Music: Making a middle aged man very happy
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.WAFTS of laughter warmed the Royal Festival Hall on Monday when Woody Allen said he'd be playing music from the "churches, brothels, picnics and festivals" of New Orleans. No matter that he hadn't been joking. He had coughed nervously between words, just as he does in the films, and that was all the audience needed to convince themselves that they had witnessed a genuine gag from the Comic Genius. And that was what they had paid for. They had paid for the Allen they knew and adored, in his moss- green jumper, eyebrows poking over his glasses, legs crossed floppily like a ventriloquist's dummy. Indeed, the rows sitting behind the stage had paid to see Woody's bald patch. In the process, they had to see six other people - seven if you include the cameraman who buzzed all over the place - who joined the Genius in ambling amiably through "There's No Place Like Home", "We'll Meet Again" and other jazz standards. The band, looking like portly bar-staff, took it in turns to sing the odd verse. Allen, sadly, stuck to his clarinet. At the end, he said it had been a great privilege to play for us. That's what the audience had paid for, too. After all the happiness he'd given them over the years, how satisfying to give him some happiness in return.
Nicholas Barber
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments