I was really looking forward to tonight, when we were off (Up in the Cheap Seats (UITCS) again, with many of the same people as last night) to see Endgame, at the Old Vic. Double bill with Rough for Theatre II. I'm a huge Beckett fan. Stars Daniel Radcliffe and Alan Cumming.
Despite snow today, and freezing temperatures, I determined to walk there - and that's what I did. At least it was neither windy nor raining, at that point, and the snow had melted - but I was damn cold by the time I joined the group, outside the theatre. Even with the renovation, you can't really meet inside - it remains quite cramped. Especially for this show, which played to a packed house. With the cold, we headed in a little earlier than we otherwise might have. Now, I left it later than some to book - and by the time I did, the cheapest tickets left were in the rear stalls. How bad.. and the seat I had was nice n cheap because it was "behind a pillar":
Yup, I'll take being behind a pillar that doesn't obstruct my view of the stage at all! And how lovely to be in the stalls here, for once - if only to avoid all the stairs!
Rough for Theatre II starts the programme, with Daniel Radcliffe and Alan Cumming playing two civil servant-types, performing a sort of biographical analysis on a fellow who spends the play standing in a window that he's obviously about to jump out of. I hadn't actually ever seen this before, but know enough about Beckett to read up about the material before I see it. It helps. Because with Beckett, you don't get any exposition, hardly any plot, and any explanation that slips through is twisted enough to make you ponder. He makes you work for it - well, I love a challenge.
Not sure the others in tonight's group all felt the same! Several had never seen Beckett before, and didn't have a clue what to expect - well, weren't they in for a shock. As we discussed at the interval, which comes between the plays.
Endgame, naturally, was a bit of a marathon for some - me, I love this utterly bleak depiction of the desolation of old age / infirmity. And for both plays, I have to say, I loved the production - which brings out the humour very strongly. They play their parts superbly - Daniel Radcliffe, as Clov, is a revelation, after all the po-faced productions I've seen. If you love Beckett, this is an excellent production of it. If you hate Beckett, this won't change your opinion. Runs till the 28th of next month - highly recommended. For Beckett fans.
Freezing cold outside again - I was delighted to hop on a nice, warm bus home. Worth the torture of the few minutes I had to wait, trying not to turn into a block of ice!
Tomorrow, I'm back to Ireland for the weekend, again - checking my mother's electricity meter, which they persist in over-estimating the usage of. On Monday, back with Civilised London for another of those free jazz nights at Wilton's. This time, it's One Voice, One Cello & a Mad Belgian!
On Tuesday, back at Soho Theatre to see Dane Baptiste's comedy show, The Chocolate Chip.
On Wednesday, back with UITCS at Sadler's Wells for a collaboration between Crystal Pite and her company, Kidd Pivot, and Jonathon Young, on an adaptation of a Russian comic play, Revisor (The Inspector General).
And next Thursday, going to see Shoe Lady at the Royal Court.
Tonight, I went with Up in the Cheap Seats (UITCS) to see A Number, at the Bridge. Handily, they texted me a link to my ticket today - if only everyone did that.. Headed off in decent time - and mercifully, in that cold breeze, the bus was quicker than anticipated in coming. And even dropped me off when I asked it to, unlike last time! Left me on the wrong side of the bridge, mind.. and by the time I'd walked across, I felt like a block of ice. Took me some time to defrost when I arrived!
We chatted away merrily until they rang the bell, then headed to our various seats. They do play to all sides, so it's no disadvantage to be at the side for this:
This is the story of a fellow that finds out he's one of "a number" of clones that his dad had made. Not really sure what to make of this, is he - the first scene has him trying to make sense of it, while his dad tries to suggest they could sue the hospital, because he had no idea of any of this!
Well, not too sure about that, as we enter the confusion of the second scene. We eventually realised these scenes are just different views of the same room - the furniture rotates, and we get a different "back wall" each time. It's the same dad, too. What does change is the son, who gets a different personality for each scene - to represent the different clones, you see..
Yeah. Umm, I didn't really connect with it. I spent too much time trying to figure out what was going on - the constant, unfinished sentences were a particular annoyance - and while the story did eventually come together, for me it felt - bitty. Kudos to the excellent portrayal of the different clones though, that is well done. As are the scene changes. And it raises an interesting question about the potential disposability of clones, how one can just replace another. Or replace the original. It's just a pity that that's not what was occupying our thoughts as we discussed it afterwards. Anyway, runs till the 14th.
And we had a convivial chat after - even if the wine's price doesn't reflect the amount you get! Bravely, I fought the bitter wind and walked home.
Really looking forward to tomorrow, when we're off (the same group, with many of the same people) to see Endgame, at the Old Vic. Double bill with Rough for Theatre II. I'm a huge Beckett fan. Incidentally, stars Daniel Radcliffe. I hope he does it justice. Then I'm back to Ireland for the weekend, again - checking my mother's electricity meter, which they persist in over-estimating the usage of.
On Monday, back with Civilised London for another of those free jazz nights at Wilton's. This time, it's One Voice, One Cello & a Mad Belgian!
On Tuesday, back at Soho Theatre to see Dane Baptiste's comedy show, The Chocolate Chip.
Next Wednesday, back with UITCS at Sadler's Wells for a collaboration between Crystal Pite and her company, Kidd Pivot, and Jonathon Young, on an adaptation of a Russian comic play, Revisor (The Inspector General).
And on the 5th, going to see Shoe Lady at the Royal Court.
Last night, Up in the Cheap Seats (UITCS) were off to see a WIP show by comedian Kerry Godliman in 2Northdown. With it starting quite late, we met for a drink beforehand at the King Charles I pub. Which worked out quite well, what with last-minute fire alarm tests scheduled for my building.
Just made my bus perfectly - and was first of our group at the pub. Which I'd heard was tiny - and so it proved! Anyway, I secured the last stool in the place.. when our organiser came, she managed to get another, but we were sorted when a table in the corner - right by the fire - was vacated. Which we snatched from under the nose of another couple at the bar - but then, we were expecting more to join us.
The others duly arrived, and we had a pleasant chat by the fire. Funnily enough, a pub quiz started up just as it was time for us to leave - complete with a guy MCing in sky-high heels and a massive blonde wig! who moped to see us leave, right after he'd asked the first question..
The venue is just down the road - happily, as it was a damn cold night. I got another drink there - a nice, flavoursome house white here. And we got "safe" seats together in the third row - and were much happier when the place filled up, so we had the insurance of people in front of us. In fact, I think it filled completely by the time the show started. We were well entertained before the start, by a diet of classic rock.
So, this - as advertised - was a work in progress. And sure enough, she had a page of notes on the stool to the side - and the anecdotes she told over the course of the next hour had a habit of petering out, being as yet unfinished. But you do know when you're in the presence of a pro, and a little thing like having nothing to say didn't phase her! She has a neat line in 40s angst, which resonated with most of the audience. The tales rang true, and we were laughing our heads off by the end. Well worth the price of admission - impossible not to enjoy this. V glad I chose to do this - it was a pretty last-minute thing.
On the way home, my phone battery just lasted long enough to tell me what combination of buses I needed to get - and boy, was I glad to get in from the cold, finally. Couldn't blog last night, as I had to be in early again. For the meeting that didn't happen, again. Anyway, tonight, we're going to see A Number, at the Bridge.
Really looking forward to tomorrow, when we're off to see Endgame, at the Old Vic. (UITCS all this week.) Double bill with Rough for Theatre II. I'm a huge Beckett fan. Incidentally, stars Daniel Radcliffe. I hope he does it justice. Then I'm back to Ireland for the weekend, again - checking my mother's electricity meter, which they persist in over-estimating the usage of.
On Monday, back with Civilised London for another of those free jazz nights at Wilton's. This time, it's One Voice, One Cello & a Mad Belgian!
On Tuesday, back at Soho Theatre to see Dane Baptiste's comedy show, The Chocolate Chip.
Next Wednesday, back with UITCS at Sadler's Wells for a collaboration between Crystal Pite and her company, Kidd Pivot, and Jonathon Young, on an adaptation of a Russian comic play, Revisor (The Inspector General).
And on the 5th, going to see Shoe Lady at the Royal Court.
All this week is Up in the Cheap Seats (UITCS)! and what's more, with the same organiser each night. Tonight, we were at The Sunset Limited at the Boulevard - a new one for me. I booked on Christmas Eve, so in time to get a Roulette ticket - I wouldn't find out out until the night where I was sitting. Nor would the others!
It would be right when I was planning to leave that the boss sent a review of the latest thing I asked him to review. Which distracted me slightly - so I was a bit later than anticipated. And just missed my bus.. and when the next came (mercifully, it wasn't too much behind), it was detoured! Never mind, I made it in time for the show, and to chat briefly to the others. The theatre itself is discreetly tucked down a back alley in Soho - Google Maps was my friend, but even at that, it doesn't advertise itself too well - only a rather discreet sign to let you know that this is what you're looking for. But my, it's a lovely, cosy little venue!
My "roulette" ticket got me a high seat in the back row of the stalls - but it really is a lottery, others got to be right at the front. I think I was luckier than some - seems the very front row has terrible legroom. Me, I was in a very comfortable, bucket-style seat, with a fine view - as I say, I was in the back row, but that was Row G; nowhere in this theatre is far from the front. The balcony seemed unoccupied. I was happy that the seat beside me was free though, so I could leave my stuff on it - it's a long way down to the floor from these seats.
It's a real shame that there were so many free seats for this - it's an excellent production. Written by the brilliant Cormac McCarthy, it's a two-hander, playing straight through without interval. Set in a rundown apartment in NYC, it features a discussion between two men - it's not really a spoiler to tell you that one (the guy who lives there) has just saved the other guy from throwing himself in front of a train (the "Sunset Limited" of the title). He's an evangelical sort, and sees it as his duty to try to prevent the guy from trying again.
Ah, it's a long time since I saw a play like this - a straightforward discussion between two people, about philosophy, about religion, about.. whatever. About 95 minutes' worth of verbal tennis, as they bat arguments back and forth. The evangelist is an ex-con, uneducated but fervent in his beliefs - and for much of the play, he gets to direct the conversation, and this is the fun part, with many truly hilarious segments. The would-be jumper, in contrast, is a university professor, an erudite man - and really quite depressing when he gets free rein. As you might expect. Question is - who will prevail?
I loved the mental gymnastics. Runs until Saturday - see it if you can. Afterwards, we repaired to the first-floor bar (with a restaurant at the back), where we had a drink and a chat, and shared an appreciation of this lovely new venue! We'll be back, don't worry - this is quite a little gem, in the heart of Soho.
On the way home, Google Maps sent me completely wrong - either with bus routes, or where to catch them, because the two didn't match! Which led to a bit of an extra walk - but no harm, the rain had let up for once.
Tomorrow, off to see a WIP show by comedian Kerry Godliman in 2Northdown. With it starting quite late, we're meeting for a drink beforehand at the King Charles I pub.
On Wednesday, we're going to see A Number, at the Bridge.
Really looking forward to Thursday, when we're off to see Endgame, at the Old Vic. Double bill with Rough for Theatre II. I'm a huge Beckett fan. Incidentally, stars Daniel Radcliffe. I hope he does it justice. Then I'm back to Ireland for the weekend, again - checking my mother's electricity meter, which they persist in over-estimating the usage of.
Next Monday, back with Civilised London for another of those free jazz nights at Wilton's. This time, it's One Voice, One Cello & a Mad Belgian!
On the 3rd, back at Soho Theatre to see Dane Baptiste's comedy show, The Chocolate Chip.
On the 4th, back with UITCS at Sadler's Wells for a collaboration between Crystal Pite and her company, Kidd Pivot, and Jonathon Young, on an adaptation of a Russian comic play, Revisor (The Inspector General).
And on the 5th, going to see Shoe Lady at the Royal Court.
Today, of course - not having been mentioned until yesterday - was film. And I finally worked my way down the film list to Jojo Rabbit. Multi-Oscar-nominated (won one, for Best Adapted Screenplay), this is the story of a little boy in Nazi Germany, with Adolf Hitler (played by the writer / director himself!) as his imaginary friend, whose world view is questioned when he discovers that his mother (Scarlett Johansson) is hiding a Jewish girl in the house. Sam Rockwell plays the commander of the Hitler Youth camp he attends, ably assisted by Rebel Wilson. Someone said during the week that he'd found it funny - which kind of disturbed him. Me, I thought the trailer looked quirky, and I was looking forward to seeing it for myself. Showing in the Vue Islington - five times today. So I figured I should be able to find a time to fit. Not wanting to restrict myself, I waited to see how today went before I chose a showing.
I slept deeply and long - so there was no point trying to rush for the first showing: but I made the second. It is cheaper to book with Vue, so I did - although otherwise, there'd have been no need, as it was in Screen 1, and practically empty. Indeed, I was really early, given that I just made my bus perfectly - I'd thought I might grab a bite to eat up there, but the area around the cinema is a virtual wasteland, so options are slim. I ended up having my standard meal substitute - a bag of Minstrels. The screen wasn't open yet, but happily she let me into the corridor outside it - you can sit on the windowledge there, but there isn't anywhere to sit in the lobby. I passed some time stealing WiFi from the Wagamama's across the way.
It wasn't long before the screen opened, and I could take my more comfortable seat, into which I sank gratefully - they are very comfy. Watched the ads, watched some trailers I hadn't seen before. When the ad to keep your rubbish by your seat to aid the cleaners came on, I looked sardonically at the litter-strewn floor - I guess the cleaners then leave it there.
Jojo Rabbit is a very sweet, very funny, very poignant film. It views the fall of the Third Reich through the eyes of a 10-year-old boy, living in a picturesque little German town. His father's location is unknown, and he lives alone with his mother, who disappears for long periods during the day. Which is how he comes to meet the Jewish girl that lives in the wall. Which comes as a huge shock both to him, and to his imaginary friend!
And yes, it is very funny - a lot of visual gags too, keep an eye out for them. Now, I didn't have a problem laughing at any of it - perhaps given that I'm Irish, and Ireland wasn't in the war. So I didn't have any relatives in it, no war stories, nobody that died. Take it at face value, it is very funny. And you'll appreciate that humour more in the second half of the film, when things turn much darker, and a spark of humour is much needed. An unusual view of the war - I highly recommend it.
All next week is Up in the Cheap Seats (UITCS)! On Monday, we're at The Sunset Limited at the Boulevard - a new one for me. I booked on Christmas Eve, so in time to get a Roulette ticket - I don't find out out until the night where I'm sitting. Nor do the others!
On Tuesday, off to see a WIP show by comedian Kerry Godliman in 2Northdown.
On Wednesday, we're going to see A Number, at the Bridge.
Really looking forward to Thursday, when we're off to see Endgame, at the Old Vic. Double bill with Rough for Theatre II. I'm a huge Beckett fan. Incidentally, stars Daniel Radcliffe. I hope he does it justice. Then I'm back to Ireland for the weekend, again - checking my mother's electricity meter, which they persist in over-estimating the usage of.
On the 2nd, back with Civilised London for another of those free jazz nights at Wilton's. This time, it's One Voice, One Cello & a Mad Belgian!
On the 3rd, back at Soho Theatre to see Dane Baptiste's comedy show, The Chocolate Chip.
On the 4th, back with UITCS at Sadler's Wells for a collaboration between Crystal Pite and her company, Kidd Pivot, and Jonathon Young, on an adaptation of a Russian comic play, Revisor (The Inspector General).
And on the 5th, going to see Shoe Lady at the Royal Court.
Today, I was back at the Opera House with Up in the Cheap Seats (UITCS) - for a backstage tour! There's a group rate, but the group booked ages before I got interested. Still, when I suggested that I buy my own ticket and come along, they suggested I contact the box office to see whether I could be included on the group rate! So I did - and they said yes, and gave me a booking reference number, saying to ring with that number to pay by phone. So I did - and was speaking with a terribly nice chap, with a terribly posh voice, who was delighted to hear all this! And so I went, on the group rate.
I had my ticket in advance, of course - and just as well I remembered to bring it; e-ticketing hadn't been an option. Caught the bus there, early enough to grab something in the cafe beforehand. It's worth remembering that you get a 10% discount with a tour ticket, for the same day! So I had a hot chocolate - the weather's actually heated up a bit (I had a lighter coat on today), but that wind is chilly. Brandished my ticket, which he checked and thanked me profusely for showing him. You collect hot drinks around the side of the cafe. The chocolate itself was curiously malty, but not unpleasant - my though, their containers are terrifically heatproof! Mine was easily cool enough to hold - but I needn't have worried about the temperature of the hot chocolate; it was molten.
Turned out to be a busy day.. Dots Day in the Opera House is all about the little humans! We weren't to see a lot of them apart from at the beginning and end, though - we spent a lot of time in the backstage areas. But the cafe was busy.. and the "baby-wearing" ballet classes, downstairs in the lobby of the Linbury, seemed to be a big hit! (Yes, they were wearing babies - so, performing ballet complete with perplexed baby in carrier. With someone accompanying on piano.) Alternatively, you could let the kiddies loose on a giant chalkboard. Suitable for ages 5 and under.
Anyway, after I'd finished my chocolate (and someone was right along to clear away my glass), I had a look around for the new box office, where the group was to meet. Never actually been there, of course - I usually don't elect to pick up my tickets. Couldn't see it.. until I turned around. O yes, there it was, hiding along the entirety of one wall. Duh. With a long sofa opposite - so I deposited myself there, and waited for the others to arrive.
Which they did, in due course - the others had to get their tickets from the organiser anyway. But the tour was actually leaving from just in front of the cloakroom, on the other side of the cafe. They put a sign there to inform you of that. And maybe five minutes beforehand, our guide materialised with an armful of guest passes on yellow lanyards, which we had to wear for the duration. We were one person short - someone had messaged the organiser, right beforehand, to say she was en route but delayed. Well anyway, we started the tour in the old lobby - the one with the red carpet - and as we were about to head off from there, the organiser had a word with the guide to explain about the latecomer. Wouldn't you know it, at that moment, in she came, breathlessly, having found someone to guide her to where we were! Terrific timing - although had she been just a few minutes earlier, she might have caught us as we were leaving the cafe. What a difference a few minutes make.. apparently, today has been a bad day for the Tube, with a strike and other issues.
Aw, what she'd have missed! This is a fantastic tour - and as our guide explained, she's a student, does this part-time, and absolutely loves it. You simply wouldn't believe everything there is to see - and to hear about. It starts at the royal entrance - and we hear how Queen Victoria was a massive fan, came something like four times a week (I think she and I would have had much in common), and lobbied hard to get it rebuilt, when it burned down during her reign. We were at the foot of the stairs to the royal box - sadly, not accessible to the public. Sadly, also, photography is not permitted. Never mind, the tour continues to the "king's smoking room". Apparently set aside for Prince Albert - who wasn't as keen on the shows as his wife was, and came down here during performances for a nap on the sofa, before nipping upstairs again to wave at the crowd - it was later put to good use by their eldest son, Edward VII, who, with the help of some agreeable ladies of the stage, found another use for the sofa..
Ah, but there's more. We are led through a warren of passages, strictly instructed to hold the security doors open for each other, because our passes won't open them. We end up under the stage, backstage.. we heard lots of rehearsals, so had a beautiful musical backdrop to much of the tour. We have to take the lift, near the beginning of the tour - and wouldn't you know it, the big one seemed to be out of action, so not only did we have to split into two groups (with another Opera House employee shepherding one half), but our group, which went up second, took forever to get there! what with other people using the lift, and so on. By the time we did get up to Level 6 - where the ballet rehearsal rooms are - the first group up had had ages to stare through the soundproof window at three dancers, rehearsing inside. Not that our half didn't stay for long enough as well, as our guide explained to us the everyday trials of a ballet dancer, and people passed with tutus and so on.. Indeed, we were outside the rehearsal room windows for so long that the poor dancers on show must have wondered what we could be doing..
From there to the costume workshops, hearing how designers take such care with the costumes, even the bits that aren't going to be seen by the wider audience. And past enticing windows overlooking the backstage area - apparently seven times the size of the stage area, and packed with huge, evocative backdrops. And throughout, our guide was delighted to take questions, and we learned all sorts of interesting stuff. Like how opera productions are planned and cast five years in advance (three for ballet), so as to secure the services of artists who are much in demand. And how about 1000 people work in the Opera House, if you take everyone into account - 50 or so technicians etc. on each production. The building is colour-coded, so you know where you are - red for production, green for admin, and so on; we still hadn't a notion where we were at any point, until she deposited us, around the corner from where we started. Right outside the giftshop..
Absolutely fascinating, really highly recommended. I defy anyone to find a more intriguing backstage tour!
After much discussion, most people headed their ways - some were off to Death of England, anyway. Those of us who were left headed into Covent Garden Market, and ended up in Le Pain Quotidien, which had enough seating upstairs to accommodate us, and there's a choice of large or small plates. We had to wait a bit to be served - it was quite busy - but service was friendly, and the food was good. A couple of people had hot chocolates - essentially a cup of milk, accompanied by a little jug of thick chocolate sauce, which you add to taste! I must try that, some time. I had wine, others beer. I had the stew - that's twice, this week! and I have to say, I preferred the one in Kalamaras. Today's was tasty enough - but absolutely swimming in sauce, so that when I was finished, my bowl was still half full. The others had tartines, one had the chicken pie, one the chilli sin carne. And everyone seemed well satisfied. The chat was good, and overall, an excellent day!
On my way home, I waited for the #11, at the stop on Strand. No sign of it coming - and when I could get the internet on my phone to cooperate, my bus app said it'd be 18 minutes.. 20 minutes.. 25 minutes.. so I decided to take the short walk to Aldwych and try for the #26 instead, which was promised to come much quicker. Imagine my surprise when the bus that came - was the #11! and not from Strand, but from Lancaster Place. I've asked TFL whether this was a route change.. I had no warning of it.
Well, it's good to have a few hours to myself! Tomorrow, of course - not having been mentioned previously - is film. And I've finally worked my way down the film list to Jojo Rabbit. Multi-Oscar-nominated (although not a winner), this is the story of a little boy in Nazi Germany, with Adolf Hitler as his imaginary friend, whose world view is questioned when he discovers that his mother (Scarlett Johansson) is hiding a Jewish girl in the attic. Someone said during the week that he'd found it funny - which kind of disturbed him. Me, I think the trailer looks quirky, and I'm looking forward to seeing it for myself. Showing in the Vue Islington - five times tomorrow. So I should be able to find a time to fit. Not wanting to restrict myself, I'll wait to see how tomorrow goes before I choose a showing.
All next week is UITCS! On Monday, we're at The Sunset Limited at the Boulevard - a new one for me. I booked on Christmas Eve, so in time to get a Roulette ticket - I don't find out out until the night where I'm sitting. Nor do the others!
On Tuesday, off to see a WIP show by comedian Kerry Godliman in 2Northdown.
On Wednesday, we're going to see A Number, at the Bridge.
Really looking forward to Thursday, when we're off to see Endgame, at the Old Vic. Double bill with Rough for Theatre II. I'm a huge Beckett fan. Incidentally, stars Daniel Radcliffe. I hope he does it justice. Then I'm back to Ireland for the weekend, again - checking my mother's electricity meter, which they persist in over-estimating the usage of.
On the 2nd, back with Civilised London for another of those free jazz nights at Wilton's. This time, it's One Voice, One Cello & a Mad Belgian!
On the 3rd, back at Soho Theatre to see Dane Baptiste's comedy show, The Chocolate Chip.
On the 4th, back with UITCS at Sadler's Wells for a collaboration between Crystal Pite and her company, Kidd Pivot, and Jonathon Young, on an adaptation of a Russian comic play, Revisor (The Inspector General).
And on the 5th, going to see Shoe Lady at the Royal Court.
Today and tomorrow are in the Opera House - tonight, I was at the ballet Onegin.. happily, I bought my ticket before the cheap ones all sold out! Left in decent time - sort of. The office is close enough that I can walk - theoretically. But hey, by the time I was ready it would've been a bit tight - and my decision was made when I turned a corner and was hit another wallop by the wind. Sod it, I said, I am not enduring a half hour of being a punching bag for the wind - I'm sick of it. So I took the bus instead - most of the way there. Much better.
So - this is the best view you can have from the back row of the slips; I was right at the end. And it's not bad - although wasn't improved when the front row filled up and they all leaned forward for a better view. At least I had a couple of free seats beside me, which gave me a bit of freedom to stretch out. Unfortunately, you just can't avoid a corner of the stage being cut off - and unfortunately, for this production, a lot of action takes place right there. Honestly, for one bit, I had to stand up to see what was happening. Hey, I could though - there was nobody behind me, after all!
Didn't spoil my experience, I'm happy to say. This is a classic story of a man who spurns a young woman who loves him, only to regret it when it's too late. The score - by Tchaikovsky - is spectacular, the choreography graceful, the whole production startlingly beautiful: it does make for a wonderful evening out. As always, here. Runs till the 29th, but now completely sold out - despite the ticket prices! Still, highly recommended if you get a chance to see it. Far too much clapping at the end, as usual..
My bus home arrived almost immediately - and we even managed to get to it, squeezing past rickshaws and taxis waiting for the crowds streaming out from Mamma Mia! And I had some fun, on the journey home, watching the young lady sat facing me - who was enjoying both her ice cream and the view out the window, gawping at everything! Well, it's a great sightseeing route.
Tomorrow, I'm back there with Up in the Cheap Seats - for a backstage tour! There's a group rate, but the group booked ages before I got interested. Still, when I suggested that I buy my own ticket and come along, they suggested I contact the box office to see whether I could be included on the group rate! So I did - and they said yes, and gave me a booking reference number, saying to ring with that number to pay by phone. So I did - and was speaking with a terribly nice chap, with a terribly posh voice, who was delighted to hear all this! And so I'm going, on the group rate. And we might hang around afterwards, and do something.
I was back in Ireland for the weekend - where I had to deal with my mother's Eir contract. She just changed to a new package, I just got her first bill for it (we've gone paperless, so it gets emailed to me as she doesn't use her email account), and they'd overcharged her on the monthly package price. They messed up the email address when I was ordering over the phone, so I never got the confirmation email - hadn't seen the paper version she got, so couldn't ensure that what she got was what I agreed on in the first place. No point in asking her to check - she wouldn't know what to look for, and she'd only get hysterical.
Well gee, that all turned out to be fun. I had a trip to town first, to replace my driving licence - lost it ages ago, waited as long as possible so they'd just have to give me a new one. Because otherwise, they just give you one for the period of validity of your old licence - meaning you have to pay for an extra. It expires before I'll be back again, so this was my last chance - had to schlep up to the Garda station first, in driving rain, to get my form stamped - at least they'd sent me the form, which saved me the trouble of getting it myself. All worked out fine - I got my stamp, made the driving licence office before it closed, put in my application. If they stick to the rules about it only being valid for the original period of validity, they'll be issuing me with a one-week licence.. watch this space! Hey, interestingly, it'll be the new, credit card size! (And fancy, I just got a text to say it had been dispatched, and will take at least three days to arrive. So.. that'll be after the old licence's expiry date, when it does..)
Well, I got home, and thought I'd try Eir webchat first - they're also open on Sundays, but pretty useless, and if I had to call their helpline as a Plan B, they're closed on Sundays - so, Saturday it had to be! (The number doesn't work from the UK, so this would be my only chance.) 15 minutes I spent on webchat, arguing with someone who insisted that that was the package price, and that was that. When I insisted that that wasn't the price agreed, she went silent for a couple of minutes, then asked whether I was still there, as she hadn't heard from me. When I said, "What am I supposed to say?", she suggested I call the phone line, and ended the chat.
Plan B it was. I spent 15 minutes on hold.. listened to fully five repetitions of the ad for their sports channel, and finally, unexpectedly, got through to an apologetic human. Explained the situation. She checked the bill. She disappeared for a while to dig out the order - kept reassuring me she was still there. Finally got back to me, rather sheepishly - yep, they were overcharging me (well, my mother) by €25.01 on the monthly price! She said they'd credit the overcharge to my (her) account, and apply the discount from now on. Nice lady, actually - but what a palaver! As someone said, you really need to keep on to these people. On a side note - would you believe, I just got my mother's electricity bill, and that's also absurdly high.. have to go check the meter. Next time I'm back. Here we go again..
On Monday, I was back with Up in the Cheap Seats (UITCS) for The Haystack at Hampstead Theatre. Another group of them went a while ago, and I'd heard excellent reports.. I could actually have taken the bus, if I'd been out quickly enough, which I wasn't! Tube it was. Google Maps recommended the Central Line - ugh. But they gave an alternative - you could take the Metropolitan Line to Finchley Road, and walk for 10 minutes. So off I schlepped to get that - it wasn't that crowded, and I even got a seat after one stop. Getting off at Finchley Road, I could see that it also serves the Jubilee Line.. gee, and Hampstead Theatre is right beside Swiss Cottage, which is on that line.. and when I checked, that's one stop back from Finchley Road, on that line.. and that's quicker than walking.. and I wouldn't have to pay extra for it. So, guess what I did..
As I turned away from the box office, having collected my ticket, I was hailed by someone who recognised me, and used me as a guide to find everyone else. How handy am I?! A very crowded lobby made it difficult to find people anyway. And we had a nice chat before we went in - it was particularly nice to see some folk I hadn't seen in a while!
On entering, when I finally got the usher's attention, it turned out I'd come too far - I needed to back up and go up the flight of stairs that leads to the back few rows (L and back).
That's actually a better view than it looks - the heads weren't so obtrusive all the time. But I was glad to have the seat beside me free, to rest my arm on - the armrests are very short!
The stage is filled with screens - this is a very techie play. The various phone messages and browser windows that are relevant to the plot are displayed on the screens - very effectively. Although my one quibble lay in the very start of the play, when they read what we can see on the screens - a messaging conversation is taking place, one screen for each person, and they came across as quite self-conscious, I thought. But that was literally my last quibble for the entire play.
It's marvellous. For one thing, despite a very long running time, the pace is quick enough that none of us felt it was too long. Pay attention for best enjoyment - this is a fast-moving story, centred on two techies working for GCHQ. Those two chairs you can see in the middle of the stage are for them. To their surprise, they're put on counter-terrorism - someone has been leaking information about British arms deals to the Saudis, and they're to track down the leaks. Which they do, in no time. It gets more complicated when they realise the consequences of what is happening..
I can't give away much of the plot, for fear of spoilers, but it does deal with very believable, topical issues. The story is told on screens - which, as I say, are projected onto all the screens on stage, so we can see what they're supposed to be looking at. Various plot points mention topics referred to in news stories we can all remember, over the years - the whole thing feels very true-to-life. Indeed, one of our group, who works in tech, was very impressed with how realistic that side of it was. And if you didn't feel paranoid going in - about surveillance, about what the government is up to in secret, and the lengths they're prepared to go to - by 'eck, you will, coming out! No wonder ORG London is recommending it. Runs till the 7th - limited availability on some dates. Highly recommended!
Got buses home - in the freezing cold. But it ran too late to blog - it's been a helluva week, that way!
Predictably, I headed to the cinema on Tuesday- typically the reason for a delay in blogging, as I try to figure out what to go to, and then it remains unbooked. Top of the list - irresistibly - was Parasite, which is showing, conveniently, in the Barbican. I didn't book until that afternoon - by which stage, it was mostly sold out, so I booked upon seeing that. It's a short walk from the office - I arrived in time for trailers for two films that I keep seeing in the upper end of the film list: The Lighthouse and Portrait of a Lady on Fire. Hadn't seen the trailers before - they both look intriguing! Meantime, the house ended up nearly full, but not completely - it's a large screen. And the chatter was deafening - but the dull roar quietened down completely as soon as the main feature started. We were all on tenterhooks to see this - I haven't heard a bad word about it.
This is a classy film, make no mistake. The story - basically - runs thus; we meet a poor family who live in a "semi-basement", just under street level but with a view to the street above. Luxurious it ain't - they have a problem with men using the area just outside the window as a toilet, late at night. Father, mother, son and daughter of roughly late teenage years live here - they take freebies where they can get them, and early on in the film we see them distressed because whoever lives upstairs has just password-protected their WiFi!
Events take a different turn when a friend of the son (a college student) recommends his pal to take his place as an English tutor to the daughter of a rich family - the Parks. So he fakes college qualifications (with the help of his artistic sister), and he's in. And my, what a different world! Mr. Park is an architect, and designed the house himself: open plan and gorgeous. He and his wife also have a son and daughter, but the whole set-up couldn't be more different.. the wife is a bit clueless, the daughter batty about boys, and the son, who's just a little chap, tears about the place playing at being a red Indian, and drawing disturbing portraits of a man's face.
This initial section of the film is quietly hilarious, as one by one the poor family ingratiate themselves, by one trick or another, into the Parks' house. And they're allowed a brief moment of triumph - before an astonishing twist in the tale throws the whole thing into disarray. From then on, anything is possible as we gape in disbelief.. expect anything and everything from what is a masterpiece of suspense, with a heightened sense of the ridiculous. Just be prepared for an absolutely apocalyptic ending.
But the film works on more than just an entertainment level - it's a scathing commentary on the social divide of money. Just watch how the rich family - who seem terribly nice people, on the whole - express their distaste for people who live, quite literally, beneath them. As someone else who saw this remarked, there are so many visual references to what's going on that he's going to need repeat viewings to catch them all. Truly, I can see why it won the Best Picture Oscar - well deserved, in my opinion!
Seeing it was even worth the deluge I had to endure, walking home..
Now, I had to be to bed early. For, you know, my 1-1 with my manager, which never actually happens, and didn't on this occasion. But then, work got terribly busy all of a sudden - so no blogging yesterday, either! Last night and tonight, I was with Civilised London - and last night, it was a meal in Kalamaras Greek Taverna, just off Queensway.
All the way out there, it had to be Tube - and unfortunately, the Central Line is the most practical, running pretty much straight between the office and the destination. As usual, I managed to squeeze onto the third train - third time's the charm, as they say - and gee, for once I was within breathing distance of an air vent, so it wasn't as bad as normal! So we played sardines all the way there, and I had to stand for the whole journey. Predictably. Anyway, we were meeting in the Prince Alfred..
(In case you don't get the perspective, that's a shot of the ceiling.) Anyway, as we all gathered there and caught up, we had a nice chat before the short walk to the restaurant. Which might be down an alleyway, but does advertise itself decently!
It's taverna-style indeed, with wooden tables and chairs, benches along the walls - they shoved together a couple of table for our group. The place wasn't busy, and service was both quick and friendly.
..and I have to say, all the Greek artifacts reminded me of nothing so much as that exhibition on Troy that I visited, last month!
I fancied soup as a starter - the choice of main course was difficult (for everyone), as the menu is literally mouth-watering. I eventually plumped for the beef and onion stew. The soup, when it came, looked like a lot - but the portion was just right, and it was nice. But the stew was gorgeous! (and, funnily enough, tasted just like a good Irish stew). I was delighted with my choice - even though I was jealous of those who'd ordered the chicken, it looked so good! Well, everyone cleared their plates. We even had room for dessert - well, most of us. And do you know, I have to recommend their chocolate ice cream - it comes drizzled with very moreish chocolate sauce. As a bonus, we were each offered a shot of ouzo to end our meal - which I enjoyed.. although, funnily enough, I wasn't the only one complaining of a headache today, and I do wonder whether that wasn't the cause..!
Afterwards, some of us went to the Prince Edward in Bayswater for a nightcap.. but honestly, I was looking forward to my bed.
And the ouzo also sent me straight to sleep when I got home. So, no blogging last night either! but I do recommend the restaurant - just go easy on the ouzo. Tonight, we headed to Wilton's, for a comedy show by Marcus Brigstocke - Devil May Care. This was to be recorded for television, and the place was packed - we were under strict instructions to turn off our phones, and that readmittance was not permitted. We had a drink in the bar beforehand - you could have it in plastic, to take in with you, the containers subject to a £1 deposit, to be returned when the container was. When we did go in, note the new, plush, red curtains..!
And we had a very good time indeed. There was a 10-minute support act - he spent much of his time schooling us on how to behave (all enthusiastic and such) when the main show came on: but he didn't really need to, we were keen as punch to play along. And when Marcus came out - well, he didn't, it was actually the Prince of Darkness. Who entertained us devilishly for just over an hour. Kudos to him, stick-on horns and red face paint can't be easy to wear for that long, under stage lights! And for sure, it's a great conceit - come on as the Devil, and you can get away with saying anything about anyone. He's apparently been doing this show for a while, and I bet it provides a great outlet for him to rant. I'm a wee bit jealous! Plenty of jibes in this at sex, religion, politics.. leave your prejudices outside the door. Recommended, if you get a chance to see it.
Mercifully, the torrential rain today let up in time for me to walk home. Whee, I finally got up to date! The next two days are in the Opera House - tomorrow, I'm at the ballet Onegin.. happily, I bought my ticket before the cheap ones all sold out!
And on Saturday, I'm back there with UITCS - for a backstage tour! There's a group rate, but the group booked ages before I got interested. Still, when I suggested that I buy my own ticket and come along, they suggested I contact the box office to see whether I could be included on the group rate! So I did - and they said yes, and gave me a booking reference number, saying to ring with that number to pay by phone. So I did - and was speaking with a terribly nice chap, with a terribly posh voice, who was delighted to hear all this! And so I'm going, on the group rate. And we might hang around afterwards, and do something.
