Brian Blessed…

 My brother Simon was stood outside a London hostelry one evening when who should walk by on the other side of the street but the legend that is Brian Blessed.

Simon, being a bit of a lad sometimes, shouts "Gordon's Alive!" at the top of his voice, just as Brian disappears around the corner - to the amusement of his drinking buddies.

As the laughter died down, Brian re-appeared back around the corner and at the top of HIS voice, roared:

"CCCCCCUUUUUUNNNNNNTTTTTTT!!!!" 😂

Cyrano @ Park Theatre…

Last Saturday night Stuart and I went to see gender-swapping Cyrano at the Park Theatre in London's glitzy Finsbury Park.

 

Virginia Gay’s modern retelling of Cyrano de Bergerac (now titled simply Cyrano), which arrived here via this year’s Edinburgh Festival Fringe, significantly trims Edmond Rostand’s 1897 tragedy, removing unnecessary characters, depressing plot, and more than one flowery speech. This is Cyrano-lite if you like.

 

This version of the play heavily implies that far more than Cyrano’s large and unattractive nose (as in the original) stands between her and winning Roxanne’s love. Instead, her gender and, in effect, her entire physical appearance, is the blocker.

 

As it's panto season you might expect a happy ending.

 

Although the only slightly odd aspect of this romp is perhaps the early-on seduction of Roxanne itself - using Yan's body yet with Cyrano words - it all seems like they are not actually asking for her full consent. Admittedly Roxanne remonstrates somewhat, but in this rewritten version I fear the lady doth not protest quite enough.

 

Anyway, it's a fun show and well worth the 90-minute running time.

⭐️⭐️⭐️

 

Arsenal 1 - 0 Ipswich Town…

A rather nice pre-match Twixmas meet-up with the @gaygooners followed by a rather boring game at the Emirates. 

 

Kai Havertz scored the only goal as Arsenal beat a stubborn Ipswich Town side to move up to second in the Premier League.

 

The hosts claimed a 23rd-minute winner when Leandro Trossard picked the ball up wide on the left side of the penalty area and crossed for Havertz to tap in from close range.

 

Arsenal dominated and had 83.5% of possession in the opening period as Kieran McKenna's side, who rarely left their own half, looked to frustrate them.

 

Declan Rice curled over from the edge of the box, before Gabriel Jesus thought he had doubled the lead when he squeezed the ball between Arijanet Muric's legs, but the strike was ruled out for offside.

 

Second-bottom Ipswich came out for the second half with more intent, but Liam Delap battled against centre-backs William Saliba and Gabriel without much luck.

 

Brazilian Gabriel had a chance to make the game more comfortable for the Gunners, but somehow headed wide from inside the six-yard box.

 

Havertz also missed a good opportunity for a second goal, but the German couldn't connect cleanly following a Trossard header.

 

Victory moved Arsenal within six points of leaders Liverpool, who have a game in hand, but Mikel Arteta's side end the year as the only Premier League team still unbeaten at home.

 

Onwards and up with my friends.   

 

@Arsenal 

@gaygooners 

#ARSIPS

Amazon…

 If you think Amazon always delivers what you ordered, then you've got another thing coming.

Xmas Has Started…

 Xmas has started in Highbury…. 🎄🎅🎅🎅🎄

@regeneraurus 

Santa’s Little Gotcha…

Santa: What would you like for Xmas?

Me: Nothing really. Maybe a pair of socks. Just one pair  mind. A pair that you think suits me. 

Santa: Gotcha.

😂😂😂

No More Heroes…

It’s only Xmas Eve but I think The Stranglers have got some explaining to do.

#LeonTrotsky

#IcePick

#BurningEars

#AllTheShakespearoes

#TheGreatElmyra

#SanchoPanza

#WatchedTheirRomeBurn

#NoMoreHeroes

#AnyMore 

@stranglersofficial

@stranglerssite

Almost Time…

 Alright guys it's almost time to start thinking about Christmas shopping.

Not quite time to actually shop yet of course but definitely be thinking about it, yeah?

Crystal Palace 1 - 5 Arsenal...

Perhaps the score didn't quite reflect the game at Selhurst Park last night - yes, Palace played quite well, it's just that the Arsenal utterly outclassed them - so for now at any rate we are within three points of the top of the Premier League.

 

We watched two stunners from Jesus (yes, that man again, which meant he'd put 5 goals past the Palace keeper within three days) along with one from each of Havertz, Martinelli and Rice.

 

A glorious day. We went bananas. 

 

Saka limping off in the first half is rather ominous though.

 

Onwards and up with my friends.   

 

@Arsenal 

@gaygooners 

#ARSCRY

Palace, we’re coming for you!

@Arsenal

@Regenersaurus

#COYG

#CRYARS

#awaydays

Lads Who Lunch (At Christmas)…

Lovely to see the boys yesterday for a mince pie, some nibbles, and a sloe gin sharpener to start the festive fun. 😃 

Thank you for hosting Andy. 🎄🎅🎁🎉🎊

Arsenal 3 - 2 Crystal Palace…

Both Arsenal teams were firing on all cylinders last night with two 3 - 2 wins. 

It was at the Emirates though that Jesus really was our saviour.

His Holy Trinity of three goals last night saw the mighty Gunners go through to the next round of the EFL Cup.

The first half was somewhat lacklustre but when recent birthday boy Martin Ødegaard came on we were transformed. You could almost taste the roar from the crowd. Especially from the @gaygooners up in Block 123. 

After the match, Arteta praised the Arsenal faithful,

"It was great, an incredible atmosphere, I really appreciate it because it really changed the game, that energy."

Onwards and up with my friends.   

@Arsenal 

@gaygooners 

#ARSCRY

Wimpole Xmas Lights...

Last Sunday afternoon Karen, Simon, Joanna, Angus, Stuart, and I went to the National Trust's Wimpole to see the Xmas Lights. Lots of sparkly, glitzy fun.  Hot chocolate and mulled wine too!