With only seeded bread in the office kitchen today - I don't like seeded bread - I headed out for lunch. My intention was just to get a takeaway from Cafe Milano, downstairs: but when I tried the door, it was locked! Despite an "Open" sign, clearly displayed. As I turned away, a fellow having a smoke at the pavement edge said "five minutes". Huh? "They'll be back in five minutes." Oh right, great. Now, my first problem with that was that they had to close the business completely for this "five-minute" jaunt - not a good look! My second problem was that "five minutes" is rarely five minutes - and who was this guy anyway? Does he know them, or did whoever was locking up (probably that guy who doesn't speak much English) ask him to say that? Anyway, I felt like teaching them a lesson, so I left.
Plan B: Chinatown. So I headed for New Loon Fung, where I was quickly seated - they weren't busy, not long after opening. Every time I've been here before, I've had the chicken in lemon sauce - today, I decided to plump for the beef Szechuan. The waiter dubiously warned me that it was spicy - even if he hadn't, the three chillies depicted on the menu would probably have given it away.
I also had the chicken spring rolls, which were as tasty as ever. The house white is very nice, and I had two glasses - I figured I might need something to cool my throat. The Szechuan? Murderous! I really thought the first mouthful would kill me. I managed to fish all the beef out of the dish, where it was swimming in chilli sauce, but carefully avoided everything else - I just couldn't take the risk of accidentally eating bits of chilli. I also managed to eat all the beef I'd fished out. I wouldn't order it again, but it was tasty enough (when my taste buds recovered). You have been warned!
Tonight was a mixed programme from the Birmingham Royal Ballet at Sadler's Wells, again with Up in the Cheap Seats. I was hoping that'd be a bit more traditional. Or at least, nicer to watch than last night's. Well, having travelled the same route last night, I didn't have to look up directions now! Went to the bus stop in time to catch a bus that should get me there for when we'd agreed to meet - and wouldn't you know it, despite the roadworks, we sailed along without problems, and the journey - which isn't a long one - took five minutes less than last night.
A long climb upstairs to the Second Circle - I was the first to arrive, the others happening along in due course. My, it was packed - word must've got out that this was good! From where I was seated, I couldn't see a free seat - although, apparently, there were some behind us. Each of the three pieces had an interval between, so we had a chance to meet and confer after each one - standing, with limited seating available. We managed to secure part of a standing table at the bar, though. Where we cultured folk discussed the many things on in London, some of which we've seen and some of which we haven't. Or not yet. I'd had plenty to drink at the office Friday drinks session, so didn't bother with alcohol - and would've had some of the tap water provided at the second interval, but they'd run out.
The first piece, Arcadia, I absolutely loved. A story of Pan coming to earth and, predictably, wreaking havoc, the imagery was fantastic, the dancers in the background depicted in silhouette - and with Pan's horns silhouetted against the backdrop, the whole thing had a fantastical air that really appealed to me, as a lover of storytelling. Associated with sexuality as he is, he danced topless, contrasting with the nymphs in their gorgeously coloured costumes.
The second piece, Le Baiser de la Fée, is apparently based on a classic fairytale - which I'd never heard of. For once, this provided a good reason to buy the programme, which explained the plot! As we entered for this piece, the woman in front of me was reading about it, and I was doing my best to read over her shoulder. Got through the prologue, and then she passed the programme to someone further down, and I couldn't see it any more!
FYI, the story is as follows: a woman is struggling with her baby through a storm, and encounters a troupe of fairies. They snatch the baby from her, and she drops dead in the snow. As the nearby villagers spot her and realise that something is wrong, the fairy queen kisses the child on the forehead before leaving him for the villagers to find. Fast-forward to when he's grown up - he meets the fairy queen, who tells him that he'll have just enough time to find love before she comes to claim him. Sure enough, on his wedding night, enter the fairy queen to claim his life. A gorgeous piece this, the fairies all sparkly, very classical.
The final piece though was, for everyone I think, the hit of the night! The best reason yet to buy the programme, which had full-page pictures of the main characters, which could be scanned, causing the characters to dance on your phone. You could then take a picture, which would show the character dancing on whatever was in the background - so, the top of someone's head, say! Or on their shoulder. Two kids in front of me were having great fun with this.
The piece itself is Still Life at the Penguin Cafe, and stars a number of different creatures, the dancers wearing the appropriate heads - can't be easy to dance in those. Each section shows a different endangered species - and one section has rainforest people, whose culture is also endangered. The final section shows them all sheltering from a storm - brilliantly portrayed - and ultimately gathering on an ark. Accompanied by catchy music, the ballet is actually hilarious, while communicating a very serious message of conservation. A great hit with young and old!
When I eventually got out - the ladies to my left being as reluctant to get up and leave as they had been to get up to let me into my seat after the intervals - we met at the bar again and took our leave, after what had been a most excellent evening. It was - as predicted - raining, but lightly. Just as well I wasn't in a rush home - it took us ages to get down Euston Road, the traffic was so bad.
Tomorrow, Helen is coming to town, and has had the excellent notion of going to an Exhibition of Witchcraft at Viktor Wynd's Museum of Curiosities! Love that place. In the evening, I was to be off with Walking in London (hence Funzing) on a Hampstead to Highgate Haunted Pub Tour! She can't depend on the trains, so couldn't really commit to an evening event - I don't blame her, they're worse than Irish ones! (which is saying something). The tour takes a while, but includes a pub crawl, so that's forgivable. "crazy_fun" is the current 10% discount code, BTW. I also see they've now switched their loyalty scheme to cover anything booked online - much more efficient, as it automatically credits you! ..But then, at virtually the 11th hour, Walking in London advertised a more attractive-sounding ghost walk! Based in the centre, it promises to be less hilly, and includes a cruise. Starts later too, so I don't have to rush. And as well as my 10% discount, I took advantage of my £10 voucher, for having booked so many events. So I got nearly a 50% reduction! And was just within the deadline for cancelling the other, if I were to get my money back.
On Sunday, the Crick Crack Club is back, with Hugh Lupton telling the tale of Beowulf at the British Museum - sold out by now, I believe, and no wonder.
On Monday, I'm at the RSC's MMXVII season at the Barbican, seeing Coriolanus with Up in the Cheap Seats.
On Tuesday, I'm with the London European Club (LEC), at the Royal Festival Hall for a "Night Under the Stars" - Russian Soul.
On Wednesday and Thursday, I'm with Up in the Cheap Seats again - Wednesday for Saint George and the Dragon, at the National. Which sounds like fun. Unfortunately, the consensus tonight between those who had seen it was that the second half is drawn out. On Thursday, we're off to Everybody's Talking About Jamie, at the Apollo. Then I'm back to Ireland for the weekend.
On the 13th, the Crick Crack Club returns to Soho Theatre for an evening called Under the Eyes of Baron Samedi, courtesy of Jan Blake. Delighted to say I persuaded a couple of friends to come along! Hope they enjoy it. Also delighted that the crazy woman isn't coming - despite being a fan of Jan Blake, she couldn't make this.
On the 14th, Up in the Cheap Seats again, and we're off to The Secondary Victim, at the Park Theatre.
On the 15th, I'm finally back with The London Jazz Meetup, to see Ben l' Oncle Soul at Cadogan Hall. Really, I'd go with them much more often, but there's so much else on..!
On the 16th, I'm back at Sadler's Wells with Up in the Cheap Seats, for Hunted Maud Le Pladec / Okwui Okpokwasili.
On the 17th, I'm off to see Young Frankenstein, at the Garrick!
The weekend is Funzing, with Walking in London. On the 18th, A Secret London Tour - I've had my eye on this for a while, it sounds interesting. And on the 19th, I'm finally doing Murder Mile Walk.
On the 20th, I'm off to This Beautiful Future, at the Yard Theatre.
On the 21st, my annual pilgrimage to Cirque Berserk at Winter Wonderland! Whee..
On the 22nd, back with Funzing and Walking in London, this time with Katie of Look Up London, and her Alternative Christmas Lights Tour. Delighted to give her the business, and it should be fun!
On the 23rd, back with Up in the Cheap Seats - this time at the newly opened Bridge Theatre, for their first show, Young Marx. Delighted to make this - I had booked it for the 20th October, then the Crick Crack Club got in the way, as they often do! The theatre charged me a nominal fee to change it to this date. And then it's back to Ireland for the weekend again.
On the 27th, I'm headed to see Follies at the National - one that London Dramatic Arts (LDAM) went to a while ago, expensively. What with their ticket prices, and other things getting in the way, I really don't know when I'll be with them again..
On the 28th, back with Let's Do This! (LDT) at a place called The Fiddler's Elbow, for a Blues Club & Jam. Be good to see them again!
On the 29th, the Crick Crack Club has their long-awaited 30th birthday party at Rich Mix. Finally advertised by their Meetup group, I see, months after tickets went on sale. Helen's going to this one, and another friend. Oh, and the crazy lady - hope they protect me from her!
On the 30th, LDT is off to.. Saint George and the Dragon! Now, when this was advertised, I remembered having booked it already. Checked, and discovered that was during my week in Stockholm - so I was happy to book it again. Completely forgot, of course, that I was already booked for next week, with Up in the Cheap Seats. No refunds either. Ah well, just hope it's good, considering I've now booked it three times! Then I'm back to Ireland again.
On the 4th of December, I'm finally seeing Heisenberg: the Uncertainty Principle, at Wyndham's Theatre. Another that LDAM saw before I have, and another I rescheduled - this from the 16th October, when I was with Up in the Cheap Seats. Another nominal fee to change.
On the 5th of December, my annual trip to La Soirée! "Posh new venue", as they say - they're now in the Aldwych Theatre. Cheapest tickets at Amazon tickets.
The 6th of December sees our office Christmas party! Mercifully, I've just found out it's not black tie this year - don't have to buy a new outfit, then! It's at Bounce - a pub with ping pong tables, wouldya believe?! We have a private room, with three such tables and a karaoke machine. I foresee a noisy night..!
I can't stay long though - have to be at Stansted at 6 in the morning of the 7th of December, for a trip to Nuremberg Christmas market with LEC! We'll also be doing some travelling in the area. Helen liked the sound of it, and my other friend who's coming to the storytelling is coming too. We'll have a ball! I just bought Lonely Planet's chapter on Bavaria, downloaded it, and have shared it with them - isn't it handy how you can buy individual chapters? Mercifully, although the crazy woman was supposed to go on this, she's pulled out.
Back late on the 10th of December, and on the 11th of December - having taken the day off work (I'll be exhausted) - I'm off to the Barbershop Chronicles. At the National.
On the 12th of December, I've just booked a Funzing talk - Interviews With a Serial Killer, courtesy of London Speaks Sessions and LDN Talks @ Night. For which, with their new loyalty scheme, I earned that £10 credit! Not so shabby..
On the 13th of December, my last visit of the year to Sands Films - not yet advertised on Meetup, although it probably will be, TunedIn London has a concert by Plastikes Karekles, a Greek group.
On the 14th of December, my friends who are off to Soho on the 13th of November are headed to Wilton's Music Hall, for something called The Box of Delights. And for once, I'm letting them decide for me, and am going myself too.
And on the 15th of December, my final trip of the year to the Crick Crack Club - Jan Blake is performing Masters of Hex at the British Library. Along with Ben Haggerty and TUUP. Same people going with me as on the 29th of November - and the same lunatic. Well, after the nasty things she had to say about me, I'll be surprised if she dares to approach me at all.
Next day, I'm back to Ireland for Christmas. Farewell 2017 - it's been good! Roll on 2018, and the next U2 tour..
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