twinga: Theater

Here's a little something that's happened EVERY year since I could think. Celebrating New Year's in Germany means watching "Dinner for One" at some point during the day. I think it must have been around dinner time. Please take your time and watch it. Just ignore the first minute, as the moderator introduces the play in German. Here's a short overview (to watch it, click here):

The British actor Freddie Frinton played the tipsy butler James in the 1963 German TV production. May Warden played the role of Miss Sophie, who is celebrating her 90th birthday. The only problem is... all of her party “guests” are imaginary friends who have died off. A German New Year's Eve just doesn't seem right without hearing the lines known to just about any living German: “The same procedure as last year, Madam? - The same procedure as every year, James.”

Dinner for One, also known as The 90th Birthday, or by its corresponding German title, Der 90. Geburtstag, is a comedy sketch written by British author Lauri Wylie for the theatre in the 1920s. German television station Norddeutscher Rundfunk (NDR) recorded a performance of the piece in 1963, in its original English language. This short comical play subsequently went on to become the most frequently repeated TV programme ever (according to the Guinness Book of Records, 1988-1995 eds.; later editions no longer have the category).

The 18 minute black-and-white 1963 TV recording featuring British comedians Freddie Frinton and May Warden has become an integral component of the New Year's Eve schedule of several German television stations and an absolute cult television classic in Germany, Norway, Denmark, Sweden, Finland and Austria: On New Year's Eve 2003 alone, the sketch was broadcast 19 times (on various channels). As of 2005, the sketch has been repeated more than 230 times. It is famous in other countries as well — including German-speaking Switzerland and South Africa.

A tale from seven to ten p.m.

7 p.m.
I arrive at home after a 45 minute drive from the peninsula (hot!) to the City (still hot!). Already knowing that I am going to the comedy show on my own (hubby had to work late, friend 1 and 2 were booked for the night, friend 2 first said he's coming, then changed his mind, colleague 1 already had plans, friend 3 got my voice mail but never called back, colleague 2 never got my call because I decided I rather spend the evening alone than calling her) I dropped my bag at home and left right for Ti Couz.

7:15 p.m.
Ti Couz is a French crepe restaurant, and since hubby doesn't like crepes too much, I thought I'm going to treat myself. I find a single spot at the bar and am happy that the male waiter seems to like me and takes my order first, even though I'm the second party in the row ... 'good thing,' i'm thinking 'I'm so hungry.' 'Why just think,' I'm thinking, and I tell him I'm hungry and the order arrives faster than for the couple next to me that had already been seated before I arrived. Ha :-) !! Ok, not fair, but GOOD FOR MEEEE ...

7:30 p.m.
I'm drinking a Kronenbourg ("1664, a good year for beer", huuuh???) and eating the special savory crepe of the day. Special mainly means especially expensive ... anyways...

7:40 p.m.
I'm getting tired of the waiter who's stopping by every 2.5 minutes to ask if everything is alright. I pay the bill and get the hell out of there.

7:45 p.m.
Remember the cool dress I got from Navin? Well, I thought I might try and find some matching shoes before the comedy show starts at 8 p.m. So I drop in this little store that sells about everything from refridgerator magnets, to books, sunglasses, clothes, and handbags, and I check out their shoes. I'm surprised: they have four different kinds of turquoise shoes... "size 10?" the friendly sales girl asks me "yes, size 10" ... "hmmmm, sorry, we only have this one in size 10." Now, tell me, why the heck would you make shoes of 5 inches height in size ten? Never mind, I try them anyways. They look really cool ... "flattering" she says. I wonder what she means by that. I ask her if I can return them if they don't match the color of the dress. She says no ... great... so I tell her I'll come back tomorrow and bring the dress. I know I won't ... I saw some better ones in the store four blocks up. Too bad for store no 1.

7:50 p.m.
Now I should hurry up ... five blocks to go. On the way a delivery driver whistles at me ... I'm not kidding, really. I'm feeling a little annoyed. I'm walking really fast and reach my favorite coffee shop at 7:55, get a mocha to go, and keep walking. There's already a line at the Marsh theatre (oops, my old English lessons... 're'). I stand in line, slurping my mocha, wondering why I am so stupid to buy a hot drink when it's so hot. I can feel sweat between my ... ok ... not going there. So, the doors finally open and I get in line to pick up my two tickets. Suddenly I hear the second guy in front of me: "oh, sold out? Too bad." The German in me kicks in and I go: "Hey, I can sell you my ticket!" ... Ha! I am thinking about selling it with a profit because he wants to see it so badly, but then my better Indian half says "Be nice to yourrr fellow human beiiings, no? Just give it to him!" (imagine Mallu accent here) Well, I make a compromise and just sell it for how much it actually is. Of course that isn't it ... did you think that was it? No ... now he (a middle aged, glasses wearing, accountant kind of looking guy) wants to chat with me. "How come you have a ticket left?" "Well, my HUSBAND (extra loud pronounciation) couldn't make it." "Oh, why?" "Because he's working late (slightly annoyed sounding). "Oh, what company is he working for? "A consulting firm (sounding like I'm getting realllly sick of him)" "Oh, which consulting firm?" "Well, a BIG one." I'm turning my back to him, pretending to look at some flyers. "Oh, (ja, he started every sentence with Oh) then I hope he'll have more time soon." ... smart ass!

8:05 p.m.
I sit down and it doesn't take long and two older couples come and sit next to me. The elderly, sunburnt guy goes: "Do you mind if I sit next to you?" Now, what am I supposed to say? "No, actually, I'd hate it. Why can't your wife sit next to me?" ... so, of course I say "Sure." Then it starts: "So is this your first time at this theater?" "No, the second." "Oh, really, do you live in the City?" "Yes." "Ah, I own two homes here in the City, and one in Italy." WTF??!!!!!!!!!!!! Then the unavoidable question: "Where is your accent from?" Fuck, I really hate my accent right now. "Germany." "Ohhhhh!! My WIFE is from Germany." (Turns to wife) "Hey, she's from Germany." She: "Oh, I'm German!" Me: "Ah, really? Where from?" "Well, my grandmother is from Germany." WHAT THE FUUUUUUUUUUUUCKKKKKKKKK... don't you guys have a fucking identity? I'm not saying I'm from heaven just because god made me? Do I? DO I?????????????????????

8:30 p.m.
The damn show still hasn't started. I'm trying to turn my back to the whole group and find myself staring at a woman who keeps staring at me. So weird. San Francisco is so weird. The whole crowd is weird. All mixed up... anyway. FINALLY the show starts. Will Franken's "For Existence." The first ten minutes it is so bad, I really feel like walking out. Especially since the guy next to me keeps laughing out loud at some really lame jokes. But I decide to hang in there, some people just need some time. And yes: indeed! This guy is amazing. I think over the course of the show he played about 20 different characters, with different voices and accents, at an amazing speed, everything by-hearted: philosophical monologues (by an Indian call center guy), political speeches (gay guy and Abraham lincoln), religious musings (God and Allah) ... it was fantastic. Oh, btw:
"What's the difference between a jew and a canoe?" ........... "The canoe tips." HAAAAAAA HAAAAAAAAA

10 p.m.
The show is over and I walk back. No special incidents. Thank god. Really tired.

Girl (singular) night out is always tiring...

Buenas noches!