TILES AND TRIBULATIONS!
This is a tale that started off at the allotment and ended up in a court room. Have no fear - I have not spiked my fellow plot holder's perfect pumpkin with a toxic substance or purloined their potentially prize winning leeks. It happened like this ~
One summer day earlier this year as I was crouched on my haunches (favourite position of allotmenters) planting something in the ground, I heard the sound of the car pull up and espied the occupants of the plot opposite me arrive. Within a minute or so, the early morning peace and stillness was pleasantly pierced as an operatic aria sung in full throttle floated through the air. When this came to an end I jumped to my feet, clapping my hands in appreciation shouting 'Bravo!' and 'Encore!'. This was much to the mortification of my plot neighbour who thought that he had the place to himself.
It transpired that R. belongs to an operatic society and had been practising one of the songs that he was going to sing in a imminent production of Gilbert and Sullivan's 'Trial By Jury'. He suggested that we might enjoy the production. He explained that it was being staged in the very courtroom in Liverpool, where W.S. Gilbert practiced as a barrister for a short spell, before he moved on to matters musical. How spooky is that ~
This thoroughly enjoyable short but sweet operetta was held at St.George's Hall, Liverpool. ~
When I went to get our tickets I was delighted to find out that we would also get a rare chance to see the famous Minton tiles which form a priceless mosaic floor of 30,000 tiles. These are usually covered to avoid wear and fade but but come out from under their wraps occasionally. The tiles were going to be on show for a couple of weeks on the same dates as 'Trial By Jury' was on. So went into town early, gazed in astonishment at the tiles and also took in an unexpected exhibition of George Harrison paraphernalia, before making our way to court. A grand day out !
Do not tarry but trip over now to ABC Wednesday for more on the letter T!
P.S. If you would like to be entered into a draw to celebrate my first official anniversary of blogging please leave a comment here by 5th December ! A short story featuring sweet peas will soon be winging its way to the winner.
Those tiles are amazing. Sounds like you had an enjoyable time.
ReplyDeleteHi Anna~~ Indeed the tiles are works of art. I love the window too and the woodwork of the courtroom. Talk about a full circle moment.
ReplyDeleteWhat an amazing series of events! I love the way you build up the story.
ReplyDeleteI adore tiles, and those are fantastic!
Isn't it great the way we sometimes happen upon the best experience in an most unexpected way? I think the courthouse and the tiles are beautiful - I wish I could hear the opera!
ReplyDeleteFabulous story and tiles.
ReplyDeleteIf you're fond of such tiles you should go to a small village called "Grand" in Vosges (France).
So, you had your day in court then? Love the tiles by the way, no wonder they keep them covered up most of the time. And your plot neighbour sounds very talented!
ReplyDeleteWonderful tiles, and what a fantastic place to stage the production. My daughter has singing lessons and often sings at the allotment. We've had more than one comment from other plot holders telling us that we had left the car radio on when in fact my daughter was in the car singing.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful scene, you crouching and thought-he-was-alone plot neighbor singing an aria! The tile work is simply marvelous, too. P.S. If you know of any gangs of marauding leek pirates, let me know. I'd like to join!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful tiles. Love the St. George window as well. You have the best trips ever!! :)
ReplyDeleteAn operetta, a fantastic work of art, and George Harrison memorabilia all in one day--wow, that sounds like a terrific time! Your allotment neighbor's embarrassment sounds like something I would do...except I would be singing off-key:)
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful! I love your narrative of this and the photos are superb as well. Truly exciting!
ReplyDeleteThese are beautiful.
ReplyDeleteThe TILES are wonderful - what a Treasure!
ReplyDeleteThe rest of the story brought back so many memories. My old school used to put on a Gilbert & Sullivan operetta every two years, and I loved it all - so much humour, and everything so singable. Thanks for reminding me.
And thanks also on behalf of the ABC Team.
I love the way you told this story Anna. Fantastic photos of the tiles and the dark wood of the courthouse too. What a fantastic place to stage an opera!
ReplyDeleteJeanne x
Now there's a sequence of events!
ReplyDeleteA bit of George Harrison paraphernalia to throw in the mix to boot!
The tiles are terrific, but your tale even more so!
ReplyDeleteGilbert and Sullivan, George Harrison, and those tiles all on the same day. Wow. I wish we had an opera singer neighbor in our allotment!
ReplyDeleteYou see, all these things that go on not that far away that I know nothing about. The tiles look utterly beautiful. I need to improve my event knowledge I think!
ReplyDeleteAren't those tiles magnificent! I bet you felt honoured to see them!
ReplyDeleteI love Gilbert and Sullivan. :)
Wonderful photo's Anna, I love them. x
ReplyDelete