| Our Christmas parties follow a traditional pattern, with coffee and mince pies to greet us on our arrival. Then we have our picture quizzes, cleverly compiled by Diana to test us on our knowledge of art and artists. Even if we didn’t know the answers (and many didn’t), members enjoyed gathering round them to discuss possibilities. |  |
 | Our patchwork picture is an inheritance from our dear Tony Hucklesby, now presented by Sally P. I think you all know how it works. In this case it was the avant-garde “Paris through the Window” painted by Chagall in oil on canvas in 1913. If you don’t know it, Google it to find out more. |
| Richard and Emily organised the “draw it like …..” exercise, where in teams we were asked to compile a picture containing certain specified objects in the style of Impressionism, Surrealism, Cubism, Pop Art or Young Brits. Here’s another quiz for you: which picture is in which style??? Regardless of that, I nominate “Christmas in Egypt” as the winner, which I’m sure you’ll identify by Santa looking for his chimney up the pyramid. |  |
The panto
The cartoon-like panto. was itself rather surrealistic, brilliantly masterminded by Les with help from Richard and others, and errr ….. executed (I think that’s the right word) by the cast - which was nearly everybody else. The audience (=the bartenders) loved it (I think). Adrian once again kindly supplied the music.
| MUTINY IN THE WORKSHOP In the first scene the elves are complaining to Mr & Mrs Christmas about the lack of job satisfaction in making so many presents children don’t really appreciate any more. (BTW Big Elf, Ian, seems to be having some trouble with his hat - a design problem?) Father Christmas instigates a discussion of the real meaning of Christmas, before whizzing us back 2000 years. |  |
After a certain amount of trouble with a collapsing star, Angel Gabriel appears to Mary in Nazareth to predict the birth of Jesus. Joseph turns up not looking at all happy.
| We are whisked off to a stable in Bethlehem where we meet sundry sheep, the three wise men on camels(!) and the Innkeeper, not to mention a visit from royalty (Emily with Harry and Markle face sticks). In a finale, Father Christmas, Richard, gives us a homily about the meaning of gifts and love conquering all. |  |
| The buffet lunch to finish was delicious, with all of us contributing something different. |  |
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