Monday 24th of August 2009
Critic hails 'theatricality' after thrilling bingo games
Everyone remembers the first time they played bingo and theatre reviewer Mark Shenton, who enjoyed the game for the first time this month, is no exception.
The critic, who covers happenings in the West End for the Sunday Express, has recalled the moment he took part in a series of thrilling bingo games in the Unitarian Universalist Meeting House in Provincetown, Massachusetts.
"I had never played bingo in my life," he wrote in a bingo blog for The Stage.
"I was transported far, far away from everyday cares, and into the truly immersive theatricality of waiting for numbers to be called and hoping that they'll match up."
Critic tries bingo game variations
As well as the traditional version of the game, Mr Shenton also played novel variations where he tried to create letters, numbers, symbols and even butterflies on his bingo card.
While failing to win anything himself, the other players on his table won no fewer than three times and they all celebrated together with some post-bingo game pizzas.
The journalist was inspired to play bingo after watching a theatre show at Manchester International Festival, entitled Everybody Loves a Winner (pictured).
Written and directed by Neil Bartlett, the play tells the story of a group of 20 players during the course of one bingo night.
