Tonight, I was back to the National for I'm Not Running. Left my team members still at it: as someone just back from a business trip remarked - why was the entire team still there so late? Was there a party he was missing? Hah! I only wish.
The buses couldn't have been handier tonight - two came as I approached, but they weren't the one I wanted, which obligingly waited until I was comfortably situated at the stop before it rounded the corner. It was much less crowded than last time, and traffic was lighter too - it makes such a difference to leave just a bit later. I alighted at the theatre in good time - and the Lyttleton being on the ground floor, I was at the box office that much faster. Mind you, as I took my seat, I noted how much less busy it was than the last time I was at the National. Perhaps it was the play, perhaps it was that it's Monday. To be fair, it did mostly fill up in the end. Of the couple beside me, he did remark to her that they were "very far away". You what?! Is he used to terribly posh seats? or just terribly small theatres? This was closer than I usually get to things.
Well, the play is political - centring on an independent MP who is rumoured to be running for the position of leader of the Labour Party. The opening scene, complete with a bank of microphones, has her PA attempting to read a short statement to the effect that she will not be running. He has said that he absolutely will not take questions, but is repeatedly ignored by the members of the press, and ends up doing so anyway. The audience found this funny. I found it irritating.
I can't tell you what the second half was like - I couldn't wait for the interval, and my chance to leave. I should have had more sense than to book anything about politics, really - I just couldn't get into it, although there were a couple of clever bits. The staging is also good, a revolving room with two walls, on which political interviews with the characters are projected. They were excellent at switching props during these revolutions, so that when the room was exposed again, we were in a different setting. I might have been able to stand it - if not for her intensely annoying, shouty, whiny voice! Maybe that's what you get when you enter politics - maybe she always sounds like that, I dunno. Well, at least it was good to get my night back. Runs till the end of next month.
Tomorrow, I'm off to the Bush, for Drip. Jeez, I hope I have better luck! At least it's not about politics.
On Wednesday, LDN Talks @ Night and London Speaks Sessions (both Funzing) advertised a "Winterville" talk on The Science of Santa, where we get the scientific explanation of how he does it. Taking place at The Windmill. However, seems they meant tomorrow, when of course I'm busy. So instead I'm going to True West, with Kit Harington, at the Vaudeville. Cheapest tickets from the venue.
On Thursday, Hazel of Walks, Talks and Treasure Hunts, London Guided Walks (and, indeed, Walking in London) has a Christmas Carol Tour. Now, the last two events I booked with her turned out to be no-shows.. the first might not have been her fault, as she was advertising someone else's event, but the second, she just missed the ball on and left three of us standing on a street corner. Whether this event happens is anyone's guess! Now, it's technically more expensive if you book on Funzing - but if you had my discount (Funzing_Fb20) ;-) it came down to the same price she charges on her own site, without the booking fee! So I did it that way. But then Henning, with the London European Club, advertised a Happy Xmaths evening at Imperial College, the same night! Festive fun for maths geeks. Plus it's free - you just have to register with Eventbrite. (I see London Social Detours is also doing it now - for a fee. Funny, I wouldn't have put her down as mathsy! Oh, also London Science and Geek Chic Socials.) Anyway, I thought it'd be great to get back with this group. And since I booked the walk with Funzing, I've cancelled and will get a full refund. And I feel no sadness at missing an evening with Hazel, after what's been happening. But gee, this evening is proving to be one of the more popular- now a colleague has booked it for his leaving do. So I'm now going to that instead. Nibbles arranged at The Enterprise.
On Friday, back with Up in the Cheap Seats (UITCS) at the Royal Court, for The Cane. Got the very last ticket, phew! although it seems at least one person did manage it after me.
On Saturday, with them again at the Orange Tree Theatre for The Double Dealer.
On Sunday, the Crick Crack Club is back at the British Museum for I Know Not, a full afternoon of Sufi legend.
Next Monday, I'm off to the Bridge Theatre for A Very, Very, Very Dark Matter, by Martin McDonagh. Starring Jim Broadbent, this is a dark take on Hans Christian Anderson! Our new starter saw it recently, and proclaimed it "weird". Well, weird is good. North London Friends are going as well - but they'll be sat down in the stalls. I hope I get to chat a bit with them - they're a lovely group, and I don't meet them enough.
On the 11th, I was going with them to The Convert, at the Young Vic. Discounted top-price seats, it seems! And then, the Crick Crack Club sent around an advertising email - and damnit if they haven't arranged a meeting that night! The House of Nine Lives is at the British Library, and has Nell Phoenix, Tim Ralphs, and TUUP talking about pussycats. Irresistible. Just got word tonight that my ticket for the play has been sold on, so I'll get a refund - good stuff.
The 12th is our office Christmas party, but Let's Do This has advertised a Christmas dinner- which sounds a more attractive prospect. So I'm doing that instead. Places filled up quickly with regulars.
On the 13th, I'm thrilled to be going to Matthew Bourne's Swan Lake, at Sadler's Wells, with UITCS. He's a fantastic choreographer, but I've never before gotten around to seeing this all-male version. Then I'm back to Ireland for the weekend again.
And on the 17th, the Crick Crack Club is performing Gilgamesh, at Soho Theatre. With Ben Haggerty in the spotlight, this will be a treat! Sold out, of course - you have to book these things early. Meeting Helen for a meal beforehand.
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