Painkiller

I was fortunate to be able to go and see Kenneth Branagh and Rob Brydon in Francis Verber’s Painkiller at the Lyric Theatre in Belfast on the evening of Sunday 16^th October. It was hilarious and all credit to Sean Foley for his adaptation. The entire cast were excellent with Messrs Branagh and Brydon stealing the show. I was in the front row and got a real close-up of the characters. I can now die happy having seen Rob Brydon’s belly button. He is a lovely person and signed my script afterwards; as did Stuart Graham (Doctor Dent) and Claudia Harrison (Michelle). Mr Branagh did not make an appearance at the reception laid on by the fantastic Lyric team. Even though it would have been a real treat to meet him for a moment, I was all a dither meeting Rob Byrdon. All sorts of bits and bobs were flying out of my handbag as I rummaged for a pen and Rob (my new best friend) helped pick them up. I am such a klutz but he is a real gentleman and has one hell of a handshake. A bit like Barry McGuigan’s … a wringer.

As the husband wouldn’t leave the dogs and Clare Bear was indisposed I went alone like Billy No Mates. We were greeted with a glass of Prosecco on arrival and given complimentary scripts.  It’s a pity Yours Truly Madly had already pre-purchased one on-line. After the play I had two glasses of wine. One for each of the tickets I’d bought. There were boxes of wine, water and juice plus tray upon tray of Canapés at the after show reception. Yum yum.

I spoke briefly to Mark Carruthers OBE, chairman of the Lyric. His dad Billy taught me at Coleraine Girls Secondary school. I saw Noel Thompson from across the room and almost met Dan Gordon of Give My Head Peace fame (Red Hand Luke) but the husband was on the mobile so Dan got away … lucky man!

I met a lovely couple … Claire and her husband whose name escapes me right now (it may have been James or Martin). Get in touch and I will put that right Pet.

Value Cabs lifted and laid me as usual and the guys and gals in the Europa took the greatest care of me … as always. There was a shortage of teaspoons at breakfast for some reason so I had to “borrow” one. But that is what makes it down to earth and unpretentious.

All in all it was a great night with a very comfy bed to retire too.

I got a very exuberant welcome home from the wee dogs. More of a mauling to be honest! Molly Dolly is getting full-on mental and Rocky is bewildered. The husband didn’t even hear me arrive home. So who missed me the most I ask you?

HOWEVER! He did have a hot water bottle, bed-socks and a nighty in the bed for me. He knows me so well. No matter how good a time I have on a jaunt there is nothing like coming home, getting the glad rags off and the PJ’s on and crawling into bed with the laptop and family. That would be “himself” and the doggies. Heinz tomato soup is another comfort after too much rich food.