Play: The Comedy About a Bank Robbery

So - the first event of the day was lunch, when I accompanied some colleagues. They had this idea of going to a local Moroccan place - couldn't remember the name, but one guy remembered where it was. And, in a glorious example of how good a location this office has, it was only a hop skip and jump away.

The name was Souk.. not really that hard to remember, I'd have thought. And my, how I regretted not bringing my phone, to take pictures! Talk about that exotic experience - it was like walking into an opium den, the entranceway lined with upholstered benches and tables with hookah pipes. The ceiling was decorated with ornate, Moroccan-style lamps. And as we entered the main eating area, it became apparent that it was decorated in the classic Arabic style, with a mock central courtyard, overlooked by a balcony area with more seating. Lamps on the tables had fake candles inside, but looked like the real deal.

One of our number recommended the soup, and that's what most of us had to start, from the good-value set menu. To follow, I had the chicken and lamb shwarma, with couscous.. and wow, would I have that again! I've rarely had chicken so tender. As someone remarked, great value and filling food - and a pretty authentic Moroccan experience. During the meal, they lit some joss sticks near us. Terrific - it was like being on the set of Casablanca. Someone else ordered Arabic coffee to finish, saying they made really good coffee. I wouldn't know - I don't drink it - but oh, I bet they do..

And so the hours rolled by till it was time to leave for my show - at the Criterion Theatre, just 10 minutes' walk down the road from the office (so I left from there). Ah, the time rolled around at last. It's over a month ago that I booked a ticket for The Comedy About a Bank Robbery - by the same people responsible for The Play That Goes Wrong, which is hilarious, so I was looking forward to it. With the show starting at 7:30, I left the office at 7 - and boy, was it freezing! We're experiencing a real cold snap, and I was glad not to be out longer.

It wasn't long before showtime that I arrived, and the doorway was crowded with two queues - happily, I accidentally chose the right one, for the box office. There was someone there to tell us, but he was busy. Anyway, when I got to the counter, I told him my name, he got my ticket and asked for my card - now, that card has been replaced since I booked it, as I explained: but he just got me to sign as well. A quick bag check, ticket scanned, and down I went - all levels seem to be below ground here. And as someone behind me on the stairs remarked, I wonder what it was before. Well, a quick check of the website reveals that it was always a theatre, apart from a stint as a subterranean radio station during the Second World War. Despite the fact that the tiling on the stairs reminded me of a Tube station!

With a terrible queue at the bar, and not much time to go, I went straight to my seat - at the edge of a row, it had been advertised as restricted view, and indeed, a very small part of the action was cut off. Not detrimental to my enjoyment.

Right, well, I guess this is what you'd call a screwball comedy. The jokes start off - and continue throughout - so cheesy that you have to laugh at them. Or groan. Anyway, through the whole thing, they're so persistent hat you have to love it. In the second half, I have to say, my favourite scene is where they flip the law of gravity.. watch for that scene where they're crawling through the air vent above an office. Really, it's a classic. Finally, I have to conclude, although it's not quite as good as The Play That Went Wrong, it is kind of hilarious. Stick with it. Runs until 29 October, best value tickets from the theatre.

And I came back to the office to write this! (and avail of the free alcohol in the fridge, I'm no martyr). Anyway, tomorrow, I'm out with the Man with the Hat again, after an unusually long break - this time, it's Woolf Works, a Wayne McGregor triptych, inspired by the works of Virginia Woolf and showing at the Royal Opera House. Both his groups are going: London for Less Than a Tenner, and Let's Do London - for less! As usual, I have a cheap seat.

On Sunday, the ever-busy Man with the Hat is headed (with Let's Do London - for less!) to a dance production - at Sadler's Wells, unusually for him. The Red Shoes, choreographed by Matthew Bourne, is completely sold out for its whole run. Our Man with the Hat has tickets, though.. but he held them back (under his hat, as you might say), with sales starting at 11am on New Year's Day. They sold out in 15 minutes - I checked. That's the speed of U2's ticket sales.. of course, being a seasoned purchaser of U2 tickets, I managed to get one. All he needs now are a stetson and some glasses.. (Mind you, I think U2 broke records this year for speed of selling out. U2 are touring, you see, and I have tickets. Purchasing still in progress. Watch this space..)

On Monday, I've provisionally agreed to go to Cineworld with Mary. She won a couple of Cineworld vouchers in a raffle, you see, and has very kindly offered me one! The nearest to me are the cinemas in Leicester Square and Haymarket, and the best showing in them is La La Land, so that's the rough plan, as it stands.

Tuesday sees me at the Royal Society, for a talk on "Can our immune systems fight cancer?", a Meetup organised by the London European Club.

Wednesday, London for Less Than a Tenner is back at Top Secret.

On Thursday, I'm back with the Crick Crack Club at last, at the Art House Crouch End. First meeting of the year, and not actually advertised on Meetup! I saw it on their flier for Crouch End, and booked. Anyway, the title is Rebranding Beelzebub, which is certainly enough to get me there! And I now live closer to it than I did the last time I was there.

Back to Ireland next weekend, and on Monday 30, I'm back with Funzing UK for Eat Zagi - an immersive dining & theatre experience. I had some fun booking it, when the bank thought it was a fraud and kindly stopped my card, so I had to ring them at 2am.. in the meantime, I did find a discount code, so it wasn't all bad. Try "EnjoyFunzing5". Actually, why not try "EnjoyFunzing10"? That's a code too. Anyway, again, I'm closer to this venue in Finsbury Park than I was before..

Tuesday 31, I'm headed for Sex with Strangers at Hampstead Theatre. First Meetup of the year with London Dramatic Arts. Dunno, I think it was that she had seats at both levels of the theatre, so it would've been too hard to avoid them..

Wednesday 1, the Man with the Hat is starting the month again. Let's Do London - for less! is off to the Opera House for La Traviata.

Thursday 2, he's taking both groups to Cadogan Hall for a concert involving the works of Brahms and Elgar, among others.

Friday 3 promises to be unusual.. the Crick Crack Club is hosting a late-night storytelling event at the Wellcome Collection. Mustn't forget to book tickets for the actual storytelling - they go on sale on the 27th.

And finally, Saturday 4, I'm finally going to the much-advertised British Museum Tour - Ideas That Made our World. A Funzing event, as advertised by two of their Meetup groups - London Speaks Sessions and LDN Talks @ Night. So I booked with both..