Play: Pyneapple

Tonight, I was off to the Bunker..  they have a program of plays by black writers, called This is Black, and today, I was seeing Double Bill 2 (they run on alternate days). Turns out it's close enough to walk - so I could stay late at the office: not late enough to get everything done that I wanted to, but I eventually figured I'd better head, if I were to make it on time.

So I scuttled off down the road - and for such a sultry day, there's a damn cold breeze! Anyway, I trusted to Google Maps - just like the pair that arrived with me - and it led us all there safely. Turns out to be a steep ramp leading downwards, just to the right of the Menier Chocolate Factory. So I crowded into the lobby bar with everyone else. Wasn't long before we were let in, and had to have our hands stamped on our way - the ticket check consisted of checking our names off a list. Inside, another steep ramp down - seating was unreserved, and although I wasn't the only non-black person there, we were in the minority. Oh, and it was roasting.

It took them ages to start - I got my paper finished in the meantime. The first play up hadn't been named when I booked - seems it's called Pyneapple. I guess they hadn't been able to think of a name in advance. Anyway, it's about four young black women, who meet up and shoot the breeze in the salon in which two of them work. The play consists of the conversation among them - family, dating, the ignorance of white people about black people, and the problems of conforming to a particular, Euro-centric look.

It's terrible. Dear God, if I hadn't been sitting in the middle.. oh, I was praying for it to be over, and it only an hour long (don't forget, of course, it started late). It's just so badly written! Oh granted, it's honest - I can imagine this being scripted directly from real-life conversations, and some of it is very raw. Unfortunately, that doesn't generally make for great art. The stories are all pretty separate, no real point to them - and to make things worse, some of the acting is also really amateurish. I can't remember when I've seen anything so bad. So when we were asked to leave so they could set up for the next play, I left entirely - I didn't really fancy returning to that heat anyway, and if this is an indication of the general standard..!

Tomorrow, London Literary Walks has a walk called Moby Dick (ahoy!). It's around Greenland Dock.

On Thursday, I'm at an Up in the Cheap Seats (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 Monday, I booked for This is Black, Double Bill 1. But gee, Civilised London (CL) then 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. And given tonight's offering, I'm so glad about that..!

Next Tuesday, 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.