Film: West Side Story

Today, film again. And top of the list now was Spielberg's remake of West Side Story! So I  planned to go see that - showing in the Barbican, my closest cinema, and I can walk there. Nice, feelgood choice.

I set off in good time - as per Google Maps, got there within 15 minutes, and with the cinema not open yet, I had time to have a drink from the bar - could bring it into the cinema with me when we were let in. The place ended up being maybe 1/3 full, at most.. the advantage of seeing films on a Tuesday, of course!

Ok, the opening is a bit slow - they could easily have trimmed something off that. But once the action - and, crucially, the music - get going, this is unmissable. It's a complete homage to the original - they re-recorded all the original music, and it is glorious. The outfits are sensational - and Rachel Zegler, who plays María, is an absolute revelation! Seems it's her first film role, although she played the part several times on stage - and it's incredible to think that she won the role from an open casting call, out of 30,000 applicants! Not when you hear her, though - she is sensational. Worth the admission price, all on her own.

Coming out, a couple were looking for the cloakroom, where they'd left their stuff - it was 11.10pm, and the security guard told them that everywhere apart from the main door was closed. Including the cloakroom. So they'd have to come back tomorrow. I dunno whether the closing time was advertised, but it certainly should have been..

Tomorrow - Civilised London is off for an Italian meal: Terra Rossa is the venue, and we're meeting beforehand in The Crown. And I was really lucky to get a place - he limits attendees to five, for an intimate gathering, and I only got a place on Monday, after someone dropped out! Well now, I do hope I'll be up to it - I'm getting my booster jab earlier in the day.. but it'll be the same as my first two, and I only got a sore arm on those occasions. And I'll have the day off, so can rest in the afternoon!

Thursday is the birthday of someone I used to know from Kensington Classical Music Society. Well, she also works for Talent Unlimited, who promote young classical musicians, and there's a concert that day, at St. James' Church Sussex Gardens (tickets through Eventbrite). She got in touch to see whether I'd be interested, so I said I'd go - we're meeting afterwards in the Royal Lancaster Hotel. Then on Friday (assuming my test is negative, they're making us test again), I'm back to Ireland for the weekend. Probably a quiet one - theatres are still closed there, and the only things worth making the trip to the cinema for are on in the evening! when I have to watch telly with my mother.

On Monday, my last Meetup of the year.. same group as my last before the major lockdown, which I hope isn't an omen! Mind you, they were called "This and That", then. And practically my first group when I eventually came back! Anyway, Invigorate are off to Dennis Severs' House Museum, which should be lovely, all bedecked for Christmas. I got the last ticket for that time slot! Complete with post-event social, of course.

Now, we had a great old time on Friday - so we're doing it again next Tuesday! Well, some of it.. Ivan and I are meeting up with our old colleague at The Spice of Life, which used to be an office haunt when we were with that company.

And on the 22nd, my last social event before Christmas - meeting my ex-boss from my first company in London for our annual hot chocolate and booze. Starting in Caffe Nero, we might well end up in The Hippodrome, as we did before. And why not - we're both on holiday next day, and (again, test permitting) I'm back to Ireland for Christmas that afternoon.. (highly expensive) Aer Lingus again, for the sake of the later flight. Flying back to London on the 3rd. Unless.. I'm not. So I'm taking my laptop to Ireland for Christmas. Just in case.