Was thinking about a film for today. And after all the effort of doing the film list - I didn't like what came top of the list: at least, not more than I liked the idea of a new event posted by Up in the Cheap Seats (UITCS), to see Actually, at Trafalgar Studios. A play about sexual politics sounded like it could be interesting, if done right. So I booked it. Special offer - great value - from Today Tix. Mind you, I then heard there was to be a huge demo outside, with road closures.. promised to be interesting too! Protesting against the prorogation of Parliament.
I studied the TFL website carefully - they weren't terribly clear, but I eventually concluded that my bus would be diverted partway along my route. Being the weekend, the bus wasn't very punctual anyway - but in due course, it arrived, to take me to Somerset House. After that, it was going off course, so I alighted and went in search of brunch. I ended up with a very tasty chicken BBQ melt in the Soho Coffee Co. - but they could improve on their presentation! Not only did I not get a plate, even though I was eating in, but it was piping hot, with only a thin layer of greaseproof paper to protect me from it as I carried it to a bench. One napkin in addition. And although she'd split it in the middle, her implement hadn't gone all the way through - so I needs must pull it apart myself, burning my fingers in the process! Tsk - what a shame, because it was delicious.
Grabbed a bar of chocolate in Tesco's as I was passing, and made my way to the protest zone. First thing I saw was curious - I'm not sure whether it was related to the protest, but a large group of cyclists - all young, and including quite young kids - were weaving in and out of traffic in a most irresponsible fashion. Lordy, don't we have enough cyclists breaking the rules, thinking that red lights don't apply to them and cycling on pavements?!
It wasn't long before I found the protest proper - I thought they were leaving, but it turned out they were only headed to Trafalgar Square - where, it seems, a number of them had a sit-down protest shortly after, blocking the road. I saw those people pass, chanting "You shut down the parliament, we shut down the streets!". This is probably why a police cordon was later set up at the junction between Trafalgar Square and Whitehall, meaning we had to walk the long way around to get to our buses..
As I crossed Whitehall (mercifully, not itself cordoned off), I discovered that the traffic island in the middle of the road provided a great vantage point! 20 minutes I spent there..
..and I see not every bus was wise enough to divert! I hope they at least turned off their engines. ;-)
Well, we were supposed to meet at a certain time, so when it came close to that, I moved. The crowd had thinned out by now, which made it easy to get to the theatre - a phalanx of police stood outside to protect it from harm, but the booking confirmation on my phone got me through. I collected my ticket from the box office, and joined the others in a corner of the lobby - where, through the glass doors, we could continue to watch proceedings. Heard a little of the ongoing rally, too. For more entertainment, we shortly had footage of Equus - still showing in the main theatre, at an earlier time to ours - displayed on a screen to our other side, for the benefit of latecomers!
When it was time, we headed downstairs - blissfully cool and quiet! I was right at the end of the row - and wouldn't you know it, lots of other people in my row had taken their seats more promptly than I. And didn't look best pleased at being moved. Never mind. I was quite side-on, but as the play progressed, I got a pretty good view of both characters.
This is a claustrophobic play, just two characters, telling us their sides of the story of a night they spent together. Each remembers it differently. He's black, she's white - which adds another layer of complexity. Other characters are mentioned by one or other actor, or both, but mainly it's about these two - and we get to know both very well.
There's been criticism, apparently, of the style, which mainly has them delivering monologues, rather than interacting. I really think that works better in this case though, emphasising the disconnect between them that helped to give rise to this whole problem. As the blurb for the play states, there are three sides to every story; as the characters on stage lay themselves bare, for us if not for each other, we get two - the third is ably provided by people who were involved on the periphery, or not at all, and whose interference just makes everything a lot more complicated.
A play that raises questions about racial and sexual politics, and social norms, this is also a brilliant piece of writing, batting perceptions back and forth between the characters as they try, themselves, to make sense of what happened. Such realistic scenarios and attitudes that you wonder whether they're based on personal experience. See, this is what I meant when I said that there was a right way to use real-life experiences - for the wrong way, see Pyneapple. And it's no spoiler to reveal that we never do find out the outcome of the inquiry that results from her allegation that he raped her - we are left to make up our own minds. Which I think is exactly as it should be. It's always hard to tell what happened, when you weren't actually there.. I'd love to recommend this to you, but this was the last performance! Still, if you see it advertised again sometime..
Handily, the theatre bar was open for 45 minutes afterwards, so we had a drink and a chat. Once we finally ventured back upstairs, we found that the protest hadn't exactly died down!
Rock on, guys. And two of us had to walk all the way back up to Aldwych for our buses home! The LCD displays, meant to tell us when they were due, were completely flummoxed, mind.. but I did get home eventually. A great day out - great company, and any amount of entertainment..
Tomorrow, I'm off to the Kubrick Exhibition! Taking place at the Design Museum, this should be fascinating - I've seen so many of his films, and I believe some sets have been reconstructed.
On Monday, back to Wilton's - Civilised London is at another jazz night. This time, it's the Hot Club of Jupiter!
On Tuesday, UITCS is at A Very Expensive Poison, at the Old Vic. Still in preview, this is based on a book inspired by recent Russian poisonings. I just found out one of my flatmates has been to see it - he found it "very left-wing". Is that because he's half Russian..?
On Wednesday, my first Meetup with Love London Theatre, Arts, Music & Stuff - we're off to Secret River, at the National. And there should be a couple of people there from other groups of mine - nothing like cross-pollination! This one is about the tensions caused by Europeans' arrival in Australia.
On Thursday, back at last with Spooky London! It's ironic, he'd only just said that I'd been to all the pub socials - and I stopped going! Not deliberate, I can assure you.. this time, we're at The George. Then I'm back to Ireland for the weekend again.
On the 9th, back with London European Club for a night at the Proms - this is Prom 68: Wagner Night. At the Royal Albert Hall, natch.
On the 10th, back at Trafalgar Studios - this time with North London Friends, for The Fishermen.
And on the 11th, I'm back to the Proms, on my own.. Prom 71: Bach Night
Tonight, the second of three days in a row with Up in the Cheap Seats (UITCS): we were at Treemonisha, by Scott Joplin, at the Arcola. Part of the Grimeborn Opera Festival. So, back to Dalston again! Right around the corner from the garden. Sold out by today. I - as usual - left slightly late, but my bus made such good time that I got there early! Mind you, I still haven't caught up on my sleep - nearly dropped off, just as I was to get off..
But I didn't. So I got off outside the garden, walked around the corner - and past the massive queue for something next door - and into the theatre. It's lovely that you can just display your ticket on a phone now, so I didn't have to bother with the box office. As I say, I was slightly early - literally 55 seconds before the organiser pinged us to say that some of them were sat in the bar. So in I went, and chatted to some I knew, and some I didn't - but it was all very pleasant. I had to laugh though when the barman mistook my order, and thought I said "medium" instead of "large" - how those get confused is beyond me. Methinks he wasn't paying attention. Not that the "large" is so large - 175ml? Ah well. Meantime, our organiser was trying to get shot of a load of bananas she'd bought on the way.. she hadn't realised that the offer included so many! Not many takers, though..
So we went in at the appointed time - just as well I'm a quick drinker, because you can't take drink onto the balcony, here - where I was. We found two more of the group there, sat right behind us.
That's a kind of safety wire you can see, stretched across. The band, as you can also see, spend the evening perched above the stage, and the staging is minimal. Pretty stuffy in there too - it was a relief to gather outside at the interval and the end, and get a cool breeze.
Like last night, beautifully sung, and like last night, I missed a lot of what they were singing. However, it generally seemed easier tonight - and certainly the plot is simple enough. Set in 1884, it tells the story of the one educated young black woman in the community, who scoffs at the local witch doctor, ends up being kidnapped - then rescued: she returns to her community, and at the end, she pardons two of the witch doctors, whom her community has captured.
As you might expect, given the composer, it's the catchiest opera I think I've ever seen! In fact, he won a Pulitzer Prize for Music for this piece. He combined ragtime most effectively with a more operatic score - but only in the dance sequences. And it's great to listen to. None of us were so impressed with the story though, and apparently it's attracted criticism before. To me, it felt unfinished. But hey, it's interesting - tomorrow's final performance is also sold out though. Still, there were a few free seats tonight, so you never know..
Afterwards, I left our organiser to catch my bus. And she lugged a load of bananas homeward. Funnily enough, the bus I took home passed my last flat - and the one I took to the theatre earlier passed the one I lived in before that! Well, that's what you get for moving around the same area. Once I got off the bus, I had other obstacles to navigate - honestly, this proliferation of rental bikes without docking stations is just a nuisance.
Was thinking about a film for tomorrow. And after all the effort of doing the film list - I didn't like what came top of the list: at least, not more than I liked the idea of a new event posted by UITCS, to see Actually, at Trafalgar Studios. A play about sexual politics sounds like it could be interesting, if done right. So I booked it. Special offer - great value - from Today Tix. Mind you, I just heard there's to be a huge demo outside, with road closures.. should be interesting too! Protesting against the prorogation of Parliament.
On Sunday, I'm off to the Kubrick Exhibition! Taking place at the Design Museum, this should be fascinating - I've seen so many of his films, and I believe some sets have been reconstructed.
On Monday, back to Wilton's - Civilised London is at another jazz night. This time, it's the Hot Club of Jupiter!
On Tuesday, UITCS is at A Very Expensive Poison, at the Old Vic. Still in preview, this is based on a book inspired by recent Russian poisonings.
On Wednesday, my first Meetup with Love London Theatre, Arts, Music & Stuff - we're off to Secret River, at the National. And there should be a couple of people there from other groups of mine - nothing like cross-pollination! This one is about the tensions caused by Europeans' arrival in Australia.
On Thursday, back at last with Spooky London! It's ironic, he'd only just said that I'd been to all the pub socials - and I stopped going! Not deliberate, I can assure you.. this time, we're at The George. Then I'm back to Ireland for the weekend again.
On the 9th, back with London European Club for a night at the Proms - this is Prom 68: Wagner Night. At the Royal Albert Hall, natch.
On the 10th, back at Trafalgar Studios - this time with North London Friends, for The Fishermen.
And on the 11th, I'm back to the Proms, on my own.. Prom 71: Bach Night
Made it to Ireland for the bank holiday weekend - with Ryanair drafting in pilots to cover those who were striking, my flight not only went ahead, but was more punctual than ever. If this is the effect of a strike, bring it on!
On Tuesday, The Embers Collective was back - at Dalston Eastern Curve Garden this time. Tickets from Eventbrite. There was to be storytelling, there was to be music - and food. And we made that the occasion of this month's social from my last company! It'd be great to see everyone again. And at least I didn't have to depend on the Tube this time - unlike Thursday of last week!
Ah man, it was hot that day! The one day I could go out without a coat. A huge difference from what I'd had at the weekend. I made it first of the group - the garden is open to the public till 7, and was ticket-only after that: but we could go in early, and a stamp on our wrists allowed us to go in and out. Which was handy, as the pizza - available from 7, and for the whole evening! was cash-only. The nearest cash machine turned out to be in the Co-op across the road, just inside the entrance beside the station. Once I'd done that, I queued for a bottle of wine - I'd have shared it with the others, but nobody seemed to want any - and secured a seat near the stage, down at the children's play area at the back, and with a few free seats around for the others.
Well, they arrived eventually - by the time the last of us came, there wasn't a seat left; the place was quite full. But nobody minded in the slightest if you wanted to sit on the ground. Or, indeed, the two kids that decided their best view would be got by sitting on the stage! Deliciously informal, as you'd expect from the venue, as much as from the Embers Collective themselves. And as usual, first up was Lonan Jenkins, with the most traditional tale of the night - the full tale of the Minotaur.
Sarah Liisa Wilkinson also made an appearance, with her tale of Sun, Moon, Sky.. and we got that mad tale again, of how the North Star came to be. The one with the cannibal mother. For my money though, the stars of the night were the pair of young ladies - I didn't get their names - who regaled us with more modern, original stories, and a great dash of humour.
Woodburner provided musical accompaniment throughout (and pointed out how appropriate that they work with the Embers Collective!), and we were well fed, with pizza (kindly brought down by another of the group) and a bag of sandwiches that Ivan had brought. Oh, and a gorgeous, kindly kitty pointed the way to the loos!
Everyone remarked what a lovely venue it was - they hadn't been there before. Perfect in the sunshine, and nicely shaded. But by the end of the event, it was getting really dark, and they chucked us out. We had one final round in the Speakeasy, down the road - and then most went home, and Ivan and I went in search of a hostelry that opened later. After a couple of misdirections by Google Maps - don't believe them on opening hours! - we ended up having one more in Old Street Records: but the music was so loud that we ended up chatting on the street, before calling it a night. Pity we couldn't have found a decent all-night venue, but it was terrific to see everyone - and it's months since I saw Ivan. Roll on the next occasion.. And I had an interesting walk home.
Too late to blog that night, of course. On Wednesday, London Science Events was off to a Science Museum Late. Just remembered last week to book a ticket - although they're free, you do need to book. Ironically, it was the same day that London Literary Walks finally advertised another walk - for that day! Much more interesting, so I went on that instead. It was The Hampstead Walk. I was rather relieved - it took him ages to arrange this, and I was afraid he'd given up!
A short walk from the office got me to a bus that took me all the way there - "there" being The Garden Gate, a most attractive pub in Hampstead. Which - like so much of Hampstead - turned out to be dog-friendly. Well, I approve!
I was the first to arrive - by a nose - apart from the organiser. This was to be one of the better attended walks - it's just as well there was plenty of space in the pub! Plenty of newcomers too, which is always nice. One of the group ordered nibbles, and we had a convivial time until it was (just past) time to leave. The literary references started early..
We climbed lots of hills - yes Mary, hills! - and visited houses where famous people had lived. Like Keats, for example, and Constable. More controversially, we passed the house where Marie Stopes lived, as the organiser remarked that there wasn't so much to joke about in her case. And we agreed how obliging it was of people to leave their curtains and blinds open, so we could admire their interior decor! Including of the house designed by the real-life Goldfinger - strenuously objected to by Ian Fleming, who is said to have named the famous Bond villain after him!
A few of us finished off the night (up some steep steps) in the (again, dog-friendly) Holly Bush - which was very crowded and stuffy, but they were kind enough to let us take our drinks to the dining section, which was more more spacious and cool. And there we bade Mary farewell - she leaves town over the weekend, and who knows when we shall see her more..?
We were there till closing, creeping out quietly, for fear of vicious residents. Gawped at the local estate agents' prices on the way back. And two buses got me all the way home - again, too late to blog, of course.
Now in the middle of a three-day-run with Up in the Cheap Seats (UITCS) - first time in three weeks! Last night, it was HMS Pinafore at Wilton's. As usual, I got tied up at the office, and left a little later than intended - but in time to meet the group, who avoided the crowds by standing outside. Seems they were serving food, for once! but I wasn't hungry anyway. I had one of the high seats on the balcony - literally up in the cheap seats. Gave me a good view of the decor, anyway.
My seat wasn't for everybody, but it's all right - you do have to keep looking to the side, is the main problem. The guy to my right spotted an empty, ground-level seat and made a dive for it - lucky for him there were no ushers near, they're quite officious here! Indeed, a couple of women in the stalls who decided to move from their end seats to equivalent ones a couple of rows in front - it being close to time, the doors closed, and the seats still empty - were immediately instructed, by a nearby usher, to head back where they'd come from! The guys to my left didn't return after the interval, either - they seemed to have been enjoying it, so maybe they just found better seats as well.
Wow, this is a rarity - a completely traditional production! Not only do they wear perfect period costume - rare in itself - but they sing it (most professionally) in operatic style. Which, unfortunately, means that I missed a lot of the lyrics - never been able to get my ear around that style. Someone remarked, at the interval, that he'd seen a production where the audience clapped along to the songs. This production, however, didn't really lend itself to that - it felt a little prim. Still, most professionally done - but not the most enjoyable show I've been to. Lovely to look at, though. Run finishes tomorrow.
Tonight, we're at Treemonisha, by Scott Joplin, at the Arcola. Part of the Grimeborn Opera Festival. So, back to Dalston again! Right around the corner from the garden. Sold out now.
Now, fair enough, I had late nights this week - but mainly, the reason I haven't been able to blog till now is that I was doing my film list! Was thinking about a film for tomorrow, you see. And after all that effort - I didn't like what came top of the list: at least, not more than I liked the idea of a new event posted by UITCS, to see Actually, at Trafalgar Studios. A play about sexual politics sounds like it could be interesting, if done right. So I booked it. Special offer - great value - from Today Tix. Mind you, I just heard there's to be a huge demo outside, with road closures.. should be interesting too! Protesting against the prorogation of Parliament.
On Sunday, I'm off to the Kubrick Exhibition! Taking place at the Design Museum, this should be fascinating - I've seen so many of his films, and I believe some sets have been reconstructed.
On Monday, back to Wilton's - Civilised London is at another jazz night. This time, it's the Hot Club of Jupiter!
On Tuesday, UITCS is at A Very Expensive Poison, at the Old Vic. Still in preview, this is based on a book inspired by recent Russian poisonings.
On Wednesday, my first Meetup with Love London Theatre, Arts, Music & Stuff - we're off to Secret River, at the National. And there should be a couple of people there from other groups of mine - nothing like cross-pollination! This one is about the tensions caused by Europeans' arrival in Australia.
On Thursday, back at last with Spooky London! It's ironic, he'd only just said that I'd been to all the pub socials - and I stopped going! Not deliberate, I can assure you.. this time, we're at The George. Then I'm back to Ireland for the weekend again.
On the 9th, back with London European Club for a night at the Proms - this is Prom 68: Wagner Night. At the Royal Albert Hall, natch.
On the 10th, back at Trafalgar Studios - this time with North London Friends, for The Fishermen.
And on the 11th, I'm back to the Proms, on my own.. Prom 71: Bach Night.
Tonight, I was looking at a film - but of course, my choice kept changing! By yesterday, top of the list was a preview of Pain & Glory, the latest by Almodóvar, starring a very grey Antonio Banderas as an ageing filmmaker, looking back over his life, and Penélope Cruz as his mother, in flashback. Tonight, previewing at the Curzon Soho. I kept an eye on it, and yesterday evening, finally more than half the seats were booked - so I grabbed my chance, and booked one while I still could.
It was on late, so I hung on in the office - no real late-night culture there, and I was almost the last to leave. (I checked before I left - six seats left for the screening.) By the time I caught the bus, Google Maps was estimating I'd be slightly late: which was ok, this being a regular cinema screening, with ads beforehand. Still, I do like to get in before having to squeeze past entire rows. Happily, with light traffic, we'd made good time. From where I got off, Google Maps had me zig-zagging around back streets to get to the cinema - rubbish! It was easy to see from the map that it'd be faster to retrace my steps slightly and go straight down Shaftesbury Avenue, which is what I did. A little bit of common sense goes a long way.. Along the way, I saw our old office building has finally been revamped - the reception desk is now on the other side of the lobby, which looks very welcoming indeed!
I arrived a couple of minutes early at the cinema. Again, it's a while since I've been here - last time was a few months ago. I went straight in - and would you believe, we had a very relaxed audience; very few people had taken their seats yet! Nobody at all in my row to push past.. so I happily took my comfy seat, and as the ads started up, I did wonder where all those people were who had booked. Never fear, they arrived en masse slightly after the ads started, and filled the space - quite chattily. But they quieted down when the film started - and they were lively; when someone behind me gasped at something that one of the characters said, everyone laughed at her reaction..
This is absolutely stunning, and I'm going to give it first place of the three films I've seen in the last week. I can see why it's on the shortlist for the next Spanish entry to the foreign language category at the Oscars, and why Banderas was awarded Best Actor at Cannes for it. The opening credits have a background reminiscent of swirling paint - which prepares you for a film that's extremely visual, with a lavish use of colour. I found myself looking for it in every scene - in the vivid colours of clothes, of furnishings, art galleries, flowers.. a beautiful soundtrack, featuring, in one flashback, the sound of local women singing, helps to make a breathtaking film.
Banderas does a sympathetic job with his character, who's in constant pain, and whose glories all seem to be in the past. But this character of the director - obviously at least partly autobiographical on Almodóvar's part - finds himself energised as various bits of his past return to haunt him, and we see a bit of Banderas' mischief emerging once again. It's increasingly hilarious as the film progresses, beautiful to watch, beautiful to listen to.. what more can I say? I was delighted, I was touched - I felt like applauding when it ended. Very highly recommended.
Tomorrow, back to Ireland for the bank holiday weekend - Ryanair seems to be drafting in pilots to cover those who are striking, and assures me that all flights tomorrow are going ahead as scheduled.
On Tuesday, The Embers Collective is back - at Dalston Eastern Curve Garden this time. There'll be storytelling, there'll be music - and hopefully food. And we're making that the occasion of this month's social from my last company! Be great to see everyone again. And at least I don't have to depend on the Tube this time - unlike last Thursday!
On Wednesday, London Science Events is off to a Science Museum Late. Just remembered yesterday to book a ticket - although they're free, you do need to book. Ironically, it was also yesterday that London Literary Walks finally advertised another walk - for that day! Much more interesting, so I'm going on that instead. It's The Hampstead Walk. I'm rather relieved - it took him ages to arrange this, and I was afraid he'd given up!
And on next Thursday and the 30th, finally back with Up in the Cheap Seats - first time in three weeks! Next Thursday, it's HMS Pinafore at Wilton's.
And on the 30th, we're at Treemonisha, by Scott Joplin, at the Arcola. Part of the Grimeborn Opera Festival.
Tonight, I saw Showtune - an evening of Jerry Herman music - at the Union Theatre. By 'eck, I could walk there again from the office! Mind you, I left later than intended, so it was quite a brisk walk. And it was just as well I skipped going to the loo on the way out - though I wanted to go.. I was only just in time. Turns out I was there before (years ago), but I have no memory of it at all.. anyway, I might have been the very first person to book for tonight (as he told me, checking my name off the list), but I was the very last in the door. Practically sold out, from what I could see. Seating is unassigned - I managed a seat on the aisle, and was pretty high up, but it's a small place, so nowhere is far from the stage. Damn stuffy though - I thought I saw a cooler by the door, but it didn't achieve much.
The stage is scattered with bits and pieces of costume, calling to mind the dressing room of a stage star. Several outfit changes throughout the evening are performed behind screens on stage - they're short on space, after all! And this is simply a medley of the man's music. Honestly, I wasn't familiar with most of it - but I bet everyone knows Hello, Dolly! and I Am What I Am. And perhaps Look What Happened to Mabel.
With music of that calibre, it doesn't really matter if you've heard it before - it's all good. And the performances are generally top-notch.. a few weak voices. But the choreography is good, and the use of space - it fits together seamlessly, with a guy to the side on piano providing musical accompaniment. Basically a terrific night out for those of us who love, well, showtunes! Recommended - runs till Saturday, booking recommended. And as always when I watch something like this.. I do wonder how the Man with the Hat is doing. Of all the people I've met, this world reminds me of him more than anyone.
Slightly too far to walk home, but I was just in time for a bus - which fairly flew me there!
Tomorrow, I'm still looking at a film - but of course, my choice kept changing! Now, top of the list is a preview of Pain & Glory, the latest by Almodóvar, starring a very grey Antonio Banderas as an ageing filmmaker, looking back over his life, and Penélope Cruz as his mother, in flashback. Tomorrow, previewing at the Curzon Soho. I kept an eye on it, and this evening, finally more than half the seats were booked - so I grabbed my chance, and booked one while I still could.
I'm back in Ireland for the bank holiday weekend - Ryanair seems to be drafting in pilots to cover those who are striking, and assures me that all flights on Friday are going ahead as scheduled.
On Tuesday, The Embers Collective is back - at Dalston Eastern Curve Garden this time. There'll be storytelling, there'll be music - and hopefully food. And we're making that the occasion of this month's social from my last company! Be great to see everyone again. And at least I don't have to depend on the Tube this time - unlike last Thursday!
Next Wednesday, London Science Events is off to a Science Museum Late. Just remembered today to book a ticket - although they're free, you do need to book. Ironically, it was also today that London Literary Walks finally advertised another walk - for that day! Much more interesting, so I'm going on that instead. It's The Hampstead Walk. I'm rather relieved - it took him ages to arrange this, and I was afraid he'd given up!
And on the 29th and 30th, finally back with Up in the Cheap Seats - first time in three weeks! On the 29th, it's HMS Pinafore at Wilton's.
And on the 30th, we're at Treemonisha, by Scott Joplin, at the Arcola. Part of the Grimeborn Opera Festival.
Tonight, with the London European Club at the Globe - we risked The Comedy of Errors. Unfortunately, the organiser couldn't make it, and I hadn't met any of the others before - we'd see. Anyway, I learned my lesson from last night - I wrapped up a bit better!
Now, I had a feeling that meeting people wouldn't work - so I hung on at the office; I certainly have enough to do! Decided to test Google Maps' 13-minute walking estimate from the office - moving pretty quickly, I did manage to beat it slightly (and cursed several joggers along the way!), but I was glad of the extra couple of minutes, what with the queue at the entrance, and the bag check. They were ringing the summons bell as I crossed the courtyard. And yes, everybody else in my row had taken their seat, and I had to get them all up.. the usher suggested I go on the far end, but that's a much worse view! No, they all had to stand to let me pass. Too bad - the view from my end, further from the wall, is almost as good as you can get in the Globe. And, of course, in the front row, I had the front rail to lean on. And was nice and close to the pit, and the great atmosphere there.
Oh thank goodness, the Globe has something decent to show this year! Third time I've been there this year - and third time lucky, because this is hilarious. Not to everyone's taste, mind - particularly the opening language, which could be considered a bit difficult; that's probably why I saw some people leave early. I also detected a number of people laughing quite randomly at the start - probably hadn't a clue what was going on, and just laughed at the first hint that there might be a joke there!
The basic story sounds quite daft - identical twin brothers, with, for goodness' sake, the same name - have identical servants (I think they're supposed to be twins, as well). They were separated by the usual storm at sea, and much confusion ensues when they end up in the same place.
You know, for once, the Globe manages to skate over the possible confusion here! Despite the characters' identities being mixed up in the play, we can figure them out quite easily - we can see they're supposed to be identical, by their identical costumes, but they are quite distinguishable. One of the servants is male, the other female (both supposed to be male, but this is one case where gender-switching actually helps). One of their masters is Irish, with a beard - the other is English, and clean-shaven. The couple of other men in the play represented by women are played unconfusingly, and don't get into the plot so much anyway. I was delighted to see that, for once, the wife of one brother - and even her sister - are actually portrayed by women!
Major slapstick ensues, as none of the protagonists meet their doppelganger until the last scene. So, the wife who gets mad at her husband for being late for dinner ends up sending for the wrong man, and refusing her husband entry when he does arrive.. each brother sends his servant on a message, then meets the other servant, who has no idea what the man is then talking about.. it is played for laughs, as usual, but this time it makes sense. And their sense of comedy is spot-on. Yippee, I can recommend something at the Globe..! Also showing on Friday - part of their Refugee Week.
With no chat among Meetup participants, I just headed straight home - to be honest, it's good to get finished at a reasonable time.
That's it for me and Meetup for over a week! Tomorrow, I'm seeing Showtune - an evening of Jerry Herman music - at the Union Theatre.
On Thursday, I'm still looking at a film - but of course, my choice keeps changing! Now, top of the list is a preview of Pain & Glory, the latest by Almodóvar, starring a very grey Antonio Banderas as an ageing filmmaker, looking back over his life, and Penélope Cruz as his mother, in flashback. On Thursday, previewing at the Curzon Soho. I'm keeping an eye on it.
I'm back in Ireland for the bank holiday weekend - Ryanair strike permitting! Depends on what nationality our pilot is - and whether they voted to strike..
Next Tuesday, The Embers Collective is back - at Dalston Eastern Curve Garden this time. There'll be storytelling, there'll be music - and hopefully food. And we're making that the occasion of this month's social from my last company! Be great to see everyone again. And at least I don't have to depend on the Tube this time - unlike last Thursday!
On the 28th, London Science Events is off to a Science Museum Late.
And on the 29th and 30th, finally back with Up in the Cheap Seats - first time in three weeks! On the 29th, it's HMS Pinafore at Wilton's.
And on the 30th, we're at Treemonisha, by Scott Joplin, at the Arcola. Part of the Grimeborn Opera Festival.
Tonight, I finally went to see Evita, at Regent's Park Open Air Theatre. Never had seen it before. Showers promised.. bah. Well, if the weather had been bad enough, they'd have cancelled.
It poured rain earlier - but sure enough, the evening brightened up nicely. I left in good time - had to, if I wanted to take the bus; it'd take almost an hour, and I'd have to change! Two very packed buses, they were - and on the second, a very polite, elderly gentleman asked whether he might join me (on the spare seat beside me). I said yes, he sat - and bade me a smiley goodbye as he got off. How unusually genteel..
It was a lovely - if chilly - walk to the theatre from where I got off.
And along the way, I appear to have found a sculpture exhibition!
and one I think is a permanent fixture - I don't usually come in this way.
The theatre isn't perfectly signposted, which is where Google Maps come in handy. A moment to check my bag, another to scan the ticket - and I was in.
Damn, it was cold - that was the only problem. Halfway through, I was wishing I had gloves.. and was jealous throughout of the people who brought a blanket for their knees, and another who'd wrapped herself in a sleeping bag. It didn't help that I was second row from the top - all I could do was button my coat to the top and shudder.
Ah, but I wouldn't have missed it for the world. That gorgeous score just captivated the whole place.. stunningly well-sung, too. I don't believe I've heard better, here - nor seen such enthusiasm in this venue, expressed in an exuberant standing ovation at the end. The show started with a bang, literally - signs at the entrance warn of flashing lights, CO2 guns, loud noises.. we get explosions of tickertape, streamers, acrid-smelling smoke. I hate to think what kind of a mess the place will be at the end of the run - they don't do a perfect job of clearing it up after each show, and tonight the wind was taking it all over. Some audience members draped streamers over themselves as an ornament.
This production is fantastic - lively, sexy, complete with tango and topless male dancers. Indeed, there's a lot of bare skin - they must have had goosebumps tonight! Kudos to them for the discomfort. The visuals are spectacular - not only, as mentioned, do they not skimp on the theatrics, but they dispose the chorus cleverly around the stage to maximum effect, and it looks terrific, ranging from creepy soldiers lining the stage, to crowds of mourners singing tribute to Evita.
Honestly, I cannot imagine a better production of this - now running at #2 in my list of all-time favourite musicals (still prefer Les Miserables!). Five stars - a must-see; indeed, unusually for me, I'd love to see it again. Runs till the 21st of next month. I was delighted as I left (and not only to get out of the cold!). Mercifully, the bus came quickly - and was practically empty. And I could get it straight home.
Tomorrow, with the London European Club at the Globe - we're going to risk The Comedy of Errors. Unfortunately, the organiser can't make it, and I haven't met any of the others before - we shall see. Anyway, I've learned my lesson - I'll wrap up a bit better.
On Wednesday, I'm seeing Showtune - an evening of Jerry Herman music - at the Union Theatre.
On Thursday, I'm still looking at a film - but of course, my choice keeps changing! Now, top of the list is a preview of Pain & Glory, the latest by Almodóvar, starring a very grey Antonio Banderas as an ageing filmmaker, looking back over his life, and Penélope Cruz as his mother, in flashback. On Thursday, previewing at the Curzon Soho. I'm keeping an eye on it.
I'm back in Ireland for the bank holiday weekend - Ryanair strike permitting! Depends on what nationality our pilot is - and whether they voted to strike..
On the 27th, The Embers Collective is back - at Dalston Eastern Curve Garden this time. There'll be storytelling, there'll be music - and hopefully food. And we're making that the occasion of this month's social from my last company! Be great to see everyone again. And at least I don't have to depend on the Tube this time - unlike last Thursday!
On the 28th, London Science Events is off to a Science Museum Late.
And on the 29th and 30th, finally back with Up in the Cheap Seats - first time in three weeks! On the 29th, it's HMS Pinafore at Wilton's.
And on the 30th, we're at Treemonisha, by Scott Joplin, at the Arcola. Part of the Grimeborn Opera Festival.
