We went to see a quite amazing ‘thing’ last night. It was at the theatre. But it wasn’t a ‘show’. Nor a play. And it wasn’t a concert or recital. Nor a ‘reading’. Nor a football match. Definitely not one of them. I’d have recognised it immediately.

It was a ‘thing’. Called ‘the pianist of Willesden Green’.

When I first heard of this I thought they’d made a play about me mate, Dom. He’s from Willesden Green and as he’s always been a bit of a nob I thought they’d just made a small typo with the title.

But its not. Its the story of a 14 year-old girl, a piano prodigy, who left Vienna in 1938 on the Kindertransport, alone, and arrived in England. Its her story. Told by one woman. Who is herself an incredible pianist. So the entire telling is accompanied by Greig and Rachmaninov and Beethoven. Which sounds like the midfield of Dynamo Kiev but its not. All the music was totally relevant to the story. And all played wonderfully.

And it is very funny and very happy and very sad and very moving and, as the general consensus agreed at the end, leaves you speechless. Its on at the St James’ Theatre in Victoria if you’re interested. Short run only.

Ok, that’s done, great, fine, reviews, culture, penis-jokes, all boxes ticked; LET’S GET TO THE FOOTBALL.

Today is a day of history. A day so momentous that the Premier League, in all its vast 14 year history, has never before seen its like. For on this very day, Valentine’s Day, no less, there are to be the two pretty much biggest games of the season. In about 5 minutes Arsenal (3rd in the league) host Leicester (1st). Then at 4.15 Manchester City (4th) face Spurs (2nd). There’s every cliché to play for. Combined this will represent a game of four halves! And at the end of the day: night will fall. It does that. And with it will come a new league table. Unless both matches are drawn in which case it’ll look pretty much the same and Louis Van Gaal will think all his Christmases may have arrived together to give him the faintest glimmer of hope.

Here’s what I think we’ll happen: Arse 1 Leicester 1; M.City 1 Spurs 2.
And here’s what I hope will happen: Arse O Leicester 3; City 0 Spurs 9.

Because although arguably if Leicester lose Spurs will be better placed to win the league (especially after beating City 9-nil, for gawd’s sake), I can only ever wish for Arsenal to lose. Its nothing personal, its just… its just what it is.

(Let us pray it is a very-) Happy Sunday

A xxxx