Mario Brunello Plays Bach

Tonight, I was headed to see The Throne, a comedy at Charing Cross Theatre, in which the Queen gets locked in a portaloo with a staunch republican. Time Out had an offer of £10 tickets for the cheapest seats for this - a saving of more than 50%! Sadly, I then got word that remaining performances of this production have been cancelled, due to covid. Still with nothing on Meetup that appealed, instead I went with TAC for a classical concert - Mario Brunello is playing Bach on the violoncello piccolo, at Wigmore Hall. He's playing this evening as well - and London Baroque Music Lovers (LBML) are now going - but cheap tickets were available for the matinee.

Got myself in in good time - for once, giving somoene correct directions on the best way to get to Oxford Street! Poor woman, she had two small kids with her, didn't know London at all - and all she wanted was some bus from that stop that would help. Happily, the #73 goes from there to Oxford Circus - which would have to do. And there was one just approaching. My good deed of the day, I guess! When I got to where I was going myself, I hardly recognised it - the entrance is covered with scaffolding. They're revamping the entrance, it seems - I walked past it while consulting my phone! Inside, I queued for the box office - I've made the mistake before of going to the "prepaid ticket" desk, but that turned out to be for press. When it was my turn, he asked for my confirmation - first time in years that's happened! They usually keep a list - not here, I guess. Anyway, I confirmed that I just needed one ticket, and he tore one off for me.

Not a bad seat, huh?! Row H, dead centre - they hadn't opened the balcony for this performance. And wow, what a powerful performance - I rarely see a solo instrument in concert, and when I have, it's been piano - this was the first time I'd seen a stringed instrument in glorious isolation, live on stage. Bach wrote some stirring solo pieces, and we heard three of them today - two before the interval, one after. And throughout, it was absolutely engrossing - well worth a visit. The only problem was the continual banging that plagued most of the first half - from the building works, doubtless. Still, it didn't drown out the music, which was fabulous. Particularly for £3.60 for a seat I would probably have had to pay £35 for at full price - a nearly 90% discount..!

Afterwards, I was hungry, so headed down to St. Christopher's Place - an absolute hive of eateries. A preponderance of Italians - and the large outdoor space of Isola caught my attention, so I ate there. They have two adjacent premises - only one entry and exit though, so you have to go through the interior to get to the other side! And it being such a nice, sunny day, with a cooling breeze, I ate outside, under their extensive awning. Mind you, some were complaining about the sun catching them through gaps between the sections of awning - as he rightly pointed out, even if they moved table, the sun would catch them sometimes..

They do half bottles of wine, so I had one - not cheap, but what the hey. It took a while to arrive, so I asked another waiter, who said she'd get it for me - meanwhile, the wine waiter arrived with my bottle: and was in the process of opening it when she appeared with another, and gave him a dirty look. :-) Good atmosphere among the staff.

I had calamari to start - again, not cheap: but a massive plate! I managed them, and they had an interestingly tangy taste - very moreish. For main, I had spatchcock chicken. They're not terribly clear what it comes with - it actually comes in a kind of pan, on top of a whole bed of baby new potatoes! Very nice.. but far too many spuds, even for me. I had an entertaining waiter, mind, who asked whether I was defeated - and when I said I was, he waved his white napkin in the air as a flag of surrender, exclaiming "She is defeated!" He might have been Middle Eastern - he spent a while chatting to a couple that he established were Kuwaiti.

I finished with a chocolate bombe - well, it has to be done! He served it just as they did in the Ivy, pouring salted caramel sauce from a height onto a dark chocolate shell, encasing vanilla ice cream - unlike the Ivy, it didn't melt it, and we stayed staring at it for a moment. "It's supposed to melt!" he exclaimed. Yes well, it might have if the sauce had been hot.. Anyway, it was a good meal, but not worth the price. And for chocolate bombes, if you're having one here, remind them to heat the sauce.. Anyway, I was glad to get home at last and digest! It was all quite heavy in the end.

Tomorrow - tan-ta-ra! I finally managed to get a decently priced ticket to Jerusalem, at the Apollo. I have heard so much about this, and it's always at the top of the Time Out listings - nearly as hard as Hamilton to get a reasonably priced ticket for, so I'm delighted to get one, if only not to have to look any more.

On Wednesday, I was to head back to Summer by the River again.. for Bumper Blyton: Improvised Adventures for Grown-Ups! Improvised comedy in the style of Enid Blyton books. But now, I'm headed with LBML to a Grimeborn opera at the Arcola - I' Incoronazione di Poppea. I'm in the stalls - could have got a cheaper ticket in the balcony, but you can't take a drink up there! Just as glad not to be headed outdoors really - the very hot spell has passed for the moment, and the weather is cooler and in-between.

On Thursday - another Up in the Cheap Seats event that Meetup finally decided to flag to me. So I've booked to go with them to see Briefs Factory's show, Bite Club! at Queen Elizabeth Hall. Drag, burlesque.. should be fun!

On Friday, I was thinking about the National Theatre's River Stage 2022. This will be the first night of the Hackney Empire's Young Producers Weekend, and there'll be some dance and some music. But now, Civilised London has organised an Ecuadorian meal at El Inca Plebeyo - so I'm going to that instead. His choices are always good. Meeting beforehand at The Canonbury Tavern.

On Saturday, back in Greenwich with Bucket List London - we're starting with the Old Royal Naval College and National Maritime Museum. Was originally supposed to be the Queen's House to finish, but turns out they're booked out all day for a wedding, despite not having clarified that on the website! Then in the afternoon, we're headed to Eltham Palace and Gardens. Quite the packed day.. Unless the rail strike scuppers it! He's considering cancelling. Well, I don't think the tickets are refundable, so if I have to head out there by myself, I will..

On Sunday, back with TAC for the opening night of I'm Not Myself Today: A Villainous Cabaret at the Bread and Roses in Clapham. An hour in which someone discusses with us why we all love the villain!

Next Monday, I'm going to the Kiln Theatre for The Darkest Part of the Night. Another troublesome website - I tried for days to get it to work..!

And on the 2nd, thinking vaguely about the Camden Fringe, which runs all next month - there's, for example, an interesting audio event called A Little Drape of Heaven, where you hold a precious item of clothing to your heart, then press play to access a YouTube link that you've paid for. Hmm.. Meantime, I had booked a walk with Laurence and the 45+ Not Grumpy Old Londoners for last Tuesday. This is The Magic of Midtown - and as I said to him, it finishes very near my new home! And wouldn't you know it - he postponed it, as a result of the heatwave, to this day. Not that I'm not glad he didn't run it last Tuesday - but I hope I can still make it..

Films: Where the Crawdads Sing & The Great Debaters

I'm just back from Ireland for the weekend. Wanted to get my car serviced for its NCT - sooner the better, and I couldn't last time I was back. Now, I told the mechanic as much ages ago, and that I'm only back every second Saturday. So it's funny how it came as a complete surprise to him, when I rang him on Thursday to confirm for Saturday. Oh no, there won't be anyone there. Hmph. If there were anyone else around who could do it.. anyway, what was coming up in the cinema was Where the Crawdads Sing, a thriller, set in the 50s & 60s, about a young woman - Daisy Edgar-Jones, making waves again - who grows up wild in the North Carolina swamps (it was filmed in Louisiana though, apparently). An outcast from society, she does manage to meet, and have a relationship with, a young man - when he shows up dead, everyone suspects her, and she is duly charged with murder. Trailer looked good, I know she's an excellent actor - and it has a cracking theme song, Carolina, by Taylor Swift, who sounded very much like Lana del Rey to me before I knew who it was! So, was looking forward to that. Ennis is cheaper, so I headed there.

Well and if petrol hasn't come down in price since I last looked! Not that I needed any, but it was great to see. On the radio on the way in, I heard there was a match in town - and sure enough, parking was a nightmare. I was finally lucky in the Friary carpark, where a couple of cars were pulling out! I had to pay - €1 per hour - but at least it was closer. A lady obligingly gave me her ticket, which had time left on it - but it wasn't enough. And as it was, I was late! Came into a completely dark cinema, where the police on screen were already hunting our "marshgirl", following the discovery of the body - the film is told in flashback, as she is arrested and tried. I couldn't see a thing - eventually stopped, and must have been right beside someone, who whispered, "Do you want to move in past me?" Lordy, I hadn't even known there was anyone there! I sat further forward.

Now, on Friday I read a terrible review of this. She didn't like it, she remarked that better dialogue could have been produced by seagulls pecking at a keyboard. She also made fun of the fact that the marshgirl loses not just her parents, but her entire family! I'm happy to report.. I completely disagree. Goes to show, you should always take reviews with a pinch of salt. As to the girl's entire family disappearing - the father is abusive, they leave one by one until she's the last left with him, and then he leaves. As to the dialogue - lookit, these are country folk, not poets. They don't speak in lofty tones, and they deal with commonplace things. I don't know what she was really expecting from the dialogue. Perhaps she just got bored.

I didn't get bored. Daisy Edgar-Jones does a marvellous job of conveying the girl's love of nature, and depth of character - and even if it wouldn't be a life I'd choose, I can appreciate it! It's beautifully shot - there's plenty of silence, considering there aren't many people out in the swamp - and it is a cracking story once it gets going. It becomes surprisingly touching, as she is betrayed by people she trusts, and - hey, even that reviewer acknowledges the great twist! That gorgeous theme song is played over the credits, so I stayed - and when the lights came up, I could see about a dozen people still in the cinema (almost everyone who had come). They also show drawings over the credits - one of the traits of this character is that she draws the wildlife - so maybe it was those that kept people. Or the music. Or both. Anyway, safe to say we all liked it! Strongly recommended.

Sick of Jade Cottage, and with The Grove usually packed, and unwilling to source another eatery, I ate at my mother's that evening. On TV that night - a great contrast if, like the reviewer, you were underwhelmed by the dialogues of the afternoon's film - was The Great Debaters. This is the true story of a black college that had a fantastic run of debates in 1935, culminating in an invitation to come and debate Harvard. Denzel Washington plays the black team's tutor, and also directs, Forest Whitaker is one of the parents. Packed as it is with racial conflicts, as well as mutterings about Communism - that black teacher was a Communist - the stand-out element of the film is the debating itself, which sparkles. Well done them! It's a great watch - makes me wish I'd been more engaged when I was on the debating team in school. But I was young and bashful..

It went too late to blog afterwards. This evening, another delayed Ryanair flight did, at least, have full trolley service! For the first time in months. The last flight of the day usually has hardly anything left, you see - they don't refill between flights, there isn't time. Well, perhaps it was the surveys I filled out - but today, you could have what sounded like a full range! And even though we were forced onto the buses into London again, by yet another weekend of engineering works on the Stansted Express, the driver was a cheery chappy, who warned us that we'd have a 5-minute delay in Whitechapel - and then pulled away after two minutes! Can't fault his enthusiasm.

When I finally got home, I was hungry - unbelievably though, O' Neill's, up the road, not only stays open till midnight every night, but seems to do food pretty much until they close! How many places do you know where you can rock up at 9.30pm on a Sunday and order a full dinner? What a lifesaver - and it was very moreish. Chicken katsu curry - just what I fancied. They'll be seeing a lot of me.

Tomorrow, I was headed to see The Throne, a comedy about to open at Charing Cross Theatre, in which the Queen gets locked in a portaloo with a staunch republican. Time Out had an offer of £10 tickets for the cheapest seats for this - a saving of more than 50%! Sadly, I then got word that remaining performances of this production have been cancelled, due to covid. Still with nothing on Meetup that appeals, I'm back with TAC for a classical concert - Mario Brunello is playing Bach on the violoncello piccolo, at Wigmore Hall. He's playing in the evening as well - and London Baroque Music Lovers (LBML) are now going - but cheap tickets are available for the matinee.

On Tuesday - tan-ta-ra! I finally managed to get a decently priced ticket to Jerusalem, at the Apollo. I have heard so much about this, and it's always at the top of the Time Out listings - nearly as hard as Hamilton to get a reasonably priced ticket for, so I'm delighted to get one, if only not to have to look any more.

On Wednesday, I was to head back to Summer by the River again.. for Bumper Blyton: Improvised Adventures for Grown-Ups! Improvised comedy in the style of Enid Blyton books. But now, I'm headed with LBML to a Grimeborn opera at the Arcola - I' Incoronazione de Poppea. I'm in the stalls - could have got a cheaper ticket in the balcony, but you can't take a drink up there!

On Thursday - another Up in the Cheap Seats event that Meetup finally decided to flag to me. So I've booked to go with them to see Briefs Factory's show, Bite Club! at Queen Elizabeth Hall. Drag, burlesque.. should be fun!

On Friday, I was thinking about the National Theatre's River Stage 2022. This will be the first night of the Hackney Empire's Young Producers Weekend, and there'll be some dance and some music. But now, Civilised London has organised an Ecuadorian meal at El Inca Plebeyo - so I'm going to that instead. His choices are always good. Meeting beforehand at The Canonbury Tavern.

On Saturday, back in Greenwich with Bucket List London - we're starting with the Old Royal Naval College and National Maritime Museum. Was originally supposed to be the Queen's House to finish, but turns out they're booked out all day for a wedding, despite not having clarified that on the website! Then in the afternoon, we're headed to Eltham Palace and Gardens. Quite the packed day.. Unless the rail strike scuppers it! He's considering cancelling. Well, I don't think the tickets are refundable, so if I have to head out there by myself, I will..

Next Sunday, back with TAC for the opening night of I'm Not Myself Today: A Villainous Cabaret at the Bread and Roses in Clapham. An hour in which someone discusses with us why we all love the villain!

On the 1st, I'm going to the Kiln Theatre for The Darkest Part of the Night. Another troublesome website - I tried for days to get it to work..!

And on the 2nd, thinking vaguely about the Camden Fringe, which runs all next month - there's, for example, an interesting audio event called A Little Drape of Heaven, where you hold a precious item of clothing to your heart, then press play to access a YouTube link that you've paid for. Hmm.. Meantime, I had booked a walk with Laurence and the 45+ Not Grumpy Old Londoners for last Tuesday. This is The Magic of Midtown - and as I said to him, it finishes very near my new home! And wouldn't you know it - he postponed it, as a result of the heatwave, to this day. Not that I'm not glad he didn't run it last Tuesday - but I hope I can still make it..

Concert: Mista Trick

Tonight, I headed - at last - to Summer by the River at More London. This was for a free evening of music, curated by Soho Radio. Was meeting someone for this, we got food beforehand at Wawa - she's keen on ramen.

The forecast was to be dry, and still warm - but turning cooler later, so I brought a (light) coat again. Which I was well glad of, because there was a cool breeze all evening! We both arrived at the restaurant at roughly the same time - me having dodged a ***** on a bike, who blithely sailed through the red light against her, happy to run me over - and we probably hadn't needed to book, it was completely empty. Anyway, we got a table near the window - and immediately had to have the menu explained to us. To be fair, the waiter was more than happy to do so! After some kerfuffle, she found the ramen she was looking for - and I had a blast from the past, a chicken katsu curry. Which was really nice.

They do regular wine, and I had a glass - but they also do taster shots of sake, in two different flavours. So we each had a taster set - and agreed that it was so much milder than we'd anticipated. Still, it mixed nicely with my sauvignon blanc. Before we left, I visited the toilet - a curious setup, it has the toilet symbol on the door to the restaurant, which opens onto a trio of doors. One having a security lock, the other two turned out to have engaged/vacant signs on them - so there are two self-contained, unisex cubicles, complete with washbasin and hand dryer. They haven't put much thought into the area outside the toilets, at the back of the restaurant - just a storage area, full of junk. Could do with something. Otherwise, nice venue.

Afterwards, we meandered to The Scoop - where the party was in full swing, obviously having started earlier than advertised. We mooched around the packed venue, eventually sitting at the top, as she thought it was too loud - far from, but directly in front of, the stage:

The screen overhead the stage was used to broadcast a constant stream of old movie clips featuring singing and/or dancing - tied in well with the beat:

In due course, we decided to take a stroll - which is how we discovered another element of Summer by the River - the Chimps are Family sculpture exhibition! Staggered along the river walk are various chimp sculptures, with explanatory plaques:

Some unforecast rain greeted me again on the way home. Guaranteed - it's been doing precisely the opposite of the forecast all week.

Tomorrow, I'm back to Ireland for the weekend. Wanted to get my car serviced for its NCT - sooner the better, and I couldn't last time I was back. Now, I told the mechanic as much ages ago, and that I'm only back every second Saturday. So it's funny how it came as a complete surprise to him, when I rang him this morning to confirm for Saturday. Oh no, there won't be anyone there. Hmph. If there were anyone else around who could do it.. anyway, what's coming up in the cinema is Where the Crawdads Sing, a thriller, set in the 50s, about a young woman - Daisy Edgar-Jones, making waves again - who grows up wild in the North Carolina swamps (it was filmed in Louisiana though, apparently). An outcast from society, she does manage to meet, and have a relationship with, a young man - when he shows up dead, everyone suspects her, and she is duly charged with murder. Trailer looks good, I know she's an excellent actor - and it has a cracking theme song, Carolina, by Taylor Swift, who sounded very much like Lana del Rey to me before I knew who it was! So, looking forward to that. Ennis is cheaper, so I'll head there.

On Monday, I was headed to see The Throne, a comedy about to open at Charing Cross Theatre, in which the Queen gets locked in a portaloo with a staunch republican. Time Out had an offer of £10 tickets for the cheapest seats for this - a saving of more than 50%! Sadly, I then got word that remaining performances of this production have been cancelled, due to covid. Still with nothing on Meetup that appeals, I'm back with TAC for a classical concert - Mario Brunello is playing Bach on the violoncello piccolo, at Wigmore Hall. He's playing in the evening as well, but cheap tickets are available for the matinee.

On Tuesday - tan-ta-ra! I finally managed to get a decently priced ticket to Jerusalem, at the Apollo. I have heard so much about this, and it's always at the top of the Time Out listings - nearly as hard as Hamilton to get a reasonably priced ticket for, so I'm delighted to get one, if only not to have to look any more.

On Wednesday, I was to head back to Summer by the River again.. for Bumper Blyton: Improvised Adventures for Grown-Ups! Improvised comedy in the style of Enid Blyton books. But now, I'm headed with London Baroque Music Lovers to a Grimeborn opera at the Arcola - I' Incoronazione de Poppea. I'm in the stalls - could have got a cheaper ticket in the balcony, but you can't take a drink up there!

Next Thursday - another Up in the Cheap Seats event that Meetup finally decided to flag to me. So I've booked to go with them to see Briefs Factory's show, Bite Club! at Queen Elizabeth Hall. Drag, burlesque.. should be fun!

On the 29th, I was thinking about the National Theatre's River Stage 2022. This will be the first night of the Hackney Empire's Young Producers Weekend, and there'll be some dance and some music. But now, Civilised London has organised an Ecuadorian meal at El Inca Plebeyo - so I'm going to that instead. His choices are always good. Meeting beforehand at The Canonbury Tavern.

On the 30th, back in Greenwich with Bucket List London - we're starting with the Old Royal Naval College and National Maritime Museum. Was originally supposed to be the Queen's House to finish, but turns out they're booked out all day for a wedding, despite not having clarified that on the website! Then in the afternoon, we're headed to Eltham Palace and Gardens. Quite the packed day..

On the 31st, back with TAC for the opening night of I'm Not Myself Today: A Villainous Cabaret at the Bread and Roses in Clapham. An hour in which someone discusses with us why we all love the villain!

On the 1st, I'm going to the Kiln Theatre for The Darkest Part of the Night. Another troublesome website - I tried for days to get it to work..!

And on the 2nd, thinking vaguely about the Camden Fringe, which runs all next month - there's, for example, an interesting audio event called A Little Drape of Heaven, where you hold a precious item of clothing to your heart, then press play to access a YouTube link that you've paid for. Hmm.. Meantime, I had booked a walk with Laurence and the 45+ Not Grumpy Old Londoners for last Tuesday. This is The Magic of Midtown - and as I said to him, it finishes very near my new home! And wouldn't you know it - he postponed it, as a result of the heatwave, to this day. Not that I'm not glad he didn't run it last Tuesday - but I hope I can still make it..

Comedy: Frankie Boyle -Work in Progress

This evening, I finished my Meetup run with a trip with Up in the Cheap Seats (UITCS) to Leicester Square Theatre to see Frankie Boyle, who has a work in progress show. The weather app couldn't seem to decide whether it'd rain, but eventually came down on the side of it, so I took a (light) coat.

Galloped to get my writing test done - at least a first draft, I'm still to send it in - before I left, and took a couple of buses there. It's ever so slightly far to walk! Ah, the nostalgia of the Prince Charles cinema, next door - I see they still have the same slogan!

We chatted for a bit outside, then headed in, as the house was open - and I hadn't had time to eat, so queued at the lobby bar, which has the snacks. A bag of Maltesers went down a treat! And I got to my seat in decent time.. although I was mithered trying to keep my stuff out of the way of all the people who wanted to squeeze past to get to their seats. I did a fairly good job of not spilling my wine - except the once, when a big splosh of it went over a seat in front! Just as well there wasn't anyone in it..

Ah, Frankie. One of the most un-PC comedians out there, and what else would you expect of a Glaswegian with parents from Donegal. Some remarked afterwards that he hadn't been as out-there as expected - well perhaps, but he did ruffle a few PC feathers. And always remember, these are WIP shows. Me, I loved it. Highlights included, among his many descriptions of Boris Johnson, the "chewed toffee that's been pulled from the coat of an Afghan hound"!

The show lasted an hour, during which he went through two small bottles of water - must've been hot up there. The royal family got some digs - and I particularly liked his Irish section, which I thought he got spot-on, with his descriptions of the different categories of Irish music - one for songs about leaving this town and going to America, another category for how now that you're in America, you wish you were back home.. as he said, it's funny 'coz it's true. And oh my, the sad Donegal accent.. LOL! If you doubt it, have a listen to wee Daniel some time!

Afterwards, we chatted briefly outside again, then went our ways. I fancied something decent to eat, and thought I'd try Imperial China again! OMG, I guess this is another casualty of covid - I won't be back. They don't seem to have proper menus any more, it's all done in the style of a dim sum menu - although they weren't serving dim sum. But all I got was a folded paper menu, a brief description of each item and a check box. I wasn't even given a pen or a pencil to indicate what I wanted - happily, I had a pen in my bag. And they don't seem to have the same range as before.

I had hardly started my chicken spring roll starter when they brought the main. They needn't have bothered. I hadn't been that keen on ordering lemon chicken, but it was all I could see - and frankly, it was as tough as an old boot. The rice was ok, the rolls were fine, the wine was decent - but I couldn't finish the chicken, paid and left. Yuck, what a disappointment.

On the bus home, I had to stand for a while - a fat **** (I'm not as brave as Frankie Boyle) had stashed her luggage on the seat beside her. Despite sitting right in front of a luggage storage rack! And never mind me standing - there was a guy on crutches, standing in the luggage area. She blithely played with her phone the whole journey and ignored everyone. Now, just because she was too fat to squish the case in front of her is no excuse. Happily for me, I got a seat after a couple of stops. (The guy on crutches had gotten off by now.) And when I eventually got off, I was immediately cheered by the sounds of buskers, two on electric guitars, one on drums, playing a decent rendition of Paradise City to an appreciative crowd. Oh, what a choice of song..!

Tomorrow, I'm heading - at last - to Summer by the River at More London. This is for a free evening of music, curated by Soho Radio. Meeting someone for this, we are getting food beforehand at Wawa - she's keen on ramen. Then I'm back to Ireland for the weekend. Unlikely to get to a film at the weekend, as I need to get my car serviced for its NCT - sooner the better, and I couldn't last time I was back.

On Monday, I was headed to see The Throne, a comedy about to open at Charing Cross Theatre, in which the Queen gets locked in a portaloo with a staunch republican. Time Out had an offer of £10 tickets for the cheapest seats for this - a saving of more than 50%! Sadly, I then got word that remaining performances of this production have been cancelled, due to covid. Still with nothing on Meetup that appeals, I'm back with TAC for a classical concert - Mario Brunello is playing Bach on the violoncello piccolo, at Wigmore Hall. He's playing in the evening as well, but cheap tickets are available for the matinee.

On Tuesday - tan-ta-ra! I finally managed to get a decently priced ticket to Jerusalem, at the Apollo. I have heard so much about this, and it's always at the top of the Time Out listings - nearly as hard as Hamilton to get a reasonably priced ticket for, so I'm delighted to get one, if only not to have to look any more.

Next Wednesday, back to Summer by the River again.. for Bumper Blyton: Improvised Adventures for Grown-Ups! Improvised comedy in the style of Enid Blyton books.. sounds jolly good!

On the 28th - another UITCS event that Meetup finally decided to flag to me. So I've booked to go with them to see Briefs Factory's show, Bite Club! at Queen Elizabeth Hall. Drag, burlesque.. should be fun!

On the 29th, I was thinking about the National Theatre's River Stage 2022. This will be the first night of the Hackney Empire's Young Producers Weekend, and there'll be some dance and some music. But now, Civilised London has organised an Ecuadorian meal at El Inca Plebeyo - so I'm going to that instead. His choices are always good. Meeting beforehand at The Canonbury Tavern.

On the 30th, back in Greenwich with Bucket List London - we're starting with the Old Royal Naval College and National Maritime Museum. Was originally supposed to be the Queen's House to finish, but turns out they're booked out all day for a wedding, despite not having clarified that on the website! Then in the afternoon, we're headed to Eltham Palace and Gardens. Quite the packed day..

On the 31st, back with TAC for the opening night of I'm Not Myself Today: A Villainous Cabaret at the Bread and Roses in Clapham. An hour in which someone discusses with us why we all love the villain!

On the 1st, I'm going to the Kiln Theatre for The Darkest Part of the Night. Another troublesome website - I tried for days to get it to work..!

And on the 2nd, thinking vaguely about the Camden Fringe, which runs all next month - there's, for example, an interesting audio event called A Little Drape of Heaven, where you hold a precious item of clothing to your heart, then press play to access a YouTube link that you've paid for. Hmm.. Meantime, I had booked a walk with Laurence and the 45+ Not Grumpy Old Londoners for yesterday. This is The Magic of Midtown - and as I said to him, it finishes very near my new home! And wouldn't you know it - he postponed it, as a result of the heatwave, to this day. Not that I'm not glad he didn't run it yesterday - but I hope I can still make it..

Prom 7: Dido and Aeneas

Today.. I took a punt that I still wouldn't actually be employed, and signed up again - at last - for a walk with Laurence and the 45+ Not Grumpy Old Londoners. This is The Magic of Midtown - and as I said to him, it finishes very near my new home! I also promised to let him know if I couldn't actually make it. Another day predicted to be scorching.. shade recommended! And wouldn't you know it - he postponed it, as a result. So instead, I headed with London Baroque Music Lovers to a late-night gig at the Albert Hall - Prom 7 was Dido and Aeneas.

All afternoon, I crouched in front of my fan and sweltered. I was so glad he had cancelled that walk! Anyway, with this concert on so late, it was a bit cooler by the time I headed out for something to eat. Mindful of the trouble I had finding food near the Albert Hall before, I looked it up in advance, and identified somewhere I might like to eat. I didn't want to eat in the hall itself, given that the organiser had said she'd meet us outside.

Well, heading down that direction meant Tube.. and while it was hot, it was bearable, and I'd thought to bring a bottle of chilled water with me. Announcements were being made about severe delays, and advising not to travel on the Piccadilly Line, because of speed restrictions because of the heat.. I half thought about travelling another way, but it turned out they were all "severely delayed". Anyway, it just seemed to mean that there was only one every few minutes. We all had our ways of cooling down:

This little fellow was panting up a storm, but cheered up mightily when his mummy gave him something to chew on. They got off in Knightsbridge, presumably for some late-night shopping!

I got off in Gloucester Road. Where I witnessed a group of (I guess Canadian, by their luggage straps) girls with more than one large case each, who had just rounded a corner to discover, with some horror, the long flight of steps they had to climb with them. (On a side note, this reminds me of that problem with a boat crossing a river, which can only take so many things at a time. But anyway.) They did manage, the first emerging into daylight to exclaim in delight - "Guys, I can see road!!" But it brings up a point I have before - try not to travel by Tube with heavy luggage. Most stations are not step-free, and those flights of steps can be huge. If you must travel with luggage, say from Heathrow, plan your journey around stations that are step-free, and if necessary, complete the trip by taxi or bus - buses are much better with luggage, as long as they're not too packed.

Off I went in search of food, soon coming across the Light of India - part of the Montana Hotel. Figured I'd give it a go. The smiling receptionist showed me to a cramped table in a corner - hmph. Anyway, service was unfailingly quick throughout. They have two choices of half bottles of wine - one red, one white. And my goodness, he really wanted me to go for the tasting menu. I persisted, and got my usual.

The samosas were nice. The butter chicken was, as usual, butter sauce with a hint of chicken - passable, nothing special. The rice was decent. The peshawari naan was a delight. If I went back - which I'm unlikely to do - I might go for the tasting menu, which seems good value. And they seem to have a good dessert list. But in this heat, I don't actually think Indian food was the wisest choice - afterwards, standing outside the Albert Hall and chatting to the organiser, I felt quite faint and had to sit for a minute. That chilled water came in very handy!

Leaving the restaurant - o no! Unpredicted rain! A downpour, in fact - which wasn't predicted until tomorrow - we were given a 0% chance of rain this evening! Blast. I stood in the porch for a minute and researched how to get to the Albert Hall with the least amount of walking. Found a bus, rode it for two stops, sheltered under a stop with a couple of other blokes, and headed for the hall once it finally stopped. Where the organiser and I had some trouble finding each other, but did manage it in the end, and had a nice chat. It was just the two of us - the heat issues, combined with the lateness of the hour, meant that most people cried off.

She was in the stalls, I was upstairs - except when I got upstairs, a nice lady was blocking people's way and saying they were doing upgrades, and did we want one, and how many tickets? What a shame she hadn't been blocking our way on the stairs.. So I took my ticket from her and headed back down. Turns out they were upgrading everyone in the circle. Hah! Again, the vindication of buying cheap tickets.

Had a brief chat with the guy beside me, who'd been upgraded right in front of me! And Oh, this was a lovely performance. I had never seen the full thing, but the heartbreaking aria "Remember Me" was familiar. As our organiser had highlighted in the event details, they used no fewer than four theorbos, which looked spectacular and helped with the sound in this large venue. The audience also appreciated the comic turn of the dancing sailors (two topless), who lightened the proceedings. Yes, typical proms - always entertaining, beautiful music in a lovely venue.

Afterwards, walked out with her - once I remembered where we were supposed to meet! And wouldn't you know it, my bus stop was closed, and I needs must walk to the next - but it gave us a little more chatting time. Must try and get back with this group again. I even got my mother called while I waited - and she never did figure out where I was, just enquiring at one point what the noise was - she could hear someone speaking.. interestingly, Google Maps' advice changed en route, and had me change at a different stop: and while I waited there, another woman and I admired the accuracy of our bus apps, which predicted the many buses with precision. And I duly alighted into a stiff breeze - why, by now it was almost cold..!

Tomorrow, I finish my Meetup run with a trip with Up in the Cheap Seats (UITCS) to Leicester Square Theatre to see Frankie Boyle, who has a work in progress show. The weather app can't seem to decide whether it'll rain.

On Thursday, I'm heading - at last - to Summer by the River at More London. This is for a free evening of music, curated by Soho Radio. Meeting someone for this, we are getting food beforehand at Wawa - she's keen on ramen. Then I'm back to Ireland for the weekend. Unlikely to get to a film at the weekend, as I need to get my car serviced for its NCT - sooner the better, and I couldn't last time I was back.

On Monday, I was headed to see The Throne, a comedy about to open at Charing Cross Theatre, in which the Queen gets locked in a portaloo with a staunch republican. Time Out had an offer of £10 tickets for the cheapest seats for this - a saving of more than 50%! Sadly, yesterday evening I got word that remaining performances of this production have been cancelled, due to covid. Still with nothing on Meetup that appeals, I'm back with TAC for a classical concert - Mario Brunello is playing Bach on on the violoncello piccolo, at Wigmore Hall. He's playing in the evening as well, but cheap tickets are available for the matinee.

Next Tuesday - tan-ta-ra! I finally managed to get a decently priced ticket to Jerusalem, at the Apollo. I have heard so much about this, and it's always at the top of the Time Out listings - nearly as hard as Hamilton to get a reasonably priced ticket for, so I'm delighted to get one, if only not to have to look any more.

On the 27th, back to Summer by the River again.. for Bumper Blyton: Improvised Adventures for Grown-Ups! Improvised comedy in the style of Enid Blyton books.. sounds jolly good!

On the 28th - another UITCS event that Meetup finally decided to flag to me. So I've booked to go with them to see Briefs Factory's show, Bite Club! at Queen Elizabeth Hall. Drag, burlesque.. should be fun!

On the 29th, I was thinking about the National Theatre's River Stage 2022. This will be the first night of the Hackney Empire's Young Producers Weekend, and there'll be some dance and some music. But now, Civilised London has organised an Ecuadorian meal at El Inca Plebeyo - so I'm going to that instead. His choices are always good. Meeting beforehand at The Canonbury Tavern.

On the 30th, back in Greenwich with Bucket List London - we're starting with the Old Royal Naval College and National Maritime Museum. Was originally supposed to be the Queen's House to finish, but turns out they're booked out all day for a wedding, despite not having clarified that on the website! Then in the afternoon, we're headed to Eltham Palace and Gardens. Quite the packed day..

On the 31st, back with TAC for the opening night of I'm Not Myself Today: A Villainous Cabaret at the Bread and Roses in Clapham. An hour in which someone discusses with us why we all love the villain!

On the 1st, I'm going to the Kiln Theatre for The Darkest Part of the Night. Another troublesome website - I tried for days to get it to work..!

And on the 2nd, thinking vaguely about the Camden Fringe, which runs all next month - there's, for example, an interesting audio event called A Little Drape of Heaven, where you hold a precious item of clothing to your heart, then press play to access a YouTube link that you've paid for. Hmm.. Meantime, Laurence has postponed that walk to this day. Which I can go on as well, assuming I'm not gainfully employed yet..!

Edinburgh Comedy Festival Preview: Lucy Porter & Rachel Fairburn

Tonight, back with North London Friends! for the first time since before lockdown. This was for an Edinburgh Comedy Festival preview, at the King's Head in Crouch End, featuring Lucy Porter and Rachel Fairburn. Available from WeGotTickets, which I wish I'd remembered when I was looking for the ticket this evening!

I hid in front of the fan all day - I'd be lost without it, in this heat. Ventured out in the evening, figuring I'd eat at the pub. Boy, what a long, sweaty bus journey it was, though! I had a short - downhill - trot to the pub when I got off, and wow! Walking into the pub was like jumping into an ice bath. I was actually shivering. Probably due to the layer of sweat I'd accumulated. Soon acclimatised though, and it was lovely.

I ordered food at the bar and took a corner table. Now.. the sauvignon blanc is lovely, and I had plenty of it. The chips were lovely. The rest.. I had calamari and chicken schnitzel, both in breadcrumbs, which is how I come to say, don't have the breadcumbs! They were both tough - the chicken so much so that I couldn't finish it. But at least I was fed. It was far too hot for any dessert that comprised food that wasn't cold, so I didn't have any. At least they, too, have the app where you can order from the table - just be aware of what you're ordering!

Meantime, I'd posted a message as to where I was - and when the organiser arrived, he spotted me and I joined him. The others duly happened along. Yeeah. I remembered exactly one person from before, and he didn't remember me. But that's OK. Apart from a friendly and interesting mother and daughter though, this was - without exception - the dullest group I've been with in years. Crikey, how things have changed with this group. I mean, they are as they are - it's just a group I'll be wary of joining again.

Anyway, we headed downstairs to the comedy club at the appointed time - and both acts were decent, if imperfect. After all, this is a WIP show. Sold out, interestingly. I chuckled away - but in short, it wasn't a terrific evening. Couldn't honestly say it was worth the bus journey.

The bus times afterwards - on the display at the stop, as well as online - bore no relation to the actual behaviour of the buses! They happened along much earlier than predicted - I missed the first, but managed to grab the second, and was whisked home in no time.

Tomorrow.. I took a punt that I wouldn't actually be employed that day, and signed up again - at last - for a walk with Laurence and the 45+ Not Grumpy Old Londoners. This is The Magic of Midtown - and as I said to him, it finishes very near my new home! I also promised to let him know if I couldn't actually make it. Another day predicted to be scorching.. shade recommended! And wouldn't you know it - he postponed it, as a result. (I'm rather glad, that heat is most unpleasant.)  So now, instead, I'm headed with London Baroque Music Lovers to a late-night gig at the Albert Hall - Prom 7 is Dido and Aeneas. Can, and will, hide indoors until evening.

On Wednesday, I finish my Meetup run with a trip with Up in the Cheap Seats (UITCS) to Leicester Square Theatre to see Frankie Boyle, who has a work in progress show.

On Thursday, I'm heading - at last - to Summer by the River at More London. This is for a free evening of music, curated by Soho Radio. Meeting someone for this, we are getting food beforehand at Wawa - she's keen on ramen. Then I'm back to Ireland for the weekend. Unlikely to get to a film at the weekend, as I need to get my car serviced for its NCT - sooner the better, and I couldn't last time I was back.

Next Monday, I was headed to see The Throne, a comedy about to open at Charing Cross Theatre, in which the Queen gets locked in a portaloo with a staunch republican. Time Out had an offer of £10 tickets for the cheapest seats for this - a saving of more than 50%! Sadly, this evening I got word that remaining performances of this production have been cancelled, due to covid. Still with nothing on Meetup that appeals, I'm back with TAC for a classical concert - Mario Brunello is playing Bach on on the violoncello piccolo, at Wigmore Hall. He's playing in the evening as well, but cheap tickets are available for the matinee.

On the 26th - tan-ta-ra! I finally managed to get a decently priced ticket to Jerusalem, at the Apollo. I have heard so much about this, and it's always at the top of the Time Out listings - nearly as hard as Hamilton to get a reasonably priced ticket for, so I'm delighted to get one, if only not to have to look any more.

On the 27th, back to Summer by the River again.. for Bumper Blyton: Improvised Adventures for Grown-Ups! Improvised comedy in the style of Enid Blyton books.. sounds jolly good!

On the 28th - another UITCS event that Meetup finally decided to flag to me. So I've booked to go with them to see Briefs Factory's show, Bite Club! at Queen Elizabeth Hall. Drag, burlesque.. should be fun!

On the 29th, I was thinking about the National Theatre's River Stage 2022. This will be the first night of the Hackney Empire's Young Producers Weekend, and there'll be some dance and some music. But now, Civilised London has organised an Ecuadorian meal at El Inca Plebeyo - so I'm going to that instead. His choices are always good. Meeting beforehand at The Canonbury Tavern.

On the 30th, back in Greenwich with Bucket List London - we're starting with the Old Royal Naval College and National Maritime Museum. Was originally supposed to be the Queen's House to finish, but turns out they're booked out all day for a wedding, despite not having clarified that on the website! Then in the afternoon, we're headed to Eltham Palace and Gardens. Quite the packed day..

On the 31st, back with TAC for the opening night of I'm Not Myself Today: A Villainous Cabaret at the Bread and Roses in Clapham. An hour in which someone discusses with us why we all love the villain!

On the 1st, I'm going to the Kiln Theatre for The Darkest Part of the Night. Another troublesome website - I tried for days to get it to work..!

And on the 2nd, thinking vaguely about the Camden Fringe, which runs all next month - there's, for example, an interesting audio event called A Little Drape of Heaven, where you hold a precious item of clothing to your heart, then press play to access a YouTube link that you've paid for. Hmm.. Meantime, Laurence has postponed that walk to this day. Which I can go on as well, assuming I'm not gainfully employed yet..!