Play: The Lehman Trilogy

Last night, off to The Lehman Trilogy, at the Gillian Lynne Theatre. Based on the true story of the bank that collapsed. Got the last £39.50 ticket! Unfortunately, it's an early start - and the boss just noticed last week that I didn't get invited to the new session of Wednesday meetings. Which run on late. So, I thought it'd be rushed to eat - unless I went to Pret.

Well yippee, the meeting finished early! May they all do so. So I got to GBK - I decided not to risk eating closer, and felt like GBK anyway. And it was lovely - although it beats me why they put such large chicken escalopes in the chicken burgers! They're lovely - but they're twice the length of the bun they're nominally placed in. I ended up cutting off the end of it and eating it separately..

Well, after that, I still had time to walk to the theatre. I'd mistaken which one it was.. this one is in Drury Lane. And it was crammed, a reception crowding the lobby. They either forgot to check my bag, or decided it wasn't worth it. Anyway, happily, my ticket mentioned which door I needed, and I spotted it on my way to the bar - as she said, I was doing better than most, knowing already where I was going!

Now, on Tuesday, I had an horrendous climb to my level - it was nearly as bad last night, although I didn't actually count the steps. And there are only two levels here! At least I'm getting exercise. I was also a bit worried, after my experience on Tuesday, about the legroom - the information email they sent warned that my seat was on the end of the row, with no aisle, and had less legroom than other seats. Well, I needn't have worried about that! Even at that, I had plenty - more than twice the legroom of Tuesday. And a large space to dump my stuff in - spare space, because of the curvature of the rows. And the view was almost perfect - except that the set has a roof, and there's one scene, where a couple of the actors stand on a table, and I couldn't see their faces. Otherwise perfect. It's also nice that you can bring in your drink.

Now, this is a long play. But it is excellent! Well worth the effort, please believe me. The writing is tremendous. The play evolves over three acts, with an interval between each two. Part I, Three Brothers, concerns the original Lehman brothers, German Jews who arrived in America in the 19th century. They settled in Montgomery, Alabama, and with keen business acumen, soon saw that the big money was in the cotton trade. But the Civil War decimated the Southern plantations, and put paid to that as a money-making enterprise. So they got into banking. Then, gee, one of the brothers paid a visit to New York, and saw that was where the big money was being made. So, off they went..

Part II is Fathers and Sons, where we meet the next generation, who take the business to new heights. And Part III, The Immortal, refers principally to Philip Lehman, as we see the business move into the modern era, and its final phase, as it sees the last connection with the family cut, and heads for its inevitable decline.

The set is a revolving cube, with glass walls, representing offices, or whatever it needs to. Projections on the back wall represent whatever scene we're in, be it the cotton fields of the south, or the skyscrapers of New York - and also give a sense of what we're supposed to be feeling: from the optimism as new family members come up with new, exciting, and lucrative ideas, to the gloom of financial disasters. Only three actors - who represent everyone in the play, without ever changing costume: but it's so well-written, and acted, that it doesn't matter.

The script is stunning. And this is a real love letter to the old style of banking, and the founders of the company - most disparaging of the new generation who bring in computers, and a less wholesome way of doing business. And yes, it is surprisingly moving - and never less than enthralling. Forget the idea of having to sit through the fusty story of a banking dynasty - this is the story of a family who were very good at making money, and the entrepreneurial spirit that always sustained them. And it's never less than enthralling.

Runs till the 20th May - and tickets from next month can be got really cheaply, at time of writing.. Highly recommended.

Couldn't blog last night, had to be up for a morning meeting. Tonight, back with Up in the Cheap Seats (UITCS) for Winner's Curse, at the Park Theatre - an interactive show about a peace negotiation. Turns out North London Friends are headed to it tonight too - what, are they now copying this group, as another group did some time ago? (since closed down). Left it so late I'll have to eat at Pret, ironically!

Tomorrow, I'm back to Ireland again. Now that the full weekend listings for Ireland are finally out, I'm thinking the weekend film is like to be The Whale, starring Brendan Fraser in an Oscar-nominated performance as a morbidly obese English teacher, looking to reconnect with his estranged daughter. Funnily enough, I was thinking the Omniplex, as Ennis doesn't have a time early enough - but the original listing I saw in the Omniplex was wrong, and now it seems they don't either! So I'll head to the Odeon - more expensive, but what can you do?

On Monday, I'm headed to Allegiance, starring George Takei in a musical based on the true story of his time in an American internment camp during the Second World War. Showing at the Charing Cross Theatre.

On Tuesday, back to the cinema - for Tár, finally, in which Cate Blanchett is Oscar-nominated for her part as a driven, genius classical conductor. Looks nice and tense - and I'm lucky to be able to see it, as it's no longer showing in Ireland, and is mostly showing in the daytime in London! Finsbury Park Picturehouse is the closest venue to me that's showing it in the evening.

On Wednesday, back with UITCS at the Orange Tree - first time in an age - for Duet for One, starring Tara Fitzgerald.

And next Thursday, my first event with The Hideout: Horror Sci-Fi Club London, who are at The Drayton Arms for a play, The Shroud of Charon - part of their Lovecraft Festival!

Musical: Cinderella

Tonight, finally went to see Andrew Lloyd Webber's Cinderella! I heard good things.. it's playing at the Gillian Lynne Theatre, which was new to me - Seatplan was invaluable in choosing the best seating option. What's On Stage provided the cheapest price for that seat, though!

Looking for somewhere to eat beforehand, I didn't even know where it was.. Drury Lane, it turned out. I fancied Cote - and the nearest was the Covent Garden branch. So, there I headed - a bus kindly obliged me by arriving just as I did, and I arrived at the restaurant on the dot of the time I'd arranged for. I was just a little dubious after my experience at the St. Martin's Lane branch - but I needn't have worried. Service was quick - and friendly as could be - and the food was excellent. And this time, I got to have chocolate ice cream - which is so rich, I swear it's the chocolatiest thing on the menu! I know it was a Tuesday, but they just seem better managed here. Kudos.

And so, up the road to the theatre. Ahah! It's the one where School of Rock has been playing every time I've passed it! I just never went to see that, and had never been inside. Well, tonight I got to see the interior. Stairs or escalator up to the lobby, where, as the usher said, "everything is". Oh, and on the escalator, oddly, you stand on the left. Upstairs, you can have the Winter Garden bar on one side, or the Sean Kenny bar on the other - naturally, I went to the latter, and after a trip to the loo, got myself a drink and consulted the nearest usher about the fact that only door numbers, not seat numbers, are displayed on the signs, while a seat number, but no door number, was displayed on my ticket. For seat #4 in the Circle, she directed me to Door 5.. and wow, what a lot of stairs! Ah well, it turned out that the seats either side of me were empty, which gave me plenty of space - indeed, while the Stalls were pretty full, the Circle was half empty. Good legroom, and as promised by Seatplan, the view is just fine - the corner of the stage is cut off, but nothing happens there.

Now, this starts off simperingly sweet. Never fear, it doesn't continue that way.. this is Cinderella with a few twists! I mean, when the rhyme for "Cinderella" is "salmonella".. For a start, Prince Charming has been killed in battle - he'd been engaged to Cinderella, and when his shiny new statue is defaced, the people turn to her (this is a hint that the engagement was not exactly a fairytale). So, his shy and retiring younger brother - generally considered a poor substitute - is now heir to the throne. And needs a bride. And has to choose one at a ball. And.. you know the rest.

Cue the interval - and I needed the loo again. Unfortunately, the nearest toilets from upstairs only have three cubicles, and the queue lasted forever! Happily, the interval lasted long enough for me to grab a rather nice choc choc chip ice cream. The vendor asked me whether it was my first time seeing this (!). I mean, I have been known to go to repeat showings of things, but generally restrict that to U2 concerts..

And so to the second half. And if you thought you knew the story, think again.. this has been rethunk. Oh, and if you're in the front stalls - in front of that barrier - try not to leave your seat in the second half. Because - possibly just to centre the stage for the ball - the stage rotates, and for a while that bit of the audience ends up on the other side. Must be interesting if you are sitting there, mind.

The music, as you'd expect, is cracking. And I love what they've done with the story! Yes, this is good fun.. Booking until the 19th of February, recommended. Very clever take on the tale.

Damn cold again - I'm back in my winter coat. And it drizzled on me on the way back, unexpectedly. Tomorrow, back with Civilised London (CL) - for a play this time. This is The Fever Syndrome, at Hampstead Theatre.

On Thursday, back with TAC for One Night With Robbie Williams. This is at The Courtyard.

On Friday, my job still being up in the air, I've provisionally - again - 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). Do hope I can make it.

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.

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

On the 6th, 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.

On the 7th, 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 CL, 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.