From the Editor - Topp Twins

I went along to the Topp Twins on Saturday night.

I've never been the greatest of fans, but I'll have to concede it wasn't a bad sort of a show; quite good in fact.

And I needed something to cheer me up because I'd forgotten we were going until I was reminded earlier in the week.

When I was told it felt like I'd been stiff-armed by one of those crunching tackles Brendon Tuuta, Waldo Wallace and others used to dish out on the football field many years ago.

They were so hard I could always just about feel them from safety of the press box.

Yep, the reminder that I'd be going to the Topp Twins concert floored me, even though the tickets had been booked weeks ago. I'd forgotten.

I had planned a night in front of the TV watching the Bledisloe Cup match between the All Blacks and Wallabies.

But I didn't spit the dummy, and took a night with Jools and Lynda, and the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra, on the chin.

When we got there the car park at the CBS Arena was nearly full. I was surprised. I'd been to Riverdance a few months ago and there weren't that many there. In hindsight probably because of the price of the tickets.

But the Topp Twins promoter had priced their show well at $35. They got a full house, or close to it.

Inside, there was standing room only around the bar areas.

We found a leaner. I thought the plates of food coming out were too much of a good thing and I was correct. I had mistakenly taken up position that was at the outer edges of a Meadow Mushrooms private function. I hadn't seen the keep out sign. We were politely told to move on.

With the wine down the hatch we were seated. I quickly forgot if the AB's were piling up points and who might have scored the first try, and settled into the show.

The Topp Twins were great and the orchestra added another dimension. It wasn't long before I was laughing along with everyone else over the earthquake jokes, the take-offs of the Papanui bowls club, and the bloke pulled out of the audience to carry Jools or Lynda (I'm not sure which) off the stage.

There was a moment of trepidation when the sound system blew up, two massive bangs that left the arena absolutely silent.

We knew it wasn't an earthquake but the brain was certainly ready to issue the legs with a quick `let's get out of here' command.

But I have a tip for the CBS Arena people - alphabet the car park!

We weren't alone in trying to find the car amongst the rows of others, but after searching for what seemed an age we eventually chanced upon it.

Just in time to get home for the replay of the rugby test.

A great night.