last night of the summer pops and reviewing the audience

By Catherine Jones on Jul 20, 09 10:16 AM

I spent last night at the RLPO's Last Night of the Summer Pops with Carl Davis, that most Scouse of New Yorkers, at the helm.
He promised me it would be a "three coat" affair and he was as good as his word, dressing in gold lame, peacock blue and finally in John Bull Union Jack tails.

Much of the programme was, as you'll see from my review today, film themes shamelessly (a word used by Davis himself) chosen to plug the new CD he's made with the Phil.
There were some goodies in the mix, and also a couple of instantly forgettable pieces - Jurassic Park anyone?
But most of the capacity audience were there for the Proms section, armed with a selection of flags, hats and other patriotic bits and bobs.
Unfortunately the man next to me was also armed with a carrier bag, a bottle of beer and sock feet.
I make my colleagues here laugh when I'm itching to review the audience alongside the performance - and far be it from me to criticise people who have come to have a good time.
But last night there were chatterers (the worst offender being a lady across the aisle who talked through the first 30 seconds of each piece and then yawned loudly and extravagantly), and my next door neighbour who not only brought in his own beer (in the rustling carrier bag) but took off his shoes!
Am I the only one to find this somewhat anti-social and distracting? He then started sucking his teeth. I can only assume it's a habit and he doesn't realise he's doing it.
Still, he seemed to enjoy the evening.
I did, however, develop a soft spot for the lad in the shorts who was one of about 20 audience members sitting behind the orchestra on the choir seats. He was totally unselfconscious about the fact 1,600 people were facing him as he sat with one hand on his leg and the other firmly clamped on his girlfriend's knee.
Ahhhh. Young love at the Philharmonic Hall. And at least he had his shoes on.