Aug/090
Opera Glasses: A comedic Review of Shear Madness
Chances are, you have heard of Shear Madness, perhaps from a friend, or relative, and are considering attending a performance. My recommendation is that you should not attend, unless you would like to feel physical pain, and suffering from extreme laughter. However if you feel like you cheek and stomach muscles are in healthy enough shape, you may be able to endure this marathon of laughter. Opera glasses are very necessary for a performance of this type.
The stage is set to take place at a unisex hair salon. The usual gossip takes place. As in real life, for some reason, people seem to think they need to share their utmost secrets with their hairdresser. So many funny lines take place as well as an intriguing storyline. The people acting are extremely believable characters. You have the snapping gum pretty hairdresser with a gorgeous figure who is an airhead, the brightly colored clothing character played by the homosexual hairdresser (fabulously played by John McGivern in Milwaukee, Wisconsin when I attended), a high class society woman, policemen and the different clientele that comes in. Of course, one man is a hunk which makes John McGivern's character giggle with glee.
Shear Madness is truly an evolutionary play; this is because it is always changing! What I mean by this, is that many of the words that are spoken in the play are not actually in the script but rather are given as improvisations by gifted comedians, in fact, much of the things talked about in the play focuses on current local and world news, you will never know what to expect. One of the things I found most amusing about this performance, is that many times, actors are caught off guard by the other actor's improvised lines, and you see them trying to contain their own laughter. For this you will surely want to bring your opera glasses as not to miss a beat!
Shear Madness is very much an interactive play. As you attend, you will find that performers will periodically ask the audience for their opinions about the developing story. Many in attendance will shout out their answers which often vary wildly. This aspect alone will make this play unforgettable in your mind. If find that your seat is in the first few rows, be prepared, as you may find yourself as centerpiece of a joke. Remember, that all jokes are just in good fun.
Aside from the typical chit chat you find in a beauty parlor, Shear Madness' plot turns to a murder mystery. The person who is killed is always the same; it is the owner of the parlor. The owner lived above the parlor prior to being murdered, and you will see that any of the characters potentially could have been the murderer. You will be working and trying to figure out who the murderer is; your opera glasses will help you to not miss any subtle hints.
Here is where Shear Madness gets fun. The owner of the salon is the one that is always murdered in this play, but the killer will vary from performance to performance, based on clues presented. Also the audience, based on the clues chooses who the murderer must be. This may sound odd, but is a very funny development. Many (like me) see the play over and over so that they can see the different endings!
This play is often called the longest running, or second longest running non musical performances. Many critics have given this play wonderful reviews, because of the witty comedy and wonderful performances, which is why of course; this play has been around for so long.
Opera glasses are always a crucial element in attending any performance, but especially this one. If you don't bring your opera glasses, you are sure to miss moments, clues and laughs. Make sure you have a pair in hand before you walk out the door to go.
Aug/090
Things To Consider When Buying Portable Or Compact Binoculars
If you're outdoors a lot, you might be interested in getting a pair of binoculars. However, you're probably not interested in having to carry them around with you everywhere - at least at their normal size and weight. However, you might be interested in getting a pair of portable or compact binoculars, which work nearly as well, but are much smaller.
Just as the name indicates, these are normal binoculars in miniature, and as such you might be worried about the vision suffering. It is true that this element isn't perfect, although there are models available that put even the best traditional ones to shame. However, even reasonable priced versions should give you what you need.
In general, though, you'll probably save money by getting an average quality pair of these. You might want to give up the ones you own now for that reason alone, but they're especially useful if you're going to be moving around a lot without anywhere else to store them. Whether for bird watching, or just everyday travel, they're a great option.
Something like this seems easy enough to understand at first, but as you actually look at a pair of binoculars, you might find they're actually a bit complicated. Still, you should become familiar with as many of the different parts as you can, especially the lenses, to ensure that you know what you're looking for when buying yours.
The second part of getting a good deal has to do with comparing the different prices on the market. You might want to look for things that have extra features in terms of their panoramic views, or ones that are waterproof. These will probably cost a bit more, but if they make your tools more advanced or durable, they should be worth it.
While it's important to look at all of your options, you should give particular attention to manufacturers who have earned good reputation in the industry. These are companies well known in the world of binoculars, and with good reason. You'll be able to get a high quality product made with anti reflective lenses and a knob on the side that will make it easy to look at anything anywhere.
Whether the binoculars will be for yourself or given as a gift, it's important to buy from a company you know you can trust. This ensures your money will go where you intend it to and that you'll get a good product that will last you for several years, and always be something easy for you to grab when you're on the move.