Emilia Pèrez

 I need a deep breath to explain this one.

Ok, here goes….French director Jacques Audiard has directed a Spanish language Almodóvar-esque musical about the violent drug cartel in urban Mexico.

Violent killer drug Barron Manitas has to disappear, so stages his own death and pays a bright lawyer Rita ( Zoe Saldana ) to spirit his trashy wife Jessi (Selina Gomez) and his children to Switzerland. In the meantime Manitas is transformed into Emilia at a Swiss clinic and after years transforming re enters Mexican society as Manitas sister ( The extraordinary Karla Sofia Gascon)

Are you still with me?  

Now Rita reenters the story by bringing the clueless  Jessi and her boys to live with their aunt back in Mexico and the story complicates even more by Jessie’s new relationship ,Rita and Emilia’s new found work locating the remains of thousands of drug crime victims in Mexico and the tender new relationship between Emilia and poor housewife Epifania ( Adriana Paz)

Bloody Hell

gascon as Emilia

Audiard ( a non Spanish speaker ) adds to the melodrama by some wonderfully bonkers musical set pieces and trans actress Gascon totally steals the show as the throaty, suddenly big hearted and transformed Emilia, Statuesque, Broad shouldered, sexy and at times an incredibly vulnerable former killer she dominates every scene

It’s bonkers , but I loved it 

Osmosis

 I’ve not pushed it

I’ve let it happen organically 

But Bun and Mary

Finally have broken down their natural barbers tonight 

I’m off to bed and snapped this photo of a friendship which both want but which both have sabotaged 

Repeatedly.

  

Big Breaths

 A couple of my colleagues at work feel unwell today. Everyone’s coming down with colds. 

I’ve lost my voice.

It not stopped us laughing

We sounded like a room full of dirty phone callers when we were checking drugs.

Another fit of coughing giggles.

When I was a Samaritan up to 40% of my calls were either abusive or sexual

I remember one guy who yelled out a quick and despirate 

“ Before you disappear I’m not a pervert I have COPD “ 

Planets

 

With my bottle of water, box of strepsils, and pockets full of tissues I braved the journey to Liverpool again to see The Planet Suite.

It didn’t disappoint.

Jupiter the Bringer of Jollity, was so powerful that I noticed a couple of people dabbing their eyes.

I was a tad disappointed that great hunk of spunk Domingo Hindoyan was not conducting this time (Andrew Manze having the honour) but it was the music that counts and last night was a real treat.

I’m in bed now after walking the dogs and feeding the twins.

And feel rotten 

I shall refrain from telling any jokes about my Uranus being a Magician 

Lemsips and rest are the mantra for the day

Bun ( I think ) is sitting on the clothes horse watching the lane

Saturday

 I’m full of cold, a product of Mersey rail on Wednesday 

Last night I went to The Crown for a meal with my family which was lovely but I slept badly so after dog walks this morning we’ve all gone back to bed . 

The animals are playing cowboys and Indians with the Welsh playing the settlers  laying safe between my legs and the twins playing the marauding injuns.

I’m just drinking coffee from my American 1940s diner mug and will fall again to sleep soon

The Philharmonic later

Respect

 It was Rowena’s funeral today

And a day of respect it was , to be sure.

Her nephew, Village Elder Islwyn and his brother had dug her grave themselves which I thought was intensely moving and another mark of respect as Rowena’s father was the village gravedigger at one time, Islwyn isn’t a young man, and I’m sure the hard work has taken its toll. 

Kudos to the both of them

The service was held in Llanasa, who has a pretty Norman Church, and the church was full as Rowena’s family is large and spans every part of Trelawnyd and its environs .

Auntie Glad always warned me to be early for popular character’s funerals , so I was and still was beaten to the back pew by the ladies from the friendship group, Animal Helper Pat, Christine from Church, Pippa and Tom, the velvet voiced Linda, sailor John and Mandy and Mrs Trellis.

Trendy Vicar Gregor ( with his flowing cape and neat beard )  did his best with the Welsh parts of the service which was lovely and by the time the funeral cars returned to Trelawnyd I had collected the Welsh and was standing with Pat Mr Poznan and others a respectful distance away.

We watched as the family followed the coffin into the graveyard, and in the grey skys over Trelawnyd groups of seagulls took off in the breeze in the fields next to the riding stables , looping west towards the valley and the sea

Giselle

 

My sister and I went to Liverpool last night to see a revival of Mary Skeaping’s 1971 version of Giselle 

It was magical

The willi ghosts, as usual stole the show with their ensemble centre piece of synchronised hopping but this version had the spectres acting as attacking ghouls circling the huntsmen at terrifying speed and menace 

I loved it The National Ballet is on great form 

I think as a piece of pure theatre the entrance of the willi ghosts cannot be beaten 

I cry everytime 

Home

 

To change your mortgage you have to have an interview online now. I had a lovely chap called Nick today who talked me through the whole process. Because I can only get Wify in the front room I was joined on the couch by the dogs and one cat which amused Nick “ I’m selling to the muppets” he quipped not quite understanding he was including me in that comment.

My new mortgage is set and I can soak up the monthly increase …just.

it’s another job done 

I used to take these big decisions in my stride 

Now I worry

Another symptom of getting older .

After nearly two hours on line, I sit in the living room

The cottage faces south and the front windows let the sun shine through on a sunny day  like a baby Sagrada Familia. 

I feel as though I’m transported into the 1940s

The animals start to flop into the squares of sunlight on the carpet to sleep 

The windows need washing but I’m enjoying being present in the moment 

The kitchen clock ticks

And the breeze makes the Honeysuckle tap the window as if a friend wants my attention 

The cottage and my animals remains safe in my hands at the moment