‘Jotown’s’ on the Road !

A really early start to the day, as I awoke to birdsong at 4-30 a.m. ! , and having completed my final ‘checks’ around the house I set off for Bristol Railway station at 5-45 a.m., far too early, although as it happened, excellent foresight , as not long after travelling through the Birmingham area the Motorway was blocked in both directions, and was at a standstill for 2 hours… any later I would have missed my train… someone’s looking after me again (as usual !)

I arrived at Bristol Parkway station, shortly after 9-15 a.m., and so had a leisurely change of clothes, coffee and food, before catching the train into London Paddington

I smoothly transferred across London to the National Theatre, where I met the TWO Mrs W’s ! , ready to watch Joe W playing ‘Roderigo’ in ‘Othello’ by William Shakespeare – one of the main roles. It was an ‘understudy’ performance so all the roles were being played by the understudies. I realised Joe had ‘made it’ to find that he had someone ‘understudying’ him – well done Joe !

Firstly we had a drink in the ‘Props bar’ where previous ‘props’ were dotted around, including the seating, and backdrop of Captain of Kopernickus  (his last play), then it was into the theatre proper for play starting at 1-30 p.m…. and who was first on stage ? – Joe, and continued popping up all afternoon, until his demise near the end, when he was shot Dead !  Brilliant performance , very exciting.

At the conclusion I didn’t wait for an ‘autograph’ and dashed across London for the train, only to find I couldn’t use my ticket until 1915.. and so had a 1 1/2 wait, still I was able to relax for a while…before my trip back to Bristol, and onward road journey to Brixham…a late night in prospect !