So, off we go! Firstly, From the Box Office required me to print out my ticket - which shouldn't have been a problem, except that the office printer is playing up again, and the IT guy is impossible to pin down! Finally, I decided I'd have to head home and print it out there. Was almost there when I realised I should've brought my phone, which provides my only internet access at home, because this ticket came via email.. of course, I'd left it in the office, and needs must head back in, then back home again, then back to the office. Hey, it's practice for next month..
The show starts late enough that I could stay late in the office, which was handy, as I had quite a bit to catch up on. And lo, Google Maps said it was just a 30-minute walk to Marble Arch! Yes, well, Google Maps and their estimates.. but I figured it was close enough to walk, and off I headed. A little before I needed to, knowing their estimates, as previously mentioned.
It feels like a very long walk, all the way along the straight, full length of Oxford Street. 1.2 miles, I believe. Passed one quite spectacular busker on the way, thumping out a rhythm on pots, pans and basins, Stomp-style. Swerved around family after family.. mostly Muslim, out shopping. Families with kids provide the worst obstacles, then teenagers on their phones, then other tourists, taking in the sights and getting lost - no wonder Google Maps gets its estimates wrong! I was glad when I finally saw the arch - the theatre is snuggled right behind it, and you can't miss it, with the name blazoned in lights.
I was less glad to see the queue, which was massive (I arrived at 7:30, 15 minutes before the advertised showtime). Bag checks and body scanners, no exceptions - it took over 10 minutes just to get into the venue. Therefore, do NOT waste time hanging around in the plaza outside. The whole thing is enclosed inside a wooden fence - the box office is just inside, past security on the left. And no, I didn't have to exchange the voucher that From the Box Office gave me - which did have my seat number - for a ticket, although she said I could if I wanted. Then there was an usher to check the tickets, and we were in the bar:
It's in a massive Spiegeltent, the auditorium entrance to the right-hand side. There are also toilets, somewhere - I didn't need them. Hard to see in the above photo, but the bar is round, and located in the centre - with a live band playing on its roof! Get this party started, indeed.. seating inside, and I think there are benches outside too - caught a glimpse of them as we passed on the bus on Saturday. Anyway, it was nearly 7:45, so I just made my way into the auditorium. FYI, I was in G85 (cheapest seats in the house, near the back and to the side):
This is the most central seat for that price. Oh, and that padding you can see on the seats in front? Didn't make it back to our row. Seats are otherwise the same throughout, and not the most comfortable - but I have had worse. In this photo, the stage is to the left, partly obscured by that column, and a circular walkway radiates out from it. The posh seats are within that walkway - the "bullring", as the performers call it. Cabaret-style tables. And behind them, directly facing the stage, is tiered seating.
Oh my goodness, ladies and gentlemen, hang onto your hats! The beer is cold and the piano hot, as they say.. the band is behind the stage, on a platform that occasionally moves forward, but otherwise they're behind a curtain. And the rhythm is red hot.. jazz, rock, rhythm and blues. Be prepared for a decent helping of audience interaction.. particularly if you're in the bullring. Watch out for your drinks - those tables were made for dancing. And there's one song for which the ushers scatter lyric sheets in the audience; beware not singing, if you're in the bullring - they're watching you..
An awesome, toe-tapping evening! Kinda like Motown the Musical, but a bit less formal. Man - as one audience member remarked on leaving, "Wow"! Kudos to them, also, for being able to perform acrobatic antics like that and still sing - rather breathlessly. Obviously not mimed. Oh, and when they lead you in a conga - they're headed to the bar, and never fear, the show ain't over, it's just the interval. Highly, highly recommended - currently booking through to the 25th November. One of the best shows in town, for sure! Tonight was mostly, but not completely sold out - on a Tuesday. So, booking also highly recommended.
And the walk home afterwards was even shorter - excellent! Now, tomorrow, I was back with Up in the Cheap Seats, for Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, at the Apollo (although booking is with the Young Vic), with Sienna Miller, Colm Meaney, and nudity. Cheapest tickets this time were with LoveTheatre. And then, London Literary Walks advertised one. So, instead, I'm off on The Michelin Walk. Someone else is taking my play ticket though, and in return, treating me to dinner at Pizza Express. Be great to catch up with her!
On Thursday, back with London Speaks Sessions and LDN Talks @ Night, for a Funzing talk. This time, the talk is entitled "Can You Trust the Media?", and is given by Annie Machon, who gave an interesting talk last month on Russian Hacking. Another 30% discount. I just wish she'd use some visual aids.. At the Lighthouse again, terrific. :-/ Then I'm back to Ireland for the weekend again.
On Monday, I'm finally going to see Dreamgirls, at the Savoy, courtesy of Amazon Tickets.
Next Tuesday, I was back with the Scarlet Ladies for a talk on Generation Sex. Until Let's Do This advertised a concert that sounds really good.. at the Apples & Pears Bar. Hey, I do allow myself to change if something sounds better.. and as I say, the Scarlet Ladies are not my kind of ladies.
On the 6th September, I'm with another new group - North London Friends - for an interview with Michael Palin, at the Knowledge Centre Theatre at the British Library. I was really torn, though - the London European Club is off to an early music concert the same night, and I do love that - but had already booked this, and it is Michael Palin. Hey-ho..
On the 7th September, I was back with North London Friends, and another talk on Fake News - different speaker, mind! This is the Fulbright Commission annual lecture, at the British Library. However, much more attractively, Let's Do This are reviving what used to be a regular Man with the Hat event - we're off to St. Martin-in-the-Fields, for some Vivaldi concertos. With a discount, yet! London Concertante, as usual.
On the 8th September, until the other day I was still technically booked for free comedy in Hammersmith with DiscoverLDN.UK. But, as I say - good atmosphere, but the comedy is usually pretty bad. I was saved - again - by Up in the Cheap Seats, who are off to see Doubt, a Parable, in Southwark Playhouse. Aww.. it's so long since I was there, and I have so many good memories of it from my time with the Man with the Hat!
On the 9th September, Helen and I have our 25km sponsored walk, in aid of Haslemere's Cat Protection Society. We're going as Dick Whittington and his cat, respectively, and the route is the Thames Bridges Trek. You can donate here.. Must try and pick up some decent walking shoes.
Which will tire me out nicely, just in time for my flight to Prague the next morning! I'm at a conference there, Sunday to Tuesday. (What a nice company I work for!) Gee, but I love Prague - most beautiful city I've ever seen, and I've seen a few. They're putting me up at a nice hotel too, just down the road.
So, I fly back on the 12th September, and on the 13th I'm back with Up in the Cheap Seats, at Sadler's Wells, for the Hofesh Schechter Company grand finale.
On the 14th September, I'm at another talk with Walks, Talks and Treasure Hunts - this one, at Southwark Cathedral, is about the River Effra, South London's Secret Spine. Another free Eventbrite event, this is to publicise a book about the subject, and the talk is again given by the author. Another thing that had no tickets, then it did (no notification)! I'm not going to believe any messages about door closures, like the erroneous one I got before. Then I'm back to Ireland for the weekend again.
On the 18th September, I was off to Showstopper! at the Lyric. Ticket courtesy of From the Box Office again. I have actually seen this before - but, being an improvised musical, it literally is different every time! But you'll never guess - the Crick Crack Club finally announced their autumn schedule last Friday, and now, that night, I'm off to Eaten Father, Eaten Mother by Ben Haggerty. In Soho Theatre, first time in ages.
On the 19th September, back with the Scarlet Ladies, for a talk entitled 100 Women - Their Breasts, Their Stories. Although actually, if I didn't like the other night's, I think I'll hate this - will be looking for alternatives.
On the 20th September, Funzing (same two groups) and Jennifer Rees again - this time, a fun talk about the Psychology of Batman Villains! The first of hers for which I managed to get a 30% discount.. and it's on nice and close to me again. Seems to be a feature of her talks!
On the 21st September, it was free comedy in Hammersmith - with Free Comedy Nights in Hammersmith, Wimbledon and Greenwich, Random London, and DiscoverLDN.UK. But yay, I have my alternative at last! Going to some comedy I have to pay for, which will probably be better. Mae Martin is at Soho Theatre.
And on the 22nd September, the same free comedy - with DiscoverLDN.UK. I rather doubt it though - don't you?
On the 23rd September, I was to do the same, but am now headed to the launch of Rob Luft's new album, Riser, at King's Place. As advertised by The London Jazz Meetup. I finally ended up paying their membership fee after booking an event with them the other day, for November, which someone is attending that I know. So I figured it was wiser!
I had booked the same free comedy, with the same group, on the 24th September, but was again saved - this time, by the World Music Meetup! They're off to see Kefaya, in Nell's Jazz and Blues bar, back in my old stomping ground of North End Road! Happy days, when I was working there..
On the 25th September, a group called Theatre and Stuff is off to see Prism, at Hampstead Theatre. They're charging extra to go with them, though - so I happily bought my own ticket. What the hey, odds are I won't know any of them anyway.
On the 26th September, I'm back with Up in the Cheap Seats - to see Wings, at The Young Vic. Accidentally booked standing, I think.. :-/
On the 27th September, with Up in the Cheap Seats again - for Jekyll & Hyde, presented by the National Youth Theatre, at the Ambassadors Theatre.
On the 28th September, with another new group: London, Surrey and Beyond.. for an event called "A Unique Experience. Olde Pub, Gerry's Private Club, 2 'i's Famous Fish 'n' Chips". Which says it all, really! Then it's back to Ireland for the weekend again.
On the 2nd October, I had booked at Hampstead Theatre, for No One Will Tell Me How to Start a Revolution. North London Friends are attending - and charging extra, so I was going it alone! But now it turns out I'm spending the week in the Stockholm office - back on the 8th.
On the 3rd October, it was free comedy in Hammersmith - nominally. With Free Comedy Nights in Hammersmith, Wimbledon and Greenwich. So, that was easy to cancel, for Stockholm!
On the 4th October was Up in the Cheap Seats and Labour of Love, with Martin Freeman, at the Noel Coward Theatre. Cheapest tickets from the venue, for once!
On the 5th October, same group - headed to see the Company Wayne McGregor, at Sadler's Wells.
And finally! on the 6th October, headed to see Chekhov's The Seagull, at the Lyric. Third night in a row for that group - almost as busy a group as I am a person! So, four things in all I had to cancel, without refund.. what the hey, I'll doubtless be saving money in Stockholm! Expenses paid, after all.
On the 9th October, I'm finally going to see the show so many people have asked me whether I'm seeing. Ink is showing at the Duke of York's Theatre.
And on the 10th October, I'm back with Up in the Cheap Seats for Ballet Boyz at Sadler's Wells.
No comments:
Post a Comment