Virtual Methodist

On Saturday night while most of Britain were watching SuBo, Stavros Flatley and others on Britain's Got Talent, and a few other discerning citizen's of Belfast were elsewhere in this fair city watching a modernised mystery cycle , my wife and I went to the production of Cabaret at the Grand Opera House. As we crossed the road to get to the theatre we passed a pink fire engine which had been converted to a luxury limousine, packed with well-oiled young "ladies" out for the night. And one of these delightful creatures reversed herself into the small, open side window of this vehicle and treated me and other passers-by to a proctologist's-eye view of her... But it was a suitable introduction towhat was to come... I've never seen the stage version of Cabaret before, despite seeing the Bob Fosse/Liza Minnelli film many times. They are completely different beasts, not only in terms of plaot and characters, but also because the play is much more "in your face...

I've finally come the the conclusion that either the world has gone barking mad or I have... Today on the radio I heard someone announcing the " Pet a Porter " Fashion Show for four-legged fashionistas at Harrods in London. The catwalk has become a dogwalk for what is apparently the fifth year, with the theme this year being "Diamond Dogs" where leading designers, including Vivienne Westwood, Issa and Ben de Lisi have created canine fashion items incorporating pearls, sapphires, rubies and,of course, lots of a girls best friend on mans best friend. They are even launching a new dog perfume called (wait for it) "Sexy Beast." Now many who know me will know that this man is not a dog's best friend at the best of times... but surely the most dedicated dogophile must think that this is beyond the pale... It is only a bit of fun you may cry... But it is a ludicrously expensive and pointless bit of fun. The fashion world is bad enough with the obscenity ...