Play: The 47th

Today, I booked for The 47th, at The Old Vic. Written by Mike Bartlett, this imagines the American presidential elections of 2024. I was really looking forward to this play..

When I got a email from the theatre, saying I should be there between 6.30 and 6.50 for a 7.30 start, I decided that was reason enough to leave. Happily, I could get several buses - and the direct one happened along just as I did! For food, I decided to try The Duke of Sussex, where I was on my last meeting with Bucket List London - crikey, a long time ago! Not deliberate, I miss that group - it just worked out that way. They only do weekends, and I'm not here for so many of them.. Now, the last time I was here, it was booked up, and I tried to book tonight - but they don't take bookings for one. So I said, well, this time it's a Monday - I'll give it a shot.

No problem at all getting seated, around the back. I'd seen chicken kyiv on the menu, decided to have that - I so rarely see it on London menus. And a glass of chenin blanc - nice and big! Wow, that chicken was lovely, as was the mash that came with it - and the wine. Took a while for my ice cream to come - and when it did, I was sorely disappointed, it was a bit strange. Wouldn't recommend that. But the main course is worth going for. Meantime, I was entertained by the conversation at a nearby table, where a group of Americans were chatting loudly enough to be overheard - and clearly enough that they might have been in a play themselves. Sounded as though they were going to the play too - and one was perplexed that Londoners would be interested in Trump, whose character appears. He then remarked that the first two names he'd seen in the cast list played Trump and Ted Cruz - his least favourite people! One of his companions wondered whether it was a comedy..

I had to ask two different people for the bill, but never mind, the theatre was just up the road. I did arrive slightly after my allotted time, but of course nobody checked. I had to climb all the way to the top, bah - where I was still early enough to get another drink. Would you believe, their screens are so complete in the bar here that you even tap your card through the perspex! You can take in your drink if it's in plastic - indeed, they have a pile of plastic containers just inside the auditorium door - and that's exactly what I did.

Terrific view, even up here in the gods - and with the middle of my row empty, I scooched to a more central position in the second act. Well of course, that lady in the pub was right - this is a comedy. And as for whether Londoners would be interested in Trump..! I hope the reaction when he was first on, at the beginning, scooting around the stage in his golf cart, settled that question for them. The actor gets it about 99% right! Certainly looks the part, too.

It's a damn dark comedy, though. Written in blank verse (!), it obviously owes a lot to Shakespeare - and so much reminded me of one Shakespearian play or another. In the first scene, Trump plays King Lear, having a contest among three of his children to decide which should be his heir. Later, something is wrong with Joe Biden - he sleepwalks the corridors by night, like Lady Macbeth. And the play duly turns into a war drama, the Presidential war council pitted against Trump's troops, some of whom storm the audience to hang banners from the balconies. Just as climactic as a Shakespearian battle scene, with the Trump supporters a frightening presence.

It is absolutely terrific. I didn't over-anticipate it at all.. it was a great choice. And as for what happens? Well, let's say this - Mike Bartlett has a habit of giving the ladies the last laugh - so keep an eye on Kamala Harris and Ivanka Trump, both also quite true-to-life. My word, it's just like being there.. and what an interesting vision of the future. Awesome stuff, best play I've seen this year so far. Runs till the 28th of next month - run and get a ticket! Be warned, contains strobe lighting, a gun does appear at one point, there's lots of bad language - and if you're in the stalls, prepare to be confetti-ed on. And if you're in the very front, you might get sprayed..

Funny to note the lady playing Ivanka Trump, who switched to fluffy slippers for the curtain call. Well, considering the height of the heels she was wearing all night, I don't blame her!

On the bus home, I was entertained by a family who sounded (a) Glaswegian and (b) drunk, so the poor driver had great fun trying to understand them, and the mother of the family was apparently hard of hearing too. Now, on this bus, I had the option to change to one that passes right by my house - the question was, would we coordinate properly? If not, I should stay on a bit longer to get as close to home as possible before I had to walk. Well, happily my Buses Due app was able to tell me that my second bus would come along just after my first - so it proved, and I was dropped right at my door. Sometimes, the universe just synchronises, eh?

Tomorrow, I'm finally going to Six, the Musical! Based around the story of the six wives of Henry VIII (very loosely, I'd say), it's playing at the Vaudeville and I hear good things. Cheapest tickets from Leicester Square Box Office.

On Wednesday, back with Civilised London, who are off to the opera at the Southbank Centre. The show in question is The Paradis Files. On Thursday, I'm back to Ireland for Easter - but left it so late to book, I could only get an afternoon flight - no problem getting the day off work though!

Well, my friend got back to me - they're away in the middle of next week, back on the 21st, so the most sensible thing to do seemed to be to visit on the 22nd, which I've now arranged with her. Happily, my boss was also fine with me taking that week as holiday. Anyway, I'll fly back to London on the 24th. And on the 25th, I'm off to The Corn is Green, at the National.

Film: Uncharted

Now back to Ireland for the weekend again (well, I say the weekend, but it's not really, Sunday's flight now leaves so early). Despite airport-wide delays - my "minor delay" (so described by Ryanair) was one hour and 20 minutes. During which time I became peckish, and splurged on a packet of Monster Munch at W. H. Smith. Which, I notice, cost 10p more than their Liverpool Street branch. Goes to show, beware when buying at the airport.. rarely better value.

For today, I booked Uncharted - an Indiana Jones-style adventure, which I figured would have less style, but at least stars Mark Wahlberg and Antonio Banderas. Figured it could be fun, and anyway, the choice for daytime isn't spectacular. Showing, as usual, at the Omniplex. What has happened to the traffic, however, I have no idea.. it was terrible, and I did miss the very start of the film. Never mind, I don't seem to have missed any major plot points. I did, however, come in at a dark part - literally; I couldn't see where any of the seats were, never mind mine! It was about five minutes before it brightened up enough for me to find my seat and - gratefully -sit in it.

So, the scene I came in on has what's obviously an older brother leaving his little brother. In an orphanage. We quickly fast-forward to the little boy all grown-up, an accomplished bartender and thief, played by Tom Holland. In short order, he's recruited by Mark Wahlberg with the promise of finding his long-lost brother - and the enticing idea of going after Magellan's gold! Especially appealing because the lad is a history buff.

Now, this is where fact and fantasy diverge. Yes, Magellan did lead an expedition - until he was killed - that circumnavigated the globe, the first to do so. And yes, it was financed privately by a wealthy family - not the one mentioned in the film though, of which Antonio Banderas is a member. And I can't say I ever heard of any hoard of gold associated with the trip. But what the hey.

Well, this is a peculiar mish-mash of a film. It starts as a kind of James Bond espionage thriller, with lots of people dressed nicely, in a swish venue - an auction house, where they're all trying to get their hands on a cross that's supposed to be necessary for finding this stash of gold. It then morphs into a kind of Indiana Jones adventure film - indeed, Tom Holland accuses one of his companions of trying to be Indiana Jones - lots of action, exotic locations, dark and mysterious corridors. Finally - spoiler - they do find the stash, including a couple of ancient Spanish galleons, complete with cutlasses etc. This bit is really going to appeal to people who are into that kind of stuff, for example the Pirates of the Caribbean crowd - hell, Mark Wahlberg at one point accuses Tom Holland of acting like Jack Sparrow.

It's entertaining, without doubt - the CGI is good, and there's plenty of action. Still, it lacks the charisma of someone like Harrison Ford, or the sweeping soundtrack of the Indiana Jones - or James Bond - films, and for me, fell a little flat for that reason. Still, this should interest anyone who likes treasure hunts, or as I say, Pirates of the Caribbean. Or who has an interest in history. Shall we say, it'll do until something better comes along.

Afterwards, I fancied a Chinese, and took my mother's advice to eat in Limerick. Most convenient, being on the correct side of the road and nearly at the city limits - is China-Ki, so I rocked up there. No problem in getting a seat. They don't do glasses of wine, it transpires, but instead quarter-bottles - it's a while since I've seen that, but no problem! And it was lovely to have a change in menu - I had chicken spring rolls and General Tso's chicken, and it was lovely. Not the very best I've had, but tasty. Service was good - but they don't bring your bill, you pay at the bar. Like the film, served its purpose.

On Monday, I've booked for The 47th, at The Old Vic. Written by Mike Bartlett, this imagines the American presidential elections of 2024. I am really looking forward to this play..

On Tuesday, I'm finally going to Six, the Musical! Based around the story of the six wives of Henry VIII (very loosely, I'd say), it's playing at the Vaudeville and I hear good things. Cheapest tickets from Leicester Square Box Office.

On Wednesday, back with Civilised London, who are off to the opera at the Southbank Centre. The show in question is The Paradis Files. On Thursday, I'm back to Ireland for Easter - but left it so late to book, I could only get an afternoon flight - no problem getting the day off work though!

Well, my friend got back to me - they're away in the middle of Easter week, back on the 21st, so the most sensible thing to do seemed to be to visit on the 22nd, which I've now arranged with her. Happily, my boss was also fine with me taking that week as holiday. Anyway, I'll fly back to London on the 24th. And on the 25th, I'm off to The Corn is Green, at the National.

Tomfoolery

Tonight, Tommy Tiernan was playing at the Hammersmith Apollo! Now, I failed to get a ticket for this the first time around. Then it was rescheduled because of Covid.. and I got a ticket for the rescheduled event! Then that was rescheduled.. third time lucky.. Love Tommy Tiernan. The show is called Tomfoolery. Doing something of a world tour for the next few months.

It was as well that I checked for my ticket early in the day - I'd selected to receive an e-ticket, which was supposed to be stored in my Eventim account - but it wasn't there! Probably as a result of the reschedule. I did come across a phone number to ring if it was within 24 hours of the event - got a quick response, explained the problem, and the nice chap tried to email me the ticket but couldn't. Instead, he switched it to box office collection, emailed me a collection code, and instructed me to have ID with me.

This far from me, of course it was going to be Tube. Google Maps suggested that the Central Line, followed by the Piccadilly, would be faster - and after my last experience of the Circle Line, I'd be forced to agree - so that's what I did. Again, just as well - there were delays on the Circle. I needed to eat, wanted something a bit fast, although I knew the show wasn't starting till 8 - behold, I was walking out through the shopping centre at Hammersmith Broadway and there was a Wasabi. So I thought - why not? It'd been a while, and I used to like it. As I was queueing though, I made the decision to pass on the katsu curry I used to get, and try the teriyaki instead - I have always liked that. Had noodles with it too, for a change. And it was all nice - if perhaps a bit heavy on the soy sauce. I found I couldn't finish it.

And so to the theatre, just past 7, when the doors had opened. There is great value to not being there when the doors open, there's much less queueing. A separate queue led to the box office - and so much for the collection code, he just checked my name against the filed tickets, using my ID. Wow, it's so long since I had a physical ticket.. And to the bar, where the white wine comes in cans. Well, it's ok. And so to the long climb to my seat, in Row X of the Circle.

The support act, as before, is his cousin Eleanor. And thereafter, a 15-minute wait for the main attraction:

Well, the warm welcome that Eleanor got was nothing to the roar that greeted Tommy. His following is loyal - and was pissed. It's more than two years, you know, since this show was originally scheduled here - imagine. And part of the show tonight had him describe how he is re-energised by the energy of the audience, how on long stretches of motorway - or at home during lockdown - his life force just drains away. He thanked us for remembering we'd bought tickets (as one fellow beside me remarked to his companions, he'd only suddenly remembered today..).

He sure was in fine fettle here! He prowled around the stage like a kind of creaky guru, complete with white beard. The crowd was a bit rowdy - drowned out by one group of ladies, he quieted them by saying "ladies, we arranged to meet BACKSTAGE, afterwards.. I have work to do here now!" And he still manages to reduce me to tears. I particularly love his description of his small dog at home, which he doesn't much care for: describes it as a "small, yappy thing - a cross between a mop and a panic attack!" Or then, there's the explanation for why the Russian forces are retreating - it's not that they're being beaten back. Oh no, it's the Irish. They haven't sent over troops (hah! as if - if the Ukraine is short of equipment, sure the Irish never got any..). No, instead they've sent over council road workers with diversion signs. The Russians have just been diverted back to Russia..

Fabulous stuff. Be warned though - the jokes get filthier as the set progresses. Good luck to you Tommy, delighted to see you on the road again!

Happily, I didn't have to climb down all those stairs without a handrail - we had a quick route out the fire escape at the back. Circle Line home, stopped off in Liverpool Street because I was peckish, Wasabi not having quite done the business. Delice de France was still open, and I grabbed a bite there before walking the last bit.

Tomorrow, it's back to Ireland for the weekend again. For Saturday, I've booked Uncharted - an Indiana Jones-style adventure, probably with less style, but at least starring Mark Wahlberg and Antonio Banderas. Could be fun, and anyway, the choice for daytime isn't spectacular. Showing, as usual, at the Omniplex.

On Monday, I've booked for The 47th, at The Old Vic. Written by Mike Bartlett, this imagines the American presidential elections of 2024. I am really looking forward to this play..

On Tuesday, I'm finally going to Six, the Musical! Based around the story of the six wives of Henry VIII (very loosely, I'd say), it's playing at the Vaudeville and I hear good things. Cheapest tickets from Leicester Square Box Office.

On Wednesday, back with Civilised London, who are off to the opera at the Southbank Centre. The show in question is The Paradis Files. On Thursday, I'm back to Ireland for Easter - but left it so late to book, I could only get an afternoon flight - no problem getting the day off work though!

Well, my friend got back to me - they're away in the middle of Easter week, back on the 21st, so the most sensible thing to do seemed to be to visit on the 22nd, which I've now arranged with her. Happily, my boss was also fine with me taking that week as holiday. Anyway, I'll fly back to London on the 24th. And on the 25th, I'm off to The Corn is Green, at the National.

Musical: Anyone Can Whistle

Tonight, back with Up in the Cheap Seats at Southwark Playhouse, and another free ticket for me! This time, it was for Anyone Can Whistle, with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim. In the afternoon, we had the most horrendous thunder shower, and I hoped desperately that would clear up by the time I left!

Well, it did - pretty much. My quicker bus, I was told, was the #35 - and it was due. No sign of it, of course - it didn't actually appear until Buses Due had given up on it. When it did, it was pretty crowded - I ended up upstairs, unusually for me. Where we were entertained by a man - who sounded drunk, but you never know - who was having a conversation with everyone and no-one. We learned that he had throat cancer. He informed us that it would take him, or his voice. I guess he was making the most of it while he could, then..

I alighted - into light rain - and crossed via an enormous puddle to Mercato Metropolitano. When I was looking for somewhere to eat around here, I'd completely forgotten about this place, until Google Maps reminded me! Well gosh, it was good to be back - the Uzbek place looked good for food, but she completely ignored me, so I ended up back at the Italian. Where he gave me a buzzer that would go off when my food was ready. Meantime, I headed off and got a rather delectable glass of wine at the nearby bar - pretty soon after that, my tagliatelle bolognese was ready, and I took a seat at a nearby bench. And it was delish! Returned the dish afterwards, and wandered around with a second glass of wine - I resisted having a third, knowing that I'd be drinking at the theatre as well.

Crossed back to the theatre a little early, where I met the organiser - we were to be the only ones from the group that showed. As I "checked in" at the box office, he warned me that the front row would be subject to audience participation. Hmmm. Anyway, I had my third drink, the organiser and I chatted, and it was good to see him. And we hung around the bar until it was time to go in, just in case. Then took our seats, a spare seat between us where another group member had been supposed to sit, but she couldn't make it.

Oh dear, what a difference from last night. For a start, whyever it was, I couldn't hear all the lyrics - might have been because of the stage design. But that wasn't the half of it. Now, to give it its due, the songs were catchy, the singing was excellent. It's just the completely bonkers, infantile story, which had lunatics escaping from the asylum (the "cookie jar") and hiding in the audience. Which theme was repeated again.. and again.. as if to tease us. Well, at least my organiser got some fun out of it - he ended up with one of the ladies on his lap! She even invited him home for dinner later.

Me, I could not keep from looking at my watch - and apparently my sigh of relief when the first half was over was pointed. We both legged it out of there at the interval. For the love of God, avoid - runs till the 7th. Don't be tempted. But it was good to get an early night for once.

Tomorrow, Tommy Tiernan is playing at the Hammersmith Apollo! Now, I failed to get a ticket for this the first time around. Then it was rescheduled because of Covid.. and I got a ticket for the rescheduled event! Then that was rescheduled.. third time lucky?! Love Tommy Tiernan. The show is called Tomfoolery.

And then it's back to Ireland for the weekend again. For Saturday, I've booked Uncharted - an Indiana Jones-style adventure, probably with less style, but at least starring Mark Wahlberg and Antonio Banderas. Could be fun, and anyway, the choice for daytime isn't spectacular. Showing, as usual, at the Omniplex.

On Monday, I've booked for The 47th, at The Old Vic. Written by Mike Bartlett, this imagines the American presidential elections of 2024. I am really looking forward to this play..

On Tuesday, I'm finally going to Six, the Musical! Based around the story of the six wives of Henry VIII (very loosely, I'd say), it's playing at the Vaudeville and I hear good things. Cheapest tickets from Leicester Square Box Office.

Next Wednesday, back with Civilised London, who are off to the opera at the Southbank Centre. The show in question is The Paradis Files. Next day, I'm back to Ireland for Easter - but left it so late to book, I could only get an afternoon flight - no problem getting the day off work though!

Well, my friend got back to me - they're away in the middle of Easter week, back on the 21st, so the most sensible thing to do seemed to be to visit on the 22nd, which I've now arranged with her. Happily, my boss was also fine with me taking that week as holiday. Anyway, I'll fly back to London on the 24th. And on the 25th, I'm off to The Corn is Green, at the National.

But I'm a Cheerleader: The Musical

Last night, I headed to But I'm a Cheerleader, a musical comedy at the Turbine Theatre. Never been before - turns out it's all the way over near Vauxhall! so, Circle Line it was. To Sloane Square. Left a bit later than I might have, given that I'm now working again. Now, this line is prone to delays.. and sure enough, rather than the projected 30 minutes journey, it actually took 45, what with constant pauses and random stops in tunnels. I planned to eat in Cote on Sloane Square, but it's a good job they didn't need to be booked - at that rate, had I booked, I'd have been late for my reservation!

Friendly staff, no problem in seating me. They didn't provide me with the fixed price menu, which has the delectable mushroom soup on it, so I jumped straight to the steak frites - which was gorgeous. Knew straight away that I wanted the chocolate ice cream for dessert - chocolatiest thing on the menu! and I was a bit tight for time. So it was unfortunate, firstly, that it took so long to catch their eye for the bill, and secondly, that the chatty lady at the next table got talking to me! She was waiting for her companion, who - she explained to the waiter - was Muslim, and couldn't eat until 7:40 because it was Ramadan. The waiter was dubious about this request, so she ended up ordering her own starter and waiting until her companion arrived to order anything else!

Anyway, all of this left me tight for time to cross the river to the theatre. Happily, buses run the same route, and one was just coming.. so I got there in no time.

What a busy alleyway! Anyway, I was glad not to be any later - I didn't have much time to spare, and just got to queue for a drink and rush in. I was in the front row:

Well wow, what a show! I honestly don't know when I've seen something so enthusiastic, so catchy, so upbeat - it's hilarious, and in parts touching, as we meet the teenage girl who's perfectly happy with her lot until her family and friends decide she's gay, and pack her off to one of those places where they "straighten" young people. The singing is superb, the staging imaginative, and the songs terrific. I wasn't expecting so much, but got way more than I expected. Really highly recommended - the standing ovation at the end was spontaneous and irresistible. And as we passed out to the lobby afterwards, we passed the dressing rooms, where someone was just bursting in to tell them how amazing they'd been. You know what? YES! Runs till the 8th of next month - run and see it! (Only thing is, the seating isn't the most comfortable.. a bit hard.)

Took the bus home, it being quicker at night. Would have had a shorter walk to catch it if Google Maps hadn't mistaken where I was..

And after a really long journey, got back - and wanting to be at work at a decent time today, went to bed and postponed the blog. Tonight, back with Up in the Cheap Seats at Southwark Playhouse, and another free ticket for me! This time, it's for Anyone Can Whistle, with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim. Just had the most horrendous thunder shower, and hoping that clears up by the time I leave..

Tomorrow, Tommy Tiernan is playing at the Hammersmith Apollo! Now, I failed to get a ticket for this the first time around. Then it was rescheduled because of Covid.. and I got a ticket for the rescheduled event! Then that was rescheduled.. third time lucky?! Love Tommy Tiernan. The show is called Tomfoolery.

And then it's back to Ireland for the weekend again. For Saturday, I've booked Uncharted - an Indiana Jones-style adventure, probably with less style, but at least starring Mark Wahlberg and Antonio Banderas. Could be fun, and anyway, the choice for daytime isn't spectacular. Showing, as usual, at the Omniplex.

On Monday, I've booked for The 47th, at The Old Vic. Written by Mike Bartlett, this imagines the American presidential elections of 2024. I am really looking forward to this play..

On Tuesday, I'm finally going to Six, the Musical! Based around the story of the six wives of Henry VIII (very loosely, I'd say), it's playing at the Vaudeville and I hear good things. Cheapest tickets from Leicester Square Box Office.

Next Wednesday, back with Civilised London, who are off to the opera at the Southbank Centre. The show in question is The Paradis Files. Next day, I'm back to Ireland for Easter - but left it so late to book, I could only get an afternoon flight, and will soon have to ask for that day off work!

Well, my friend got back to me - they're away in the middle of Easter week, back on the 21st, so the most sensible thing to do seemed to be to visit on the 22nd, which I've now arranged with her. Whether I take that week as holiday, or take the laptop there and work from Ireland, remains to be seen. Anyway, I'll fly back to London on the 24th. And on the 25th, I'm off to The Corn is Green, at the National.

Play: Clybourne Park

Today, I was back at the Park Theatre for the first time in nearly three years! This was for Clybourne Park, a comedy about a white family moving into a predominantly black neighbourhood. Earlier today, the theatre sent me a very convenient text with a link to my ticket! The only other theatre I've known do that is the Bridge - and it is so handy not to have to trawl through my emails.

Got buses there - and in similarly convenient fashion, the first of them appeared just as I arrived. I had to change, though - and as I headed for the stop to catch the next, there was one that just beat me to it, and no chance for me to catch it. Never mind, I didn't have too long to wait, and made it to the theatre in good time. I see they're not currently doing food there.. I had a particularly tasteless bag of salted peanuts (advertised as "having just the right amount of salt"). I guess the makers are encouraging a healthy, low-salt diet then. I won't be having those again!

Pulled up my ticket and headed into the auditorium. I should have noted the ticket more closely - it did indicate which door to enter by, and the one it indicated wasn't the one that the usher blithely directed me to. I ended up right on the other side of the stage, and had to cut across the whole audience - happily, I found a row without too many people in it to bother. I was on the end of my row - which was all well and good until the interval, when I didn't want to go anywhere, but most of the row did, and there was no way for me to let them past without getting out of the row completely! At least, when they came back, they braved walking along the edge of the stage and climbing down from there. Very badly designed seating.

However, you are right at the edge of the action - and in one energetic scene, perhaps a little too close! (That opening set design reminds me very much of the stage at the end of the concerts on the Experience and Innocence tour by U2!) Now, as the first act of this progressed, I wondered about the description of the play. It didn't seem like a comedy, and it didn't have anything to do with a family moving into a black area. Quite the opposite - the first act turns out to have been based on part of a pre-existing play, set in the 50s, about a black family moving into a white neighbourhood, and feels far from a comedy. However, the second half resolves the issue - what they've done is taken a scene from the old play, updated it to modern times for the second half, and taken a look at the fallout.

The first act is full of familiar conversations - the taciturn husband, the lonely wife fussing about, the black maid and her husband, eager to help. The obnoxious neighbour, come to complain about the aforementioned couple selling their house to a black family. Not so many jokes - quite a few passages we'd find offensive in modern times. Hey, they were probably offensive when the play was written as well! perhaps heard in conversation, but shocking to hear repeated on stage.

The second act is harder to pin down, at first. The same actors appear in modern clothing, sat around in a group for what looks like a very boring meeting to discuss a document, the nature of which isn't made clear. I started looking at my watch. But stick with it - it becomes apparent that this is the same room we saw in the first act, just about 50 years later. The focus of the document becomes the talking point of the second act - and as the discussion heats up, there are some downright hilarious moments. Including some very off-colour jokes. So, what the play does is compare and contrast the old-fashioned and modern behaviour, the relationships between the black and white characters in each time period, their life experiences, and the issues that concern each. You could write an essay on how the experiences of each have changed over the years, and how we all relate to each other - but as for the play, just enjoy the acting. This is very watchable! Recommended - and with a poignant ending. Runs until the 23rd.

On the way back, both Google Maps and the Buses Due app informed me that the #153 would head straight to Liverpool Street, and would depart from Stop H at Finsbury Park. I don't blame them, as that's exactly what TFL says. However, when I arrived there, there was no mention of the #153. I did see one parked down the road - which I subsequently watched stop across the road, at Stop G, and sail on its way. I've complained to TFL about their information.

Tomorrow, I'm headed to But I'm a Cheerleader, a musical comedy at the Turbine Theatre.

On Wednesday, back with Up in the Cheap Seats at Southwark Playhouse, and another free ticket for me! This time, it's for Anyone Can Whistle, with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim.

On Thursday, Tommy Tiernan is playing at the Hammersmith Apollo! Now, I failed to get a ticket for this the first time around. Then it was rescheduled because of Covid.. and I got a ticket for the rescheduled event! Then that was rescheduled.. third time lucky?! Love Tommy Tiernan. The show is called Tomfoolery.

And then it's back to Ireland for the weekend again. For Saturday, now that the listings are up, I've booked Uncharted - an Indiana Jones-style adventure, probably with less style, but at least starring Mark Wahlberg and Antonio Banderas. Could be fun, and anyway, the choice for daytime isn't spectacular. Showing, as usual, at the Omniplex.

Next Monday, I've booked for The 47th, at The Old Vic. Written by Mike Bartlett, this imagines the American presidential elections of 2024. I am really looking forward to this play..

On the 12th, I'm finally going to Six, the Musical! Based around the story of the six wives of Henry VIII (very loosely, I'd say), it's playing at the Vaudeville and I hear good things. Cheapest tickets from Leicester Square Box Office.

On the 13th, back with Civilised London, who are off to the opera at the Southbank Centre. The show in question is The Paradis Files. Next day, I'm back to Ireland for Easter - but left it so late to book, I could only get an afternoon flight, and will have to start my new job by asking for that day off work!

Well, my friend got back to me - they're away in the middle of Easter week, back on the 21st, so the most sensible thing to do seemed to be to visit on the 22nd, which I've now arranged with her. Whether I take that week as holiday, or take the laptop there and work from Ireland, remains to be seen. Anyway, I'll fly back to London on the 24th. And on the 25th, I'm off to The Corn is Green, at the National.

Walks: "Tinker, Tailor, Soldier & a Hatful of Spies" & "Scandals, Scriptwriters & Sumptuous Architecture", Pub: The Woodman, & Storytelling: Holy Cow!

Well, I finally got a provisional start date from my new job - and it's this week. So last Friday, still being free, I booked with Laurence Summers and the 45+ Not Grumpy Old Londoners for a daytime walk. This was Tinker, Tailor, Soldier & a Hatful of Spies - and comes highly recommended from previous attendees! In fact, I got the last spot (at the time, anyway). 

Wow, it's so long since I was on Villiers Street! And I see a couple of restaurants have disappeared from there since, sadly. Anyway, we had to meet at the bottom, near Embankment - I couldn't see the group as I came down, but sure enough, there they were, behind the lorry.. and we stood, as usual, for a while, and chatted.. and lo, there was that pesky snow again! Interestingly, this was to be a feature of the walk - it fairly pelted down on us at one point, and we noticed a few interesting patterns. Like, it always seemed to follow a sunny spell. And it always seemed to be encouraged by us putting down our hoods, taking off gloves etc. It came to the point where we were practically dragging Laurence into the sunnier sides of streets, and encouraging him to abridge the walk.. we actually did have to abandon one spot we stopped at, for fear of being blown over!

Having said that, it was an interesting walk, lots of chat about spies, both real and fictional. Not so interesting visually, sadly - especially as spy organisations tend to favour nondescript buildings. I did manage one photo, and here it is:

Anyway, lunch turned out to be in Henry's! Now, this is a find.. decent, reasonably priced food in this part of town? Fabulous. Having said that, my chicken schnitzel was a bit hard to cut, and service was a little scatty.. but we did have a massive group, almost all of whom stayed for lunch, and so we had way more than had booked. And the food was good - in fact, the white chocolate profiteroles were divine! Would love to come back. One of the group was still celebrating her birthday from the day before - so we consumed much wine.. ;-)

After lunch, we repaired to Caffe Concerto. Never been in here before, imagine! Where I had more wine, some people had cake.. and the chat was mighty. And then, some folk wanted to continue.. so, we let ourselves be led by someone else to a wine bar she knew, called Le Beaujolais. And the gent of the group proved himself a gent by paying for a cab!

Mad place, and a bit cramped, but good company, good wine, good nibbles. Mind you, I was now flagging, and by just gone 11, I'd had enough. Despite a plea to continue at Ronnie Scott's, I was adamant I needed to go to bed - and that is what I did. Still, a most excellent night - hell, entire day! was had. Memorable. Thanks, guys! I was too tired to blog, of course.

That evening, I had booked with the Crick Crack Club (CCC) for - The Grand Annual Lying Contest! at Rich Mix. Of course, that fell by the wayside.

Yesterday, I had booked with Walks, Talks & Treasure Hunts for a Regent's Canal Walk. But yay, Laurence and the 45+s then advertised another walk for that day, which was pretty much guaranteed to be superior. So I booked it. This was Scandals, Scriptwriters & Sumptuous Architecture - and of course, it being a London weekend, I could go!

Would you believe, only three people showed up to that - not including Laurence. (And yes, it was a tad difficult for me to drag myself out of bed. But I did.) Lovely sunny day for it too - with the odd snow shower, of course. A much more photogenic walk, I have to say.. We started in Kensington Gardens - a beautiful day for a stroll in the park, lots of dogs around, and a great way to blow off the cobwebs.

We met the man who invented the Penny Black:

and other residents:

And boy, was there a lot of religious architecture! Sadly, they weren't letting the public into the synagogue, it being Sabbath:

And we didn't stop at St. Matthew's:

But we had more luck with the Greek Orthodox church, where we sneaked in with a few minutes to spare before a christening! Sometimes, it pays to be a small group:

Passed an old art deco cinema, now converted to flats:

And here's a curiosity: a memorial to an Albanian war hero! Fought off the Ottomans, it seems:

Gee, you never do know what's around the corner! We finished with a sumptuous hotel:

Now, apparently not all the rooms are decorated like the reception rooms, but wow, those reception rooms:

And there's a teensy theatre - now converted to a bar:

Fabulous stuff. We then repaired to Pret, had a good old chat.. and went our separate ways. Very sorry not to be joining Laurence and this group again for a while, but I have so much time scheduled in Ireland this month.. and if work starts when it says it will, there go the midweek ones! Ah well, I do need a way to pay for all of this..

Now, that evening, an ex-colleague of mine was having a leaving do - he's emigrating. Combined with a birthday bash. Happened at The Woodman, in Highgate. I said I'd put in an appearance. I didn't see much point in going home first - so I didn't! Tube it was..

Located the pub - where I had to wait to be seated. And during the day, it seems to be more about food! First, I visited the loo - with pull chain flushes and a peculiar design of handbasin, it is a unique establishment! And so to ordering food, and they got all antsy when I tried to order at the bar - mind you, considering how long it took anyone to come to me between courses, it was as well I did. Still, I was killing time. I decided to try the shepherds pie:

Isn't that just dinky? Unfortunately, I was feeling fragile after the night before, and couldn't finish it - not to mention the enormous portion of onion rings I ordered with it. Well, a portion of ice cream for dessert went down well.

When someone else I knew came along, we established that the birthday/leaving guy had arrived, and made our way out to the "covered al fresco" section. Which is very well-designed, a kind of shack effort, with overhead heaters. Have to say, those heaters were not effective - it seemed that only the person directly under the heater got any benefit, and we spent most of the night shivering. Thankfully, they closed the outdoor bar at around 11pm, and we moved inside - and wondered why we hadn't done it earlier!

A terrific, retro soundtrack kept us going all night, and one guy had brought his seriously cute dog, Mollie - a poodle cross, white and fluffy - who was the star of the evening. But oh man, it was so good to see all these people I hadn't seen for years! So glad I made the effort for this. And our host and his partner were good enough to let me share their Uber home - turns out they don't (for the moment) live so far from me! Well, well.. again, sadly, I was too tired to blog.

Today, the CCC again! (and was I glad of the lie-in). Emily Hennessey and Sheema Mukherjee were at the British Museum, with Holy Cow! Tales from the River of Life. Unfortunately, the London Landmarks Half Marathon was also today, so I took the Tube again. First off, got a bite to eat in Delice de France - it's been a while - and for once, it didn't burn my mouth! Arrived at the museum in good time, got a pack of Piper's sweet chilli crisps, which I really didn't like and didn't finish! and a much nicer apple juice. And in due course, took my seat downstairs - I see it was well-signposted, for once!

I don't think I've ever seen Emily Hennessey on better form, as she pranced around the stage, ankle bells jingling, bringing to life fantastical Indian tales about gods and magic. But the real star of the show for me was Sheema Mukherjee, who wove an enchanting and hypnotic spell around the words, playing her sitar, singing, providing sound effects. As ever, a terrific way to spend a relaxed Sunday afternoon - additional validation provided by the Indian family in front of me, who were very impressed with it all. And kudos to Emily for not batting an eyelid when someone's phone went off, or there was a public announcement that the museum was closing - no, she just wove them into her story.

Afterwards, I might have eaten locally, but I had to run and view a room - I want to move to a larger place, now that I'm going to be working completely remotely. I'd promised the tenant who was to show it to me that I wouldn't keep him all night, so I zipped over there by Tube again. Unfortunately, although it would be an improvement on what I have now, the price seemed excessive for what was on offer, and I've declined it - for one thing, I think a wardrobe is a dealbreaker! The guy living there now keeps his clothes on a rail - and he's even taking that with him. Nope, the search continues.

Meantime, looking for somewhere to eat around there, I hit on The Empress - appropriately, an Indian restaurant. I was their only sit-down customer - although they had a couple of takeaway orders - so service was prompt. And friendly. I had my usuals, and I have to say, I haven't had tastier anywhere. Why, the naan wasn't even burnt. Although - as ever - there was a pitiful amount of chicken for all that sauce; having eaten the six chunks they provided me with, I nearly laughed out loud when the waiter asked whether I wanted a doggy bag for the leftovers. What, the leftover sauce?!

Tomorrow, I'm back at the Park Theatre for the first time in nearly three years! This is for Clybourne Park, a comedy about a white family moving into a predominantly black neighbourhood.

On Tuesday, I'm headed to But I'm a Cheerleader, a musical comedy at the Turbine Theatre.

On Wednesday, back with Up in the Cheap Seats at Southwark Playhouse, and another free ticket for me! This time, it's for Anyone Can Whistle, with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim.

On Thursday, Tommy Tiernan is playing at the Hammersmith Apollo! Now, I failed to get a ticket for this the first time around. Then it was rescheduled because of Covid.. and I got a ticket for the rescheduled event! Then that was rescheduled.. third time lucky?! Love Tommy Tiernan. The show is called Tomfoolery. And then it's back to Ireland for the weekend again.

On the 11th, I've booked for The 47th, at The Old Vic. Written by Mike Bartlett, this imagines the American presidential elections of 2024. I am really looking forward to this play..

On the 12th, I'm finally going to Six, the Musical! Based around the story of the six wives of Henry VIII (very loosely, I'd say), it's playing at the Vaudeville and I hear good things. Cheapest tickets from Leicester Square Box Office.

On the 13th, back with Civilised London, who are off to the opera at the Southbank Centre. The show in question is The Paradis Files. Next day, I'm back to Ireland for Easter - but left it so late to book, I could only get an afternoon flight, and will have to start my new job (whenever) by asking for that day off work!

Well, my friend got back to me - they're away in the middle of Easter week, back on the 21st, so the most sensible thing to do seemed to be to visit on the 22nd, which I've now arranged with her. Whether I take that week as holiday, or take the laptop there and work from Ireland, remains to be seen. Anyway, I'll fly back to London on the 24th. And on the 25th, I'm off to The Corn is Green, at the National.