Musical: Sylvia

Tonight, with a group I haven't joined in a Very Long Time - I was back with London Dramatic Art, from whom I got a front of stalls ticket for Sylvia, at The Old Vic; this is the story (in song) of Sylvia Pankhurst, and stars the excellent Beverley Knight. Completely sold out - this was my only way to get a ticket! Must remember not to post the link to my blog, to their page - they banned me from doing that, after discovering I was advertising cheap ticket resellers!

My go-to eatery for The Old Vic is The Duke of Sussex - however, from their website, it looked as though they were booked out. (On a Tuesday!) So I thought of Caprini's - but they don't have real-time availability, so I said I'd schlep up and see. As I walked back from the bus stop, though, I passed The Thames Indian Restaurant - and it occurred to me that I'd rather an Indian meal, which I hadn't had in a while, than the huge portions they serve at Caprini's. So, in I went.

Honestly, I was a bit dubious - I was the only customer. But I was shown to a table, and sat on the sofa, back against the wall. I was very glad he'd given me the end table, across from the coffee machine - because the whole of the opposite wall is taken up with a mirror - designed, of course, to maximise the feeling of space in what is a cramped area. Opposite the coffee machine, I didn't have to stare at my reflection..

I had a couple of poppadoms to start - they didn't have any starters I fancied, so I just had butter chicken and peshwari naan, two of my favourites. I also asked for lemon (!) rice - never heard of that before. Well, the chicken was lovely, the rice interesting - definitely lemony. The naan was indifferent, and I didn't finish it. The house white, the only wine available by the glass, was gorgeous, though: really full-bodied. So, I was decently fed.

Scurried down to the theatre - to find everyone else in the group was late. We were meeting in the Dress Circle bar, where I ordered a sauvignon blanc and managed to get a table by the window with sufficient chairs. Was wondering where everyone was, after a while, though.. the organiser eventually happened along, and wow, was that a blast from the past! Chatting, we discovered that I'd gone through four new jobs and four new flats since I'd seen her last! Another old acquaintance from the group was in town, and brought his friend, and his wife to say hi - the first time I'd met her. But we didn't have long until showtime.

And so we rushed downstairs - we were all in the Stalls, but there isn't any seating in the Stalls bar. The organiser had bought our tickets, and WhatsApped screenshots of them to us - would you believe, the scanner wouldn't accept them! We had to go back to the box office and get printouts - and it was at that point that I realised I didn't have my bag.. ran back upstairs, and yes, they had it behind the bar. It was fun, trying to think if something in there that I could easily identify.. got it back in due course, and took my seat.

Well now, in short, this is simply marvellous. My fellow group member - the one who's usually out of town - was critical of the first half, thought their act was tighter in the second. I'm not contradicting him that the second half was great - I just didn't feel as critical of the first half. Anyway, the soundtrack is a mix of hip-hop, ballads - whatever works to tell this emotive story. There's a constant, catchy beat, the outfits are lovely - and it's surprisingly moving. Case in point, the last scene of the first half, when the suffragettes are standing in a line, opposing police and singing - and one by one, they go down, as the police (standing on a ledge behind them onstage, miming) strike them - virtually. I've never seen anything quite like that, and it's most effective. Throughout, also, the fantastic dance routines - in fact, they all take a turn, during the curtain call, to show off their moves!

Really highly recommended - I'm not surprised it sold out, nor at the standing ovation. Runs till the 1st of April - book it! There are few better shows, right now.

Afterwards, we wanted to catch up - I suggested the basement bar, which stays open longer. Sure enough, the cast came in there after a while, too! And we had a good catch-up - who knows how long it'll be again, though? But it was a great night. Followed by a cold journey home..

Tomorrow, back with the Horror Book Club. Turns out that guy from tonight's group knows them! 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. I managed to get through the club's book, and read the entirety of the story it's based on, which is much shorter - and less coherent. Again, the meeting is in the Prince of Wales, Covent Garden. Question is, will the kitchen be open..?

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

On Friday, 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! Meeting my sometime dinner companion beforehand, down the road at Olivelli.

On Saturday, 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! Meeting Ivan that evening.. somewhere..

On Sunday, nothing on Meetup appealed massively - I thought 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 advertised a walk along the New River.. I'd 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.. which I finally did, when Free Stuff and Free Events advertised a blues concert at the Earl of Chatham, Woolwich. It's a way out, is all - but then, it's free, if I wanted to cancel. And.. now I have, because London Herstory Guided Walks! has finally advertised a walk I can go on. I was recommended this group by someone a while ago - they run guided walks with a female theme. Sunday's is Deeds Not Words! Suffragettes, Spies, & Warrior Queens. Delighted to be able to go on one of theirs, at last - they're usually on during working hours. Only thing is, they don't specify how to pay - cash on the day, I'm guessing, as they don't take payment on booking.

On Monday, my first actual event with the Over 40s. 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.

Next Tuesday, excited to be headed to see Derren Brown in Showman, at the Apollo Shaftesbury Avenue. Cheapest tickets with Official London Theatre 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 Up in the Cheap Seats 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 another group did some time ago? (since closed down). And then I'm back to Ireland again.

And on the 13th, 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 Doctor

Tonight, went to see The Doctor, with Juliet Stevenson, at the Almeida. Now, I'd originally booked for this for last Thursday, forgetting that The Embers Collective were meeting. Can happen when I'm booking lots of stuff. (Seems I was really not destined to go to that!) When I realised my mistake, I thought I just wouldn't bother with this - then saw that London Dramatic Arts were going tonight! So I switched my ticket to tonight, and let them know I was coming too. Last night, the organiser finally marked me down as going - we were meeting for food in Radici beforehand.

After a hectic week, I spent most of the day asleep - which was most satisfying. I felt much better by evening. Just missed my bus.. very frustrating, but the next wasn't far behind, and dropped me just near the corner of Almeida Street, just a little late. The restaurant, conveniently, is right across the road from the theatre - and I was nearly the first to arrive. Wow, the guy that was there first is someone I hadn't seen for years - and I met his wife tonight for the first time. The organiser wasn't as late as she often has been, lately; it's not always easy to get away. There were six of us in all for dinner.

They have an Evening Standard offer - we had to ask for the menu specially, mind. For starters, half had the cuttlefish with inky mayo - and proclaimed it wonderful. Two had the chicken salad, and proclaimed it lovely. I seemed less fortunate, with meatballs - which were ok - in an indifferent sauce, accompanied by rather cold mash. For main course, I fancied something uncomplicated, so had a pizza margherita, which was quite good. Those who had the penne arrabiata proclaimed it really spicy, but everybody seemed well fed. Two of us had the chocolate cake for dessert - and I'm sorry, it was not "spectacular!", as described by my companion! I give it a 6 - but then, I'm a connoisseur. I skipped the complementary glass of house wine that came with the offer, and instead shared a bottle of something Sicilian with one of my companions - now, that was good.. Not the best Italian I've been to, but it was convenient.

We moseyed over just in time to take our seats - the organiser had gone over in advance, having tickets to distribute to a few people who hadn't come for dinner. Despite me buying my ticket separately, I wasn't that far away from the others.. and despite my seat being described as "restricted view", it was just a pillar: and I could lean around that! With the seats at an angle to the side, I had no-one in front of me (although I was surprised to learn that C1 isn't the end of the row, there's actually a C0!) - legroom was not a problem.

Juliet Stevenson plays the director of an Alzheimer's clinic - one day, she takes the decision to admit a teenage girl with sepsis, which turns out to be the result of a DIY abortion that went wrong. The girls' parents are uncontactable - she's at death's door, and not much can be done. However, the meat of the play concerns the Catholic priest that she won't allow admittance to give the girl the last rites - she argues that it would just distress her, and since she's underage, the doctor must act in locus parenti and, since the girl hasn't asked for a priest, she can't admit him. The priest is frantic, and a fracas ensues, in the middle of which the girl dies. This is far from the end of the story.

Some of the ensuing controversy is to be expected - the parents are livid at the doctor, believing their daughter died in a state of mortal sin, denied the hope of salvation offered by the priest. The committee in charge of the institute starts to cover their asses, worried about the political fallout - she can't expect much support there, as they're scrabbling for funding for a new building. The whole thing comes to a head at a tv panel discussion show, where she is faced with five panellists, each with a different accusation for her - and you should hear what they come out with! Oh my..

Now, nobody comes out of this squeaky clean. Well, maybe the priest - I quite liked him. By and large though, everybody does something, at some point in the play, that they should be ashamed of. As for Juliet Stevenson's character? I started out thinking that this was a typical example of doctors' arrogance - the girl was conscious when the priest arrived, she could have been asked whether she wanted to let the priest in. If that had been a priority for the doctor - which it patently wasn't. My word though, she suffers a true witch's trial! What she goes through is quite excessive - and dealing, as it does, with several common themes of today, it raises many questions about them all, and about what we do with people who think differently from us..

And that is the best thing you can say about a play - that it inspires debate. I think this is a valuable reflection on several aspects of modern society. Two things I didn't like about it:

• The drummer who plays on the elevated platform.. NEVER SEEMS TO STOP! Through the entire play, he's playing an ominous undertone, just to remind us to feel tense. I hate background music that's overdone - and then he drawls on, right through the interval.
• There's a lot of gender- and race-switching through the play. I have nothing against it in principle, but there has to be a limit.. it's quite jarring when the doctor turns to the junior doctor who's been working under her for the whole play, who's played by a woman, and has just said something, and remarks, "That's a typical thing for a man to say." Worst of all though has to be when the PR consultant for the institute remarks that this controversy over the priest being denied admission, and the accusation that the doctor shoved him away, is all made worse by the fact that he's - eh - BLACK! The audience gave a murmur at that one - we'd been looking right at him, and I can't say we noticed! (Paul Higgins is the name, if you want to check for yourself!) For such a major plot point, they'd have made life much easier for the audience by casting a black actor. People don't like being surprised like that so late on.

Having said all that, it is well-written, and beautifully acted. I did also like the staging device of slowly swivelling the stage so that we "get to see things from all sides". So my quibbles stand, but this is still worth seeing, and a real conversation-starter. Runs till the 28th of next month.

Afterwards, some of us hung on in the bar for a nightcap - and had a nice chat, although it was a bit stuffy. And one of the group was good enough to run me home again! Honestly, that's not why I stayed on.. but it was lovely to see them all.

Tomorrow, have to be up a bit earlier - I'm going with Civilised London to the Cartoon Museum - with optional dim sum afterwards. Yes please! I seem to be the only taker - never mind, it's happened before!

On Monday, I'm finally going to see Evita, at Regent's Park Open Air Theatre. Never have seen it. Showers promised.. bah.

On Tuesday, with the London European Club at the Globe - we're going to risk The Comedy of Errors.

On Wednesday, I'm seeing Showtune - an evening of Jerry Herman music - at the Union Theatre.

On Thursday, I'm looking at a film - it's looking like Apollo 11, a documentary about the first moon landing. About time I saw it - it's been out a while. Closest place it's showing at a reasonable time is at the BFI - not selling out yet, but I'll keep an eye on it.

I'm back in Ireland for the bank holiday weekend - Ryanair strike permitting! Depends on what nationality our pilot is - and whether they voted to strike..

On the 27th, The Embers Collective is back - at Dalston Eastern Curve Garden this time. There'll be storytelling, there'll be music - and hopefully food. And we're making that the occasion of this month's social from my last company! Be great to see everyone again. And at least I don't have to depend on the Tube this time - unlike last Thursday!

On the 28th, London Science Events is off to a Science Museum Late.

And on the 29th and 30th, finally back with Up in the Cheap Seats - first time in three weeks! On the 29th, it's HMS Pinafore at Wilton's.

And on the 30th, we're at Treemonisha, by Scott Joplin, at the Arcola. Part of the Grimeborn Opera Festival.

Play: King Hedley II

Tonight, back - for the first time in months - with London Dramatic Arts! We were at King Hedley II, with Lenny Henry, at the Theatre Royal, Stratford East. As usual, she closed RSVPs too early, but I asked, and she reopened them. It'd be good to see them again. We were to meet beforehand at Sichuan Grand Chinese restaurant - good stuff, I hadn't eaten Chinese for a while!

What a day - I had to pick up a parcel (and the sorting office for my new place turns out to be all the way over in Mount Pleasant, where it was two flats ago). Had to take the bus, it's so far. Traffic in the City was unusually bad for a weekend - but I think they've blocked off City Road, and they've certainly restricted movement on Old Street roundabout, so that might explain it. My journey was further lengthened by Google Maps, who told me that my second bus left from a stop that it turned out not to! Then I was waiting for fully 25 minutes at the stop, for the bus back.

So I was late in dropping the parcel back at my place, then had to schlep up to the old place to get some more things - and by the time I got back with those, it was time to leave for the restaurant. And no, I hadn't eaten yet. Boy, was I looking forward to it.. anyway, tight for time, I took the Tube, which at least is only three stops from Stratford. Just as well, considering how crowded it was.

Well done Stratford for getting me lost again! To be fair, it's ages since I'd been here - but I was confused by where I was supposed to be going, and yes, made it out precisely the wrong end of the station. "Town", I should have headed for. Anyway, I ended up outside Westfield - on precisely the wrong side - where I discovered a footbridge. Once I figured out how to get up to that, things improved, and I eventually made it to the restaurant - 20 minutes late!

At the restaurant, I asked for the table for eight, booked under the organiser's name. I was shown to a table at the end - which was completely empty! Would you believe, everyone else seems to have got lost too.. By the time anyone else arrived, I'd ordered my whole meal, and had been served my (first) glass of wine. In the end, only six of us made it to the restaurant, and the last arrived just as we were due to leave! The waiter arrived with a menu, only to be asked for the bill..

The food, by the way, was excellent - but the portions are huge, so beware. I had an excellent salt and pepper shredded chicken starter - someone else had a chicken and nut dish that was raved about. I dared to brave the sichuan beef, despite dire warnings from the staff that it was very spicy. In the end, it was as spicy as I'd had anywhere, but no more so - perfectly edible, and very tasty. I finished the rice for once, hungry as I was. Others had duck sichuan, which is only spiced on the edges, and thus a much less spicy dish overall. And by the time people #4 and #5 arrived, three of us had been served, so they got to taste ours, which shortened their time reading the menu. Anyway, highly recommended - I'd happily eat there again.

And we were just around the corner from the theatre! which we made a mad dash to, as our organiser had the tickets for everyone, including those who hadn't come to the restaurant. Straight in - just in time - and we were in the second row of the Stalls:

So. Despite all the mentions of Reagan on the opening screen (I was doubtless distracted by that giant photo of Carter right in front of me), I'd missed the message that this is set in the 80s - my first clue was when the young female character came out in shoulderpads. We're in a rundown neighbourhood of Pittsburgh, in the backyard of the title character's mother. Besides him and his mother, we get his wife (with the shoulderpads), his less ambitious business partner, and the nosy next door neighbour, who provides some comic relief. Lenny Henry - in a darker role than I'm used to seeing him in - plays a hustler, a sharp-dressing, sly old flame of King's mother.

It's beautifully acted. In a neighbourhood like this, you just know things aren't going to work out right - King himself is a study in barely contained fury, easily sparked off. The women seem mainly morose, unhappy with their lot, constantly casting their eyes to heaven at the vagaries of the menfolk. They certainly have no chance of telling them what to do - they'd be put in their place quite fast. And the banter is terrific..

..until it goes on and on and on.. this is over three hours long, and feels it. They could easily have cut over half the play - a number of us, after the interval, heard what sounded like the same conversations start up again, and went "Oh, no".. Stick with it for a devastating climax though, it is worth it. Strange scene changes involve flashing lights and peculiar images - oh, and there's plenty of swearing. You have been warned. Recommended, with caveats. Runs till the 15th. And afterwards, a wild party continued in the bar - I stayed for a couple with one of the group, who was kind enough to run me home afterwards. Hope it's not as long till I see them again.

Well now. Tomorrow is looking like film, and the film is looking like Rocketman, based on the life of Sir Elton John. I've seen the trailer, which looks excellent - and having always liked his music, I'm looking forward to this. Indeed, it is the film of the moment - I just got a rave review from a friend of mine who's seen it, that Up in the Cheap Seats (UITCS) organiser I was with so much during the week is also seeing it tomorrow, and indeed, North London Friends is seeing it tomorrow too! but I'm not schlepping all the way up to Crouch End to join them. No, I'll go to the Barbican, which is an easy walk. Three showings - I'l make for the early one.

And on Monday, my only meeting with UITCS this week - we're off to the National for Rutherford and Son. I got the last £32 seat, when I booked! although there are plenty now.

Play: One for Sorrow

Uhh.. was tired all today, after the shenanigans again last night, flying back with Ryanair. Having said that, they were an hour earlier than last time.. we actually left at midnight, which was most impressive! I thought we'd just keep getting later and later. Anyway, our bags miraculously got there slightly after we did - the National Express ticket machine at Arrivals was broken though, and with the queue at the ticket desk, I decided to queue and buy from the roving agents. A very wise move, as it turned out, and I made the 2.30am bus, so was home 90 minutes earlier than last time. Mind you, I had trouble sleeping with the heat - it's much cooler in Ireland..

So, today was not one of my brighter days. Starting two weeks of plays(!), tonight, Anthony's Cultural Events and Walking Activities Group was off to Westferry Circus again, for The Importance of Being Earnest. I RSVPed for that.. but then London Dramatic Arts announced that they were off to see One for Sorrow, at the Royal Court. They cleverly left the announcement until the theatre had sold out for today - I guess there was an offer. So they were the only place I could get a ticket, and I did - probably at a slightly higher price than the theatre charged. Anyway, better than sitting on the grass, in the heat.  Happily, my last meeting got finished in time for me to grab a bite to eat, given that the play started a bit later than average: another advantage of choosing this over Westferry Circus!

I was on the Tube again, of course - lucky enough to get a seat on both lines, and oh, such blissful aircon on the District Line! Arrived at the theatre box office at the same time as a rather harassed organiser - seems she's really snowed under at work. Anyway, they have a bar in the alleyway these days, which seemed more attractive than heading to the basement, considering we'd have to head upstairs for the play.. however, since they were closing at around the time that Pity started in the main house, the basement bar was where we ended up. Took our drinks upstairs in plastic - and I thought we'd never get there! The Jerwood Theatre must be in the attic of the Royal Court - we must have climbed at least five stories from the basement. I stopped halfway to read the cast list, so got my breath back and made it alive. Feeling a bit chesty again these days.

With open seating, they forgot to save me a seat, but I ended up just behind them - we had another couple in the back. Some famous faces there tonight too, apparently - more common here than in the main house. The seats weren't the most comfortable, I have to say, and I'm afraid I wriggled a bit, probably to the annoyance of those behind me. A bit stuffy too. One point of annoyance with the play itself I'll state right here - the lights are a bit blinding as you come in, and kind of pulsing - if you shade your eyes with your hands, you can make out a set that comprises a living room with dining area, where the entire play is set. But the lights are very annoying, as are the flashes that mark a scene change.

As the organiser remarked when I mentioned it, it is probably meant to unnerve us - certainly, the complete darkness before the start of each act does, which lasts for some time, punctuated by whispering that previews what's going to happen in that act. The first act is also preceded by the sounds of explosions, screams and gunfire - goes on for ages, and is not recommended for those of a nervous nature. I found it more comfortable to close my eyes for this bit. Set in London, the play tells the story of some kind of attack (perhaps terrorist) and its immediate aftermath. (So, two explosive plays running in the same building at the moment!)

The first act opens with a family - middle-aged couple and two intelligent, well-educated, and feisty young daughters, one at secondary school, the other at college, and both highly opinionated. An argument is in full flight - dinner has been abandoned, and sits there on the table for the entire play. The elder daughter, you see, anxious to do something in the face of the atrocities happening outside, with chaos reigning and the death toll rising rapidly, has taken such action as she knew how to do. She's tagged their house online as being "open" - i.e. they are willing to give refuge to anyone who feels they need it tonight. Her parents are predictably furious, and the ensuing argument is actually hilarious, as idealistic youth tries to trump the older generation. Little sis agrees with her, of course, and just wants to get out into the action. Surprise, surprise, they get a response to the message, and soon a young man is pounding on the door.

He's a personable young chap, as it happens, and most articulate, as is pointed out. He's a PhD student - in mechanical engineering. Makes robots. And he's brown-skinned. He also has a strange reluctance to take off his coat - they put this down to shock. He certainly gives the appearance of it when he comes in, all dusty from the explosions. This is where the play really took off for me, as he engages the whole family in argument, challenging their cosily held, politically correct assumptions. And as the night wears on, and tensions rise, their world begins to crumble around them.


With really clever, quick-fire dialogue through most of the play, I was highly engaged. As I remarked to one of the group, I love to see smug people getting told off! Unfortunately, the last 10 minutes or so don't really gel with the rest, as - well, we weren't quite sure what happened! Either there's a massive plot twist or the thing just goes completely off the rails. I'm going for the plot twist - but we needed a bit more to support that. As someone mused afterwards, it smacked of something that got finished in a hurry - which is a shame, as it could have been memorable. Still enjoyable though - runs until Saturday, with mostly limited availability; it is a small theatre, and was mostly full tonight, too.

At the interval, I hadn't fancied traipsing all the way down, only to drag myself upstairs again. So I stayed where I was - those who did go down took the lift back, wisely! Afterwards, nobody really fancied staying in the basement bar, so we hung around outside - à la Up in the Cheap Seats (UITCS)! Happily, tonight someone did suggest that, if we were going to hang around chatting, we should do it over a drink - so we schlepped next door to Colbert, where they could have done with aircon! Anyway, they found us a booth down the back, and served us some tap water, some moreish frites, and some excellent wine, while we chatted about all sorts. A good evening was had all around - and I took the bus back, traffic being lighter now. Again, I have to marvel at the cute departure boards they have at bus stops around Sloane Square! Worth taking the bus just for those.

The rest of this week, as it happens, is with UITCS. Tomorrow, they're off to When Midnight Strikes, Upstairs at the Gatehouse. I guess I'll be on the Tube again, what with evening meetings.

On Wednesday, London Literary Walks was supposed to be back with "Brook Green" - another area near where I used to live! Actually, the first medical practice that I registered with, in London. Nice nurse - one very narky doctor. Sadly, he then cancelled - I don't know why, as his comment on the page disappeared with the page when he cancelled the event! Unfortunately, I'm now booked up for the rest of the Wednesdays in the month, too. Instead, this Wednesday, I'm off to Allelujah at the Bridge Theatre. Well, at least it's closer. Funnily enough, I accidentally nearly booked for the matinee of this - and there was better availability for the evening performance! Odd..

On Thursday, we're back to the Camden Fringe, with How to Be a Londoner in an Hour, at the Hen & Chickens Theatre. Then I'm down to Helen's for the weekend, for a party..

Next Monday, back with Anthony's Cultural Events and Walking Activities Group, back to Westferry Circus.. this time it's for A Woman of No Importance.

On the 14th, with nothing on Meetup that I was interested in (and hadn't done), I'm headed with my £3.60 club to a play called Faith & Heresy, at The Bread & Roses in Clapham.

On the 15th - sorry, London Literary Walks, you didn't advertise early enough! Instead, I'm off with North London Friends for Things of Dry Hours, at the Young Vic.

On the 16th, I'm headed to Soho Theatre for The One. Then back to Ireland for the weekend, again.

On the 20th, I'm going with UITCS to the Arcola, for Elephant Steps.

On the 21st, the £3.60 club is providing me with a ticket to see Aprile Millo perform at Cadogan Hall. Gotta say, terrific value for something whose official prices start at £35!

And on the 22nd, again, missing out on London Literary Walks - instead, off with UITCS to the Camden Fringe. We're seeing Secondhand Stories and Whimsy, two short plays at The Lion and Unicorn.

Plays: My Name Is Lucy Barton & Monogamy

Last night, back with Up in the Cheap Seats - at the Bridge Theatre this time, for My Name is Lucy Barton, starring Laura Linney. I got the very last £15 seat! It did sell out, eventually. Well, I didn't have any late meetings - for once - so could leave in decent time for my two buses. Just as well, with the traffic!

Arrived a bit after the first people in the group - and sadly, too late to get a seat at their table, this theatre being one without adequate seating in the lobby. Hey-ho, I bought myself a glass of what I considered decent house white and came back to stand with them. Someone else (who had a seat) came back with a toastie, and some beer.. predictably, the one ended up making contact with the other, when someone else knocked over the beer with her bag. I can't say whether it improved the taste of the toastie..

When we were called, we started to make our way in. I was in Gallery 3 - the top level - this time, on a high seat. But I already knew that it's just the same as a barstool, with the advantage of a rail that you can rest your feet on. The seat was comfy, and the views in this theatre are uniformly good:

Now, this is apparently based on a book, which had been on sale at the entrance. And it's a monologue, the titular character telling us how she's been ill, and her mother came to see her in the hospital - Laura Linney does a good job of representing her mother, using a distinct voice. The meeting brings back plenty of old memories, and over the course of the play, the truth of her upbringing is revealed. 90 minutes, straight through.

It got a standing ovation at the end. I didn't participate. Afterwards, the others gushed about how you could tell she was Oscar-nominated, and how great the writing was, and how they must get the book. I.. didn't. Now, I liked it. I particularly liked the projections on the screens to the rear of the stage, and I thought she did a technically excellent job of presenting the material. However.. I hated what background music there was, which I found twee, I thought the first half dragged unmercifully, and I found that her performance lacked pathos. I don't say she should have been weeping and wailing all over the stage, but I thought she played it by rote - intelligently, but lacking in feeling. I was completely unengaged. Anyway, runs until the 23rd.

Afterwards, with an early finish and the bar staying open, we hung on there (me standing, again) for a couple, then I made my way home - too late for the local supermarkets, so I chanced one of the Chinese takeaways near me. Magic Wok & Box was still open, and takes cards, so I had a kung po chicken from there, with egg fried rice. As I was paying by card, they told me the minimum was £10 - so I had a Sprite as well. Still 30p under, but they let me away with it. The food was tasty, but there was way too much rice.. they fill the container completely. So I ended up eating about half of that - there's enough for two. Otherwise, recommended. And by that stage, it was a bit too late to blog.

Crazy busy at work today, so the blog got delayed again. Tonight, would you credit it, I was back with London Dramatic Arts! to see Monogamy, at the Park Theatre. Well, it sounded interesting - and they'd sold their allocation for this showing, so we were free to buy our own (gee). My good God, it's August since I was last with them..

Set off in decent time again, for an advertised meet time of 6:45 (the play starts at 7:30). Two buses again - crammed to the gills, and it was a relief to get a seat on the second, which at its worst had two buggies, side by side in the wheelchair area, and nowhere for me to stand downstairs but squashed in right beside them. Mercifully, half the bus - including one of the buggies - got off at the same stop. And eventually the rest of us did, at the end of the line.

We were supposed to meet in the upstairs bar of the theatre, so I made my way straight up there, where one of the group was sat at a table - and I got a seat, this time! Naturally, everyone else was even later than I was - I'd forgotten that this organiser always is. I'd be the same, I'm sure - but I'd be embarrassed about advertising a start time I was unlikely to make. Pity the poor newbie, trying to figure out whether we were in the group!

Anyway, we all made it eventually, and I must say, I got a lovely reception from the organiser and her husband. I stayed off the drink tonight - my throat was raw (I have the sniffles again, would you believe) so I stuck to the free water provided in jars. Besides, I'd already finished off this week's bottle of wine in the office! (As I say, it was a tough day.)

When we hit the theatre, most of the group were in the back row of the stalls, facing the stage - the newbie and I were front row, to the side, where I had a lovely view of the side of a table, and the backs of some chairs. I did worry about seeing what was going on on the other side of the stage - I needn't have bothered, it was very well staged, my view of the actors hardly ever compromised. And when the others in our row nipped into some free seats they spied around the front, why, the two of us had the row all to ourselves!

So, Janie Dee plays Caroline, a famous tv chef, with her own series and a successful book. In fact, as we meet her, she's filming the last episode to be set in her kitchen - with the kids grown up, they're downsizing, and from now on the show will be filmed in studio. She's married to Patrick Ryecart - at the start of the show, he's out golfing (as usual), but when he does make an appearance, it's with a bang! Their son is Jack Archer, who's just graduated with a First from Cambridge, and for whom Caroline is throwing a celebratory family dinner. We also meet the hunky Jack Sandle, the handyman who's fixing the place up prior to sale, and after a bit, we'll meet Charlie Brooks. So, a few faces you're likely to recognise then.

It's fantastic. The acting is true-to-life - Jack's stress as he tries to tell his distant father something reminded me so much of someone I work with! Someone in the group remarked afterwards that the father reminded her of her own father - or an amalgam of the worst bits of several people she knew. Of course, the play examines the drama of the life behind this picture-perfect, middle-class woman. And, in the best traditions of playwriting, nobody in the play ends up behaving the way you might have thought they would. I'm not giving much away when I say that order descends into chaos, as several characters take to a variety of booze.. in vino veritas, and it's hilarious to watch people becoming more honest as they get more sloshed! The final scene is an absolute riot - no sloppy slapstick here, the comic timing is perfect.

Absolutely cannot recommend this highly enough - it's the best play I've seen in months. Runs until the 7th.

We stayed for a drink after, again in the upstairs bar, where we had to ask them to turn off the freezing aircon. Handily, I was just in time for the #4 bus, which whisked me home in time to get to Tesco, this time..

Tomorrow, Funzing is advertising an ice skating display in aid of the victims of Grenfell. Via Funzing UK. The usual 10% discount applies.

On Sunday, Let's Do This is headed to the World Illustration Awards exhibition at Somerset House.

On Monday, I'm headed to storytelling by Crick Crack again, finally.. I haven't been able to make any of their more recent ones. It's in Soho Theatre, and it's Sally Pomme Clayton, with Crow. Blood. Snow. Oh my God, it's been ages. Naturally, you'd never know from their Meetup group that it's happening at all. Our boss was supposed to be in London that week, so I decided to leave the rest of the week free, for now.

Then he pinged us, last week, to say it'll actually be the week after. Cue me booking things frantically for the week that was now free - happily, I did well. On Tuesday, something very interesting - Up in the Cheap Seats is off to Whist, at Sadler's Wells. Now, turns out that this is an immersive, VR experience! Definitely different.

On Wednesday, London Literary Walks is off on Pop the Weasel, and I'm delighted to be able to accompany them. Local again, I see. Yet another attendee now that Mary's signed up, yay!

On Thursday, back to Sands Films for Fete de la Musique - Belcirque is performing, and they do sound quirky. London European Club, TunedIn London. Then it's Ireland again at the weekend.

On the 25th, I'm indulging myself with a premium seat to see Andrew Scott perform the one-man show, Seawall, written especially for him. It's at the Old Vic, two weeks only.

On the 26th, back with Up in the Cheap Seats, at Sadler's Wells. It's the Nederlands Dans Theater again - I remember good things about them from before. As I say, the boss is now in the office that week - well, he'll just have to manage without me, those two nights. I'm keeping the rest of the week, and the weekend, free, just in case. Hey, I do have to move that week as well, so could probably do with the time! Just waiting on the contract now, which I have to sign before I can pick up the keys.

And on the 2nd, back with Up in the Cheap Seats, at the Gielgud Theatre for Imperium I - Conspirator. The first part of a double-bill, but viewable independently, it is told from the point of view of Cicero's secretary, as he watches how his master's work is used to bring about an end to the Roman Republic. I should probably have booked the second part at the same time - there's a discount for that - but well, my schedule is generally so packed..!

Play: Against

Tonight, I was finally back with London Dramatic Arts, for the opening night of Against, with Ben Whishaw, at the Almeida. I booked the rear stalls with them - they also had tickets in the front stalls, for a higher price, of course. They were actually also going to see Apologia, with Stockard Channing and Laura Carmichael, earlier in the day, but for a ridiculous price, so I passed on that. (Never mind, I'm going myself - cheaper - in October: cheapest tickets I found were with Amazon Tickets.) They were going for dinner beforehand, at Thyme and Lemon, but the menu didn't really appeal to me. Later, another of the group confirmed my opinion, saying the last time she was there, she wasn't impressed, either.

So, I had a lovely, relaxed day - washed my hair, ate, even had time for a nap before I set out. And it was a lovely day for it - warm and sunny. I headed out in good time, caught an early bus, which dropped me just down the road from the theatre, walked around the corner - passing Thyme and Lemon on the way. And although I was about five minutes earlier than she'd said she'd be, for once, there she was - to be fair, she had been with whoever else went to the restaurant, of course, and they hardly had far to come! And I got a nice surprise when she gave me my ticket - the "rear stalls" had suddenly become the "front side stalls". Much better! I see she charged a £4 markup on face value - but as I recall, this performance was completely sold out when I checked, so I'm fine with that.

Wasn't long before we went in. Now, neither of the group members I was sitting with were any more clued-up on what this was about than was I, in advance. The set opens with something that looks like a forensics tent, people in anti-contamination suits and masks coming and going, the front of the stage cordoned off by a police tape. In front of the stage is a small table, with flowers, teddy bears, a lit candle - the sort of thing you leave in memoriam. Shortly, a tv is wheeled on, showing news footage of a school shooting. So that explains that.

Enter Ben Whishaw. A helpful surtitle screen keeps flashing up the different locations, and we meet him in a "rocket factory", where he's having an intense conversation with a woman who works with him. We learn that he's a multimillionaire inventor and scientist - think Bill Gates. He tells her he's been getting messages from God, and the upshot is, he is to "go where there's violence". The rest of the play concerns his mission to go to places where dreadful things have happened, and try to heal the communities. He starts a website, tries to foster communication. Oh, and a watch that wasn't working suddenly starts to work around him! So far, so messianic. (And I bet, if you try to guess what happens to him in the end, you won't be far off - I got it in one.)

But don't worry, it's not all happy-clappy preaching. It's much cleverer than that - and left us all agreeing at the end that the Almeida is, as ever, a source of seriously good drama. After all, not everyone is convinced; there are people with their own agendas, and he's forced to examine his conscience, and consider different kinds of violence. Is he to deal with prejudice as a form of violence? Is he to attack capitalism as a form of violence against low-paid workers? A brilliant performance from a college professor has us questioning the left-wing liberal agenda, and there's a very snide dig at a certain company that has a bad reputation for mistreating its workers - why, the company logo in the play is even reminiscent of theirs! (And both names have geographical origins!)

What a breath of fresh air, to find something so original. I was fascinated, and Ben Whishaw plays a blinder. No first-night glitches, apart from a couple of souls who were having an intimate moment in one scene, then in a too-fast scene change, found themselves unable to locate quite all their clothes in the dark, one having to do up his shoelaces in the next scene while making it look as natural as possible! :-) Runs till the end of next month - definitely recommended. Booking probably advisable, as word spreads - it's sold out for this Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday.

We hung around chatting afterwards - lovely to see old faces again. And an excitable crowd of youngsters spent forever waiting outside, one girl beaming as she stared through the window, hopping up and down, brandishing a large poster of the play, and a pen. Bless, I don't think he ever did come out.. probably made his escape around the back! Me, I headed for the bus stop, which turned out to be right across the road from the King's Head, soon to expand next door.

No actual plans to go with them again, for the foreseeable future - either I'm unavailable, or they're just too expensive. Tomorrow, I'd booked with Carpe Diem, who are doing a Cockney Walk. But then, Eventbrite sent me an email of upcoming attractions, and the same day, they're doing a walk on Shakespeare's Southwark, which I find more interesting. I hadn't had to pay for the other one, so I cancelled and booked this instead. Happily, the weather is supposed to be good.

On Monday, back with Up in the Cheap Seats: just a single play this time, Dark Room, at the Etcetera Theatre.

On Tuesday, back with Funzing: LDN Talks @Night and London Speaks Sessions have a talk called Z List - Dead List! So, a comedian is to regale us with tales of nefarious dead people, and we are to decide who deserves to become a celebrity forever! I got a 30% discount with the code WELLBEING30. Shoreditch, as usual - this one is in the Loves Company Cocktail Bar.

On Wednesday, another Camden Fringe double bill with Up in the Cheap Seats: Ego, in The Lion and Unicorn, and The Trial of Le Singe, in The Water Rats.

On Thursday, I'm headed to a rather interesting talk on Bodysnatching in Southwark! Mary, too.. and it's a funny thing, all the tickets were gone when I first saw it, but then I checked again on spec, and more were available! Lucky. As advertised by Walks, Talks and Treasure Hunts - but they're not running it, tickets are available on Eventbrite, and are free. I see London Social Detours are going too. Then I'm back to Ireland again for the weekend.

On the 21st, I'm off to see Jesus Christ Superstar, finally! At the open-air theatre in Regent's Park - again, I hope it doesn't rain.

On the 22nd, my first talk with Scarlet Ladies UK (!). Their stated aim is to abolish the stigma of talking about sex.. so they have a load of talks. This one is about the history of slut-shaming.

On the 23rd, back with Jennifer Rees (and the same two Meetup Funzing groups again), for a talk about the Psychology of Serial Killers. This is at least the third instance of this talk - I was booked for one last month, but had to cancel - it clashed with the trip to the Icebar. The next was sold out - and then I saw this one and booked, at last! It's on the Battersea Barge, of all places! Just a 10% discount this time - I see the latest code for that is crazy_fun.

On the 24th, back with Up in the Cheap Seats for Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill, a musical about the life of Billie Holiday. Nice and close to me, at Wyndham's. Passed it the other evening, in fact.

On the 25th, back with the same group (!) for yet another Camden Fringe double bill: Boris - the Musical! at the Cockpit again (the London European Club - LEC - are also going to this), and Make Advena Great Again, at Camden People's Theatre. Goodness, that's only a short walk from home..

On the 26th, I'm back to the Proms for the first time in years! Funnily enough, it was inspired by a Meetup group - Gothic Requiem London (!). This is the "Gothic Prom", you see - all the composers are Czech (Bohemian). Now, I'm no Goth - but the Proms sound like a great idea.

On the 27th, I'm off on a day trip to Bath, with Carpe Diem: booked while I was in Barcelona, recently.

On the 28th, the organiser of Walks, Talks & Treasure Hunts promised Helen and me free tickets to a treasure hunt she was organising that day - in recompense for that treasure hunt, not run by her but advertised by her, where the organisers never showed, and instead marked us as no-shows. However, the event on the 28th still hasn't been advertised, and what with severe engineering works at Waterloo for the whole month, Helen's not sure she can make it at all. We shall see.

On the 29th, I'm off to see Five Guys Named Moe, at the Marble Arch Theatre - a pop-up, it seems! From the Box Office provided the best deal on this occasion.

On the 30th, back with Up in the Cheap Seats, for Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, at the Apollo (although booking is with the Young Vic), with Sienna Miller, Colm Meaney, and nudity. Cheapest tickets this time were with LoveTheatre.

On the 31st, back with those two Funzing groups. This time, the talk is entitled "Can You Trust the Media?", and is given by Annie Machon, who gave an interesting talk last month on Russian Hacking. Another 30% discount. I just wish she'd use some visual aids.. At the Lighthouse again, terrific. :-/ Then I'm back to Ireland for the weekend again.

On the 4th September, I'm finally going to see Dreamgirls, at the Savoy. Amazon Tickets, again.

On the 5th September, back with the Scarlet Ladies for a talk on Generation Sex.

On the 6th September, I'm with another new group - North London Friends - for an interview with Michael Palin, at the Knowledge Centre Theatre at the British Library. I was really torn, though - the LEC is off to an early music concert the same night, and I do love that - but had already booked this, and it is Michael Palin. Hey-ho..

On the 7th September, back with North London Friends, and another talk on Fake News - different speaker, mind! This is the Fulbright Commission annual lecture, at the British Library.

On the 8th September, until the other day I was still technically booked for free comedy in Hammersmith with DiscoverLDN.UK. But, as I say - good atmosphere, but the comedy is usually pretty bad. I was saved - again - by Up in the Cheap Seats, who are off to see Doubt, a Parable, in Southwark Playhouse. Aww.. it's so long since I was there, and I have so many good memories of it from my time with the Man with the Hat!

On the 9th September, Helen and I have our 25km sponsored walk, in aid of Haslemere's Cat Protection Society. We're going as Dick Whittington and his cat, respectively, and the route is the Thames Bridges Trek. You can donate here..

Which will tire me out nicely, just in time for my flight to Prague the next morning! I'm at a conference there, Sunday to Tuesday. (What a nice company I work for!) Gee, but I love Prague - most beautiful city I've ever seen, and I've seen a few. They're putting me up at a nice hotel too, just down the road.

So, I fly back on the 12th September, and on the 13th I'm back with Up in the Cheap Seats, at Sadler's Wells, for the Hofesh Schechter Company grand finale.

On the 14th September, I'm at another talk with Walks, Talks and Treasure Hunts - this one, at Southwark Cathedral, is about the River Effra, South London's Secret Spine. Another free Eventbrite event, this is to publicise a book about the subject, and the talk is again given by the author. Another thing that had no tickets, then it did! Then I'm back to Ireland for the weekend again.

On the 18th September, I'm off to Showstopper! at the Lyric. Ticket courtesy of From the Box Office again. I have actually seen this before - but, being an improvised musical, it literally is different every time!

On the 19th September, back with the Scarlet Ladies, for a talk entitled 100 Women - Their Breasts, Their Stories.

On the 20th September, Funzing (same two groups) and Jennifer Rees again - this time, a fun talk about the Psychology of Batman Villains! The first of hers for which I managed to get a 30% discount.. and it's on nice and close to me again. Seems to be a feature of her talks!

On the 21st September, technically, free comedy in Hammersmith - with Free Comedy Nights in Hammersmith, Wimbledon and Greenwich, Random London, and DiscoverLDN.UK. And on the 22nd September, the same - with DiscoverLDN.UK. I rather doubt it though - don't you?

On the 23rd September, I was to do the same, but am now headed to the launch of Rob Luft's new album, Riser, at King's Place. As advertised by The London Jazz Meetup. I finally ended up paying their membership fee after booking an event with them yesterday, for November, which someone is attending that I know. So I figured it was wiser!

I had booked the same free comedy, with the same group, on the 24th September, but was again saved - this time, by the World Music Meetup! They're off to see Kefaya, in Nell's Jazz and Blues bar, back in my old stomping ground of North End Road! Happy days, when I was working there..

On the 25th September, a group called Theatre and Stuff is off to see Prism, at Hampstead Theatre. They're charging extra to go with them, though - so I happily bought my own ticket. What the hey, odds are I won't know any of them anyway.

On the 26th September, I'm back with Up in the Cheap Seats - to see Wings, at The Young Vic. Accidentally booked standing, I think.. :-/

On the 27th September, with Up in the Cheap Seats again - for Jekyll & Hyde, presented by the National Youth Theatre, at the Ambassadors Theatre.

On the 28th September, with another new group: London, Surrey and Beyond.. for an event called "A Unique Experience. Olde Pub, Gerry's Private Club, 2 'i's Famous Fish 'n' Chips". Which says it all, really! Then it's back to Ireland for the weekend again.

On the 2nd October, back at Hampstead Theatre, for No One Will Tell Me How to Start a Revolution. North London Friends are attending - and charging extra, so I'm going it alone!

On the 3rd October, free comedy in Hammersmith - nominally. With Free Comedy Nights in Hammersmith, Wimbledon and Greenwich. Or not!

On the 4th October, Up in the Cheap Seats and Labour of Love, with Martin Freeman, at the Noel Coward Theatre. Cheapest tickets from the venue, for once!

On the 5th October, same group - headed to see the Company Wayne McGregor, at Sadler's Wells.

And finally! on the 6th October, headed to see Chekhov's The Seagull, at the Lyric. Third night in a row for that group - almost as busy a group as I am a person!