My Stage Highlights!

I hate posts that start with "I've not blogged for a while...", however in this case it is very true, and I shamefully admit that in terms of my drama, I've had an awful lot to blog about and have just been too lazy!

Since October of last year, my amateur dramatics antics have been non-stop, and I'm currently enjoying the longest break (1 week, to be precise) between finishing one show and starting the next.  In September, I was accosted in the middle of Kenilworth high street and bribed with the opportunity of playing the baddie into doing yet another pantomime.  The role itself was a small, rather half-heartedly written 'immortal' called Alsatia who seemed to flit between insinuating that the bad luck befalling the main protagonist was all her doing, to sitting on her laurels in the dressing room for the greater proportion of the final act of Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves.  It took me a while to get into this character, but true to form the conjuring of a hideously generic foreign accent reminiscent of a B-Movie Dracula seemed to cement Alsatia in my head (if not my heart!).

Post panto, and after a brief break I was back at rehearsals, this time for Top Girls, by Caryl Churchill.  Much fun was had with the spelling of Caryl and after various blips we managed to get the referencing right!  My part was initially a small scene involving an interview with the main character, Marlene, however after a slight change in circumstances I landed not one, not two, but three roles in Top Girls in the end; the waitress, Kit, and Shona.  To summarise, I spent Top Girls trying not to drop plates and cutlery in the first act, lying my way (unsuccessfully) through an interview at the Top Girls Agency, and finally donning various sorts of denim (well, this play is set in the 80's) as a rather moody 12 year old!

And this brings me neatly to the play I've just finished, Hay Fever by Noel Coward.  This play was not without irony, for myself and at least one other cast member suffered hay fever during the course of rehearsals, and more than one of the show's performances should have been sponsored by Kleenex and some brand of antihistamines!  I adored this show, not least because I got to ditch the denim in favour of cloche hats and sparkly costumes, but also it was a fantastically bad-mannered comedy in typical Coward style which meant the cast and I had a brilliant time, even if my character, Jackie, was treated most appallingly throughout.

So ends the summary of my absence, and I hope to be blogging more frequently in future.  My next outing is Pygmalion, which is showing in July, and as rehearsals will start this coming Sunday I expect I shall have a few thoughts to jot down!

Break a leg!

Harringtons on the Hill

Even though I have lived in Kenilworth for nearly a year, either living the other side of town, or general ignorance meant that I had not come across the name of Harringtons before.  Unfortunately, I entered the restaurant with trepidation after a few interesting comments by my twitter followers, ranging from "I hope you don't get food poisoning/roaches in food/bleach squash" to "Hope it's improved since we were last there (on the plus side it couldn't have got any worse)" - Nice.

The restaurant itself was pleasant and clean, and was well lit considering it was already dark outside.  It had a nice 'cottagy' feel about it (as do many of the buildings in Kenilworth) with a relatively low ceiling, wooden beams throughout and a cosy atmosphere mainly due to its small size.
The one thing myself and my companion noted was that the menu was quite large, and although there was certainly plenty to choose from the main menu as well as the specials meant that it was a little overwhelming. 
We both decided on seafood starters and duck for our main course - I had the Crab Coctail, followed by the Pan Fried Gressingham Duck, and my friend had the Scallops and the Duck from the specials. The duck was well cooked and perfectly tender.  The sauce that came with my dish was Mango and Chilli, which I thought was an excellent combination that suited the duck well and gave it a sweet and sour flair accompanied by the stir-fried vegetables.  The two puddings, Cheesecake of the Day (Strawberry) and the Sticky Toffee Puddings suitably rounded off the meal.

I thought the restaurant was lovely and cosy, perfect for an evening meal as the winter draws in.  The staff were friendly and helpful, and the dishes were brought out promptly but without any feeling of being rushed.

I'd recommend this as a nice restaurant to go to as a couple, or a small group of friends, as due to its size it is probably unsuitable for large parties.

Harringtons on the Hill
42 Castle Hill
Kenilworth
http://www.harringtonsonthehill.com/