On Tuesday, I was thinking of film - but honestly, wasn't so enthused by the offerings at the top of the list. I did have an offer of cheap tickets to a classical concert at Cadogan Hall, which sounded better - but the cheap tickets had sold out. Never mind, I bought a full-price ticket - it was the Prague Symphony Orchestra. The cheap ticket agency later advertised an extra ticket allocation (typical!), but when I checked, out of curiosity, the link was still saying sold-out. Still was up to the day, so I dunno.
I should've taken the bus, but was running late, of course - so instead got there really fast by Tube. The District and Circle lines are a pleasure, anyway - spacious, rarely crowded: I got a seat straight away, and there was plenty of breathing room. I got to Cadogan Hall 20 minutes early - by which stage the house was already open, so I headed straight up, after I collected my ticket. And with all those stairs, I was glad I was only in the stalls!
Funny - the site says the rear stalls seats are restricted view, because they're not tiered - but excuse me, they are tiered! There was nobody to one side of me, so I had space to leave my stuff.. in retrospect, I should probably have moved to that seat, to save the man beside me (there was no seat to the other side of that empty one), as my cough reared its ugly head. It's been troublesome for a while - nothing major, except when you're not supposed to make noise! It actually flared up during the show on Monday, but it hardly matters for a comedy show. On Tuesday, I think the climb up the stairs set it off - it was quite violent for a few minutes, and I had to step outside to let it take its course. (Just as well I was early.) Mercifully, I'd brought some juicy sweets with me, which saved me for the rest of the evening - I take them everywhere now. Even if my next-seat neighbour did give me an irritated look for rustling a wrapper during the show, the alternative would've been worse..
This was a straight-through performance - nearly two hours without interval - of the entirety of Mahler's Third Symphony. And by gosh, what an extravaganza - a riot of melodrama, passionate and expressive, dare I say cinematic. The early part reminded me of the score of LotR - later, the score of Excalibur was brought to mind. Definitely one for those who like dramatic music, then. Two choirs took up space in the gallery - a boys' choir, and a ladies' one: and a soloist with a look of Brunhilde about her completed the show. They deserved their standing ovation..
I got the bus home, and discovered a few interesting facts. Firstly, the Google Maps version of the bus route is slightly wrong - it does a little detour just before Westminster. Secondly - it doesn't currently go through Westminster! Roadworks this time, rather than protestors, divert it south of the river: so it's probably a good thing that I didn't risk it on the outbound journey, or I'd probably have been late. Finally, I've solved the mystery of the No. 11 terminus. For ages, although it advertises Liverpool Street as its destination, it's stopped one stop early - handy for my flat. Well gee, now that stop is closed (roadworks again!), and it carries on to the back of the station! Which I walked through on my way home - I had to go to Tesco anyway, so it worked out well for me, as it's out that way. We do get through an amount of loo roll.
Yesterday, back - for the first time in five weeks! - with Civilized London. It was another meal - we headed for Thai food at Kin & Deum, meeting beforehand at The Woolpack. It's actually years since I've eaten Thai! Handily, for once this didn't sell out immediately - and we had another taker, a Frenchman who's in town for a couple of weeks, saw this, and signed up. Isn't that a great idea?! He's not the first I've seen to take advantage of Meetup when in town temporarily.
Well, of course I got caught up doing the film list again - hence the delay in the blog. Anyway, it also meant that I was late in leaving, yesterday evening - I could've walked, but decided on the bus, to save a few minutes and a lot of stress. Anyway, it was cold, and threatening rain. As I waited, I got talking to a lady who'd just come from the Tube, which wasn't running - so it seems to have been a difficult travel evening, in general! The bus wasn't long in coming - pity it had to be this one, though, which comes without many seats, so I stood to London Bridge, where a handy escalator took me down to St. Thomas Street. A brisk walk to the pub then, which was handily identified by its sign. Just like in the days when it served for those who couldn't read!
The group was there before me, of course - they'd been supposed to get a table, but good luck, in this pre-Christmas season! Handily, they were stood just inside the door, so easy to find. And it seemed I'd missed the first round - but our French visitor bought the second, and I gratefully accepted. We had a nice chat, before heading to the restaurant, which wasn't far away.
I don't have photos of the restaurant - because its decor is quite plain. But I can say straight away, it's highly recommended! Packed on a Wednesday, but they'd saved us a long table by the wall. And despite some dithering over the choices, we were all absolutely delighted with our choices! The only problem, if I went back, is that it was so good that I'd likely to have exactly the same again. I had Thai dumplings for starter - a mixture of pork, prawn, and chestnuts, with a delicious sauce. Suffice to say, I'm not often the first to finish! Very moreish. Others were delighted with the aubergine, or squid.. I'm not sure what everyone had. The only dissenting voice was from the guy who'd ordered tea - which turned out to be extremely sweet - positively caramely!
Mains were just as good. I was about the only person who didn't have rice - I just didn't feel like it. But wow, I had the most delicious main - the Himmaparn is similar to what I used to have when I ate Thai regularly, but this was more, well, moreish than any Thai food I've had! As for the others, I think it was the gra pow that turned out to be extremely spicy - I had a mouthful, but wouldn't have fancied the whole thing. They're not joking when they mark it as such on the menu. I'm not sure what the others had - I'm afraid I was far too interested in my own. Very, very highly recommended. Oh, and BTW - gents' and ladies' toilets are on opposite sides of the bar, if you're looking for them.
With no chocolate on the menu, those of us who might have had desserts didn't feel like them - so we just headed for another pub. Our host took us to The Horseshoe Inn, at the end of a side road, where we stood for a while, then grabbed seats as they became available. An interesting place, and we had a great chat before parting.
Good company then, on my last Meetup of the week - and probably the last time I'll meet this group before Christmas. I walked home - it was dry, not too cold - and you do get a great view!
For tonight, I got a cheap ticket to another classical concert, with a different seat-filler group - this is a concert of Vivaldi arias, at the Trinity United Reform Church. Part of the Wimbledon Music Festival. This far out, it'll have to be Tube.
Tomorrow.. well, 45+ Not Grumpy Old Londoners are off around the Southbank Christmas market. So I said, well, I can do that on my own - thus avoiding the Meetup fee, and I'm not pushed about the meal. Good chance to start on my Christmas shopping. But then I thought I might go to a film - the listings change that day - and gee, what's coming on top of the list but The Irishman. Never mind the plot, or that it's three and a half hours long - for goodness' sake, it's directed by Scorsese, and just look at the cast list. Robert De Niro plays the eponymous Irish-American, Frank Sheeran, who works for the mob. Anna Paquin is his disapproving daughter, Peggy. Joe Pesci is his mob boss, Russell Bufalino, and Ray Romano plays his cousin, and Jimmy Hoffa's lawyer, Bill. De Niro ends up as a driver for Jimmy Hoffa (Al Pacino). Harvey Keitel is the leader of another crime family, Angelo Bruno. I am so there. Showing in my local cinema too - and the Barbican has comfy seats. Not selling out at this point - watch this space.
On Saturday, I'm with cheap ticket source #1 - you have to book something with them every three months, or be expelled (!). Honestly, I've never heard such draconian regulations. So I'm going to Stop Kiss, above the Stag.
On Sunday, back with the Crick Crack Club (CCC) for 1001 Nights, at the British Museum. Mea culpa, I recently told people that this was The Embers Collective - nope! Turns out it's not. Ah well.
On Monday, back, after a week, with Up in the Cheap Seats for Falsettos, at The Other Palace. An aisle seat, as usual - legroom is poor, here.
On Tuesday, back with them again for Acosta Danza - Evolution, at Sadler's Wells.
On Wednesday, Anthony's Cultural Events and Walking Activities Group is off to a performance entitled Virginia Woolf - Killing the Angel, at the LSE. So I'm going on my own, and saving the Meetup fee - I haven't had that much luck with socialising with them, anyway. And now that Meetup is full.
Next Thursday, back with Spooky London - the John Snow Pub. Then another weekend in Ireland.
On the 25th, the CCC is back with Rebel Children, at the British Library. Ben Haggarty & Jan Blake - ooh yeah!
On the 26th, my annual trip to Winter Wonderland - heading to Cirque Berserk and the Ice Kingdom, as usual. Someone said he might come along.
On the 27th, the first night in ages with North London Friends! We're at A Day in the Death of Joe Egg, at Trafalgar Studios.
And on the 28th, our ex-company's social group's Christmas meeting. We had a tiff about the venue - the organiser decided on Thai Square, which I think is overpriced and underwhelming. So he started to grumble about the difficulty of getting somewhere before Christmas - which will take a group, and doesn't cost the earth. Still though, he came up with an alternative - we've decided on the Warwick Castle pub in Little Venice. Lovely area, the pub sounds nice - with a Christmassy open fire, and a room we can book - and hey, it's a pub, which won't throw us out as quickly! Must get on to booking their wine deal.. 10% off if you order at least £150 worth. Which I'm sure, among the dozen or so that are coming, we'll manage to drink. And gee, he's had us choosing what we want off the menu..
Today, I was back with Up in the Cheap Seats (UITCS - as always!) for a night of comedy with Sara Pascoe, at the Backyard Comedy Club. Gee, it's months since I was last at a comedy show! And longer since I was here before. The bus came quickly - and despite what Google Maps predicted, was absolutely packed - I was lucky to get a seat. Anyway, last time I was here, I was job hunting, and stressed, and missed the club entrance completely - this evening, I couldn't figure out how I'd managed that, as it's so prominent!
I arrived just after 6.30 - you had to get there by 7.15 and get your hand stamped, or pay a late fee. I was one of the first there - in the event, only the regulars made themselves known, at least. But then, we'd been hoping to get a table, but no - we had to stand, which made us harder to spot. Never mind. I went straight over to the bored-looking woman behind the desk - and it was funny, it took me a moment to realise she was looking at me. You see, she had this big shock of black hair, and a fringe, and dark eyes - honestly, they blended together and I thought her head was still bent..
I'd finished a glass of wine by the time we went in. And we were early enough to get pretty much our choice of seats - it did ultimately fill completely, from what I could see, and someone in the group mentioned that she'd tried to get another ticket, but it had been sold out. Sara Pascoe was the MC tonight, not the solo star - but she gave a star turn, with very funny interludes between acts.
I really don't have much hope of repeating the performers' names - I didn't even hear most of them properly! My favourite, however, had to be the only one I recognised - Tania Edwards gave the most hilarious performance of a psychotic mother, whom you'd believe would stab an audience member. Mind you though, I think I've seen Luke Toulson before - but he doesn't have a beard any more. He was the only man on the bill - and a couple of the performers in the second half acknowledged this, and said they'd try to make the tales of exasperated motherhood as original as possible.
They succeeded admirably - the second half, we agreed as a whole, was better than the first. Which isn't to say that the first half wasn't enjoyable - a particular highlight was when one performer came on with her woolly little dog, which she gave to someone in the front row to hold while she performed: and then nearly forgot to reclaim at the end of her set! Cue "aah"s all through the room..
The performers in the first half were obviously less experienced, but still gave a great show! and with this being a new material night, nobody's routine was too polished. Always a good night at this venue - and gee, when I actually braved the queue for the toilets at the interval, it only took about five minutes! A highly recommended venue - just get there early before a show, if you want a table and chair.
I'd researched my route home before I turned off my phone - which was a good thing, as I had no internet access for some minutes after I turned it on again. I just missed a #8, vexingly - and upon seeing that the next was over 10 minutes away, I thought I'd research the #388, which I'd seen earlier would also take me there. It was a lot closer - and the stop was just around the corner. So I took that. Oh, the joys of the smartphone..
Tomorrow, I was thinking of film - but honestly, wasn't so enthused by the offerings at the top of the list. I did have an offer of cheap tickets to a classical concert at Cadogan Hall, which sounded better - but the cheap tickets had sold out. Never mind, I bought a full-price ticket - it's the Prague Symphony Orchestra. Today, the cheap ticket agency advertised an extra ticket allocation (typical!), but when I checked, out of curiosity, the link was still saying sold-out. Still is, so I dunno.
On Wednesday, back - for the first time in what seems like ages - with Civilized London! It's another meal - we're headed for Thai food at Kin & Deum, meeting beforehand at The Woolpack. I do believe it's actually years since I've eaten Thai! Handily, for once this didn't sell out - and we have another taker, a Frenchman who's in town for a couple of weeks, saw this, and signed up. Isn't that a great idea?! He's not the first I've seen to take advantage of Meetup when in town temporarily.
On Thursday, I got a cheap ticket to another classical concert, with a different seat-filler group - this is a concert of Vivaldi arias, at the Trinity United Reform Church. Part of the Wimbledon Music Festival.
On Friday.. well, 45+ Not Grumpy Old Londoners are off around the Southbank Christmas market. So I said, well, I can do that on my own - thus avoiding the Meetup fee, and I'm not pushed about the meal. Good chance to start on my Christmas shopping. Or hey, I'll see what the film listings are like - they change, that day.
On Saturday, I'm with cheap ticket source #1 - you have to book something with them every three months, or be expelled (!). Honestly, I've never heard such draconian regulations. So I'm going to Stop Kiss, above the Stag.
On Sunday, back with the Crick Crack Club (CCC) for 1001 Nights, at the British Museum. Mea culpa, I recently told people that this was The Embers Collective - nope! Turns out it's not. Ah well.
Next Monday, back, after a week, with UITCS for Falsettos, at The Other Palace. An aisle seat, as usual - legroom is poor, here.
On the 19th, back with them again for Acosta Danza - Evolution, at Sadler's Wells.
On the 20th, Anthony's Cultural Events and Walking Activities Group is off to a performance entitled Virginia Woolf - Killing the Angel, at the LSE. So I'm going on my own, and saving the Meetup fee - I haven't had that much luck with socialising with them, anyway.
On the 21st, back with Spooky London - the John Snow Pub. Then another weekend in Ireland.
On the 25th, the CCC is back with Rebel Children, at the British Library. Ben Haggarty & Jan Blake - ooh yeah!
On the 26th, my annual trip to Winter Wonderland - heading to Cirque Berserk and the Ice Kingdom, as usual. Might be able to persuade a couple of people to accompany me to this one.
On the 27th, the first night in ages with North London Friends! We're at A Day in the Death of Joe Egg, at Trafalgar Studios.
And on the 28th, our ex-company's social group's Christmas meeting. We had a tiff about the venue - the organiser decided on Thai Square, which I think is overpriced and underwhelming. So he started to grumble about the difficulty of getting somewhere before Christmas - which will take a group, and doesn't cost the earth. Still though, he came up with an alternative - we've decided on the Warwick Castle pub in Little Venice. Lovely area, the pub sounds nice - with a Christmassy open fire, and a room we can book - and hey, it's a pub, which won't throw us out as quickly! Must get on to booking their wine deal.. 10% off if you order at least £150 worth. Which I'm sure, among the dozen or so that are coming, we'll manage to drink. And gee, today he had us choosing what we wanted off the menu..
Tonight, back with Spooky London (SL) for their fortnightly drinks - Ivan, who had business in the City today, expressed an interest in coming, but couldn't in the end, sadly. This month, it was in the Prospect of Whitby.
I should've taken the bus, but got caught up with something and ended up on the DLR instead. I tell you, you need to pay attention to the directions given in Bank - it's a maze. When I finally did get to where I needed to be, the train was just for one stop; I walked the rest of the way.
Our organiser - as usual - helpfully posted details of where in the pub he was, and was easy enough to find. Lovely views from the window, which overlooks the water.. the oldest riverside pub in London, it seems, and one of the most haunted. And although there weren't many of us tonight, it was a chatty and fun gathering! We only stayed for a couple of hours, but the conversation ranged wildly. And all I can say is - what happens in Spooky London.. stays in Spooky London! But I can certainly recommend the pub. And the group, should you decide to join - one of the more interesting conversations I've had. Roll on the next.
Bus back, after something of a wait. Tomorrow, I'm back to Ireland for the weekend. On Monday, I'm back with Up in the Cheap Seats (UITCS - as always!) for a night of comedy with Sara Pascoe, at the Backyard Comedy Club.
On Tuesday, I was thinking of film - but honestly, wasn't so enthused by the offerings at the top of the list. I did have an offer of cheap tickets to a classical concert at Cadogan Hall, which sounded better - but the cheap tickets had sold out. Never mind, I bought a full-price ticket - it's the Prague Symphony Orchestra.
On Wednesday, back - for the first time in what seems like ages - with Civilized London! It's another meal - we're headed for Thai food at Kin & Deum, meeting beforehand at The Woolpack. I do believe it's actually years since I've eaten Thai!
Next Thursday, I got a cheap ticket to another classical concert, with a different seat-filler group - this is a concert of Vivaldi arias, at the Trinity United Reform Church. Part of the Wimbledon Music Festival.
On the 15th.. well, 45+ Not Grumpy Old Londoners are off around the Southbank Christmas market. So I said, well, I can do that on my own - thus avoiding the Meetup fee, and I'm not pushed about the meal. Good chance to start on my Christmas shopping.
On the 16th, I'm with cheap ticket source #1 - you have to book something with them every three months, or be expelled (!). Honestly, I've never heard such draconian regulations. So I'm going to Stop Kiss, above the Stag.
On the 17th, back with the Crick Crack Club (CCC) for 1001 Nights, at the British Museum. Mea culpa, I recently told people that this was The Embers Collective - nope! Turns out it's not. Ah well.
On the 18th, back with UITCS for Falsettos, at The Other Palace. An aisle seat, as usual - legroom is poor, here.
On the 19th, back with them again for Acosta Danza - Evolution, at Sadler's Wells.
On the 20th, Anthony's Cultural Events and Walking Activities Group is off to a performance entitled Virginia Woolf - Killing the Angel, at the LSE. So I'm going on my own, and saving the Meetup fee - I haven't had that much luck with socialising with them, anyway.
On the 21st, back with SL - the John Snow Pub. Then another weekend in Ireland.
On the 25th, the CCC is back with Rebel Children, at the British Library. Ben Haggarty & Jan Blake - ooh yeah!
On the 26th, my annual trip to Winter Wonderland - heading to Cirque Berserk and the Ice Kingdom, as usual. Might be able to persuade Ivan to this one.
On the 27th, the first night in ages with North London Friends! We're at A Day in the Death of Joe Egg, at Trafalgar Studios.
And on the 28th, our ex-company's social group's Christmas meeting.. venue TBD!
On Tuesday, I went to the comedy The Man in the White Suit, at Wyndham's. Stars Stephen Mangan as the chemist who develops a material that never gets dirty! and finds himself suddenly in huge demand. Went on my own, so could rest my voice a bit again - it's a lot better now. Ticket slightly cheaper from See Tickets.
Left in decent time - which was a good thing, as I was to discover that there was a reason that Google Maps was sending me to the bus stop one before my usual. Sure enough, blasted roadworks again meant my regular stop was closed! As it turned out, I was just in time for the bus - and arrived a few minutes early to the theatre. Where I collected my ticket at the box office - and lo, it said "upgrade"! I had a pleasantly low number of steps to climb - wow, I'd been upgraded two levels, down to the Royal Circle, just above the Stalls! I actually don't think that either of the two highest levels were open, and there were plenty of empty seats in the Royal Circle, even with the upgrades. Turns out that ticket sales have been poor for this - originally supposed to run to the 11th of January, it's now finishing on the 7th of next month..
I was very happy with my £50 seat for £15.82! As someone behind me remarked - wow, you can see their faces! Helps that it was a Tuesday, I guess - and yet another reason to buy cheap tickets: you never can tell.
The show is an Ealing comedy, so made in the post-war period - and it feels it. It is very dated. But I don't think it would really play in any other era - after all, how many people nowadays make their living taking in washing? (one of the lines of work threatened by this cloth that never gets dirty). And the idea of the factory owner's daughter marrying a man who wants her for her money - very old-fashioned. Speaking of whom, she deserves special mention - easily recognisable as the only woman in the play who dresses up, Kara Tointon plays her as so terribly plummy that it's an obvious effort to speak, never mind walk. Oh, that awful accent..
I wasn't sure about this, as the slapstick progressed and the plummy accent grated. Mainly, what kept me there for the second half was the music - catchily played by the onstage band, who happily don't bother with setting the tunes in the period. And indeed, I found the second half much funnier, when he's figured out how to make this suit, and a variety of people are chasing him through town, trying to make sure that the suit sinks without trace. Yes, I enjoyed it - but beware, it is dated, and I can see why it mightn't appeal. Of course, I was also persuaded to stay by that lovely seat I'd scored.. never been so close in this theatre before!
No, I haven't developed a habit of clumping posts together - I was busy doing a film list! plus I was distracted by the sad news of the death of Ireland's greatest broadcaster, Gay Byrne. Tributes pouring in meant there was no time for blogging that night. Yesterday, back with Up in the Cheap Seats (UITCS) for The Antipodes, at the National - a play about stories and storytelling, sounded irresistible. Mixed reviews, but I could hardly miss it.
I walked to the theatre, which was a good de-stresser after my day, and arrived early - although not the first of the group, quite. Queued for my ticket, then got a glass of wine, and we all stood and chatted as people gradually arrived - there wasn't really room for all of us to sit. One newcomer, but I knew everyone else - and one had snazzy, captioned eyewear that the usher had provided him with! We were all intrigued.
The setting is a boardroom - probably in California somewhere - where a group of people are brainstorming, the object of the exercise being to come up with a story idea. Directed by a slightly smarmy boss, and with an absolutely hilarious receptionist coming in and out (mainly to take food orders), they're closeted in this room for ages - including most of one weekend, when they'd much rather go home, because of the predicted storm. The show itself is two hours straight through - to be fair, I don't think it felt like it.
There were bits I didn't like - mainly the, as one member of our group described it, Kafka-esque atmosphere that develops in the office. Honestly, that was too realistic for my taste - and with the awful day I'd had at work, it struck a bit close to home. It's also a whole series of different scenes, merged seamlessly together so that you hardly notice the time has changed - slightly confusing, at least at first.
But the point of the exercise is to come up with stories - and in hindsight, it's quite a brilliant exploration of that. They are made to tell stories personal to them, to begin with - this is actually a type of storytelling, and there are shows like that in London, where you can go and hear people bare their souls - indeed, participate yourself if so moved. Not my thing - but never fear, they don't spend the whole play doing it. And they do ultimately come up with something rather clever - if, as people remarked afterwards, not exactly original. Ah what the hey, as the guy says, are there actually any original stories left?
Runs till the 23rd. Completely unstructured, but a very interesting piece, which led to much conversation after, until we were all thrown into the night - and the others probably continued with it for a while, but I was headed the other way. One of the more interesting pieces I've seen in a while. Oh, and I was still catching up with myself last night, and indeed until now - hence the delayed blog.
Tonight, back with Spooky London for their monthly drinks - Ivan, who has business in the City today, expressed an interest in coming, but now he can't, sadly. This month, it's in the Prospect of Whitby. Then I'm back to Ireland for the weekend.
And on Monday, I'm back with UITCS (as always!) for a night of comedy with Sara Pascoe, at the Backyard Comedy Club.
Tonight, back with Up in the Cheap Seats (UITCS) at Sadler's Wells, for a Rambert2 double bill - the first of two performances. And I should've been able to walk there, as usual - but as sometimes happens, today got very annoying, I got delayed, and I ended up taking a very uncomfortable, overcrowded Tube journey. Got there a bit later than intended, so I treated myself with a lift up to the second level - where we stood and chatted for a bit, and then went in. I had the same seat as last time, at the side in glorious isolation - check that post for the view!
Tonight's programme had three separate dances, the first two just separated by a pause, the second two by a proper interval, during which we met (and sat) and tended to agree, I think. We weren't sold on the first piece - Terms & Conditions seems to be all about, well, people conforming to rules and regulations. The start of it is mainly a repetition of words they can't use as they try to make speeches, and I certainly didn't feel it gelled as a piece.
The other pieces were much more successful - although the second, Sin, is performed on a very dark stage: a bit hard to see from the back! Still, it is a graphic depiction of the old tale of the femme fatale, long blonde hair streaming as she seduces her hapless victim. And the last piece, Sama, is a glorious riot of colour, music, and rhythm, starting with something very like street theatre, turning a bit dark, and testing the performers' abilities on stilts! Loved that. Anyway, there's nothing like a mixture. And after a brief chat outside, I got a bus back.
Tomorrow, I'm going to the comedy The Man in the White Suit, at Wyndham's. Stars Stephen Mangan as the chemist who develops a material that never gets dirty! and finds himself suddenly in huge demand. Going on my own, so can rest my voice a bit again.
On Wednesday, back with UITCS for The Antipodes, at the National - a play about stories and storytelling, sounds irresistible. Mixed reviews, I hear, but I can hardly miss this.
On Thursday, back with Spooky London for their monthly drinks - and Ivan, who has business in the City that day, has expressed an interest in coming. This month, it's in the Prospect of Whitby. Then I'm back to Ireland for the weekend.
And next Monday, I'm back with UITCS (as always!) for a night of comedy with Sara Pascoe, at the Backyard Comedy Club.
Today, of course (usually the reason for a lack of preview), was film - and leading the pack was the hugely popular Joker, starring Joaquin Phoenix as the title character, in an imagination of how the twisted psychopath of the Batman stories came to be. Frances Conroy plays his ailing, aged mother. Also stars Robert de Niro, as the host of a talk show he longs to appear on, fulfilling his dream of being a stand-up comedian. Delighted to be seeing the one everyone's talking about. Closest showing is in the Barbican - nice n close, and not selling out, as it's been out for a little while now. And I was rather glad not be socialising, so I could rest my throat.
I walked there - the first time, I noted, I'd come straight from home, so I had to check my route. And I remarked that it was damn cold. When I bought my ticket, I discovered they've gone cashless - happily, the same is not true of the cafe, where I fancied something to nibble on while I waited. Until I heard the lady in front of me order a hot chocolate - ooh now, think I, that suits the weather perfectly! And would soothe my still-hoarse, and slightly raw, throat. So I had one, and used some cash - and my, it was lovely.
They took an age to let us in - and I settled into a lovely, comfy, leather seat. I keep forgetting what nice seats they have - it's not so often I come to the cinema here. It did pretty much fill up, in the end.
I've heard this film described, mostly, as "sad". Yes - but what stuck with me was the feeling that it's dark, deranged - and beautiful. We are carried along the Joker's gradual and inevitable descent into madness - and frankly, when he does tip over the edge, I don't think anyone would blame him. He lives in squalor, can't catch a break - he suffers from something like Tourette's that causes him to break into spontaneous and uncontrollable laughter at times of stress. His mother, BTW, is obsessed with a local tycoon called Thomas Wayne - she used to work for him, and keeps writing to him to ask for help. Doesn't get a response. Of course, here we're being set up for the hatred he later feels for Thomas' son, Bruce - who will later choose Batman as his alter-ego..
I always thought that Joaquin Phoenix could play an excellent psychopath - or more correctly, perhaps, a sociopath, all charm one minute but ready to turn on a whim. Take his performance in Gladiator, as the power-crazy Commodus, who murders his father and seeks to marry his sister. Mind you, he was better fed in that one - here, he's emaciated. And utterly mesmerising, as we literally don't know what to expect from him next. He apparently gave some thought to perfecting Joker's maniacal laughter. The director, apparently, was going for a Scorsese-esque feel - so the streets of Gotham are grey, damp and miserable, and every spare surface (at least where Joker lives) is covered in graffiti.
Through the whole thing, Phoenix is completely absorbing, as we watch a believable transformation into the crazy character from the Batman stories. Highly recommended - but very, very dark. So I loved it. Just a pity the supermarkets were closed on the way home..
Tomorrow, back with Up in the Cheap Seats (UITCS) at Sadler's Wells, for a Rambert2 double bill - the first of two performances.
On Tuesday, I'm going to the comedy The Man in the White Suit, at Wyndham's. Stars Stephen Mangan as the chemist who develops a material that never gets dirty! and finds himself suddenly in huge demand.
On Wednesday, back with UITCS for The Antipodes, at the National - a play about stories and storytelling, sounds irresistible. Mixed reviews, I hear, but I can hardly miss this.
On Thursday, back with Spooky London for their monthly drinks - and Ivan, who has business in the City that day, has expressed an interest in coming. This month, it's in the Prospect of Whitby. Then I'm back to Ireland for the weekend.
And on the 11th, I'm back with UITCS (as always!) for a night of comedy with Sara Pascoe, at the Backyard Comedy Club.
So on Friday, I met up with Ivan. It was supposed to be at a friend's house, but the friend took ill, and it ended up being just the two of us - so, in the interests of not being thrown out of anywhere (and of having a place quiet enough to hear ourselves think), he booked the recording studio he's been known to use for, well, recording. Good chance to blow off steam.
I needed to eat beforehand, so we agreed to meet at The Garden Bar, just up the road. We thought it might be better to book a table, being a Friday night, so I did that. And then had to take the Tube, for a journey this far. Arrived just before he did, and early for the booking - and then got a little lost. My internet reception isn't the best in West London, anyway. I'd just spotted the place, and was making my way back to the station, where there is a zebra crossing, when he came out, lugging a guitar, and completely oblivious to me.. so I got to shadow him the short distance to the bar. When I finally got his attention, we agreed to sit in the (covered) area outside, since he wanted to smoke. It wasn't busy at all.
Ended up eating out there too, which turned out to be a good decision, as the bar became really noisy. They happily bring food out to you, giving you a canister that contains your cutlery and napkins, and has a number painted on the side to identify you. I had the chicken katsu curry - well, we'd had an all-hands at lunchtime, where we always get pizza, so I hadn't had my usual chicken katsu lunch! And it was fine - although not reaching the dizzy heights of my usual Wasabi. Hey-ho, we had a fine time there, until I'd finished and it was time to head - our booking at the studio was at 10pm.
He led the way, of course - just as well, as I'd have been massively confused. Pirate Studios doesn't seem to advertise its presence, the entrance being through a courtyard lined by graffiti-covered walls. An access code, sent to you when you book online, gets you through the outside door - there are several, in numbered arches. Carry on down the corridor until you get to the room number you need, passing toilets, and a self-service area with a microwave, small fridge, and sink. Another code gets you into the room. Tip: if the keypad flashes red, you've done something wrong - start again when the light goes off. If it flashes blue, you're in! Took me a few tries to get it right.
Inside, there's a (very low) leather sofa, a couple of slightly ratty leather swivel chairs, a desk with equipment. He'd thoughtfully brought his laptop, so we got to have music played for us without doing it ourselves, and there was a keyboard - the cable they'd supplied wasn't very good, so he called for a replacement. We'd stopped off to buy supplies on the way, and yeah, it was a late one - our booking was for 10 hours, so we blearily exited at 8am, into drizzle. They were in no hurry to kick us out - no-one had booked after us. And yes, it was - as I remarked to him - a Very Good Plan. Great to catch up, and roll on the next one.
Now, yesterday, I first booked with Best Authentic Walking Tours in London, for a Royal Maritime Greenwich Ghost Tour. This is - as with all their walks - with Funzing, so I can get a refund up to 48 hours beforehand. Which I knew I'd probably do (have, in fact, done for this twice already), as I might have gone to a film that day - depending what was on - or, if I didn't like the offerings, Love London Theatre, Arts, Music & Stuff was off to Blood Wedding, a new adaptation of the Lorca play, at the Young Vic. But that since sold out - was bound to happen. Well, I finally did come up with an alternative that made me cancel the ghost tour - another ghost tour! specifically, of the British Museum, with Spooky London (SL). I mean, technically I could probably have gone to both - I just couldn't be bothered rushing the first to traipse all the way out to Greenwich, for an event that wouldn't be at all sociable! Might get on that walk some day.
Ivan wanted to watch the match, I wanted to get home to bed. So we parted, and heading hone in pouring rain, I managed to squeeze in a much-needed few hours' sleep, before taking the bus to the museum - in plenty of time, I know what those entrance queues are like at the weekend. Curiously, I later heard that the queue at the rear entrance was as bad, yesterday! Took me about 15 minutes, and I took a seat near the information desk, where we'd been told to meet - I seemed to be the first there, of the group, although I didn't really know the others coming, so not sure about that.
When it was getting close to time, with still no sign of anyone, I posted a message asking whether anyone else was there - which turned out to have been a good thing, as one of the group was in the queue - a lot longer than she'd expected, and thinking about bailing, until she read that. It took a while more for the organiser, in black baseball cap (as advertised) to show, from which point at least I knew I was in the right place. The others dribbled along slowly - everyone was having problems with the queue, and as the organiser remarked, it was a good thing that the tour guide was also delayed, as it gave the others some more time to get there. We paid on the spot, and got business cards for the organiser's website -Spooky Isles - as a receipt, which is a cool marketing idea. It must have been 15 minutes after scheduled start time that we headed off. Glad, with the weather, that this walking tour was indoors.
The personable guide turns out to be working on a book about the ghostly goings-on at the museum - read more here. And our tour, let me say from the outset, is fascinating - but then, it's fantastic to get any kind of intro to the museum; entering it on your own is an intimidating prospect, just due to the sheer size of the collection. I hadn't actually realised that the British Library was also housed here, until it moved to its new location. Never mind the additional ghost stories, the objects themselves are incredible, and it's lovely to focus on particular items - like, for example, this mechanical ship, designed to announce the start of a banquet; the detail is amazing.
But the accompanying stories of the supernatural lend an extra layer to what we were looking at. This same ship, for instance, came up in some tourist photos with a strange reflection - perhaps a ghost from the time of its making..?
Much of the tour centres on the Egyptian galleries - I guess, perhaps, many of these artefacts have a more potent association with the supernatural, having been revered originally as religious icons. Seems the museum also has some trouble with people wanting to revere them in the present day.. the above statues of Sekhmet apparently get quite a lot of attention. Some activity on the supernatural plane, too. But what was interesting to me was the oft-repeated reminder that a lot of artefacts are in storage, never to see the light of day.. and the energies associated with them are, well, stewing in the basement, where the items are stored. Now, there's a thought..
We spend some time in the African galleries, too. (Hint: I wouldn't get too chummy with that double-headed dog.) Lots of climbing up and down stairs means plenty of exercise - you can, of course, take the lift, but that means potentially losing the group. Which I did, briefly. Easily done, in such a huge place, with so many ways in and out. What the hey, I found them again, and was glad I did. Excellent tour, with plenty to entertain and inform.
Afterwards, just across the road to the Museum Tavern, where we - quite amazingly - got a space to sit, right by the door! They do pack the tables in here, mind. Funnily enough, I thought I'd never been here - had completely forgotten the one other time, at the end of a London Literary Walk. In my defence, it was over two years ago, and I was sat at the other end..! As on that occasion, I ordered food - had hunter's chicken, which was delicious. Except for the thick slice of gammon that they'd popped in the middle of the chicken - which is a shame, because I like gammon - but this was undercooked and inedible.
The chat was good, and I stayed as long as there were people left to chat to - the tour guide stayed too, and dropped us more snippets, about things that happen in the storage areas of the museum. One lady left early, to head to the fireworks at Battersea Park - she'd been before, and proclaimed it one of the best displays in town. I didn't contribute a huge amount to the conversation - I was really fading by now, and indeed, a sore throat was fast coming on; I was as hoarse as a crow by the end of the night. Never mind, it was worth coming out - I do like this group, and will meet them when I can. And yes, I would have had to leave early if I'd been going to the other walk, so just as well I didn't.
My bus arrived in perfect time. Straight home to bed then, and a lovely, long, indulgent sleep. Today, of course (usually the reason for a lack of preview), is film - and it's looking like the hugely popular Joker, starring Joaquin Phoenix as the title character, in an imagination of how the twisted psychopath of the Batman stories came to be. Also stars Robert de Niro. Delighted to be seeing the one everyone's talking about. Closest showing is in the Barbican - nice n close, and not apparently selling out, as it's been out for a little while now. And I'm rather glad not be socialising, so I can rest my throat.
Tomorrow, back with Up in the Cheap Seats (UITCS) at Sadler's Wells, for a Rambert2 double bill - the first of two performances.
On Tuesday, I'm going to the comedy The Man in the White Suit, at Wyndham's. Stars Stephen Mangan as the chemist who develops a material that never gets dirty! and finds himself suddenly in huge demand.
On Wednesday, back with UITCS for The Antipodes, at the National - a play about stories and storytelling, sounds irresistible. Mixed reviews, I hear, but I can hardly miss this.
On Thursday, back with SL for their monthly drinks - and Ivan, who has business in the City that day, has expressed an interest in coming. This month, it's in the Prospect of Whitby. Then I'm back to Ireland for the weekend.
And on the 11th, I'm back with UITCS (as always!) for a night of comedy with Sara Pascoe, at the Backyard Comedy Club.
