One of the things I like about this island / this beach is the vast emptiness. It’s the height of summer and there are still not too many people around. Vastness. No crowds. Just what I needed right now. Sand and a strong breeze though is something to get used to š
Ameland Beach, July 2022
I spent yesterday afternoon down at the beach. I didn’t take the popup beach tent, because I already thought it bee too much of a hassle to put it up and back together on my own with the breeze going. And I was probably right. I don’t know. I enjoyed the time there, just resting, reading, listening to audio books. From previous outings I expected my things to be dusted / covered in sand after a while and prepared for that. I didn’t even mind my skin slowly being dusted with sand constantly been blown over to me from the left. Until I started packing my things together and for some reason got hit with quite a bit of sand in my left eye. Ouch! It probably wasn’t even that much, but holy shit, that hurt. And blinded me for a while. No matter how much I tried to wash it out it felt like grains of salt still stuck under my eyelids now almost 20 hours later. I went back to my apartment and the first thing after putting my things down, was to shower the sand on my arms and legs off me.
What else did I do? Read the various fiction / non fiction books. Went back to another part of the beach around sunset to snap a few more photos.
Sunset on Ameland, July 2022
Came back to read some more. Went to bed. Perfectly lazy day. I’m glad I’m a bit over the “I’m on vacation and need to do something” dread and that I’m quite fine with just doing nothing. Today is my last day here and I guess it will go much like yesterday and that’s fine.
It’s been almost a week since I last saw the musical “Operation Mincemeat” and since I over-enthusiastically announced on Twitter that I’d write a blog post about it soon. But that day was followed by basically two whole travel days and then a bout of “I have no plans and nothing to do, this feels overwhelming” dread here by the beach. I really dislike my messed up mind some times.
Yesterday I’ve started reading a WW II novel “The Ops Room Girls” (part one of a trilogy, so maybe I’ll read more) and some of the atmosphere of this story reminded me of Mincemeat again. Unsurprisingly so: World War II, Women taking their chance in a world, which all of a sudden is devoid of men, because they’re off to war… For me especially one line in the novel mirrored the atmosphere of some scenes in the musical.
“If the Germans come, we’ll all be plunged into the dark. One day of sunshine and happiness out of a lifetime of misery – surely we can have that.”
The Ops Room Girls, Vicki Beeby
I guess that’s what the spirit has been at times. As it should have been. I’m a bit sad that one of my favourite songs in the show so far “Let Me Die In Velvet” had been cut for a new song: “Lets be winners for one night” (? Not sure if that’s the title.) But I have to be fair and admit, that the new song fits and especially moves the story along much better, while maintaining the same vibe as Velvet did. I’m grateful that they kept one of my many (favourite) lines in the dialogue around that scene.
The world is a mess. Small flashes of joy, it’s all any of us can hope for.
Ewen Montagu in “Operation Mincemeat”
Because that’s still so true. Decades after the war. Years after I first saw the show.
But I’m already in the thick of it without any introduction. I’m not sure this post will make sense to anyone who hasn’t seen the show yet. Sorry for that. But I still want to gather and share my thoughts. And in that future moment – when they will have successful runs in the West End and will have won even more of the (big) awards – prove, that I’ve been a fan from the very start ;-).
Real quick: Operation Mincemeat is a brilliant, funny while also tear jerking, whirlwind of catchy musical numbers and fast paced witty dialogue; performed by five insanely talented people playing about 30 different roles among them with astonishingly few costumes / props changes and with mind blowing gender fluidity. Oh, the plot? How a few posh white men with the help of a few women at MI5 fool Hitler with a dead body and thus help the Allies win the war. True story. Yes, there’s also been a movie recently about the same story and the movie worked fine as history movie and all, but, it’s just not the same…
I’ve seen the show on it’s first run in 2019 and was already blown away and again in early 2020, when they already had made some changes to some scenes and some of the music. Here are my reviews from back then:
And then I haven’t been able to see it for the longest time, even once the UK theatre world returned to stage, because I wasn’t comfortable travelling in 2021 yet. So that version shown at the Riverside Studios in Hammersmith (till 23rd July) is “Operation Mincemeat 5.0” (maybe?). It’s still fascinating to see how the plot and performances change slightly or even to some bigger extent over time. I went back through my previous reviews and realized how many of the tiny scenes I mentioned aren’t in the show anymore, but replaced by something equally good or in many cases even better. It’s also a joy to see how the show stays true to the audacity of the whole “ludicrous secret mission to win the war” situation while at the same time manages to deepen the human aspect of it all.
On this run I especially loved to see that they gave a bit more room to the female characters and the feminist aspect of the story. It was so nice to see a bit more of Hester. The new song “Medals and Sculptures” (that’s probably not the title) was a great addition. At least I don’t remember that from the previous shows, even though the line about the planes in the sky felt slightly familiar. All in all it gave more depth to both characters and I loved that. Because let’s face it: Monty, Charles and even Johnny Bevan have been fleshed out plenty by history already. I mean, they were the men in charge. So this one between Jean and Hester was sweet to see and also a well deserved acknowledgement of the vital part women played in many aspects of winning the war. It also was great to see Claire Marie Hall and Jak Malone apply their great comedy timing here.
I also very much enjoyed the small new hints to current affairs, like “to turn this into a highly profitable film?!?!” and of course the digs at current UK politics. I’ve heard there were some extra ones the night Boris Johnson announced that he’d be resigning. The whole “the Nazis left Germany, but don’t worry, they are now making a comeback in the USA” bit during the finale is also brilliant. Because even though it was just a few lines of song, it was so spot on. Sadly enough.
Talking about Nazis. Even at the 4th and 5th time watching this show, seeing the big Nazi rap scene still feels weird to me. As a nation we Germans – rightfully, I think – had it drilled into our minds that you don’t joke about Nazis, their swastika, or anything. Showing the swastika is only allowed in a very limited context in Germany. Even using it in any artistic way can be limited I think. So seeing it so openly used here – in a context where it makes total sense, don’t get me wrong – and to hear people laugh about the number and to even laugh myself made me feel a tiny bit uncomfortable. But that’s just me. The number is very good. Johnny Bevan breaking the 4th wall after that is a new addition though, right? I don’t recall that at all from any of the previous shows, but I loved it here.
Like I said many changes / cuts were tiny, but all worked well for me and made the whole story and performance run a bit smoother than the last version I saw in 2020. Shout-out to all the creative people (director, choreographer etc.) who joined the team and helped shape this performance. I also especially liked the new (for me) ending. The glitzy finale, where many of the characters and themes got their well deserved reprise and of course the “real” finale after that. Very very moving. Well done, guys!
But now once again, let’s talk about the people on stage.
Claire-Marie Hall: Once again such a joy, not just as Jean Leslie but in all of her roles – phone carrying Steve in Spain especially. Like mentioned above, I’m so glad her voice and comedy timing can shine in the scene with Hester about the medals and sculptures.
Sean Carrey: Deserves an every extra round of applause. He joined the show a week (?) before it opened, because David Cummings had had an accident, broken some bones and wouldn’t be able to play Charles Cholmondeley for a few weeks. So Sean stepped in on short notice. Learned all the dialogue, all the songs, all the roles and all the choreography and smashed it. By the time I was there to see the show, David and Sean were alternating the roles, but I happen to see Sean twice and David not at all. I think I might have liked to compare and contrast both actors, but it was fine this way as well. “Dead in the Water” is still my song, whoever is singing it.
Zoe Roberts: Zoe as well was only in one of the shows I saw, because she was feeling under the weather at the first one on Saturday afternoon, so her understudy Anouk Chalmers took over. Anouk did a good job as well, but no one plays Ian Fleming or the bumbling British Official in Spain as amazing as Zoe does. Her facial expressions as Haseldon are incredible and the whole suitcase / telephone / hat scene with the Spanish pathologist and assistant Steve is pure comedy gold.
Jak Malone: I’m so glad they gave Hester a bit more to do and sing and to let her be the great role model that she is. Jak plays her so wonderfully in all of it. I have to say though, that “Dear Bill” didn’t make me well up as much as it used to. Maybe it has worn off a bit. Thank God, because I was such a weepy mess after that song in 2020. Jak excels in every other part as well, the creepy coroner, the jolly American Pilot. I had the chance to meet him (and Sean) after my 2nd visit and both were such lovely human beings.
Natasha Hodgson: What can I say?
Also worth noting that my ‘girl crush’ on @NatashaHodgson is back full force. Which seems weird, because she’s playing a straight – and let’s be honest not always very nice – man here. Just shows that gender and crushes and all are fluid and isn’t that a wonderful thing?
Within seconds she always made me forgot it’s not a man playing Ewen Montagu. The arrogance, the swagger, the outrageous confidence. For some reason this time around I also was fascinated how quickly she could change moods and give off very different vibes. From being the cold, stern superior officer, when Charlie didn’t let go of the file: “I’ve issued you an order, Lieutenant” to the embarrassed and squirming – “It’s just a first draft” – screen writer within just a few quick moments. God, she’s brilliant.
So yes, I hope and have my fingers crossed this show will be able to get yet another run in one of the even (slightly) bigger theatres any time soon. Wherever it will go, I’ll be there a few times to watch it for sure. What can I say: “I was born to follow…”
[First posted on 12th July 2021 / Added “Little Life” and re-posted on 9th July 2022]
I’m on vacation by the sea at the moment and while I was sitting on the beach yesterday, listening to some Frank Turner songs, an idea popped up again. After I had written the “Lyrical History of Mankind” last year I thought about doing a piece on “references to the sea (in the widest sense)” as well, but for whatever reason didn’t follow through. I want to do that now. Because I have to admit that I possibly love Frank’s penchant for including references to the sea, seafaring and all things maritime even a bit more than all the historical stuff.
I only looked at the his own material for this; no collaborations and I also excluded “No Man’s Land” as a concept record. First of allā¦ for some reason I had though there were more songs with a sea reference in the title! Worse Things Happen at Sea Sea Legs Sailor’s Boots Plain Sailing Weather The Lifeboat 5 out ofā¦ I don’t know 150? 200? That’s not all that many. Or am I missing something?
When I was going through the lyrics in my head or on the website I realized that quite a few of the references are in fact ratherā¦ factual. No surprise, really, because most of Frank’s songs are autobiographical. He grew up and still lives on an island after all. According to Wikipedia no place in the UK is farther than 70 miles (113 km) from the sea. Therefore I disregarded most of the mere geographical references (like e.g. in “Rivers” or “Take You Home”).
When you look at the rest of them, “lost at sea” or “troubles at sea” seem to be a recurring theme. Which might sound depressing, but it isn’t. Far from it, because writing about (difficult) emotions in a relatable and engaging way, is one of the things that drew me to Frank’s music from the start. And I definitely found and still do find a lot of comfort in hearing words I can relate to.
All that aside, I was left with quite a few references I really like and I tried to narrow those down to a neat 10. Alas, I failed with that. [I just used “alas” without even thinking about it. I think I know who I get that fromā¦ ;-)]
Anyway, narrowed down here are my 15 favourite references to all things sea in Frank’s lyrics.
Sunset at the North Sea, Germany, July 2021
#15 “So I’m going to say what everyone’s thinking: If we’re stuck on this ship and it’s sinking, Then we might as well have a parade.” (Love, Ire & Song)
The “sinking ship” is such a classic metaphor for a failed endeavour. It fits well into the whole idea of the song.
#14“They threw me a whirlwind, And I spat back the sea.” (Get Better)
I still haven’t figured out the meteorological aspects here. Kidding. Sort of. Because from my understanding whirlwinds happen on land and not on / over sea. I don’t know what the equivalent phenomenon on the sea would be called? I’m clearly overthinking this. I really love that song though.
#13 “Honey I’m sorry, but I’ve got my sea legs again. If I stand on dry land for a minute, I feel sick and then I have to start moving again.” (Sea Legs)
Another lovely metaphor, this time for Frank’s wanderlust or his drive to be on tour and on the move all the time.
#12“You say worse things happen at sea; I say worse things have happened to me.” (Worse Things Happen At Sea)
We don’t have a similar phrase like “Worse thingsā¦” in German (I think?), but I right away got what it means. Funny enough, I just now tried to find its origin, but came up with nothing. It seems to be just an old English phrase. No wonder for a nation of seafarers, maybe?
#11“Stay with the boats lest ye be drowned. Save what you can; Behind us, the old world in flames. Lower the lifeboats, Take the tiller, Steer the way. [ā¦.] From the prow we see far, all that’s old now is new.” (The Lifeboat)
The song itself is more about what happened on land and what made the people take to the lifeboats. But I love the use of nautical terms like “tiller” and “prow” here. Maybe I should have added #nerdalert at the top of this post?
#10 “A navy coin and a broken plastic compass someone gave me That can’t find north any more, just like me” (Wherefore Art Though Gene Simmons)
I don’t want to write about the navy coin, because I’m sure that’s meant to be a challenge coin for service personnel in the US and not the navy in particular. But the “broken plastic compass that can’t find north” gets to me. I associate the compass with travel, expeditions, seafarers. A functioning compass (or navigational system nowadays) was and still is such an essential piece of equipment and if that’s broken, the situation can get pretty dire.
#09 “It’s not meant to be, I am lost at sea, So mermaid sing to me Of the better times and the things that can be, And of islands in the Mediterranean sea,” (Imperfect Tense)
Reaching proper “lost at sea” territory now. Being lost anywhere – woods, mountains – must be pretty horrible. And people do get lost in those locations as well. But the sea is such a enormously vast space to get lost in. Any ship or boat and especially a lone human being is a tiny insignificant speck compared to the mass of water and distance to any land mass. On land (wood, mountains) you could still hope that someone might come by and hear you cry for help. On the sea, away from the usual shipping routes? Not very likely. So yes, “lost at sea” is a pretty desolate place to be.
I also like the rhyme and rhythm in these lines a lot.
#08 “You once sent me a letter that said “If you’re lost at sea, Close your eyes and catch the tide my dear, and only think of me.” Well darling, now I’m sinking, I’m as lost as lost can be, And I was hoping you could drag me up from down here towards my recovery.” (Recovery)
See #09. The gazillion syllables in rapid succession here put it on #08.
#07 “And we’ve met this sorry end from a picture perfect start, The romance and the running down to disconnected hearts Of two people sad and free, who know they used to be More than just a pair of sinking ships.” (Anymore)
The pair of sinking ships (see #15) breaks my heart a tiny bit here. Especially with the knowledge what they used to be. It was an inevitable end, but it’s still sad and these lyrics capture that perfectly.
#06 “I let slip my guard, let go of the rudder, Now we’re drifting in the current away from one another. So give me one fine day of plain sailing weather And I can fuck up anything.” (Plain Sailing Weather)
Not quite lost at sea, but drifting away from each other seems like a unpleasant experience as well. I love the metaphor of “letting go of the rudder” that leads to this. As in “not paying attention, being careless” and thus getting on a unretractable path in a relationship. Drifting awayā¦.
#05 “Now you can go down with the wreck, or you can scurry from the deck But thereās no way to save your skinny little neck, And you can pray to who you please and you can fall down on your knees, But your feet will still get wet.” (Out Of Breath)
The first verse of the song conjures up a definitive “on solid ground” picture in my mind: road, ditch, spot, run. So, when I heard the song for the first time, this nautical metaphor in the 2nd verse caught me by surprise. A surprise in a song is often a good thing. At least here it is and I love it.
#04 “But if ever I stray from the path I follow, Take me down to the English Channel, Throw me in where the water is shallow, And then drag me on back to shore.” (If Ever I Stray)
Here is the exception to the “no mere geographical mentions of the sea” reference. But this song means a lot to me. I meanā¦ look at the blog title! Duh!
#03 “The wind blew both of us to sand and sea, And where the dry land stands is hard to say. As the current drags us by the shore, We can no longer say for sure Who’s drowning, or if they can be saved. But when you’re out there floundering, like a lighthouse I will shine. Be more kind, my friends, try to be more kind.” (Be More Kind)
I love the whole sea / shore imagery here. I love lighthouses. That’s why this is one of my favourite pieces of Frank lyrics in recent years.
#02 “But when I was just 16 I pinned my colours to the mast: Punk rock’s in the ink that’s in my skin, The attitude in every song I sing.” (Back in the Day)
This might be a surprise as #02. I’m not a hardcore punk. Far from it. I hadn’t heard the phrase “pinning colours to the mast” before either. But the meaning was clear from the context and I love it. To me it wasn’t an obvious sea / maritime reference, which makes this even more interesting.
#01 “But the ocean is still out there, magnificent and wide. She’s got open arms to hold me, and endless space to hide, And the only things that hold me back are things I hold inside, The ocean is still out there, magnificent and wide.” (Sailor’s Boots)
One of my favourite of Frank’s songs. Definitely my favourite of the rarer ones and thus often my go-to song request for a celebratory occasion. And it’s the ultimate reference to the sea. I’ve laid out why I love this song so much here on my old blog many many years ago.
In 2022 I needed to add a second #1. It’s my blog so I don’t have to pick just one š
#01 “Some oyster shells I found down on the beach, Where I heard the mermaids singing, Each to each and to you and me. A song about anxiety Getting washed away by the sea.” (Little Life)
When I heard those words for the first time in February when FTHC came out, they absolutely blew me away. Because yes, the sea does that for me too. Just sitting there on the beach, watching the waves roll in and out. Let my mind come to rest and my anxiety too. I wasn’t in a good space mental health wise when I first heard those words. I’m still struggling quite a bit, but I’ve got professional help by now. But yes, those lyrics do their part to help me as well and I’m so very grateful for that…
