Issue 25

The lunch hour was drawing to a close as I walked past the Sondheim Theatre for the fourth time—one of perhaps a dozen such walks during the autumn season.

The light was grey and diffused, enriching the autumnal palette of the English architecture. This predisposed me to getting close and framing shots, as the pure blue autumn sky was not present to balance the foreground tones.

My reason for frequenting Shaftesbury Avenue at this hour was the rather curious juxtaposition of posters adorning the Sondheim Theatre: Old Friend versus Slick, Sexy, and Sophisticated. They provided a backdrop for storytelling—perhaps of friendship, perhaps of love, or maybe both. All I needed was the right combination of characters.

The timing increased the chances of a story coming together, as I had both the lunch crowd and theatregoers to draw upon for my cast.

The narrative materialised on my fourth attempt. The protagonists took the form of an elderly gentleman and his faithful companion. Their interaction was heartwarming, showing the depth of their bond and affection through a fleeting exchange: the man reached to pat his friend, who sat patiently waiting for the traffic lights, his eyes fixed on the kind hand.

And then there were the supporting characters on this tightly cropped stage. They were full of life, and their interactions added visual depth to a scene framed by weathered English architecture, which had long since seen its heyday.

I’ll leave it there, inviting you to savour this story and its many layers.