Well, the Man with the Hat scheduled no fewer than two shows at Soho Theatre last night! London for Less Than a Tenner had tickets for both Girls and Spine, each part of their Who Rules the World? Girls series. Those of us who'd already booked for Girls were offered the chance to change when the second show was announced, but I decided the one I'd booked sounded more interesting to me.
I was in Guildford yesterday, so was glad I'd picked the later starting show of the two. Left in good time though, hitting reasonably heavy traffic on the main road, and after a bit it opened out and I was off. Until I was suddenly brought to a halt:
This was my view for A Very Long Time. Hey, at least it gave me the chance to use the Waze app on my phone for the first time - from which I determined that the jam continued for A Very Long Way, and that the cause was a major accident involving two lorries and a car.
Whoopee. During the two solid hours that I was stuck in the jam, I had time to call my mother, and message the Man with the Hat to say that I'd do my best, but it wasn't looking promising.. it was after 7:30 by the time I got home (the play started at 7:15). I said I'd head in anyway - might make the interval, more likely I'd just get to the pub afterwards.
Managed to get in for 8:20.. There was the Man with the Hat, in the theatre bar, chatting with a couple of folks who, it transpired, had been at Spine - which finished earlier - but hadn't stayed for the Q+A. So I hung around and chatted to them, and when the others came out from the Q+A, the Man with the Hat led us to a new venue, saying that the Nellie Dean had a private function.
Dean Street Townhouse is just to the left as you exit the theatre, on the other side of the road. A maze of a building, we had to enter via the main door on the left, then go all the way back to the right, where we spread ourselves around some tables in a side area. I needed the loo - had rushed out when I finally parked the car, and had needed to go for a while. Well, they were a bit of a trek - back around in a circle, and down the stairs - but most opulent!
The seating area was quite dark, and cosy, with real candles on the tables (and I loved the candle-holders:
Our assessment was "elegantly old-fashioned" - not at all stuffy, rather - comforting. Comfy chairs, round, wooden tables: some of us fancied food, and ordered that as well as drinks. A couple at my table had smoked haddock souffle starters, I was hungrier and ordered the half roast chicken. We agreed that the prices were reasonable for the area.. A warm loaf, with a pat of butter, arrived first, and when the souffles arrived (with sauce in a pan to be poured over), they were pronounced delicious. Me, I'd have done better with a starter - my chicken arrived with a plate of roast potatoes, and as someone remarked, it looked like Christmas dinner! Separate sauce boats of gravy AND bread sauce accompanied it.. and while I did my best, and ate most of the breast and a considerable amount of the leg, by the time I got to the stuffing - which was hidden in the leg - I was stuffed myself.
No dessert, thank you - and by the time I'd finished, the group was breaking up. So, worth going for the experience, and to know that here is a nice, new venue on Dean Street, should you want a nice place to go for a bite to eat. And, of course, to meet the group..
Well, so tonight, I was supposed to be with Henning from the London European Club, for a talk on The Decline of the West in the New Asian Century, at the London School of Economics. I doubt I'll make it though - I'm in Guildford again, and would have to get across town for 6:30. So I've cancelled - what the hey, I wasn't that pushed.
Quite excited about tomorrow - flamenco (olé!) at Sands Film Studios, also with London European Club. Now that, I wouldn't miss for the world - one of my favourite things, at one of my favourite venues. Huzzah! Again, I'll be in Guildford, but the show doesn't start until 7:45 (which probably means 8), so I should be ok. Accidents permitting.
Thursday, back with one of my favourite groups, another of my favourite venues - the Man with the Hat hits the Globe for probably the last time this year, with Let's Do London - for less! for The Merchant of Venice. And phew, I'm not in Guildford!
Back to Ireland for the weekend.. then comes next week. Monday, I'm back with Let's Do London - for less! again, at yet another of my favourite venues (this is becoming a habit!). We're going to Southwark Playhouse, to see a production of Confessional by Tennessee Williams. Methinks we'll be sat in the middle of the production - TBC.
On Tuesday, Henning from the London European Club is hosting another of those early-evening talks, this time on Astronomy: Brave New Worlds - the Planets Around Other Stars, at the Royal Astronomical Society. So I booked. Somehow, however, I completely missed the fact that London Dramatic Arts is headed to The Mountaintop that night, at The Young Vic. So now I've booked that instead - they only had two spots left!
On Wednesday, Henning is at it again! There's a book launch for Understanding Eritrea: Inside Africa's Most Repressive State, at Housman's bookshop. Entry is £3 apparently, redeemable against a purchase in the bookshop. I'll see whether I can actually make it, Guildford permitting.
On Thursday, the Man With the Hat is taking both his groups to a concert at the church of St. Martin-in-the-Fields. London Concertante are playing Mozart, Bach, and Albinoni. Good stuff, it seems like an age since we've been there!
On Friday, he's taking Let's Do London - for less! to the Royal Opera House - first outing of the season is to Cosi Fan Tutte. Choice of amphitheatre or slips - I, being cheap, am in the slips. Natch.
Finally, that Saturday is as yet undecided - but it wasn't! See, LDAM were off to The Intelligent Homosexual's Guide to Capitalism and Socialism With a Key to the Scriptures. As was I - independently. Now, this is showing at Hampstead Theatre - where I previously had to sneak out the back door to avoid them, under similar circumstances! Well, I won't be doing it on this occasion - but wouldn't you know it, they've booked for another performance next month. And again, I got a cheaper ticket - and so the dramatic sneaking around is scheduled again..
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