At the bus stop, I tried to have a look at the bus route map to double-check alternatives, but a young, smooching couple were in the way slightly: and somewhat miffed to have me staring at them! Tough. Anyway, my bus was along in no time. And once again, I say - you do see the most interesting things on the bus..
And no, he wasn't cleaning the windows. I had watched him hopping around on the porch that you can see to the left, then he edged his way along that ledge. Our bus was stopped at traffic lights, briefly - by the time we rounded the corner and could no longer see him, he was gingerly creeping around an outcrop..
Well, the last time I was here to see Andrew Scott, I was a couple of minutes late, and they wouldn't let me in. No such problems this time.. When I got to the theatre, a small group of our people had already gathered - there were to be lots more! They're still renovating, here, and entrance to the stalls is still by the side streets. My seat was quite decent, not at all too far from the stage, for the rear stalls:
Unfortunately, that picture gives you an optimistic impression of the sightline - I raised the camera to take it. Actually, my view was severely impaired by all the large heads in front of me - at best, I could see 60% of the stage, and when the lady in front of me leaned to her left at one point, I could see practically nothing! I'd have done better behind a pillar, I think.
But I had the most fantastic evening, all the same. This was written in 1939 - not performed for a few years after, because of the outbreak of war: and the art deco set and the costumes reflect this. It's acknowledged to be autobiographical - the central character, based on Coward himself, is a narcissistic showman, adored all his life but now ageing. Still, he seems to have lost none of his charm - and the subject of the play is the constant stream of lovers that he has to fend off!
Guess which part Andrew Scott plays? ;-) Actually, it seems that the part was chosen for him - indeed, he absolutely storms the stage, and I'd find it hard to imagine anyone else who could pull off the part. Echoes of James Stewart in parts - but I do confess to being a huge fan of Andrew Scott. Still, watching how he throws himself into it, completely overacting in parts - which adds to the play, I think - and with perfect comic timing and emotional balance, I defy anyone to find fault with his performance.
Indeed, the acting in general was praised. Our group were less keen on the play itself. One did remark how it wasn't all lighthearted, and indeed, it seems the original title was Sweet Sorrow. After all, the central character - while apparently adored and living the high life - has one scene where he really seems lonely: and for all that he's constantly wearing a mask, he's often the most truthful character. Interestingly, those homosexual relationships in the play.. weren't originally homosexual! The director made that decision, apparently after ok-ing it with the Coward estate. You wouldn't know it from the writing - it fits in seamlessly. And not only was Coward homosexual - so is Andrew Scott. So it makes perfect sense - not to mention neatly sidestepping the accusations of misogyny that dogged the original (all these women throwing themselves at the Great Man..)
Oh, I adored it - would nearly have bought a program, for the full-page picture of Andrew Scott that comes in the middle! but I didn't come across them on the way out, so wasn't tempted. As a final note, I have to warn against the crowded Dress Circle bar - with just temporary bars downstairs, this is now the closest proper bar to the stalls. And it's a scrum at the interval - avoid unless desperate.
Tomorrow, I was to be 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. But with thunderstorms predicted, I don't really fancy that. So instead, I'm back with UITCS, for Fiddler on the Roof, at the Playhouse. Up in the highest level (literally, in the cheap seats), I've booked myself an aisle seat, for the extra legroom. Never seen this live - seen the film a few times, of course! This also has the advantage that I don't have to leave so early.
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 that, now could I?! Why, they'll just be walking me home from work..
On 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 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 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'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 Sunday evening. Next Monday, 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 - 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.
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