No problem whatsoever in finding the place - the bus runs right past it! I happened to run into one of our group on the way in - and inside, there was our organiser, perched on a sofa in the dark. Outside of the circle just in front of the stage, that pretty much describes the whole pub. I started by getting a reasonably priced wine (one variety, one size) from the friendly, Irish barman, and was glad of having cash - there's an £8 minimum on cards, here. Took my drink down to the sofa, and we waited for the others to arrive. There were just about enough of us to make it snug on the sofa, but we all fitted - well, with one on a chair.
Retro, we agreed! Terrific atmosphere - there was a chap with a clipboard, and pretty much the entire front-of-stage area was occupied by musicians, whose names he took. For the rest of the night, he put them together, in varying combinations, and they jammed. Apparently, Tuesdays are the only night they do this, and not every Tuesday either. But it made for some very mellow sounds. Terrific venue, I'd love to come back!
The toilets made for an interesting excursion:
Just a pity about the unmentionable stuff on the floor - watch your step in there! But it was a good night. Bitterly cold wait for the bus home, mind. Sadly, I've gone over my data allowance for the month on my phone, and it wasn't convenient to come into the office from that side - so I went to bed, and skipped the blog. I was tired anyway! Plus I had to allow for the possibility of an early meeting next morning - didn't happen, in the end.
On Wednesday, the Crick Crack Club had their long-awaited 30th birthday party at Rich Mix. Advertised by their Meetup group, I see, months after tickets went on sale. A friend was going to this. Oh, and the crazy lady had a ticket - honestly, I was rather apprehensive about that. But this was too good to have her prevent me from going!
I had an eye out for her as soon as I arrived, but there was no sign. Got my hand stamped, and as soon as I went in, I saw my friend - he'd messaged me while I was on my way anyway, to say he'd got the front row. He sure had - front and centre! Excellent. I dropped my stuff and made my way to the bar - he wanted hot chocolate, but you had to go to the adjacent restaurant for that, they don't serve hot drinks in the main space, although you can bring them in.
We had to crane our necks slightly, being so close to the stage, but never mind. Storytellers abounded in the corners, those who weren't performing on stage managing things down the back. I saw Nell Phoenix - who's cut her hair, I think - and some guy in a hat, whom I recognised but whose name I never did get. I spent my time before the start explaining to my companion who various people were - and why no, I didn't want him to keep a seat for the other person I knew whom I'd asked him whether he'd seen..
Ben Haggerty mc-ed, as usual. And started us off, with a diverting tale of a traveller who tricked a couple into giving him their house for the night.. terrific tale, which is one I'll repeat to anyone who gives me an excuse. As was the next, told by the inimitable Clare Murphy. As my friend remarked afterwards, he could see why she is my favourite! As I replied, only she could get away with the Oirishness of this tale, as she had us rolling in the aisles with the story of Gorteen, the bachelor farmer, and the beautiful woman that finally entranced him! Hilarious, and beautifully recounted - you could visualise perfectly the scenes she described, in word and gesture. And yes, the customs and traditions are - historically - accurate!
She was followed by Tim Ralphs, with a ditty he'd composed about, er, some members of the porn industry who were rendered unemployed by certain scientific developments! This first section was finished by Jan Blake, who - apparently at the request of Ben, who'd asked them all to tell those stories of theirs that he liked best - reprised her baudy story of Herbie and Mrs. Johnson! Has to be heard.. I couldn't possibly reproduce it in print: not and do it justice!
And so into the first break - and we were told there was cake, down the back! Several different kinds too, all homemade by someone in the club, and a big chocolate "30"! which they were waiting on a knife for. (Wouldn't you know it, as I made my way for cake, I discovered myself right behind the crazy woman! Bypassed her, made for the back, and came round the other side when I was done. I can do without that weirdness.) My companion, of course, had no idea whom I was talking about, and was all for catching the attention of the "Man with the Hat's group member", sitting over there! Took me a minute to bring him up to speed on why we shouldn't do that.
The second part was started by Hugh Lupton. Tim Ralphs gave us another tune, and we had Sally Pomme-Clayton, who told us a story of Old Crow, with Jan Blake finishing with a story of enchantment. And so into a second break.
We'd spied a harp, over to the side, which had been waiting all night - sure enough, at the start of the third and final part, Nick Hennessy brought it onstage and set it up. (I see he has a mailing list, to which I just subscribed - blast it, I missed something he was doing in London last month!) We had Tuup - who'd been pattering on his drum all the time he was onstage, and finally got his chance to shine with a cheeky tale of a woman that outsmarted her husband! This most excellent night finished with Daniel Morden - and what a showcase the night was of great storytelling! Well done to all.
No sign of Crazy Lady on the way out - she probably left early, and good riddance. Honestly though, imagine ending a friendship because a - free - ticket she'd been given turned out to be restricted view! There are some very strange people in the world, and I'm better off without them. Anyway, another freezing journey home, and another non-blogging night.
Yesterday, LDT was 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 another date, with Up in the Cheap Seats. But then, of course, I couldn't go to that either.. third time lucky! Reviews, however, were mixed.
I wandered down in decent time, on another bitterly cold evening - it had even snowed in the morning! We met in the lobby, and climbed the long, long way to the Olivier Circle (unusual for me to have time to do that). All seats here are decent, and ours were in Row D - in a practically deserted theatre! Although the stalls filled up a bit before the start, the circle never did, and I think we were as far back as anyone. Until the second half, anyway, when the people beside me decided they wanted more space, and moved to the row behind.
Interesting stage design - as one remarked, they always have, here. A vertiginous 3D effect, with houses perched high on the wall - projections suggest additional design features that weren't actually built. The stage also revolves, revealing a hidden compartment under the lip that is initially at the back, which allows more intimate, and indoor, scenes to be played.
I didn't really know what to expect from this play, whose promotional photo shows St. George, in mediaeval armour, looking a bit glum as he has a fry-up at a greasy spoon. In a way, it does exactly what it says on the tin - they have poor St. George travel through the ages, fighting a succession of different dragons as he goes.
So, in the first part, you're lulled into a false sense of security, thinking that this is a conventional, mediaeval drama, as he appears, fights a - reasonably - conventional dragon, saves the damsel, then has to speed off again - more dragons to be slain, don'tcha know? Funny script, and seriously good surround sound effects for the dragon in this part - and the dragon is visually dramatic, if not quite up to CGI standard.
Well, after vanquishing the dragon (spoiler), he leaves on his quest, urging the villagers to strive for more, and for better. By 'eck, they manage a lot in the year he's away - 700-odd years of progress, and they have factories, locomotives - and dragons of a different nature. That brought us up to the break, where I slipped out to the loo, and to get some chocolate (which was dinner - they're out of bread in the office, except seeded, which I don't like).
After the break, not as much progress - they only managed to progress to the present day. But how can George make himself relevant in modern society? Indeed, do we even want him to? and if not, why not? Maybe his view is too black and white? Maybe we don't want to give up our achievements, even if they are damaging us as a society? Very interesting, thought-provoking play - I liked it very much, and it's a shame all those seats were left empty. Finishes tomorrow - do go see!
With the cold, and the lateness of the hour, we didn't drink, after. More sparkly lights on the way home:
And with a triple blog to write, it ran too late to finish it last night. But lookee, I managed it eventually!
Tonight, I'm back to Ireland again. In time for the Toy Show, yay!
On Monday, I'm finally booked to see Heisenberg: the Uncertainty Principle, at Wyndham's Theatre. Another that London Dramatic Arts saw before I could, 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! However, when I met Mary on Tuesday (first time in weeks), she said, quite rightly, that we should make arrangements for a night out - and with iffy reviews for this, I suggested Monday as a day. Now, if we could only agree on something to do..
On Tuesday, my annual trip to La Soirée! "Posh new venue", as they say - they're now in the Aldwych Theatre. Cheapest tickets at Amazon tickets - you save on the booking fee. I see they're another one to have a family-friendly version - La Petite Soirée!
Wednesday 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, for a trip to Nuremberg Christmas market with London European Club! We'll also be doing some travelling in the area. Helen liked the sound of it, and is coming too: sadly, not my Crick Crack friend, who can't swing the holiday time. We'll have a ball though! I just bought Lonely Planet's chapter on Bavaria, downloaded it, and have shared it with her - 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, and on the 11th - having taken the day off work (I'll be exhausted) - I'm off to the Barbershop Chronicles. At the National.
On the 12th, 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, 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. However, the friend I've been persuading to go to the Crick Crack events has suggested that night for a nostalgic trip, by some of us, to Top Secret - I would rather do that, so we'll see whether we can get it together!
On the 14th, my friends who came to Soho a while ago 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, 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, and Helen too - and the same lunatic. Who will probably avoid us, and good enough for her. Next day, I'm back to Ireland for Christmas.
Flying back to London on the 2nd of January, and on the 3rd 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!
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