So I just gave her my card and told her to go look, and she eventually found my ticket, my name scribbled on the side. And then it was back upstairs again, and up more stairs to the gallery, where the overhang is so severe that it feels as though you're going to bump your head. Passed a number of people to get to my seat - although the gallery was so empty, we could pretty much sit where we liked, and the people either side of me moved to more central seats shortly after. Somebody later remarked that the sound was better there - perhaps, although I had no problems, in B51.
Yes, that is a big fat security rail in front of me. And you know what? Disappears completely from view if you lean forward a bit. I know one crazy person (crazy for other reasons) who would regard this as a severely restricted view - well tough, some of us are just glad to be in the building, and cheaply! When I didn't feel like leaning, I just craned my head to the side and watched under the rail.
Panting, I settled myself, and was just in time - of course, the warning had lied, and they started about five minutes late, as usual. It's London, it ain't usually easy to get to places on time by public transport.
Modern dress, this production - which some don't like, but I think that it frees the audience's attention to concentrate on the story. Not to mention causing them to draw parallels with modern times. This is the tale - which I wasn't familiar with before, and had to research - of a brilliant Roman general, who scores fabulous victories and has the world at his feet. "Coriolanus" is an honorary title, conferred on him after a great victory. However, his pride, his sense of superiority, his contempt for the common folk, continually proves his undoing. Dunno about you, but that says Theresa May to me..
Beautifully acted, as you would expect from the RSC. Nice costumes too, for the patricians. (The mob were more scruffily dressed, in clothes typical of the high street.) No mics, as usual for the RSC, so a couple of people were more difficult to hear - but I did think that overall, sound quality was fine. As for the show - I was engaged enough, but did pass someone on the way home who was complaining into her phone that it was too long and they should have cut some of the dialogue. She was glad she hadn't paid more than £5. Huh?! Must've been with one of those groups whose names I can't mention. I thought I was doing well at £11..
Tomorrow, I'm with Up in the Cheap Seats again, at the Royal Festival Hall for a "Night Under the Stars" - Russian Soul. No idea why, but I though this was with the London European Club (LEC)! Never mind, still have most of my marbles..
On Wednesday and Thursday, I'm with Up in the Cheap Seats again, which makes four nights in a row with them, as it turns out - Wednesday for Saint George and the Dragon, at the National. Which sounds like fun. Unfortunately, the consensus on Friday between those who had seen it was that the second half is too 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. And wouldn't you know it, U2 (the band I worship) are being awarded by MTV on Sunday.. and they're performing a free concert in Trafalgar Square on Saturday. And, as a Westminster resident, I was entitled to two tickets. Well now, blast...
Next Monday, 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 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. 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! 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. 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.
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 next 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.
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 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. Farewell 2017 - it's been good! Roll on 2018, and the next U2 tour..
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