RAVE - Noel Coward's Brief Encounter at American Conservatory Theater

Front row seats are always a hoot at the theater. You see every nuance of the performance, every bead of sweat, and in this case, even get to speak to members of the cast before the show.

This production mixed film, music and live performance - with the cast serving cucumber sandwiches and singing in the bar during intermission - and was wonderful from start to finish.

This tour comes direct from England, so the 30s English mannerisms and accents were perfect. Of course, I'd done my Noel Coward plummy-accented, cigarette-in-a-holder, top hat under the arm impersonation for Pavey in advance, all to no avail. This is no elegant drawing room melodrama, but a suburban railway station mostly populated by working staff, soldiers and 3 pairs of vexed lovers.

Is there any other kind?