CONTEXT: Lest new readers assume that I only think, or write about serious matters, here is something that appealed to my taste for communal mirth. I often try to articulate things people may be aware of, but only consider in passing. But in this post, I just let myself get caught in the current of a charming bit of silliness that wafted across my (cyber-) path. Because life should be ‘savored,’ not just ‘chewed upon.’

As many of you know, I am a stalwart Gallophile, a lover of France, her people, culture etc.

But cruising YouTube recently, I found this video, a reminder of the marvelous eccentricity of which British society (for all its supposed stiff-upper lip values) is capable. A gloriously silly song being performed by its creator, while the audience thrills and deftly contributes. It happened at the enormous, august Royal Albert Hall (RAH) in London, the site of many such wonders of public whimsy and informality. RAH has certainly seen terrific high-art performances, but its massive size makes it inherently ‘popular’; even ‘democratic’ (witness the audience participation here).

So for a venue dedicated to the memory of the late Prince Albert by his stubbornly-grieving widow (and reputed royal killjoy) Queen Victoria, RAH has seen some highly eccentric, but hugely entertaining spectacles. Perhaps some have even coaxed unintended smiles out of Victoria and Alberts’ spirits?

(I incidentally wish Good Queen Bess – as I call Elizabeth II now, as Elizabeth I was known late in her reign – had been there for this shared fest, joining in the fun.)

To hearten anyone shell-shocked by COVID and all the world’s other travails of late, here is a paraphrase of a line from the poet Shelley, in which Life may be speaking to us all:

‘Look upon my works ye heartsick, and be glad.’