Tonight, I was back with Up in the Cheap Seats (UITCS) at the National for Hadestown. My new co-worker raves about it. Left in reasonable time - just in time to miss my bus, of course! What with that and the traffic, moving like treacle, it was quite late by the time I got there - took the lift up to the Olivier, and joined the phenomenally long queue for the box office! Never seen the like.
As I joined the queue, I noticed tonight's group organiser just collecting his ticket - sadly, by the time I worked my way to the head of the queue, they'd gone in - ah well. Instead, for company, I had a perky young American college student, who was dead excited to be there, and anxious to tell the whole story. To be fair, it was quite a tale - he was actually studying in Florence, and had flown in specially for a long weekend, to see this. Into Heathrow - and his flight had been delayed, with the storm, so he'd literally just landed two hours before. He had to run the last bit.. and he looked it, all flustered and red-faced! Isn't it lovely that he just made it in time - especially considering how much the tickets cost.
Yep, my co-worker was right - damn, is this catchy! Jazz, rhythm and blues will have you tapping your feet. The performances are excellent - although I found Hermes a bit hard to understand to begin with. Hades, when he gets going, has the most terrific growl of a voice! How appropriate, for the King of the Underworld. The story picks up pace in the second half, of course, and the ending is both sudden and sweet - very touching. I loved the analysis of why he turned too early - I've never before heard it described in terms of him having confidence when he had someone for support, but not on his own, in the dark.. I loved it, and joined in the standing ovation at the end - happily, that student, who was sat in front of me, was one of the first to leap to his feet. What a relief that he liked it, after all that effort to get there! Runs till the 26th of January - most shows with limited availability, some sold out, and nothing as cheap even as what I paid, which wasn't cheap. But this is worth seeing.
Somehow, I managed to miss my group at the interval - but happily I ran into them afterwards, and we compared notes. And yes, I just managed to miss my bus again! Never mind, I got another after a few minutes. Tomorrow, back to Ireland again for the weekend.
On Monday, I'm back to the National for I'm Not Running.
On Wednesday, LDN Talks @ Night and London Speaks Sessions (both Funzing) advertised a "Winterville" talk on The Science of Santa, where we get the scientific explanation of how he does it. Taking place at The Windmill. However, seems they meant the day before, when of course I'm busy. So instead I'm going to True West, with Kit Harington, at the Vaudeville. Cheapest tickets from the venue.
Next Thursday, Hazel of Walks, Talks and Treasure Hunts, London Guided Walks (and, indeed, Walking in London) has a Christmas Carol Tour. Now, the last two events I booked with her turned out to be no-shows.. the first might not have been her fault, as she was advertising someone else's event, but the second, she just missed the ball on and left three of us standing on a street corner. Whether this event happens is anyone's guess! Now, it's technically more expensive if you book on Funzing - but if you have my discount (Funzing_Fb20) ;-) it comes down to the same price she charges on her own site, without the booking fee! So I did it that way. But then Henning, with the London European Club, advertised a Happy Xmaths evening at Imperial College, the same night! Festive fun for maths geeks. Plus it's free - you just have to register with Eventbrite. (I see London Social Detours is also doing it now - for a fee. Funny, I wouldn't have put her down as mathsy! Oh, also London Science and Geek Chic Socials.) Anyway, I thought it'd be great to get back with this group. And since I booked the walk with Funzing, I've cancelled and will get a full refund. And I feel no sadness at missing an evening with Hazel, after what's been happening. But gee, this evening is proving to be one of the more popular- now a colleague has booked it for his leaving do. So I'm now going to that instead. Nibbles arranged at The Enterprise.
On the 7th, back with UITCS at the Royal Court, for The Cane. Got the very last ticket, phew!
On the 8th, with them again at the Orange Tree Theatre for The Double Dealer.
On the 9th, the Crick Crack Club is back at the British Museum for I Know Not, a full afternoon of Sufi legend.
On the 10th, I'm off to the Bridge Theatre for A Very, Very, Very Dark Matter, by Martin McDonagh. Starring Jim Broadbent, this is a dark take on Hans Christian Anderson! Our new starter saw it last week, and proclaimed it "weird". Well, weird is good.
On the 11th, I was going with North London Friends to The Convert, at the Young Vic. Discounted top-price seats, it seems! And then, the Crick Crack Club sent around an advertising email - and damnit if they haven't arranged a meeting that night! The House of Nine Lives is at the British Library, and has Nell Phoenix, Tim Ralphs, and TUUP talking about pussycats. Irresistible. However, I don't get my money back for the play unless they sell on the ticket - hopefully they can.
The 12th is our office Christmas party, but Let's Do This has advertised a Christmas dinner- which sounds a more attractive prospect. So I'm doing that instead. Places filled up quickly with regulars.
On the 13th, I'm thrilled to be going to Matthew Bourne's Swan Lake, at Sadler's Wells, with UITCS. He's a fantastic choreographer, but I've never before gotten around to seeing this all-male version. Then I'm back to Ireland for the weekend again.
And on the 17th, the Crick Crack Club is performing Gilgamesh, at Soho Theatre. With Ben Haggerty in the spotlight, this will be a treat! Sold out, of course - you have to book these things early. Meeting Helen for a meal beforehand.
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