Film for yesterday - once the listings finally came out - was Róise & Frank. Set in the Irish-speaking Gaeltacht, it's the story of a grieving, recently bereaved woman, who becomes convinced that a stray dog she finds is the reincarnation of her husband, Frank.. Not showing in London at all, it seems, but I could see it in Ennis.
Mercifully, no parking problems, and I made it in time. A few people in the screen ahead of me. I took a seat (they don't ask before they assign you a seat for the matinée, it's never crowded, so I just take what I want). I was glad not to have a gang of bored teenagers in the back, as before - it helps to have a few genuine patrons there, who actually want to see the film. Only a couple of ads, and we were into the feature - they never have many ads, here. Certainly not for the matinées.
I did actually recognise a few actors - Bríd ní Neachtain plays Róise, Lorcan Cranitch is her amorous next-door neighbour, Olga Wehrly plays another, younger widow. The sort of actors whose names you don't remember, but who tend to crop up here and there. Lots of "Ooh, who's that?" moments.
And ah, it's lovely! Lovely sea views, as usual - filmed, unusually, not in the West, but in Ring in Waterford. The Sunny Southeast, as they call it. Quite a slow pace, but a very well-observed film about grief: no histrionics, just a sad, ageing woman who takes to her bed, losing interest in everything. It's only as she becomes certain that her husband has come back to her in the form of a dog that we see the woman she used to be! Plenty of humour, from the bemused locals who realise what's going on, from her frustrated son, who's the local doctor, and sees this from a clinical viewpoint, and from the local lad, too shy to try out for the local hurling team, but who gets a confidence boost from the hurling-mad dog! (just like the man who's supposed to be reincarnated in him, he has a great love of the game).
So, a sweet film, plenty of chuckles. Highly recommended - pooh to the lady I said it to, and who looked at me in shock that I would suggest such a thing! I didn't blog last night because my mother's decrepit laptop was playing up, and it had run too late to be bothered with fixing it - happily, I had the time to do it this afternoon, because Ryanair has reverted to late flights again. (Lord knows what time I'll get in, though.) I could have headed to a film today, but what was on at a suitable time didn't suit.
On Wednesday - originally, nothing better coming up than Soho Comedy Factory, upstairs at The Blue Posts. Now, last Thursday, I was to be back with Up in the Cheap Seats (UITCS) - for Noor, at Southwark Playhouse. The true story of a WWII spy - and bought, as usual, on my PAYG subscription - which gives you cheap tickets to five shows, and never expires. But wouldn't you know it, that performance was cancelled. Instead, I've changed my booking for Noor to this night. Sadly, not with the group, who rearranged for a night I can't go.
On Friday, I was heading to The Horror Show at Somerset House - a horror-based art exhibition - with The Horror Book Club. But then Civilised London popped up with another meal - so I booked that, and we were headed to Champor Champor, a Thai / Malay restaurant. Meeting beforehand at The Rose, nearby. Until he decided, just last Thursday, to cancel it! I supposed he hadn't wanted to do it with only two of us, since I was - unusually - the only one to sign up. But to my further surprise - he kicked me out of the group later that night! No warning, no explanation - not very "civilised". Jeez, I suppose he's had enough of me. And you think you know someone.. Can't believe I used to consider him a friend.
Killer is, he was such a good reference for good eateries - and the group is private, so without being a member, I won't be able to see where he's going. Ah well, TBH, I was beginning to feel out of place with the people who were attending the meals.. which was pretty much all I was doing with the group, lately. Meantime, I'm back at The Horror Show - at least the ticket won't go to waste!
On Saturday, planned another meal with the people that are harder to herd than cats! But lo, of the four people I invited, three have now bowed out. Jeez.. so I'm down to just the same person that was the only one to make it last time, so I decided to head somewhere different. For variety. We're going to The Garrick Arms, which is in a nice, central area, and is - crucially - a Greene King pub: so I can have my pie!
On the 14th, not having been with LCMTG for ages, I'm with them for the second time in a week! Heading to Wigmore Hall this time, for the Takács Quartet, who are playing Beethoven. Now sold out - and I'm not surprised, given that when I booked, I got one of the last three (top price) seats! Ah well, it wasn't astronomical - and I do love Beethoven.
On the 15th, back at the QT Bar - for the RB and Soul Revue. Now, they put on a great show - but, given my experience last time, I'll know to buy my drink at the upstairs bar and take it down with me - better choice! And at least this time, I'll know where I'm going.. Pity I didn't think to check CT first, who have cheap tickets!!
On the 17th, I'm back with UITCS at the Coliseum, for a performance of Yeomen of the Guard, by Gilbert & Sullivan. And knowing the steepness of the steps in the Balcony - and the irregularity - and what with my stairs phobia - I've done my best to get a seat at the side, so I can use the handrail to get down. Oh, and an aisle seat, what with the restricted legroom..
Then I'm back to Ireland again. On the 19th, UL is hosting a PhD reunion, with a tour of the campus and, crucially, free lunch. And I'll be using the occasion to catch up with an old friend and, hopefully, find out what finally prompted him to quit lecturing at last, more than 10 years after I did, considering he was bullied even worse than I was! With a late flight the next day, I might get to a film as well..
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