Backdrop Blues

(from 2017)

A recent speech by British Prime Minister Teresa May had all the hall-marks of farce in recent days. Now I don’t do politics, but I can appreciate a good pratfall, no matter who takes it. As she warmed up a British comedian worked his way to the front and very publicly handed her a P-45 form. For those outside Britain, this is the form you receive when your services are dispensed with by your company. He then ambled over to one of her potential rivals as if the form had come from him. The sleep walking security services finally jumped into action and he was ejected from the Hall. But how he managed to get that near for so long has no doubt prompted some interesting post-conference exchanges.

Mrs May soldiered on – and then her voice went. It became an unsuccessful advertisement for throat sweets. And finally, the coup de grace, as she croaked to a conclusion – two letters from the backdrop very visibly fell off behind her. It was custard pie meets banana skin – a joy for those who savor such moments.

What did she actually say? I doubt that anyone now remembers a word.

It prompted a series of letters in the Times newspaper about other malfunctioning backdrops. One was from someone invited to make the finishing address at a global business competition for young entrepreneurs. The sign behind him proclaimed: “World Young Business Achiever Closing Ceremony.”

Then the C in “Closing” fell off…

The latest today was someone driving through a Surrey suburb who noticed a new Italian restaurant called “E VILLA E TORE”. Then his wife pointed out that this was THE VILLAGE STORE” until a few letters dropped off…

I have this feeling that this anecdote might have a touch of the apocrypha about it. But it’s one of the main reasons why I read this paper.