I started off in reasonable time, but slightly later than intended. The No. 8 took me to the West End - I see that, from next week, they're no longer going to allow people to enter by the rear doors on that route. Good idea - fare-dodging is endemic! It came quickly enough - and absolutely packed - but I did arrive slightly later than I'd have liked at the theatre, leaving the poor organiser standing outside, waiting for me; I was the last, and the others had headed into the bar. Never mind, all's well that ends well. And we had time for a quick chat at the bar before we headed to our seats - nice and central:
Before the show, on stage we can see a trolley, which on its top shelf holds a - mound - covered with a cloth. This mound, it turns out, represents the amount of alcohol consumed in, as explained in the program, the four hours preceding showtime. So, when the mc removes the cloth, we see empty beer bottles and, on this occasion, a half bottle of gin - indicating that the sozzled actor consumed the other half. The bottom shelf, meanwhile, holds tools to be distributed to the audience - at which point I must congratulate our organiser for not getting front-row seats. The front row is interacted with quite heavily, with a couple of people given implements to make noise with if they think the drunk actor isn't drunk enough, at which point the mc cracks open another beer. Someone is given a bucket to rush up with if required. And one poor soul is prevailed upon to play the role of Polonius..
It's quite clever, actually. It's a skit, of course, with the text abbreviated - the show is only about 70 minutes long - and peppered with interjections to make it funnier anyway. The drunk actor is given licence to do whatever they please, within reason - they don't want the set destroyed, obviously. Last night, it was Claudius' turn - and he was an entertaining drunk. Particularly after the extra beers. With a particular attraction for knocking over the arras.
So, fun, entertaining, and recommended. Runs till the 14th of next month. Contains swearing. Afterwards, we repaired - in the spirit of the show - to the pub. The Round Table, a short walk away, is an excellent find - generally quite empty, plenty of seats, not too much noise, a decent house white - and an excellent playlist. Stays open late too, as we were to discover - we had an excellent evening. So excellent that, by the time I got home, I was so exhausted that I just managed to get my glasses and shoes off, phone my mother, and crash on the bed - where I promptly fell asleep. Hence the delay in the blog..
Tonight, back with Up in the Cheap Seats (UITCS) for Barber Shop Chronicles at the Roundhouse. A National Theatre co-production, apparently.
Tomorrow, 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 tomorrow morning. And let's not forget the cycle ride through London this weekend, which means a lot of central roads are closed, so I'd better take the Tube. 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 the ticket for me - they only accept paper confirmations! and I still can't get the office printer to work.) 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).
On Wednesday, London Literary Walks has a walk called Moby Dick (ahoy!). It's around Greenland Dock.
On Thursday, 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, I booked for This is Black, Double Bill 1. But gee, CL just advertised another night at Wilton's - featuring, on this occasion, the Lucky Dog Jazz Trio. Now, that'll be a blast! So I'm going to that, instead.
On the 13th, back with Anthony's Cultural Events and Walking Activities Group - 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. 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 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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