Punt & Dennis: We Are Not A Robot at Richmond Theatre

I have seen Punt and Dennis on stage several times mostly, but not exclusively, at recordings of The Now Show, so when they brought their latest touring show to Richmond Theatre I was quick to fork out £28.88 for seat Dress Circle A10.

 

I expected the two of them to stand more or less still and to tell stories, which they did. The tables and chairs where just there for them to leave the stage to the other for a while. 

There was some movement, and other acting, from Hugh Dennis but, sadly, not the raptor impression that had warmed up many a The Now Show crowd.

The material was much in the key of The Now Show too, also as expected.

This was towards the end of a longish tour but they still gave it a work in progress feel through their interactions with the audience and, so they claimed, recording on a clip chart which jokes worked well and which did not.

The show was full of little quips, satirical comments and funny asides. Something like chatting to witty friends in a pub, constant humour without any staged big jokes. They went for a large number of quick laughs rather then fewer big laughs. It is what they do, they did it very well and I loved the show.

Die Zauberflöte at Glyndebourne Festival 2024

My first visit to Glyndebourne Festival 2024 was to see Die Zauberflöte. I had seen the opera a few times and was not desperate to see it again but friends of mine were so I did the booking and we got seats Blue Upper Circle B 7-10 for £105. The view was good and the seats were great value.

 

Going to Glyndebourne is now a routine of trains, coaches and a holding lunch at The Depot next to Lewes Station, and that all worked well.

There was some confusion on the coach as my son, Howard, had also booked a seat and not only did I not know that he was going, I did not know that he was in the country!

Our friends arrived at Glyndebourne in time for the official 3pm opening and were able to claim a seat in the Veg Patch stretch tent, our new favourite location.

My problems with Die Zauberflöte is the obscure plot and this production solved that with excellent staging that not only told the story well but also stressed the comedy making it easy to follow and very enjoyable.

The orchestra and the singers were as good as they always are at Glyndebourne with the singers often going above and beyond with their acting.

I am still not convinced that I want to see other productions of Die Zauberflöte though I will make an exception if this one comes back to Glyndebourne in the near future.