Film: Everything Everywhere All at Once

Well, on Sunday night I seemed to hit the jackpot. Found an ideal rental property, at a good price - jumped while the iron was hot, and paid a booking deposit. Arranged a viewing for Friday. Red flags, however, started to be raised when she asked for an additional amount, because "someone else had offered three months' rent on top". I let myself be persuaded into paying the extra, which was going to a different account.. however, the bank didn't like it, and blocked the payment. I'm now trying to fob her off until I've had the viewing..

Last night, I headed to a film - Everything Everywhere All at Once is a Chinese English-language comedy about a woman (Michelle Yeoh) travelling through multiple alternate realities. James Hong is her father. Jamie Lee Curtis shows up too, kind of as the bad guy (in multiple multiverses). Previews last night. Nearest showing to me was in Hackney Picturehouse, and I booked because it was booking heavily.

It wasn't on until late, so I decided to take a trip out to that rental property, see whether I could find anything out. Found the apartment, rang the bell and spoke to someone there, who had "no idea" whether they had a room to rent! Helpful. She suggested I try Flat 1 (?), which I did - and the lady there suggested I try Flat 2, from which there was no answer. I decided I'd get no more information there, and left. Have to say though, that Hopper fare earned its worth - I took two buses to get there, two more buses from there to the cinema, and paid just a single fare for all four journeys! Saw a lot of London too, of course.

So, I had a little time to spare at the cinema - but no time to eat anything really, and grabbed a bag of Maltesers to take to the till, where I ordered a wine as well. And had to ask where the film was showing - I'd screenshotted the QR code (which no-one ever asks for, here), but no other information! Screen 3 it was, but the usher at the entrance to the screens said it wasn't ready yet, and to take a seat. I did, but it wasn't long before he alerted me that the screen was ready, and I should go in. Of course, the signposting here is woeful, so he had to direct me to the back stairs that led up to the screen. Where I located my seat without too much trouble - I remembered it anyway. And I needed the number, because the screen was very nearly booked out!

Aw man, this is terrific! The entire, packed house had a great time, plenty of laugh-out-loud moments - because This. Is. Completely. Bonkers. Simon Pegg crossed with The Matrix, written by Douglas Adams. We see bits of sundry multiverses throughout, but the thread that runs through them all is her relationships with her husband and their daughter - very strongly conveyed. Which lends it gravitas. However, I suspect that what will remain with the audience long after is, firstly, the way she hops around the multiverses, picking up skills from sundry other existences (think Neo in The Matrix, plugging his brain into the system to pick up skills). Hell, like him, she learns Kung Fu.. Second is the way you can jump from one to the other, by doing something statistically improbable. Which is generally deliciously odd..

We see lots of multiverses, as I say, but as a Douglas Adams fan, my absolute favourite has to be the one that doesn't support life, so she and her daughter appear as rocks. That can think at each other. Oh, I have to love where they go with this.. Seriously the oddest film I've seen in years, but this one works! Highly recommended.

My trip home would have been shorter if Google Maps hadn't suggested getting off the #55 and getting the #N26 - which wasn't due for 25 minutes, it turned out! I ended up getting back on the #55, for another change further down. 10 minutes wasted there. And back too late to blog, as I had an early-morning meeting scheduled - which didn't happen in the end, my computer was playing up!

Tonight, I had what was probably my last event rescheduled because of Covid - I was headed to the postponed Tarot, at Soho Theatre. Wow, it's over two years since I was there last.. (and now TAC have tickets, blast.) But then it was cancelled, and now I'm headed - with TAC - to Death and the Maiden at The Tower Theatre.

Tomorrow, back with TAC - for another operatic evening at Hoxton Hall. National Opera Studio is presenting Mozart: Secrets and Seduction. (So much for Meetup being busy on Wednesdays!) So, two days in a row with them - ironically, Guided Walking Tours in Brighton and Sussex have online talks scheduled for both nights - and I would have gone to either, or both, but the links weren't working! By the time the organiser updated them, I'd booked for the other events.

On Thursday, my only Meetup of the week - I'm back with Up in the Cheap Seats, to see a performance of As You Like It at Wilton's. Went for a slightly more expensive seat than usual, this time - I'm sick of straining my neck.

Then back to Ireland for the weekend - would you believe it, I've exhausted the films showing locally that I'm interested in! So it'll be a quiet one.

On Monday, headed to Middle, at the National.

Next Tuesday, back with Civilised London for a meal at last - this one is at Mestizo (Mexican). Not usually my favourite, but I'll give it a shot. Meeting beforehand at the Crown & Anchor.

On the 18th - well, I saw on Meetup that a group called Get a Tech Developer Job has a free webinar, Learn Web Scraping with Python! Now, we're expected to use Python in my new job, and I never have - so this could be very handy indeed.

On the 19th, I'm headed to the Crick Crack Club again, for Astray, at Rich Mix. A storytelling double bill, both Irish ladies telling Irish myths!

On the 20th, headed to Marys Seacole, at Donmar Warehouse. Based on a true story. I've heard mixed reviews - we shall see.

And on the 21st - well Lordy, I've booked for the Roman London Walk, with Walk About London (also advertised on Walks, Talks & Treasure Hunts - both linked to London Guided Walks). Now, I missed the last two I was booked on with this company - third time lucky?

Film: Flee

Well, had a really lovely chat today with a recruiter who came across my profile, and the company looks really promising - I already have an interview scheduled for tomorrow. Wish me luck! Anyway, I decided to celebrate that much with a meal out - and headed, again, for Cote. On my way in, passed an enticing ad for their beef cheek bourgignon - well, I thought, why not, and had that. With bread and butter to start - £3.50 is a bit much, considering I only ate half the bread, but it was nice, and I was hungry. And the bourgignon - was as delectable as the ad! Melt in the mouth, with a rich sauce - highly recommended - although the mash was a bit bland, but fine when mixed with the rest. And I didn't even need to pour any of the sauce from the little jug that accompanied it - there was already enough on the plate! Service came with a broad smile, as usual. I really do like eating here - and it was pleasantly roasting, after the cold breeze outside.

This evening - film beckoned. And that blasted film list still isn't coming through properly until the Sunday of any given week, two days AFTER the films change - anyway, when it finally did, I was able to confirm that (apart from a couple of Indian films that I just couldn't spark an interest in) top of the list were two documentaries. The one I was more interested in was Flee, the animated story of an Afghan refugee, reminiscing on his story years later, on the verge of getting married. Looked really good - the closest showing to me was in Hackney Picturehouse.

Turned out I had enough Tesco vouchers for a £6 Picturehouse voucher (for this offer, they multiply the value of your Tesco voucher by 3), so I bought that before I left! Headed off in good time, and had the usual confusion with the doors - you enter via the one marked "kitchen". Presented my voucher at the till - just because you have a voucher doesn't mean you have to prebook, and not booking saves the reservation fee. And the confusion over how to use the voucher online - I'm still not sure it worked, last time. Also bought a glass of wine - which I took the precaution of having served in plastic, so I could take it in. Handily, they have cafe-style tables where you can sit. Even handier, they have a lift - considering this screen is on the third floor, that was much appreciated!

Lovely, comfy cinema seats too - that recline. And I had space on either side, for my stuff. A handful of people in the audience. Not too many ads, and off we went. The film is mostly animated - there is live-action news footage, where relevant to the events of the story: because this is the true story of a little boy who had to flee Afghanistan with his family, who ended up scattered all over Europe. And it's really poignant - you do lose a little of the human element with the animation, but it's very sensitively done. And the stories of the different family members are horrendous - some of which I remember from the news, and all of which are so representative of refugees to this day. Refugees packed into containers for days on end, refugees crammed onto leaky, dangerous boats.. trudging for miles through the snow, dealing with violent thugs.. this family went through hell. It's no wonder the poor man was left traumatised. Sadly, a story of our time.

Note.. in this cinema, you can only leave by the end door. V complicated door policy, if you ask me!

Tomorrow, back with The Garden Talks - this time, the talk is on Why Did WW1 Inspire So Many Utopian Experiments? As the organiser points out, not only wars, but also pandemics seem to inspire that kind of thinking, about what makes a better world - so, quite topical at the moment!

On Thursday, leaving drinks at my job - for me! I only wish I had another sorted - fingers crossed. Better to have them on a Thursday, when there are free drinks in the office. To start us off. Then back to Ireland for the weekend - and unfortunately, I can't get to the cinema while I'm there this time - I have to run an errand for my mother.

On Monday (Valentine's Day) - wouldn't you know it, the West End has gone all romantic! with a one-night-only performance of West End Musical Love Songs! Well now, that seems like a good way to spend the evening. Showing in the Lyric, cheapest from the venue. Mind you, considering that the very cheapest are right behind pillars - and remembering the horrendous experience I had in one of those seats before - I went up a price bracket, and am in the rear stalls. With a pillar "in my sightline", but not squeezing into my legroom. Which should be fine.

Next Tuesday, I'm at The Glow, in the Royal Court - nice, spooky sounding play about someone with a gift for the supernatural! As usual, not a place you can really get discounted tickets for - but slips tickets tend to be great value, as long as you're not too close to the stage and having to crane your neck.

On the 16th, I'm back with Guided Walking Tours in Brighton and Sussex, for London By Night - an Illuminating Virtual Tour. Online, should be nice.

On the 17th, back with Crick Crack! which should hopefully happen this time. This is a double bill - The Thief's Tale and Future Imperfect, at Rich Mix, Daniel Morden one of the performers. And there are a couple of others from the London European Club coming, which is cool! Unfortunately, the Crick Crack show that was cancelled on Sunday is livestreaming the same night from Oxford! which just can't be helped.

On the 18th, back with Civilised London for a play called The Ballad of Maria Marten, based on a real-life murder mystery, at Wilton's. Now, I'm rather tired of craning my neck here, so I went for a slightly more expensive seat, with a more direct view - albeit still in the balcony.

And on the 19th, I'm headed off with 45+ Not Grumpy Old Londoners again, for Laurence Summers' Elementary Sherlock Walking Tour.

Film: C'mon C'mon

Today, it was looking like film, and what was coming up was - as before, when I changed my mind - C'mon C'mon, where Joaquin Phoenix plays a middle-aged dj who never settled down, but suddenly finds himself in charge of his small nephew. Looked decent, closest showing now in Hackney Picturehouse. I do have a Picturehouse voucher from Tesco, but it doesn't seem to be working..

So, after another day at the battlefield that is work (and how I hate having to fight my way through every day), I set off, a tiny bit too late. So many buses stop at this stop that, although mine was only four minutes away, it was something like the sixth to arrive! Then the traffic was a nightmare - still, I halved Google Maps' estimate of my walking time to the cinema, from where I got off! You can get tickets at the bar - I considered a glass of wine while I was at it, but decided against it. Had to ask directions to Screen 4, though - where I took my seat (kind of woolly upholstery, pullman) while the ads were still playing. Win!

This is shot in arty black and white - and to be honest, the beginning seemed way too introspective for me, and I found myself looking at my watch and wondering how much of it I could stomach. There's a lot of chat between him and his sister about their late mother, and the sister's bipolar husband. But to be fair, as the film progressed, and he became closer to his nephew, it became more engaging. And I have to admit that the acting was super - really natural, with great chemistry between uncle and nephew. So, I ended up liking it. Cool..

Tomorrow, film again. And vying with this one for top spot was Spielberg's remake of West Side Story! So I'm planning to go see that - showing in the Barbican, my closest cinema, and I can walk there. Nice, feelgood choice.

On Wednesday - Civilised London is off for an Italian meal: Terra Rossa is the venue, and we're meeting beforehand in The Crown. And I was really lucky to get a place - he limits attendees to five, for an intimate gathering, and I only got a place today, after someone dropped out! Well now, I do hope I'll be up to it - I'm getting my booster jab earlier in the day.. but it'll be the same as my first two, and I only got a sore arm on those occasions. And I'll have the day off, so can rest in the afternoon!

Thursday is the birthday of someone I used to know from Kensington Classical Music Society. Well, she also works for Talent Unlimited, who promote young classical musicians, and there's a concert that day, at St. James' Church Sussex Gardens (tickets through Eventbrite). She got in touch to see whether I'd be interested, so I said I'd go - we're meeting afterwards in the Royal Lancaster Hotel. Then on Friday (assuming my test is negative, they're making us test again), I'm back to Ireland for the weekend. Probably a quiet one - theatres are still closed there, and the only things worth making the trip to the cinema for are on in the evening! when I have to watch telly with my mother.

Next Monday, my last Meetup of the year.. same group as my last before the major lockdown, which I hope isn't an omen! Mind you, they were called "This and That", then. And practically my first group when I eventually came back! Anyway, Invigorate are off to Dennis Severs' House Museum, which should be lovely, all bedecked for Christmas. I got the last ticket for that time slot! Complete with post-event social, of course.

Now, we had a great old time on Friday - so we're doing it again on the 21st! Well, some of it.. Ivan and I are meeting up with our old colleague at The Spice of Life, which used to be an office haunt when we were with that company.

And on the 22nd, my last social event before Christmas - meeting my ex-boss from my first company in London for our annual hot chocolate and booze. Starting in Caffe Nero, we might well end up in The Hippodrome, as we did before. And why not - we're both on holiday next day, and (again, test permitting) I'm back to Ireland for Christmas that afternoon.. (highly expensive) Aer Lingus again, for the sake of the later flight. Flying back to London on the 3rd. Unless.. I'm not. So I'm taking my laptop to Ireland for Christmas. Just in case.

Comedy: David McSavage, Immigrant Comedy, & Film: Caught in the Net

On Saturday, I got an email from the Top Secret Comedy Club - advertising limited, £8 tickets for a David McSavage show yesterday afternoon. Woo, I love that guy! So I booked - jeez, hadn't been there since the heady days of the Man with the Hat..

For brunch yesterday, I fancied something different. Now, Liverpool Street Station is pretty bereft of eateries these days - but I had noticed something called Eataly, just to the side of the entrance. You couldn't miss it, in fact, bedecked in Christmas finery as it is! Well, Italian, I supposed - so I said that'd surely be OK, and I'd try it.

OMG I had no idea what I was to encounter! Firstly, it's massive - spread over two floors, and extending at least the width of two buildings, it has food markets (Italian, of course) both upstairs and down - and the pick n mix downstairs is truly like Santa's Grotto. I wandered through the whole place, mouth agape. You can actually buy takeaway food at the counters too, and signs advertise that they "cook what [they] sell, and sell what [they] cook"!

Now, I was there for a sit-down meal.. they have no fewer than three restaurants. The ground floor has a spectacular cafe, scrumptious cakes as far as the eye can see - the more substantial fare is to be found upstairs, with a restaurant at either end. They have a pasta / pizza restaurant, of course - and at the station end, a grill restaurant called Terra, which was what I plumped for in the end. She was kind enough to give me a quick look at the menu before I decided, and when I said yes, I was quickly shown to a seat.

Longest Italian wine list in London, apparently. I panicked for a minute, thinking they didn't do wine by the glass - turns out that list is there, although more restrictive; just look for the "Be quick, drink wine" page! I had a Pinot Grigio. And then another. It was damn good. Service throughout was flawless - I haven't seen better.

I skipped a starter, and went straight for the main - first steak I've had in ages, which came with (properly triple-cooked) potatoes on a wooden platter, on a trolley. The server gave me the choice of having it on a plate instead, which she assured me was warm, and is what I opted for - so she happily switched everything over for me. Sauce is always served on the side, here. Not that I really needed it, with steak this good - it was served in slices, strewn with rock salt.. and just perfect.

They don't have a huge dessert menu, as it happens - mostly panettone, which seems to be a house specialty. I had the gianduja panettone, which comes with optional sauce, as do they all - so I had the chocolate sauce. It was nice, but I'm not sure I'd choose it again - it's quite substantial, after a main meal!

Throughout, my every need was anticipated. The waiting staff were attentive and friendly - and the bill, at the end, was served to me in a teeny little envelope. :-) I'm looking forward to going back there again - but it won't become a habit. More suited to a treat, given the bill total! But well worth the visit.

And so, off in the cold to Top Secret. As it happened, when I tried the door, it was still locked - and who but David McSavage himself should open it for me! He was perched on a stool when I got down to the performance area, and we had a merry old chat, mainly about Covid. And how underdressed he was, having come straight over from Dublin, where it was apparently warmer. And how the silver lining about the terrible weather was how it had forced the cancellation of I'm a Celebrity.. ;-) So, if you hear him come out with that in a future show, you know where it came from!

Well, he was worried about a low turnout, but by showtime the place was full. And once he removed his cap - we could see he'd gone blonde! Yuck. Ah well, anyway. So, this was just an hour-long taster show that he threw in, perched on another stool, plucking at a guitar. Seemingly unrehearsed. As he said, other comedians appear unrehearsed, but are faking it and their seeming unpreparedness is actually very well-rehearsed indeed. Not him though - he just hasn't rehearsed. And indeed, this is what it looked like - he tried a few jokes on us, but mainly rambled on for an hour or so. In a very funny manner. Being a surreally funny bloke. I do think it helped that by far the majority of the crowd seemed to be Irish, and therefore knew what to expect.. Anyway, I loved it, always love this guy.

And then I was back in the freezing cold again, back with London European Club - we were off to Immigrant Comedy (standup comedy in English) at the Camden Comedy Club. Tickets from Eventbrite.. two shows, we were going to the later one. So, a Day of Comedy, indeed! Well, I had a variety of bus options - one was direct, so I waited for that, shivering. And it dropped me just a short walk away from The Camden Head, which as it turns out has the Comedy Club above it. Now, I have been here before - years ago! With the - now apparently, sadly, defunct - London Literary Walks. Mind you, that was in daylight, and I didn't remember the place!

I tell you this though, based on this trip, I won't forget it in a hurry - first pub I've ever been to that had NO white wine at all! I didn't feel like red - ironically, as that was the colour of my outfit - so that was that! (At least I'd had a glass at Top Secret.) In due course, I did at least find a table.. the others arrived eventually, and we started to chat, and that was fine - although while I was waiting, a lovely little old gent did offer to buy me a drink: not, as he said, in an attempt to pick me up, but just because I was alone, and drinkless. Aww.

Meantime, my phone battery was rapidly running down - something of a worry, as my ticket was on it. Never fear, here they had a list - checked off by the MC, who turned out to be the excellent Radu Isac! The acts themselves.. rather less excellent, I'm afraid, although hey, they tried! This was a night of immigrant comedy - mind you, the first up had a distinctly local accent! (but Polish parents, as he explained). We had Israeli, Serbian.. I thought the most natural of the night were the Italian and the Russian / Ukranian - although the latter did focus particularly on one of our group, which might have been uncomfortable. Ah well, if you will sit in the front row.. Most of the audience were foreign too, with a particularly high Bulgarian contingent! Well, not as polished a show as David McSavage's, but you have to start somewhere..

Afterwards, with my phone dead, I gave up on buses and followed my companions in the direction of the Tube, which at least got me home faster. Not in time to blog though, given how early a start I have on Mondays! Now, this evening was - of course - destined for film.. as usual on Mondays these days, with not so much on Meetup! Well, once I'd eliminated a couple of Indian films I'm just not interested in, top of the list came out to be Caught in the Net, a documentary from Prague about an experiment that was conducted, involving three young (but grown-up) actresses who could pass for children, and were hired to impersonate 12-year-olds online, and see what happened. Only showing in the Picturehouses, and I was originally going to see it in Picturehouse Central, until I discovered it had been cancelled there, for some reason!

Well, next closest was Hackney Picturehouse. I tried to use a Tesco voucher to book - wouldn't take it, for some reason, but at least I got the voucher converted! (It was due to expire tomorrow.) Another of those places I'd been to before, but completely forgotten. Anyway, again I got a single bus there - and did wonder whether I'd be late, given the stop-start traffic. Well, I made it just in time! and then had to figure out where the entrance was. No, not under where it says "Cinema", you actually enter where it says "Kitchen" - and I was glad it was in Screen 5, as that's the only one I could see signs for! So, upstairs, and into a pretty empty screen - it did fill up a little. Nice, soft pullman seats, as always in Picturehouses.

I was just in time - didn't even have time to log into their WiFi. Now, we all know pretty much what to expect from the topic of this film - perhaps what is most astonishing is its predictability. Within five minutes of creating a fake profile for a 12-year-old girl, it had 16 messages - and over the three months of the experiment, the girls were contacted by nearly 2500 different men, generally middle-aged. And generally fond of showing off their body parts. And very persistent about asking the girls to do things they weren't comfortable with. The rules of the experiment were carefully explained - they weren't to lead anyone on in any way, weren't to be flirty. Psychologists and a lawyer were always present on set - they actually built three bedrooms, using the girls' personal possessions, side-by-side, each complete with laptop and mobile phone.

Probably the stand-out moment of the film is the Skype call that one gets from a bloke that's so nice, so normal, that she breaks down in tears. He's the only one whose face is shown. And towards the end, they confront one of the prime offenders - they've concentrated on just a few, and this is one that the makeup artist on set recognised as someone who organises camp trips for children! He's utterly unapologetic, I might add. The closing captions explain that the police later seized the recordings to form the basis of criminal prosecutions - you can't go propositioning 12-year-olds, you know! Ugh, dreadful stuff - as one of the girls remarked, she had nightmares for weeks after.

I had fun on the way home - had to change buses, and Google Maps had me changing from one to another at the same stop! And there I was, getting all annoyed at the driver, because I could see my second bus, at the stop where he was also supposed to let me off! But eh, no - his stop is around the corner - silly Google Maps. At least I didn't have to wait long for the next.

Now, this was the last depressing evening this week. Tomorrow, back to comedy - one of my cheap clubs (CT) sold me a ticket for Mic Check at 2Northdown. (And sent me a dire warning today that late cancellation, or a no-show, would result in my account being blocked. No exceptions.) Gee, if they didn't have such cheap tickets..

On Wednesday, I booked A Medieval Ghost Story with the Surrey History Meetup, on Teams this time. Tickets from Eventbrite, free when I booked, at least! But you know, they'll probably record it. I hope so, because in the meantime, Invigorate came back with another pub crawl! (AKA Tour of Historic Pubs.) Much closer together this time, thankfully, and all in Southwark, so convenient for me! So I'm going on that, now.

On Thursday, I'm making what used to be my annual pilgrimage to Winter Wonderland! Whee! Particularly as, to get an evening ticket, I had to book three weeks in advance - to combat Covid, they're restricting numbers, and of course, evenings are the hardest to get. Not to mention that they're now charging an entry fee - but that is waived if you book at least £20 of attractions, food or drink in the same transaction. Which I always do - the Cirque Berserk and Magical Ice Kingdom. Looking forward to that hot chocolate with the shot in it already..

And then I'm back to Ireland for the weekend.

Musical: Eugenius! & Film: A Star Is Born

Last night, another thing I'd heard great things about - I took myself to Eugenius, at The Other Palace. Finally, after all the praise I've heard of it.. This theatre used to be known as St. James', and is bad for legroom - take an aisle seat if you're at all lanky of leg! Anyway, yesterday evening's meetings finished in plenty of time, and I took myself off. I saw that the bus would involve changing to the 38, which goes down Shaftesbury Avenue.. which is a lovely route, but frustratingly slow in the early evening.. but I said, hell, I'd risk it.

The bus I was aiming for, from the office - I just missed. I did have a couple of options, though - and rather than waiting for the next (rarely the best option if you're in a hurry, and have a choice), I made for the other bus stop, and caught a 55. Changed to find a 38 right behind me, which I boarded 10 minutes earlier than Google Maps said I needed to, to get there in time. Which was a good thing, as it takes at least five minutes at that time of day just to crawl down the stretch of road outside our old office.. whose reception, I see, has now been gutted. I was getting a bit worried at our slow pace, but it was truly lovely to pass through the West End in the dusk, seeing the lighted small shops and theatres.. have I mentioned that I really miss living around here? Roll on the lights of Christmas..

We did make it in time, and I got to the theatre with five minutes to spare (so Google Maps was a bit optimistic) - the audience was just filing in, so all was well. Plus, I had the nearside aisle seat in the back row - aisle seat for legroom, back row for price! Quick and easy to get to. It also has the advantage that you don't have to navigate the stairs.. there's actually a warning sign up to take care on these, and indeed someone did stumble at the interval. Something weird about them.

So, I do need the aisle seat for the legroom, and things were made easier for me after the interval, when the guy in the seat beside me didn't return. You could tell he wouldn't, the way he determinedly put on his jacket as he was leaving. Anyway, I could now swivel in either direction. As for the view - generally fine, no pillars to get in the way: but the top of the stage is partially obscured, from the back rows, by the lighting fixtures on the ceiling - which is a real issue for this show, a lot of which takes place on the platform above the stage. Mostly, I was miffed at not being able to see the screen on the back wall, which did play a large part:

Well, it wasn't long before we started this tale of a teenage boy, Eugene (a geek, rather than a nerd, the difference between which is duly explained to us). He always has his nose in a sketchbook, where he's designing a superhero comic strip. However, he is soon to find that real life presents him with the opportunity to find the real superhero inside himself!

It's set in the 80s, so it really helps if you are a fan - tv and movie references abound, and it's really true to the spirit of the age. All your stock characters are here - the geeks, the jocks that go out with the cheerleaders, the corporate types that want to buy Eugene's idea. The movie producer is v Miami Vice. Honestly, for me though, it didn't really take off in the first half, which seemed a bit clichéd - the songs, though excellently performed, didn't blow me away, and I derived more pleasure from listening to the 80s hits that played over the interval.

But wow, the second half.. this show really benefits from the zany world of comic books, and they go all-out! We have Spandex, we have a villain or two.. and we have a group of plucky geeks who save the world. We also have one of the most memorable finale numbers ever - for goodness' sake, they repeat the chorus enough! and they actively encourage you to share on social media. By the last choruses, they literally had everyone on their feet, clapping and singing along - and yes, once I escaped the crammed lobby, where people were having selfies taken behind a branded picture frame, I was singing that chorus all the way down the road.. Runs till 3rd March. Go see, cheer yourself up! Booking recommended - last night was mostly full.

With a choice of three buses, it wasn't long before one came. And I despaired of the 55 ever coming, to take me the last leg of the way - even the Bus Countdown App wasn't showing it! Arrived early, all the same.. Still, no blog then, as you'll have noticed.. I've been busy, y'see. ;-) Brace yourselves.

Tonight, I was thinking film - so it took a while to sort out the film list. Top of the list, anyway, came A Star is Born - the latest incarnation of this is directed and produced by, and stars, Bradley Cooper as a rock/country star whose career is on the downturn, and who discovers a new talent (Lady Gaga, looking as mainstream as I've seen her!). Also stars Sam Elliott, as Bradley Cooper's (much) older half-brother, and has a cameo from Alec Baldwin as the host of Saturday Night Live, where the newborn star makes her tv debut. General consensus has been it's very good, so I was looking forward to this - closest showing is in Hackney Picturehouse. Well, the closest showing at a time I could make, given my evening meeting! I booked just before I left, seeing that there was a last-minute rush and it was now mostly sold out.

Again, I was taking the 55 - in the opposite direction. And wouldn't you know it, the one that came was only going part of the way, disgorging a mass of us opposite Shoreditch Town Hall to wait for the next one. And wouldn't you know it - radio silence from the app again!! Must have a blind spot when it comes to the 55. Anyway, one did happen along in due course, and dropped me right across the road from the cinema. I'd forgotten, but I was here once before - I was living on the other side of town at that stage, and had a much longer journey! Still managed to be late tonight, like then, but as I often have before, I consoled myself with the thought of all the ads they put on beforehand. Showed my ticket to the manager, who was wandering around the lobby - another advantage of booking in advance, I didn't have to queue - and clambered up the steps to the third floor, for Screen 2.

Well. People are clamouring about this film - mainly because of Lady Gaga. Not just because she's a celebrity, whose acting debut this is, but because she's famous for her extravagant outfits. And here, she starts off - normal! Apparently makeup-free, although that's under debate in the media. If you like, we get to see her Gaga persona develop, and she's much more recognisable by the end. As for her voice - I always thought she had a great voice, and boy, does she showcase it here! Apparently, the germ of the idea to make the film came when Bradley Cooper saw her perform at a private party in someone's house. Perfect.

She also plays piano to accompany herself, and indeed, he sings and plays the guitar. Really well. And you know what? Seems every frame was performed live - including crowd shots that were taken at the Pyramid Stage in Glastonbury, where the crowd was waiting for Kris Kristofferson to come on! Someone from Metallica was doing the filming. Epic.

And yes, it is. Practically the whole film is shot in close-up, which heightens the intensity - most noticeable at the tense beginning, when we're focused on her nerves, and her complete - and believable - shock when he invites her onstage at a major concert! Also at the emotional end, which had me in floods of tears. (Predictably - I'm like that.) The chemistry between them is terrific. It starts as a dazzling whirlwind, with the established star falling in love with his protégée, and things happening very fast. But are they happening too fast? Is her success threatening his superior standing? Does he feel threatened? Most especially as things start to go downhill, I noticed some direction that I thought was very clever - the story told nearly in snapshots, with just key scenes exposing the plot. Unnecessary words are not spoken. A concise piece of film-making.

Absolutely blew me away - and with Lady Gaga singing over the closing credits, it was a few minutes before anyone at all felt like leaving. I cannot recommend this highly enough - it's the best film I've seen since Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri, in January.

Once I found my way out of this complicated building (followed the crowd), I had an easy bus ride back - in the company of a young band, hauling their instruments, would you believe! Tomorrow, I'm back with Meetup, in the form of Up in the Cheap Seats (UITCS), back at Wilton's for Sketching.

On Friday, the U2 circus is in town again (figuratively speaking) - I'm off to Amsterdam. The actual concerts aren't until Sunday and Monday, but I'm going for the weekend: a relaxing one, given that they've played here often enough before that I've seen all the sights I want to! Sunday's concert, I had to get a ticket for from Viagogo, but Monday's I managed to get from Ticketmaster (TM), the official vendors. The concerts are in the Ziggo Dome again, and I'm staying in Hampshire Hotel Eden, handy for Rembrandtplein, where the restaurants are, and for the no. 4 metro line to the venue. I just hope the stairs are less steep than the last place! Flights (Easyjet) and hotel booked through Expedia.

Flying back Tuesday lunchtime, taking the whole day off, naturally, and that evening I'm back with UITCS for The Height of the Storm, at Wyndham's. Booked through What's on Stage.

Next Wednesday, I'm with Let's Do This for another Turkish meal - this time at Sofra. It'll also be the first time since June I'll have met Mary!


On the 11th, film again - already booked though, because they were already selling out. It's part of the London Film Festival at the BFI - Be Natural is the story of Alice Guy - Blaché, the first female filmmaker, and is narrated by Jodie Foster. Then I'm back to Ireland for the weekend, again.

On the 15th, back with North London Friends for The Wild Duck, by Ibsen, at the Almeida. I wasn't in time to get one of their tickets, so booked my own - what the hey.

On the 16th, comedy with Ahir Shah at Soho Theatre.

On the 17th, a real dose of nostalgia - Mayerling ballet, at the Opera House. My favourite ballet, this was also the last event we attended here with the Man with the Hat. And the second last event ever. At least it'll be less evocative since, for once, I'm sitting facing full-on! He always had us in the slips, so I haven't faced the Opera House stage since I started with his groups! I'd watch it blindfolded just to have him back again, though. We miss you, MwtH.

On the 18th - why, I'm off to Manchester. For U2, unsurprisingly. Yes, I get busier around now as they come around these parts. Taking the train that evening - it was the cheapest, and so much handier than having to make my way to and from airports and watch what I pack! I should arrive walking distance from my hotel, Roomzzz Corn Exchange, which itself is walking distance from the venue, the Manchester Arena. And right beside the shopping centre, apparently! That could be handy.. if only to buy provisions, as this is an aparthotel, so I can cater for myself.

The concerts themselves are on the 19th and 20th. Ironically, the English concerts are the only ones whose tickets are being posted to me - and would you believe it, what with booking them in January and moving in June, I completely forgot to make the connection. So I forgot to update my address with TM. Just remembered at the weekend, by which time it seems they'd already been posted. I've contacted my old flatmates, but the only response I got was from one who's also moved out - happily, TM says, if I contact them that week, they'll void the old tickets and issue new ones that I can pick up at the box office. There's always some palaver on a U2 tour, and this isn't the first time I've had to pick up my tickets in Manchester!! Outside of England, they're all e-tickets..

I take the train back on the 21st. Better not leave it too late, as I've actually booked for the Smithfield & Clerkenwell Walk: Guts & Glory, with Walking in London - but more specifically, with Katie of Look Up London! Excellent - I was booked for this in July, but she had to cancel. She's one of the best around. Should be close enough to me, too, and it doesn't start too early. And it being a Funzing event (like all of Walking in London's) I scoured my old Funzing discount codes, and discovered that Funzing_Fb20 seems to be working again - for all of them I've recently booked! So, a 20% discount - better than any recently offered on their Facebook page.

On the 22nd, I'm back with the Crick Crack Club for Buddha Babies, again at Soho Theatre. Naturally, not advertised on their Meetup group - they have advertised an event this weekend, but of course, I'm out of the country.

On the 23rd & 24th, I don't have to travel so far to see U2 - they're playing the O2 in London. These tickets, I got my address changed in time for, it seems - they're also being posted. Helen is going on the 23rd.. sat in the corporate box, poshly! Nah, I'd rather be closer and sweatier, thanks!

The 25th is my colleague's last day before he quits for a new life in Stockholm - we're headed out that night. Amazing that I still had that day free when we arranged it!

On the 26th, I fly to Belfast. Yep, U2 again. Told ya. Staying in the Crescent Townhouse, walking distance from the SSE Arena, where the concerts take place on the 27th and 28th. On the 29th, I'm taking the train down to my mother for a week - makes more sense than jetting back and forth to her!

On the 5th of next month, I'm back up to Dublin. U2 again, dont'cha know? Staying in the Clayton again, which is a hop, skip and jump from the 3Arena in Dublin, where there are concerts on the 5th and 6th. Would you believe, not even I could swing a ticket for the 5th - well, I'll just rock up on the day, and hopefully I can get something at the box office. I have heard of such things happening. I've had stranger things happen!

On the 7th, I fly back to London (BA) - purely so I can work on the 8th, before flying back to Dublin that night! Was supposed to be Cityjet, but they've now ended their flight schedule after this month - so now I'm going Ryanair. Same hotel, same venue, same band - on the 9th and 10th. I fly back on the 11th, exhausted, and finished with U2 concerts for the year!

On the 12th, I've decided to read myself to a performance of Macbeth, at the Wanamaker Playhouse.

On the 13th, we have our monthly team outing - might only be the two of us, but hey!

On the 14th, back with UITCS at last for Love Lies Bleeding, at the Print Room at the Coronet. Got my ticket from London Theatre Direct.

On the 15th, I'm going to try the Seven Deadly Sins Pub Naughty History Tour. Walking in London again, so discounted again! Then I'm back to Ireland again for the weekend.

On the 19th, News of the Strange, from the Crick Crack Club, at Soho Theatre. Not advertised on their Meetup group, of course.

On the 20th, back with UITCS for Pinter at the Pinter - Pinter plays at the Pinter Theatre. Two long ones on this occasion - this is Programme Four: Moonlight & Night School.

On the 21st, back at last with The London Jazz Meetup, who are off to the London Jazz Festival for a concert by the Faraj Suleiman Quartet at King's Place. UK premiere, apparently!

On the 22nd, with UITCS at the Garrick for Don Quixote. The only cheap tickets left for this were terrible, so I went a bit upmarket. A bit - I'm still behind a pillar!

On the 23rd, I'm on a Paranormal Activity Tour - ooh! Now, for this one, we get ghost-hunting equipment, which could make it interesting - I don't fancy the dowsing rods, myself, but we'll see. Walking in London, again. Discounted, again. And this was after my loyalty discount - so I got it at better than half price! which is good, considering the price.

On the 24th, I'm off on my own to see A Small Place, at the Gate.

On the 25th, back at last to Winter Wonderland! That evening, I'm off to Cirque Berserk - an annual tradition for me. The latest show is the cheapest, so that's the one I booked.

And on the 26th of next month, I'm back with UITCS for Programme Three of Pinter at the Pinter - Landscape / A Kind of Alaska / Monologue.

Films: Throw Me To The Dogs, The Way We Fall, Boy, More Hate Than Fear, Fire, Jester, The Son, The Breaking, Oedipussy, & RinGtone

Another week, another film list, and this week's was absolutely crammed with short films, what with the London Short Film Festival in full flight. Which is a drag, since I have to check every single one for IMDB ratings - most of them weren't rated (you need at least five ratings for it to show), but it still takes time. When I finally got finished, it wasn't surprising that the whole top of the list was full of shorts - the top four (like most of them) showing in Hackney Picturehouse.

Now, the top-rated film (Stutterer) was showing in a programme that turned out to be sold out, but the next three (More Hate Than Fear, Murmur, and Seachild), which tied in second place, were showing in two back-to-back shorts programmes, yesterday afternoon. And I could have gone to both - except that, of course, I got caught up in doing something, and ended up just going to the second one - Boyhood, eschewing the first (Girlhood).

Well, Google Maps suggested that my easiest (and cheapest) route would be the Overground directly to Hackney Central. However, this was also the longest of the routes they suggested, and by the time I was ready to go, it wasn't an option. Instead, I cut across town: train to Victoria, Victoria Line to Highbury & Islington, and pick up the Overground there (the Overground runs in a roughly circular route around the city).

Google Maps is great for directions and suggestions - not so great on timing! The train they said left for Victoria at 5.13 didn't exist - I arrived at 5.06, just in time to miss one, and the next wasn't until 5.16. The rest of my journey was unproblematic, until I arrived at Highbury & Islington, where I had a six-minute wait for an Overground (they're not as frequent as other trains) that wouldn't get to Hackney until 6 - the scheduled start time. Ah well - it's not like this was a live performance, they wouldn't mind me arriving slightly late.

From Hackney Central, turn right (under the railway bridge), and the cinema is already just visible: the building with a blue neon sign, just up the road on the left. I queued for a ticket, then climbed to the second floor for Screen 1 - they were still showing the ad for the festival, thankfully, and although the house was mostly full, I got an end seat a few rows back from the (enormous) screen.

And we were off! Throw Me to the Dogs is a gritty short, about an only son, bullied by the neighbourhood kids, whom his father ends up coaching in a football team. A gruelling look at the effect that bullying can have, it has a harsh twist in the tail.

The Way We Fall is a touching look at a wheelchair-bound young man, attending his first wheelchair basketball training session and learning what it takes to cope.

Boy is quite a disturbing drama, about a woman who's recently lost her teenage son, and meets someone who reminds her of him. The twist is interesting.

More Hate Than Fear is the one whose rating brought me to this showing, and it was obviously highly anticipated by the crowd, who whooped and cheered at both start and finish. Based on real events, it follows a young graffiti artist as he starts his 3 1/2 year stretch in prison.

Fire is an imaginative short, about a young lad who learns to channel his rage into a powerful force.

Jester tells the tale of an ordinary lad trying to impress a posh bird. Great characterisation in this, and a great sense of humour.

The Son has a narrator telling the tale of an only son, who carries the hopes and dreams of his parents on unwilling shoulders.

The Breaking is the story of a young man, with a love of guns, who reaches breaking point. I found the ending unsatisfying, and I think the crowd agreed - the applause, which follows each film, was hesitant.

Oedipussy is a funny short about a young man whose interest in porn carries over into his daily life, where he starts to make associations with what he's been watching. Not as salacious as it sounds!

Finally, RinGtone is a cool little film, about a school leaver in 1999, who finds he can make a great business out of programming ringtones with popular tunes.

A great programme - but at the end of the two-hour session, I was glad I hadn't sat through two; many of the films were gruelling to watch, and watching so many films at once was a bit overwhelming anyway. Still, I was glad I came - it's great to see such well made films! Sadly, as usual I hadn't brought a pen with me, and couldn't complete their feedback form; well, it wasn't specific to the films anyway, but to the festival overall - they basically wanted my contact details.

I took the Overground all the way back - but having to be up early today to go to Guildford meant I had to be in bed too early to blog. Nonetheless, I'm ploughing on with going to things.. Tonight and tomorrow are longterm bookings, booked - as previously mentioned - when I was working my way towards The Nutcracker, as attended by Let's Do London - for less!, this Wednesday. So, tonight, I'm going to Harlequinade, with Kenneth Branagh and Judi Dench, and tomorrow, I'm delighted to have got a ticket for La Soirée. Seen them before, and they're terrific.

Wednesday, as I say, Let's Do London - for less! are off to something good again. But guess what? "This Meetup is full" greeted me when I finally got up that date! I'd missed out by a matter of hours. Never mind - I'm off to an evening of poetry set to music: part of the Southbank Centre's Winter Festival. And it's free - I was lucky to get a seat though - told them I didn't want to stand, and it turned out there'd been a cancellation, so I don't have to! With La Soirée on in the Spiegeltent, right next door, that's two nights that are going to be really convenient for me to get to, as the venues are right by Waterloo.

Finally for this week, on Thursday the Cloggies are off on a tour of Kray country, in the East End. Followed by a curry in Brick Lane, natch. And then it's back to Ireland for the weekend..