Visit to 'Fishworks' and 'Waves', Bath.
Mrs. Lawton and Mrs. Tyhurst went to Bath yesterday to see a production of 'Waves' by Virginia Woolf at the Theatre Royal, Bath.
Mrs. Lawton was wearing a rather elegant, highly expensive Terry Macey jacket, rather cunningly co-ordinated with some grey trousers. With the weather being a little chilly, it's so important to remember to wrap up (there was some discussion of gloves).
Mrs. Tyhurst wore her Oska (brown linen suit) with an extra paisley wool shawl (a gift from a student in India). 'Rather a symphony of browns and blacks' she added.
During the short 40 min trip in the 'Green Goddess' they caught up on news ... some very sad.

Bath was chilly, as expected, and they were astounded at having to pay over £9 for the car park in Manvers Street. 'Where on earth does one park if one lives here?'
We could quite easily live here, apart from the parking.
After a quick look around several favourite shops ( 'Blue', 'Vinegar Hill') Mrs. Tyhurst decided to look for some shoes. Now it is exceedingly difficult to find a pair that would be good with skirts and trousers, and Mrs. Tyhurst was aghast at the price (all were over £60). This is probably a result of her return to the Uk from India, where she has been used to wearing sandals for a few pounds.
Mrs. Lawton was getting a little tired so they went for a drink of lager in Bath's 'smallest pub'. Needless to say, there was no where to sit.
On then to a pre-theatre meal at 'Fishworks'.
Now this chain usually comes highly recommended, but Mrs. Tyhurst and Mrs. Lawton were not very impressed at all. Admittedly they have lately eaten at several Michelin starred restaurants
( including the fabulous 'Gidleigh Park' in Devon, but really :
tepid whitebait
aioli with not even a slight taste of garlic
bread so hard it couldn't be eaten
very slow service (despite being the only ones there)

Not really good enough.

On then to a performance of 'Waves' at the Theatre Royal, Bath.
Devised by Katie Mitchell and the cast, hot foot from the National Theatre..... well, Mrs. T and Mrs. L. loved it. Absolutely wonderful : something like a live radio performance, with all the cast making sound effects. Mrs. Tyhurst particularly liked the use of television camera techniques to enhance the drama...small details expanded onto large screens. Lots of cups of tea. The references to to sexual abuse, obsessive love and so on surely connected with Woolf's own tragic and short life? Once Percival was dead, all the different characters had difficulty carrying on admidst the futility of life. - He was a the bearer of hope for them all. Wonderful, moving contemporary theatre at its most innovative.

Unfortunately the old Severn Bridge was closed on the way back, so Mrs. Lawton had to drive all the way around, despite living very close to the new one. Bless her...what a darling..