Political cosplay to derail the vote
Russia is not averse to rigging elections. Boris Vishnevskys, who is on the St Petersburg election ballot, is up against two doppelgängers who seem to have changed their appearance as well as their names. The two other contenders running have changed their names for
the ballot and have altered their appearance physically (by growing beards) and digitally (altering hairlines) to look like the candidate and disorient voters. It is hoped that these political lookalikes (the real Boris bothered to wear a necktie) will split the vote and allow the incumbent to retain his seat.
Old school voice recognition
"I reside at a pleasant retirement village, Henderson," writes Eric Strickett. "Walking into reception I noticed a couple signing in, having purchased an apartment. The wife had her back to me but I recognised her voice from some 70 years ago - from the secondary school we both attended, Ōtāhuhu Technical High School. I said: "Hello Pauline!" She spun around and said! "Hello Eric!" How did we recognise each other? We had never met again in more than 70 years. I remembered we were both in the cast of Iolanthe, a Gilbert & Sullivan opera at the old Orpheus theatre, Ōtāhuhu. Our music and drama teachers had no problems with female volunteers for the chorus but could not get any boys. So a decision was made to ask the lads in the lower 6th form to volunteer. The incentive was, we got to kiss our girl partners in the grand finale! We were allowed to choose our partners but had to be of the same height. We did not get on to kissing rehearsal until act 3, the correct way to kiss was demonstrated, then one by one we were checked, having seen some rather amorous kissing in films. The pupil who played the Lord High Executioner later became famous, the late Max Cryer. So we all had a great time with our youthful vigour and enthusiasm, played to packed houses every performance! I forgot to say, Pauline had a lovely high clear voice, always right on key!"
