Yesterday, I booked another Zoom talk - Quakers at War was the story of the Quakers and their pacifism. Courtesy of Surrey History Meetup. But then, I suddenly heard that Mary - who moved out of London a few years ago - was going to be in town last night, and staying just down the road from me, at The Bull & the Hide, handy for getting a train today from Liverpool Street! Well, no contest.. I could always get a recording of the talk if I wanted.
I needed to eat - so since she'd reminded me of The Astronomer, I suggested we meet there! I remembered the food being good. So I headed there first, and just handily managed to score a central table with room for both of us, and another that said he could make it. She was to remind me later that this was where we sat the first time we were here!
They have the QR code on the tables - so, so handy for when you're alone, and want to hold a table! so you don't have to go to the bar to order. Decent, free WiFi as well - so I ordered a glass of a nice New Zealand sauvignon blanc, and an East London meat pie. The wine came immediately, complete with salt, pepper, and cutlery nicely folded in a napkin. The pie arrived literally five minutes after I got the confirmation email - I timed it. And yes, happy to report that their pies are still excellent - although I wasn't completely gone on the chips. I decided on ice cream for dessert.. they serve by the scoop, but I wanted two scoops. So what happens is, you have to order it twice. And this is what you get:
Yeeah. Anyway, it was delicious. And a while after I'd finished, in walked the third of the group, and decided to order the same pie - and finally, Mary arrived, having checked in first. And wow, was it good to see her again - it's been years! We nattered away the whole evening, and could have done with as much time again. She declared that she must visit London more - I really hope she does. The nostalgia was plentiful.. why, even the ladies' loos hadn't changed:
We stayed till they chucked us out, and I walked her back to where she was staying - I was headed that way anyway. Thanks Mary, that was a great way to start my week! I was too tired to blog though.
Tonight.. 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.
Tomorrow, back with Civilised London (CL) - back at Le Sacré Coeur, meeting beforehand at The Crown, as usual.
On Thursday, back with TAC for Avocado Presents - Improv, at Etcetera Theatre. Eh, I think it's a jazz concert?
Failing any information from my new job, have provisionally booked for Friday - Laurence Summers and the 45+ Not Grumpy Old Londoners are off to see Elegant London!
Anyway, then back to Ireland for the weekend again, and on Saturday, now that the listings are finally up, I've booked to go see The Batman at the Omniplex. It's free to book, and handier when you get there. And gee, I've heard great things about this! A very dark take on the story, it seems - has Andy Serkis as Alfred, and Peter Sarsgaard as the DA.
On Monday, going to see Daddy at the Almeida. Having never seen a bad production here, I have high hopes.
Next Tuesday, 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, I had booked with WTTH for a Regent's Canal Walk. Different guide. But yay, Laurence and the 45+s then advertised another walk for that day, which is pretty much guaranteed to be superior. So I've booked it. This is Scandals, Scriptwriters & Sumptuous Architecture - and of course, it being a London weekend, I can go!
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. Unfortunately, the London Landmarks Half Marathon is also that day, so I'll probably be on the Tube, at least getting to the museum.
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 Up in the Cheap Seats 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, Tommy Tiernan is playing at the Hammersmith 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, 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, 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.
On the 13th, back with CL, who are off to the opera at the Southbank Centre. The show in question is The Paradis Files. Next day, I'm back to Ireland for Easter - but left it so late to book, I could only get an afternoon flight, and will have to start my new job (whenever) by asking for that day off work!
Well, my friend got back to me - they're away in the middle of Easter week, back on the 21st, so the most sensible thing to do seemed to be to visit on the 22nd of next month, which I've now arranged with her. Whether I take that week as holiday, or take the laptop there and work from Ireland, remains to be seen. Anyway, I'll fly back to London on the 24th of next month. And on the 25th of next month, I'm off to The Corn is Green, at the National.
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