Well, I'm spending these evenings watching telly with my mother, and generally don't have time during the week - what with working from home - to catch up with Meetup. But gee, there was a scarcity of decent programmes this evening (!).. so where else should I turn for an alternative?
Now, Up in the Cheap Seats (UITCS) is usually good for something - and this evening, they'd planned to watch a performance of the NYC Ballet in Paris. They ended up postponing the Meetup to Monday - but hey, nothing to stop me watching it on my own! Again, I can't make Monday's. It's available on Marquee TV - which is a subscription service, the first month free. I'm seeing a lot of events the group is advertising around shows available on that site..
So, I entered my card details, and proceeded to watch. Would've been a bit better if my mother's tablet - which I decided would be the handiest, at the time - hadn't been set to night mode: which apparently involves removing blue tones from the screen, because they tend to waken us. So everything had a kind of sepia tinge. Ah well.
This performance is, apparently, a tribute to George Balanchine, who founded the NYC Ballet, and is performed to the music of three French composers that inspired him: Charles Gounod, Ravel, and Bizet. The first and last pieces - music by Gounod and Bizet, respectively - are more formal. For me, the Bizet score of the last piece was the best score of the night. But the less strict dance formations of the middle pieces, performed to pieces by Ravel, were my favourites - hit of the night for me was the second piece, Sonatine, created by two dancers of the NYC Ballet and which - complete with pianist on stage - seems to evoke the freedom and simplicity of a tale of two of New York lovers. And the third piece, La Valse, has the look and feel of a fairytale, tragic ending and all!
Throughout, the dance is beautifully choreographed and expertly performed. Balanchine, it's said, was known for marrying music and dance, and sure enough, during this entire performance, they're perfectly interwoven. Gorgeous to watch, lovely to listen to.. highly recommended. Other midweek events aren't currently scheduled - but watch this space!
On Saturday, UITCS is hosting another virtual meetup - this time, of a half-hour rock concert at the Albert Hall! Actually snippets of different concerts, all broadcast for free by the venue. Again, the communal experience is a bit late for me - but the Meetup is full anyway, and there's nothing to stop me watching it earlier.
On Sunday morning, Anthony's Cultural Events and Walking Activities Group is heading on a virtual tour of Mount Everest, on Google Maps! So I'll tag along.
And that afternoon, why, London Social Detours has another event I'm interested in. (And for once, she's not charging..!) She's reading a chapter of a book entitled London: The Wicked City, and there's to be a chat afterwards. First sociable thing I'm planning!
Tuesday, 31 March 2020
Sunday, 29 March 2020
Play: Cyprus Avenue
For today - Up in the Cheap Seats (UITCS) organised a virtual communal watching of Cyprus Avenue, with Stephen Rea, which ran at the Royal Court: who are currently screening it for free on their YouTube channel. Posted on Friday, apparently, and available for 30 days. It's a bit late in the day for me - and their Meetup is full anyway; they restrict the numbers so as not to compromise bandwidth. But hey, I remember being unable to get a ticket when it was running, and was dead keen to see this - so I decided to watch it, a bit earlier in the day!
And now I have, and - unusually - can turn straight around and review it, without having to wait to get home. I see it was played in the round - and this being the very first prerecorded play I've watched, I can honestly say the video production is fantastic. I wasn't expecting the multiple cameras and closeups - not to mention the outtakes, where scenes are shot in the open to illustrate the story. Really adds to the experience.
A simple set - white, with seats - forms the backdrop to the action. Stephen Rea plays a dyed-in-the-wool Unionist, of a certain age, who's of the opinion that time has passed him by, and the world has gone to pot. When we meet him, he's telling his story to a psychologist - young, female, black - who seems to embody everything that he feels threatened by. And boy, is she amused when he reveals to her the shocking truth - that his newborn granddaughter (somehow) is the personification of none other than.. Gerry Adams..
Ulster Unionists get short shrift here. The incredulous face of the psychologist gives us permission to titter at the daft theories spouted by this Orangeman. As do the increasingly exasperated faces of his wife and daughter, played in the flashbacks that tell the story. And it becomes absolutely hilarious, as he exposes himself to every kind of ridicule, and reveals himself to be bigoted in pretty much every way. While remaining a mild-mannered chap. Stephen Rea plays a blinder - malleable as modelling clay, he effortlessly switches from mad and ranting to quiet and self-deprecating. Which is what makes the ending so shocking..
I loved it - I laughed, I gasped along with the audience. No laughter left, by the end. A keen observation of contemporary culture in Northern Ireland. Strongly recommended - runs for 30 days from last Friday, I believe. And for free! I tell you, as the saying goes, it's an ill wind blows no-one any good.
Tomorrow, the organiser of London Literary Walks is to release the answers to the quiz he posted us last week. Well, he already has.. just in random order.. which helped me to some of the answers.. and he's already told me I'll probably win, as I was - as of earlier, at least - the only one to answer!
On Saturday, UITCS is hosting another virtual meetup - this time, of a half-hour rock concert at the Albert Hall! Actually snippets of different concerts, all broadcast for free by the venue. Again, the communal experience is a bit late for me - but the Meetup is full anyway, and there's nothing to stop me watching it earlier.
And next Sunday, Anthony's Cultural Events and Walking Activities Group is heading on a virtual tour of Mount Everest, on Google Maps! So I'll tag along.
And now I have, and - unusually - can turn straight around and review it, without having to wait to get home. I see it was played in the round - and this being the very first prerecorded play I've watched, I can honestly say the video production is fantastic. I wasn't expecting the multiple cameras and closeups - not to mention the outtakes, where scenes are shot in the open to illustrate the story. Really adds to the experience.
A simple set - white, with seats - forms the backdrop to the action. Stephen Rea plays a dyed-in-the-wool Unionist, of a certain age, who's of the opinion that time has passed him by, and the world has gone to pot. When we meet him, he's telling his story to a psychologist - young, female, black - who seems to embody everything that he feels threatened by. And boy, is she amused when he reveals to her the shocking truth - that his newborn granddaughter (somehow) is the personification of none other than.. Gerry Adams..
Ulster Unionists get short shrift here. The incredulous face of the psychologist gives us permission to titter at the daft theories spouted by this Orangeman. As do the increasingly exasperated faces of his wife and daughter, played in the flashbacks that tell the story. And it becomes absolutely hilarious, as he exposes himself to every kind of ridicule, and reveals himself to be bigoted in pretty much every way. While remaining a mild-mannered chap. Stephen Rea plays a blinder - malleable as modelling clay, he effortlessly switches from mad and ranting to quiet and self-deprecating. Which is what makes the ending so shocking..
I loved it - I laughed, I gasped along with the audience. No laughter left, by the end. A keen observation of contemporary culture in Northern Ireland. Strongly recommended - runs for 30 days from last Friday, I believe. And for free! I tell you, as the saying goes, it's an ill wind blows no-one any good.
Tomorrow, the organiser of London Literary Walks is to release the answers to the quiz he posted us last week. Well, he already has.. just in random order.. which helped me to some of the answers.. and he's already told me I'll probably win, as I was - as of earlier, at least - the only one to answer!
On Saturday, UITCS is hosting another virtual meetup - this time, of a half-hour rock concert at the Albert Hall! Actually snippets of different concerts, all broadcast for free by the venue. Again, the communal experience is a bit late for me - but the Meetup is full anyway, and there's nothing to stop me watching it earlier.
And next Sunday, Anthony's Cultural Events and Walking Activities Group is heading on a virtual tour of Mount Everest, on Google Maps! So I'll tag along.
Saturday, 28 March 2020
Film: Kayak the Kwanza
Hi! From, hopefully, one of the safer areas of Western Europe - I'm much happier to be back in Ireland, for once. Far fewer people, and far fewer cases of coronavirus than London.. and let's hope it keeps away from me, and in particular from my elderly mother. People over 70 have been advised to stay completely indoors.. and to avoid infection, so am I. Apart from walking the dog.
Now, I spend the evenings watching telly with her, and daytimes during the week are spent working from home. All of which means, unfortunately, that I can't make the midweek virtual Meetups that have started to spring up. Weekends, however, I do have a bit more time.. and today (well, tonight), I decided to start actually doing something that was neither purely practical - nor quite as passive as watching telly. So, I turned to the section of my film spreadsheet that, since I began, has listed films available on YouTube. And once I curated that long-neglected list, I discovered that the most appealing film at the top was a documentary called Kayak the Kwanza. Streaming for free. So, I watched that.
At under an hour long, it's not a massive time commitment - and yes, it is interesting. Very much so, in fact - and to those of us less interested in kayaking itself, don't worry, they don't dwell overmuch on the technicalities of it. The Kwanza is one of the longest rivers in Angola, and this trip was undertaken in aid of the Halo Trust, whose mission is to remove landmines in former war zones around the world - including Angola. Two English blokes do the kayaking - in fact, one of the few criticisms I have of the film is that we come nowhere near anyone else for the duration, nor hear them speak - although we do see them, helping to carry luggage or mend the boat. In fact, one of the kayakers does the bulk of the narration, and it's a considerable way through the film before we hear from the other guy at all! or really get a good look at him..
I found the narrator's delivery very dry - although he patently has a sense of humour, and the film is well edited and entertaining. Mainly, I watched it for a feel of what Angola is like, as I've never been there. Mind you, most of it is seen from the river (of course) - still, there are snatches of views of elsewhere, and we do get a potted history of the country, mainly to explain the purpose of the trip. Later, there's mention of a world record attempt as well - for what, I don't know, as it's never specified.
But for travel lovers, I do recommend this - they manage to capture that sense of excitement at the start of the trip, and it is full of adventure (I won't spoil the surprise). And as I say, not too long. Dunno about the high rating though - probably inflated due to its worthy nature.
For tomorrow - Up in the Cheap Seats (UITCS) are organising a virtual communal watching of Cypress Avenue, with Stephen Rea, which ran at the Royal Court: who are currently screening it for free on their YouTube channel. Posted on Friday, apparently, and available for 30 days. It's a bit late in the day for me - and their Meetup is full anyway; they restrict the numbers so as not to compromise bandwidth. But hey, I remember being unable to get a ticket when it was running, and would love to see this - so I fancy watching it, a bit earlier in the day!
On Monday, the organiser of London Literary Walks is to release the answers to the quiz he posted us last week. Well, he already has.. just in random order.. which helped me to some of the answers..
Next Saturday, UITCS is hosting another virtual meetup - this time, of a half-hour rock concert at the Albert Hall! Actually snippets of different concerts, all broadcast for free by the venue. Again, the communal experience is a bit late for me - but the Meetup is full anyway, and there's nothing to stop me watching it earlier.
And on the 5th, Anthony's Cultural Events and Walking Activities Group is heading on a virtual tour of Mount Everest, on Google Maps! So I'll tag along.
Now, I spend the evenings watching telly with her, and daytimes during the week are spent working from home. All of which means, unfortunately, that I can't make the midweek virtual Meetups that have started to spring up. Weekends, however, I do have a bit more time.. and today (well, tonight), I decided to start actually doing something that was neither purely practical - nor quite as passive as watching telly. So, I turned to the section of my film spreadsheet that, since I began, has listed films available on YouTube. And once I curated that long-neglected list, I discovered that the most appealing film at the top was a documentary called Kayak the Kwanza. Streaming for free. So, I watched that.
At under an hour long, it's not a massive time commitment - and yes, it is interesting. Very much so, in fact - and to those of us less interested in kayaking itself, don't worry, they don't dwell overmuch on the technicalities of it. The Kwanza is one of the longest rivers in Angola, and this trip was undertaken in aid of the Halo Trust, whose mission is to remove landmines in former war zones around the world - including Angola. Two English blokes do the kayaking - in fact, one of the few criticisms I have of the film is that we come nowhere near anyone else for the duration, nor hear them speak - although we do see them, helping to carry luggage or mend the boat. In fact, one of the kayakers does the bulk of the narration, and it's a considerable way through the film before we hear from the other guy at all! or really get a good look at him..
I found the narrator's delivery very dry - although he patently has a sense of humour, and the film is well edited and entertaining. Mainly, I watched it for a feel of what Angola is like, as I've never been there. Mind you, most of it is seen from the river (of course) - still, there are snatches of views of elsewhere, and we do get a potted history of the country, mainly to explain the purpose of the trip. Later, there's mention of a world record attempt as well - for what, I don't know, as it's never specified.
But for travel lovers, I do recommend this - they manage to capture that sense of excitement at the start of the trip, and it is full of adventure (I won't spoil the surprise). And as I say, not too long. Dunno about the high rating though - probably inflated due to its worthy nature.
For tomorrow - Up in the Cheap Seats (UITCS) are organising a virtual communal watching of Cypress Avenue, with Stephen Rea, which ran at the Royal Court: who are currently screening it for free on their YouTube channel. Posted on Friday, apparently, and available for 30 days. It's a bit late in the day for me - and their Meetup is full anyway; they restrict the numbers so as not to compromise bandwidth. But hey, I remember being unable to get a ticket when it was running, and would love to see this - so I fancy watching it, a bit earlier in the day!
On Monday, the organiser of London Literary Walks is to release the answers to the quiz he posted us last week. Well, he already has.. just in random order.. which helped me to some of the answers..
Next Saturday, UITCS is hosting another virtual meetup - this time, of a half-hour rock concert at the Albert Hall! Actually snippets of different concerts, all broadcast for free by the venue. Again, the communal experience is a bit late for me - but the Meetup is full anyway, and there's nothing to stop me watching it earlier.
And on the 5th, Anthony's Cultural Events and Walking Activities Group is heading on a virtual tour of Mount Everest, on Google Maps! So I'll tag along.
Thursday, 19 March 2020
Non-event
I could not find a cinema open in London from today. However, I did find one theatre - so I headed off to the Old Red Lion this evening, for a triple bill - Nuclear War / Buried / Graceland. In persistent drizzle - just made the bus, and gazed at empty pubs and closed restaurants as we headed along the way. And so to the pub - a welcome beacon of light..
Cleaner than usual, inside - but they did mention that they've increased their sanitation measures. The box office kiosk was unoccupied, no lights on - the door to the theatre was open, but the rope was across the stairs to it, and the curtain drawn. With 15 minutes to go. So I sat down and, eh, waited. The pub was dead, apart from a noisy table around the corner.
And once it came to half past - start time - I left. At least I got a free journey back with the Hopper fare, since it'd been less than an hour since I'd tapped in first! I've applied to the box office for a refund. Damp squib to end on, but hey.
Now, I tried and tried to find another theatre open tomorrow - to no avail. So I checked the Ryanair website - there having been rumours of flight cancellations. And when I logged in - first thing I saw was that my flights back to Ireland in a week's time have been cancelled: no bookings being taken after Tuesday. With a confirmed booking, they should have informed me, but I daresay they're swamped. So I said, well, this wasn't entirely unexpected - and with nothing happening in London, and WFH anyway, I might as well be in Ireland. My mother at least has a telly! Now, the app is down - but I managed to book a flight for tomorrow on the website. Checked in as well - and although the app is down, I managed to download the mobile boarding pass in the end. Processing the refund is another day's work.
So, that'll be it. Literally everything in my calendar has been cancelled, up to the 7th - which is unlikely to happen either. And most things I'd booked after that. But I can't count on anything right now, and have booked a one-way ticket. So, this is my last post. For an indefinite period. As all the theatres say, "it is with a heavy heart.." Take care, stay healthy. See you on the other side.
Cleaner than usual, inside - but they did mention that they've increased their sanitation measures. The box office kiosk was unoccupied, no lights on - the door to the theatre was open, but the rope was across the stairs to it, and the curtain drawn. With 15 minutes to go. So I sat down and, eh, waited. The pub was dead, apart from a noisy table around the corner.
And once it came to half past - start time - I left. At least I got a free journey back with the Hopper fare, since it'd been less than an hour since I'd tapped in first! I've applied to the box office for a refund. Damp squib to end on, but hey.
Now, I tried and tried to find another theatre open tomorrow - to no avail. So I checked the Ryanair website - there having been rumours of flight cancellations. And when I logged in - first thing I saw was that my flights back to Ireland in a week's time have been cancelled: no bookings being taken after Tuesday. With a confirmed booking, they should have informed me, but I daresay they're swamped. So I said, well, this wasn't entirely unexpected - and with nothing happening in London, and WFH anyway, I might as well be in Ireland. My mother at least has a telly! Now, the app is down - but I managed to book a flight for tomorrow on the website. Checked in as well - and although the app is down, I managed to download the mobile boarding pass in the end. Processing the refund is another day's work.
So, that'll be it. Literally everything in my calendar has been cancelled, up to the 7th - which is unlikely to happen either. And most things I'd booked after that. But I can't count on anything right now, and have booked a one-way ticket. So, this is my last post. For an indefinite period. As all the theatres say, "it is with a heavy heart.." Take care, stay healthy. See you on the other side.
Film: Portrait of a Lady on Fire
Last night, I was supposed to be back with Up in the Cheap Seats (UITCS) for Be More Chill, at The Other Palace. My only Meetup this week! But of course, that got cancelled too, because of the threat of coronavirus - the theatre, like most, is closed until further notice. I've already been refunded. With so little else happening, I thought I'd go for film instead. Not that it proved easy to get a film showing, either. But I persevered.. although most cinemas are closed already, I discovered that Rich Mix was staying open - for film, at least, although they'd already cancelled another, live, event I was to attend, next month. And they were showing Portrait of a Lady on Fire! which I've been interested in for a while now - the trailer looked excellent. And it's walking distance from me. Planned to go to that last night.
Things change rapidly though, some businesses are less on the ball than others, and gee, Rich Mix decided to close at 5pm. Indefinitely. Bah humbug. Never mind, although more expensive, Curzon was still open - took an early decision to close after the last showings last night. So I popped off to Curzon Aldgate, my closest. Just as close as Rich Mix, so I could walk.
A sign on the counter asked people to pay with contactless, for hygiene purposes, so I did - and was served by someone wearing surgical gloves. Obligingly selected my seat by tapping the screen with the corner of my card, too. And moseyed straight down to the screen - it was slightly past the scheduled start time, so I'd arrive during the ads. As I carried down the corridor to the end - it was in the last screen - I saw a woman walking in front of me - she entered the screen I was headed for. When I got there and opened the door, she was still standing right inside, in confusion.. she turned to me and checked that she was in the right place. Because it was completely empty! Just the two of us - very safe, as she remarked! So much for my mother muttering about crowds. We sat at opposite ends of the room..
After some interesting trailers (and some not so interesting), we were into the feature. And wow, what an experience. Intense, brooding - sensory overload starts with the beginning of the story proper, which is actually a flashback - we're plunged into the perspective of a young woman, being rowed somewhere in reasonably choppy seas. Along with the waves, the camera rocks up and down violently - those who suffer from motion sickness might want to look away at this point. The rowers are the only men we're to meet over the course of the film - and they rapidly prove their lack of worth, as when her attention is diverted for a moment, trying to see how far they have to go to land (which we're all wondering by now), and the crate that she's been trying to protect splashes overboard, nary a one of them offers to help. So it's up to her to plunge into the water herself - in all her layers. It's set in the 18th century, by the look of the clothes.
One of them proves moderately helpful on land, carrying her baggage (and the damp crate) part of the way to where she's going - which is a mansion on the hill, of faded glory. It's after dark by the time she arrives - and this is where the visual stimuli kick in, every candlelit scene looking like an oil painting. Turns out she's a painter - unusual for a woman at the time, but it seems she's taking over her father's business. And her purpose here is to paint a wedding portrait for the young lady of the household, to be sent to her prospective bridegroom, so he can see whether he likes the look of her. She's just been sent from the convent, her father appears to be dead, and she lives there with her mother - who's trying to arrange the match, and has hired the painter - and a servant girl.
Small complication - the young lady doesn't want the marriage, doesn't want the portrait, and point blank refused to pose for the last painter sent there. So her mother hit on this subterfuge, to hire a female painter who would pretend to be hired as a companion, and who could subtly observe her, and paint her after the fact, without her having to pose. And so it starts - and this story allows our painter to spend long moments gazing fixedly at her subject. And wow, what a gaze - she has an electrifying stare, deep, brown eyes wide and fixed on her subject. Mesmerising. And our young aristocrat is no more immune to these looks than are we - you can guess what happens next, as the relationship between them deepens to something more.
I've always loved films that can tell a story without words - and this is very sparse with the spoken word, leaving it all to meaningful looks and beautifully staged scenes, the colours vivid as we move from crumbling mansion, to the beach, to the countryside round about. It's a limited world they inhabit. But the final sensory overload is aural - we don't get a lot of music in the film, but when it comes, it's spectacular. The painter, playing a snatch of Summer from the Four Seasons on the harpsichord for her subject, as a piece she's heard and loves: a group of village women, in a dramatic vocal harmony that's eerie in its intensity: and finally, a proper, orchestral performance of Summer from the Four Seasons, loud and dramatic enough to blow you away.
Powerful and passionate, quite unlike most films you're likely to see. Highly recommended. Easy to see why it was an award-winner at Cannes! (including, ironically, for screenplay). What a swansong for my film-going experience! Because I'm afraid that's it, indefinitely - I cannot find a cinema open in London from today. However, I did find one theatre - so I'm off to the Old Red Lion this evening, for a triple bill - Nuclear War / Buried / Graceland.
Now, I tried and tried to find another theatre open tomorrow - to no avail. So I checked the Ryanair website - there have been rumours of flight cancellations. And when I logged in - first thing I saw was that my flights back to Ireland in a week's time have been cancelled: no bookings being taken after Tuesday. With a confirmed booking, they should have informed me, but I daresay they're swamped. So I said, well, this wasn't entirely unexpected - and with nothing happening in London, and WFH anyway, I might as well be in Ireland. My mother at least has a telly! Now, the app is down - but I managed to book a flight for tomorrow on the website. Checked in as well - and nuts, with the app down, I'll have to print the boarding pass for once. Well, if needs be, the office is still open - although I do have a printer of my own, but have to source paper..
So, that'll be it. Literally everything in my calendar has been cancelled, up to the 7th - which is unlikely to happen either. And most things I'd booked after that. But I can't count on anything right now, and have booked a one-way ticket. So, my next post will be my last. For an indefinite period. As all the theatres say, "it is with a heavy heart.." Take care, stay healthy. See you on the other side.
Things change rapidly though, some businesses are less on the ball than others, and gee, Rich Mix decided to close at 5pm. Indefinitely. Bah humbug. Never mind, although more expensive, Curzon was still open - took an early decision to close after the last showings last night. So I popped off to Curzon Aldgate, my closest. Just as close as Rich Mix, so I could walk.
A sign on the counter asked people to pay with contactless, for hygiene purposes, so I did - and was served by someone wearing surgical gloves. Obligingly selected my seat by tapping the screen with the corner of my card, too. And moseyed straight down to the screen - it was slightly past the scheduled start time, so I'd arrive during the ads. As I carried down the corridor to the end - it was in the last screen - I saw a woman walking in front of me - she entered the screen I was headed for. When I got there and opened the door, she was still standing right inside, in confusion.. she turned to me and checked that she was in the right place. Because it was completely empty! Just the two of us - very safe, as she remarked! So much for my mother muttering about crowds. We sat at opposite ends of the room..
After some interesting trailers (and some not so interesting), we were into the feature. And wow, what an experience. Intense, brooding - sensory overload starts with the beginning of the story proper, which is actually a flashback - we're plunged into the perspective of a young woman, being rowed somewhere in reasonably choppy seas. Along with the waves, the camera rocks up and down violently - those who suffer from motion sickness might want to look away at this point. The rowers are the only men we're to meet over the course of the film - and they rapidly prove their lack of worth, as when her attention is diverted for a moment, trying to see how far they have to go to land (which we're all wondering by now), and the crate that she's been trying to protect splashes overboard, nary a one of them offers to help. So it's up to her to plunge into the water herself - in all her layers. It's set in the 18th century, by the look of the clothes.
One of them proves moderately helpful on land, carrying her baggage (and the damp crate) part of the way to where she's going - which is a mansion on the hill, of faded glory. It's after dark by the time she arrives - and this is where the visual stimuli kick in, every candlelit scene looking like an oil painting. Turns out she's a painter - unusual for a woman at the time, but it seems she's taking over her father's business. And her purpose here is to paint a wedding portrait for the young lady of the household, to be sent to her prospective bridegroom, so he can see whether he likes the look of her. She's just been sent from the convent, her father appears to be dead, and she lives there with her mother - who's trying to arrange the match, and has hired the painter - and a servant girl.
Small complication - the young lady doesn't want the marriage, doesn't want the portrait, and point blank refused to pose for the last painter sent there. So her mother hit on this subterfuge, to hire a female painter who would pretend to be hired as a companion, and who could subtly observe her, and paint her after the fact, without her having to pose. And so it starts - and this story allows our painter to spend long moments gazing fixedly at her subject. And wow, what a gaze - she has an electrifying stare, deep, brown eyes wide and fixed on her subject. Mesmerising. And our young aristocrat is no more immune to these looks than are we - you can guess what happens next, as the relationship between them deepens to something more.
I've always loved films that can tell a story without words - and this is very sparse with the spoken word, leaving it all to meaningful looks and beautifully staged scenes, the colours vivid as we move from crumbling mansion, to the beach, to the countryside round about. It's a limited world they inhabit. But the final sensory overload is aural - we don't get a lot of music in the film, but when it comes, it's spectacular. The painter, playing a snatch of Summer from the Four Seasons on the harpsichord for her subject, as a piece she's heard and loves: a group of village women, in a dramatic vocal harmony that's eerie in its intensity: and finally, a proper, orchestral performance of Summer from the Four Seasons, loud and dramatic enough to blow you away.
Powerful and passionate, quite unlike most films you're likely to see. Highly recommended. Easy to see why it was an award-winner at Cannes! (including, ironically, for screenplay). What a swansong for my film-going experience! Because I'm afraid that's it, indefinitely - I cannot find a cinema open in London from today. However, I did find one theatre - so I'm off to the Old Red Lion this evening, for a triple bill - Nuclear War / Buried / Graceland.
Now, I tried and tried to find another theatre open tomorrow - to no avail. So I checked the Ryanair website - there have been rumours of flight cancellations. And when I logged in - first thing I saw was that my flights back to Ireland in a week's time have been cancelled: no bookings being taken after Tuesday. With a confirmed booking, they should have informed me, but I daresay they're swamped. So I said, well, this wasn't entirely unexpected - and with nothing happening in London, and WFH anyway, I might as well be in Ireland. My mother at least has a telly! Now, the app is down - but I managed to book a flight for tomorrow on the website. Checked in as well - and nuts, with the app down, I'll have to print the boarding pass for once. Well, if needs be, the office is still open - although I do have a printer of my own, but have to source paper..
So, that'll be it. Literally everything in my calendar has been cancelled, up to the 7th - which is unlikely to happen either. And most things I'd booked after that. But I can't count on anything right now, and have booked a one-way ticket. So, my next post will be my last. For an indefinite period. As all the theatres say, "it is with a heavy heart.." Take care, stay healthy. See you on the other side.
Wednesday, 18 March 2020
St. Patrick's Day Event
Hello from the centre of the apocalypse! Apologies for the delay, but as you can appreciate, the coronavirus pandemic has really been taking a lot of my time and effort. No, I haven't caught it - knock on wood - but, apart from all the other trouble it's caused, it has decimated my plans. It's only now that I have something of a handle on things.
So, I was in Ireland for the weekend - where I was scared silly by the news coverage of the pandemic. On Monday, I was booked for Soho Theatre again: this time, for the opening night of Tom Rosenthal's show, Manhood. But Soho Theatre got ahead of the curve by cancelling that show's entire run, of which they informed me while I was sitting on the plane, waiting for takeoff, and hadn't yet put my phone on flight mode. I checked, but Meetup didn't have great alternatives - so I said, sod it, why not come back a day later? So I cleared it with the boss, and managed to change my flight to Monday for less than £10 - the airlines are being quite accommodating about flight changes, these days.
Yesterday was, of course, Paddy's Day - and like last year, I booked with the Irish Centre in Camden. And again, they had arranged a St. Patrick's Night Special - I booked my ticket early. But earlier on Friday, they informed me that they were cancelling all of their Patrick's Day festivities. Undaunted, I searched around for something else appropriate to the day - and came up with something from my (original) cheap ticket club - they were now advertising a Patrick's Night event in the Phoenix Arts Club, with an acoustic male choral group called The Four Harps, followed by their regular entertainers, The Islanders. So I booked that instead - it sounded better than what I'd originally picked.
Now, on Monday, Boris finally decided that popular opinion had shifted enough for him to change his opinion (as he always does), and advised people to start staying at home. And all of a sudden, London venues started to close. They needed government backing first, for insurance purposes, you see. What with that, after a weekend of horror stories, and working from home yesterday (indefinitely), I felt kind of uneasy about heading out last night. But oh, did it feel good to be out! And the deserted city is certainly good for taking public transport - my bus fairly flew there, with less traffic than usual, and fewer passengers to hold us up.
It was sad, around the West End, seeing the theatres' lights still on, but knowing that they're closed indefinitely. And I've been fairly mithered with emails from them, begging me to donate the price of my cancelled ticket - several have mentioned that 80% or more of their income comes from ticket sales, and I'm pretty sure there will be theatre closures over this. So I did - and do - feel good about the few venues that are staying open, and I can go to. No-one will be more devasted than I will if theatres go under.
No ticket checks at the door - I went straight down, to a pretty deserted room. Well, I was early - I wanted to eat as well.
So, I ordered food - chicken kiev and orange tart, as I had before. Got to say, the tart was as lovely as I remembered. The chicken, however, was something of a disaster - smallish and burned. And the tart was served with something called "non-dairy" ice cream.. I don't recommend that. Not as cold as regular ice cream, and tasteless, it also had the curious characteristic of not melting - it was hours before my plate was collected, and it sat on the plate all that time, looking pretty much as it had when it arrived. Ugh.
When it came time for the performance to start, instead of a quartet, we got - eh - one man at the piano. His name, it seems, is Ryan Gibb - and he played a blinder, entertaining us for three hours and more (including breaks), taking requests, and generally playing the part of the "piano man" perfectly, with a talented performance and a nice line in banter. He made everyone in the room feel included - well, that's quite possible when there are fewer than a dozen there! It was a good thing that a table arrived to liven the place, though - complete with zogabongs, one pair of which they gamely donated to our performer!
Beautiful singing voice, and a deft pianist and all-round entertainer - he kept us all amused for the whole evening. Despite my less-than-enticing dinner. And although it was bad of the venue not to advertise the change in artist (I believe The Islanders were stuck in Spain, and maybe they did advertise the change, for people who'd bought tickets direct from them), and although I probably wasted the money I spent on the ticket - as one didn't seem to be needed - it was still a good night. It was live-streamed on Facebook, here. And who knows how many live performances I'll get to over the next while? I did leave before he finished - had to be up for meetings this morning, and who knew how long he was going to go on for?
Tonight, I was supposed to be back with Up in the Cheap Seats (UITCS) for Be More Chill, at The Other Palace. My only Meetup this week! But of course, that got cancelled too - the theatre is closed until further notice. I've already been refunded. With so little else happening, I thought I'd go for film instead - indeed, I may catch up on a lot of films with all this! Not that it proved easy to get a film showing, either. But I persevered.. although most cinemas are closed already, I discovered that Rich Mix is staying open - for film, at least, although they've cancelled another, live, event I was to attend, next month. And they're showing Portrait of a Lady on Fire! which I've been interested in for a while now - the trailer looks excellent. And it's walking distance from me. Planning to go to that tonight. Happy days.. I may survive this yet!
So, I was in Ireland for the weekend - where I was scared silly by the news coverage of the pandemic. On Monday, I was booked for Soho Theatre again: this time, for the opening night of Tom Rosenthal's show, Manhood. But Soho Theatre got ahead of the curve by cancelling that show's entire run, of which they informed me while I was sitting on the plane, waiting for takeoff, and hadn't yet put my phone on flight mode. I checked, but Meetup didn't have great alternatives - so I said, sod it, why not come back a day later? So I cleared it with the boss, and managed to change my flight to Monday for less than £10 - the airlines are being quite accommodating about flight changes, these days.
Yesterday was, of course, Paddy's Day - and like last year, I booked with the Irish Centre in Camden. And again, they had arranged a St. Patrick's Night Special - I booked my ticket early. But earlier on Friday, they informed me that they were cancelling all of their Patrick's Day festivities. Undaunted, I searched around for something else appropriate to the day - and came up with something from my (original) cheap ticket club - they were now advertising a Patrick's Night event in the Phoenix Arts Club, with an acoustic male choral group called The Four Harps, followed by their regular entertainers, The Islanders. So I booked that instead - it sounded better than what I'd originally picked.
Now, on Monday, Boris finally decided that popular opinion had shifted enough for him to change his opinion (as he always does), and advised people to start staying at home. And all of a sudden, London venues started to close. They needed government backing first, for insurance purposes, you see. What with that, after a weekend of horror stories, and working from home yesterday (indefinitely), I felt kind of uneasy about heading out last night. But oh, did it feel good to be out! And the deserted city is certainly good for taking public transport - my bus fairly flew there, with less traffic than usual, and fewer passengers to hold us up.
It was sad, around the West End, seeing the theatres' lights still on, but knowing that they're closed indefinitely. And I've been fairly mithered with emails from them, begging me to donate the price of my cancelled ticket - several have mentioned that 80% or more of their income comes from ticket sales, and I'm pretty sure there will be theatre closures over this. So I did - and do - feel good about the few venues that are staying open, and I can go to. No-one will be more devasted than I will if theatres go under.
No ticket checks at the door - I went straight down, to a pretty deserted room. Well, I was early - I wanted to eat as well.
So, I ordered food - chicken kiev and orange tart, as I had before. Got to say, the tart was as lovely as I remembered. The chicken, however, was something of a disaster - smallish and burned. And the tart was served with something called "non-dairy" ice cream.. I don't recommend that. Not as cold as regular ice cream, and tasteless, it also had the curious characteristic of not melting - it was hours before my plate was collected, and it sat on the plate all that time, looking pretty much as it had when it arrived. Ugh.
When it came time for the performance to start, instead of a quartet, we got - eh - one man at the piano. His name, it seems, is Ryan Gibb - and he played a blinder, entertaining us for three hours and more (including breaks), taking requests, and generally playing the part of the "piano man" perfectly, with a talented performance and a nice line in banter. He made everyone in the room feel included - well, that's quite possible when there are fewer than a dozen there! It was a good thing that a table arrived to liven the place, though - complete with zogabongs, one pair of which they gamely donated to our performer!
Beautiful singing voice, and a deft pianist and all-round entertainer - he kept us all amused for the whole evening. Despite my less-than-enticing dinner. And although it was bad of the venue not to advertise the change in artist (I believe The Islanders were stuck in Spain, and maybe they did advertise the change, for people who'd bought tickets direct from them), and although I probably wasted the money I spent on the ticket - as one didn't seem to be needed - it was still a good night. It was live-streamed on Facebook, here. And who knows how many live performances I'll get to over the next while? I did leave before he finished - had to be up for meetings this morning, and who knew how long he was going to go on for?
Tonight, I was supposed to be back with Up in the Cheap Seats (UITCS) for Be More Chill, at The Other Palace. My only Meetup this week! But of course, that got cancelled too - the theatre is closed until further notice. I've already been refunded. With so little else happening, I thought I'd go for film instead - indeed, I may catch up on a lot of films with all this! Not that it proved easy to get a film showing, either. But I persevered.. although most cinemas are closed already, I discovered that Rich Mix is staying open - for film, at least, although they've cancelled another, live, event I was to attend, next month. And they're showing Portrait of a Lady on Fire! which I've been interested in for a while now - the trailer looks excellent. And it's walking distance from me. Planning to go to that tonight. Happy days.. I may survive this yet!
Thursday, 12 March 2020
Pre-Patrick's Day Concert
Tonight, back with This & That (not for ages, then twice in one week!). This time, it was a pre-Paddy's Day concert with the Band of the Irish Guards, at the Guards' Chapel. I'd have left a bit earlier, but we had an emergency meeting at 5pm - in which we were asked to work from home from next week, if possible, to prevent the spread of coronavirus. I can live with the idea of not having to trek to the office in the mornings!
Well, this made me a little late - and we were to meet in The Old Star, but not to stay for long. So I decided to take the Tube - and it was nicely uncrowded. To be fair, the District and Circle lines generally are! Got a seat the whole way. Unfortunately, at St. James' Park station, I was unable to find the right exit - well, it wasn't too far to walk around. And the pub is right across the road.
As I made my way to the door, I spied the organiser through the window - which was lucky, as when I got in, the din was horrendous! and the crowd dense. Even having seen him, he wasn't easy to find - he and another had managed to find a spot at the top of the stairs. I got drinks in, and then found myself - yet again - in the unenviable position of the one who was jostled by everyone heading in and out. What with that, and everyone having to shout to be heard, I was glad when we left.
And so, down to the Guards Chapel, where at least two of us had never been.
The band emerged, uniforms immaculate and buttons and shoes shining, in red but sans bearskin hats. Logically, I guess. I'd have been far too distracted if they'd worn them, wondering whether they were going to fall off.
The repertoire was listed in the free programmes that were thoughtfully provided:
Now, to those familiar with the pieces, it was amusing to note the revolutionary songs among them.. The Boys of Wexford, for instance. And A Wexford Rhapsody includes some of Boolavogue and The Croppy Boy, for goodness' sake! Ah well, they do fit the brief of military music.. and after all, they weren't sung - the lyrics didn't come into it. Just as well, considering the subjects of the songs were in revolution - well, against the predecessors of the people playing the music. Least said, soonest mended. ;-)
So, the concert - which lasted just over an hour - was a mixture of full-blast, big band material, and softer pieces, which I preferred. Particularly lovely, I thought, was Blackwater, which I'd never heard before. Rollicking Rakes is a play on the Rakes of Mallow. And the evening was most enjoyable. The chapel was mostly full - and he gave us special thanks for coming out, what with all the health scares. I donated to the collection on the way out - but the guy in uniform, holding the plate aloft, didn't look at all impressed with my contribution; he was evidently much happier with what was given by someone behind me, who received effusive thanks!
And so back to the pub for one, and a discussion mainly about film.. and coronavirus, which was inescapable, with a large tv in clear view. Happily, we had a table this time. And then home. Stupidly, I waited on the wrong side of the road - and realised too late to catch my bus, so I had to wait for the next. At least there were so few people travelling that we sailed past most of the stops, and I was absolutely flown home!
They haven't yet closed the airports, so tomorrow I'm back to Ireland for the weekend. On Monday - all going well - back at Soho Theatre again: this time, for the opening night of Tom Rosenthal's show, Manhood.
Tuesday is, of course, Paddy's Day itself - and like last year, I'm off to the Irish Centre in Camden. And again, they have a St. Patrick's Night Special - I've already booked my ticket. Dunno whether anyone will join me, but hey.
On Wednesday, back with Up in the Cheap Seats (UITCS) for Be More Chill, at The Other Palace. My only Meetup that week!
Next Thursday is going to be hugely busy for me. So, first I'm at Soho Theatre for Jena Friedman's show, Miscarriage of Justice. And then, wouldn't you know it, The Embers Collective scheduled a series of shows at the Vault Festival. And blast it if I wasn't already booked for the whole week! But hey, with the comedy show finishing at 8.30.. and the storytelling not starting till 10.. this one was doable! Their show that night is Queerstory - LGBTQ+ - themed. And I'm going.
On the 20th, finally getting to see Dear Evan Hanson, at the Noel Coward Theatre. It got the royal seal of approval last week, of course! And it's about time I saw it - UITCS went last year.
On the 21st, a proper social at last from my last company, woo-hoo! We now have 5 (possibly 6) confirmations for a dinner at my current favourite Italian - Amarcord Museum. The place with the chocolate mousse cake to die for.. I've booked, on the assumption that I won't get any more takers. And that laying a space for 6 is much the same as laying a space for 5. And I've asked specially for the chocolate cake.. again, all going well; I've heard of restaurants closing as a precaution.
On the 22nd, heading to the last night of a classical spectacular at the Albert Hall. Popular classical tunes, complete with lightshow - sure to be a crowd-pleaser!
On the 23rd, back with UITCS for Far Away, at Donmar Warehouse. Unfortunately, I'm now hearing really bad reviews of this - ah well. Not surprised, given that it's by Caryl Churchill, who also wrote A Number. Which I didn't rate highly.
On the 24th, seeing The Dumb Waiter, by Harold Pinter, at Hampstead Theatre.
On the 25th, back with UITCS for Clybourne Park, at the Park Theatre.
On the 26th, back with them again - for the opening night of a Ballet Black Mixed Bill, at the Barbican, for once! Much handier for me. Interestingly, no fewer than three Meetup groups are going to the same thing - but UITCS advertised it first, and I've booked with them and will not be repeating the chaos of multiple bookings that I tried previously. One in particular, Love London Theatre Arts Music & Stuff (LLTAMS) - which has a habit of booking the same thing on the same night as UITCS - has introduced a new rule that you can't book with them if you've booked with someone else as well. Well gee, no problem - wasn't going to anyway. Not really the way to increase your group's attendance, if you ask me. Then I'm back to Ireland for the weekend.
On the 30th, ironically, I'm with LLTAMS for something that they're the only ones to advertise! It's a classical concert of religious music at Queen Elizabeth Hall, and should be lovely. The first Easter-related event I'm going to.
On the 31st, back at the Barbican for It's True, It's True, It's True. Dramatisation of a 17th-Century rape trial.
On the 1st, I find myself with London Science & Geek Chic Socials! We're off to a talk at the Star & Garter (Greenwich), entitled Greenwich Skeptics: A Magician Among the Spirits, which describes the confrontational relationship between magicians and psychics - the name is taken from a book by Houdini.
On the 2nd, back with UITCS at the Barbican - this time, it's the opening night of Orlando.
And on the 3rd, back with them again for Last Easter, at the Orange Tree.
Well, this made me a little late - and we were to meet in The Old Star, but not to stay for long. So I decided to take the Tube - and it was nicely uncrowded. To be fair, the District and Circle lines generally are! Got a seat the whole way. Unfortunately, at St. James' Park station, I was unable to find the right exit - well, it wasn't too far to walk around. And the pub is right across the road.
As I made my way to the door, I spied the organiser through the window - which was lucky, as when I got in, the din was horrendous! and the crowd dense. Even having seen him, he wasn't easy to find - he and another had managed to find a spot at the top of the stairs. I got drinks in, and then found myself - yet again - in the unenviable position of the one who was jostled by everyone heading in and out. What with that, and everyone having to shout to be heard, I was glad when we left.
And so, down to the Guards Chapel, where at least two of us had never been.
The band emerged, uniforms immaculate and buttons and shoes shining, in red but sans bearskin hats. Logically, I guess. I'd have been far too distracted if they'd worn them, wondering whether they were going to fall off.
The repertoire was listed in the free programmes that were thoughtfully provided:
Now, to those familiar with the pieces, it was amusing to note the revolutionary songs among them.. The Boys of Wexford, for instance. And A Wexford Rhapsody includes some of Boolavogue and The Croppy Boy, for goodness' sake! Ah well, they do fit the brief of military music.. and after all, they weren't sung - the lyrics didn't come into it. Just as well, considering the subjects of the songs were in revolution - well, against the predecessors of the people playing the music. Least said, soonest mended. ;-)
So, the concert - which lasted just over an hour - was a mixture of full-blast, big band material, and softer pieces, which I preferred. Particularly lovely, I thought, was Blackwater, which I'd never heard before. Rollicking Rakes is a play on the Rakes of Mallow. And the evening was most enjoyable. The chapel was mostly full - and he gave us special thanks for coming out, what with all the health scares. I donated to the collection on the way out - but the guy in uniform, holding the plate aloft, didn't look at all impressed with my contribution; he was evidently much happier with what was given by someone behind me, who received effusive thanks!
And so back to the pub for one, and a discussion mainly about film.. and coronavirus, which was inescapable, with a large tv in clear view. Happily, we had a table this time. And then home. Stupidly, I waited on the wrong side of the road - and realised too late to catch my bus, so I had to wait for the next. At least there were so few people travelling that we sailed past most of the stops, and I was absolutely flown home!
They haven't yet closed the airports, so tomorrow I'm back to Ireland for the weekend. On Monday - all going well - back at Soho Theatre again: this time, for the opening night of Tom Rosenthal's show, Manhood.
Tuesday is, of course, Paddy's Day itself - and like last year, I'm off to the Irish Centre in Camden. And again, they have a St. Patrick's Night Special - I've already booked my ticket. Dunno whether anyone will join me, but hey.
On Wednesday, back with Up in the Cheap Seats (UITCS) for Be More Chill, at The Other Palace. My only Meetup that week!
Next Thursday is going to be hugely busy for me. So, first I'm at Soho Theatre for Jena Friedman's show, Miscarriage of Justice. And then, wouldn't you know it, The Embers Collective scheduled a series of shows at the Vault Festival. And blast it if I wasn't already booked for the whole week! But hey, with the comedy show finishing at 8.30.. and the storytelling not starting till 10.. this one was doable! Their show that night is Queerstory - LGBTQ+ - themed. And I'm going.
On the 20th, finally getting to see Dear Evan Hanson, at the Noel Coward Theatre. It got the royal seal of approval last week, of course! And it's about time I saw it - UITCS went last year.
On the 21st, a proper social at last from my last company, woo-hoo! We now have 5 (possibly 6) confirmations for a dinner at my current favourite Italian - Amarcord Museum. The place with the chocolate mousse cake to die for.. I've booked, on the assumption that I won't get any more takers. And that laying a space for 6 is much the same as laying a space for 5. And I've asked specially for the chocolate cake.. again, all going well; I've heard of restaurants closing as a precaution.
On the 22nd, heading to the last night of a classical spectacular at the Albert Hall. Popular classical tunes, complete with lightshow - sure to be a crowd-pleaser!
On the 23rd, back with UITCS for Far Away, at Donmar Warehouse. Unfortunately, I'm now hearing really bad reviews of this - ah well. Not surprised, given that it's by Caryl Churchill, who also wrote A Number. Which I didn't rate highly.
On the 24th, seeing The Dumb Waiter, by Harold Pinter, at Hampstead Theatre.
On the 25th, back with UITCS for Clybourne Park, at the Park Theatre.
On the 26th, back with them again - for the opening night of a Ballet Black Mixed Bill, at the Barbican, for once! Much handier for me. Interestingly, no fewer than three Meetup groups are going to the same thing - but UITCS advertised it first, and I've booked with them and will not be repeating the chaos of multiple bookings that I tried previously. One in particular, Love London Theatre Arts Music & Stuff (LLTAMS) - which has a habit of booking the same thing on the same night as UITCS - has introduced a new rule that you can't book with them if you've booked with someone else as well. Well gee, no problem - wasn't going to anyway. Not really the way to increase your group's attendance, if you ask me. Then I'm back to Ireland for the weekend.
On the 30th, ironically, I'm with LLTAMS for something that they're the only ones to advertise! It's a classical concert of religious music at Queen Elizabeth Hall, and should be lovely. The first Easter-related event I'm going to.
On the 31st, back at the Barbican for It's True, It's True, It's True. Dramatisation of a 17th-Century rape trial.
On the 1st, I find myself with London Science & Geek Chic Socials! We're off to a talk at the Star & Garter (Greenwich), entitled Greenwich Skeptics: A Magician Among the Spirits, which describes the confrontational relationship between magicians and psychics - the name is taken from a book by Houdini.
On the 2nd, back with UITCS at the Barbican - this time, it's the opening night of Orlando.
And on the 3rd, back with them again for Last Easter, at the Orange Tree.
Wednesday, 11 March 2020
Pubs: The Rising Sun & Butcher's Hook & Cleaver
Tonight, I was supposed to be back at Soho Theatre. This time, it was Sara Barron's show, Enemies Closer. It was a late start.. but then, I was kidnapped :-) by a co-worker who, after two strenuous days of planning, was headed to the pub. With others. So I said, well, I have time..
So, off I went. We stood outside The Rising Sun for a couple - it was windy, but not terribly cold. And I informed them how it's - you know - haunted. Which had nothing to do with our moving to another pub, down the way - no indeed, 'twas more to do with the quality of the beer. I couldn't testify myself, I'm a wine drinker. Anyway, off we headed to the Butcher's Hook & Cleaver, just down the road. Where we spent a convivial time. I heard unencouraging stories of a previous Christmas party, when they hadn't been provided with sufficient food.. but for our drinks, 'twas sufficient. And frankly, much better to hang out with colleagues and get to know them a bit better, than to head to see a comedian I hadn't ever heard of before. No, I had a good night - may there be many more.
Tomorrow, back with This & That (not for ages, then twice in one week!). This time, it's a pre-Paddy's Day concert with the Band of the Irish Guards, at the Guards' Chapel. Then I'm back to Ireland for the weekend.
On Monday, back at Soho Theatre again - this time, for the opening night of Tom Rosenthal's show, Manhood.
Tuesday is, of course, Paddy's Day itself - and like last year, I'm off to the Irish Centre in Camden. And again, they have a St. Patrick's Night Special - I've already booked my ticket. Dunno whether anyone will join me, but hey.
Next Wednesday, back with Up in the Cheap Seats (UITCS) for Be More Chill, at The Other Palace. My only Meetup that week!
The 19th is going to be hugely busy for me. So, first I'm at Soho Theatre for Jena Friedman's show, Miscarriage of Justice. And then, wouldn't you know it, The Embers Collective scheduled a series of shows at the Vault Festival. And blast it if I wasn't already booked for the whole week! But hey, with the comedy show finishing at 8.30.. and the storytelling not starting till 10.. this one was doable! Their show that night is Queerstory - LGBTQ+ - themed. And I'm going.
On the 20th, finally getting to see Dear Evan Hanson, at the Noel Coward Theatre. It got the royal seal of approval during the week, of course! And it's about time I saw it - UITCS went last year.
On the 21st, a proper social at last from my last company, woo-hoo! We now have 5 (possibly 6) confirmations for a dinner at my current favourite Italian - Amarcord Museum. The place with the chocolate mousse cake to die for.. I've booked, on the assumption that I won't get any more takers. And that laying a space for 6 is much the same as laying a space for 5. And I've asked specially for the chocolate cake..
On the 22nd, heading to the last night of a classical spectacular at the Albert Hall. Popular classical tunes, complete with lightshow - sure to be a crowd-pleaser!
On the 23rd, back with UITCS for Far Away, at Donmar Warehouse. Unfortunately, I'm now hearing really bad reviews of this - ah well. Not surprised, given that it's by Caryl Churchill, who also wrote A Number. Which I didn't rate highly.
On the 24th, seeing The Dumb Waiter, by Harold Pinter, at Hampstead Theatre.
On the 25th, back with UITCS for Clybourne Park, at the Park Theatre.
On the 26th, back with them again - for the opening night of a Ballet Black Mixed Bill, at the Barbican, for once! Much handier for me. Interestingly, no fewer than three Meetup groups are going to the same thing - but UITCS advertised it first, and I've booked with them and will not be repeating the chaos of multiple bookings that I tried previously. One in particular, Love London Theatre Arts Music & Stuff (LLTAMS) - which has a habit of booking the same thing on the same night as UITCS - has introduced a new rule that you can't book with them if you've booked with someone else as well. Well gee, no problem - wasn't going to anyway. Not really the way to increase your group's attendance, if you ask me. Then I'm back to Ireland for the weekend.
On the 30th, ironically, I'm with LLTAMS for something that they're the only ones to advertise! It's a classical concert of religious music at Queen Elizabeth Hall, and should be lovely.
On the 31st, back at the Barbican for It's True, It's True, It's True. Dramatisation of a 17th-Century rape trial.
On the 1st, I find myself with London Science & Geek Chic Socials! We're off to a talk at the Star & Garter (Greenwich), entitled Greenwich Skeptics: A Magician Among the Spirits, which describes the confrontational relationship between magicians and psychics - the name is taken from a book by Houdini.
On the 2nd, back with UITCS at the Barbican - this time, it's the opening night of Orlando.
And on the 3rd, back with them again for Last Easter, at the Orange Tree.
So, off I went. We stood outside The Rising Sun for a couple - it was windy, but not terribly cold. And I informed them how it's - you know - haunted. Which had nothing to do with our moving to another pub, down the way - no indeed, 'twas more to do with the quality of the beer. I couldn't testify myself, I'm a wine drinker. Anyway, off we headed to the Butcher's Hook & Cleaver, just down the road. Where we spent a convivial time. I heard unencouraging stories of a previous Christmas party, when they hadn't been provided with sufficient food.. but for our drinks, 'twas sufficient. And frankly, much better to hang out with colleagues and get to know them a bit better, than to head to see a comedian I hadn't ever heard of before. No, I had a good night - may there be many more.
Tomorrow, back with This & That (not for ages, then twice in one week!). This time, it's a pre-Paddy's Day concert with the Band of the Irish Guards, at the Guards' Chapel. Then I'm back to Ireland for the weekend.
On Monday, back at Soho Theatre again - this time, for the opening night of Tom Rosenthal's show, Manhood.
Tuesday is, of course, Paddy's Day itself - and like last year, I'm off to the Irish Centre in Camden. And again, they have a St. Patrick's Night Special - I've already booked my ticket. Dunno whether anyone will join me, but hey.
Next Wednesday, back with Up in the Cheap Seats (UITCS) for Be More Chill, at The Other Palace. My only Meetup that week!
The 19th is going to be hugely busy for me. So, first I'm at Soho Theatre for Jena Friedman's show, Miscarriage of Justice. And then, wouldn't you know it, The Embers Collective scheduled a series of shows at the Vault Festival. And blast it if I wasn't already booked for the whole week! But hey, with the comedy show finishing at 8.30.. and the storytelling not starting till 10.. this one was doable! Their show that night is Queerstory - LGBTQ+ - themed. And I'm going.
On the 20th, finally getting to see Dear Evan Hanson, at the Noel Coward Theatre. It got the royal seal of approval during the week, of course! And it's about time I saw it - UITCS went last year.
On the 21st, a proper social at last from my last company, woo-hoo! We now have 5 (possibly 6) confirmations for a dinner at my current favourite Italian - Amarcord Museum. The place with the chocolate mousse cake to die for.. I've booked, on the assumption that I won't get any more takers. And that laying a space for 6 is much the same as laying a space for 5. And I've asked specially for the chocolate cake..
On the 22nd, heading to the last night of a classical spectacular at the Albert Hall. Popular classical tunes, complete with lightshow - sure to be a crowd-pleaser!
On the 23rd, back with UITCS for Far Away, at Donmar Warehouse. Unfortunately, I'm now hearing really bad reviews of this - ah well. Not surprised, given that it's by Caryl Churchill, who also wrote A Number. Which I didn't rate highly.
On the 24th, seeing The Dumb Waiter, by Harold Pinter, at Hampstead Theatre.
On the 25th, back with UITCS for Clybourne Park, at the Park Theatre.
On the 26th, back with them again - for the opening night of a Ballet Black Mixed Bill, at the Barbican, for once! Much handier for me. Interestingly, no fewer than three Meetup groups are going to the same thing - but UITCS advertised it first, and I've booked with them and will not be repeating the chaos of multiple bookings that I tried previously. One in particular, Love London Theatre Arts Music & Stuff (LLTAMS) - which has a habit of booking the same thing on the same night as UITCS - has introduced a new rule that you can't book with them if you've booked with someone else as well. Well gee, no problem - wasn't going to anyway. Not really the way to increase your group's attendance, if you ask me. Then I'm back to Ireland for the weekend.
On the 30th, ironically, I'm with LLTAMS for something that they're the only ones to advertise! It's a classical concert of religious music at Queen Elizabeth Hall, and should be lovely.
On the 31st, back at the Barbican for It's True, It's True, It's True. Dramatisation of a 17th-Century rape trial.
On the 1st, I find myself with London Science & Geek Chic Socials! We're off to a talk at the Star & Garter (Greenwich), entitled Greenwich Skeptics: A Magician Among the Spirits, which describes the confrontational relationship between magicians and psychics - the name is taken from a book by Houdini.
On the 2nd, back with UITCS at the Barbican - this time, it's the opening night of Orlando.
And on the 3rd, back with them again for Last Easter, at the Orange Tree.
Musical: Hamilton
Last night, whoop-de-doo! Finally got a decently priced, decently located ticket to the show of the moment, Hamilton! Showing at the Victoria Palace, booking through Ticketmaster exclusively. Booked the day after Christmas: the same day as City of Angels - I often block book. So I got to see whether it lives up to the hype - I'm just delighted to be able to stop searching for tickets for it! And even with everything else going on, I remembered to bring the ticket with me. Spent the day paranoid about losing / tearing it..!
Well, it was raining again - not as heavily, though. I left a bit early. Unfortunately, even with being early, I still didn't manage to make the bus before the one I had to get, to get there on time - got there just in time to see it chug off down the road. So I had to wait for what would be the last bus possible. Yeah - that was as nervewracking as you can imagine. We didn't do too badly - but still arrived five minutes later than expected, which meant I was dropped outside the theatre with five minutes to spare! and two large roads to cross. Mercifully, the crossing lights worked pretty much in my favour.
Disconcertingly, they were putting the crowd barriers away as I arrived. A huge queue to go in - I was right behind a large, American-sounding tour group. The guy doing bag checks did such a cursory job that he missed the extra one I was carrying: and as the usher scanned my ticket, he described how I had to get to the Grand Circle - staircase after staircase - while helpfully explaining that I had about 90 seconds to get there! Well, off I set. And there sure are a lot of stairs - I don't think I've ever been here before. And it's a pity I didn't have more time to have a look around - it's a beautiful theatre, lots of brass and chandeliers. You can sure tell when a theatre is doing well - they're obviously raking it in with this show, and this is a place you won't find any peeling plaster!
So, the Grand Circle is really steep - I was glad of the mini-handrails, just like the Opera House. I was also very glad of my decision to wait until I had the chance of an aisle seat - the legroom isn't too bad, until you've been sat for a while, and it's a relief to be able to swing your legs into the aisle. And this is a long show.. it was nearly 10.30 when it finished.
Phew, I don't know how they manage - this is relentless! I was exhausted, just watching! It's completely sung / rapped - listen carefully, these are not throwaway lyrics. It's the story of Alexander Hamilton - and well worth the effort of making a show out of! Born out of wedlock, he rose to the top by his intellect and drive - after distinguishing himself during the Revolutionary War, he made a name for himself in law, banking, and politics - he was the first US Secretary of the Treasury. He was larger than life - blazed an unforgettable trail. Along the way, he was also such a womaniser that, apparently, George Washington's wife named her tomcat after him..
George III appears for comic relief - he starts by giving the warning at the start about turning off your phones, then keeps popping up, first perplexed by the Americans' desire to separate, then bursting his sides laughing at their problems founding a government. So. Wow. They have all that history to get through, they have the comedy. The orchestra is kept busy with a constant, driving, irresistibly catchy rhythm. Complex choreography. No wonder the show is so long..!
Yeah, it's terrific. If, as I say, exhausting. And unexpectedly moving. The emotion of the first half is centred around revolutionary fervour - the line "immigrants get things done!" deservedly got a round of applause all its own. The second half is darker, as not everything goes Hamilton's way..
Truly memorable, and deserves the sell-out house it achieves every night. Currently booking till the 1st of August, but will probably run for years, at this rate. Booking essential - and tricky. But honestly, I got more out of City of Angels. Which is not to downgrade this at all, but rather a point about how good City of Angels is..! What can I say, it's that bit cleverer.. and as I say, Hamilton does pack a lot in: perhaps a little too much. Can't be avoided, I guess - the guy achieved a lot!
Again, had to be in early today for a planning meeting, so no blogging last night. Tonight, back at Soho Theatre (hopefully - at least the show is later than Tuesday's, which I missed! As long as I manage to stay awake). This time, it's Sara Barron's show, Enemies Closer.
Tomorrow, back with This & That (not for ages, then twice in one week!). This time, it's a pre-Paddy's Day concert with the Band of the Irish Guards, at the Guards' Chapel. Then I'm back to Ireland for the weekend.
On Monday, back at Soho Theatre again - this time, for the opening night of Tom Rosenthal's show, Manhood.
Tuesday is, of course, Paddy's Day itself - and like last year, I'm off to the Irish Centre in Camden. And again, they have a St. Patrick's Night Special - I've already booked my ticket. Dunno whether anyone will join me, but hey.
Next Wednesday, back with Up in the Cheap Seats (UITCS) for Be More Chill, at The Other Palace. My only Meetup that week!
The 19th is going to be hugely busy for me. So, first I'm at Soho Theatre for Jena Friedman's show, Miscarriage of Justice. And then, wouldn't you know it, The Embers Collective scheduled a series of shows at the Vault Festival. And blast it if I wasn't already booked for the whole week! But hey, with the comedy show finishing at 8.30.. and the storytelling not starting till 10.. this one was doable! Their show that night is Queerstory - LGBTQ+ - themed. And I'm going.
On the 20th, finally getting to see Dear Evan Hanson, at the Noel Coward Theatre. It got the royal seal of approval during the week, of course! And it's about time I saw it - UITCS went last year.
On the 21st, a proper social at last from my last company, woo-hoo! We now have 5 (possibly 6) confirmations for a dinner at my current favourite Italian - Amarcord Museum. The place with the chocolate mousse cake to die for.. I've booked, on the assumption that I won't get any more takers. And that laying a space for 6 is much the same as laying a space for 5. And I've asked specially for the chocolate cake..
On the 22nd, heading to the last night of a classical spectacular at the Albert Hall. Popular classical tunes, complete with lightshow - sure to be a crowd-pleaser!
On the 23rd, back with UITCS for Far Away, at Donmar Warehouse. Unfortunately, I'm now hearing really bad reviews of this - ah well. Not surprised, given that it's by Caryl Churchill, who also wrote A Number. Which I didn't rate highly.
On the 24th, seeing The Dumb Waiter, by Harold Pinter, at Hampstead Theatre.
On the 25th, back with UITCS for Clybourne Park, at the Park Theatre.
On the 26th, back with them again - for the opening night of a Ballet Black Mixed Bill, at the Barbican, for once! Much handier for me. Interestingly, no fewer than three Meetup groups are going to the same thing - but UITCS advertised it first, and I've booked with them and will not be repeating the chaos of multiple bookings that I tried previously. One in particular, Love London Theatre Arts Music & Stuff (LLTAMS) - which has a habit of booking the same thing on the same night as UITCS - has introduced a new rule that you can't book with them if you've booked with someone else as well. Well gee, no problem - wasn't going to anyway. Not really the way to increase your group's attendance, if you ask me. Then I'm back to Ireland for the weekend.
On the 30th, ironically, I'm with LLTAMS for something that they're the only ones to advertise! It's a classical concert of religious music at Queen Elizabeth Hall, and should be lovely.
On the 31st, back at the Barbican for It's True, It's True, It's True. Dramatisation of a 17th-Century rape trial.
On the 1st, I find myself with London Science & Geek Chic Socials! We're off to a talk at the Star & Garter (Greenwich), entitled Greenwich Skeptics: A Magician Among the Spirits, which describes the confrontational relationship between magicians and psychics - the name is taken from a book by Houdini.
On the 2nd, back with UITCS at the Barbican - this time, it's the opening night of Orlando.
And on the 3rd, back with them again for Last Easter, at the Orange Tree.
Well, it was raining again - not as heavily, though. I left a bit early. Unfortunately, even with being early, I still didn't manage to make the bus before the one I had to get, to get there on time - got there just in time to see it chug off down the road. So I had to wait for what would be the last bus possible. Yeah - that was as nervewracking as you can imagine. We didn't do too badly - but still arrived five minutes later than expected, which meant I was dropped outside the theatre with five minutes to spare! and two large roads to cross. Mercifully, the crossing lights worked pretty much in my favour.
Disconcertingly, they were putting the crowd barriers away as I arrived. A huge queue to go in - I was right behind a large, American-sounding tour group. The guy doing bag checks did such a cursory job that he missed the extra one I was carrying: and as the usher scanned my ticket, he described how I had to get to the Grand Circle - staircase after staircase - while helpfully explaining that I had about 90 seconds to get there! Well, off I set. And there sure are a lot of stairs - I don't think I've ever been here before. And it's a pity I didn't have more time to have a look around - it's a beautiful theatre, lots of brass and chandeliers. You can sure tell when a theatre is doing well - they're obviously raking it in with this show, and this is a place you won't find any peeling plaster!
So, the Grand Circle is really steep - I was glad of the mini-handrails, just like the Opera House. I was also very glad of my decision to wait until I had the chance of an aisle seat - the legroom isn't too bad, until you've been sat for a while, and it's a relief to be able to swing your legs into the aisle. And this is a long show.. it was nearly 10.30 when it finished.
Phew, I don't know how they manage - this is relentless! I was exhausted, just watching! It's completely sung / rapped - listen carefully, these are not throwaway lyrics. It's the story of Alexander Hamilton - and well worth the effort of making a show out of! Born out of wedlock, he rose to the top by his intellect and drive - after distinguishing himself during the Revolutionary War, he made a name for himself in law, banking, and politics - he was the first US Secretary of the Treasury. He was larger than life - blazed an unforgettable trail. Along the way, he was also such a womaniser that, apparently, George Washington's wife named her tomcat after him..
George III appears for comic relief - he starts by giving the warning at the start about turning off your phones, then keeps popping up, first perplexed by the Americans' desire to separate, then bursting his sides laughing at their problems founding a government. So. Wow. They have all that history to get through, they have the comedy. The orchestra is kept busy with a constant, driving, irresistibly catchy rhythm. Complex choreography. No wonder the show is so long..!
Yeah, it's terrific. If, as I say, exhausting. And unexpectedly moving. The emotion of the first half is centred around revolutionary fervour - the line "immigrants get things done!" deservedly got a round of applause all its own. The second half is darker, as not everything goes Hamilton's way..
Truly memorable, and deserves the sell-out house it achieves every night. Currently booking till the 1st of August, but will probably run for years, at this rate. Booking essential - and tricky. But honestly, I got more out of City of Angels. Which is not to downgrade this at all, but rather a point about how good City of Angels is..! What can I say, it's that bit cleverer.. and as I say, Hamilton does pack a lot in: perhaps a little too much. Can't be avoided, I guess - the guy achieved a lot!
Again, had to be in early today for a planning meeting, so no blogging last night. Tonight, back at Soho Theatre (hopefully - at least the show is later than Tuesday's, which I missed! As long as I manage to stay awake). This time, it's Sara Barron's show, Enemies Closer.
Tomorrow, back with This & That (not for ages, then twice in one week!). This time, it's a pre-Paddy's Day concert with the Band of the Irish Guards, at the Guards' Chapel. Then I'm back to Ireland for the weekend.
On Monday, back at Soho Theatre again - this time, for the opening night of Tom Rosenthal's show, Manhood.
Tuesday is, of course, Paddy's Day itself - and like last year, I'm off to the Irish Centre in Camden. And again, they have a St. Patrick's Night Special - I've already booked my ticket. Dunno whether anyone will join me, but hey.
Next Wednesday, back with Up in the Cheap Seats (UITCS) for Be More Chill, at The Other Palace. My only Meetup that week!
The 19th is going to be hugely busy for me. So, first I'm at Soho Theatre for Jena Friedman's show, Miscarriage of Justice. And then, wouldn't you know it, The Embers Collective scheduled a series of shows at the Vault Festival. And blast it if I wasn't already booked for the whole week! But hey, with the comedy show finishing at 8.30.. and the storytelling not starting till 10.. this one was doable! Their show that night is Queerstory - LGBTQ+ - themed. And I'm going.
On the 20th, finally getting to see Dear Evan Hanson, at the Noel Coward Theatre. It got the royal seal of approval during the week, of course! And it's about time I saw it - UITCS went last year.
On the 21st, a proper social at last from my last company, woo-hoo! We now have 5 (possibly 6) confirmations for a dinner at my current favourite Italian - Amarcord Museum. The place with the chocolate mousse cake to die for.. I've booked, on the assumption that I won't get any more takers. And that laying a space for 6 is much the same as laying a space for 5. And I've asked specially for the chocolate cake..
On the 22nd, heading to the last night of a classical spectacular at the Albert Hall. Popular classical tunes, complete with lightshow - sure to be a crowd-pleaser!
On the 23rd, back with UITCS for Far Away, at Donmar Warehouse. Unfortunately, I'm now hearing really bad reviews of this - ah well. Not surprised, given that it's by Caryl Churchill, who also wrote A Number. Which I didn't rate highly.
On the 24th, seeing The Dumb Waiter, by Harold Pinter, at Hampstead Theatre.
On the 25th, back with UITCS for Clybourne Park, at the Park Theatre.
On the 26th, back with them again - for the opening night of a Ballet Black Mixed Bill, at the Barbican, for once! Much handier for me. Interestingly, no fewer than three Meetup groups are going to the same thing - but UITCS advertised it first, and I've booked with them and will not be repeating the chaos of multiple bookings that I tried previously. One in particular, Love London Theatre Arts Music & Stuff (LLTAMS) - which has a habit of booking the same thing on the same night as UITCS - has introduced a new rule that you can't book with them if you've booked with someone else as well. Well gee, no problem - wasn't going to anyway. Not really the way to increase your group's attendance, if you ask me. Then I'm back to Ireland for the weekend.
On the 30th, ironically, I'm with LLTAMS for something that they're the only ones to advertise! It's a classical concert of religious music at Queen Elizabeth Hall, and should be lovely.
On the 31st, back at the Barbican for It's True, It's True, It's True. Dramatisation of a 17th-Century rape trial.
On the 1st, I find myself with London Science & Geek Chic Socials! We're off to a talk at the Star & Garter (Greenwich), entitled Greenwich Skeptics: A Magician Among the Spirits, which describes the confrontational relationship between magicians and psychics - the name is taken from a book by Houdini.
On the 2nd, back with UITCS at the Barbican - this time, it's the opening night of Orlando.
And on the 3rd, back with them again for Last Easter, at the Orange Tree.
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