Ivanov & Kenneth Branagh

I'm sorry, but I've been sick for the past few days and dead to the world. I haven't been keeping up with the blog. I did manage to get up last night to get myself to London to see the hottest play in town, Ivanov. Kenneth Branagh is the lead -- do you remember him; he was married to Emma Thompson?

I went up on the train with my friend Karen Firbank. We were talking about the most intimate things, as you do on a train, then at the end of the trip when we were getting out at Paddington Station, my neighbor said hello. She'd been sitting right behind Karen the whole time so must have heard every word. I was embarrassed -- I wonder what horrible thing I said that she heard and will mull over?

Anyway, Karen and I met my husband Mel and my friend Mrs Williams at Fortnum & Mason's for a quick glass of champagne before the show:



I love Chekhov. The lives of his characters are so horrible, yet you can see the humor of their existence, compare it to your own, and hope to make your own life better because you've seen his work.

Here's what Chekhov wrote:

“All I wanted was to say honestly to people: ‘Have a look at yourselves and see how bad and dreary your lives are!’ The important thing is that people should realize that, for when they do, they will most certainly create another and better life for themselves. I will not live to see it, but I know that it will be quite different, quite unlike our present life. And so long as this different life does not exist, I shall go on saying to people again and again: ‘Please, understand that your life is bad and dreary!’”

Here's a pic of Kenneth in the title role. He was fantastic. I don't think I've seen a better play in my life.