much Sara, so glad you've enjoyed it!
My favourite Pop Tarts: strawberry all the way!
My first gig: Whitney Houston (with my parents 🙄)
My first significant gig: Oasis (without my parents 😁)
Another great track, by the way👍
Thanks so much Stephanie! Ooh where did you see Oasis and when?! Glad you love a Pop Tart 😆.
They were the headliner for a festival at Nurburgring (an F1 race track in Germany that also hosts gigs and festivals in the summers) in May 1999. They were the reason my best friend and I got tickets for the event!
Yes, Pop Tarts are and always have bedn a guilty pleasure of mine 🙈
1999? That would have been brilliant then!
Yes, it was!
I'm hijacking this comment (sorry!) just to say...Pop Tarts? Never was much of a fan. Never saw the appeal.
That's it. Not a very inspiration or profound reply, just had to share that 😉
I'm shocked at the lack of love for the Pop Tart. I thought they were revolutionary!
I’m with Francis on this - I thought they were a uniquely American thing? Maybe it was the Brit in me rebelling? 😂
They were definitely a UK thing in the 90s - a major part of life (or may be just mine?!)
Reminds me a bit of peanut butter. For the longest time you couldn’t get that in the UK. My British friends would often say ‘what is it with you Americans and your peanut butter?’ And now? The British I know love peanut butter more than the Americans. It’s all topsy-turvy.
That will mess with anyone’s head
What?! And you call yourself an American? 😉
Haha, depends on the day/my mood - I’m an American when it suits me 😂
Hahaha 😂 Same here!
Stephanie, just to make you perhaps a wee bit jealous - I saw Oasis in Boston in 1995 at a venue with a capacity of 500. Even though I was disappointed to be missing out on the Britpop fun in the UK, that was one of the biggest upsides to being in the US - these big acts (Radiohead, Blur, Pulp, etc) would play pretty intimate venues in the mid-90s in the states.
That does make me more than just a wee bit jealous 🙈 True, I never thought of that and that definitely was an advantage for you! While I was in the States in the mid 90s at the height of Britpop, I was too young to attend gigs on my own. I was 17 when I saw them in '99.
‘Finally I’d be able to shake off these losers’ made me chuckle 🤭 Did we have pop tarts in the UK? I can’t remember seeing them ? I don’t think I like them anyway 😆 loving this series Faith.
Ha ha I did enjoy writing that 😆. Yes we most definitely did - they were game changing!!
Thank you so much, I'm so glad you're enjoying it Francis 😊
😆😆
I did English A-Level and we studied Antony & Cleopatra. We even went to Stratford-upon-Avon to watch a production with John Nettles playing Caesar - every time he appeared on stage someone in the audience would start whistling the Bergerac theme music!
Oh wow I bet!! Have you heard it's coming back?! Thanks for reading Matthew
Wonderful stuff again Faith. You were so the opposite of me at that age, I envy how together you were.
Thanks Dean! Are you going to write about what you were like at that age?!
I'm not sure about that. I do mention bits and pieces related to other topics, but I don't know if it would be that interesting as a stand alone topic.
I was shy, then I discovered alcohol and music, grew my hair, acted like a twat, had a lot of fun, had a lot of trauma and finally matured in my 30's. I'm not sure that's a very unique story.
Yours, especially the way you've written it, is really engrossing. I think it's less about the story and more about the storytelling.
That's lovely feedback thank you. Amen to music and booze though
This is not about my first dramatic moment. It came in midlife for me and was important because I shared it with my wife, my children and a dear friend. Richard Dysart was an actor all his life and broke through with one of the Los Angeles law firm TV series. On break one year, he weekend performances of Our Town in an outdoor theater in the round created by Will Geer, another famous character actor. Dysart played the Stage Manager and commentator in a dirt arena among the eucalyptus trees in a SoCal coastal canyon. A warm August night, maybe a hundred spectators and an old yeller dog.
Dysart played the manager with an accent that was New Hampshaw rather than Maine. In the long soliloquy at the beginning, I think of the third act, he dropped so deeply into the part that I could feel myself fall into his reality. I looked at my kids, not yet teens. They were riveted. He was speaking to them. And maybe halfway through, the old yeller dog came out to just off center stage, lay down on the dirt, and watched Dysart as though it understood every single word and agreed with the actor's (and playwright's views of life.
It was a magical moment, so universal that one wanted to laugh and cry in the same moment. None of us, not even the dog, would ever forget it.
And afterward, Dysart stood as every member of the audience lined up to shake his hand. The young couple in front of us was from New Hampsha, where the play is set. They knew Dysart well enough to know that htge had been born not in that state by in East Vassalboro on the Downeast Coast of Maine. And the woman complimented Dick on his ability to overcome his Maine accent and nail the one from the next state west.
Now that is acting.... So there is a share, Faith, to repay your work.
Wow what an incredible anecdote - thank you so much for kindly sharing that Evan. I can see why that made such an impression. And thank you so much for the pledge - this is beyond kind of you!
this series is so good I've started hitting like before I've read a word of the post. A recording of Alan Cumming's Cabaret is on youtube btw 👀 highly recommend
That's so kind thank you Ruby! Oh I need to watch that - thanks so much for recommending!
I can picture you and your Mum so clearly in the gift shop with Enya playing on a loop.
I’m as Lao a fan of Alan C.
Looking forward to the next instalment Faith.
Thank you Margaret, so glad you're enjoying it. Yes I could only listen to a few seconds of that album when I found it this week - I never liked it!
I wonder Faith, if you ever imagine an alternate reality, one where financial ruin didn't blight your lives? Sometimes, the worst things that happen do so for a reason, but it's hard to see why for a time - if at all. Another enjoyable read!
Thank you Sharon! Yes I think about that often - I think I would have ended up very conceited actually, judging by my very scant 80s diaries. I really didn't have a clue and was very snobby, so it's been a good thing in the end. 🤗
Great
Thank you Vicky
Yw!
Another great installment Faith. Thank you!
On a personal note, when I lived in Winchester the Theatre Royal was a very seedy cinema. My parents took me there for my eighth birthday. I sometimes blame the place for my occasional eczema. It's so good to know that it had a life ahead as a proper theatre.
Thank you so much Gillian. How interesting! I don't remember much about the venue itself - although perhaps it seemed quite small. Winchester is a lovely place but has some odd bits to it too! So glad you enjoyed it - and thank you so much for the restack 🤗
Oh, I enjoyed this. Can we have more?
Thank you James, glad you liked it. Yes I have a few more left but it's coming to an end soon I think.
Nooooooooo!!! 😭
I thoroughly enjoyed this one, and don't have much to add other than being a pest and making snarky comments about my dislike of Pop Tarts.
It wasn't my first gig, but I did see Oasis in 1995 after Definitely Maybe in the US and the venue had a capacity of 500. That was one HUGE plus for seeing the Britpop stars in the US before they'd made it big over there. A short while later I saw Super Furry Animals in the same venue and it was half empty.