I headed off in good time - on an airless bus, on what must be the hottest day of the year so far (here, at least!). Ran into the organiser on the way, and we walked down together - we were the first there of our group, and the bar, when we entered, was practically empty. Indeed, it stayed unusually empty all evening, even as people congregated for the music - as one said, probably on account of the hot weather. We nabbed a table - they've moved the long table to the middle now: and we saw a "reserved" sign on the bench by the wall! As he said, he hadn't thought you could reserve before now.. good to know.
He was also good enough to buy me a drink. They weren't doing food this evening - they don't always - but I hadn't eaten, and followed the example of others by schlepping out and bringing in a pizza - there's a Papa John's to the left along Cable Street, and mine was ready in 10 minutes. I ordered the large - and nearly finished it! The lashings of BBQ sauce finished me off, in the end. I didn't have room for the wedges I ordered as a side - but then, I did kind of intend those for my companions, and indeed, they did get eaten..!
The act started a bit late - the singer's mother had got lost, and he wouldn't start without her! When she arrived, she did look suitably chuffed and supportive. As Mary remarked, the four performers kind of looked as though they belonged to four different groups - but gelled perfectly. Their material is a mixture of covers and original - the original songs a bit funkier, perhaps; otherwise, very laid-back, very bluesy material. The singer (Dai), in particular, has a beautiful, rich voice - and the material was perfect for a drowsy, hot evening. The atmosphere, as always here, was relaxed.. and a great night was had by all. Particularly since, with so few people there, it was easy to get served! And as ever, we had passers-by stopping outside to listen, through the open door and windows.
Once the last of the crowd left, the cool breeze from outside was a relief - and we stayed for one for the road, almost the last people there. As I say, always a great night! and I appreciated the coolness on the walk home.
Tomorrow.. well, my cheap ticket club came to the rescue again! I'm off to St. Martin in the Fields - for the first time in a while - for a performance of the Goldberg Variations. (Cheap!) Three - very different - musical evenings in a row. (And wouldn't you know it, ShowFilmFirst just advertised the same tickets even cheaper. Grr..)
On Wednesday, back with London Literary Walks (LLW) for The Richmond Walk. Third West London walk in a row with him - but I'm not complaining, they're lovely settings.
On Thursday, back with the London European Club (LEC) - it'll be my first time in St. Mary's Church Rotherhithe, where the Little Symphonic Duet is performing. They aim to reproduce famous classical pieces, with only a guitar and an instrument called a charango, a kind of miniature ukulele. It'll also be my first time in an age with Tuned In London - delighted to be with them again! Then I'm back to Ireland for the weekend.
Next Monday, back with Up in the Cheap Seats (UITCS) - we're off to see Present Laughter, by Noel Coward, with the wonderful Andrew Scott, at the Old Vic. It'll be interesting for us all to see how he is in a comedy. Rear stalls again, yay! Sold out now, I believe.
On the 30th, I'm back with Anthony's Cultural Events and Walking Activities Group (ACEWAG), who are off to a free Motown concert in Canary Wharf. First come, first served for spots on the grass. Unless it's promised to rain, in which case I'll probably cry off..
On the 31st, LLW just yesterday advertised a walk called Heart of the City. Wouldn't you know it, it goes from practically outside my office.. to practically outside my flat! Couldn't refuse to go on that, now could I?! Why, they'll just be walking me home from work..
On the 1st, attending a performance of Hamlet by Shit-Faced Shakespeare at Leicester Square Theatre, with CL. Apparently, the idea is that one cast member performs while, well, shitfaced drunk. The organiser scored us some cheap tickets.
On the 2nd, back with UITCS for Barber Shop Chronicles at the Roundhouse. A National Theatre co-production, apparently.
On the 3rd, a group called Get Out of London is off to Stratford-upon-Avon. Ooh, I thought, that sounds nice - but they're leaving ridiculously early, and coming back the same evening. It being a Saturday, I thought it'd be much nicer to head off at a more civilised hour and stay the night! So that's what I'm doing. Booked a nice, cheap advance train ticket and a night at the Doubletree by Hilton - and because I booked with Expedia, I got a nice discount, on account of all those U2 trips I've been booking with them lately! It's very near the station, which will be convenient. Handily enough, my guide book to England didn't get thrown out in the recent move - and reading it, I might have missed a trick; seems the Shakespeare Hotel is an olde-fashioned type of establishment, and might have been nice. Never mind, it might just be noisy.
Of course, I've been busy booking other things too - such as a "full-story" ticket to all the five houses associated with Shakespeare (much better value than individual tickets: I pick it up when I get there - valid for a year); a couple of them are a bit far-flung, but I believe the hop-on, hop-off city sightseeing bus covers them all. So I've booked a 24-hour ticket for that too - cheaper on that website. (Valid for three months after booking, and for 24 hours after first use. Cancellable up to 48 hours beforehand. Only problem is, I'll have to find the office printer - they only accept paper confirmations!) And, of course - considering what I'm like - I've booked myself into an RSC production that night, at the Swan. It's not Shakespeare, but it is a period play; Venice Preserved is a Restoration thriller.
I'll come back on the Sunday evening. On the 5th, back with UITCS for Pilgrims, at the Orange Tree Theatre.
On the 6th, I'm off to the Bunker.. they have a program of plays by black writers, called This is Black, and that day, I'm seeing Double Bill 2 (they run on alternate days).
On the 7th, LLW has a walk called Moby Dick (ahoy!). It's around Greenland Dock.
On the 8th, I'm at a UITCS double bill at the Orange Tree! The Mikvah Project and Eight Gigabytes of Hardcore Pornography! (ahem..) Then I'm back to Ireland for the weekend again.
On the 12th, This is Black, Double Bill 1.
On the 13th, back with ACEWAG again - they're at a free outdoor concert in Canada Square Park, called the Magic of the Movies.
Now, UITCS is at Matthew Bourne's Romeo and Juliet the same night, at Sadler's Wells - and I was gutted not to get a ticket. But guess what - I got one for the next night! Last seat in the house, in fact.. love Matthew Bourne.
On the 15th, back with The Embers Collective, who are performing Full Moon Stories at Cafe Cairo.
On the 16th, I'm back with the Best Authentic Walking Tours in London (aka Funzing) - for the Sex, Drugs, Sausage Rolls Tour. Unusual for me to find a new walk!
On the 17th, going to see The Doctor, with Juliet Stevenson, at the Almeida. Now, I'd originally booked for this for the 15th, forgetting that The Embers Collective were meeting that day. Can happen when I'm booking lots of stuff. When I realised my mistake, I thought I just wouldn't bother with this - then saw that London Dramatic Arts are going on the 17th! So I switched my ticket to that night, and let them know I was coming too. As for whether they'll actually meet me, I'm not sure - the organiser was selling tickets for this, and might take umbrage at the fact that I bought my own: despite the fact that I originally bought it for another night, and wasn't deliberately trying to avoid buying hers! She can be like that, though.
On the 18th, going with CL to the Cartoon Museum - with optional dim sum afterwards. Yes please!
On the 19th, I'm finally going to see Evita, at Regent's Park Open Air Theatre. Never have seen it.
On the 20th, with the LEC at the Globe - we're going to risk The Comedy of Errors.
And on the 21st, I'm seeing Showtune - an evening of Jerry Herman music - at the Union Theatre.
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