Norwegians have a way with diplomacy..

We went to Oslo on Saturday night. It was showing at the National Theatre, fresh from its lauded Broadway run.  If we want to brutally frank, then son et lumière  booked Follies for Mummy and Oslo for Daddy. I can't think why. His father loved the frou-frou of the dancing girls and I was totally engaged by the politics behind the Israeli-Palestininian peace. But I know what he means. I did love Follies with every highly-tuned thespian sinew; but I did have to stretch every critical faculty to keep up with political prancing of Oslo. It wasn't difficult. It's just that at three hours long, it requires focus. But it was truly fascinating.
I had no idea how the Norwegians were responsible for brokering a deal between between the Palestinians and the Israelis. In 1993 the Oslo Accord took place after months of secret diplomatic meetings where the chief representatives were closeted in meetings until they came out with a sensible fair solution. It's a serious topic but there were moments of surprising mirth. However, the important message that we take from this play is that we need to talk. Why can't the representatives of  the UK and the EU be holed-up  on neutral territory until something reasonable is thrashed out? Away from the press who require statements every whipped stitch.   There's too much posturing going on in the world, Mr Trump and Mr Kim Jong-un. More jaw-jaw required.

So pretty serious stuff, enlivened by light touches. Interesting that the two Norwegians responsible for this momentous achievement, Mona Juul and her husband Terje Rod-Larsen are very much alive today. Mona Juul is Norwegian Ambassador to the UK. She has been to see the play and given it her stamp of approval. What I want to know is what was it like seeing Toby Stephenson playing your husband? She would probably be far too polite to go, "Phwoar!"

Naturally he had to tame his mane for this part....