Surprise part two.

Best. Surprise. Ever.

Ok, if the phrase "Hands on buzzers, lets play... Spicks and Specks!" doesn't excite you to the point of spine-tingles, maybe you shouldn't read on. But if it does, then imagine Anica's joy (not at all doused by the continuing display of pouring rain that Melbourne chose to put on for me -- surprise!) when, standing in the foyer of the Comedy Theatre, she heard the following:

(That is, after a lot of walking with eyes down, and several stressed moments of "don't look there!" and "don't look up!" and "don't look at the poster behind me!")

Good evening ladies and gentlemen. The theatre is now open. Please ensure your mobile phones are turned off. Tonight's performance of Spicks and Specks is about to begin.

Alex and Christina realised, as the announcement started, that it was probably about to ruin the well-preserved surprise. So they simultaneously tried to stuff their fingers into Anica's ears, through her hat. Anica tried to contribute, but the inventor of the PA system will be happy to know, the sound does indeed resonate. Anica heard the announcement -- surprise! -- but it didn't matter, because the surprise was so damned good.

The show was brilliant, even funnier than the tv version (and that's coming from three hard-co fans!) and was basically two hours of constant laughter. Highlights included Adam getting the year wrong, and Alan's ballet spectacular (accompanied by Myf on keys). A very good night all round.

Bring on the panda.