The highs and lows of getting back to the theatre

The last year and four months have been tough for all of us, coping with lockdowns and restrictions and missing many of our former interests. I've looked back fondly as memories pop up of theatre trips with friends and longed so much to get back to see a play performed live.

Outdoor theatre looked like it would be the best way forward. So when we saw 'The Great Gatsby' was being performed locally, we began to plan an outing. Normally with our unpredictable and often cool  damp, summers we wait until close to the date before booking (it's not the first time our picnic has taken place in my kitchen due to midsummer downpours). 

So we were disappointed that tickets to see the local play were sold out within days, a few weeks ago. We began to look at other venues, a bit further afield but still within reasonable travelling distance where the performance was also due to take place, but, always mindful of the weather, we held back booking tickets.

Then our weather surprised us. We're currently enjoying a heatwave with the hottest local temperatures ever recorded  - just perfect balmy evenings for outdoor theatre. So when it seemed we were in for a period of settled weather, we booked tickets to see 'The Great Gatsby' at a different venue a bit further away.

But then last week we noticed on social media that due to one of the cast testing positive for Covid, several performances would be cancelled. It seemed our outing might be cancelled too. 

But last we packed our picnic and made our way to the Riverside theatre in Coleraine. Under shady trees we sheltered from the still hot sun on a glorious Saturday evening and waited for the show to commence.

And we were not disappointed! This much longed for show was fabulous. The setting could not have been more perfect! Heartbreak Productions transported us back 100 years and taught us dance moves from the roaring twenties, immersing us in the jazz era of Daisy and Gatsby.

I've enjoyed reading some of Fitzgerald's work and seeing this iconic story brought to the stage was definitely worth the wait! Catch it if you can!

Back again....at last

The sun may not have shone as brightly as we might have wanted yesterday, but at least the rain held off. The smell of the seaweed on the fresh breeze welcomed me back to Coney Island and it was lovely to experience this view again after such a long time.

Thanks to Zoom our writing group has stayed connected and has gone from strength to strength over the last 18 months, continuing to provide support and encouragement to each other.

And while we now are living in different times where adering to the use of face masks, hand sanitiser and social distancing have become normal, it was good to be able to enjoy simple pleasures together again, including chocanana muffins over a coffee.