Last night saw me attend only my second ever talk given by Henning, in the London European Club. The subject was UK and the EU - A Troubled Relationship, and it sounded interesting: and topical, what with the Brexit referendum approaching next month.
It was scheduled for 7 - and when I got one of those scary LEC emails earlier in the day, with dire warnings of expulsions if we didn't show up, I was nervous, given that I was in Guildford. I can fully understand their position - I've been in Meetups before where people just didn't bother to show, and organisers were out of pocket; and last night's event was booked out, with, apparently, a long waiting list. Still, the tone of these warnings is off-putting..
Mind you, when I read the Meetup page more closely, it turned out that the talk itself wouldn't start until 7:30, although the room was being set up from 6:30. So I relaxed at that point. And wouldn't you know it, traffic was light for once, and I got home in plenty of time. The quickest way to the Devereux was to take a train to Waterloo, then a bus. At Clapham Junction, a train quickly presented itself, and wouldn't you know it, as I approached Stop C at Waterloo, a 76 was just pulling up! Was I ever satisfied with myself as it pulled away with me on it..
Alighting at the Royal Courts of Justice, I knew I had to cross the road - and Google Maps said to go down Devereux Court. Great - except it's practically invisible:
Had to look carefully to see it. Never mind - if you couldn't, you could just go down Essex Street, to the right, and turn around the back of The Edgar Wallace. Oh, I love the Temple district - full of little nooks and alleyways.
And so to the Devereux, which was practically deserted - but I remembered it from before, and knew the talk would be upstairs. I ordered a drink, paid by card, and was slightly annoyed to be presented immediately with a suggestion of a gratuity - for goodness' sake, I was only just in the door! Anyway, drink in hand, I went in search of the upstairs. Remembered going to the other outside door, so went that way again - only to remember, when I got there, turning back because that was the wrong way. So I did that again, made my way around to the other side of the bar, and went through the door marked "Restaurant".
Sure enough, the upstairs room used for talks is a restaurant in another life. Now, this doesn't work terribly well in practice - I've been in plenty of rooms above pubs, used for different functions, and one that's a restaurant has a problem that others don't - tables. Fine if you're eating off them - not so much if you're trying to cram into what became a very crowded room, to see a presentation and listen to a talk. For goodness' sake, a worker had to push her way through at some point, and it would've been easier to suspend her on a pulley system hung from the ceiling..
The prelude to the talk had a slideshow - what looked like a YouTube compilation - of attractive European landscapes. Lovely - although if you got there quite early, as I did, and were watching them for over half an hour, they did become a bit samey. Mountains, lakes, waterfalls, beaches - and recycle. Some pretty towns too, but if I had to see another waterfall..
So it was a relief when the talk began. Henning's talks are well researched, and this was no exception - he'd done his homework, and presented us with a summarised history of what was to become the European Union, from the end of the Second World War. An interesting story, always with a nod to Britain's role: he described how a desire to curb Germany's chances of starting yet another war led to the formation of the European Coal and Steel Community, which aimed to pool the continent's coal and steel resources, so that no one country could build up its stock - which would be essential for warmongering.
Of course, this grew to become the European Economic Community, which is what I always remember it as. And he explained how the UK was in a stronger state than Continental Europe after the war, and didn't see a need to join any union - but how the EEC's economic power grew, and it duly became more attractive. The UK applied for membership, but was blocked by De Gaulle - partly because he was suspicious of Britain's strong ties to the US. They eventually joined in 1973 - just as Europe's fortunes took a downturn.
As Henning pointed out, mainly the timing of events was unfortunate. At this point, however, the discussion turned towards economics, and my brain turned itself off - never been of any interest to me, I'm afraid. Unlike many of the audience, who - as you might expect - were well informed. I did appreciate the slide of graphs that he reluctantly displayed at the end - as he said, they were open to misinterpretation, but did show the UK's healthy position, relative to other EU members, in terms of contributions, net contributions, contributions as percentage of GDP.. as an ex-statistician, graphs are something I can understand.
I left at the break. Had a long, cold wait at the bus stop - although the display said the bus was due, I was there for at least 10 minutes! At least the nearby church bells kept me entertained with Oranges and Lemons. And the 87 took me all the way home - including a small diversion. Early enough to go to bed - not to blog.
Tonight, the Man with the Hat is taking Let's Do London - for less! (including me) 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, also tonight! I've already seen that one, of course. And I can guarantee attendees a great night..
Tomorrow, I'm back with the Crick Crack Club, at The Forge, for a storytelling evening entitled The Howken Field, by Nick Hennessy. Could be fun getting to it - I'm in Guildford again, and a train strike is threatened, which means the Overground will be busy..
On Thursday, I'm with Henning again, who's headed to a mixed bill by Nederlands Dans Theater, at Sadler's Wells. I'll work from home that day - it's another 7 o' clock start. And then it's back to Ireland for the weekend.
The most interesting thing to come up for today was a walk called "Fire, Pestilence and Plague" (!), run by Free London Events and Talks. Well, the forecast was good, and I woke today to glorious sunshine - just the day to restart my walking for the year!
The walk was to start from The Monument, built to denote the starting place of the Great Fire of London, and the ever-useful 344 would take me all the way there. As I approached the stop, I mused that the single worst thing about catching buses is seeing the bus leaving the stop just as you approach. And as I rounded the corner, my bus departed the bus stop, just across the road. Typical. Well anyway, I was early, and took a seat to wait.
When the next bus came, I ended up sitting upstairs - my, but it's a while since I've done that! Alighted at Monument, took the subway to cross the road (skirting the homeless man sleeping there) and shortly found myself at The Monument itself. Where I also found Mary, whom I know from the Man with the Hat's groups, and who was on the walk today. Which was nice - it was good to have someone to talk to.
The start time had been set a bit earlier than actual departure time, to make sure people got there. Good idea - it's hard to make it across London for a deadline. The chatty guide appeared, complete with green umbrella, as promised - and we waited. And the sun grew hotter.. I was so glad I'd decided against a coat! Did wonder whether I shouldn't have brought a hat, though.
When we started, we started with a vengeance. I can honestly say that I've never seen a guide more informed, more enthusiastic about his subject. He led us on a brisk, two-hour trek through the City, and apart from the advertised "fire, pestilence and plague", deluged us with titbits about every part of town we were passing through. And as for the route! I've been in many of these parts of town before, but never down many of the back alleys and sidestreets that he used. Fabulous! Nothing like exploring - and London always has more to explore.
Photos here - apologies, a couple need rotating, but Facebook seems to have removed that feature. I've complained - it may get fixed. And keep an eye on the Meetup page, above, for more photos to be uploaded - I was having great fun snapping away until my phone camera just - died! Working again now, at least. Anyway, this was a fantastic way to spend the afternoon. I was delighted to tip him at the end - as were most, I think.
He deposited us at St. Paul's.. with no internet on my phone, in that area, I had only a vague idea how to get home. So, I meandered off that way.. and then caught sight of the Millennium Bridge, and thought to myself - I know how to get from there to The Globe, I know how to get from The Globe to where to catch my bus.. why don't I do that? And so I did, and had a wonderful time - it's probably my favourite part of town, and in the sunshine it was irresistible. As I passed the Globe, I even passed the queue of groundlings, waiting in the sun to get the best spaces by the stage for this evening's performance - goodness, just like a rock concert! My bus pulled away from the stop as I approached - again. And as I waited for the next bus, the bells of Southwark Cathedral chimed to keep me company. And I renewed my love affair with London. Roll on the summer!
I'd have loved to have eaten out, but I had food at home that would've gone off, so I came home instead. Tomorrow, 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. Unfortunately, I'm in Guildford, and it's at 7 - we'll see.
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, I'm with Henning again, who's headed to a mixed bill by Nederlands Dans Theater, at Sadler's Wells. I may have to work from home that day - it's another 7 o' clock start. And then it's back to Ireland for the weekend.
London Dramatic Arts, two nights in a row. Well, for them it was - me, I got a cheaper ticket myself for tonight from the venue. Which meant - given their great dismay when I do that - that I had to avoid them. Such fun! Well, the Young Vic sounded ok for purposes of avoiding people - it's quite chaotic! Anyway, I booked a cheap ticket upstairs, and figured they'd go downstairs.
It really doesn't take long to get there from here - Google Maps estimated 20 minutes, and even allowing for optimism on their part, it wasn't going to take very long. Train to Waterloo - and of course, there's generally at least one per minute passing through Clapham Junction - exit to Waterloo Road, hang a right, left at the Old Vic and keep going - it's a short way down, on the left. I remember being astonished to find how close together they were - can happen in London, where people are so used to travelling by Tube, and lose their bearings overground.
I had about five minutes to go to show time.. this was deliberate, since I guessed that LDAM would have gone in. So I collected my ticket at the box office. I expected to go upstairs, and was surprised when I was directed to the ground floor entrance - sure enough, my ticket said to enter at ground level. Well hey, I joined the queue - and rapidly un-joined it when I spotted the organiser! Quick retreat, excusing myself past people, pretending I was looking for someone at the door. I then re-joined the end of the queue, and thankfully saw no more of her.
There's only one row on the "upper" level, which is separated from the main seating simply by a rail. And boy, is it snug! I was glad my seat was only two from the end, so I didn't have to push past too many people. Of course, the seating is on benches for two, and awkwardly, the couple beside me were on different benches, leaving me with him on the same bench. Ah well, you do get to know people that way.. it was something of a nightmare when people wanted to push past, though - there's hardly any room! During the performance I was at a loss what to do with my legs, which were dangling uncomfortably from the high bench - until I found a pipe running along the back of the seats in the row in front, on which I could rest my toes. Which gave some relief.
Four characters in last night's play, only three actors in tonight's: a patient in a mental hospital, his doctor, and the doctor's supervisor. The patient is a volatile chap, due for release today - except his doctor doesn't think he should go. The doctor is worried by the patient's paranoia, and particularly by his delusions - for instance, that the oranges in the bowl on the table are blue (hence the title - Blue / Orange). He asks his supervisor to observe the interview, to confirm his diagnosis - but is surprised by his superior's reaction.
The senior consultant asks his junior to consider that the patient's reactions may be a result of his social background. The patient claims to be the son of Idi Amin.. sounds weird, but gradually becomes more plausible. Maybe this is a case of injustice, of misunderstanding because of different social backgrounds?
But there are other issues here.. the senior consultant is writing a book on the connection between psychosis and race, and thinks that this black patient would be an excellent case study. He reminds his junior of the lack of beds in the hospital, of the danger of institutionalisation if this poor man is kept in for too long. And as the play progresses, and the junior insists that the man needs help and should be sectioned, we come to see other forces at work.
It's a fascinating study of the mental health service, of race, and of politics - compelling throughout, convincingly acted, and with its funny moments too. I was really impressed - although I did wonder just how many oranges they're going through in this production! Runs until 2 July - booking recommended, tonight's show was practically sold out.
Try as I might, I couldn't see the group. At the interval, I stuck to my seat, and was really jealous of the ice creams most people brought back with them. And then I saw the group - for goodness' sake, they were only a row in front of me, on the other side! For that, the venue was charging from £20, to be a row closer than I was for £10. Even though the group's tickets were discounted, I was glad I hadn't taken one of theirs. Jeez, my view for £10 was fine, and I was only slightly uncomfortable with where to put my feet.. really, go for "Upstairs" for this show, you won't regret it.
I was glad of the poor lighting at my level, which would have made it hard to spot me. As the actors were taking their bows, I made a bolt for it, and managed to scuttle out the door and back to the station without seeing any of them. I don't have anything else arranged to go to that they're also going to, although I'm sure it'll happen eventually - certainly adds a layer of drama to the evening, having people to avoid!
Tomorrow, I'm on my first walk of the year (finally) - Free London Events and Talks has a walk entitled Fire, Pestilence and Plague. It's supposed to stay fine, thankfully. And I just today found out that someone else I know is going on the same walk - so that'll be nice, for once I'll have someone to talk to, in this group!
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, 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.
London Dramatic Arts Meetup was headed to see Giving tonight, in Hampstead Theatre - apparently, these days they're concentrating on events on Mondays (cheaper) and Fridays and Saturdays (people are more inclined to socialise). Tickets for tonight were sold out otherwise, which made going with them a good option. So I booked - and chose today as one of my days to work from home, given that I had to head all the way up there.
They were meeting at the theatre bar at 7. Hah! Well, that's what they said. Knowing this organiser's record of punctuality, I doubted it - still, I planned to get there at about that time. Having all day to eat, naturally, I ended up rushing for the 6:15 Overground - but I made it. And after the long journey to Finchley Road & Frognal, when I got up from my seat, I discovered that the shoes I'd taken such trouble to dig out from where they'd been packed for the move, and which I hadn't worn in an age, had heels that chafed. Oh lovely - I remembered that about them, all of a sudden. No tissue in my pocket - but I found one in my bag, and spent some minutes carefully packing one troublesome heel - I had a 15-minute walk ahead of me!
..Or limp. And as I limped, I had plenty of time to muse - and two musings occurred to me. Firstly, I was glad I wasn't a wounded impala. (Why impala, I don't know - must've come up a lot on nature documentaries, I suppose.) Secondly, the last time I did this trek, I was rushing to make the start time - that's one handy thing about Meetups, they suggest you arrive early, which does have the effect of ensuring you're not late for the show. And my, was I ever glad I didn't have to run in these shoes! It was all I could do to hobble into the theatre..
Where there was no sign of anyone I knew (and I did know some of those coming to the play). Typical. I visited the loo, with cubicles all named for famous actors, and when I came out, I was just digging in my bag for my phone when - I saw the organiser, in the queue for the box office. Checked my watch - she did well tonight, she was only 15 minutes late! After she collected our tickets, she showed me where some others were standing - one I knew well had gone to the bar, apparently. I thought about it myself, but there was such a crowd I decided not. When this person returned from the bar, we had a right old natter - it was great to see her again.
Our show didn't start till 7:45, but had unreserved seating, so we went down at about 7:25 (it's in the Downstairs theatre). And queued - they hadn't opened the door yet. We found ourselves standing beside an Elizabethan-ish-style costume in a glass case, apparently advertising something called 55 Days. Revolution was also mentioned - and somehow, Charles I popped into my head. Sure enough, someone more eagle-eyed than I spotted mention of the same man on a small sign - and this had been the costume for the play. So, that kept us entertained for a bit!
We eventually filed in, and had a look around for enough seats to seat us all - we were seven. We ended up sat on the far side of the small room - to get there, we had to cross the stage, which - as one of the ushers explained before the start - meant we couldn't be let out during the show to go to the loo. So we'd better do it now, as there was no interval - the 1hr40min production was to run right through without a break.
Seating was on upholstered benches, a cast list placed on each seat. The lady beside me, with our group, spotted someone from another of her groups in the row in front.. small city, eh? The set reminded me very much of the one in People, Places and Things - sparse, modern, white, with cleverly concealed cupboards, doors, tables.. people entering and leaving from both sides. All action takes place in the same space - during scene changes, the light dims, and whichever of the four actors have just been on stage take it upon themselves to do whatever moving is required. What's really nice is that they do it in the style of the previous scene - if they've been flirtatious, they move furniture flirtatiously; if they've been stressed, or angry, they fling it about.
One of the best things about what is a fabulous production is the terrific depth of the characters. Each is well drawn, perfectly cast, beautifully acted. And they have their work cut out, delivering rapid-fire dialogue in a fast-moving play. Started out, for me, a little overwhelming, but I rapidly adjusted.
The title refers to the act of giving to charity, and the plot centres around a young female journalist, Laura - played by Sinéad Matthews - whose editor, Jonathan (Dominic Rowan) sets her the task of interviewing a successful businesswoman, Mary (Sylvestra le Touzel) who's just decided to give a substantial sum to charity. So far, so obvious - until she meets the charity "broker", Michael - Simon Manyonda - who tells Mary where to put her money..
It's quite topical. I've put a moratorium on pretty much all charity donations at the moment - I bought a car and moved house in the last few months, and it's hard enough to pay for my own expenses, apart from donating to the dozens of charities that are constantly asking it of me. There's everything out there - you can choose to save animals, or people in disaster zones, or educate children, or fund research into medical cures.. just imagine the dilemma of someone with plenty of funds, who wants to put them somewhere that makes a difference.
Enter Michael, who works for a "boutique" charity brokerage, which will happily work with you to find how best to match you to one or more charities - kind of like a dating agency. But is anyone in this play quite as they first appear? Laura develops depth as the play goes on; we learn more about Jonathan too. Mary undergoes a transformation that, interestingly, extends to her costume - watch her transformation from the unflappable businesswoman in white, magnanimously donating to charity; she changes to a black and white outfit as more is revealed about her past.. and sure enough, the last we see of her, she's all in black as she reveals a more unflattering side to her character.
As for Michael - well, he's the ultimate manipulator. Or.. is he? Michael represents, I think, the charity "industry", and perhaps is the one who changes least throughout the play. He gets the last line too - something about "What more do you need to know? Go with your instinct." And so we're despatched into the night, to make up our own minds - are these charities really clever business models, playing on our generous natures: or are they really trying to do some good, and perhaps misunderstood by suspicious people who've been betrayed before?
Really, really clever play. Definitely go see - not expensive, playing right beside Swiss Cottage Tube station. Runs until the 11th June, booking essential - seats are selling well for this. And after, we spent some time in the lobby bar, where the chat was good - and I had to bite my tongue as I was advised several times to go see Lawrence After Arabia - also showing there, and which they went to see. And which I also went to see - on my own, same night, cheaper. And had great fun trying to keep out of their way!
Avoiding them should be easier tomorrow, 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. (They don't like people buying their own tickets - consider it disloyal. This is a change in policy for them. So I stay out of their way on such occasions.)
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. It's supposed to stay fine, thankfully.
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, 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.
So, Kensington Classical Music had a concert this evening in St. James, Piccadilly. For once, they weren't charging a Meetup fee - so I booked: months ago, in fact. It was on at 7 - I'd have to be on time coming back from Guildford.
Predictably, I wasn't - I was a bit late leaving anyway, and an accident somewhere or other slowed down traffic just enough to scupper my chances. (Phew!) It was actually a relief - I lost sleep last night, I was tired and hungry, and just not that pushed. So I emailed the organiser that I wouldn't be coming.
Instead, I had dinner, and am now relaxing, with a lovely view of trees in the evening sun outside my window, and watching the second Eurovision semifinal - which has Ireland in it - with wine & snacks. Just what I needed!
Tomorrow, I'm back in the swing 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. It's supposed to stay fine, thankfully.
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.
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.
I actually had something else booked for last night - but I wasn't that pushed about it, and when the Crick Crack Club advertised a event, I was there! Booked my ticket - they tend to sell out, plus I knew I'd definitely want to go. And Soho Theatre doesn't charge booking fees.
Of the two passengers I usually give a lift to work, one wasn't coming yesterday. The other's been on holiday for the past two weeks - well, yesterday he came back with a vengeance! Typically, upon his return to London he has to be somewhere for a certain time; well, to be fair, so do I, generally. I was to be glad I'd picked yesterday to come to Guildford - specifically because my event had a late start (I can work from home two days a week). We were delayed leaving the office (his meeting overran) and as we approached London, he asked whether I could run him all the way home.. it's a bit out of my way, but I had time. And as we drove further and further away from my home, I was very glad I was early for the event! Mercifully, on the return journey, my phone battery stayed active just long enough to get me home - I got lost twice, but corrected myself using a maps app.
And so, straight into town - train to Victoria, Tube to Oxford Circus and walk. I made the theatre with five minutes to spare - at the box office, they didn't even bother asking me what show I was there for: just my surname and postcode. After the long, long climb to the Upstairs theatre, there were plenty of ushers to show us to available seats, and I ended up with one in the front row. Found myself beside someone who took thorough notes all through the first half, but didn't seem to return for the second - maybe she had all the material she needed!
The show was Kali. Now, I've heard a lot of Celtic stories, a lot of Sufi stories - not a lot of Hindu ones, though - this made a lovely change. There was a small shrine in the corner, a platform, a long bench. And two ladies who stepped out from the backdrop - an Indian lady, Sheema Mukherjee, in Indian garb and with a third eye painted on her forehead: and an Englishwoman called Emily Hennessy. Now, a couple of times with this group, I've seen a storyteller called Nick Hennessy, and wondered at the coincidence - sure enough, as we were told at the end, she's his wife! Gosh, that must make for interesting evenings over their place! :-)
Sheema took up a perch on the bench, and positioned an enormous sitar on her lap. Emily Hennessy took the foreground, ankles jingling as she walked, from the bells strapped to them. And with her words and movement, and the ethereal music coming from the bench, tales were woven - of Brahma (creator), Vishnu (protector), and Shiva (destroyer). And of others - Sati, Parvati.. and Kali. And more.
It's a a fantastically rich tale. But Emily took us effortlessly through it, explaining step by step how the world came to be, and where these deities came from. She also made it so visual, her story accentuated by Sheema. And we were enthralled.. as I say, I haven't heard much of this folklore before, but with these expert storytellers, I'd be happy to learn everything there is to be learned. Apparently, this show has been in preparation for years.. it was evidently time well spent. I hear they're planning something in the British Museum, towards the end of the year - definitely one to look out for. At the interval, those who hadn't stepped out for a drink - including water, which was kindly provided outside the door - were given flowers; at the end, we could leave these on the shrine, either in honour of Kali, goddess of power, or of Ganesh, god of new beginnings..
Despite all I have to do these days, this was a rare treat, and I would happily spend every evening like it. Home too late to blog - up early, as I was in Guildford again today, and - unusually - too busy to blog. Tonight? Well, Carpe Diem advertised a play called Abominations. All the way up in Camden. And were charging a £1 Meetup fee - well, I wasn't going to book with them, then. And since it wasn't selling out, I didn't bother to book at all. Just as well, considering I was delayed at the office again, and wouldn't have made it. Oh, but it's great to have a night at home, just to catch up with things!
..and then I'm back into the swing of it tomorrow, with the Man with the Hat, who's taking both his groups to a classical concert in King's Place - the other side of town, which is why I elected to work from home tomorrow. On Thursday, 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!
On Friday, 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 of next week, I'm back with the Crick Crack Club, at The Forge this time, 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.
