Musical: Give My Regards to Broadway

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.