Comedy: One Night with Robbie Williams

Well, well, well - went out for food today.. and it snowed on me! I know they had little snowmen on the weather forecast, but this is London! Bitterly cold, too. Tonight, I was back with TAC for One Night With Robbie Williams. This was at The Courtyard. Walking distance - oh Lordy, and on a day like today! Never mind, off I set - into the most bitter, driving wind. "Bracing", someone described it as. "Vicious" would be closer to the truth.

Needing food - and warmth - I broke my journey at Pizza Express, reasoning that I hadn't been for a while. I've had pollo pesto the last few times, so fancied a change, and reverted to the pollo ad astra pizza, which I used to like. Knowing that I wouldn't finish a whole pizza, I skipped a starter, and just went for a rather delectable glass of Sauvignon Blanc - new to the menu, it seems! The pizza was nice, but sure enough, proved too much - but I did eat most. Service was flawless - I was never left alone too long, and the waiter was just the right amount of friendly. Anticipating my wishes, he asked whether I'd like a dessert menu, and when I ordered "just vanilla gelato", he agreed that that was just perfect to counteract the heat of the pizza. And it was delicious, so rich. Such a pain to brave that wind again.. Got a nice "goodbye" from him, though.

Between having to keep checking the map and having to keep wiping my eyes, which were tearing up in the wind, I had a terrible time. Had to put a glove on the hand holding the phone, or get frostbite - couldn't have one on the other hand, which I needed to work the phone! Boy, was I glad to get to the theatre. Also glad that I'd been here before - and my previous blog post was helpful in finding the entrance tonight, although I think the doorway was a little better advertised. The fellow at the bottom of the stairs cheerily asked me whether I had a ticket, I cheerily told him whom I'd booked with, and I headed into the bar.

Where someone was telling someone else about the snow. See? I didn't dream it. So I corroborated the story, and got a very reasonably priced large wine. Loved standing right under the heater, blowing hot air on me! Not seeing any spare tables in this too-small bar, I shared a table with a single lady, and we chatted a little - I explained that I'd been there five years or so ago, and she exclaimed how good it was to see places lasting that long! I also brought her attention to the book pages that still cover the wall - she went over to investigate, and discovered that they were all sort of "Daring Dan" and "Boys Own" sorts of stories. And in due course, we went in - well, I should say, along the hall, up the stairs, across the dance studio, and in, taking unassigned seats.

Started late, of course - unless you count the Robbie Williams soundtrack that ran for 10 minutes beforehand! Now, again I was misled by the blurb, which sounded as though she was going to be ranting about all the things she hated. No, not really - what she was doing was reliving a day with lots of detestable things in it, which did come across very funny! She started with a job interview, carried on to a night out that led to a hook-up.. and finished with a poignant tribute to her mother, and the only grownup conversation they ever had! Very good.. mild audience interaction, including her asking for a pen - which I could have provided her with, but I'd have had to dig! Glad I went to that - it only had two performances, finished tonight. Happily, the wind had died down for my walk home.

Well, I finally got a provisional start date from my new job - and it's next week. So tomorrow, still being free, I've booked with Laurence Summers and the 45+ Not Grumpy Old Londoners for a daytime walk. This is Tinker, Tailor, Soldier & a Hatful of Spies - and comes highly recommended from previous attendees! In fact, I got the last spot (at the time, anyway). 

That evening, back with the Crick Crack Club (CCC) for - The Grand Annual Lying Contest! at Rich Mix.

On Saturday, I had booked with Walks, Talks & Treasure Hunts for a Regent's Canal Walk. But yay, Laurence and the 45+s then advertised another walk for that day, which is pretty much guaranteed to be superior. So I've booked it. This is Scandals, Scriptwriters & Sumptuous Architecture - and of course, it being a London weekend, I can go!

That evening, an ex-colleague of mine is having a leaving do - he's emigrating. Happening at The Woodman, in Highgate. I said I'd put in an appearance.

On Sunday, the CCC again! Emily Hennessey and Sheema Mukherjee are at the British Museum, with Holy Cow! Tales from the River of Life. Unfortunately, the London Landmarks Half Marathon is also that day, so I'll probably be on the Tube, at least getting to the museum. 

On Monday, 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 Tuesday, I'm headed to But I'm a Cheerleader, a musical comedy at the Turbine Theatre.

On Wednesday, back with Up in the Cheap Seats at Southwark Playhouse, and another free ticket for me! This time, it's for Anyone Can Whistle, with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim.

Next Thursday, Tommy Tiernan is playing at the Hammersmith 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.

On the 11th, 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..

On the 12th, I'm finally going to Six, the Musical! Based around the story of the six wives of Henry VIII (very loosely, I'd say), it's playing at the Vaudeville and I hear good things. Cheapest tickets from Leicester Square Box Office.

On the 13th, back with Civilised London, who are off to the opera at the Southbank Centre. The show in question is The Paradis Files. Next day, I'm back to Ireland for Easter - but left it so late to book, I could only get an afternoon flight, and will have to start my new job (whenever) by asking for that day off work!

Well, my friend got back to me - they're away in the middle of Easter week, back on the 21st, so the most sensible thing to do seemed to be to visit on the 22nd, which I've now arranged with her. Whether I take that week as holiday, or take the laptop there and work from Ireland, remains to be seen. Anyway, I'll fly back to London on the 24th. And on the 25th, I'm off to The Corn is Green, at the National.