Mahinda’s Little World

Last Friday, I returned to Hulme Hall for the first time in YEARS, to see their production of Disco Inferno*. I’d spent my 4th year of uni at Hulme, having failed to get in for my 1st year (but that’s another story entirely), and have some pretty fond memories of the place. I’d not been back in the Hulme Hall Bar since I left the place, back in 1999.

* That website’s an awful lot of (musical) Flash before you get to the “Coming Soon” notice. This one gives a bit more useful information.

They were putting on Disco Inferno, with Becky D II (one of the MUGSS freshers) in the chorus and, with little better to do that night, I went along in the company of Si, Jordan, Malcolm, Paul and Andrew.

It was always going to be a pretty entertaining show, just because of the fun soundtrack - set in the 70s, it was basically an excuse to string together a shedload of discotastic tunes. Unfortunately, some of the performances just weren’t up to much. The lead, in particular, was well out of his depth with some of his solo songs in Act II, hitting (or not, as the case may be) some notes that made us cringe.

In fact, it was only the gaggle of rather attractive (and very sultry, not to mention skimpily-clad) brunettes frolicking around on stage that saved it.

A pity, really - the songs and energy on stage kept the show going in Act I, and the audience were really getting into things, before it all fell down and started to drag, about a third of the way into Act II. The entire row behind me left about halfway through Act II, having spent the last 20 minutes or so making disparaging comments.

Eventually the show ended, and Si and I managed to sneak into the bar for a pint with Becky and one of the other players. It’s strange that I remember the place as being much larger than it actually is. It’s heartening to see that my year’s photo is still there - I eventually found myself standing at the back. Memories…

We were joined by Andrew and Becky S, and I went to grab a kebab with them before heading home and pretty much to bed. A rather low-key Friday night, really.