I headed off in reasonable time. It's interesting how my office is slightly less convenient for transport than my flat is - I had to take two buses again, from the office. And with this having been the hottest July day ever in the UK (and the second hottest day ever), even by the time I left the office in the evening, the air was still at a temperature reminiscent of standing beside a hot stove. I was lucky with buses, mind - having seen two of the first one I wanted depart the stop as I approached, I wasn't optimistic; imagine my shock to discover a third pulling up! I actually nearly missed it - the kind driver, on seeing me wave, stopped for me. Now, this is the one without many seats, so I had to stand - happily, only for a few stops, and I changed buses - my second bus arriving in just a couple of minutes!
I got a seat on this one - but they were both pretty airless. I also noted that the stop I wanted was closed - as, indeed, is almost every second stop on this route! Roadworks.. Another lovely driver though, who - seeing that people wanted to get off there - found somewhere (in heavy traffic) to let us off. Which greatly shortened my walk! And I have to say, the moment I stepped off the bus, I breathed a sigh of relief - it was so much cooler in Rotherhithe, and I thought I could see why - it looked like it'd been raining heavily. Earlier than predicted - and yes, some drops fell on me, too! Well, at least I had the shelter of a newspaper.
The pub was packed and noisy - happily, the guy who'd said he'd be there early had messaged his location, so he wasn't too hard to find. He'd also taken the wise decision to stay outside, where it was cooler and quieter - and he was under a canopy, to protect us from any further rain! although it was about finished, now. I queued for ages for a drink, then joined him outside, where we were later joined by a third. And when it was about time, we moseyed across the road to the church.
Well, almost immediately, we ran into the organiser, who knew us - so we didn't have to check in, or show our tickets. As I say, it was my first time here: and I had great fun, photographing the decor..
The concert started a little later than expected - but was well worth the wait! The two Chilean musicians - one now living in Italy - were delighted to play for us - and to chat, at the interval. And the arrangements of common classical pieces - in roughly the order advertised on the Meetup page - were beautiful. One highlight among many was the Italian singer who played with them briefly, featuring Chilean political protest songs.
It was a stunning evening, and I'm so glad I came. It's just a pity, as we were saying, that there weren't more people there - probably a combination of the time of year (with people on holiday), and the hot weather. Certainly, the church was warmer than was ideal - but again, well worth showing up. Happily, it was a little cooler when we left - and not raining! And I got a bus straight home - as I say, handier location!
Tomorrow, I'm back to Ireland for the weekend. On 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 for the entire run, now. I got a curious phone call, just as I was getting ready to leave, this evening - which delayed me slightly - from the box office. While assuring me that my booking was safe, the guy explained that they've had a problem with the payment system, and the payment hasn't gone through! Now, I screen my calls, so I didn't take this live - he left a message. Well, I subsequently checked my account, and a payment has gone through to the theatre.. I'll try and clear this up tomorrow.
On Tuesday, 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 Wednesday, London Literary Walks (LLW) just recently 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..
Next Thursday, attending a performance of Hamlet by Shit-Faced Shakespeare at Leicester Square Theatre, with Civilised London (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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