Tonight, I was finally back with North London Friends, for Give My Regards to Broadway, Upstairs at the Gatehouse. Completely sold out for a while now. Of course, I had my usual evening meeting.. fortunately, it finished early, but I was still too late for the bus - if I wanted to arrive in time to socialise - and ended up on a stifling Tube. Well now, that goes straight to Highgate (assuming you take the right branch).. but it turns out to be so much more hassle than taking the bus. If you're going to the Gatehouse. All those steps to get out of the station.. and such a hill to climb! Highgate, if I hadn't mentioned, is notorious for its hills. I was glad of two things: firstly, that it wasn't icy (or hot!), and secondly, that I don't still have the breathing problems I had earlier in the year. May they never come back.
The pub is easy to spot, visible to the right as you come onto the High Street. And the group - such as had arrived by then - were at the same table as last time I was here with them, so I spotted them easily too, and joined them when I'd got a drink. Which was when the barman finished explaining to the people he served before me that they had Spanish beer in for the World Cup (seems they're Spanish-themed), and then people took a shine to it, so they still had some, if they wanted. When I got to the table, the organiser explained that they already had their tickets, in case I wanted to get mine - so I did, and we chatted until it was time to go up.
Open seating, and we managed to get quite good seats - as I say, it sold out, so those who arrived late found it hard to sit with their companions. It's not a huge venue, and during the performance I was amused to see how close the performers came to the front row! And my, it was a great show - as we discussed at the interval, what terrific quality you can find in the rooms above London pubs! Sharp, stylish outfits.. great singing.. dancing.. tap. Manhattan in London Town.
In the entire show, I think I only spotted two songs I wasn't familiar with. The first part had the ladies in 20s-style sparkles - after the interval (and some of the house's excellent ice cream), they'd changed to long evening dresses, with the gents in tuxedos. I defy anyone not to sing along to the opening number of the second part - There's No Business Like Show Business. Immediately followed by Lullaby of Broadway. Ah yeah.. we all need a little injection of showbiz every now and again. And as ever when I watch this kind of thing, I'm reminded of the Man with the Hat.. and as ever, I wonder how he's doing. Never did see him in a top hat, but I can just imagine it.. there's a Broadway baby if ever I met one. (Well, West End.)
Managed the bus home all right - it's the terminus of that route, and so when one arrives it takes a break. He let us on early, bringing to mind that time when I was waiting at that same stop, in inches of snow, for the driver to open the door.. anyway, at that time of night we shot back.
Tomorrow - London Literary Walks is taking a break! That was the day I was originally looking at films for - but what was coming top was Teefa in Trouble. A Bollywood film - fine: except when I watched the trailer, the jokes weren't quite as funny to me as I think they were to the makers, and there was a bit too much exaggerated action - think slo-mo, and people balancing motorbikes on their fingertips. And 2.5 hours of all that was, I thought, a bit much - so no thanks. Which left Sanju again. Not so much.. so I then thought about heading, with Up in the Cheap Seats (UITCS), to Julie, again at the National. Huh! Only tickets left were £50, when I checked! I then checked again.. they had two tickets for £26! Then they were gone, but they had £44 tickets.. think they might be sold out now. Anyway, I've booked for a Heroism & Villainy Walking Tour (with Real Magic!), via Walking in London.
On Thursday, I was also booked with them - for The Summer Ghost Walk. I've been with this guide before - found him very good. And then.. Ryanair announced another bloody strike!! Yes, for the next day. Yes, when I was to go to Ireland for the weekend. So now I'm flying on Thursday, instead - happily, it was Funzing, so I'll get a refund. And they've even refunded me the credits that I used to book it! And I retain the record of bookings that'll earn me more credits. And at least I found out earlier this time, so booked an alternative flight earlier, so it was a bit cheaper.
On Monday, Anthony's Cultural Events and Walking Activities Group is off to Westferry Circus again, for The Importance of Being Earnest. I RSVPed for that.. but then London Dramatic Arts announced that they were off to see One for Sorrow, at the Royal Court. They cleverly left the announcement until the theatre had sold out for that day - I guess there's an offer. So they were the only place I could get a ticket, and I did - probably at a slightly higher price than the theatre charged. Anyway, better than sitting on the grass, in the heat.
Next Tuesday, UITCS is off to When Midnight Strikes, Upstairs at the Gatehouse. I guess I'll be on the Tube again.
On the 8th, London Literary Walks is back with Brook Green - another area near where I used to live! Actually, the first medical practice that I registered with, in London. Nice nurse - one very narky doctor.
On the 9th, UITCS is back to the Camden Fringe, with How to Be a Londoner in an Hour, at the Hen & Chickens Theatre. Then I'm down to Helen's for the weekend, for a party..
And on the 13th, back with Anthony's Cultural Events and Walking Activities Group, back to Westferry Circus.. this time it's for A Woman of No Importance.
Tuesday 31 July 2018
Monday 30 July 2018
Prom 21: An Alpine Symphony
Today, I booked for the Proms, at the Albert Hall, for the first time in ages. This one is An Alpine Symphony. Unfortunately, my tummy decided to play up - I'm spending the night in. Wasn't going with anyone anyway. And I can listen on Radio 3.. except it bloody keeps crashing! (Much better on my phone.) What the hey. Just finished Mozart's Notturno, currently on Haas' Concerto Grosso, with alphorns (which is a bit weird), and Richard Strauss' An Alpine Symphony. Nice to have commentary.
Tomorrow, I'm finally back with North London Friends, for Give My Regards to Broadway, Upstairs at the Gatehouse. Completely sold out now, I believe.
On Wednesday - London Literary Walks is taking a break! That was the day I was originally looking at films for - but what was coming top was Teefa in Trouble. A Bollywood film - fine: except when I watched the trailer, the jokes weren't quite as funny to me as I think they were to the makers, and there was a bit too much exaggerated action - think slo-mo, and people balancing motorbikes on their fingertips. And 2.5 hours of all that was, I thought, a bit much - so no thanks. Which left Sanju again. Not so much.. so I then thought about heading, with Up in the Cheap Seats (UITCS), to Julie, again at the National. Huh! Only tickets left were £50, when I checked! I then checked again.. they had two tickets for £26! Then they were gone, but they had £44 tickets.. think they might be sold out now. Anyway, I've booked for a Heroism & Villainy Walking Tour (with Real Magic!), via Walking in London.
On Thursday, I was also booked with them - for The Summer Ghost Walk. I've been with this guide before - found him very good. And then.. Ryanair announced another bloody strike!! Yes, for the next day. Yes, when I was to go to Ireland for the weekend. So now I'm flying on Thursday, instead - happily, it was Funzing, so I'll get a refund. And they've even refunded me the credits that I used to book it! And I retain the record of bookings that'll earn me more credits. And at least I found out earlier this time, so booked an alternative flight earlier, so it was a bit cheaper.
Next Monday, Anthony's Cultural Events and Walking Activities Group is off to Westferry Circus again, for The Importance of Being Earnest. I RSVPed for that.. but then London Dramatic Arts announced that they were off to see One for Sorrow, at the Royal Court. They cleverly left the announcement until the theatre had sold out for that day - I guess there's an offer. So they were the only place I could get a ticket, and I did - probably at a slightly higher price than the theatre charged. Anyway, better than sitting on the grass, in the heat.
On the 7th, UITCS is off to When Midnight Strikes, Upstairs at the Gatehouse.
On the 8th, London Literary Walks is back with Brook Green - another area near where I used to live! Actually, the first medical practice that I registered with, in London. Nice nurse - one very narky doctor.
On the 9th, UITCS is back to the Camden Fringe, with How to Be a Londoner in an Hour, at the Hen & Chickens Theatre. Then I'm down to Helen's for the weekend, for a party..
And on the 13th, back with Anthony's Cultural Events and Walking Activities Group, back to Westferry Circus.. this time it's for A Woman of No Importance.
Tomorrow, I'm finally back with North London Friends, for Give My Regards to Broadway, Upstairs at the Gatehouse. Completely sold out now, I believe.
On Wednesday - London Literary Walks is taking a break! That was the day I was originally looking at films for - but what was coming top was Teefa in Trouble. A Bollywood film - fine: except when I watched the trailer, the jokes weren't quite as funny to me as I think they were to the makers, and there was a bit too much exaggerated action - think slo-mo, and people balancing motorbikes on their fingertips. And 2.5 hours of all that was, I thought, a bit much - so no thanks. Which left Sanju again. Not so much.. so I then thought about heading, with Up in the Cheap Seats (UITCS), to Julie, again at the National. Huh! Only tickets left were £50, when I checked! I then checked again.. they had two tickets for £26! Then they were gone, but they had £44 tickets.. think they might be sold out now. Anyway, I've booked for a Heroism & Villainy Walking Tour (with Real Magic!), via Walking in London.
On Thursday, I was also booked with them - for The Summer Ghost Walk. I've been with this guide before - found him very good. And then.. Ryanair announced another bloody strike!! Yes, for the next day. Yes, when I was to go to Ireland for the weekend. So now I'm flying on Thursday, instead - happily, it was Funzing, so I'll get a refund. And they've even refunded me the credits that I used to book it! And I retain the record of bookings that'll earn me more credits. And at least I found out earlier this time, so booked an alternative flight earlier, so it was a bit cheaper.
Next Monday, Anthony's Cultural Events and Walking Activities Group is off to Westferry Circus again, for The Importance of Being Earnest. I RSVPed for that.. but then London Dramatic Arts announced that they were off to see One for Sorrow, at the Royal Court. They cleverly left the announcement until the theatre had sold out for that day - I guess there's an offer. So they were the only place I could get a ticket, and I did - probably at a slightly higher price than the theatre charged. Anyway, better than sitting on the grass, in the heat.
On the 7th, UITCS is off to When Midnight Strikes, Upstairs at the Gatehouse.
On the 8th, London Literary Walks is back with Brook Green - another area near where I used to live! Actually, the first medical practice that I registered with, in London. Nice nurse - one very narky doctor.
On the 9th, UITCS is back to the Camden Fringe, with How to Be a Londoner in an Hour, at the Hen & Chickens Theatre. Then I'm down to Helen's for the weekend, for a party..
And on the 13th, back with Anthony's Cultural Events and Walking Activities Group, back to Westferry Circus.. this time it's for A Woman of No Importance.
Sunday 29 July 2018
Film: Kaiser! The Greatest Footballer Never to Play Football
Today, I booked with Walking in London, and Katie of Look Up London! Delighted she has a new walk - Smithfield & Clerkenwell: Guts & Glory. It's actually cheaper on her own site than on Funzing - unless you're getting one of those common 10% discounts! However, just on Friday she messaged to say she had to cancel, unfortunately, due to family commitments. (Well, I had to cancel for myself, actually.) So that film list came in handy! Top for today was Kaiser: The Greatest Footballer Never to Play Football. Based on the true story of a Brazilian footballer who, through faking injury and frequently changing clubs, managed to live the footballer lifestyle without ever playing a match..! I wouldn't normally go for a football film, but the trailer looked really good.. it was on in my local Vue. Woucher actually has a voucher for Vue - five tickets for £20 - but they have a time limit, and I can't guarantee using them by then, so I won't bother.
Last night, when I checked, nobody had booked any seats for this, so I figured I was safe enough to leave it - even if there isn't a booking fee, I do like to leave my plans open when I can. I did a last-minute check today: no, nothing better had come up: yes, it still had the same high IMDB rating: so I finally checked the cinema website. Ehh - tried to, that is. It put me in a queue! I tried again - same thing. I Googled it - seems that, with the drizzly day we had today, the whole nation suddenly decided to go to the cinema, causing backlogs on both the Odeon and Vue websites! Half an hour later, when it finally let me in - sure enough, my showing was sold out. It's not a widely known film, but given its limited release, and that it was only showing today, I guess football fans in the know would be there..
I checked where else it was showing, and happily the next nearest - Picturehouse Central - had eight seats left. Out of a total capacity of 65 - you can check these things. So I booked! Same time as the showing at the Vue, but now it was going to take me longer to get there - still, I had time to shop, cook, and eat, before heading out. Of my bus options, one had me taking the bus from the stop right down the road, for the first time! It took no time to come, either. Changing in Angel, my second bus passed as I made my way to the stop - but again, another was along shortly; they were prompt, today.
Funnily enough, it wasn't until the driver announced he was terminating early that I remembered about the bike ride today. Handily enough, he was terminating at my stop anyway - poor fellow had to repeat himself several times, with the message that passengers for Victoria would be better off taking the Tube, as the bus was going to take an hour and 20 minutes, what with road closures. Me, I got off and walked a very short distance to the cinema, where I curiously checked whether I could still buy a ticket for the show. Sure enough, sold out. I took a seat in the downstairs bar to read some of the book I'm currently eagerly devouring, on Kindle on my phone. So handy.
When it got to half an hour beforehand, I went upstairs to the entrance to the screens - I wanted to be there promptly, this showing having unreserved seating. Unfortunately, it wasn't open yet - I took a seat in the bar at that level, where I illegally finished a packet of M&Ms I'd brought in myself. When I'd finished them, and read some more of my book, I moseyed over again - 10 minutes before showtime now. Still not open! I decided to hang around the entrance at this stage, in the company of pretty much everyone else who'd bought a ticket for the screening.. we never found out what the problem was, but it was well past start time when we were let in.
I needed to go to the loo, but decided that it'd be wiser to wait until afterwards, now. Got a decent seat - and gee, wouldn't you know it, although it was quite full, there were still empty seats. The lights were already down by the time they let us in, and the ads playing - I guess they forgot to delay the projector start.
The film starts off jokily, much like the trailer - lots of shots of gorgeous beaches, sunbathers, and actors playing the footballers' younger selves, complete with 80s fashions. Yes, think mullets, sunglasses, and Speedos - and all to a Samba soundtrack. Scenes of carnival, shots of people who knew the film's subject back in the day, falling over themselves laughing as they describe his audacity. We're told how he started in Ajaccio, then used that as an entry to Rio football clubs, where he started to feign injury, family tragedy and well, anything he could think of to avoid actually playing. People had no internet back then to check the facts.. still, they got suspicious, and he mightn't have got away with it for as long as he did if not for his spectacular ability to get girls to keep the teams entertained. So, blind eyes were turned.
Speaking of ruses, it's funny how his impersonation of Renato Gaúcho, whom he resembled and dressed like, got him into so many clubs, and so many women's beds. Nonetheless, Renato was, and apparently remains, a good friend. Interestingly, towards the end, the cracks start to appear in Kaiser's story - and you're left wondering whether you can believe a single word he says. As the film makers explain, it was their job to sort out the facts among all the lies.. but concede that still, nobody holds it against him. Truly a great conman.
Tomorrow, I'm taking myself to the Proms, at the Albert Hall, for the first time in ages. This one is An Alpine Symphony.
On Tuesday, I'm finally back with North London Friends, for Give My Regards to Broadway, Upstairs at the Gatehouse. Completely sold out now, I believe.
On Wednesday - London Literary Walks is taking a break! That was the day I was originally looking at films for - but what was coming top was Teefa in Trouble. A Bollywood film - fine: except when I watched the trailer, the jokes weren't quite as funny to me as I think they were to the makers, and there was a bit too much exaggerated action - think slo-mo, and people balancing motorbikes on their fingertips. And 2.5 hours of all that was, I thought, a bit much - so no thanks. Which left Sanju again. Not so much.. so I then thought about heading, with Up in the Cheap Seats (UITCS), to Julie, again at the National. Huh! Only tickets left were £50, when I checked! I then checked again.. they had two tickets for £26! Then they were gone, but they had £44 tickets.. think thy might be sold out now. Anyway, I've booked for a Heroism & Villainy Walking Tour (with Real Magic!), via Walking in London.
On Thursday, I was also booked with them - for The Summer Ghost Walk. I've been with this guide before - found him very good. And then.. Ryanair announced another bloody strike!! Yes, for the next day. Yes, when I was to go to Ireland for the weekend. So now I'm flying on Thursday, instead - happily, it was Funzing, so I'll get a refund. And they've even refunded me the credits that I used to book it! And I retain the record of bookings that'll earn me more credits. And at least I found out earlier this time, so booked an alternative flight earlier, so it was a bit cheaper.
On the 6th, Anthony's Cultural Events and Walking Activities Group is off to Westferry Circus again, for The Importance of Being Earnest. I RSVPed for that.. but then London Dramatic Arts announced that they were off to see One for Sorrow, at the Royal Court. They cleverly left the announcement until the theatre had sold out for that day - I guess there's an offer. So they were the only place I could get a ticket, and I did - probably at a slightly higher price than the theatre charged. Anyway, better than sitting on the grass, in the heat.
On the 7th, UITCS is off to When Midnight Strikes, Upstairs at the Gatehouse.
On the 8th, London Literary Walks is back with Brook Green - another area near where I used to live! Actually, the first medical practice that I registered with, in London. Nice nurse - one very narky doctor.
On the 9th, UITCS is back to the Camden Fringe, with How to Be a Londoner in an Hour, at the Hen & Chickens Theatre. Then I'm down to Helen's for the weekend, for a party..
And on the 13th, back with Anthony's Cultural Events and Walking Activities Group, back to Westferry Circus.. this time it's for A Woman of No Importance.
Last night, when I checked, nobody had booked any seats for this, so I figured I was safe enough to leave it - even if there isn't a booking fee, I do like to leave my plans open when I can. I did a last-minute check today: no, nothing better had come up: yes, it still had the same high IMDB rating: so I finally checked the cinema website. Ehh - tried to, that is. It put me in a queue! I tried again - same thing. I Googled it - seems that, with the drizzly day we had today, the whole nation suddenly decided to go to the cinema, causing backlogs on both the Odeon and Vue websites! Half an hour later, when it finally let me in - sure enough, my showing was sold out. It's not a widely known film, but given its limited release, and that it was only showing today, I guess football fans in the know would be there..
I checked where else it was showing, and happily the next nearest - Picturehouse Central - had eight seats left. Out of a total capacity of 65 - you can check these things. So I booked! Same time as the showing at the Vue, but now it was going to take me longer to get there - still, I had time to shop, cook, and eat, before heading out. Of my bus options, one had me taking the bus from the stop right down the road, for the first time! It took no time to come, either. Changing in Angel, my second bus passed as I made my way to the stop - but again, another was along shortly; they were prompt, today.
Funnily enough, it wasn't until the driver announced he was terminating early that I remembered about the bike ride today. Handily enough, he was terminating at my stop anyway - poor fellow had to repeat himself several times, with the message that passengers for Victoria would be better off taking the Tube, as the bus was going to take an hour and 20 minutes, what with road closures. Me, I got off and walked a very short distance to the cinema, where I curiously checked whether I could still buy a ticket for the show. Sure enough, sold out. I took a seat in the downstairs bar to read some of the book I'm currently eagerly devouring, on Kindle on my phone. So handy.
When it got to half an hour beforehand, I went upstairs to the entrance to the screens - I wanted to be there promptly, this showing having unreserved seating. Unfortunately, it wasn't open yet - I took a seat in the bar at that level, where I illegally finished a packet of M&Ms I'd brought in myself. When I'd finished them, and read some more of my book, I moseyed over again - 10 minutes before showtime now. Still not open! I decided to hang around the entrance at this stage, in the company of pretty much everyone else who'd bought a ticket for the screening.. we never found out what the problem was, but it was well past start time when we were let in.
I needed to go to the loo, but decided that it'd be wiser to wait until afterwards, now. Got a decent seat - and gee, wouldn't you know it, although it was quite full, there were still empty seats. The lights were already down by the time they let us in, and the ads playing - I guess they forgot to delay the projector start.
The film starts off jokily, much like the trailer - lots of shots of gorgeous beaches, sunbathers, and actors playing the footballers' younger selves, complete with 80s fashions. Yes, think mullets, sunglasses, and Speedos - and all to a Samba soundtrack. Scenes of carnival, shots of people who knew the film's subject back in the day, falling over themselves laughing as they describe his audacity. We're told how he started in Ajaccio, then used that as an entry to Rio football clubs, where he started to feign injury, family tragedy and well, anything he could think of to avoid actually playing. People had no internet back then to check the facts.. still, they got suspicious, and he mightn't have got away with it for as long as he did if not for his spectacular ability to get girls to keep the teams entertained. So, blind eyes were turned.
Speaking of ruses, it's funny how his impersonation of Renato Gaúcho, whom he resembled and dressed like, got him into so many clubs, and so many women's beds. Nonetheless, Renato was, and apparently remains, a good friend. Interestingly, towards the end, the cracks start to appear in Kaiser's story - and you're left wondering whether you can believe a single word he says. As the film makers explain, it was their job to sort out the facts among all the lies.. but concede that still, nobody holds it against him. Truly a great conman.
Tomorrow, I'm taking myself to the Proms, at the Albert Hall, for the first time in ages. This one is An Alpine Symphony.
On Tuesday, I'm finally back with North London Friends, for Give My Regards to Broadway, Upstairs at the Gatehouse. Completely sold out now, I believe.
On Wednesday - London Literary Walks is taking a break! That was the day I was originally looking at films for - but what was coming top was Teefa in Trouble. A Bollywood film - fine: except when I watched the trailer, the jokes weren't quite as funny to me as I think they were to the makers, and there was a bit too much exaggerated action - think slo-mo, and people balancing motorbikes on their fingertips. And 2.5 hours of all that was, I thought, a bit much - so no thanks. Which left Sanju again. Not so much.. so I then thought about heading, with Up in the Cheap Seats (UITCS), to Julie, again at the National. Huh! Only tickets left were £50, when I checked! I then checked again.. they had two tickets for £26! Then they were gone, but they had £44 tickets.. think thy might be sold out now. Anyway, I've booked for a Heroism & Villainy Walking Tour (with Real Magic!), via Walking in London.
On Thursday, I was also booked with them - for The Summer Ghost Walk. I've been with this guide before - found him very good. And then.. Ryanair announced another bloody strike!! Yes, for the next day. Yes, when I was to go to Ireland for the weekend. So now I'm flying on Thursday, instead - happily, it was Funzing, so I'll get a refund. And they've even refunded me the credits that I used to book it! And I retain the record of bookings that'll earn me more credits. And at least I found out earlier this time, so booked an alternative flight earlier, so it was a bit cheaper.
On the 6th, Anthony's Cultural Events and Walking Activities Group is off to Westferry Circus again, for The Importance of Being Earnest. I RSVPed for that.. but then London Dramatic Arts announced that they were off to see One for Sorrow, at the Royal Court. They cleverly left the announcement until the theatre had sold out for that day - I guess there's an offer. So they were the only place I could get a ticket, and I did - probably at a slightly higher price than the theatre charged. Anyway, better than sitting on the grass, in the heat.
On the 7th, UITCS is off to When Midnight Strikes, Upstairs at the Gatehouse.
On the 8th, London Literary Walks is back with Brook Green - another area near where I used to live! Actually, the first medical practice that I registered with, in London. Nice nurse - one very narky doctor.
On the 9th, UITCS is back to the Camden Fringe, with How to Be a Londoner in an Hour, at the Hen & Chickens Theatre. Then I'm down to Helen's for the weekend, for a party..
And on the 13th, back with Anthony's Cultural Events and Walking Activities Group, back to Westferry Circus.. this time it's for A Woman of No Importance.
Saturday 28 July 2018
Play: Spun
Tonight, back with Up in the Cheap Seats (UITCS) again, but different people, for the very last performance of Spun, at the Arcola. Second in a row involving terrorism - this one is about the London bombings. Beforehand, we were headed for dinner at the Stone Cave, a Turkish place - and afterwards, to the Aqua7 wine bar.
Man, was I tired, after my week - woke late, and still spent a good portion of the afternoon asleep. Thank goodness to have the rare chance! Got ready in good time though, and walked up to Dalston, where I was the first at the restaurant. Not long before I was joined by others - and we had a long table, just inside the entrance - they'd opened up the whole entrance wall, to let the breeze circulate. Although it's cooler than before, that was very pleasant! Befitting the name, the walls and ceiling are made to look like stone, from which hang Turkish lamps and gilt stalactites:
Lots of people I knew there, from different Meetup groups - great cross-pollination. Most of us didn't have starters - which was probably a mistake, as we were quite early. Never mind.. the food was good, although the "spicy" adana lamb shish kebabs were not, by any definition, spicy. The ice cream was good, I can testify, and the sauvignon was excellent.. I'd be happy to come back and try another dish.
When we'd finished the faff of splitting the bill, we meandered off in the direction of the theatre, where at the box office, I guessed the correct postcode with which I'd booked! Yay - my prize was my ticket. Thus to the bar, where the very nice man tried to serve me two drinks. Which would have been fine, had he not tried to charge me for both.. Anyway, we managed to find a table at the end, large enough for us all to squeeze around.
This was in Studio 2, where many of us were in the front row. Last time I was here was a one-woman show; this time, if you hadn't known there were two, you'd have guessed from the two chairs that are the only props, moved around for them to sit on, and placed near or far, at different angles to each other to represent the state of their relationship. Because, you see, these are two girls from East London, best friends in school, who find it harder when school ends and they have to decide what life holds for them.
It's punchy and energetic; the stage is interestingly laid out in circular ridges, along which the chair legs can be placed. The acting is excellent, contrasting the one who stays in the community and discovers her roots with the one who breaks out into the wider world and tries to integrate with a different set. Although the London bombings happen in the course of the story, they're quite incidental to it - they might be a catalyst for the division between the girls, but I think it would have happened anyway.
The one who goes criticises the one who stays, thinking her a hypocrite for suddenly adopting her family's traditions. The one who stays thinks that the one who goes, who now has less time for her, is letting herself be used by people who look down on her. To be fair, she has a point with the other girl's job offer, which is a bit derisory. However, this doesn't have to be a play about Muslims - I found the same thing when I left home, and the people who stayed still don't understand why I did leave.
One person found it a bit long.. I think that might have been because we could predict what was coming. Still, as I say, well acted, and punchily delivered.
Afterwards, I was glad that some of us were already fixed on heading to a bar - the bulk of the group did the usual thing of standing around in the lobby for ages, as if on the point of leaving but not doing it, blocking traffic and talking about the play! Why they can't sit down to do that baffles me. If they had been, I'd have joined them, but I'm not a big fan of standing in hallways. They're the only group that does that. Anyway, we left them to it. The Aqua7 turned out to be closed, but happily one of our number knew of Newcomer Wines, which was happy to serve us some excellent wine. There was much gossip, about Meetup and otherwise. And many thanks to him for buying a second round before we called it a night.
My phone battery, of course, died on the way home, but somehow I figured out the way. Tomorrow, I booked with Walking in London, and Katie of Look Up London! Delighted she has a new walk - Smithfield & Clerkenwell: Guts & Glory. It's actually cheaper on her own site than on Funzing - unless you're getting one of those common 10% discounts! However, just yesterday she messaged to say she's had to cancel, unfortunately, due to family commitments. (Well, I had to cancel for myself, actually.) So it looks as though that film list will come in handy! Top for tomorrow is Kaiser: The Greatest Footballer Never to Play Football. Based on the true story of a Brazilian footballer who, through faking injury and frequently changing clubs, managed to live the footballer lifestyle without ever playing a match..! I wouldn't normally go for a football film, but the trailer looks really good.. it's on in my local Vue. Woucher actually has a voucher for Vue - five tickets for £20 - but they have a time limit, and I can't guarantee using them by then, so I won't bother.
On Monday, I'm taking myself to the Proms, at the Albert Hall, for the first time in ages. This one is An Alpine Symphony.
On Tuesday, I'm finally back with North London Friends, for Give My Regards to Broadway, Upstairs at the Gatehouse. Completely sold out now, I believe.
On Wednesday - London Literary Walks is taking a break! That was the day I was originally looking at films for - but what was coming top was Teefa in Trouble. A Bollywood film - fine: except when I watched the trailer, the jokes weren't quite as funny to me as I think they were to the makers, and there was a bit too much exaggerated action - think slo-mo, and people balancing motorbikes on their fingertips. And 2.5 hours of all that was, I thought, a bit much - so no thanks. Which left Sanju again. Not so much.. so I then thought about heading, with UITCS, to Julie, again at the National. Huh! Only tickets left were £50, when I checked! I then checked again.. they had two tickets for £26! Gone again now, but they have £44 tickets.. Anyway, I've booked for a Heroism & Villainy Walking Tour (with Real Magic!), via Walking in London.
On Thursday, I was also booked with them - for The Summer Ghost Walk. I've been with this guide before - found him very good. And then.. Ryanair announced another bloody strike!! Yes, for the next day. Yes, when I was to go to Ireland for the weekend. So now I'm flying on Thursday, instead - happily, it was Funzing, so I'll get a refund. And they've even refunded me the credits that I used to book it! And I retain the record of bookings that'll earn me more credits. And at least I found out earlier this time, so booked an alternative flight earlier, so it was a bit cheaper.
On the 6th, Anthony's Cultural Events and Walking Activities Group is off to Westferry Circus again, for The Importance of Being Earnest. I RSVPed for that.. but then London Dramatic Arts announced that they were off to see One for Sorrow, at the Royal Court again. They cleverly left the announcement until the theatre had sold out for that day - I guess there's an offer. So they were the only place I could get a ticket, and I did - probably at a slightly higher price than the theatre charged. Anyway, better than sitting on the grass, in the heat.
On the 7th, UITCS is off to When Midnight Strikes, Upstairs at the Gatehouse.
On the 8th, London Literary Walks is back with Brook Green - another area near where I used to live! Actually, the first medical practice that I registered with, in London. Nice nurse - one very narky doctor.
On the 9th, UITCS is back to the Camden Fringe, with How to Be a Londoner in an Hour, at the Hen & Chickens Theatre. Then I'm down to Helen's for the weekend, for a party..
And on the 13th, back with Anthony's Cultural Events and Walking Activities Group, back to Westferry Circus.. this time it's for A Woman of No Importance.
Man, was I tired, after my week - woke late, and still spent a good portion of the afternoon asleep. Thank goodness to have the rare chance! Got ready in good time though, and walked up to Dalston, where I was the first at the restaurant. Not long before I was joined by others - and we had a long table, just inside the entrance - they'd opened up the whole entrance wall, to let the breeze circulate. Although it's cooler than before, that was very pleasant! Befitting the name, the walls and ceiling are made to look like stone, from which hang Turkish lamps and gilt stalactites:
Lots of people I knew there, from different Meetup groups - great cross-pollination. Most of us didn't have starters - which was probably a mistake, as we were quite early. Never mind.. the food was good, although the "spicy" adana lamb shish kebabs were not, by any definition, spicy. The ice cream was good, I can testify, and the sauvignon was excellent.. I'd be happy to come back and try another dish.
When we'd finished the faff of splitting the bill, we meandered off in the direction of the theatre, where at the box office, I guessed the correct postcode with which I'd booked! Yay - my prize was my ticket. Thus to the bar, where the very nice man tried to serve me two drinks. Which would have been fine, had he not tried to charge me for both.. Anyway, we managed to find a table at the end, large enough for us all to squeeze around.
This was in Studio 2, where many of us were in the front row. Last time I was here was a one-woman show; this time, if you hadn't known there were two, you'd have guessed from the two chairs that are the only props, moved around for them to sit on, and placed near or far, at different angles to each other to represent the state of their relationship. Because, you see, these are two girls from East London, best friends in school, who find it harder when school ends and they have to decide what life holds for them.
It's punchy and energetic; the stage is interestingly laid out in circular ridges, along which the chair legs can be placed. The acting is excellent, contrasting the one who stays in the community and discovers her roots with the one who breaks out into the wider world and tries to integrate with a different set. Although the London bombings happen in the course of the story, they're quite incidental to it - they might be a catalyst for the division between the girls, but I think it would have happened anyway.
The one who goes criticises the one who stays, thinking her a hypocrite for suddenly adopting her family's traditions. The one who stays thinks that the one who goes, who now has less time for her, is letting herself be used by people who look down on her. To be fair, she has a point with the other girl's job offer, which is a bit derisory. However, this doesn't have to be a play about Muslims - I found the same thing when I left home, and the people who stayed still don't understand why I did leave.
One person found it a bit long.. I think that might have been because we could predict what was coming. Still, as I say, well acted, and punchily delivered.
Afterwards, I was glad that some of us were already fixed on heading to a bar - the bulk of the group did the usual thing of standing around in the lobby for ages, as if on the point of leaving but not doing it, blocking traffic and talking about the play! Why they can't sit down to do that baffles me. If they had been, I'd have joined them, but I'm not a big fan of standing in hallways. They're the only group that does that. Anyway, we left them to it. The Aqua7 turned out to be closed, but happily one of our number knew of Newcomer Wines, which was happy to serve us some excellent wine. There was much gossip, about Meetup and otherwise. And many thanks to him for buying a second round before we called it a night.
My phone battery, of course, died on the way home, but somehow I figured out the way. Tomorrow, I booked with Walking in London, and Katie of Look Up London! Delighted she has a new walk - Smithfield & Clerkenwell: Guts & Glory. It's actually cheaper on her own site than on Funzing - unless you're getting one of those common 10% discounts! However, just yesterday she messaged to say she's had to cancel, unfortunately, due to family commitments. (Well, I had to cancel for myself, actually.) So it looks as though that film list will come in handy! Top for tomorrow is Kaiser: The Greatest Footballer Never to Play Football. Based on the true story of a Brazilian footballer who, through faking injury and frequently changing clubs, managed to live the footballer lifestyle without ever playing a match..! I wouldn't normally go for a football film, but the trailer looks really good.. it's on in my local Vue. Woucher actually has a voucher for Vue - five tickets for £20 - but they have a time limit, and I can't guarantee using them by then, so I won't bother.
On Monday, I'm taking myself to the Proms, at the Albert Hall, for the first time in ages. This one is An Alpine Symphony.
On Tuesday, I'm finally back with North London Friends, for Give My Regards to Broadway, Upstairs at the Gatehouse. Completely sold out now, I believe.
On Wednesday - London Literary Walks is taking a break! That was the day I was originally looking at films for - but what was coming top was Teefa in Trouble. A Bollywood film - fine: except when I watched the trailer, the jokes weren't quite as funny to me as I think they were to the makers, and there was a bit too much exaggerated action - think slo-mo, and people balancing motorbikes on their fingertips. And 2.5 hours of all that was, I thought, a bit much - so no thanks. Which left Sanju again. Not so much.. so I then thought about heading, with UITCS, to Julie, again at the National. Huh! Only tickets left were £50, when I checked! I then checked again.. they had two tickets for £26! Gone again now, but they have £44 tickets.. Anyway, I've booked for a Heroism & Villainy Walking Tour (with Real Magic!), via Walking in London.
On Thursday, I was also booked with them - for The Summer Ghost Walk. I've been with this guide before - found him very good. And then.. Ryanair announced another bloody strike!! Yes, for the next day. Yes, when I was to go to Ireland for the weekend. So now I'm flying on Thursday, instead - happily, it was Funzing, so I'll get a refund. And they've even refunded me the credits that I used to book it! And I retain the record of bookings that'll earn me more credits. And at least I found out earlier this time, so booked an alternative flight earlier, so it was a bit cheaper.
On the 6th, Anthony's Cultural Events and Walking Activities Group is off to Westferry Circus again, for The Importance of Being Earnest. I RSVPed for that.. but then London Dramatic Arts announced that they were off to see One for Sorrow, at the Royal Court again. They cleverly left the announcement until the theatre had sold out for that day - I guess there's an offer. So they were the only place I could get a ticket, and I did - probably at a slightly higher price than the theatre charged. Anyway, better than sitting on the grass, in the heat.
On the 7th, UITCS is off to When Midnight Strikes, Upstairs at the Gatehouse.
On the 8th, London Literary Walks is back with Brook Green - another area near where I used to live! Actually, the first medical practice that I registered with, in London. Nice nurse - one very narky doctor.
On the 9th, UITCS is back to the Camden Fringe, with How to Be a Londoner in an Hour, at the Hen & Chickens Theatre. Then I'm down to Helen's for the weekend, for a party..
And on the 13th, back with Anthony's Cultural Events and Walking Activities Group, back to Westferry Circus.. this time it's for A Woman of No Importance.
Friday 27 July 2018
Play: Pity
Tonight, back with Up in the Cheap Seats (UITCS) again, for Pity, at the Royal Court - which I missed a couple of weeks ago, when the same group was doing it with another organiser. Delighted to make this - also delighted to avail of a terrific Time Out offer of £12 tickets for Band B seats - the official price for Band D is £14, so this was great value! Sadly, now sold out. There was a mixed reaction to it on Tuesday, among those who'd seen it..
Oh, what a manic day! I was in an evening meeting that my boss couldn't make, having too much on - he'd instructed me to say that what needed to be done, we couldn't do until Thursday. That didn't go down too well.. I think they've forgotten how few of us are left in the documentation team! Three people to do the work of eight - nope, doesn't compute. Anyway, I managed to feed myself before I left - at the expense of finishing the doc I'd said I'd finish. Heard a huge bang - which was thunder! We had a long-anticipated thunderstorm - thunder, lightning, torrential rain.. quite refreshing on the short walk to the Tube!
Yes, the Tube - the Royal Court was once convenient to me, but no longer, and it'd have taken over an hour by bus. I really didn't have the time. So, I got a seat on the Northern Line, but not on the Circle.. but then, the Circle Line, named recently as the coolest of Tube lines, does have the most delicious aircon! A blast of heat every time the doors opened - but it was lovely when they closed again. It also has among the highest carriages, so the air can circulate better.
Anyway, the rain had stopped by the time I emerged again - an usher was directing early arrivals down the alleyway, but I was headed to the box office and then to meet the others in the downstairs bar. Handily, they didn't ask for id at the box office - and yay, my cheapie ticket got me Row C in the stalls! Normal price £32. As I remarked when I met the others, the deals where the seat number is only revealed on the night tend to be worth a punt - you can get a fantastic bargain!
Not sure what the floral theme in the bar is about.. but we chatted there before going in. However, you'd do well to go in early, what with the brass band playing on stage. And yes, that ice cream stall to the side of the stage actually sells ice creams before the show! And the tombola to the right of the stage, you can apparently buy tickets for - although I didn't see them on sale. Prizes were goody bags - she told us what was in them, but I wasn't really listening. The draw took place as the show was about to start.
Tuesday's play was described as an absurdist farce. No, this is the one that fits that description! Actually, the one thing we could all agree on was that it is absurd. Utterly. Let me say in advance - I adored it, as did one other of us - the rest pretty much loathed it, and apparently some audience members left during the show, which doesn't have an interval. What the hey, the people around me seemed to like it. And comedy is, as they say, subjective.
Meet a young man, waking enthusiastically to what he describes as "a glorious day"! He's happy not to have anything to do - he's unemployed, you see. So he moseys off down to the square to watch the world go by. Which they obligingly do. He chances to meet a young woman, and they are swiftly married - they bond after her father is killed by a freak bolt of lightning. In most plays, this would be a major event. Here, you can't possibly call it a spoiler - what happens to them for the rest of the play makes it pale into absolute insignificance. Indeed, by the time it was brought up again, I'd completely forgotten it'd happened.
If you wanted to, you could liken the plot to a reflection on the state of the nation, so to speak. For example, there are a couple of fun political impersonations. (Guess who..) However, I found it better not to worry about the overall plot. Because the overall plot is bonkers. On a scene-by-scene basis, I loved it - I thought the comic instinct was perfect, and I like weird. Plus, you have absolutely no idea, from scene to scene, what's going to happen next. The only predictable thing is, when anyone dies (as someone is obliged to do in most scenes), they play the funeral march. So it's that that'll ring through your head afterwards.
In general, we thought the acting was excellent. Someone afterwards likened some of the comedy to some of Spike Milligan's stuff - me, I'm not so familiar with his work; what I associated the style with more was Monty Python. One scene, different in pace from the rest, kind of reminded me of that bit in the Life of Brian where he's picked up by an alien spacecraft.. yeah, think that level of weird. You'll be close. Runs till the 11th - recommended for those with a sense of humour and a taste for the surreal. But not if you're bothered by flashing lights, smoke, or explosions.
A drink in the bar afterwards, and a bus or two back to the other side of town. On Saturday, back with that group again, but different people, for the very last performance of Spun, at the Arcola. Second in a row involving terrorism - this one is about the London bombings. Beforehand, we're headed for dinner at the Stone Cave, a Turkish place - and afterwards, to the Aqua 7 wine bar.
On Sunday, I booked with Walking in London, and Katie of Look Up London! Delighted she has a new walk - Smithfield & Clerkenwell: Guts & Glory. It's actually cheaper on her own site than on Funzing - unless you're getting one of those common 10% discounts! However, just today she messaged to say she's had to cancel, unfortunately, due to family commitments. So it looks as though that film list will come in handy! Top for Sunday is Kaiser: The Greatest Footballer Never to Play Football. Based on the true story of a Brazilian footballer who, through faking injury and frequently changing clubs, managed to live the footballer lifestyle without ever playing a match..! I wouldn't normally go for a football film, but the trailer looks really good.. it's on in my local Vue. Woucher actually has a voucher for Vue - five tickets for £20 - but they have a time limit, and I can't guarantee using them by then, so I won't bother.
On Monday, I'm taking myself to the Proms, at the Albert Hall, for the first time in ages. This one is An Alpine Symphony.
On Tuesday, I'm finally back with North London Friends, for Give My Regards to Broadway, Upstairs at the Gatehouse. Completely sold out now, I believe.
On Wednesday - London Literary Walks is taking a break! That was the day I was originally looking at films for - but what was coming top was Teefa in Trouble. A Bollywood film - fine: except when I watched the trailer, the jokes weren't quite as funny to me as I think they were to the makers, and there was a bit too much exaggerated action - think slo-mo, and people balancing motorbikes on their fingertips. And 2.5 hours of all that was, I thought, a bit much - so no thanks. Which left Sanju again. Not so much.. so I then thought about heading, with UITCS, to Julie, again at the National. Huh! Only tickets left were £50, when I checked! I then checked again.. they had two tickets for £26! Gone again now. Anyway, I've booked for a Heroism & Villainy Walking Tour (with Real Magic!), via Walking in London.
On Thursday, I was also booked with them - for The Summer Ghost Walk. I've been with this guide before - found him very good. And then.. Ryanair announced another bloody strike!! Yes, for the next day. Yes, when I was to go to Ireland for the weekend. So now I'm flying on Thursday, instead - happily, it was Funzing, so I'll get a refund. And they've even refunded me the credits that I used to book it! And I retain the record of bookings that'll earn me more credits. And at least I found out earlier this time, so booked an alternative flight earlier, so it was a bit cheaper.
On the 6th, Anthony's Cultural Events and Walking Activities Group is off to Westferry Circus again, for The Importance of Being Earnest. I RSVPed for that.. but then London Dramatic Arts announced that they were off to see One for Sorrow, at the Royal Court again. They cleverly left the announcement until the theatre had sold out for that day - I guess there's an offer. So they were the only place I could get a ticket, and I did. Better than sitting on the grass, in the heat.
On the 7th, UITCS is off to When Midnight Strikes, Upstairs at the Gatehouse.
On the 8th, London Literary Walks is back with Brook Green - another area near where I used to live! Actually, the first medical practice that I registered with, in London. Nice nurse - one very narky doctor.
On the 9th, UITCS is back to the Camden Fringe, with How to Be a Londoner in an Hour, at the Hen & Chickens Theatre. Then I'm down to Helen's for the weekend, for a party..
And on the 13th, back with Anthony's Cultural Events and Walking Activities Group, back to Westferry Circus.. this time it's for A Woman of No Importance.
Oh, what a manic day! I was in an evening meeting that my boss couldn't make, having too much on - he'd instructed me to say that what needed to be done, we couldn't do until Thursday. That didn't go down too well.. I think they've forgotten how few of us are left in the documentation team! Three people to do the work of eight - nope, doesn't compute. Anyway, I managed to feed myself before I left - at the expense of finishing the doc I'd said I'd finish. Heard a huge bang - which was thunder! We had a long-anticipated thunderstorm - thunder, lightning, torrential rain.. quite refreshing on the short walk to the Tube!
Yes, the Tube - the Royal Court was once convenient to me, but no longer, and it'd have taken over an hour by bus. I really didn't have the time. So, I got a seat on the Northern Line, but not on the Circle.. but then, the Circle Line, named recently as the coolest of Tube lines, does have the most delicious aircon! A blast of heat every time the doors opened - but it was lovely when they closed again. It also has among the highest carriages, so the air can circulate better.
Anyway, the rain had stopped by the time I emerged again - an usher was directing early arrivals down the alleyway, but I was headed to the box office and then to meet the others in the downstairs bar. Handily, they didn't ask for id at the box office - and yay, my cheapie ticket got me Row C in the stalls! Normal price £32. As I remarked when I met the others, the deals where the seat number is only revealed on the night tend to be worth a punt - you can get a fantastic bargain!
Not sure what the floral theme in the bar is about.. but we chatted there before going in. However, you'd do well to go in early, what with the brass band playing on stage. And yes, that ice cream stall to the side of the stage actually sells ice creams before the show! And the tombola to the right of the stage, you can apparently buy tickets for - although I didn't see them on sale. Prizes were goody bags - she told us what was in them, but I wasn't really listening. The draw took place as the show was about to start.
Tuesday's play was described as an absurdist farce. No, this is the one that fits that description! Actually, the one thing we could all agree on was that it is absurd. Utterly. Let me say in advance - I adored it, as did one other of us - the rest pretty much loathed it, and apparently some audience members left during the show, which doesn't have an interval. What the hey, the people around me seemed to like it. And comedy is, as they say, subjective.
Meet a young man, waking enthusiastically to what he describes as "a glorious day"! He's happy not to have anything to do - he's unemployed, you see. So he moseys off down to the square to watch the world go by. Which they obligingly do. He chances to meet a young woman, and they are swiftly married - they bond after her father is killed by a freak bolt of lightning. In most plays, this would be a major event. Here, you can't possibly call it a spoiler - what happens to them for the rest of the play makes it pale into absolute insignificance. Indeed, by the time it was brought up again, I'd completely forgotten it'd happened.
If you wanted to, you could liken the plot to a reflection on the state of the nation, so to speak. For example, there are a couple of fun political impersonations. (Guess who..) However, I found it better not to worry about the overall plot. Because the overall plot is bonkers. On a scene-by-scene basis, I loved it - I thought the comic instinct was perfect, and I like weird. Plus, you have absolutely no idea, from scene to scene, what's going to happen next. The only predictable thing is, when anyone dies (as someone is obliged to do in most scenes), they play the funeral march. So it's that that'll ring through your head afterwards.
In general, we thought the acting was excellent. Someone afterwards likened some of the comedy to some of Spike Milligan's stuff - me, I'm not so familiar with his work; what I associated the style with more was Monty Python. One scene, different in pace from the rest, kind of reminded me of that bit in the Life of Brian where he's picked up by an alien spacecraft.. yeah, think that level of weird. You'll be close. Runs till the 11th - recommended for those with a sense of humour and a taste for the surreal. But not if you're bothered by flashing lights, smoke, or explosions.
A drink in the bar afterwards, and a bus or two back to the other side of town. On Saturday, back with that group again, but different people, for the very last performance of Spun, at the Arcola. Second in a row involving terrorism - this one is about the London bombings. Beforehand, we're headed for dinner at the Stone Cave, a Turkish place - and afterwards, to the Aqua 7 wine bar.
On Sunday, I booked with Walking in London, and Katie of Look Up London! Delighted she has a new walk - Smithfield & Clerkenwell: Guts & Glory. It's actually cheaper on her own site than on Funzing - unless you're getting one of those common 10% discounts! However, just today she messaged to say she's had to cancel, unfortunately, due to family commitments. So it looks as though that film list will come in handy! Top for Sunday is Kaiser: The Greatest Footballer Never to Play Football. Based on the true story of a Brazilian footballer who, through faking injury and frequently changing clubs, managed to live the footballer lifestyle without ever playing a match..! I wouldn't normally go for a football film, but the trailer looks really good.. it's on in my local Vue. Woucher actually has a voucher for Vue - five tickets for £20 - but they have a time limit, and I can't guarantee using them by then, so I won't bother.
On Monday, I'm taking myself to the Proms, at the Albert Hall, for the first time in ages. This one is An Alpine Symphony.
On Tuesday, I'm finally back with North London Friends, for Give My Regards to Broadway, Upstairs at the Gatehouse. Completely sold out now, I believe.
On Wednesday - London Literary Walks is taking a break! That was the day I was originally looking at films for - but what was coming top was Teefa in Trouble. A Bollywood film - fine: except when I watched the trailer, the jokes weren't quite as funny to me as I think they were to the makers, and there was a bit too much exaggerated action - think slo-mo, and people balancing motorbikes on their fingertips. And 2.5 hours of all that was, I thought, a bit much - so no thanks. Which left Sanju again. Not so much.. so I then thought about heading, with UITCS, to Julie, again at the National. Huh! Only tickets left were £50, when I checked! I then checked again.. they had two tickets for £26! Gone again now. Anyway, I've booked for a Heroism & Villainy Walking Tour (with Real Magic!), via Walking in London.
On Thursday, I was also booked with them - for The Summer Ghost Walk. I've been with this guide before - found him very good. And then.. Ryanair announced another bloody strike!! Yes, for the next day. Yes, when I was to go to Ireland for the weekend. So now I'm flying on Thursday, instead - happily, it was Funzing, so I'll get a refund. And they've even refunded me the credits that I used to book it! And I retain the record of bookings that'll earn me more credits. And at least I found out earlier this time, so booked an alternative flight earlier, so it was a bit cheaper.
On the 6th, Anthony's Cultural Events and Walking Activities Group is off to Westferry Circus again, for The Importance of Being Earnest. I RSVPed for that.. but then London Dramatic Arts announced that they were off to see One for Sorrow, at the Royal Court again. They cleverly left the announcement until the theatre had sold out for that day - I guess there's an offer. So they were the only place I could get a ticket, and I did. Better than sitting on the grass, in the heat.
On the 7th, UITCS is off to When Midnight Strikes, Upstairs at the Gatehouse.
On the 8th, London Literary Walks is back with Brook Green - another area near where I used to live! Actually, the first medical practice that I registered with, in London. Nice nurse - one very narky doctor.
On the 9th, UITCS is back to the Camden Fringe, with How to Be a Londoner in an Hour, at the Hen & Chickens Theatre. Then I'm down to Helen's for the weekend, for a party..
And on the 13th, back with Anthony's Cultural Events and Walking Activities Group, back to Westferry Circus.. this time it's for A Woman of No Importance.
Thursday 26 July 2018
Talk: Synthetic Intelligence
Tonight, back with London Science Events at the Royal Institution - this time, it was Synthetic Intelligence. Last week's organiser couldn't make it - someone else volunteered to do the honours, but asked people to confirm they're coming - and I was the only one who did! Typical of this group, actually.
I left straight after a meeting (skipping my last one), so made it in time. Roughly. I still wasn't in time for the bus, so took the Tube. Ah jeez, it was hot.. not too crowded on the Northern Line, but I actually couldn't get on the first Jubilee Line to come, it was so packed. At least I was first in line for the next train. And it felt so long, that journey of four stops in sweltering heat - the Jubilee Line is always like this, I can always feel the sweat pouring off of me. I can't really say it was a relief to get off - it was just as hot outside!
Made my way as quickly as I could, and got there just after 6, when we were supposed to meet. No sign of anyone - although it was cooler inside, I was still roasting, so headed to the downstairs cafe for a cold drink. Bought a glass of wine, said on the Meetup page that I was sitting in the downstairs cafe. Got a message to say he was sitting inside the front door.. No sign of him coming down, and I didn't think I could take my drink upstairs, so messaged back to say I was having a glass of wine, and would be back up when it was finished.
And so I was. He turned out to be someone I'd seen earlier, but he was with a friend who wasn't in the group, so I hadn't thought it was him. Anyway, the friend was looking for another friend, so there we stayed and chatted, before the doors opened and we went up. Lordy, what a difference from last week, when as soon as I arrived, I started to queue on the stairs - tonight, the doors opened promptly at 6.30, and up we went, and straight in. And this time, I ended up with a more central seat, which was nice. As was the aircon.
It filled mostly, but not completely - unlike last week. And this time, with only one person speaking, they brought out the desk, behind which the chair stood while he introduced her, his shirt drenched with sweat. She remarked that the temperature outside was impressive - even for an Australian! Now, she started off keen to make the distinction between artificial and synthetic intelligence - she wasn't just trying to get computers to act clever. Nope, she's trying to build a synthetic brain. That learns for itself.
Someone in the Q+A afterwards, predictably, brought up Frankenstein.. it is an absolutely fascinating subject. She's trying to facilitate the replication of thought processes by replicating the response of the synapses. IBM got a couple of mentions for its neuromorphic nanotechnology, which replicates the way that biological systems behave. Well, they do put a high value on invention. So, what she's doing is building teeny tiny systems that look just like neurons, in a messy pattern that looks like a microscopic view of the brain, only made out of silver. The chair did actually ask her, at the end, why she didn't just make the thing out of biological material.. she said it was literally too messy! (I think she meant "difficult".)
As someone else pointed out afterwards, synaptic plasticity is necessary if you want the system to be capable of learning new information. And wouldn't you know it, her teeny system has a teeny amount of plasticity.. and yes, when they shoot a current through it, they've observed that ions shoot across the gaps between synapses in exactly the same way as molecules are transmitted across the gaps between synapses in biological systems! Yes, it does indeed look as though they're getting somewhere.
A couple of people in the Q+A brought up the idea of emotional intelligence, and whether you could teach the system to hear, or appreciate music. She ain't really there yet, so all those questions were pretty hypothetical. However, she was more certain when the talk turned to quantum computing, which - as she pointed out - uses up far too much power. The brain doesn't, and that's what they're trying to reproduce. She did point out, though, that quantum tunnelling does seem to play a role in synaptic transmission..
Truly fascinating, and I was glad I came. After it was all over, the pair I'd met made themselves scarce almost immediately! They did make excuses - one wanted a glass of water and then to shoot off, the other wanted to photograph the library. Not exactly the most sociable of exits, but at least they took the time to excuse themselves, I guess. Yep, scientific types were never really social experts, in my experience. Me, I got the bus back, glad it was a bit cooler. Just a bit, at 28 degrees.
Tomorrow, back with Up in the Cheap Seats (UITCS) again, for Pity, at the Royal Court - which I missed last week, when the same group was doing it with another organiser. Delighted to make this - also delighted to avail of a terrific Time Out offer of £12 tickets for Band B seats - the official price for Band D is £14, so this was great value! Sadly, now sold out. There was a mixed reaction to it on Tuesday, among those who'd seen it.. well, time will tell.
On Saturday, back with them again, for the very last performance of Spun, at the Arcola. Second in a row with a theme of terrorism - this one is about the London bombings. Beforehand, we're headed for dinner at the Stone Cave, a Turkish place - and afterwards, to the Aqua 7 wine bar.
On Sunday, back with Walking in London, and Katie of Look Up London! Delighted she has a new walk - Smithfield & Clerkenwell: Guts & Glory. It's actually cheaper on her own site than on Funzing - unless you're getting one of those common 10% discounts!
On Monday, I'm taking myself to the Proms, at the Albert Hall, for the first time in ages. This one is An Alpine Symphony.
On Tuesday, I'm finally back with North London Friends, for Give My Regards to Broadway, Upstairs at the Gatehouse. Completely sold out now, I believe.
On Wednesday - London Literary Walks is taking a break! That was the day I was looking at films for - but what was coming top was Teefa in Trouble. A Bollywood film - fine: except when I watched the trailer, the jokes weren't quite as funny to me as I think they were to the makers, and there was a bit too much exaggerated action - think slo-mo, and people balancing motorbikes on their fingertips. And 2.5 hours of all that was, I thought, a bit much - so no thanks. Which left Sanju again. Not so much.. so I then thought about heading, with UITCS, to Julie, again at the National. Huh! Only tickets left were £50, when I checked! I then checked again.. they had two tickets for £26! Gone again now. Anyway, I've booked for a Heroism & Villainy Walking Tour (with Real Magic!), via Walking in London.
Next Thursday, I was also booked with them - for The Summer Ghost Walk. I've been with this guide before - found him very good. And then.. Ryanair announced another bloody strike!! Yes, for the next day. Yes, when I was to go to Ireland for the weekend. So now I'm flying next Thursday, instead - happily, it was Funzing, so I'll get a refund. And they've even refunded me the credits that I used to book it! And I retain the record of bookings that'll earn me more credits. And at least I found out earlier this time, so booked an alternative flight earlier, so it was a bit cheaper.
On the 6th, Anthony's Cultural Events and Walking Activities Group is off to Westferry Circus again, for The Importance of Being Earnest. Must remember to bring supplies, this time. And a hat.
On the 7th, UITCS is off to When Midnight Strikes, Upstairs at the Gatehouse.
On the 8th, London Literary Walks is back with Brook Green - another area near where I used to live! Actually, the first medical practice that I registered with, in London. Nice nurse - one very narky doctor.
On the 9th, UITCS is back to the Camden Fringe, with How to Be a Londoner in an Hour, at the Hen & Chickens Theatre. Then I'm down to Helen's for the weekend, for a party..
And on the 13th, back with Anthony's Cultural Events and Walking Activities Group, back to Westferry Circus.. this time it's for A Woman of No Importance.
I left straight after a meeting (skipping my last one), so made it in time. Roughly. I still wasn't in time for the bus, so took the Tube. Ah jeez, it was hot.. not too crowded on the Northern Line, but I actually couldn't get on the first Jubilee Line to come, it was so packed. At least I was first in line for the next train. And it felt so long, that journey of four stops in sweltering heat - the Jubilee Line is always like this, I can always feel the sweat pouring off of me. I can't really say it was a relief to get off - it was just as hot outside!
Made my way as quickly as I could, and got there just after 6, when we were supposed to meet. No sign of anyone - although it was cooler inside, I was still roasting, so headed to the downstairs cafe for a cold drink. Bought a glass of wine, said on the Meetup page that I was sitting in the downstairs cafe. Got a message to say he was sitting inside the front door.. No sign of him coming down, and I didn't think I could take my drink upstairs, so messaged back to say I was having a glass of wine, and would be back up when it was finished.
And so I was. He turned out to be someone I'd seen earlier, but he was with a friend who wasn't in the group, so I hadn't thought it was him. Anyway, the friend was looking for another friend, so there we stayed and chatted, before the doors opened and we went up. Lordy, what a difference from last week, when as soon as I arrived, I started to queue on the stairs - tonight, the doors opened promptly at 6.30, and up we went, and straight in. And this time, I ended up with a more central seat, which was nice. As was the aircon.
It filled mostly, but not completely - unlike last week. And this time, with only one person speaking, they brought out the desk, behind which the chair stood while he introduced her, his shirt drenched with sweat. She remarked that the temperature outside was impressive - even for an Australian! Now, she started off keen to make the distinction between artificial and synthetic intelligence - she wasn't just trying to get computers to act clever. Nope, she's trying to build a synthetic brain. That learns for itself.
Someone in the Q+A afterwards, predictably, brought up Frankenstein.. it is an absolutely fascinating subject. She's trying to facilitate the replication of thought processes by replicating the response of the synapses. IBM got a couple of mentions for its neuromorphic nanotechnology, which replicates the way that biological systems behave. Well, they do put a high value on invention. So, what she's doing is building teeny tiny systems that look just like neurons, in a messy pattern that looks like a microscopic view of the brain, only made out of silver. The chair did actually ask her, at the end, why she didn't just make the thing out of biological material.. she said it was literally too messy! (I think she meant "difficult".)
As someone else pointed out afterwards, synaptic plasticity is necessary if you want the system to be capable of learning new information. And wouldn't you know it, her teeny system has a teeny amount of plasticity.. and yes, when they shoot a current through it, they've observed that ions shoot across the gaps between synapses in exactly the same way as molecules are transmitted across the gaps between synapses in biological systems! Yes, it does indeed look as though they're getting somewhere.
A couple of people in the Q+A brought up the idea of emotional intelligence, and whether you could teach the system to hear, or appreciate music. She ain't really there yet, so all those questions were pretty hypothetical. However, she was more certain when the talk turned to quantum computing, which - as she pointed out - uses up far too much power. The brain doesn't, and that's what they're trying to reproduce. She did point out, though, that quantum tunnelling does seem to play a role in synaptic transmission..
Truly fascinating, and I was glad I came. After it was all over, the pair I'd met made themselves scarce almost immediately! They did make excuses - one wanted a glass of water and then to shoot off, the other wanted to photograph the library. Not exactly the most sociable of exits, but at least they took the time to excuse themselves, I guess. Yep, scientific types were never really social experts, in my experience. Me, I got the bus back, glad it was a bit cooler. Just a bit, at 28 degrees.
Tomorrow, back with Up in the Cheap Seats (UITCS) again, for Pity, at the Royal Court - which I missed last week, when the same group was doing it with another organiser. Delighted to make this - also delighted to avail of a terrific Time Out offer of £12 tickets for Band B seats - the official price for Band D is £14, so this was great value! Sadly, now sold out. There was a mixed reaction to it on Tuesday, among those who'd seen it.. well, time will tell.
On Saturday, back with them again, for the very last performance of Spun, at the Arcola. Second in a row with a theme of terrorism - this one is about the London bombings. Beforehand, we're headed for dinner at the Stone Cave, a Turkish place - and afterwards, to the Aqua 7 wine bar.
On Sunday, back with Walking in London, and Katie of Look Up London! Delighted she has a new walk - Smithfield & Clerkenwell: Guts & Glory. It's actually cheaper on her own site than on Funzing - unless you're getting one of those common 10% discounts!
On Monday, I'm taking myself to the Proms, at the Albert Hall, for the first time in ages. This one is An Alpine Symphony.
On Tuesday, I'm finally back with North London Friends, for Give My Regards to Broadway, Upstairs at the Gatehouse. Completely sold out now, I believe.
On Wednesday - London Literary Walks is taking a break! That was the day I was looking at films for - but what was coming top was Teefa in Trouble. A Bollywood film - fine: except when I watched the trailer, the jokes weren't quite as funny to me as I think they were to the makers, and there was a bit too much exaggerated action - think slo-mo, and people balancing motorbikes on their fingertips. And 2.5 hours of all that was, I thought, a bit much - so no thanks. Which left Sanju again. Not so much.. so I then thought about heading, with UITCS, to Julie, again at the National. Huh! Only tickets left were £50, when I checked! I then checked again.. they had two tickets for £26! Gone again now. Anyway, I've booked for a Heroism & Villainy Walking Tour (with Real Magic!), via Walking in London.
Next Thursday, I was also booked with them - for The Summer Ghost Walk. I've been with this guide before - found him very good. And then.. Ryanair announced another bloody strike!! Yes, for the next day. Yes, when I was to go to Ireland for the weekend. So now I'm flying next Thursday, instead - happily, it was Funzing, so I'll get a refund. And they've even refunded me the credits that I used to book it! And I retain the record of bookings that'll earn me more credits. And at least I found out earlier this time, so booked an alternative flight earlier, so it was a bit cheaper.
On the 6th, Anthony's Cultural Events and Walking Activities Group is off to Westferry Circus again, for The Importance of Being Earnest. Must remember to bring supplies, this time. And a hat.
On the 7th, UITCS is off to When Midnight Strikes, Upstairs at the Gatehouse.
On the 8th, London Literary Walks is back with Brook Green - another area near where I used to live! Actually, the first medical practice that I registered with, in London. Nice nurse - one very narky doctor.
On the 9th, UITCS is back to the Camden Fringe, with How to Be a Londoner in an Hour, at the Hen & Chickens Theatre. Then I'm down to Helen's for the weekend, for a party..
And on the 13th, back with Anthony's Cultural Events and Walking Activities Group, back to Westferry Circus.. this time it's for A Woman of No Importance.
Wednesday 25 July 2018
Walk: Little Italy
Tonight, London Literary Walks again - this time it was Little Italy. Now, I've done this area before - but I betted he'd come up with something new. Starting earlier than usual, but happily just in time that I had time to breathe - and eat - after my last evening meeting - which didn't even overrun! And this was another walk that I could walk to.
Could, but didn't - I spent so much time writing the last post. Never mind, a bus happened along pretty promptly, and it was only four stops and a quick trot down the road. We were to meet in the Sir John Oldcastle - meet was all we did, as they were ready to go by the time I got there! Hey-ho, I wasn't the last to arrive.. we had a few people who aren't in the habit of coming regularly, which was nice to see.
As usual, we started with the pub itself, named for a boyhood friend of the future Henry V, and apparently the original character that was ultimately renamed Falstaff! The character was renamed so as not to cause offence to a descendant of Oldcastle's. Anyway, onwards to the jewellery shops of Hatton Garden..
..we had a small lecture on the local film industry, and then on to the plaque to Sir Hiram Maxim, inventor of the Maxim gun. Where we got a very in-depth description of the influence that it had on warfare. More photos here.
On through a varied landscape, including the Italian church and nearby buildings, a cafe whose basement apparently hosts French conversation group meetings, attended by one of our group, and the Mount Pleasant Post Office - which was my last local post office. Who knew that ITN's offices were right across the road! Well, our guide did.. Down, then, past techie offices and modern apartments, in stagnant air - it was too hot to be walking, and every breeze that came was welcome. We finished the evening in The Dolphin Tavern, where we conveniently snagged two adjacent tables and chatted away. And in looking up this link, I'm reminded that I passed it before, on a hot, sunny Sunday when it was closed, on another walk! (can't remember the details). And although it was closed, it was pointed out to us that day that it has a clock whose hands were frozen at the time the pub was hit by a bomb in 1915. Gosh, shame I didn't make the association while we were there! Anyway, a great night, and great to see everyone. And yes, quite a unique walk. And I walked back.
Tomorrow, back with London Science Events at the Royal Institution - this time, it's Synthetic Intelligence. Last Tuesday's organiser can't make it now - someone has volunteered to do the honours, but has asked people to confirm they're coming - and I seem to be the only one who has, so far!
On Friday, back with Up in the Cheap Seats (UITCS) again, for Pity, at the Royal Court - which I missed last week, when the same group was doing it with another organiser. Delighted to make this - also delighted to avail of a terrific Time Out offer of £12 tickets for Band B seats - the official price for Band D is £14, so this was great value! Sadly, now sold out. There was a mixed reaction to it last night, among those who'd seen it.. well, time will tell.
On Saturday, back with them again, for the very last performance of Spun, at the Arcola. Second in a row with a theme of terrorism - this one is about the London bombings. Beforehand, we're headed for dinner at the Stone Cave, a Turkish place - and afterwards, to the Aqua 7 wine bar.
On Sunday, back with Walking in London, and Katie of Look Up London! Delighted she has a new walk - Smithfield & Clerkenwell: Guts & Glory. It's actually cheaper on her own site than on Funzing - unless you're getting one of those common 10% discounts!
On Monday, I'm taking myself to the Proms, at the Albert Hall, for the first time in ages. This one is An Alpine Symphony.
On Tuesday, I'm finally back with North London Friends, for Give My Regards to Broadway, Upstairs at the Gatehouse. Completely sold out now, I believe.
Next Wednesday - London Literary Walks is taking a break! That was the day I was looking at films for - but what was coming top was Teefa in Trouble. A Bollywood film - fine: except when I watched the trailer, the jokes weren't quite as funny to me as I think they were to the makers, and there was a bit too much exaggerated action - think slo-mo, and people balancing motorbikes on their fingertips. And 2.5 hours of all that was, I thought, a bit much - so no thanks. Which left Sanju again. Not so much.. so I then thought about heading, with UITCS, to Julie, again at the National. Huh! Only tickets left were £50, when I checked! I then checked again.. they had two tickets for £26! Gone again now. Anyway, I've booked for a Heroism & Villainy Walking Tour (with Real Magic!), via Walking in London.
On the 2nd, I was also booked with them - for The Summer Ghost Walk. I've been with this guide before - found him very good. And then.. Ryanair announced another bloody strike!! Yes, for the next day. Yes, when I was to go to Ireland for the weekend. So now I'm flying on the 2nd, instead - happily, it was Funzing, so I'll get a refund. And they've even refunded me the credits that I used to book it! And I retain the record of bookings that'll earn me more credits. And at least I found out earlier this time, so booked an alternative flight earlier, so it was a bit cheaper.
On the 6th, Anthony's Cultural Events and Walking Activities Group is off to Westferry Circus again, for The Importance of Being Earnest. Must remember to bring supplies, this time. And a hat.
On the 7th, UITCS is off to When Midnight Strikes, Upstairs at the Gatehouse.
On the 8th, London Literary Walks is back with Brook Green - another area near where I used to live! Actually, the first medical practice that I registered with, in London. Nice nurse - one very narky doctor.
On the 9th, UITCS is back to the Camden Fringe, with How to Be a Londoner in an Hour, at the Hen & Chickens Theatre. Then I'm down to Helen's for the weekend, for a party..
And on the 13th, back with Anthony's Cultural Events and Walking Activities Group, back to Westferry Circus.. this time it's for A Woman of No Importance.
Could, but didn't - I spent so much time writing the last post. Never mind, a bus happened along pretty promptly, and it was only four stops and a quick trot down the road. We were to meet in the Sir John Oldcastle - meet was all we did, as they were ready to go by the time I got there! Hey-ho, I wasn't the last to arrive.. we had a few people who aren't in the habit of coming regularly, which was nice to see.
As usual, we started with the pub itself, named for a boyhood friend of the future Henry V, and apparently the original character that was ultimately renamed Falstaff! The character was renamed so as not to cause offence to a descendant of Oldcastle's. Anyway, onwards to the jewellery shops of Hatton Garden..
..we had a small lecture on the local film industry, and then on to the plaque to Sir Hiram Maxim, inventor of the Maxim gun. Where we got a very in-depth description of the influence that it had on warfare. More photos here.
On through a varied landscape, including the Italian church and nearby buildings, a cafe whose basement apparently hosts French conversation group meetings, attended by one of our group, and the Mount Pleasant Post Office - which was my last local post office. Who knew that ITN's offices were right across the road! Well, our guide did.. Down, then, past techie offices and modern apartments, in stagnant air - it was too hot to be walking, and every breeze that came was welcome. We finished the evening in The Dolphin Tavern, where we conveniently snagged two adjacent tables and chatted away. And in looking up this link, I'm reminded that I passed it before, on a hot, sunny Sunday when it was closed, on another walk! (can't remember the details). And although it was closed, it was pointed out to us that day that it has a clock whose hands were frozen at the time the pub was hit by a bomb in 1915. Gosh, shame I didn't make the association while we were there! Anyway, a great night, and great to see everyone. And yes, quite a unique walk. And I walked back.
Tomorrow, back with London Science Events at the Royal Institution - this time, it's Synthetic Intelligence. Last Tuesday's organiser can't make it now - someone has volunteered to do the honours, but has asked people to confirm they're coming - and I seem to be the only one who has, so far!
On Friday, back with Up in the Cheap Seats (UITCS) again, for Pity, at the Royal Court - which I missed last week, when the same group was doing it with another organiser. Delighted to make this - also delighted to avail of a terrific Time Out offer of £12 tickets for Band B seats - the official price for Band D is £14, so this was great value! Sadly, now sold out. There was a mixed reaction to it last night, among those who'd seen it.. well, time will tell.
On Saturday, back with them again, for the very last performance of Spun, at the Arcola. Second in a row with a theme of terrorism - this one is about the London bombings. Beforehand, we're headed for dinner at the Stone Cave, a Turkish place - and afterwards, to the Aqua 7 wine bar.
On Sunday, back with Walking in London, and Katie of Look Up London! Delighted she has a new walk - Smithfield & Clerkenwell: Guts & Glory. It's actually cheaper on her own site than on Funzing - unless you're getting one of those common 10% discounts!
On Monday, I'm taking myself to the Proms, at the Albert Hall, for the first time in ages. This one is An Alpine Symphony.
On Tuesday, I'm finally back with North London Friends, for Give My Regards to Broadway, Upstairs at the Gatehouse. Completely sold out now, I believe.
Next Wednesday - London Literary Walks is taking a break! That was the day I was looking at films for - but what was coming top was Teefa in Trouble. A Bollywood film - fine: except when I watched the trailer, the jokes weren't quite as funny to me as I think they were to the makers, and there was a bit too much exaggerated action - think slo-mo, and people balancing motorbikes on their fingertips. And 2.5 hours of all that was, I thought, a bit much - so no thanks. Which left Sanju again. Not so much.. so I then thought about heading, with UITCS, to Julie, again at the National. Huh! Only tickets left were £50, when I checked! I then checked again.. they had two tickets for £26! Gone again now. Anyway, I've booked for a Heroism & Villainy Walking Tour (with Real Magic!), via Walking in London.
On the 2nd, I was also booked with them - for The Summer Ghost Walk. I've been with this guide before - found him very good. And then.. Ryanair announced another bloody strike!! Yes, for the next day. Yes, when I was to go to Ireland for the weekend. So now I'm flying on the 2nd, instead - happily, it was Funzing, so I'll get a refund. And they've even refunded me the credits that I used to book it! And I retain the record of bookings that'll earn me more credits. And at least I found out earlier this time, so booked an alternative flight earlier, so it was a bit cheaper.
On the 6th, Anthony's Cultural Events and Walking Activities Group is off to Westferry Circus again, for The Importance of Being Earnest. Must remember to bring supplies, this time. And a hat.
On the 7th, UITCS is off to When Midnight Strikes, Upstairs at the Gatehouse.
On the 8th, London Literary Walks is back with Brook Green - another area near where I used to live! Actually, the first medical practice that I registered with, in London. Nice nurse - one very narky doctor.
On the 9th, UITCS is back to the Camden Fringe, with How to Be a Londoner in an Hour, at the Hen & Chickens Theatre. Then I'm down to Helen's for the weekend, for a party..
And on the 13th, back with Anthony's Cultural Events and Walking Activities Group, back to Westferry Circus.. this time it's for A Woman of No Importance.
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