On Tuesday, I was up in good time, and had agreed to meet Helen at Byron Burgers, there being a branch close to the interview site. Of course, I got slightly held up.. that night, I was headed with Up in the Cheap Seats (UITCS) again for Come From Away, finally, at the Phoenix. And, having some time to spare before I left for lunch, I said I'd just check what the arrangements were about my ticket. Well, wouldn't you know it - this is one of the rare places that absolutely requires you to print out the ticket, if you'd selected an e-ticket! Tarnation - I booked this before there was any whisper of redundancies, then subsequently, of course completely forgot that, by the time the event rolled around, I wouldn't have access to the office printer any more! I emailed the box office to ask them to duplicate the ticket, so that I could pick it up - but it took them a while to respond, and in the meantime I dragged my own printer out from the dark cupboard where it'd resided for nearly a year, and went to all the trouble of finding paper, hooking it up and printing out the ticket myself. Pretty disastrous - the ink needs replacing and it came out all funny. Happily, the box office did eventually get back to me and confirm that I could pick up my duplicate, as requested.
(Sigh.) As a point of interest, Byron is on the first floor of One New Change. Made it to the eatery about 10 minutes late - she'd worried that we might have to book, but as we discovered, at 12.10 - 40 minutes after opening - it was almost empty. We even snagged a booth, all to ourselves. (Mind you, she remarked that the town was pretty empty in general.) Careful here - everything is delicious, but also filling, and you will probably overextend yourself. I certainly did - she had some of the onion rings I'd ordered, but I was completely unable; of course, these days they do include a portion of fries as standard, which wasn't always the case. They really have a way with burgers though - she had BBQ beef, I had BBQ chicken, and they both got finished, along with cheesy fries that she cheekily requested instead of the regular ones that come for free. All washed down with a very tasty bottle of pinot grigio. Somehow, we did manage a brownie each for dessert.. and service comes with a smile. Highly recommended, at all branches. My appetite wasn't perfectly on form though, as I was a bit nervous - I was happy to be sat facing an enormous clock, so I could check the time..
Afterwards, we schlepped up to the viewing deck for a while - again, no crowds! Simply delightful:
Well, I was grateful for something to take my mind off the interview for a few hours: but actually, within minutes of the interview starting, I was amazed at how relaxed I felt! I immediately had a really good feeling about it, and by the time I came out - it took a reassuringly long time - I was quite ready for evening. I've heard so much about this award-winning show, it's about time I saw it, eh? It's the true story, apparently, of the aftermath of 9-11, when all planes were temporarily grounded. And a small Newfoundland town played host to people stranded there, from all over!
I was early, so popped into the Caffe Nero across the road - just for a drink of water, as I was still quite full! Headed over near the time that we were due to meet (leaving most of the water - they unfortunately only had the large bottles. And I couldn't have taken it into the theatre).
Queued for the box office, then back outside - I was in the Grand Circle, whose door wasn't yet open. Not long till it was though, and I climbed an inordinate number of steps - in very short flights, so it didn't feel as bad - up to the Grand Circle bar, where our organiser was waiting, as most of us were sat up there.. and he had a spare seat! the last in the bar. I grabbed that pretty quickly, got myself an overpriced drink, and as the group arrived, I proceeded to regale them with tales of how well my interview had gone. On the way in, there was a board where you could attach a little tag to show where you were from - I'd thought it was too crowded, not noticing the separate board for the British Isles, where I might have found a space!
Most of us were sat in the very back row of the theatre - but as we tried to enter, there was this little old lady sat in one of our seats! She explained that she had booked a seat in the centre of the row, but was looking for one with a better view, as she hadn't brought her glasses. Like a magpie, she did try other seats, but it was sold out, I think - would you believe it, she managed to perch at the bottom of the stairs, right at the front of the Grand Circle, for the whole show without being evicted! Good for her.. it helped, of course, that there was no interval, so the ushers weren't around so much. Mind you, as we remarked, the view was perfectly good, even from the very back row of the theatre:
I was under some pressure here, in the company of so many who'd been before and were back for a repeat performance. Ok.. first impressions and I could immediately see the attraction. The soundtrack is damn catchy, a foot-thumping medley of songs driven by the band sitting to the rear of the stage. As emphasised by the foot-stamping cast, who play up a storm, representing different roles, shifting the minimal props around to represent different settings - from the bar to a plane to one of the public spaces used to accommodate 7,000 unexpected visitors..!
It's absolute machine-gun delivery, never letting up. Funny, poignant and true, as it tells some true stories of people that interacted in this small town. We're far removed from it now, and it's not so raw - but one scene that just melted me was when they set a room aside for religious services. And as the stranded, worried passengers filter in, they start with Make Me a Channel of Your Peace.. but just wait until the other religions enter, and start to merge their own hymns. I defy anyone not to be moved. You know, I did say afterwards that - with no reflection on the quality of the show - I still felt no major need to see it again. But hey, all the same, I wouldn't mind if I found myself in that position.. and that soundtrack is going on my favourites list. Runs until the 14th of September, booking highly recommended. Seeing it is also highly recommended - definitely one of the best shows in town. Most deserving of the standing ovation that extended all the way to the back row.
Listed as a separate Meetup for that night - afterwards, the band from the show plays at the Arts Club, downstairs, on Tuesdays: entry free if you have a ticket for the musical. If you're going separately, the entry ticket includes a free cocktail, which makes this excellent value! Se we scooted down there - no ticket check, I noted. And our efficient organiser had had a word in advance with the manager, who'd reserved some tables for us by the wall. We had a good night, a good chat, and the band treated us to hours of excellent trad music. Oh, and the wine is quite a bit cheaper than upstairs.
Proud to have been one of the last three of our group in the bar. ;-) I was too tired to bother blogging afterwards - went straight to bed. And yesterday, I got all caught up doing the film list..
Last night, back with London Literary Walks for his Elephant and Castle Walk. Another popular one - he even restricted the numbers, for the first time! We were to meet in The Three Stags - and I travelled there in buoyant mood, having received the news, just before I headed out, that I got that job. Yes, the one I interviewed for the day before! Unheard of, really - but the recruiter, when I mentioned as much to her, remarked that they weren't in the habit of hanging around. So I fairly skipped in. This is an interesting pub - very politically correct, shall we say:
They also support an animal charity, and something I haven't seen in many pubs - a contactless payment point on the bar to donate to the homeless. £3 a pass. Terrific idea!
There were so many of us that a helpful barman shoved over another table. Not only that, but there was cross-pollination - a couple of people who'd been with UITCS the night before had come along for the first time, and the organiser (Anthony) of Anthony's Cultural Events and Walking Activities Group had come along! This group's fame is spreading..! Well, our guide for the evening spent so much time socialising that he fair forgot to drink his pint. So we were a little late in leaving - and as usual, we left without the full contingent. These things will happen when you run a free event - most people did show up, but not everyone bothers to cancel.
Someone had remarked that the theme of this "literary" walk wasn't the most literary. Indeed - but it was interesting, and it was varied. Our highlights included a lot of Charlie Chaplin's early life - we even got a dance performance from our guide as he demonstrated how the young Chaplin would entertain passers-by by tap dancing on the door to the cellar. As we remarked on leaving that spot, we hoped no-one had been under him in the cellar just then!
We got an explanation of how, not only is Easter a moveable feast, but so is St. George's Day, which can't be held in Easter Week - so it's next week instead. There was also a scientific bent to the walk, with an explanation of the periodic table of elements - and, walking through a park in bitter cold, we were told that Faraday was born there. Gee, I hope it was a bit warmer on that occasion.. And who could forget the Museum of Anarchy?
Kudos also to the participant in the walk who, with his comprehensive knowledge of both Chaplin and Kubrick, contributed much. (There's a Kubrick exhibition on, you see.) And to finish, we repaired to The Tankard - mock Tudor exterior, somewhat spoiled, as was pointed out, by the big banner outside advertising Sky Sports. Sure enough, there was football on inside, accompanied by two screens showing other programs, muted. The entire pub is dotted with them. When the football ended, they switched to music.. didn't stop those of us who stayed for a couple. And isn't it funny, at the end of the night there were three of us left again!
Had to take a couple of buses home, in absolutely freezing conditions. On the second, several people were asleep - including one sitting at the edge of the buggy / wheelchair area. When the bus braked suddenly, he went flying - his fall was broken by the folding bike that someone had left there.
Spent the rest of the night finishing the film list, in anticipation of going to a film today. Considering I'm still on garden leave, and my days are nice and free, I booked to meet 45+ Not Grumpy Old Londoners for a walk about A History of Chelsea - from quaint to Quant. Starting in the morning, they were meeting in the bar of the Royal Court, and were to have lunch after the walk. But you know, it was late enough when I got in, and I'd have had to go to bed pretty much straight away - I hadn't paid anything, so I just cancelled. Have to wait a bit longer to meet them.
Then, this morning, I got an email from my cheap ticket club - and lo, they had a couple of interesting offerings! So I said I'd pick one of those. A play called Devil's Choice sounded up my street - love devilish things, me. It's at The Playground Theatre - a fairly new one, I believe; I certainly hadn't been there before. This was the opening night. And my ticket represented a substantial saving on the official price, courtesy of Eventbrite.
Having spent most of the day doing this (extremely long) blog post, I was tight for time - finally dragged myself away and scooted down to the kitchen to grab what I had in the fridge from yesterday. Wouldn't you know it, one of my bloody flatmates had eaten it! I didn't really have time to buy more, bring it back and cook it - so I was quite hungry, heading all the way out West! Tube it was, this far out - and uncomfortable on the Northern Line, with me positioned so the only handrail I could reach was the ceiling one, which was uncomfortably high. Things, as usual, were much better on the Circle Line.
It's funny how far Latimer Road Station actually is from Latimer Road, where the theatre is! Seems a portion of the road was demolished for construction of the flyover, before which the road did run much closer to the station. Anyway, I need the exercise. And I love walking through the suburbs of West London, which are so much more pleasant.
Google Maps directed me until I practically fell across the theatre, which doesn't heavily advertise itself. I did arrive half an hour early - and boy, was I glad to see a cafe to the side! Better yet, they had some sandwiches - I chose one, and the nice man asked whether I wanted it toasted. Now, they were all made with brown bread, which doesn't often toast well - but I loved the sound of a toastie, and said yes please. I also had a wine, which he served to me in a plastic container - although I did manage to finish it before I went in. Grabbed the very last table - and he was obliging enough to bring the sandwich over for me, attractively presented on a plate, complete with knife and fork.
Oh Lord, it was lovely. Whatever bread they use toasts beautifully, and it was exactly what I needed. My mood had massively improved by the time I finished - the only thing that upset me was that I didn't have time to try what was a most attractive-looking chocolate cake. My table had several free chairs, and I'd happily have shared with any of the folks round about, looking for a place - but I'm afraid they were all too English to ask. Never mind..
When I was finished, the theatre was open - it had opened quite unobtrusively. So I showed the nice man my confirmation, and he scrabbled on his phone to find the list, before letting me in. Seating is unassigned in this small venue - I must also, sadly, report that it's a bit uncomfortable. The set takes the form of a well-appointed living room:
The central character - at least at first - is an ageing actress, to whom the Devil pays a visit. And a suave fellow he is too - sings, dances, wears a suit.. the only concession to his profession is a pair of red socks: and later, a red hat. Quite charming. She decides she wants eternal youth - he decides her soul isn't really enough for that, and persuades her to invite her three kids (sat in the audience) around, on the pretence that she's dying. But what deal does he have in mind? and what choices will everyone make?
There's a lot to like here. The set is pleasant, the soundtrack elegantly classical, and as I say, the Devil is a delight to watch. By and large, the acting is fine. However, for me, the son didn't convince, the first half (well, 2/3, given how short the section after the interval is) dragged, and - what the hell is with the ending? Took me quite a while to decide what I thought had happened. Most confusing. Anyway, if you decide to give it a try, it's on till Sunday - but honestly, I don't think it's worth the official price. Never mind the VIP ticket, whatever it is!
The Tube home was much emptier. Tomorrow, I'm also thinking of film - and what's coming up is Eighth Grade, opening tomorrow, about the final week of an unfortunate teen in middle school. (Higher-rated offerings didn't appeal.) The trailer looks quite appealing - seems quite funny. Showing in Rich Mix - I might surface in time for the earlier showing. Never actually been to the cinema there before!
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