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Ordinary residents of Thornbury would have received a shock if they happened to be strolling along High Street last Saturday night.
Among the usual traffic there was a different, more elaborately dressed, crowd milling around the entrance to the grand old Thornbury theatre. Some came dressed to the nines, some came as century crossing time travellers and some came as description transcending ethereal characters. All were exuberant, all wore masks and all were descending upon the Bohemian Masquerade Ball.
It was clear from the beginning that this would be a night unlike the usual hum-drum of city bars and absent stars. Initial suspicion proved correct and upon entering we were met by a pianist playing a grand piano in the foyer – it wasn’t the first unexpected piano to appear for the evening, either – and from there we were led through an almost endless succession of music, art and all kinds of vaudeville entertainment. Performances turned up everywhere, frequently unexpected, always bewildering and it was sometimes hard to tell what was a planned installation and what was a random act of art by an inspired ball-goer.
Thornbury theatre was an ideal venue; the regal décor framed its events like an old museum, its unusual exhibits being a mix between the crudely imagined future and the romantically remembered past. The main room upstairs felt like a cross between the Titanic’s grand dining room and an overcrowded children’s party – full of elaborate costumes and outrageous behaviour. The scene downstairs could very well be what a Saturday night will look like when the world has crumbled, cities have fallen and all that’s left is fluorescent lights and a party vibe. Confused? We all were, but nobody seemed to mind.
Some of the performances did seem a little out of place and the night as a whole appeared – at times – muddled as to what direction it was taking. Nevertheless, high spirits were flowing at full speed, and strangers made friends in a moment or two. It’s perhaps this good cheer that has made the event such a popular one, tickets were sold out well in advance and some were left waiting outside attempting to grab any strays. One fortunate filly snagged a free pass from the friendly gentleman in front of me – a move that encapsulated the amiable spirit of the occasion.
For more information on the Boho Ball visit the official website.
