Dance: Hunted

Tonight, I was back at Sadler's Wells with Up in the Cheap Seats, for Hunted, by Maud Le Pladec and Okwui Okpokwasili. Shame, from that respect, that I don't have access to my new flat yet - it's just down the road from there! A late start - it's in the studio, and we agreed to meet beforehand in the foyer bar. And then to meet a bit later, when the organiser discovered it was to start later than he'd thought!

An easy trip from the office - a couple of buses would take me there, and drop me right outside. In under half an hour. Well, that was the plan.. the bus came all right, took me up the road, past the roadworks.. and when it came time for me to get off, I pressed the button. Eh, pressed it again. Oh nuts, no reaction - not working! Now, by the time I struggled out of my seat - which was one of the high ones - and made my way to the next nearest button, jabbed it (it worked!).. well, we were speeding past the theatre. Goodee. So I needs must walk back from the next stop. Not the first time that's happened either - actually, it happens quite a lot; I was just unlucky that no-one else was getting off with me.

Never mind, I was in plenty of time - and despite the three (!) women I passed who had their umbrellas up, there wasn't a drop of rain. Again, I was first there of our group - grabbed a packet of crisps at the cafe, and a glass of wine: I didn't recognise the first two on the menu, and was going to go for the sauvignon blanc when I realised that a large glass would set me back over £10! Which is a record, in my experience. So I went for the cheapest, at £7. Don't - it was insipid. The crisps were good, at least.

After the organiser had arrived, and I'd finished my crisps, I headed for the loo, right down the back of the foyer. So I got to see the rest of the "garden court" cafe, whose "garden" consists of a few potted plants outside the window. Anyway, the third of our small number arrived in due course, and when the house was open, in we moseyed, being given programmes as we passed in the door. Despite all being sat quite close together, we were sent around different ends of the studio - the perils of being sat in the middle of the row.

Black stage, with a white bit in front. Overall, the effect of the show is to prove quite creepy - would have been great for Hallowe'en, in fact. Eerie music starts the piece - for a long time, that is all there is, in the dark. We were to learn in the Q+A afterwards that the musicians - there are two - move around the space, playing from different sides. We don't see them until the very end.

The principal dancer makes her very gradual way through the darkness, as though emerging from a deep, dark pool. Now, I get that this effect is designed to happen slowly - but honestly, they do take too long about it. When she eventually emerges, she's contorting herself, and making weird noises - presumably to evoke the strangeness of women in ages past that were accused of witchcraft. Because that is what it's about. And in case you were in any doubt, she proceeds to tell the audience all about it. The choreographer explained afterwards that dance alone just wouldn't tell the story, here. So we get something of an outline history of witch-hunts, with a strong preference for hysterical emotion over facts and figures.

Oh, and you'd better expect to be climbed on. You know how, for some shows, you're advised not to sit in the front? Doesn't matter where you sit for this, she's determined to get to know you better. Now, the choreographer had a very interesting way of explaining this; seems that the lighting represents role reversal - we, the audience, are sat in the brightly lit part, as though on a stage; she, the dancer, is invisible in the darkness, as though in a theatre, watching a performance. So you could see this as the witch-figure, climbing out of anonymity and clambering to take her place onstage.

As for her histrionics and posturing - apparently there is designed to be an element of improv in that, and it is, I think, meant to represent her as society saw "odd" women at the time in question. Different, weird, scary. In your face (literally). She performs very passionately - I just do think that the show dragged a bit in a few places. Brilliant use of lighting though, as was remarked - at the end (spoiler!), the lights gradually come up to reveal the musicians, dressed almost completely in black so they can't be seen before they are meant to be seen. Showing tonight and tomorrow only.

Afterwards, fancying a drink (that cafe closes after performances), we headed just across the road - on our organiser's recommendation - to The Pearl and Feather. Where they have real candles on the tables, dripping wax down brass candlesticks! Food served too, but we just had drinks - including a rather nice pinot grigio, which two of us shared a carafe of, very generously provided by our host! And chatted away for an hour or so. Good to see you, guys.. and it was lovely, for once, to head to the pub after. Haven't done that in - jeez, almost a month! 'Tis few enough organisers that bother.

Tomorrow (later today, actually), I'm off to see Young Frankenstein, at the Garrick!

The weekend is Funzing, with Walking in London. On Saturday, A Secret London Tour - I've had my eye on this for a while, it sounds interesting. And on Sunday, I'm finally doing Murder Mile Walk.

On Monday, I was off to This Beautiful Future, at the Yard Theatre. And then it turned out that a couple of guys from the North American training team in our company are visiting the office for a couple of days! Team dinner that night. Well hey, I wasn't that pushed about the play anyway. Not everything I book for is a must-see.

On Tuesday, my annual pilgrimage to Cirque Berserk at Winter Wonderland! Whee..

On Wednesday, back with 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!

Next Thursday, 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. So this'll now be the first play I'll have gone to in a while! 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. A friend is going to this, and Helen is thinking about it. Oh, and the crazy lady is supposed to be going - may she not dare to cross my path! I'm perfectly capable of throwing a drink over her. If the need arises.

On the 30th, LDT is off to.. Saint George and the Dragon, at the National! 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 last week, with Up in the Cheap Seats. But then, of course, I couldn't go to that either.. third time lucky, I hope! Mind you, consensus seems to be that it drags - never mind. 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. And they posted me physical tickets - how retro!

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. So, the plan is to stay in the new place, the night before..

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 £10 credit! Not so shabby..

On the 13th of December, my last visit of the year to Sands Films - finally advertised on Meetup, through the World Music Meetup, TunedIn London has a concert by Plastikes Karekles, a Greek group.

On the 14th of December, my friends who came to Soho on Monday 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.

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 friend going with me as on the 29th of November, and Helen too - 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.

Flying back to London on the 2nd of January, and on the 3rd (now that my brain is a bit less cluttered), I've booked to see Stewart Lee at Leicester Square Theatre. Determinedly not in the front two rows - not for a comedy show!

On the 4th of January, I'm back with Up in the Cheap Seats (Happy New Year to them!), who are off to see Hanna, at the Arcola.

On the 5th of January, I thought Time Out threw me a curiously interesting event - so I'm going on this Space Descent VR experience, at the Science Museum. I'll have to leave work early for it - there are timed slots, and it consists of wearing goggles, and living the experience of a descent to earth, with the astronaut Tim Peake narrating in your ears.

On the 6th of January, Crick Crack is back! Happy New Year to them too. The story of When Time Began is being told at King's Place. Creation myths. And wouldn't you know it, we're being treated to a host of performers - the husband and wife team, Emily and Nick Hennessy, and co-founder of the club, the amazing Ben Haggerty. Accompaniment provided by the wonderful musician, Sheema Mukherjee.

On the 7th of January, another Happy new Year - this time to LDT, who are off to an art exhibition. Gilbert & George: the Beard Pictures and their Fuckosophy. Sorry, but that is the title. Showing at the White Cube Gallery. Honestly, but for the group that's hosting, I wouldn't bother..

And finally, more art on the 8th of January, which I'll probably enjoy more. I'm taking the day off to go see Reflections at the National Gallery - an exhibition of Pre-Raphaelites, which, with a free day, I can peruse at my leisure. As inspired by a walk by the excellent London Literary Walks - roll on the summer, and a return of those!