Ah, the end of my Guildford week, and a night out with the Man with the Hat to boot. Nice early birthday present! He was taking both groups to the Opera House - London for Less Than a Tenner in the slips, Let's Do London - for less! in the amphitheatre. I, being cheap, was in the slips. Hey, you are closer to the stage, and the view is generally fine.
Would you believe, I held myself up in the office this time, finishing something! And it was another of those 1.5hr treks home - still, I just about had time to turn around and change my top before heading out. Oh, and to send in a work email that had to go yesterday evening - I completely forgot about it before leaving the office, but managed to write the thing while stopped in traffic, then just had to wait to get home for an internet connection so I could click send. Ah yes, nothing boring about my life.
Carefully hobbled up to Platforms 3/4 at Clapham Junction (the closest to my entrance, which is an issue when you have a gammy leg from driving), and had a choice of two trains leaving at about the same time for Waterloo; one was nonstop, so that was mine. Mind you, sitting was an issue, after some energetic hobbling - my leg kept cramping, which was a bit worrying. Still, I made it to Waterloo, took the wrong exit for Stop C, arrived there just in time to see a 26 pulling away. Still, the 76 also stops there, and I knew that would do me as well - and along came one of those, a couple of minutes later.
Got off at Aldwych and wended my way through the West End to the Opera House, through the usual crowds. Now, as I'd driven back into London, it had rained so hard it occurred to me - goodness, the Man with the Hat will drown! (And my ticket shall be soggy.) But actually, by the time I got there it wasn't that bad. I asked whether he had many more tickets to get rid of - no, not many. Poor chap stays there past start time, you know, just to make sure everyone gets their ticket..
So anyway, I relieved him of my ticket and made my way upstairs. Wasn't too long before the show started. Now, maybe the slips weren't ideal for this, since we couldn't quite see the back or the side of the stage - but we sure saw enough, and of course the price is excellent. This was a triple bill of contemporary ballets choreographed by Wayne McGregor - and the chap beside me noted that, on the free flier, it said how many times each had been performed.
First up was Chroma - the most frequently performed of the three, and perhaps the most traditional. As I remarked to various people throughout the evening, the point of contemporary dance isn't to find the story - it's just to watch, and experience. This was a beautiful piece, which - as it says on the site, "explores the drama of the human body and its ability to communicate extremes of thought and emotion". Well yes, couldn't have put it better myself!
Each interval was half an hour long, and we repaired to the bar - and, indeed, the balcony - where good company was to be had. The second ballet - the least accessible, was the general consensus - was Multiverse. Apparently, it explores "ideas of repeating histories and possible futures". Indeed - a ballet with several subsections, the first of which incorporated an eventually irritating word being repeated on loop. The piece also involved video and still photos, displayed on a vidi-wall to the side. Interesting, but tricky. In fact, I saw a few more empty seats at the end of the second interval - although that might have been down to the lateness of the hour.
The favourite for most was the final piece, Carbon Life. A really good rock soundtrack - someone later remarked they wanted the cd - was performed live at the back of the stage, behind the dancers. (I was wondering, after the second interval, where the orchestra had got to - I guess that was why the conductor took his bows before the second interval.) There was a rapper too, who strolled around the stage. And as I said to someone after, I love this combination of two art forms that don't normally go together. This worked beautifully, and I was really sort for anyone who missed it. The kind of ballet that would change the minds of people who don't like ballet!
There weren't many of us at the pub after - we schlepped across the road, and down to The Covent Garden (formerly the Globe), where for once, we didn't have anything booked. So the helpful staff.. encouraged a couple, occupying a quiet corner, to vacate for us. I was starving, and when I saw a menu on the bar, asked whether they were still doing food. She checked the time and said "yes" - at 10.30, that's damn good! So I ordered chips. Sorry, Man with Hat, I was too hungry to share (even if I didn't end up eating them all). They came presalted, with a pot each of ketchup and garlic mayo. And I started a trend - when he saw mine, sure enough, someone else ordered a portion, upon hearing how quickly they'd come. Yummy chips too, highly recommended.
Afterwards, I walked with Mary back to the station. Thought my leg might fall off, but it didn't. Ah, good times with good folks, and a good escape from harsh reality. Roll on the next one..
Tonight, I'm with Kensington Classical Music for a performance of The Snowman, and a Christmas concert, at St. James' Church Piccadilly. The organiser is very kindly giving me a free ticket, on account of concerts I've paid for before and missed. And it has nothing to do with the fact that it's also my birthday! :-) Hope she remembers, actually.. Anyway, good job I'm working from home - it's the earliest event start of the week.
Tomorrow, I'm back to Ireland for the weekend, where - unusually, at the moment - we don't have anything scheduled. On Monday, I'm off with London Dramatic Arts to Trafalgar Studios, to see the Pulitzer-prize-winning Buried Child, with Ed Harris. Pity it clashes with the Crick Crack Club that night - I'd already booked this, but would rather have gone with them..
On Tuesday, London Dramatic Arts are off to Hampstead Theatre to see The Intelligent Homosexual's Guide to Capitalism and Socialism with a Key to the Scriptures, with Tamsin Grieg, which was rescheduled. And so am I - independently, just as I was supposed to for the original date. Better avoid them, as they're trying to flog the last couple of tickets.. This is the theatre I had to sneak out the back of, last time - which makes it interesting. Assuming I get there in time - it's on at 7, and I bloody well have to be in Guildford again.
On Wednesday, I'm signed up with the London European Club for a talk at the Frontline Club about London's Dirty Money. Unless, you know, I decide to go to a film instead.
And next Thursday, I'm back with Crick Crack, in the Arthouse Crouch End (what a good job it's a Work from Home day) for one I missed before - Little Red Riding Hood & Other Lost Girls, as told by Nell Phoenix. And yes, I do have the confirmation email for this one, unlike the one I thought I'd booked for last Sunday!
No comments:
Post a Comment