Stepping out of my room today was like stepping into an oven. If I hadn't had Bring Up the Bodies booked.. well, actually, I'd probably still have gone, considering what it is!
For once, they were letting people through the grounds of Earl's Court exhibition centre, which makes a handy shortcut - I'd normally have gone from West Brompton, but I had to run to Tesco first. On the way, I passed a chap dressed as Superman. Ok.. then, as I passed through the exhibition centre grounds, Lara Croft and a French maid passed me. Ah, there's something on, I thought. As I passed the front, and some Manga characters, I saw the sign for Hyper Japan, running all this weekend..
Now, despite Bring Up the Bodies booking more slowly than Wolf Hall, to which it's the sequel, the official website was still sold out, and the cheapest tickets I managed were from Seatwave. This meant I had to head to their office in Moorgate first to pick up the tickets. Ah, but I studied Streetview very carefully, and knew the building wasn't far from Moorgate Station. Indeed, they give excellent directions on their own website - beside Barclay's, opposite HMV. And then, I knew I had to continue in the same direction for the 76 bus to Aldwych, on the same side of the road.
The trick was to exit the station on the correct side of the road - I could see on Streetview that there was an exit on each side. Well, the exit signs at the station were helpful - one said "Moorgate - Eastern side, Southbound buses". Yes, that would be me then! I did a quick reccie when I exited - there was the HMV, across the road - there was the Barclay's, right where it should be. I trotted the few yards down to no. 120. There were signs about how the doors were locked and to contact the security guard. Handily, he was at his desk, and motioned me to the end door. "Seatwave?" he asked as I went in. "Yep," sez I. I had to sign the visitor's book, then took the (tiny) lift up to the sixth floor, as per directions on my booking confirmation. Entered an empty lobby. A woman approached behind glass doors to my right, opened them and asked my name. Yep, those were my tickets she was holding. Step 1 accomplished! She asked for no id other than the card I'd paid with.
I toddled off to my right, looking for the bus stop. Found it just as my bus arrived! Got a seat and sat back to enjoy the ride. I don't generally travel by bus, and particularly not in this part of town. It boasts some gorgeous buildings, and some imposing banks. We passed the Royal Courts of Justice, which I remembered visiting on one of London's Open House weekends - the year before last, now! We also passed St. Paul's, which was thronged with tourists, and where I saw one of the more unusual tourist sights of my experience. As we drove along, coming against us was a pedibus: a metal frame, with a guide sitting up front, with nothing to do but look smug, and a bunch of tourists (I presume), pedalling frantically along behind to propel this contraption along the road. Nice work if you can get it..!
I disembarked in Aldwych (Step 2 accomplished!) and went in search of food. I figured the pickings were better here than in the City at the weekend. Now, I knew not to bother with the Indian or the Thai restaurant here - they're ok, but overpriced for what you get (remember, you're in tourist-land now). So I went for Pizza Express, which gave me just what I expected, with good service and welcome aircon! Also v nice wine, and a great soundtrack. Had they been more attentive, I'd have ordered dessert as well, but what the hey - it was really too hot for it, and they don't have a great range of sorbets.
I headed up the road to the theatre - had to enter at the side, for the grand circle. Made my way through the bar to the toilets, which were very cramped, then back to the auditorium, where I found my seats (I'd had to buy two) had been upgraded! Always nice. Still in the grand circle, I'd been moved forward a few rows. As the rake is quite steep, I was glad of the railings on each side of the steps - most of the rows also have low rails at the back of the seats in front. Strangely, the seats in our row didn't tip, which made squeezing in and out a bit tricky. I must say, legroom for Row G was uncomfortably tight for me - I looked enviously at the patrons in Row D, which has an aisle in front. Although there were some free seats scattered throughout the grand circle - and good luck to those who upgraded themselves! - I didn't see anywhere I could reasonably move to. I was glad of the free seat beside me, considering I spent the whole show twisted into it to give my legs some space. Ironically, online reviews lead me to believe I'd have had more legroom in Row K, which I'd been upgraded from!
Well, I was really looking forward to this production, having seen what they did with Wolf Hall. As I said before, you're in safe hands with the Royal Shakespeare Company - they know their craft. Fantastic, sumptuous costumes - a sparse, but adequate set - terrific use of lighting, and terrific skill in zipping from one scene, seamlessly, to the next, in this pacey tale. The acting is top-notch, of course. You do lose a bit of the impact, this high up, but not enough to be a worry. Wolf Hall dealt with the rise of Thomas Cromwell, the fall of Cardinal Wolsey, and Thomas' support of Henry VIII in the ending of his first marriage so that he could marry Anne Boleyn. In Bring Up the Bodies, the Machiavellian politics continue, as she falls from favour, and those who feel she has wronged them take their revenge. But a strong sense of humour permeates most of the story - until the unavoidable, dark ending.
These are based on the Booker Prize-winning books by Hilary Mantel - thing is though, a third book in the series is due to be published next year. I mean, we're not done with Thomas Cromwell yet! He lived and schemed for a few years more after the events of Bring Up the Bodies.. I actually tried to read the book of Wolf Hall and found it dense, with far too many Thomases - it was hard to keep track. I found the play much easier to follow, and will await a third stage version with glee!
Recommended for anyone who likes political shenanigans. Or Tudor costume. Runs until 4th October.
And now I'd better hurry to bed - not only am I tired after all that running about in the heat, but I have to get up earlier than is my habit tomorrow - I have a ticket (courtesy of lovetheatre) for tomorrow's matinee of Antony and Cleopatra at The Globe! Not only is that all the way across town, but I need to arrive early to book a cushion - all seating is on wooden benches! Still, I'm excited to get to see a play there - I have done the tour, and it looks great.
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