Boy, was I ever right with the weather forecast - it was a miserable day! It lashed consistently. In the end, I see about a quarter of the people from that group who'd signed up for that concert cancelled - including the host. Me, I left a bit early, and arrived first of our group to the theatre.
Now, this turns out to be one of those old-fashioned establishments that don't scan barcodes on phones. So I tried to print out the ticket at the office - and wouldn't you know it, the printer just ignored me. No error, but no printing either. So I rang the box office, to get them to print it out. And when I eventually got through, the nice man said of course they would. The box office here turns out to be a completely separate door at the side, BTW - and lo, when I got there and asked her, there was no ticket for me. Well, I explained the situation, and she happily printed me another copy - asking me first did I remember my seat number, of all things! Interestingly, I'm sure I saw others who had printed out tickets, but were still made to go to the box office..
We gradually accumulated, under the convenient tree outside, before heading in, as soon as everyone was there - there was quite a queue. Two were in the stalls - the rest of us all the way up in the upper circle. And boy, are there some stairs up there! I think the only place I've been that's more exhausting is the Coliseum. Even meeting the others in the dress circle bar, as a compromise, at the interval was like mountaineering. (Well-signposted, mercifully.) Well, I managed it without cardiac arrest - just - and took my seat:
I'm glad I was on the aisle - someone was complaining about the legroom, afterwards, and I do know it's just uncomfortable at this level. I spent the whole show with my legs swivelled to the side. And most of it leaning, to see over people's heads - luckily, there was no-one behind me to complain.
Fantastic show though - reminding me of everything I'd forgotten from the film. Beautifully sung, beautifully danced - and the dance where they balance bottles on their heads was all the better for one falling off, and proving to us all that they weren't glued on! Gotta be honest, by and large, I did spend my whole time remembering how the film did it: but the ending is more poignant than the film, as this poor man whose travails we've been living through for the evening faces the worst of all, as his family is banished in the pogrom. Cannot fault the production - and you can't go wrong with the Fiddler. Runs on selected dates to the 2nd of November - highly recommended. Oh, and I got my wine in a proper glass at the interval - she said that was fine, as long as I wasn't in the front two rows (I'm guessing that applies to the upper levels). And as I didn't see anywhere to leave it on the way out, I took it home as a souvenir - goodness knows, the wine was expensive enough anyway.
It ran too late to blog, last night. Tonight, London Literary Walks (LLW) 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 that, now could I?! Why, they'll just be walking me home from work.. and while rain is predicted again, it's already a better day than yesterday. Besides, it's more pleasant if you're on the move.
Tomorrow, 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 Friday, back with UITCS for Barber Shop Chronicles at the Roundhouse. A National Theatre co-production, apparently.
On Saturday, 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. Only thing is, I just on Monday got a delivery slip for a missed delivery, which I have to pick up at the sorting office - which isn't close to me! And the only real window I have to pick that up - is on Saturday morning. Just as well I didn't book too early a train - for that price, I have to take a specific one!
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. But I had to get a co-worker to print it for me - 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 Sunday evening. On Monday, back with UITCS for Pilgrims, at the Orange Tree Theatre.
On Tuesday, 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).
Next Wednesday, 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 - they're at a free outdoor concert in Canada Square Park, called the Magic of the Movies. Again, I'll be watching the weather.
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 London European Club 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.
No comments:
Post a Comment