I had a nice sleep, got up in good time, breakfasted, set out. Google Maps, weirdly, was sending me to one bus stop, when another was closer - as I always say, it pays to check. Lordy though, they need to do something about the #8 - several buses happened along from other routes while I was still waiting, in the bitter cold, for mine. And when it did come, it was predictably packed - I was lucky to squeeze on at all! A seat became available one stop before I needed to get off - so I stayed where I was. The frazzled driver, mind, was entertained throughout the journey by an elderly gent who fancied a chat, and had to stand by the cab, there being no room further down!
What with the traffic, I got to the museum slightly later than intended - but I'd left plenty of time. And I don't know what made the difference, but the security queue was so much shorter than the last day - maybe five minutes in all, despite the bag check being quite thorough. So I made it into the theatre just after they'd opened it, it seems - a massive crowd at the entrance, and the place practically empty when I got in. So I got a nice seat near the front.
With Ben Haggarty MCing, the performer was Chirine El Ansary - and I got a start when she came on, because I hadn't realised it was this person! Oh, what a treat - she's far and away the best teller of Sufi stories that I've ever heard. Today, it was tales from the 1001 nights - Scheherazade and her husband, the king who had a habit of killing his wives but made an exception for her because of her exceptional storytelling, make an appearance, and apart from that, it's stories within stories within stories. So it pays to remember character names - particularly as she adopts what I imagine is the classical tradition, of flitting from one story to another, and back. Indeed, it was fun, at the interval, to watch audience members in front of me trying to figure out which story sprang from where..
She brings exoticism to the storytelling stage, dancing as she weaves her magic. Sufi stories often send me drifting off to sleep - but you're well-advised not to take your eyes off her. She intersperses her English words with Arabic, but is such an expressive storyteller that you have no doubt what it is she's telling you. Oh my goodness, I was transported to a faraway land.. gorgeous, and funny to boot. Enchanting. Roll on the next time.
Afterwards, I was hungry, and headed for Amarcord Museum, which I know to be good. Funnily enough, I see the Italian restaurant beside them has changed hands, and is Italian no longer, although there is a pizza n pasta place further down. Naw, stick with this one. Would you believe, it was April when I was here last, but still he remembered me! In fact, he treated me to a complementary glass of prosecco - not even knowing it's my birthday. Now, there's service!
So, I also had a glass of the house white - he asked me whether I wanted a small one, I made a face, he gave me a large one. I had some moreish garlic bread (pizza-style) to start. Now, for main course, I usually have something in a cream sauce - for a change, I decided on the chicken cacciatore tonight, which turned out to be a great decision; it was terrific, as were the sauteed potatoes with which it was served. Oh, but dessert was the highlight - last time, they were out of the chocolate mousse; I had it this time though. It's in the form of a cake, and it is just divine. One of the best desserts I've had, and I don't say that lightly. A primarily tourist crowd, and aren't they the wise ones? Friendly and obliging service is the icing on the cake for this excellent restaurant. Oh, and the bus was much less crowded on the way back.
Tomorrow, back, after a week, with Up in the Cheap Seats for Falsettos, at The Other Palace. An aisle seat, as usual - legroom is poor, here.
On Tuesday, back with them again for Acosta Danza - Evolution, at Sadler's Wells.
On Wednesday, Anthony's Cultural Events and Walking Activities Group is off to a performance entitled Virginia Woolf - Killing the Angel, at the LSE. So I'm going on my own, and saving the Meetup fee - I haven't had that much luck with socialising with them, anyway. And now that Meetup is full.
On Thursday, back with Spooky London - the John Snow Pub. Then another weekend in Ireland.
On the 25th, the CCC is back with Rebel Children, at the British Library. Ben Haggarty & Jan Blake - ooh yeah!
On the 26th, my annual trip to Winter Wonderland - heading to Cirque Berserk and the Ice Kingdom, as usual. Someone said he might come along.
On the 27th, the first night in ages with North London Friends! We're at A Day in the Death of Joe Egg, at Trafalgar Studios.
And on the 28th, our ex-company's social group's Christmas meeting. We had a tiff about the venue - the organiser decided on Thai Square, which I think is overpriced and underwhelming. So he started to grumble about the difficulty of getting somewhere before Christmas - which will take a group, and doesn't cost the earth. Still though, he came up with an alternative - we've decided on the Warwick Castle pub in Little Venice. Lovely area, the pub sounds nice - with a Christmassy open fire, and a room we can book - and hey, it's a pub, which won't throw us out as quickly! Must get on to booking their wine deal.. 10% off if you order at least £150 worth. Which I'm sure, among the dozen or so that are coming, we'll manage to drink. And gee, he's had us choosing what we want off the menu. I also asked for the wine list - and now am waiting impatiently for someone - anyone - to get back to me with an idea of what they'd like to drink!
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