For last night, nothing had been appealing - until I tried the Meetup app again, and came across a Meetup group called, attractively, Let's Do This! Quite new - anyway, they organised a trip to see La Voix Humaine, a 40-minute solo opera, performed in English by Opera Up Close. It's in King's Place, which I love. I'd already found it by the time the Man with the Hat took us there, but it was with him I went the last two times: so this would be bittersweet. Lordy if I didn't then discover that it's co-run by a couple of the Man with the Hat's old members! So of course I booked. Great to see the Man with the Hat has left a classical legacy - there are very few Meetup groups doing this sort of thing. And at a discount, yet!
I wisely booked the day off, considering how late I knew I'd get back from Twickenham the night before: then spent the day (as much of it as I was awake) doing the blog I hadn't touched over the weekend. And even with the day off, I was then rushing to get to King's Place in time! They'd said 7:30, with the performance staring at 8:30 - I didn't quite make 7:30, given that I only caught a bus at 7:25. There were a couple of buses I could have taken, but I took the 390, which carries up along York Way, meaning less of a walk - and my shoes were pinching, so that was a consideration. And wouldn't you know it, the stop beside King's Place is actually named for it - despite what Google Maps said. What the hey, I was happy with just having to cross the road.
Into the bar, and they were just inside the door - I hadn't seen the organisers since the Man with the Hat's groups broke up, and it was good to see them again! As it was the other familiar faces, who arrived shortly after. Service was as slow as ever, but we had time for one before we headed downstairs - Hall Two, so unassigned seating. We found ourselves a spare row to the side, so we could all sit together.
The stage consists of a series of wire mesh frames to represent walls between different rooms in the character's flat. When the opera starts, she's lying prone in what I assume is the bedroom - she wakes to answer the phone, then spends the rest of the opera roaming from room to room, with the phone (which has a handily long lead), as she speaks to her lover on the other end - and to an annoying third party that keeps butting in. It's a party line, you see.
One of the organisers asked me afterwards what I'd thought. Ehh.. well, you have to remember it was written in French, by a French composer. And in common with much French cinema, it is highly introspective. No wonder it's less than an hour long - there's only so much you can say about a woman at the end of her tether, at the end of a phone line. So, you know, she expresses distress, she thinks he does't love her, she thinks he's lying to her, then she's afraid to confront him lest she piss him off, she's terrified that he won't ring back when they get cut off.. the opera finally ends as she's beginning to wrap the cord around her neck (spoiler). Yes, beautifully sung - but I wasn't mad about the rather discordant score, and the plot didn't really enthuse me. Reactions among the group were mixed, though - some loved it. Oh, and great timing from the person in our row whose phone went off, just after the singer complained she could hear music on the line!! Two more performances only, next month.
Afterwards, as the Man with the Hat did before, most of us repaired to The Star of Kings, just up the road. I was starving, so made straight for the food menu - wisely, as the kitchen closes at 10, and it was coming on to that. We started off outside, but had to move inside, again at 10, where we took a table down the back. A couple of us had chips - and I really have to recommend the "Ottawa Fries", with maple bacon and pecan. The dollop of sauce, with small bacon pieces (and how they can describe that as vegetarian, I don't know!) that came on top of the fries was delicious! So, we stayed for a couple, and a fine old time was had. Excellent, for my first Meetup with them, and I'll definitely schedule more. In fact, I just booked something with them for next month. More details anon.
The bus stop I needed for my trip home was just down the road - and wouldn't you know, a 390 was sailing towards me as I made for the stop, bidding a quick farewell to Mary as I went. And wouldn't you know, it sailed right past me! Now, I know I didn't have my arm stuck out, but honestly - I was obviously headed for the stop, and that's the only bus that stops there! Blasted drivers, that couldn't be bothered to stop at night. Had to wait 10 minutes for the next - I've complained (again - third time in a week. Anyway, when I got home, it was too late to blog, given that I'm back at work today (boo..).
Tonight started out with yet more free comedy in Hammersmith (!) with Free Comedy Nights in Hammersmith, Wimbledon and Greenwich, Random London, London Live Comedy, Hammersmith & Fulham Friends, and Discover LDN.UK. But then Funzing (London Speaks Sessions and LDN Talks @ Night) rocked up and saved me, with a talk on Blitzed - Drugs in Nazi Germany. However, over the weekend, Kensington Classical Music advertised - late notice, as ever - a piano concert in the Lansdowne Club; smart dress again! Probably just means no denim. I can walk, which is nice.
Tomorrow, I was looking at free comedy in Greenwich, with London Live Comedy, Free Comedy Nights in Hammersmith, Wimbledon and Greenwich, and Random London. (I do wonder what's happening with London Literary Walks, who used to have a walk almost every Wednesday over the summer..) Anyway, on Friday, what should happen (over lunch) but that I got an offer of £5 tickets to go see Queen Anne (offer now available only on Thursday). Well now, that had already caught my attention - so now I'm going to that. (The company involved do say not to spread their name around, but since they advertise on the Tube - and have done in the paper - I do think that's highly hypocritical.)
Thursday was more comedy - in Hammersmith - with the Famous Five (aforementioned) groups - Discover LDN.UK twice, as before. But you know, Eleanor did a good job last week of selling upcoming events to us - so instead, I'm going to see The Good Soldier Schwejk - mainly because it's on upstairs at Sands Films, where I've never been. Then it's back to Ireland for the weekend.
On Monday, more comedy - for £3.60, this time. Tez Ilyas is performing at the Pleasaunce, and I know he's good - saw him in Top Secret once, for free..
Next Tuesday, the U2 tour continues - I fly to Barcelona that day, to see them that night! One of their crazy, one-night-only appearances, on what is a very limited tour. Turns out I'm seeing them at half of all their European concerts for the year! Looking forward to immersing myself in the madness again.
I fly back on the 19th, and that night was - provisionally - booked for more free comedy (quelle surprise). Greenwich, the above three groups. There are some interesting Funzing talks that night, but I've already seen them. And then - why, Eleanor has another event! I listened to a clip of Hanitra, decided I liked her enough, so now I'm booked to see her in Sands Films that night.
The 20th, I booked another Funzing talk (the above two groups). This is a talk about serial killers, as given by a forensic psychologist (Jennifer Rees) that works with the police, and who also gives terrific talks about psychopaths. Highly recommended! She's a terrifically engaging speaker, and looks far too young to be working in such a murky area. Unfortunately, now I've had to cancel - turns out that the much-anticipated first Meetup of the Man with the Hat's other ex-members' group, Love London for Less, is happening that night, so of course I'm headed to that - we're going to the Icebar, where I've never been. Should be interesting. Never mind about the talk - although, despite being on the watchlist for the talk, I received no notice, Helen spotted, over the weekend, that another instance of that talk has been scheduled for next month, and I'm booked for that.
Then I'm back to Ireland for a long weekend - first to Dublin (from London City airport, a first for me), for U2's (one-and-only!) concert there.. then down to see my mother for a couple of days, flying back on Tuesday.
On the 26th, I had booked free comedy in Greenwich - same groups as before. Then Funzing rode to the rescue, and instead I'm now headed to a Funzing talk entitled "Politics - WTF!" Appropriate, no? Anyway, I booked them on a once-only code "iwantfunzingagain". Or you could try "Funzing30" - both give 30% off, but are time-limited.
On the 27th, free comedy in Hammersmith again. So far.
So, that brings us to Friday 28th July, and it's off to Amsterdam, for my final two U2 concerts of the year (sniff). On Saturday and Sunday. Really, you have no idea of the organisation that went into all of this, back in January..! I'm literally headed to half of their European concerts on this very limited tour.
I fly back on the 31st, and saw an interesting Funzing talk advertised for that night - "Are We Living in the Matrix?" Well, I'm well overdue a free talk, with all of them that I've booked (every fourth free), so I contacted them to get a code to get this for free. Still waiting..! Despairing of them, I finally booked it on one of their limited 50% deals over the weekend.
And on the 1st, I finally get to see Jennifer Rees again, when she's giving a talk on The Psychology of Criminals. With dim sum, great! (Had to stick with a 10% discount for this one - Fun_Day10 or Fun_Week10 are the ones you want for that.) And it's walking distance from me for once, in Covent Garden. Excellent.. and Helen has sensibly decided to come too. On which occasion she'll deliver all the stuff I couldn't fit in my bag, coming back this time!
Ah goodee, another day, another Meetup with the Man with the Hat. First time with him to Kings Place - and he recommended the cafe there if we wanted to eat. Now, I have been there a number of times, and noticed the cafe, but never had eaten there yet - and since I was working from home (a wise precaution, heading all the way up there), I decided I'd give it a shot.
Actually, it didn't take that long to get there - train, then Victoria Line to King's Cross. Handy I remembered my tip from before - if there's a huge queue at Victoria to enter the Victoria Line, pass it to the District & Circle Line entrance, and cross over from there. Much faster. Arrive at King's Cross and get lost (I recommend having a maps app on your phone at this point, and was very glad I'd charged said phone). Best tip I can give for York Way (where King's Place is located) is to exit for King's Cross Station - but still not sure where exactly the best exit is. Anyhoo, found my road, crossed, and soon came to King's Place - you can't miss it, it's that big glass building on the right.
Felt weird not to be picking up my ticket myself. Anyway, I made my way through the foyer - it's been a while since I was here, and I had to remind myself where the cafe was - keep going, it's at the end, on the left. Their menu changes daily - yesterday was Caribbean Wednesday, and I fancied the jerk chicken they had on the menu, which came with couscous. I also fancied a brownie. Had to ask for wine - they do stock it, but out of sight. Took a seat at that long table in the foyer.. the wine was a bit insipid, the chicken was fine, but the couscous was amazing! Highly recommended.
I was just moving on to the brownie when the Man with the Hat appeared, all surprised that I got there before him. Ah well now, if you will tell people things, you have to expect some of them to listen. So then he disappeared to get tickets, and I made my slow way through a brownie that took some eating. I was about halfway there when he returned with a typically enormous wad of tickets (he had both groups there again). And as if by magic, he was rapidly surrounded by people claiming the tickets. Somebody once called him the Pied Piper - yep, I can see it. Wave the tickets, they will follow..
So, apparently, in the meantime he'd secured a table by the canal, and stuck onto it one of the Meetup signs he's taken to carrying about his person. So I took my half brownie and headed out there - hadn't done this before either, and it was just lovely. Houseboats, barges passing, water flowing by - a little breezy, and you needed a coat, but very pleasant. In due course, of course, enough people arrived that he had to drag over a second table. And lots of chairs. And there we sat, chatting convivially - not him, he was diligently manning the foyer, to make sure everyone got their tickets - until showtime. When I downed my remaining wine and headed off.
The concert halls are downstairs. We were in Hall One, which has two doors - East and West. We in the London for Less Than a Tenner group were all in Row O, second from the back; the view was perfect though, this isn't a large hall, as halls go. The Let's Do London - for less! group, who'd paid more, were sat closer to the stage. And some of us who'd split up to go through different doors.. ended up sitting beside each other. Which led to anarchy at the interval, with some rebellious members deciding at random which door to leave and re-enter by..
Programmes were free, which, for a cheapskate like me, is always nice. And so I knew exactly what we were listening to. The music was capably provided by the Academy of St. Martin-in-the-Fields chamber orchestra, and started with Mozart and Brahms. Ah, it's been a while since I listened to Mozart, who was my first favourite classical composer.
The Brahms took us nicely to a half-hour-long interval, during which some went to the bar upstairs and some stayed in the downstairs bar. Well, it was chilly outside by now, and the upstairs bar doors were open.. I found the second half noticeably livelier than the first: Prokofiev's Overture on Hebrew Themes, with something of a sense of humour about it, was followed by a Hungarian composer I hadn't heard of - Erno Dohnányi.. from the style of music, I'd have guessed he was Hungarian, even without the programme bio. And thus the concert concluded on a merry note.
As usual, we convened where we'd got our tickets, and after a brief wait for stragglers, some of us schlepped off to the Star of Kings, just down the road. Downstairs was manic, but our fearless leader had secured for us a long table in the upstairs function room, signs on the table indicating we'd booked the place till midnight (!). Nice, cosy function room it is too, sofas at the end and its own bar (non-functional, as usual, although some of us wondered how well it was stocked..).
Not all stayed to the bitter end, but - after a vigorous discussion that ranged from philosophy to Finnish saunas - we did better than in a while, with a whole five of us lasting to 11:50 (inside) and a bit later (outside). Well, it wasn't too cold. And a brisk walk got me back to King's Cross in time for the VERY last Tube back to Vauxhall, where they were waiting for us to leave so they could close the Underground station doors, the remaining beggars were getting desperate, and I just had to wait a couple of minutes for a train. Still, what with having to be up early today to come to Guildford again - and indeed earlier, to get some work done - blogging wasn't a priority. But here we are, finally. (And a good day is being had in Guildford, with sunshine and lots of birthday goodies from generous folks.. I'm on the chocolate cake now and moving on to a cupcake dessert. Or ice cream. Or biccies..)
Tonight, I'm headed to yet another classical concert, in St. James' Church Piccadilly, with Kensington Classical Music - who aren't charging an extra fee, for once! Better make it sharp though - it's a 7 o'clock start.
Tomorrow, I'm with London Dramatic Arts to see Giving, at Hampstead Theatre (and given how hard it was to avoid them there the last time, I'm glad I bought my ticket with them this time! Still, now I know where the back door is..) Avoiding them should be easier on Saturday, when they're going to Blue / Orange, at the notoriously chaotic Young Vic. And so am I - on a ticket bought independently. I'm seated upstairs, they're probably not - should be ok.
On Sunday, I'm on my first walk of the year (finally) - Free London Events and Talks has a walk entitled Fire, Pestilence and Plague. I'll cry off if it rains.
On Monday, Henning from the London European Club is running a topical talk on UK and the EU - A Troubled Relationship, at the Devereux - deja vu, my very first Meetup with him was a talk at the same place. Should be interesting, what with the referendum coming up next month.
On Tuesday, the Man with the Hat is taking Let's Do London - for less! to see Last of the Boys, at Southwark Playhouse - indeed, he's also got a bunch of them going to the other show there, The Toxic Avenger, the same night! I've already seen that one, of course. And I can guarantee attendees a great night..
On Wednesday, I'm back with the Crick Crack Club, at The Forge, for a storytelling evening entitled The Howken Field, by Nick Hennessy.
On Thursday of next week, I'm with Henning again, who's headed to a mixed bill by Nederlands Dans Theater, at Sadler's Wells. And then it's back to Ireland for the weekend.
Comedy. There are so many comedy gigs in London.. curiously, for all the comedy gigs I go to, and all the London for Less Than a Tenner things that I go to, they never coincided.. until last night, in the form of a comedy night at the Star of Kings. The Man with the Hat explained that this was in aid of the MTI Syria Refugee Relief Appeal - all good. And so was the line-up, generally.. I'm very picky with comedy, but for this group, I'm always inclined to take a risk. So I booked - it was free entry, but he was taking a small fee, part of which was being donated, part to cover costs. Oh, go on then..
No way was I driving up there - for one thing, it'd take ages. I was working from home, so naturally, with all the time in the world, I ended up rushing. Same drill as the day before - train to Vauxhall or Victoria, then the Victoria Line. As usual, the next train I was likely to catch was headed to Vauxhall - boy, was I to regret that decision. As I entered Vauxhall Underground station, an announcement informed us that there were severe delays on the Victoria Line - broken-down train at Oxford Circus. I dithered about whether to go straight back to the mainline station and get a train to somewhere else I could catch a different Tube line - but after a few minutes, a Victoria Line train arrived. And we sat on it. And then the announcement came that the entire line was shut, south of King's Cross - which is where I was headed.
London does have a wonderfully intricate transport network - there's always an alternative. Mine involved traipsing back up to the mainline station, taking a train to Waterloo, Jubilee Line to Green Park, long trek through the corridors to the Piccadilly Line. Thank goodness the daily Oyster fare is capped, and the whole thing cost no more than the day before..
Of course, I took the wrong exit from King's Cross, and ended up on the other side of the road. Hey-ho, I got to York Way eventually, and past King's Place, to the Star of Kings. Found the front door, had a scout around for the Comedy Grotto, which I knew was downstairs. Was just about to trot off down the stairs - but was delayed by a whole stream of persons coming the other way! Huh..? And at the end of the stream was the omnipresent Man with the Hat, who directed me downstairs and to a seat, with some story about how they'd all been scared off.. (Actually, I gather there was another Meetup there last night, and they were on the wrong floor.)
Sure enough, being comedy, it started late - but I still didn't have time to grab a drink before they got underway. MC for the evening was Stuart Laws. First up was a last-minute replacement, Nish Kumar, whom I saw before at the Boat Show. Rapid-fire, excellent observation - as before - he took us through slavery, gentrification, and social media. As he helpfully summarised at the end. Weird to have this bigger name start the show, but what the hey.
To be followed by Rachel Parris.. she was the other one I'd seen before, at the Circus Show of all things, where she played piano and sang humorous songs. She's good with or without a piano, I see.. although I am reminded of her starring moment in that other show, when some beefy individual hopped onstage during her set - presumably to request something. He was rapidly hustled off by bouncers, but didn't take it too well; he and his girlfriend/wife/significant other promptly finished their drinks, grabbed their coats and left. Making sure to cross the stage as they did so, each giving her the finger in the process. Ah, the exciting life of a stand-up.. best response to a heckler that I've seen, she immediately composed and performed a little ditty entitled "Did You Just Give Me the Finger?" or words to that effect. Last night though, no piano and no hecklers.. just a book, with clippings in it.
They were the last I'd seen before. Next up was Jamie Fraser, one of those relative newbies that keep touring the circuit. Plenty of audience interaction - beware if sitting in the two front rows! And the rather excellent Matt Winning took us to the break - one of those people who, when he has nothing to say, can still make you laugh just by looking at you sideways. Such a handy talent for a comedian..
Interval - time for drinkies! Some of us made our way upstairs - the bar downstairs wasn't serving, sadly. My wine came in a snifter, but was perfectly drinkable.. and we chatted until it seemed time to go down again.
The second half started with an extended blurb by our friendly MC - about puffins. We are now all much better informed. Next was Andrea Hubert, who caused some ripples in the audience when she gave us the sign language for abortion. Followed by the winner of Weirdest Act of the Night award - Ben Target redefined stand-up comedy by giving us an act that no-one was sure was meant to be funny, as he told us how his friends died. It was funny, how the audience started off laughing and gradually.. stopped.. Personally, I loved it! Act of the night for me - but I'm wired oddly. He had a nice red hoodie too.
Penultimate comic was Alex Kealy, actually the organiser of the event, whose main purpose on stage seemed to be to pass around his laptop so people could put themselves on the mailing list if they wanted. And we finished with an unusual turn by - tarnation, don't seem to have his name! - but he came on in what might be described as a fluorescent outfit, all clashing neon colours. And read from his spy novel - the likes of which I guarantee you haven't heard before.
An evening of new material, you never know what you're gonna get, but this was a good line-up. They collected - in a vase, rather than a bucket - as we left. And leave we had to, it was unfortunately too late to stay. Bummer - won't be back with them till next week, now.. A cold walk got us back to King's Cross, where the Victoria Line was now working, leading to a much less exciting journey than earlier. Apart from one suspenseful delay at Green Park. Home after bedtime, and a busy morning, meant a slightly delayed post..
Tonight, I'm headed to a Trans-Siberian March Band concert at Rich Mix, with the London European Club - I was interested in going with London Dramatic Arts Meetup, but they're going to the St. James Theatre,
whose legroom is a bit tight for me; I did ask whether she had any
aisle seats, but by the time she got back to me, I'd found this other
event. What the hey, Miss Atomic Bomb didn't sound great anyway.
Tomorrow, I'm back at Rich Mix for a concert by Iness Mezel. - I've signed up for that jointly with London European Club and the World Music Meetup. Then it's back to Ireland for the weekend again.. we're off to the final night of the Clare Drama Festival on Saturday, in my old school - followed by the Crick Crack Club on Monday, who are back at Soho Theatre for an evening of storytelling entitled UniVerse - as ever with these, booking essential; they always sell out. On Tuesday, I'm with Let's Do London - for Less! (the Man with the Hat's other group) again, as they head to Cyrano de Bergerac at Southwark Playhouse - another of the Man with the Hat's preferred venues, and another good one.
On Wednesday, I got a cheap ticket to a concert by the Coppell High School Band, at the Central Hall, Westminster. A new venue for me! Cool, I do like to keep discovering them. On the 17th, Kensington Classical Music is off to a concert by the Trio Isimsiz
- you had to get your own ticket, though, then pay extra to join the
group at the concert. Huh. I'll avoid them, and the extra charge -
have to be discreet though, I believe it's a small room! It's at the 1901 Arts Club - another first for me.
On the 18th, I'm joining Spooky London for their monthly spooky pub night! Wherever it is. If I actually go. And on the 19th, I'm back with the Crick Crack Club, for an event entitled Seven Princesses - at Rich Mix, which will be my first event there with them.
So, tonight I had booked to attend my first Meetup with the Post Apocalyptic Book Club - a talk about The Running Man, by Stephen King (writing as Richard Bachman). It was scheduled for The Star of Kings, which turns out not to be too far at all past King's Place, where I've been to concerts a couple of times - just take a left from King's Cross, up York Way.
But you know, it was a hard day at work today. And it's a reasonable distance to King's Cross - and it occurred to me to wonder how much I'd get from a book club discussion about a book I haven't read for years! (I wasn't able to find it over the weekend.) So I cancelled, and am having what passes for a relaxing evening, for me - at home!
Anyhoo, I'm booked for Meetups for the next two days. Tomorrow, I'm off to the last Film Nite gathering of the season - a talk entitled Divorce Iranian Style, given by a documentary-maker who focuses on women's issues, if she's available - or by the organiser, if she's not. It's in Soho House again - and unusually, it's free! Either it's because it's the last of the season - or perhaps because I was the only Meetup member to go to the last talk! Then on Wednesday, I'm meeting the World Music Meetup for the first time in ages, to go to a concert by the Trans Siberian March Band. Watched them on YouTube, they look good. Anyway, it's also free, which is nice.. and on Thursday, I'm off to the Guildford office for the day, so I'll be too tired to go out that evening.
