Drip Action Theatre talent floods Arundel

On our way to the Crown and Anchor in Dell Quay near Chichester, we spotted a nursing home which had commissioned a sign for the exterior by a sign writer with either a sense of humour, or an overblown love of swirly sign writing. Personally I thought it proclaimed the Heathside Nursing Home but That Nice Lady Decorator thought it said Deathside. She then looked at me at the same time with that gaze that says “one day that is going to be your fate”. The Deathside Nursing Home, how touching.

The weather forecast was for a very rare crystal clear sunny day, but after a bright sunny morning, although there were some sunny periods, there were enough clouds around to preclude sitting outside by the time we got to the pub. I had earlier been able to sit out in our tiny garden and read the Sunday Times where fellow columnist Rod Little had brilliantly described that idiotic Scottish Independence Party leader, Alex Salmond, as resembling a half gassed badger. Right on the nail! So after then reading the Jeremy Clarkson offering (he is one of the best writers of the modern era; discuss) it seemed but the right thing to do, to enjoy the (partial) sunshine and go for a pint somewhere on the coast. OK, Dell Quay is on the estuary not the coast, but you get the nautical drift.

On the way back we diverted to the Kings Arms for another sharpener, but, in a rigid and entirely uncharacteristic manner, we eschewed the opportunity for a lost afternoon as we were scheduled to go to the Drip Action Theatre event at the Swan Hotel last night, where we were joined by Colin The Pirate and his “nurse”, Sandra The Sultry Goddess.

It was billed as a Valentines night with sketches and humour over dinner. The theatre group are based now at the Victoria Institute, a fabulous but terribly run down old building in Tarrant St in Arundel, soon to be brought back to life as they have very recently taken it over and become a charity. Perhaps I can persuade the management at Currencies Direct that they are worthy of some sponsorship?

The cast of the Drip Action troupe show off their false moustaches

Colin the Pirate was there sporting a new haircut, so severe that it was almost a scalping. A sheep is left with more of the curly stuff after being fleeced, but as he pointed out, he was saving money because it would be a long time before it needed doing again. A matter of years I thought. I had decided to wear my black Homburg to the pub as it was a bit chilly, and I thought the budding thespians might enjoy a bit of style and class. I think it worked because Sandra, the Sultry Goddess, told me seriously that it looked like a hat that might be worn by Boy George. Anybody remember Freddy “Parrot Faced” Davies?

The short performances were very entertaining and been well presented and I thought it was apt that the event was being held on the same evening as the BAFTA’s. One might say the it was then Arundel version (the AAFTA’s?) although a little more parochial. It was past midnight before we were eventually ejected and, with no pub still open, skulked home to bed.

So another epic weekend is behind us and a 5:2 diet day beckons. Some quiet time is required at some stage and that stage is now. If I am to get into that bikini, or even those speedos in Barbados in a couple of weeks, then I shall need to attend to the slight swelling around my midriff. A stone lighter than when I returned to England from France in mid October, I must be vigilant to ensure I retain my now customary Adonis like stature. Thus the bike will be forced into service again this morning whilst my damaged ankle continues to heal. Walking is off the agenda at the moment.

Chris France
@Valbonne_News