Play: Retrograde

Tonight, back with Up in the Cheap Seats (UITCS), for Retrograde, in the Kiln. Based on Sidney Poitier, and what he had to do to become a star.. Now, this is from the same writer as For Black Boys Who Have Considered Suicide When the Hue Gets Too Heavy. Which I hated. So I was taking a risk.

Blasted late-running meeting at work, as every Wednesday.. today's was cut a little short when the air raid siren went off in the Tel Aviv office. And this, heh, is where they're planning on sending me on my next overseas junket. Well, definitely different.. Anyway, for today, I took it as my cue to leg it down to The Lucas Arms - I hadn't seen anywhere I fancied eating, near the theatre. It was filling up - I secured a table with my coat, and when I went back to order, she started typing it in without asking. Her only question to me was the table number! She's good, that one..

I paid, returned to my table, and found a large group that turned out to be Aussies settling into the table next to me - only for my coat, they'd have grabbed mine too. And they were lovely and friendly! One consulted me on the size of my glass of wine - I informed him that was a large, and off he went to get one. He was also delighted that he'd ordered the pie, when he saw mine.. and I heard a murmur of contentment when he got his own. As I left, I wished them a good trip - good on them, finding this place! It's not on the main tourist route..

Off I dashed for the Tube - I am so sick of rushing. Got a seat for most of the journey, at least. Arrived at the theatre a little behind the group, who were gathered outside the bar - and we hung around for a bit before heading in.

Front row, which was fine, except for two things - I had to keep myself from accidentally kicking the wooden base of the stage, and I got a stiff neck from craning upwards all the time to see the action.

So - this is set in the office of the lawyer at NBC, who want to sign Sidney Poitier. Thing is, though, they're a little concerned at his involvement with Paul Robeson, known for his socialist affiliations. So, before Sidney signs the contract of his life, they want him to sign an "oath" - and a denunciation of Paul Robeson, his idol. Just how far is he prepared to go to live his dream..?

Well now, this was a surprise. After the aforementioned play that I hated, I was not expecting this to be so good - but then, it's very different. And woah, this is amazing! The script sparkles, as the zingers fly among Poitier, the lawyer, and the guy who wants Poitier in his film - some memorable one-liners, here. The acting throughout is superb - I had no problem joining the audience in a standing ovation at the end. The whole thing is so engaging that, when the other guy came in after Poitier and the lawyer had been arguing, and wanted to know why, the lady beside me gasped out loud in frustration, "Read it!"

A lovely piece about Poitier's early days in the business, battling both racism and McCarthyism. And yes, we agreed, Ivanno Jeremiah does an excellent job of portraying Poitier's suppressed rage. And Daniel Lapaine is completely convincing as the hard-nosed, hard-drinking lawyer. Ah yes, this is really worth seeing - 10/10. Maybe don't sit in the front row, though! 90 minutes straight through - runs till the 27th. Go see!

Afterwards, we hung around again. Pity nobody seemed to want to sit down, or have a drink - but if nobody else wants to, I'm not going to force them. It just seemed like an obvious idea, us in the bar and the play over early.. Out in the rain again, I took the bus. And that was a really long journey.. my second bus was the #46, which does something funny around College Crescent - not the route, but the driver! It stopped for a minute, and he said something - completely drowned out by the PA. Directed at me, as the only passenger - well, I stayed put, and got home eventually.. where I've had my glass of wine, to celebrate the best play I've seen in a while. I'd just have preferred it in company.

Never mind, more luck over the next few days. Tomorrow, I'm back with The Hideout: Horror Sci-Fi Club London, for wine tasting followed by comedy (hmm..) in La Pizzica restaurant. Could be interesting..

On Friday, I was thinking of film (which meant I had no idea) - but London Social & Cultural Meetups, whom I haven't been with in so long, are having a trip to the National Gallery, to see an exhibition of art related to St. Francis of Assisi! I wasn't going to go with them, given that the group was to include that mad lady that I've been avoiding - but when I looked yesterday, she'd cancelled! for whatever reason. So I'm now free to go. They do advise booking a (free) ticket, and although we're supposed to meet in the Sainsbury Wing, it seems that entrance is closed for renovations.. well, we'll figure it out.

And on Saturday, I'm even busier than usual.. First, I booked with UITCS for the matinée of Leaves of Glass, at the Park Theatre.

And then I have to dash across London.. you see, Mandy, who runs London Herstory Guided Walks, has now started a new Meetup group, Buddies on a Budget in London. And lo, if she isn't taking a group to an outdoor Eurovision party! First, she suggested Battersea - but (free) tickets for that went really fast, with only three of us having managed to book. So we've now switched venue, and are going to Between the Bridges, complete with drag acts! You don't have to pay, but if you buy a ticket, it comes with a free drink.. and this, apart from, as she says, being likely to be more fun, also has the advantage of starting an hour later. Which is handy for me, rushing across town as I'll be.. Both advertised by Eventbrite, and as of now, Between the Bridges still has tickets.. and street food, so I don't have to eat en route.

Play: The Wife of Willesden

Tonight - my first Crick Crack Club (CCC) event of the year! Online - Nick Hennessy, at the Story Museum, performing The Kalevala. I think I remember hearing that he's the only non-Finnish person ever to win their competition to recite this! So, really looking forward to it.

Of course, I got confirmation that it'd be recorded, and available for a week afterwards. So, you know, I could do something else if I felt like it! So I checked.. and wouldn't you know it, there was loads on. In particular, Up in the Cheap Seats (UITCS) had two events. I looked first at Arms and the Man, showing at the Orange Tree - but it was sold out. However, they are broadcasting next week's performances.. so I've booked for one of those. Can be watched, on demand, any time next week. (And can be got cheaper than a physical ticket).

Which still left me free to check out the group's other offering - so I booked for The Wife of Willesden, at The Kiln. Which looked like fun! Now, as usual, I dug out my ticket this afternoon - and noooo! I'd booked for a different date! (One I couldn't even make.) Kind of inexplicable, but the main thing was to get this corrected - and quickly. I checked the website - there were still tickets. I rang the emergency line on the website - seemed appropriate. There wasn't a box office number that I could see. They told me to ring the box office - I asked for the number, which they gave me. Progress.

I tried the box office number - nobody answered. Blast - I left a message, then emailed them and explained. 40 minutes later, I got a reply to my email, saying they couldn't get through to my phone, and asking me to ring them. I rang. No answer. I left another message. I sent another email. They sent another response to the email, explaining that they were really busy, and asking me to try ringing again. Third time friggin' lucky! The minute I got through, the lady on the other end realised who it was, and said, "You got through at last!" Hmm. So, they can't do it by email, and they aren't allowed to ring non-UK phone numbers (like mine). And, as established, the phones were busy. Well anyway, it cost me £1 (plus the charge for calling a UK number three times), but I did get a seat. In the circle. Phew..

I didn't see anywhere near the theatre that really appealed for food, so thought about eating nearer to home - would have liked O' Neill's, but of course there isn't any point in trying, they're always full these days. So, The Lucas Arms it was - where I was well fed, as usual. Left it a little late to take the bus, if I wanted to be on time to meet the group, so I was on the Tube - which stopped several times in tunnels, and eventually shuddered into Kilburn, as if unsure it wanted to let us off there. It was, in fact, a minute or so before the doors even opened! At which point I escaped..

Now, why do they put Tube stations at crossroads? This is a guaranteed strategy to get passengers lost. Sure enough, every time I get off the Tube at a crossroads, I choose the wrong road to walk down - as with this evening. Figured it out in due course, and was headed in the right direction by the time one of the group messaged to say where she was - and there were a few there by the time I located them! This bar has an unusual range of white wines - I ended up with a Picpoul de Pinet, which isn't normally what I go for, but is fine. And we chatted a bit before we went in - I was to find that another of the group had got the seat beside me! By and large though, they managed to get seats onstage..

Yes, it's a bar! Unlike Choir of Man, though, they didn't seem to be handing drinks out.. No, the audience is just arranged like that for atmosphere, it seems. Ditto for atmosphere, there's no interval - always appreciated.

Well now. I don't usually read up a lot about the plays I'm going to see, so it wasn't until I heard someone mention Chaucer that I realised that this is based on one of The Canterbury Tales! Specifically, The Wife of Bath's Tale. Lord, but it's a while since I read that. So, like the original story, the prologue (the life story of the storyteller) is longer than the story itself, and the lady at the centre has been married five times - unapologetically. She stridently points out that God never forbade marriage. The tale itself, about the young man who rapes a woman, and is sentenced - by a woman of power - to spend a year and a day finding the answer to the question, "What do women want?".. is straight out of Chaucer, except translocated to Jamaica, and told in pidgin English.

It's a clever device - and the feminist message still resounds. Our "Wife of Bath" (or Willesden) is determined to live as she chooses, having as many men as she chooses. The original Girl Power, I guess you could say - she's got the red dress, the heels, and the moves, and even when something (or someone) knocks her down, she's soon on her feet again. Some hilarious cameos from (ahem) Jesus and St. Paul, with many actors playing multiple parts - but we're never in doubt who's the star of the show. It's a riotous, raucous evening, as you might expect - mild audience interaction, but I don't think anyone need fear sitting on stage for this one. Runs till the 11th - limited availability on many dates, with some sold out. So, I'd book, if I were you and were interested..

How nice it was to go for a drink with this group afterwards! They don't normally, but it was lovely to chat - and my, but the conversation ranged far and wide.. very glad I ended up coming to this, in the end.

Tomorrow, of course, I'm back to Ireland for the weekend; film is looking like A Man Called Otto, which suits just fine! Based on the Swedish comedy, A Man Called Ove, it stars Tom Hanks as an old grump whose wife has just died, but who meets his match in the fiesty young family that moves in next door. And, interestingly, its IMDB rating just keeps rising.. Showing in Ennis, handily.

On Monday, back with UITCS for The Art of Illusion, at Hampstead Theatre. Award-winning, it seems..

On Tuesday, I'm headed to Chicago Blues Explosion in the January Blues Festival at the 100 Club. Just a shame their early bird tickets were sold out.

On Wednesday, with TAC for a classical concert at King's Place (nice and close). This is the Kirckman Society for young artists, presenting Connaught Brass.

Next Thursday, Ken's Green Walks for Health (aka Ken's Events, to those of us who know it from before) is off to see the Winter Lights at Canary Wharf. Now, I wouldn't go with them in a fit - but there's nothing to stop me seeing the lights myself for free, eh? I don't see the point in paying Ken £5 to lead a group around.. Mind you, today, the lady that sold me my ticket for Mandela was in touch to say that the theatre is offering a free link to a livestream of the full show! and she was asking me what day would suit. This being one of the options, I figured it'd be a good way to avoid the cold of Canary Wharf..

On the 20th (a Friday, unusually), back with Watkin's Bookshop for a book launch. This is Fifty Forgotten Books by R. B. Russell. Occult theme, as usual. Let's see whether I can avoid falling asleep this time!

On the 21st, back at King's Place - this time it's the CCC, with Stories in the Dark. Told in darkness, by the sound of it - sounds divine!

On the 22nd, back with Cultureseekers for the Hieroglyphs: Unlocking Ancient Egypt exhibition at the British Museum. Assuming it's not curtailed due to transport strikes - there is a warning on the museum website that galleries might have to close early!

On the 23rd, I've finally booked for Best of Enemies at the Noel Coward Theatre. This play concerns a series of debates on US television between liberal writer Gore Vidal and conservative William F. Buckley in 1968 - the interesting twist here, given the time and place we're talking about, is to cast William Buckley as black! Had my own seat review on Seatplan to guide me in picking a seat - this is one of those restricted view/legroom theatres. And despite all the theatre offers flooding my inbox, I found the cheapest tickets for this on the official website! Mind you, what with See Tickets doing the selling, I found myself with a second, unexplained, booking fee..

For the next week or so, it's all UITCS! On the 24th, for some reason, I hadn't seen their advertised event to see Orlando, based on the book by Virginia Woolf, and showing at the Garrick. For this, however, I found the cheapest tickets from Official London Theatre (OLT).

On the 25th, we're off to see John Bishop at the Leicester Square Theatre. Love him, so I booked as soon as I saw this advertised - one of the few things for this month that I booked last month! Not that it seems to be selling out..

On the 26th, we're off to The Vaults Festival - specifically, The Welsh Lxdies, a bilingual show about the women of Wales. Then back to Ireland for the weekend again.

On the 30th, we're heading to Noises Off, starring Felicity Kendal, at the Phoenix. Again, cheapest tickets from OLT.

On the 31st, with a group I haven't joined in a Very Long Time - I'm back with London Dramatic Art, from whom I've got a front-row ticket for Sylvia, at The Old Vic; this is the story of Sylvia Pankhurst, and stars the excellent Beverley Knight. Completely sold out - this was my only way to get a ticket!

On the 1st, back with the Horror Book Club - Lordy, that means I need to read a book! :-) I suppose I can use my flights for that. This time, it's The Ballad of Black Tom, based on the Lovecraft story, The Horror at Red Hook, but told from the perspective of a black man. Which means I should really read that, too.. Nice, I'd like to get back to some Lovecraft! In the Prince of Wales, Covent Garden again. Question is, will the kitchen be open..?

On the 2nd, I'm on my own for My Son's a Queer (but what can you do?), a musical at the Ambassadors Theatre.

On the 3rd, my first meeting of the year with London Classical Music and Theatre Group! We're off to Wigmore Hall, to listen to the Hagen Quartet play Mozart. They're Austrian, so that's appropriate.. I just need to remember not to drink the ultra-expensive sauvignon blanc!

On the 4th, well, Laurence Summers and the 45+ Not Grumpy Old Londoners are back to Greenwich again. Now, I have been there with him before.. not sure how "new" this one will be, but hey, it was a great day last time!

On the 5th, nothing on Meetup appeals massively at the moment - I might go for a walk along the Ken's Events route, if I feel like it! (on my own). Or Over 40 Living the Life has just advertised a walk along the New River.. I'll have to see, as I have to pay to sign up (refunds given to those who then come). And I might well change my mind..

On the 6th, my first actual event with that group. We're off to How Not to Drown at the Theatre Royal, Stratford East - the first event of theirs for which I couldn't get a cheaper ticket! So I decided, if I couldn't beat them, I might as well join them. True story of an unaccompanied, 11-year-old asylum seeker.

On the 7th, excited to be headed to see Derren Brown in Showman, at the Apollo Shaftesbury Avenue. Cheapest tickets with OLT again.

On the 8th, 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!

On the 9th, back with 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 the same night - what, are they now copying this group, as that other group did some time ago? (since closed down). And then I'm back to Ireland again.

And on the 13th of next month, 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.

Play: The Darkest Part of the Night

This morning, another job interview.. with another company.. at least it wasn't at 9am! Amazingly, the drilling from the works in our building was un-troublesome enough that I decided it was no worse than the park, and I stayed put. And hallelujah, the interview went great - I have a writing test to do for them now, asap. Meantime, Friday's company want one final interview with me, towards the end of the week - time TBC. Ah, what it is to be in demand!!

In the evening, I headed to the Kiln Theatre for The Darkest Part of the Night. Another troublesome website - I tried for days to get it to work..! Anyway, I didn't see anywhere at my destination that appealed to eat at - and the theatre cafe closes too early to make that an option. So I headed to O' Neills, as usual! where, this time, there was plenty of space. Ordered what has become my usual - I have a soft spot for chicken katsu curry - and I think the waiter is getting to know me! Mind you, the noise in the bar made it awkward when the recruiters from both of the above companies decided to ring me, one after the other..

And so to buses, and arrived early at the theatre. Where I got a drink, and transferred it to plastic when the house opened. I actually didn't go in until a few minutes after the announcement that the house was open - even at that, the usher was surprised I wanted to go in! but as I said, I might as well..

The logo on the back wall represents the company that the dad works for. This is set in Leeds, and feels like it's based on a true story - it's the story of a family with an autistic son, the parents having come to the UK from Jamaica. It's not easy, what with police brutality, a world that doesn't understand difference, the father getting laid off, and the sister having to grow up fast as she ends up caring for her brother.

I loved the first scene, which shows him interacting with his sister, both as her childhood self, and as her grown-up self. The rest of the play shows us how they got to the state they're now in, as adults - and the fellow playing the autistic boy/man plays a blinder, as we really learn to appreciate his problems: unlike the people his mother describes, who keep asking her why she doesn't discipline him, or her mother-in-law, who takes him to church to be exorcised.

I ended up feeling for the characters, and although I couldn't empathise fully with the story - I'm not black, for instance, so wouldn't appreciate all the racial themes - it is a compelling one. The stage, interestingly, revolves - apparently designed to resemble a vinyl record. Music features heavily - the autistic character loves it, it calms him. Unfortunately, none of the themes touched on are dealt with in much depth, so it becomes a bit much. But it is interesting. Runs until the 13th.

Tomorrow, thinking vaguely about the Camden Fringe, which runs all next month - there's, for example, an interesting audio event called A Little Drape of Heaven, where you hold a precious item of clothing to your heart, then press play to access a YouTube link that you've paid for. Hmm.. Meantime, I had booked a walk with Laurence and the 45+ Not Grumpy Old Londoners for a while ago. This is The Magic of Midtown - and as I said to him, it finishes very near my new home! And wouldn't you know it - he postponed it, as a result of the heatwave, to this day. Not that I'm not glad he didn't run it when it was originally scheduled - happily, I can still make it..

On Wednesday, thinking of film - and v excited about what's coming up! Highest of the list is the NT Live showing of Prima Facie, the one-woman play with Jodie Comer, making her West End debut as a dynamic lawyer, whose world is turned upside down when she is raped, and I guess, gets to see the other side of the system. It's supposed to be an absolute tour de force, and is one I missed because tickets went so fast - well, now it is, as they say, coming to a cinema screen near you! In fact, it's showing in my local cinema, yay - not to mention that, as a member, I get to see it for free! Three showings that day.

On Thursday, back with Up in the Cheap Seats for a concert by Damien Lewis at Omeara. Yes, the actor! I've never actually been here before - should be interesting. Meeting Didi for dinner beforehand at Tas Borough - she's coming to the concert too.

On Friday, I've booked for another of Laurence's tours - Wonders of the National Gallery. Which I should be able to go on - Lordy, I wish he'd do something on evenings or weekends again! Then I'm back to Ireland for the weekend - and will be trying, once more, to get my car serviced. Subject to availability of mechanics! So, not sure whether I'll get to a film, as of yet.

Next Monday - yes, I am succumbing. Finally managed to get a decently priced (seated) ticket to Abba Voyage. Hell, I love Abba, and even if they have been replaced by avatars - it's supposed to be a spectacular show. Kind of has to be done..

On the 9th, I've booked with London Classical Music and Theatre Group - Didi, from the group, who is herself a classical guitarist, is playing a free Summer Music Festival concert in the Holy Sepulchre Church, which should be lovely - assuming I'm either not working, or can get the time off! as it's at lunchtime. Close enough to the (potential) offices that I might be able to risk it.

That evening, I'm at Chasing Hares, at the Young Vic. And wouldn't you know it, CT now has ticket offers for this..

On the 10th, I'm with a new Meetup group - Soho Comedy Factory Shows and Socials, which organises free events on Wednesdays at the aforementioned Soho Comedy Factory. Unless something better comes along - I've had bad experiences with free comedy!

On the 11th, I've booked a free ticket with an improv group called Kid Smokers Improv! at Barons Court Theatre. (It's Pay What You Can, actually.) They're actually stepping in while Avocado Presents takes a summer holiday - they seem to have a residency here, now. Anyway, I've seen Avocado Presents before, and they're excellent - so I figure I'll give these people a shot! Avocado Presents, interestingly, have a Meetup group now - Watch Improv & Chat Comedy! which I've also just joined.

On the 12th, I've booked for the Sweeney Todd, the Demon Barber of Fleet Street Tour with Poppy's Events for 40s 50s and 60s, another new group to me. But Laurence has a walk that day as well - the Strange Tales of Old (and New) London Tour, which, you know, I'll go on if I'm free.. haven't booked it yet though.

On the 13th, I'm off to see The Ehrlich Brothers, a magic show at the Wembley Arena. This is with Friendly Frolickers 50+ Meetup Group - so I've joined them as well, making that four new groups in a row! I was - as often happens - rather frazzled when I booked though, and completely forgot that they have their own, discounted tickets! Blast - they do this specifically so that they can sit together. Well, I've booked my own - more expensively - and explained. Can't be helped.

And on the 14th, I've booked with the 45+s again - but not with Laurence this time! They do have walks guided by other people, and this one is of Brick Lane.

Play: Girl on an Altar & Dinner: Tas Bloomsbury

On Tuesday, booked for Girl on an Altar, at the Kiln Theatre. This is the story of Clytemnestra and her husband, Agamemnon, following his sacrifice of their daughter to the gods. I figured I'd get somewhere to eat around there - there are lots of places.

Takes nearly an hour to get there by bus! Ironically, even though home is slightly closer, work would have been handier, with the transport connections - like so many other places.

Anyway, I got off the bus, trawled up and down the street.. didn't have time for a proper dinner, couldn't find any fast food place that looked decent and wasn't full! I gave up in the end and headed to the theatre, which has an excellent bar space - dinner was a packet of crisps and a glass of wine. I went in as soon as they opened the house, and I'd finished the crisps and gotten a refill of the wine.. I was in the front row.

The pair beside me were having a fascinating talk about different bits of history - from snatches of the conversation that I caught, I think one (at least) was a tour guide! Anyway, the house duly filled, the play began,

Ah, that ***** Agamemnon. How dare he?! The whole thing, as you might expect, is taken from Clytemnestra's perspective - after all, it'd be quite difficult to defend human sacrifice to today's audience! To be fair, he is shown to be remorseful - it's just that his arrogance, and sense of male privilege, keep getting in the way. I deliberately didn't look up the myth in advance - so had great fun predicting how the wronged Clytemnestra would have her revenge.

This is energetically, passionately acted - for the female voices, as well as Clytemnestra, we have her slave-girl, and Cassandra, whom Agamemnon has captured from Troy and brought back as his concubine. So, Agamemnon's is the only main male voice - he's quite outnumbered. A Greek tragedy is always an engaging prospect, and this is an excellent example - the ancient characters are made to live and breathe. Highly recommended - runs till the 25th.

No time to blog - I had to be up early, headed into the office for the first time. And oh, it's lovely.. six floors, a canteen replete with free food for most of the day, so many choices.. also a cafe where you can buy more.. outdoor seating, plenty of breakout spaces.. the view from the seventh-floor cafe is cool!

So, last night, I was originally going to a concert in the City Churches Music series. This is Brilliant Brass, performed by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra Brass Quintet in the church of St. Stephen Walbrook. Yesterday, however, tied with today as the preferred day for our work dinner, and the boss decided to pick yesterday, venue Tas, just around the corner. Meantime, I wasn't sure whether I could access the blog at work - and anyway, found enough else to occupy me! Even the bathroom taps proved tricky..

We finally left the office, a little later than planned, and headed around in a circle for the boss to find a pub for a pre-dinner drink, eventually wending our merry way back to the Museum Tavern, which we could have gotten to a lot quicker by jut walking down the street! Apparently he was checking there wasn't anything closer. Never mind.. it was a bit crowded inside, so we stayed outside, had a drink, and got to know each other in the flesh.

And then decamped to Tas, where our table was ready.

We were automatically given the group menu - a subset of the full menu - in which several starters were listed, all of which were given to us to share (two portions of each). We each chose our own mains - and knowing that I was impressed with the lamb at Tas before, I sought that. Couldn't find a purely lamb dish, so I settled for a chicken and lamb grill with couscous.. the chicken was nice, the lamb was terrific, and I was well-fed! A few of us had dessert - mine, as usual these days, was the chocolate ice cream, and I have to say, it was a lovely one. And a satisfying dinner for me, with most of the conversation leaning in the direction of horror.. ;-)

Most of us finished with a nightcap at The Plough, further down Museum Street, for variety. It had the distinction of being completely empty! Anyway, we continued to enjoy the mild weather by eating outside.. by the time we'd finished our round, it was nearly closing time anyway, and we called it a night. Fantastic to meet everyone - and I seem to have fallen pretty much on my feet with this company! Long may the honeymoon last.

Again, no time to blog last night - today was another handy day to come to the office, as tonight, I'm headed to Mad House at the Ambassadors Theatre. A short walk from here!

Tomorrow, back with the Crick Crack Club! for The Nine Muses of Queen's Crescent, at Rich Mix. Courtesy of my favourite storyteller, Clare Murphy, whom I haven't seen in an age! Last storytelling event until autumn..

On Saturday, I had booked with TAC for Haydn's Creation at St. Pancras Church, Euston. And then I saw that Bucket List London (BLL) had booked something for that afternoon! specifically, a trip to Greenwich Royal Observatory and/or the Ranger's House. Ah well now, I haven't been out with this group since January! Ironically, that's where I first met Laurence, on so many of whose walks I've subsequently been - and who knows when I'll see him again?! since he seems only to run walks on weekdays, now. I seem to be swapping one for the other.. So anyway, I'm now going to all of the above. One of those busy days.

On Sunday, back with London Guided Walks (LGW) - but, armed with the information that they now advertise through TAC, I've booked through them instead! This is the Secrets of St. James Walk, and given how I booked, I must remember to bring £3 cash on the day. I have to admit, the standard of these walks is excellent.

On Monday, back with Up in the Cheap Seats for Jitney, at The Old Vic. I didn't fancy the cheapest seats - but gee, SFF had seats in all but the most expensive price bands, for very little more! So I now find myself in the central Stalls for this..

On Tuesday, I'm at the Royal Court for That Is Not Who I Am, a play about identity theft, from a mysterious writer about whom we have few details, except that he has worked most of his life in the security industry. Ooh..

On Wednesday, back with TAC for The Lark Ascending and Piano Quintet, a classical concert at St. Giles' Cripplegate, a church I've often passed but never been in! Part of the City Churches Music Festival.

Next Thursday, back at the same festival - with CT, this time, for a concert of English Song at the lovely church of St. Bartholomew the Great. It's been too long.. Then back to Ireland for the weekend again.

On the 27th, booked with TAC to hear an interview with Chris Patten, the last UK governer of Hong Kong before it was handed back to China. Happening at Conway Hall.

On the 28th, back again with Free Stuff and Free Events, for their Free Tuesday Sing-a-Long for Health and Pleasure. Online, and one where you're muted, so you don't even have anyone hear you sing! Great for the shy.

On the 29th, I'm finally succumbing to Anything Goes, at the Barbican. Now, I got my ticket for this from Time Out, which is the first place I saw the offer - but it turns out that any number of outlets have £25 tickets! If they're all for the same seats as Time Out, then I'd have to feel sorry for people that bought tickets for £38, which is cheaper than the original price of £45 for the seats on offer! Assuming anyone did. Anyway, with no bad seats here, you'd have to be crazy to pay more.

On the 30th, back with BLL - who obligingly is doing something midweek! I'll have to skip off work early - this is for vespers in Westminster Cathedral, and starts at 4.30. He is actually in Westminster all day, attending Ministerial Question Time earlier - but not only do I have a job to go to, but jeez, I do believe this would just infuriate me! So that, I'm not attending..

On the 1st, back with Civilised London for dinner at Caravel. Terrific reviews..

And that weekend, I'm back with the man with the famous name - Dr. Stephen King (not the writer) is guiding a couple of walks for LGW (courtesy of Walks, Talks and Treasure Hunts). Sadly, not as yet advertised on TAC, so I've booked them through the official site (discount of £3 with the code MEETUP3, as usual). Both topics / areas I've covered many times before, but gee, he's such a great guide! On the 2nd, it's his Southwark Walk.

And on the 3rd, it's his Royal Coronation Walk. I just bet he comes up with something I didn't already know..

Play: Wife

Today, Helen and her husband were supposed be in town, but couldn't make it in the end. Never mind, when I checked, Up in the Cheap Seats (UITCS) had posted a new event; Wife is on in the Kiln (which used to be the Tricycle), and - possibly just for today - all tickets bought by yesterday were £10! So I joined them for that - we, of course, picked top price seats, and took up pretty much the whole of the front row of the Circle.

I left work later than intended - felt bad leaving before the boss, you know! Damnit, he would be working late - well, he did come in later than usual. Turned out that the bus journey would take too long, so I went by Tube - damn, it's uncomfortable in this hot weather! Mind you, the Central Line has the reputation as the worst on the network - there was much more space on the Jubilee Line. Still, I was relieved to get off - I was hot, sticky, sweaty, and had one of those coughing fits just as I neared the end of the journey. Dirty looks from the guy down the corridor were not appreciated!

It rained, ever so slightly, as I made my way to the theatre - indeed, I nearly missed the entrance, which I always remember as being discreet. Still, the last time I was there was over three years ago! So it's only natural that I got lost looking for the box office - it's in the same place as before, past the bar. Had an interesting problem collecting my ticket, as the guy asked for my postcode, and recognised neither of the last two - as it happened, the website hadn't let me update my address, which was, of course, that from three years ago. Never mind, I had a screenshot of my order email to show him.

There's some fetching new decor - sadly, I didn't have much time to snap photos. It was remarked, though, that for a multi-million-pound refurbishment, they could have spent something on aircon! It was sweltering in the bar. Mercifully, the aircon was fully functional in the theatre itself.

My cough did flare up a bit, as usual - but I sat on it pretty quickly with those sweets I bought yesterday. Now, this play is an unusual beast - I really don't think the website's description depicts accurately what actually happens. The whole thing revolves around Ibsen's A Doll's House, and yes, starts in 1959, with an unhappily married young woman who falls in love with another woman, starring in a production of it.

However, this is no preparation for what ensues, as we hop through decades and generations, and examine the nature of relationships, and the restrictive nature of marriage through the ages (just like Nora, in A Doll's House). The scenes are played in completely different styles, some of them utterly outrageous. We get some truly odd characters - but always a connection back to the past.

I liked it - I'd thought the first scene was OTT until I realised that it was meant to represent the entire story from that era. And I liked how it returned, at the end, to where it had started. It's a bumpy ride - but an interesting production. Runs till the 6th. Afterwards, back to catch the Tube again - less crowded now, at least - in light rain, which was very refreshing.

Tomorrow, back with UITCS for a performance at Sadler's Wells by the Birmingham Royal Ballet.

On Wednesday, Helen and her husband are joining me for lunch, as they're going on a guided walk that finishes near the office. We considered Byron Burger, but they were completely booked till 2pm - instead, we're headed to Pizza Express, which is more off the beaten track. That evening - not with UITCS!! Instead, I'm back with London Literary Walks - this is The Third Westminster Walk, and on past experience, should be fascinating.

On Thursday - yes of course, back with UITCS.. for On Your Feet at the Coliseum: the musical about Emilio and Gloria Estefan. A couple of people from tonight going. Then I'm back to Ireland for the weekend.

..and then we're into next month! Next Monday, nothing much on Meetup - instead, I got a cheap ticket to some quite local comedy - Catch 22 Years is a WIP by Katie O' Brien, at The Glory. 

On the 2nd, I'm headed to a Summer Science Exhibition Late at the Royal Society - adults only. London European Club (LEC) organised an outing - then London Science Events did, too. I decided I'd rather go with the LEC, so haven't RSVPed to London Science Events - they'd only be looking for me if I did. Free, no registration required.

On the 3rd, London Literary Walks is taking us all the way out west - for Strand on the Green.

On the 4th, back with Spooky London - this time, we're off to the Rising Sun. A fascinating part of town, with a ton of history - I've been there a lot, but never been in the actual pub. And with these two events being free as well (not counting drinks!), it'll be a cheap week.

And on the 5th, Helen's in town for a training course. The LEC is taking a group to a flamenco (music only, no dance) concert at Rich Mix, and we're going.