In the event, it was a beautifully sunny day - the last for a while, apparently. So I took myself off to enjoy it - by DLR, which I hardly ever do. Descending into the portal of Hell that is Bank was worth it, for a light and airy journey, mostly above ground (great views of Docklands), with more space than the Tube and most welcome air conditioning. Not to mention that Bank is the terminus, so the train was empty as we boarded! Luxury indeed.
I arrived slightly later than the appointed time, and promptly got myself lost - as usual. I keep mixing Canada Square Park up with Jubilee Park.. Never mind, the organiser helpfully messaged where he was, and I made my way to roughly there - I spotted him, but couldn't get close, so just took the nearest spot on the grass. I ended up beside a lovely lady who was there on holiday, and just stumbled across this! Lucky find. Anyway, she pointed me in the direction of the guy with the free plastic sheets, so I went to find him - attracting, along the way, the attentions of a very friendly dog. And in due course, the organiser decided to go and try to find his flock, making his way in our direction - so I got to meet him, briefly.
Have to say, I'd had a tough day at work, and this was the perfect antidote! I might have been stiff from sitting on the ground, but it cheered me up no end. Starting, appropriately, with 9 to 5, the four singers, two backing singers, and accompanying band took us through a couple of hours or so of mostly 80s films, a lot of well-known songs, a lot of power ballads. My personal favourites - Take My Breath Away and Super Trouper. But it was Footloose that got half the crowd up dancing - including a star turn from one guy in our group! A large screen to the side showed us close-ups - and sometimes crowd shots. Not of us, though - we were too far over. Funnily enough, of all the films referenced, there was only one I hadn't seen - the one they chose to end both halves with songs from: The Greatest Showman. Ah well.
By the time it was over, the sun had gone down - I couldn't see the others from the group, and since we hadn't stayed on the last time we did this, I made my way out. As it turned out, although he hadn't mentioned as much on the Meetup page, the organiser was scouting out a nearby pub, where they convened - gee, by the time I got that message, I was already home. He could've said something in advance, you think? But then, he never was one for the little details. Meantime, I was busy catching the right bus, going in the wrong direction - yes, they do stop there going both ways! Never mind, I got home eventually - no blogging last night though, I was busy with the film list. Of which more anon.
Now, Up in the Cheap Seats (UITCS) was 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 tonight! Last seat in the house, in fact.. love Matthew Bourne. This is now sold out completely for the run, apparently. So I fairly skipped out the door this evening - it's close enough to the office to walk (just), but since it was raining.. and I preferred not to arrive exhausted, given all the stairs I'd have to climb.. and it'd be tight.. I took the bus. Arrived with about 10 minutes to spare, and since - for once - I had nobody to socialise with, I made my way straight to my seat.
A little far back, but a terrific seat - one of the seats to the side, which are constrained by a slanted wall; there's a bank of three, then two - mine was in glorious isolation behind them. Which meant there was no-one beside me to the right, no-one to the left because of the aisle, no-one behind me, and - as you can see - no-one in front, because of the angle! So I could lean forward or to the side, put my legs wherever I wanted - ideal. The little handrail beside my seat was also very handy for leaning on - and surprisingly comfortable!
Wow, was I thrilled as the show started - and considering everything of Matthew Bourne's that I've seen, I had a right to be. The one traditional element of this that he's retained is the wonderful Prokofiev score - well, mainly the Montagues and Capulets section. Which I'm not complaining about - it's fantastically theatrical. I was glad I'd read the Evening Standard review though - while it is fantastic, it's good to know a bit in advance about what's actually going on. Like the fact that Juliet is the redhead, or that the guard represents Tybalt. The action is set in what looks like a mental hospital, where Romeo is incarcerated when he becomes an irritation to his parents.
The whole production, from the beginning, has the energy and enthusiasm - and the snippets of wit - that we've come to expect from Matthew Bourne. I was enthralled from the beginning, not knowing where to focus my attention in the group scenes. The story runs as follows - Juliet is already incarcerated, subject to the unwelcome attentions of the abusive guard. When Romeo arrives, there's an instant attraction.. but the guard is bound to get in the way. If you get to see this, just wait till you see the clever twist in the ending - perfect for the change in setting, but true in spirit to the original. I adored it.. joined in the standing ovation at the end. And left feeling just as thrilled as at the start - Matthew Bourne is always a treat, and I always leave feeling like I've eaten the tastiest chocolate in the box. Caveat if you see it - there are flashing lights, and there's an offstage gunshot. Oh, and the choice of music to play as we left? Bad Romance, by Lady Gaga. Perfect.
Tomorrow, back with The Embers Collective, who are performing Full Moon Stories at Cafe Cairo.
On Friday, I booked 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! But given the rainy forecast, I cancelled - early enough to get a refund - and am now instead headed to something with my cheap ticket club. Crystal Clear is a play at the Old Red Lion - I picked it for its proximity.
On Saturday, going to see The Doctor, with Juliet Stevenson, at the Almeida. Now, I'd originally booked for this for tomorrow, 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 Saturday! So I switched my ticket to that night, and let them know I was coming too. Now, the organiser is selling tickets for this, and doesn't appreciate competition - or anyone advertising another way to get tickets. Which might be why she deleted the comment I left to explain that I'd be there that night too! I haven't had a message from her either - so I suppose she'll be ignoring me, then. Wouldn't be the first time.
On Sunday, going with Civilised London to the Cartoon Museum - with optional dim sum afterwards. Yes please! I seem to be the only taker - never mind, it's happened before!
On Monday, I'm finally going to see Evita, at Regent's Park Open Air Theatre. Never have seen it.
On Tuesday, with the London European Club at the Globe - we're going to risk The Comedy of Errors.
Next Wednesday, I'm seeing Showtune - an evening of Jerry Herman music - at the Union Theatre.
The 22nd? Film, of course.. it took a while to complete the film list, and when I did, I started to eliminate a few films from the top - either I wasn't interested, or they were on too late or too far away. Which brought me down to.. Once Upon a Time... in Hollwood! Tarantino's first film in ages, set in Hollywood in 1969, and featuring the Manson Family and the murder of Sharon Tate - played here by Margot Robbie. She's just one of a veritable who's who of contemporary Hollywood - we've got Leonardo DiCaprio as a tv star, Brad Pitt as his stunt double, Dakota Fanning as one of the Manson Family - "Squeaky Fromme", Bruce Dern as the owner of the ranch where the Manson Family lived, Luke Perry - who died this year, it seems!, Damian Lewis as Steve McQueen, and, for goodness' sake, Al Pacino! I also anticipate a great soundtrack. It's on at the Barbican, but too early, so I'm headed to the Curzon Aldgate. I've booked - booking is so heavy for tomorrow, I thought I'd better!
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.
On the 28th, London Science Events is off to a Science Museum Late.
And on the 29th and 30th, finally back with UITCS - 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!
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