Play: Wuthering Heights

Tonight, I was back with Up in the Cheap Seats (UITCS) for a new version of Wuthering Heights, at the National. Well, this was my favourite book for a long time - it'd be interesting to see what they've done to it!

Omigod, I nearly turned into a block of ice waiting for the bus. (As someone in the group said tonight, isn't it meant to be getting warmer?!) And when he did deign to show, he parked well back - there being a host of other buses in front, it's busy there - and just as I made my way over to him, he closed the door in my face! I suppose he figured he'd waited long enough! Well, there was no way I was waiting for Lord knew how much longer - I guess the expression on my face persuaded him to open the door again. Not that he took us all the way, mind - for reasons best known to himself, he terminated the route at the Royal Courts of Justice. Happily, that's not the only route heading from there to Waterloo, and I was soon on my way again.

I was early, but decided to check out the offerings at the various cafes in the National Theatre. Picked the one near where we were to meet, just past the main entrance, grabbed what turned out to be a very sweet and lovely, but very messy, slice of cake - no napkins in sight. And what was a lovely glass of Sauvignon Blanc. Managed to get a table to myself too - which proved just about right for those who showed up. By the time I'd finished that, people had started to arrive - I excused myself briefly to get more wine (they also have plastic drinks containers that you can take in). But they were out of the wine I'd had first - and my word, the Chardonnay they served me was just plain weird! with a strong colour and an odd taste. Wouldn't have it again.

Anyway, with five minutes or so to spare, off we headed:

Well! That certainly has the look of an old film title, although I've searched and can't find it. Looking at the advertising for this, I certainly didn't expect what it is we got. I expected some sort of a retelling - as someone else said, perhaps with more modern language - definitely cutting the plot. A sort of re-imagining.

Eh, nope. The language is pretty true to the original - not completely. And the entire plot is in there, far as I can tell. Now, they do acknowledge that it can get complicated, so they keep explaining it - which must have been great for the several students that were obviously in the audience, in large groups.

How you react, mind you, might depend on your preconception of Catherine Earnshaw / Linton (Heathcliff's love interest). Now, my image of her has always been close to the Kate Bush song that Gabriel Byrne - who himself once played Heathcliff in a TV version, I'm sure - once remarked strangely captured the essence of the book. And yes, I agree. I think the woman was, frankly, as wild as a March hare - how else would she and Heathcliff have had such an affinity? What, then, attracted the mild-mannered man, Edgar Linton, that she married? Well, it wouldn't be the first time that someone married someone completely unsuited to them!

The addition of a rock band at the back, I think, really adds to it - also terrific use, as usual, of minimal set design. And yes - by God, I think they managed to capture the spirit of the thing. I still adore the story - and was, frankly, in floods of tears at her death scene (spoiler!). If you love the book, you must see this. Hey, someone also thought that this was the best explanation she'd had of what can be a complicated plotline! Runs till the 19th. Off you go.

Have to say, it was lovely to see everyone too! Mercifully, the bus back home came a lot quicker, and didn't terminate early. Funny how my stop is now called Camomile Street instead of Wormwood Street, mind - Camomile Street is actually at the other side, and it's a bit more correct to say Wormwood Street. I suppose they think it sounds better.

Tomorrow, I'm at Anarchy at the Opera, at Hoxton Hall. Courtesy of TAC. Where we're going to hear some lesser known works..

On Wednesday and Thursday, back with London Classical Music and Theatre Group (LCMTG). Wednesday, it's a concert at the Southbank Centre, where Sheku Kanneh-Mason plays Shostakovich. Apart from numerous other accolades, he achieved worldwide renown after playing at the wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. (And nuts if CT didn't just advertise tickets for this..!)

On Thursday, we're back to the Barbican for a concert of Haydn music by the Academy of Ancient Music.

Now, my new job - after some chasing - did finally send me the paperwork to complete. But as I still don't have it back to them, I figure they surely won't have me up and running by Friday! so I've booked on another of Laurence Summers' walks with the 45+ Not Grumpy Old Londoners - Pubs, Poets & Prostitutes: a Tour of Southwark. Honestly, I think this is my favourite part of London - can't resist. And again, we'll finish fairly close to home for me - because that evening I'm back to Ireland for the weekend again. As I really need a haircut, I bet I won't get to see a film that weekend, either.

Next Monday, more classical music at the Barbican - this time it's with London Baroque Music Lovers, and this is Handel with Les Arts Florissants.

On the 15th, headed with UITCS to The Woods, at Southwark Playhouse. Aw man, it's over a year since I last saw a performance from there, and over two years since I was last there in person! And would you believe it, I bought a PAYG subscription from them years ago, and it still entitles me to free tickets. So I used it for this! With the group having snapped up most of the front row, I'm in the row behind..

On the 16th, I'm back with LCMTG - for a play this time! We're seeing Straight Line Crazy, with Ralph Fiennes, at the Bridge. Just as well we booked early - availability is low for that night.

The 17th is, of course, St. Patrick's Day. In Ireland, it's a bank holiday - here, Kíla is playing the London Irish Centre again. A standing gig, this time. Should be mad.

On the 18th, I'm back with London European Club, for 24 Italian Songs & Arias, at Battersea Arts Centre. They're operating a "Pay What You Can" scheme, where you pay what you want, between £5 and £35 - recommended price, £16. They even sent me a survey afterwards to see what I thought!

On the 19th, back with Laurence and the 45+s - this time, it's Highgate: A Very English Village. More hills..

On the 20th.. someone I swore I'd never do a walk with again. Well, we'll see whether she's back on form - Walks, Talks & Treasure Hunts (WTTH) is off on a walk called Secrets of Belgravia. (Courtesy of her company, London Guided Walks.) The code MEETUP3 gets you a £3 discount on all her walks - which does cover the booking fee of £1, not advertised before you come to the point of purchasing the ticket. Well, it'll be a start if she shows up!

On the 21st, I'm at another Zoom talk - Quakers at War is the story of the Quakers and their pacifism. Courtesy of Surrey History Meetup.

On the 22nd.. I'm booked for Dear Evan Hansen, at the Noel Coward Theatre! Finally - I'd booked for this before lockdown, and of course it got cancelled. Cheapest tickets from the official site.

On the 23rd, back with Civilised London (CL) - back at Le Sacré Coeur, meeting beforehand at The Crown, as usual.

On the 24th, back with TAC for Avocado Presents - Improv, at Etcetera Theatre. Eh, I think it's a jazz concert? Anyway, then back to Ireland for the weekend again.

On the 28th, going to see Daddy at the Almeida. Having never seen a bad production here, I have high hopes.

On the 29th, finally going to see Andrew Lloyd Webber's Cinderella! I hear good things.. it's playing at the Gillian Lynne Theatre, which is new to me - Seatplan was invaluable in choosing the best seating option. What's On Stage provided the cheapest price for that seat, though!

On the 30th, back with CL - for a play this time. This is The Fever Syndrome, at Hampstead Theatre.

On the 31st, back with TAC for One Night With Robbie Williams. This is at The Courtyard.

On the 1st, back with the Crick Crack Club (CCC) for - The Grand Annual Lying Contest! at Rich Mix.

On the 2nd, back with WTTH for a Regent's Canal Walk. Different guide.

On the 3rd, the CCC again! Emily Hennessey and Sheema Mukherjee are at the British Museum, with Holy Cow! Tales from the River of Life.

On the 4th, I'm back at the Park Theatre for the first time in nearly three years! This is for Clybourne Park, a comedy about a white family moving into a predominantly black neighbourhood.

On the 5th, I'm headed to But I'm a Cheerleader, a musical comedy at the Turbine Theatre.

On the 6th, back with UITCS at Southwark Playhouse, and another free ticket for me! This time, it's for Anyone Can Whistle, with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim.

On the 7th of next month, Tommy Tiernan is playing at the Eventim Apollo! Now, I failed to get a ticket for this the first time around. Then it was rescheduled because of Covid.. and I got a ticket for the rescheduled event! Then that was rescheduled.. third time lucky?! Love Tommy Tiernan. The show is called Tomfoolery. And then it's back to Ireland for the weekend again.

On the 11th of next month, I've booked for The 47th, at The Old Vic. Written by Mike Bartlett, this imagines the American presidential elections of 2024. I am really looking forward to this play..

On the 12th of next month, I'm finally going to Six, the Musical! Based around the story of the six wives of Henry VIII (very loosely, I'd say), it's playing at the Vaudeville and I hear good things. Cheapest tickets from Leicester Square Box Office.

And on the 13th of next month, back with CL, who are off to the opera at the Southbank Centre. The show in question is The Paradis Files.