We saw a charming local production of Gilbert and Sullivan's "Iolanthe" this evening--it's refreshing to see G & S operas other than the "big three"--Mikado, Pirates, and Pinafore. Two years ago the same group of dedicated amateurs did "Ruddigore"--and that was equally delightful. (Sue and I lobbied for "Patience"--our personal favorite.) Of course, I would enjoy seeing a good try at the Mikado--anything but another "Pirates" or "HMS Pinafore." (We saw the Doyly C'arte production of the latter a few years ago in New Haven--an "art deco" version reintroducing one number deleted by Gilbert. It's fun to see high school and college drama departments tackle "Pinafore" or "Pirates"--but I've had my fill of both for the time being. Despite their enduring popularity, they are rather weak shows--Gilbert in particular really began hitting his stride with "Patience.")

One idea I had was that "Patience" could be revisualized as taking place in a Coffee House, with the "Twenty Love-sick Maidens" being cheerleaders turned goth-girls under the influence of Bunthorne. The Dragoons, of course, would become a football team. And Patience would be the hapless operator of the espresso machine. I think this really would work, with Bunthorne and Grosvenor being "slam poets." It's just that I've been too caught up in all this other trivia to attempt to write it. I still might--I'd really like to. (I have plenty of coffee house poetry experience of my own to draw upon.) (Egad! Another facet!)

The flatbed Royal #5 arrived since I last wrote--and it is beautiful! Save for the platen and one rubber foot, it was in nearly showroom condition. For a typewriter nearly a century old, it is in a remarkable state of preservation. Even the pock-marked platen is manageable--I wrote a brief note on the machine this evening. And the thing was PACKED BEAUTIFULLY. (After my experience last week, THAT is something I appreciate!)