tired fools

last night ita and i went to see “the mask of the red death” by punch drunk. we stood in the cold queuing along the street by the battersea arts centre for 20 minutes before donning a white mask each and the walking in shadows and darkness through incredibly detailed sets with actors moving about, talking quietly together in little scenes that you happened to stumble across. at one point you get to a tailor who gives you a cloak. here it becomes difficult to stay with the people you came with, since everyone looks the same. i wandered bemused, at times having to get on my knees to crawl through certain spaces, witnessing a murder of an old guy in a bed. a scream would drag you into another room where a fight was going on. later, through a large door, i emerged into a cabaret with magic acts, some vaudeville and alcohol. then a rush as we were all ushered out charging after the actors into a great hall with dozens of tiny lampshades suspended from the ceiling, large paintings, dark cloth suspended everywhere, purple tents in the corners, and a band. there follows an amazing dance routine, a great climax with DEATH itself, and then music and more alcohol into the night.

highly recommended and still on for the next few weeks. there can’t be many better evenings to be had in London at the moment.