Wow, it's ages since I booked Rebranding Beelzebub. October, in fact, when I'd only just handed in my notice, and didn't yet have another job to go to. So this was quite optimistic, since I didn't know at the time whether I'd still be in London. But hey, it was the Crick Crack Club, and if I were to stay, I was pretty much guaranteed to go to this.
And so the night finally rolled around, last night. Crouch End, again - one of four events they scheduled up there, and only advertised on Meetup this week! I live closer now, which was reassuring, cold as the weather has been - I was to discover that although my journey was quicker, it still wasn't quick; it used to be train, Tube, and bus - now it's just Tube and bus, or a combination of buses - almost as fast, and of course cheaper. So that's what I did.
For the free WiFi, I stayed in the office until it was time to leave, then wended my way around to Charing Cross Road to catch the 29. Pretty damn cold, again, and although I'd left early, the bus was a bit delayed, and I became worried about making it on time. However, Google Maps proved pessimistic for both my buses, both arriving before Google's estimate. I changed for the 91, in the bitter cold - noticeably worse, now. And got talking to an elderly gent, who clocked straight away that I was Irish. They can always tell!
Happily, the stop was right across the road from the Arthouse, and I made it with just five minutes to spare, following the crowd, who were just starting to go in. Although I'd printed out my email confirmation - having given myself palpitations when at first I couldn't find it - there wasn't anyone there to check, just Ben Haggerty darting about. I'd booked a good seat, on the aisle, and quite close - second row though, not the front, which is too close to the stage so that you get a stiff neck, staring up at people.
The storyteller on this occasion was a new one to me - Tim Ralphs is from Sheffield, it turns out, and managed to work into his convoluted story of the devil that he runs a storyteling group there, and was very excited when Ben invited him to London. Now, from my inexpert position as a fan of storytelling, I can say that he has an excellent technique. And in his set, which lasted just over an hour, he told us the most rambling, interconnected story of the devil that I've yet heard. I think he has a particular talent for comedy, and sure enough, there were many hilarious moments. Original, too - have you heard of the devil being trapped in a washing machine? or winning a soul over a game of Facebook scrabble?
It was a delightful performance. And at the end, excitingly, Ben alerted us to a pile of fliers by the door - all about the special night they have next Friday, which I'm going to. Really, they don't advertise these things well enough: anyway, tickets are now onsale - and you can get further details - on the Wellcome Collection site. As for last night - I was hungry, and Tim had said something about hot chocolate in the bar - but they were cleaning around the machine, I figured it was probably too late, and I headed.
My bus stop home was just up the road, where I had to catch the 91 again - imagine my dismay (and that of another couple waiting with me) when we could see none advertised on the arrivals board within the next half hour! Odd, because one happened along just a couple of minutes later. I swear though, when the time came for me to change buses, it was so cold I thought I'd surely die.. literally couldn't stand still for the cold. And then the name of the bus stop where I had to get off was slightly different from what Google had said.. and there was no WiFi.. and I was trying to configure my phone.. so I finally got off two stops further on. Worked out well though - it turned out that it dropped me near my local Sainsbury's, and I bought something for a late dinner. Damn, was I glad to get in out of the cold!
Back to Ireland today for the weekend, and on Monday, 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..
On Tuesday, 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..
On Wednesday, 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.
On Thursday, he's taking both that group and London for Less Than a Tenner to Cadogan Hall for a concert involving the works of Brahms and Elgar, among others.
Next Friday promises to be unusual.. it's that late-night storytelling event at the Wellcome Collection. Tickets now booking - they're all free, but man, are they going fast! I was too late to get a ticket for Ben Haggerty's storytelling performance, but I've booked the second, as well as the first and third talks. Anyway, there's tons of non-ticketed stuff on.
And finally, on 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..
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