My last day in the old flat today - I tidied as best I could, threw out some final things, and traipsed all the way out East to hand the keys back. On a day when it felt like crossing a desert, just walking down the road. Well, by the time I got back home, I didn't feel like spending the whole day inside - and I wanted a small celebration. So I decided to eat out. Unfortunately, there ain't much choice in the area. Checking Google Maps, I finally settled on seeing what The Commissary was like - a 10-minute walk away, it's on the water, which sounded nice.
God, it was a hot walk to get to it, though! Google Maps optimistically had me cutting through an apartment block - instead, I went around, and discovered a gate that asks users to close it quietly. Steps then lead down to a pier, with several houseboats - the pub is further along. It has several outside tables on the pier, but I'd had enough of the sun by now, and decided to sit inside. After a really long time spent queueing at the bar - they do a roaring trade - I ordered, and sat at one of the few tables not sporting a reservation note. Mind you, they were for this evening, so I could have managed it if I'd wanted.
The menu is short, but I found something I was happy with. I asked for the Commissary burger, without the tomato (I'm intolerant). And fancy, without tomato is how it came! That's unusual. Let me say it was absolutely delicious. They only serve medium glasses of wine, and it being so nicely cold on such a hot day, I had mine half-drunk before the food arrived; my intention was to ask the waiter for another glass, but he vanished so quickly after serving my food that I didn't have a chance. Nor did I get another chance to ask for anything, as no-one came near me after that. They have a sign asking customers to place their first orders at the bar - they can leave out the word "first"! Without queueing at the bar, you haven't a hope. Anyway, I might have ordered dessert as well, but as I was finishing, they turned up the volume of the tv property programme that was being broadcast on screens around the bar. Couldn't eat with that row, it was so loud - I didn't take it personally, but I left soon after.
For this evening, I don't know whether I missed it before or just didn't consider it, but ultimately I booked the Dark Side of Docklands Street Theatre Pub Tour - courtesy of Walking in London. Usual 10% discount codes apply. In the evening, so I could get the keys to my old place handed back earlier - had to get them back by 1pm. Yesterday, however, the walk was cancelled.. so I thought "film". Looking at what was on today, top of the list was an Indian space adventure film - Tik Tik Tik.
However, I wasn't quite sure of its focus after viewing the trailer - so I checked for another on YouTube, and what did I discover but the film itself, available online! So I don't have to bother with that, then. Next up was The Bromley Boys - as that's about soccer, it got eliminated fairly quickly.
Next up.. ooh, Hereditary! It's slipped a bit, but still highly rated - and I was dying to see it. Billed as this generation's The Exorcist, in it Toni Collette plays a woman whose mother passes away, only to have her and her husband's (Gabriel Byrne - I'd forgotten he was in the trailer!) little daughter start to exhibit some very odd traits. Very spooky traits. They do say it's a masterpiece of psychological horror. So I booked, it being cheaper to book in Vue. Back in Vue Islington, although it's also in Rich Mix, which is now slightly closer to me - but it wasn't showing there today. I didn't bother with the midnight showing, mind - I thought it'd be quite spooky enough a bit earlier!
So, I left a bit late, and walked briskly up there, admiring how I can now do that again. Arrived at the cinema 10 minutes late - and was glad to take my assigned seat! I'm not used to such crowds at the films I usually go to. I'd timed it perfectly - they were just finishing the annoying, regular ads, and about to start on the trailers: which were horror, in general. Glad I didn't miss them. And I loved the special, horror-film version of the "turn off your mobile" message, which was delivered to a dark screen, and started with a big "BOO"!
I don't know where to start to describe this film. Because I've never seen anything quite like it. The writer/director doesn't have a horror background, and comes at this with such a fresh approach that the number of predictable elements - from story to characters' behaviour to setting - can be counted on the fingers of one hand. I had one quibble with the music, right at the start, which I thought was too scary without reason. That was it, then.
Toni Collette does a stunning job, changing on the turn of a coin when the story calls for it. Gabriel Byrne, as one reviewer remarked, is the only sane member of a family that's rapidly coming apart at the seams. Most memorable performance? probably the daughter, Milly Shapiro, who appears so prominently in the trailers. Speaking of whom, why the biggest reaction from the audience came when she decapitated a dead bird puzzles me, given that that scene was in the trailers..
I can't tell you very much else about what happens, for obvious reasons. I'll say that I absolutely love that Toni Collette makes dioramas, apparently for a living, which depict scenes in her life quite realistically. You can read loads into this about her and her family being played with as though they were in a dolls' house.. And I love how the film constantly confounds expectations. There's a YouTube review/explanation of the film, which I just had to watch afterwards! I did learn some interesting facts.. but don't you dare watch any spoilers before you've seen the film in full.
I also have to say - without giving away what the scene is - that there's a turning point to the story, early in the film where it becomes very intense; you have to hand it to the director at this point, he tells it in such an understated way. We were all so engrossed, in general, that I think nobody even noticed when someone's mobile went off, at a critical moment.. poor woman, she struggled to find it and turn it off, yelling "sorry!" to the cinema in general. Highly recommended - and an audience full of slightly bemused people left the cinema tonight, asking each others' opinions on what was a most curious experience.
Found a 24-hour Co-op on the way home, hallelujah! Tomorrow, I have to be up reasonably early, so better go to bed now.. I decided to sign up for a new walk by Walks, Talks and Treasure Hunts - they were off the radar for ages! However, the discount code for the Bleeding Hearts & Body Parts walk does't seem to be working - I've commented as much, we'll see what happens. If I can't get the discount, I'll pay on the day and avoid the booking fee. Now, two others have commented that they can't use the code either. Dunno what happened to this guide - she used to be on the ball with her group!
And on Monday, back with Up in the Cheap Seats, at the Gielgud Theatre for Imperium I - Conspirator. The first part of a double-bill, but viewable independently, it is told from the point of view of Cicero's secretary, as he watches how his master's work is used to bring about an end to the Roman Republic. I should probably have booked the second part at the same time - there's a discount for that - but well, my schedule is generally so packed..! The same group was going to the double-bill today - ah well, I've booked this now.
The California boss was in the office this week - not much interest in hanging out with us, mind. I kept Wednesday and Thursday free, just in case - the alternative for Wednesday was London Literary Walks, with Soho Scene. However, I just checked that day and lo, the organiser had to work late, and postponed it to yesterday.
As usual, it started late enough that I got to stay quite late in the office, which is always a good look. Of course, that meant I got into a chat with the London boss - so I left a little later than intended, but knew I was in good time to catch the organiser in the Montagu Pyke - he always stays for half an hour in the pub beforehand, where his walkers can find him. Annoyingly, my bus was terminating before where I needed to get to (so common) - handily, another of the same number was coming right behind, and going the whole way. And lo, when I entered the pub, there he was on the left, just in from the main door.. despite the massive crowds watching the England v Belgium match, I'd had a feeling he wouldn't be at all hard to find.
And there we sat, the two of us, till it was time to leave. The crowds were too massive for me to consider getting a drink, so we occupied ourselves with chatting and looking - in vain - for the newcomers to the group. They never showed - nor did a longtime member, who mind you has a habit of doing that. Nary a message from any of them - what prevented them from politely informing us that they wouldn't be there, as others had done in advance of the walk, I don't know, but it's very bad form to leave us waiting for people that never showed.
Anyway, after fully two groups of people had asked me to take their photo - he remarked that I must have that sort of face - off we went. All of two of us. What the hey, as I told him later, this was the third time that had happened to me! and each time it's been just fine. The Montagu Pyke itself was our first point of interest - why, it's been a nightspot since the 18th century!
After that, the famous-name dropping came thick and fast. London's first proper French restaurant, L' Escargot, was on the menu:
(More photos here.) We moseyed around Soho Square, and past so many places that retain only a hint of their film-making past:
We found Goths:
and more music legends that you can shake a stick at:
And we finished off with a nod to fashion:
So many more famous names, so many stories. All the things that happened here - and looking around, you could still see the same vibrancy that always powered it. I kept sighing - had to reassure my companion that it was nostalgia for when I lived within walking distance of here. Truly, nowhere compares with it. May it never lose that spark.
Afterwards, too late to drink, and again, too late to blog. After all, I was working from home so I could be in the old place in time for the removal guy. As it turns out, I actually wasn't - he bloody rang me as soon as I arrived (I'd just turned on my phone at that point, it needed charging - and discovered he'd rung me half an hour earlier as well). He was around the corner, and could he come now? Er, ok.. cue a frantic day of packing and moving. Fair play to him though, in this heat as well - and a way better price than I got last time! No wonder he's so busy, with that service.
Tonight, I booked with the London Jazz Meetup, for only the second time ever! A Polish one, this - Alicja Smietana is a violinist who combines classical and jazz, which to me sounded like the best thing happening tonight. It was in POSK Theatre, which is associated with the thriving local Polish community - I must have passed it when I was living out that way, I figured.
Well, I set out in plenty of time - would you believe, although I used to be within walking distance of that place, it's over seven miles from where I am now! The only option was to catch a bus to the District Line, and take that for most of the way. I have to say, the District Line was a real pleasure - roomier and airier than most other lines. I got off at Ravenscourt Park - and when I figured my way out of there, it was only a hop, skip and jump to POSK. And yes, I've passed it dozens of times! Never been in before, though.
Finding the bar where we were to meet was a no-brainer. It's just upstairs. Unfortunately, a private party was in progress, and two people in succession saw me looking lost, and thought I was with them but no-one had welcomed me. Bless. I should have stayed with them really, as there was no sign of the group organiser. I left a number of messages on the Meetup page, but she literally only now got back to me, saying how she had looked around but couldn't see me. Feck that, what was she looking for..? I was standing quite obviously on my own, I thought..
When it came time to go in, I presented my Eventbrite ticket on my phone (could just have bought a ticket on the night and saved the booking fee, it wasn't sold out). Only to be told - as were those with tickets they'd printed from the internet - that we had to go down to reception and get another ticket! See, the online tickets had no blasted seat numbers.. Reception told me to go to the box office, although they were sure I needed the jazz club in the basement. At least the organiser did that much for us - she had specifically mentioned that that wasn't the one. And the guy at the box office acted as though he'd never before seen an online ticket, and what was this strange beast..?! At least the guy in front of me had the same issue, so I got it explained for me, I just had to say I had the same as him. Except he'd had a printed ticket - the box office guy was terribly upset that I didn't have one for him to keep as a souvenir. Never mind, he gave me a ticket anyway. With a seat number.
..which, typically, was behind a tall guy. And as for being worried about missing the start - hah! Advertised to start at 8, it finally got underway at 20 past. She had a large bunch of musicians behind her, dressed in black, as typically for a classical orchestra - less typical was the black jumpsuit she was wearing, although I believe they're in fashion.
This is a very talented young lady, that much is obvious. She can play, she can compose, she can rearrange - seems her late father was a famous composer, and lately some of his friends asked her to rearrange a medley of his work in a classical fashion. Now, I've always said I like most kinds of music - however, I'm afraid there will always be some I prefer to others, and predictably, the classical medley was my favourite bit of the performance. My least favourite bit.. was all of the rest. Oh dear. I cringed whenever anyone went into a solo, which of course, being jazz, they were prone to doing - and most particularly when the pianist started to squawk. Seriously, I hated it, by and large - it didn't help that there was no aircon - I don't blame the lady in front of me, fanning herself.
I was so relieved when the interval came. I would've legged it, except that then they announced there was free wine! So I got that - half a plastic cup, thanks, although I suspect you could get refills - and then I legged it. What a relief! Only glitch in the plan was the delay at Earl's Court - which was quickly followed by a 15-minute delay in a tunnel just past Earl's Court. "Red signals." Gee, that's one thing I don't miss about living that side of town!
Tomorrow, I don't know whether I missed it before or just didn't consider it, but ultimately I booked the Dark Side of Docklands Street Theatre Pub Tour - courtesy of Walking in London. Usual 10% discount codes apply. In the evening, so I can get the keys to my old place handed back earlier - have to get them back by 1pm. Today, however, the walk was cancelled.. so I thought "film". Looking at what was on tomorrow, top of the list was an Indian space adventure film - Tik Tik Tik.
However, I wasn't quite sure of its focus after viewing the trailer - so I checked for another on YouTube, and what did I discover but the film itself, available online! So I don't have to bother with that, then. Next up was The Bromley Boys - as that's about soccer, it got eliminated fairly quickly.
Next up.. ooh, Hereditary! It's slipped a bit, but still highly rated - and I'm dying to see it. Billed as this generation's The Exorcist, in it Toni Collette plays a woman whose mother passes away, only to have her little daughter start to exhibit some very odd traits. Very spooky traits. They do say it's a masterpiece of psychological horror. So I've booked, it being cheaper to book in Vue. Back in Vue Islington, although it's also in Rich Mix, which is now slightly closer to me - but it isn't showing there tomorrow. I'm not bothering with the midnight showing, mind - I think it'll be quite spooky enough a bit earlier!
On Sunday, I decided to sign up for a new walk by Walks, Talks and Treasure Hunts - they were off the radar for ages! However, the discount code for the Bleeding Hearts & Body Parts walk does't seem to be working - I've commented as much, we'll see what happens. If I can't get the discount, I'll pay on the day and avoid the booking fee. Now, two others have commented that they can't use the code either. Dunno what happened to this guide - she used to be on the ball with her group!
And on Monday, back with Up in the Cheap Seats, at the Gielgud Theatre for Imperium I - Conspirator. The first part of a double-bill, but viewable independently, it is told from the point of view of Cicero's secretary, as he watches how his master's work is used to bring about an end to the Roman Republic. I should probably have booked the second part at the same time - there's a discount for that - but well, my schedule is generally so packed..! I see the same group is going to the double-bill tomorrow - ah well, I've booked this now.
Yesterday, back with Up in the Cheap Seats (UITCS), at Sadler's Wells. It was the Nederlands Dans Theater again - I remembered good things about them from before. Seeing as I was in the office - which is much easier than moving house - and this one, I could walk to: I made it! In fact, I was first there - we were meeting outside the theatre, on such a lovely, sunny, warm evening. It was a popular idea - the pavement was crammed. And when it was time, in we went - two of us were up in the cheap seats, appropriately, in the second circle, and my companion there was helpful enough to show me where the lifts were. Handy to know - there are a lot of stairs here. Not that I could find them again on my own when I wanted to come down..!
Four pieces to this performance - two intervals, and a "pause", for which you're advised not to leave your seat, as it isn't a long break, although the lights come up. Evidently, some of our audience missed that info, as several made for the exits at that point - only to be shooed back again by the ushers. For the intervals, we met again downstairs. Unusually, this wasn't completely sold out - with several free seats, I moved forward in the second circle after the first interval (nice and close), and down to the stalls after the second interval - unfortunately, that final piece included some visuals, projected on a screen that hung high on the stage, which was impossible to see properly from the rear stalls, with the overhang.
So. In short, I have nothing bad to say about this show. It is beautifully danced, beautifully scored, and for the bits whose story we didn't understand, we just enjoyed watching. The first piece is Shoot the Moon.. on a revolving stage, we see three different rooms, a couple or a single person in each. The movements are frequently robotic, suggesting puppets - perhaps awkwardness, or constraint. Each room contains a door and a window, through which the inhabitants watch each other. Meaning? The human condition, perhaps.. Who cares, it was gorgeous to watch, and gorgeous to listen to.
The second piece was even more incomprehensible - Woke Up Blind starts with dancers making weird shapes and rasping at each other like - lizards? Seeming to go into spasms at times, they - kind of evolve into regular dance. So, evolution of some kind is my guess here, to a thumping soundtrack. As entertaining as everything else, though.
Probably my favourite was The Statement - by Crystal Pite, whose work I'm sure I've seen and liked before. An unusual concept in dance, it has four corporate types, in suits, gathered around a table. And the soundtrack consists of - a conversation. Something bad has happened, and senior management has sent some middle management down to question the underlings, who are adamant that they were tasked with doing - whatever. The story is kept deliberately vague, but it seems to be related to armed conflict. However, what's striking about this is the interaction between the dancers and the script - they almost bring the words to life, their mannerisms evoking the text perfectly. A stunning piece of work.
The night ends with Stop-Motion, which brings what seemed to be footage of a Victorian woman to life. A striking element of the performance is the powder they spread on the stage early in the performance, which - when they dance through it - creates some memorable visual effects.
The show runs till Friday - highly recommended. It ran too late for me to blog last night, though, what with to-ing and fro-ing with stuff from the old flat.
As I say, the boss is now in the office this week - not much interest in hanging out with us, mind. I kept today and tomorrow free, just in case - the alternative for tonight was London Literary Walks, with Soho Scene. However, I just checked today and lo, he has to work late, and has postponed it to tomorrow. London European Club is off to Even the Stones, the graduate show for the National Centre for Circus Arts. I would've been interested - but it's sold out, damn! Not fancying anything else that Meetup is offering, I'm thinking of taking tonight to move more stuff. And with our boss that disconnected, I can go on that walk tomorrow.
Our team lead informs us that the visitors aren't staying past tomorrow, so I've booked with the London Jazz Meetup, for only the second time ever, for Friday! A Polish one, this - Alicja Smietana is a violinist who combines classical and jazz, which to me sounds like the best thing happening that night. It's in POSK Theatre, which seems to be associated with the thriving local Polish community - I must have passed it when I was living out that way.
On Saturday, I don't know whether I missed it before or just didn't consider it, but now I'm off on the Dark Side of Docklands Street Theatre Pub Tour - courtesy of Walking in London. Usual 10% discount codes apply. In the evening, so I can get the keys to my old place handed back earlier - I booked the major removal for Friday, and will work from home again for that - I've sorted internet access.
On Sunday, I was thinking film, but the film listings threw up an Indian space adventure film - Tik Tik Tik - whose nearest showing is in Wandsworth, ugh. So I rethought, and tried to sign up for a new walk by Walks, Talks and Treasure Hunts - they were off the radar for ages! However, the discount code for the Bleeding Hearts & Body Parts walk does't seem to be working - I've commented as much, we'll see what happens. If I can't get the discount, I'll pay on the day and avoid the booking fee.
And on Monday, back with UITCS, at the Gielgud Theatre for Imperium I - Conspirator. The first part of a double-bill, but viewable independently, it is told from the point of view of Cicero's secretary, as he watches how his master's work is used to bring about an end to the Roman Republic. I should probably have booked the second part at the same time - there's a discount for that - but well, my schedule is generally so packed..! I see the same group is going to the double-bill on Saturday - ah well, I've booked this now.
This evening, I indulged myself with a premium seat to see Andrew Scott perform the one-man show, Seawall, written especially for him. It's at the Old Vic, two weeks only.
Well, the day started with yet another delayed flight to Stansted last night - again, the pilot, as we were about to take off, was apologising and muttering about lack of ground staff there. See, that delays the flight out, which can hardly pick us up until it's arrived and disgorged the other set of passengers. Funny then, how they managed to spare two to block our entrance to the terminal (at 1:20am), asking to see our boarding passes! First time in my remembrance - anyway, the general attitude was of belligerence, and WTF? Cheek. In short, 2 can hardly stand up to about 200, and whatever was said to them - and whoever said it - it wasn't long before they stood sheepishly aside and let us stream in.
Maybe my complaint about the 45-minute wait for our baggage to arrive worked, because since then the belt, at least, has been announced by the time we get there. Last night, it did take another 10 minutes for my bag to pop out, but hey, that's acceptable - hardly any queue at the bus ticket machine either, in comparison with a biblical queue for taxis. (Have they never heard of cab apps?) And would you believe, not only was my bus pulling in as I joined the queue, but I even got on it, rather than have to wait for the next - now that's unprecedented. End of story, I got in at the unusually early time of 3:15am.
I was still tired today, though - not a good start. Then I had to traipse all the way out to Stepney Green to pick up the key - where they gave me a form to fill out, then left me dangling for so long that I had time to read a chapter of my book. Terrible waste of time. Then - on the hottest day of the year, it felt like - I decided it would be an excellent idea to drag some of my stuff from Flat A to Flat B, within walking distance. And missed my scheduled meeting, on account of that taking so much longer than expected. And before I knew it, it was after six - and the show starts at the unusually early time of seven!
Plus, I'm that bit farther away now. I did my damnedest - looked up the quickest route, made it a bit quicker by taking a bus to the Tube. But I missed a bus, and had to wait for the next - then missed a Tube, and had to wait four minutes for the next. And then scuttle down the road, on the brink of seven, consoling myself that things in London never start until about five minutes after time. Parched, and exhausted.
The security guard didn't see the need for a check, my bag was so small. I approached the stalls - and that's as far as I got. For goodness' sake, it was literally two minutes past! Nope, she said it had already started - and then stared at me. Someone should really teach these people better customer service. So, I said, I can't go in? No. Someone else came to corroborate. So, I said, there isn't a screen anywhere? No. So I left. Let this be a warning - arrive on time, for this show if for no other. Instead, I took a bus back to my old place to pick up more stuff - and watched a young, foreign-sounding lady take a nasty tumble as she was coming down the stairs, thinking the bus had stopped at the stop. The driver - who was prone to sharp braking anyway - decided to lurch forward a bit, and she went flying. To be fair, she wasn't paying due attention - let that be a warning, too! Dangerous business, sitting upstairs on buses.
Tomorrow, back with Up in the Cheap Seats, at Sadler's Wells. It's the Nederlands Dans Theater again - I remember good things about them from before. Seeing as I'll be in the office - which is much easier than moving house - and this one, I can walk to: I might make it!
As I say, the boss is now in the office this week - well, he'll just have to manage without me, these two nights. I'm keeping Wednesday and Thursday free, just in case - our team lead informs us that they're not staying past Thursday though, so I've booked with the London Jazz Meetup, for only the second time ever, for Friday! A Polish one, this - Alicja Smietana is a violinist who combines classical and jazz, which to me sounds like the best thing happening that night. It's in POSK Theatre, which seems to be associated with the thriving local Polish community - I must have passed it when I was living out that way.
On Saturday, I don't know whether I missed it before or just didn't consider it, but now I'm off on the Dark Side of Docklands Street Theatre Pub Tour - courtesy of Walking in London. Usual 10% discount codes apply. In the evening, so I can get the keys to my old place handed back earlier - I booked the major removal for Friday, and will work from home again for that - I've sorted internet access. On Sunday, I'm thinking film, but the listings aren't out yet.
And next Monday, back with Up in the Cheap Seats, at the Gielgud Theatre for Imperium I - Conspirator. The first part of a double-bill, but viewable independently, it is told from the point of view of Cicero's secretary, as he watches how his master's work is used to bring about an end to the Roman Republic. I should probably have booked the second part at the same time - there's a discount for that - but well, my schedule is generally so packed..! I see the same group is going to the double-bill on Saturday - ah well, I've booked this now.
So, my boss was scheduled to come over this week - but, given that the VP is coming next week, he decided to accompany him then. Cue much frantic booking on my part for this week! Happily, I came up with some good stuff. On Wednesday, London Literary Walks was off on Pop the Weasel, and I was delighted to be able to accompany them. Local again, I see. Yet another attendee once Mary signed up, yay!
It was all of a five-minute walk to The Eagle - so I worked nice and late again. When I got there, a pub quiz was in progress - I eased my way around it to find my companions at a table at the back, quiz papers in hand, although it turned out they'd arrived late, and weren't officially participating. And yes, there were only the three of us - again! So we sat and attempted to answer what we could - not easy, the questions were quite devious. We did get a few. Meantime, we were being stared at by the most adorable dog:
More photos here. Well, when the quiz ended, and we tore ourselves away from doggie, we started our walk, as generally happens, talking about the pub itself. For instance, there's a sign on the side, with apparently the original words to Pop Goes the Weasel! (Hence the name of the walk:)
As usual, we couldn't get away from football:
Anyway, off we went, around my neighbourhood - and what would I do, without this guide to show me what's on my very doorstep! For instance, I didn't know that Bruce Springsteen recorded in St. Luke's, which I pass most days.. we heard plenty about the outside, although I've been inside for a few concerts, and can tell you it's just a shell really, not worth it for sightseeing. Good music venue, though!
We saw a plaque to someone remembered by someone other than English heritage.. and passed Wesley's Chapel, hearing about Methodists. But possibly the most appropriate thing we saw that night - for tech central - was the only statue I've ever heard of that depicts a smartphone:
Maybe he was looking for the Coronation ley Line.. We finished earlier than last time.. so we managed to fit one in at the ever-excellent Astronomer. And, being near Liverpool Street, I got to the 24-hour Tesco again! (when I could find it). In the end, I had spectacular luck with my bus timings - my bus came to the stop just as I did. But it still ran too late to blog.
Yesterday had a surfeit of meetings - no blogging during the day, either. In the evening, I was back to Sands Films for Fête de la Musique - Belcirque was performing, and they did sound quirky. London European Club, TunedIn London.
I left the office a bit later than intended.. as usual. I see they've corrected the stop details for the #43! On the way to the stop, I had an abortive dash to the Co-Op (dodging a pavement skateboard display, of all things) - and they didn't have what I wanted, after all. So was I ever vexed to see a #43 leave just as I finally approached! Happily, there was another right along. We then spent almost an hour stuck in traffic.. and when I got to London Bridge, somehow, in this complicated station, I got onto the bridge overhead Tooley Street, where I needed to be to catch my next bus! Happily, just as I found my way down, that one came as well - truly, I've been lucky with buses this week. Even got a seat, despite the large crowd that got on with me.
This turned out to be one I could have done with when my leg was bad - I was dropped just down from Rotherhithe Station. The house turned out to be open early, and I made a beeline for what is now my favourite seat - unfortunately, the comfy armchair tended to encourage the cough that's been bothering me for the past week. Happily, I still had sweets left over, which I ate more of over the course of the evening. Some group members were sat on the other side of the room - but I didn't really get a chance to chat with them beforehand, and wasn't in the mood to mingle at the interval.
Belcirque weren't long in coming on:
More photos - but mostly videos - here. The lead singer (sorry, I can't remember any names!) did most of the talking, thanking us for speaking English - their stuff is written in English and French. That ain't half the story with this quirkiest of groups. Frequently they're surreally silly - but they're also melodic, they're great singers, and their songs are memorable. And catchy - someone near me was whistling the final tune as we reluctantly, finally left. Me, I think Rita is my favourite from what was a great night - trust Eleanor to source the best material! Sadly, I'm not sure I'll be able to make any more of the series - never mind, one day.
Handily, the Nisa beside the bus stop was still open when I was leaving! Checking my bus app, I saw that my bus wasn't due for a few minutes - and so it was that I shopped, and did not starve that night, which is always good. Still too late to blog, of course, and too busy today - this is getting to be a habit!
Now in Ireland again for the weekend. On Monday, I'm indulging myself with a premium seat to see Andrew Scott perform the one-man show, Seawall, written especially for him. It's at the Old Vic, two weeks only. Now, that wouldn't be a good time to get a cough - luckily, I got a ton of phlegm up last night, and I think I might just be beating this at last.
On Tuesday, back with Up in the Cheap Seats, at Sadler's Wells. It's the Nederlands Dans Theater again - I remember good things about them from before.
As I say, the boss is now in the office this upcoming week - well, he'll just have to manage without me, those two nights. I'm keeping Wednesday and Thursday free, just in case - our team lead informs us that they're not staying past Thursday though, so I've booked with the London Jazz Meetup, for only the second time ever, for Friday! A Polish one, this - Alicja Smietana is a violinist who combines classical and jazz, which to me sounds like the best thing happening that night.
Nothing as promising for next weekend, but on the 2nd, back with Up in the Cheap Seats, at the Gielgud Theatre for Imperium I - Conspirator. The first part of a double-bill, but viewable independently, it is told from the point of view of Cicero's secretary, as he watches how his master's work is used to bring about an end to the Roman Republic. I should probably have booked the second part at the same time - there's a discount for that - but well, my schedule is generally so packed..! I see the same group is going to the double-bill on the 30th June - ah well, I've booked this now.
Our boss is coming to London - was supposed to be this week. But then he pinged us, week before last, to say it'll actually be next week he's here. Cue me booking things frantically for the week that was now free - happily, I did well. Tonight, something very interesting - Up in the Cheap Seats was off to Whist, at Sadler's Wells. Now, this turned out to be an immersive, VR experience! Definitely different.
I stayed later than intended at the office - got something finished, which is always satisfying. Then headed out to walk to Sadler's Wells, setting a comfortable but brisk pace that I noted I probably couldn't have managed, the last time I tried, what with my chest infection. Arrived a bit after when the organiser had said he'd be there - but in plenty of time for the show; they have several per night, but most had sold out for tonight. We were booked in for 8pm, which he noted hadn't sold out - perhaps because of the football. Anyway, what do you know - as I was heading to the entrance, I ran into Henning from the London European Club (LEC)! I don't see it on their page, but he seemed to have a group of LEC members at the self-same thing. Well now, it's a small world. As for Up in the Cheap Seats, there were only the two of us.. so we kind of merged.
Inside, there's a place to leave your coats and bags - believe me, you don't want the hassle of carrying them. Downstairs, on the stage area, the floor is bare apart from some very odd-looking props - we were encouraged to have a nosey at them before gathering for a briefing. Where we were given basic instructions on how to use the headsets, on how to work our way around the props, on what to do if something went wrong. We were also encouraged to remove our glasses - I remarked afterwards that the place looked like an optician's, with the row of spectacles left there! And then they applied the headset - a Samsung Gear again, like my other VR experience, I see - plonked on a set of headphones, and we were off.
Ooh, I love VR. After a set of instructions, a shape appears on screen, which represents one of the props in the room, which you go find; although you can see the humans, past the representation of the shape, we were advised to lift the headset while walking between props - it's more comfortable. When the shape on screen matches with one of the props, the film starts.
Seriously weird stuff. Three actors - at first - enact a most unusual set of scenarios, in a large, run-down old house. The characters persist from film to film - and you're encouraged to make sure to look around you, as action could be happening anywhere. Including behind you. They say there are 76 possible permutations - which seem to be based on how you interact with the film, i.e. where you look! Freaky.. as is the content of the film, which is surreal, dark, and most definitely adult in parts. Not to mention that, in this VR, you appear to be floating, and if you look down you will not see your feet. This is fine in outer space - not so much when you're floating above the centrepiece of a dinner table! For some, you will definitely need to sit down - this is quite permitted.
I absolutely adored it. I was one of the first out - does that mean I looked around more in the film? At the end, you get a number, which you note on a card and check afterwards on the web address they give you - I didn't really agree with my analysis, but what the hey, this is based on Freudian analysis, and I'm Irish - and he did say that we're the one nation that can't be psychoanalysed! So now. After a convivial chat afterwards, during which we mostly concluded that we were baffled, we wended our ways home. Great to see Alisdair from Up in the Cheap Seats again, after so long - and a lovely surprise to see the others! A great night out. I'll definitely be recommending this in the office - runs till Saturday, before they head off around the world, returning to Waterman's in November. Only the 6pm showing left with tickets tomorrow - otherwise, good availability on Saturday.
Tomorrow, London Literary Walks is off on Pop the Weasel, and I'm delighted to be able to accompany them. Local again, I see. Yet another attendee now that Mary's signed up, yay!
On Thursday, back to Sands Films for Fete de la Musique - Belcirque is performing, and they do sound quirky. LEC, TunedIn London. Then it's Ireland again at the weekend.
On Monday, I'm indulging myself with a premium seat to see Andrew Scott perform the one-man show, Seawall, written especially for him. It's at the Old Vic, two weeks only.
Next Tuesday, back with Up in the Cheap Seats, at Sadler's Wells. It's the Nederlands Dans Theater again - I remember good things about them from before. As I say, the boss is now in the office that week - well, he'll just have to manage without me, those two nights. I'm keeping the rest of the week, and the weekend, free, just in case. Hey, I do have to move that week as well, so could probably do with the time! Signed the contract today, hallelujah! Can't wait.
And on the 2nd, back with Up in the Cheap Seats, at the Gielgud Theatre for Imperium I - Conspirator. The first part of a double-bill, but viewable independently, it is told from the point of view of Cicero's secretary, as he watches how his master's work is used to bring about an end to the Roman Republic. I should probably have booked the second part at the same time - there's a discount for that - but well, my schedule is generally so packed..!
Tonight, I headed to storytelling by Crick Crack again, finally.. I hadn't been able to make any of their more recent ones. It was in Soho Theatre, and it was Sally Pomme Clayton, with Crow. Blood. Snow. Oh my God, it'd been ages. Naturally, you'd never know from their Meetup group that it was happening at all - have they given up on Meetup? Our boss was supposed to be in London this week, so I decided to leave the rest of the week free, for now. But this was something I wasn't going to miss, which was booked months ago.
I pushed my timing a little, knowing I could get there quickly - I had plenty to do in the office. Still, I was a little worried about having time to buy something to suck on beforehand - but a niggling cough had begun over the afternoon, and I didn't want to be caught short. Happily, my bus came earlier than Google Maps predicted, and I was dropped in town in good time, entertained by an Australian woman near me who was having an inane-sounding argument with her phone company (O2) about the fact that she'd just taken out a second account, when all she wanted was an upgrade to her existing one.. Between her not realising she'd done that, and them unable to discuss her account details either instore or on the phone, I don't know who sounded more ridiculous..
Google Maps had got the location of the stop wrong - I was right at the top of Dean Street, and it took me no time at all to get to the theatre. I was 10 minutes early, leaving me with plenty of time to gasp my way upstairs - allowed, I think, since it's on the third floor (fourth floor - American). Ben Haggarty, who co-founded the club with Sally Pomme Clayton, was sat outside as I showed my ticket and went in. Unfortunately, I was too late to get to the front - the house did fill up, as usual, within the next few minutes.
A stuffed crow sat on a chair that had a few bits and pieces on it, ready to make music. Black, red, white was to underlie the evening's story - I've heard so much about Crow that I worried that I'd already seen this. But no, it was her own invention, although I must have heard most of it before, at one time or another.
Crow brings creation, destruction, and redemption, and her story wove its way in and around itself, diving in different directions but always returning to the start - if you could remember where that was. Irish and British mythology featured heavily - it was the son of an Irish king that went to look for a girl who was black and red and white. And his uncle, Bran, ended up in the foundations of the Tower of London! (Well, his head did.) Bran is Welsh for Crow, which is supposed to be the origin of the Tower's ravens, who will not leave their master..
It was an excellent performance, delivered by the woman in black, with a black feather headdress and thick, black eye makeup. And it was so good to see them in action again! Of course, I'd been right to bring sweets - the blasted cough raised its ugly head about 2/3 through! I'm so sick of being sick.. Afterwards, Ben informed us that, sadly, that was it for London for the summer - they're off around the country to do festivals (details on the website). Mind you, the woman beside me couldn't get out fast enough - she'd been brought by her companion, and I don't think she enjoyed it. Well, it's not for everyone.
And off I schlepped into the night - went down to Shaftesbury Avenue to catch a bus, only to discover - from the notice on the bus stop - that the road was closed this evening to buses! So I needs must walk up to New Oxford Street to catch my bus. Turned out they were cleaning the road at Cambridge Circus.. I passed our old office on the way:
Seems they're no longer demolishing it, but have found another use for it..
On New Oxford Street, I was told to go to Stop Y - which was closed! Muttering to myself, I carried on - only to have one of my buses pull in just as I passed the next stop, which it wasn't supposed to stop at at all. Weird. Just plain weird. Anyway, going that way meant I got to the Co-Op before it closed.
Our boss pinged us, week before last, to say it'll actually be next week he's here. Cue me booking things frantically for the week that was now free - happily, I did well. Tomorrow, something very interesting - Up in the Cheap Seats is off to Whist, at Sadler's Wells. Now, turns out that this is an immersive, VR experience! Definitely different.
On Wednesday, London Literary Walks is off on Pop the Weasel, and I'm delighted to be able to accompany them. Local again, I see. Yet another attendee now that Mary's signed up, yay!
On Thursday, back to Sands Films for Fete de la Musique - Belcirque is performing, and they do sound quirky. London European Club, TunedIn London. Then it's Ireland again at the weekend.
Next Monday, I'm indulging myself with a premium seat to see Andrew Scott perform the one-man show, Seawall, written especially for him. It's at the Old Vic, two weeks only.
On the 26th, back with Up in the Cheap Seats, at Sadler's Wells. It's the Nederlands Dans Theater again - I remember good things about them from before. As I say, the boss is now in the office that week - well, he'll just have to manage without me, those two nights. I'm keeping the rest of the week, and the weekend, free, just in case. Hey, I do have to move that week as well, so could probably do with the time! Just waiting on the contract now, which I have to sign before I can pick up the keys.
And on the 2nd, back with Up in the Cheap Seats, at the Gielgud Theatre for Imperium I - Conspirator. The first part of a double-bill, but viewable independently, it is told from the point of view of Cicero's secretary, as he watches how his master's work is used to bring about an end to the Roman Republic. I should probably have booked the second part at the same time - there's a discount for that - but well, my schedule is generally so packed..!
