Tonight, back with London Classical Music and Theatre Group (LCMTG) for a concert at Wigmore Hall. Happily, there were a few people coming that I know and it'd be great to see them, as always.
Well, I could have taken the bus - but wouldn't you know it, got tied up in other stuff, and it came down to a choice between bus and eating. Eating took precedence, so Tube it was - while I still can, what with yet another strike looming! So, that deposited me quite near the venue, quite quickly. And I was glad I'd taken the quicker option, because I met one of the group downstairs, where we'd agreed - the organiser had gotten stuck in work (ah, I remember that!), and came along later. Sadly, we never did meet with the others who'd said they were coming.
It wasn't long till concert time, and my seat turned out to be right at the front, at the side of the stage. I had the better side too, behind the pianist (András Schiff), so I could see what was going on! May I recommend Row AA, by the way, rather than Rows BB or CC. They're all to the side of the stage, but of the three, AA is the only one that faces the stage - in the others, you have to turn to see.
Now, this concert was beset by misfortune! We had email after email from the organisers - the singer dropped out (we discovered tonight that she'd lost her voice), so her numbers had to be dropped, the instrument that the pianist was playing was changed, and the violinist caught Covid and couldn't leave Austria! which meant the programme had to be changed (again), because they were one musician down and couldn't play anything meant for a quartet. Oy ve. The violinist's absence was only communicated today, and I guess it was too late to upload the new programme, because András announced each piece from stage instead. Now, this is part of a Haydn festival, so we could at least guarantee it was all Haydn. Oh, and they scrapped the interval.
After all that fuss, I have to say, it was the loveliest concert I've been to in a while. Those who are going to multiple concerts in the series were warned in today's email that there would be repetition, but that wasn't an issue for those of us only attending tonight. The guy sitting in Row BB - who was right beside me - remarked to his companion in awe, as we waited for the concert to start, that this pianist is regarded as one of the finest in the world! Well, I'm no expert, but he seemed quite accomplished to me. Also quite a droll MC, as he introduced the pieces and remarked on their bad luck! Which was compounded during the encore, when one of the remaining musicians broke a string..
Afterwards, it was just me and the organiser for drinks - we walked the other attendee we'd met back to the station, and headed, in the rain, for what was the nearest pub - the Berkshire Lounge Bar, part of the Radisson. Where I had a lovely Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc, and he had a Chilean red, in comfortable surrounds, watching people scurry by in the rain outside. Ah, I miss staying in hotels.. Anyway, another lovely event with this group. And I got the bus home - I should have had more faith in the elusive #8 though; just because TFL has no idea where it is doesn't mean it isn't coming! as I found out when it rounded the corner just as I was wondering whether I was in the right place. Just as well, considering it passes so close to my house!
Tomorrow, Interesting Talks London is discussing - via Zoom - IEMT and Psoriasis - How Moving Your Eyes Helps a Skin Condition! Hmm.. well, saves me travelling on a strike day.
On Wednesday, wouldn't you know it, Helen is unexpectedly in town for a conference. But that evening, I'm back with Civilised London (CL) for a Turkish meal, at Liman - meeting beforehand at The Crown, as usual. And this group doesn't take +1s! Nuts. So I've agreed to head over to Earl's Court to meet her briefly before tearing across town for my other event. Whoever said my life wasn't complicated.. will have to keep a close eye on the Tube situation though.
On Thursday, I was supposed to be back with Guided Walking Tours in Brighton and Sussex, for what promises to be a very interesting talk: Dark Days Virtual Show - The Dark Days of Edgar Allen Poe. Love Edgar Allen Poe, myself. But it was then rescheduled, and I can't make the new date. Have requested a refund. So, looking for something else to do, I came across Over 40 Living the Life. Who are off to the Vauxhall Comedy Club. Two interesting things about this. Firstly, the group is charging twice what the venue is advertising - so fine, I won't go with the group. Secondly, the venue is adding a 50p booking fee to what they're advertising. So, you know, seems a bit rich to advertise an "early bird" charge, then add a booking fee. But whatever. I'm going. On my own. (Oh, it does include a free drink.) Tickets from Design My Night.
On Friday, Laurence Summers and the 45+ Not Grumpy Old Londoners have another walk - A Vibrant Village! Walking Tour of Marylebone. And as it's pretty unlikely that I'll have started my new job by then, I've said I'll go (provisionally). Lunch after as well, of course! and this time, I don't have a flight to catch.
On Saturday, back with them all again for the Heavenly Heights of Hampstead Walking Tour. Heavens, I shall be fit after the Hampstead hills..
On Sunday, it's back with the Crick Crack Club (CCC) for Atalanta, as recounted by Ben Haggarty, at the British Museum. Assuming their pipes are fixed. Well, he is the man for Greek mythology..
Next Monday, I'm back with Up in the Cheap Seats (UITCS) for a new version of Wuthering Heights, at the National. Well, this was my favourite book for a long time - let's see what they've done to it!
On the eighth, I'm at Anarchy at the Opera, at Hoxton Hall. Courtesy of TAC. Where we're going to hear some lesser known works..
On the ninth and 10th, back with LCMTG, The ninth, it's a concert at the Southbank Centre, where Sheku Kanneh-Mason plays Shostakovich. Apart from numerous other accolades, he achieved worldwide renown after playing at the wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.
On the 10th, we're back to the Barbican for a concert of Haydn music by the Academy of Ancient Music. Then I'm back to Ireland for the weekend again.
On the 14th, more classical music at the Barbican - this time it's with London Baroque Music Lovers, and this is Handel with Les Arts Florissants.
On the 15th, headed with UITCS to The Woods, at Southwark Playhouse. Aw man, it's over a year since I last saw a performance from there, and over two years since I was last there in person! And would you believe it, I bought a PAYG subscription from them years ago, and it still entitles me to free tickets. So I used it for this! With the group having snapped up most of the front row, I'm in the row behind..
On the 16th, I'm back with LCMTG - for a play this time! We're seeing Straight Line Crazy, with Ralph Fiennes, at the Bridge. Just as well we booked early - availability is low for that night.
The 17th is, of course, St. Patrick's Day. In Ireland, it's a bank holiday - here, Kíla is playing the London Irish Centre again. A standing gig, this time. Should be mad.
On the 18th, I'm back with London European Club, for 24 Italian Songs & Arias, at Battersea Arts Centre. They're operating a "Pay What You Can" scheme, where you pay what you want, between £5 and £35 - recommended price, £16. They even sent me a survey afterwards to see what I thought!
On the 19th, back with Laurence and the 45+s - this time, it's Highgate: A Very English Village.
On the 20th.. someone I swore I'd never do a walk with again. Well, we'll see whether she's back on form - Walks, Talks & Treasure Hunts (WTTH) is off on a walk called Secrets of Belgravia. (Courtesy of her company, London Guided Walks.) The code MEETUP3 gets you a £3 discount on all her walks - which does cover the booking fee of £1, not advertised before you come to the point of purchasing the ticket. Well, it'll be a start if she shows up!
On the 21st, I'm at another Zoom talk - Quakers at War is the story of the Quakers and their pacifism. Courtesy of Surrey History Meetup.
On the 22nd.. I'm booked for Dear Evan Hansen, at the Noel Coward Theatre! Finally - I'd booked for this before lockdown, and of course it got cancelled. Cheapest tickets from the official site.
On the 23rd, back with CL - back at Le Sacré Coeur, meeting beforehand at The Crown, as usual.
On the 24th, back with TAC for Avocado Presents - Improv, at Etcetera Theatre. Eh, I think it's a jazz concert? Anyway, then back to Ireland for the weekend again.
On the 28th of next month, going to see Daddy at the Almeida. Having never seen a bad production here, I have high hopes.
On the 29th of next month, finally going to see Andrew Lloyd Webber's Cinderella! I hear good things.. it's playing at the Gillian Lynne Theatre, which is new to me - Seatplan was invaluable in choosing the best seating option. What's On Stage provided the cheapest price for that seat, though!
On the 30th of next month, back with CL - for a play this time. This is The Fever Syndrome, at Hampstead Theatre.
On the 31st of next month, back with TAC for One Night With Robbie Williams. This is at The Courtyard.
On the 1st of April, back with the CCC for - The Grand Annual Lying Contest! at Rich Mix.
On the 2nd of April, back with WTTH for a Regent's Canal Walk. Different guide.
On the 3rd of April, the CCC again! Emily Hennessey and Sheema Mukherjee are at the British Museum, with Holy Cow! Tales from the River of Life.
On the 4th of April, I'm back at the Park Theatre for the first time in nearly three years! This is for Clybourne Park, a comedy about a white family moving into a predominantly black neighbourhood.
On the 5th of April, I'm headed to But I'm a Cheerleader, a musical comedy at the Turbine Theatre.
On the 6th of April, back with UITCS at Southwark Playhouse, and another free ticket for me! This time, it's for Anyone Can Whistle, with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim.
On the 7th of April, Tommy Tiernan is playing at the Eventim Apollo! Now, I failed to get a ticket for this the first time around. Then it was rescheduled because of Covid.. and I got a ticket for the rescheduled event! Then that was rescheduled.. third time lucky?! Love Tommy Tiernan. The show is called Tomfoolery. And then it's back to Ireland for the weekend again.
And on the 11th of April, I've booked for The 47th, at The Old Vic. Written by Mike Bartlett, this imagines the American presidential elections of 2024. I am really looking forward to this play..
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