Concert: Liza Pulman - The Heart of It

Tonight, back to Riverside Studios, for a rescheduled concert. Liza Pulman - The Heart of It was supposed to happen over lockdown. She'd be singing popular show songs. And at least, after Tuesday, I knew where I was going! Well, as far as the main door anyway.

I had little to do at work, said sod it, and escaped early so I could get something decent to eat. Decided I'd eat out there - and when I got to Hammersmith, decided to eat at the venue, whose website said they do food. When I arrived at the venue, I had a shock - a massive queue snaked in the door! Mercifully, it wasn't for my show - Have I Got News For You was filming in another of the studios - a sign inside the door said for everyone not involved in that just to come on in. Inside, I had a look around - came across Sam's. It looked like a semi-expensive option, but checking out the menu, I figured I could go for the chicken, which sounded nice.

I was given a table on the understanding that I'd be done by 7.15 - I needed to be out by 7.30 anyway, so that was reasonable. And I had the chicken - and a carafe of lovely white rioja. Didn't see anything I fancied for a starter. The chicken took a while to come - not worth the wait, I'm afraid. All you get - for £22.50 - is a large chicken escalope with a slice of lemon, some rocket (which I can't stand), and a small jug of melted butter on the side. Now, the butter was very nice - particularly when I managed to get it mixed with the dribbles of lemon I'd manage to squeeze out - but the chicken, while perfectly fine, I'd have to say was no better than yesterday's KFC. Which was 1/3 of the price - and part of a box meal. And it was nowhere near as good as the chicken I had at the Archduke, which was also cheaper than this - and came with chips. No, avoid the chicken, if you eat here.

However, with time to kill, I said I'd have a look at the dessert menu. Wow, it's a long time since I was so torn by a dessert menu..

I ultimately couldn't resist the salted caramel martini. And oh, it was divine.. I could have drunk a bucketload. Definitely a good reason to come back - I just won't have the chicken!

And so to the show, which I found quite easily - as I was wandering around looking for it, an announcement said that the house was now open, whereupon two ladies descended on an usher standing at a doorway into a hall. Ah, that'd be it, then. I was in F7 - so, apparently, was one of the couple that sat beside me, according to her, but I held my ground. This wasn't the only confusion over seat numbers..

The lady came on a bit late - but I can always use the extra time to organise my diary, so that worked out well for me. Turns out she's also in Fascinating Aida! Gosh, I love them. Anyway, she has a terrific voice - we also learned that, in a previous existence, she was an opera singer. But you see, she has a penchant for show tunes, old popular numbers.. tonight, we got songs from films, songs from the 20s and 30s, songs made popular by Streisand.. They're not to everyone's taste - indeed, the couple beside me left at the interval (happily, because she was jiggling up and down a lot, and being a large lady, she caused the whole row to jiggle too). And people didn't know all the songs. But really, it's a terrific show if you like Bernstein, or Irving Berlin.. the most modern she got was one by Billy Joel. All the razzmatazz of a big band show - she even had the obligatory outfit change at the interval. And she signed cds in the lobby afterwards.

Recommended, for fans of the genre - it runs here until Saturday, and you should have no trouble getting tickets; even CT has them now. And she's back, at Wilton's, on the 4th and 5th of July.

Tomorrow, back to Ireland for the weekend. Yes, almost every weekend this month - it just worked out that way. I'd normally have been in London last weekend you see, except for staying in Ireland to see my friend. And this trip for the upcoming weekend was already booked when that was organised. Now, it's a long weekend, so I have an extra day there - can see two films! The Arc Cinema now being the cheapest around, I'm concentrating on that - there isn't anything special showing in Limerick anyway. Higher rated is The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent, a comedy where the versatile Nicholas Cage plays a version of himself, apparently sending up his iconic characters. I'll have to see how many I recognise - I'm not the most dedicated follower of his work! Also stars Neil Patrick Harris. So, thinking of that for Saturday.

And for Sunday, it's looking like Downton Abbey: A New Era. Like the tv series, the films focus on an aristocratic English family: Dame Maggie Smith as the dowager Countess, Hugh Bonneville as the Earl, Brendan Coyle as his valet, Laura Carmichael as one of his daughters, Jim Carter as the butler, Penelope Wilton as a cousin, and friend of the dowager Countess, whose son is heir to the earldom, as the Earl and Countess have no sons. I was never a fan of the tv series, and didn't see the first film, but hey, it should be watchable. Apparently, in this one, a film crew arrives at the stately home - the real-life Highclere Castle.

Back then on Monday, and on Tuesday, a revamped version of Oklahoma at the Young Vic!

On Wednesday (Star Wars Day - May the fourth be with you), I'm at last back with Laurence Summers and the 45+ Not Grumpy Old Londoners! Ah, it's been too long.. someone suggested that I skip off work for a couple of hours during the day to go on the walks, but seriously, every time I checked when his walks were, I had a meeting that clashed! So, not an option. Anyway, this is the Cool Camden Pub Walk! It was actually rescheduled - was originally supposed to happen yesterday. Unfortunately, on Wednesday, it clashes with a couple of other things - a Civilised London (CL) meal I was actually booked on (happily, he gave me a refund of my deposit), and leaving drinks for my favourite ex-boss from my last company. Tarnation. Well, can't be helped - this is a pub tour I really want to go on. I was originally booked for an online talk that night - Fight Them on the Beaches is a talk about the greatest speeches in parliament. Courtesy of Guided Walking Tours in Brighton and Sussex. But they record the talks, so I can catch it afterwards. True, isn't it - everything happens on Wednesdays!

Next Thursday, I'm off to Scandaltown, at the Lyric. Yet another play by the prolific Mike Bartlett, this is a revamped Restoration comedy, set in modern-day, debauched London. As always, love his stuff and am really looking forward to this. But wouldn't you know it, now CT has tickets.. ah well..

Just as well I had the 6th free when another ex-boss, Ivan, asked when we could do drinks again! He also suggested we try to find somewhere quieter than the last place - not an easy ask, for a central venue on a Friday night. Ah, but I have contacts.. the organiser of CL once recommended to me a pub just off Charing Cross Road, which he knows as quieter than the usual - I couldn't remember the name, but he reminded me it's the Round Table. I'd have booked, but they seem not to take bookings on Friday evenings. Our ex-colleague is coming, and for the first time, my aforementioned ex-boss from my last company! Should be cool.

On the 7th, back with Laurence and the 45+s - this time, it's a walk called Red Lights, Rabble Rousers & RocknRollers, around Soho. And Helen is coming up for it! So, a highly sociable week!

And on the 8th, back with the Crick Crack Club. This is The Origins of Life and Death, with Jan Blake, at the British Museum, which I missed in January. Limited availability at time of writing, as they have socially distanced seating.

Play: The Misfortune of the English

Today, I had another flat viewing scheduled - with no word about the last one, I thought I'd better attend. It is slightly closer to the office, you never know, it might have suited better. But, before going to bed last night, I had a closer look at the ad - well heavens, if I hadn't been looking at the wrong room! It turns out that there were two rooms with balcony to rent, only one of which was still available. And that one is far too small. So, the search continues - at least I saved myself the trip all the way out there!

For the evening, I was without anything in particular to do for a while - unusually for a Wednesday! Of course, Meetup annoyingly doesn't always show everything running on a particular day - not even for your own groups. So it was only last week that it reminded me that Up in the Cheap Seats had an event on! They were going to see The Misfortune of the English, at the Orange Tree, and I got the last cheap ticket in the front row. It's based on the true story of a group of English schoolboys who arrived in Nazi Germany in 1936 to go on a walking tour in the Black Forest - just as a blizzard kicked in. And it'd be lovely to see some folks I hadn't seen in ages! My only social event of the week, too. Delighted I caught this.

Oh, what a long way it is to Richmond though.. shan't be as long if I'm ever successful in getting a place near the office! The only way of getting there in under an hour involved train, so I decided, of the multitude of ways I could get there, to get the next bus to Waterloo and get the train from there. And that is what I did. Mind you, when I got to Waterloo, I was distressed that there wasn't a train to Richmond for 15 minutes or so - but as I schlepped all the way practically to the last platform, I was to appreciate that delay. And I got to Richmond with nearly half an hour to spare. Not enough for a proper meal, but then I saw a KFC and said, well, under the circumstances..

They were busy, but mostly with takeaways - so there was plenty of seating, handily. I ordered at one of the machines - was supposed to get a receipt, but didn't; good job I remembered my order number. Not that they asked for a receipt, or the order number. I had to queue for it for quite a while though - particularly slow, this KFC. But they are better than the one on Bishopsgate! (wouldn't be hard). That one was tasteless and stodgy, the last time I was there - at least the chicken tasted nice here. Although, what has happened to the "special recipe", I don't know - I haven't tasted it in a long time. I suppose they've given up on it. No longer finger-lickin' good.. but I was fed. And the beans were lovely, as always.

And so to the theatre, where my ticket was scanned at the door. Handily, they sent me a link to it today! Love it when that happens. I ordered a drink at the bar - funnily enough, yesterday we all got confusing emails from them, saying first that we had to pre-order drinks online, then that it was an option! Our organiser had clarified with them that the instruction to pre-order was an old one, from during the pandemic, and that we could certainly order in person! There was a choice of house wine or canned - I chose house, and joined the others at the table at the end, where we had a great time swapping stories about plays we'd seen, or were planning to.

The warning sign in the middle is, appropriately, in German. And I never noticed throughout, but it is placed there for a reason - the same reason that people actually don't walk across the middle of the stage during the play, which is probably why the stagehand is there in this photo, to stop people crossing the centre. It's actually a trapdoor! for use at the latter stages of the play, which runs for 90 minutes without interval.

Opinion was mixed in our group afterwards, but I liked it. I thought the three actors depicted schoolboys quite well, one in short trousers because he hadn't yet turned 14. They made great eye contact with us all, scattered around the theatre as we were. And it's quite a poignant story, apart from anything else, about how an idiotic teacher led the group off the beaten track to climb a mountain en route, without adequate clothing or even a decent map! and ignoring the locals' warnings about wintry weather blowing in. (He was later exonerated, the German authorities wanting to maintain, at that point, good relations with the British.)

However, most of the play isn't really about that - it deals a lot with the boys' attitude, and I suppose is meant to depict the British attitude of the time. They're old enough to be aware of current affairs, and some politics creep in. Mainly though, it seems to focus on their gung-ho attitude to what is happening to them - until it's too late. As for the particulars of the story, the gradual decline in their situation is very well depicted, with fog and snow blasting in from the side, and the boys looking sick and miserable. Most evocative. But the sad ending is told in a strange, dreamlike sequence, where a lady comes on, dressed like the MC in a cabaret, with a model of the mountain, which is raised through the trapdoor. (I was just sad I wasn't on the side with the village on it!) She it is who tells us what happened, then and after. And then, um, it kind of stops dead. Most abrupt ending.

I think perhaps the playwright was trying to do something quite profound, but didn't quite pull it off. But it is interesting. Runs until the 28th of next month. Anyway, it was great to see everyone! And I got the Tube most of the way home, with the luxury of a bus for one stop, just because that was the only way I'd get back in under an hour.

Tomorrow, back to Riverside Studios, for a rescheduled concert. Liza Pulman - The Heart of It was supposed to happen over lockdown. She'll be singing popular show songs. And at least, after yesterday, I know where I'm going, now! Well, as far as the main door anyway! Shall still probably have to ask directions to the concert venue..

Then back to Ireland for the weekend. Yes, almost every weekend this month - it just worked out that way. I'd normally have been in London last weekend you see, except for staying in Ireland to see my friend. And this trip for the upcoming weekend was already booked when that was organised. Now, it's a long weekend, so I have an extra day there - can see two films! The Arc Cinema now being the cheapest around, I'm concentrating on that - there isn't anything special showing in Limerick anyway. Higher rated is The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent, a comedy where the versatile Nicholas Cage plays a version of himself, apparently sending up his iconic characters. I'll have to see how many I recognise - I'm not the most dedicated follower of his work! So, thinking of that for Saturday.

And for Sunday, it's looking like Downton Abbey: A New Era. Like the tv series, the films focus on an aristocratic English family: Dame Maggie Smith as the dowager Countess, Hugh Bonneville as the Earl, Brendan Coyle as his valet, Laura Carmichael as one of his daughters, Jim Carter as the butler, Penelope Wilton as a cousin, and friend of the dowager Countess, whose son is heir to the earldom, as the Earl and Countess have no sons. I was never a fan of the tv series, and didn't see the first film, but hey, it should be watchable. Apparently, in this one, a film crew arrives at the stately home - the real-life Highclere Castle.

Back then on Monday, and on Tuesday, a revamped version of Oklahoma at the Young Vic!

Next Wednesday (Star Wars Day - May the fourth be with you), I'm at last back with Laurence Summers and the 45+ Not Grumpy Old Londoners! Ah, it's been too long.. someone suggested that I skip off work for a couple of hours during the day to go on the walks, but seriously, every time I checked when his walks were, I had a meeting that clashed! So, not an option. Anyway, this is the Cool Camden Pub Walk! It was actually rescheduled - was originally supposed to happen tonight, which was why I was left for a while with nothing to do tonight. Unfortunately, next Wednesday, it clashes with a couple of other things - a Civilised London (CL) meal I was actually booked on (happily, he gave me a refund of my deposit), and leaving drinks for my favourite ex-boss from my last company. Tarnation. Well, can't be helped - this is a pub tour I really want to go on. I was originally booked for an online talk that night - Fight Them on the Beaches is a talk about the greatest speeches in parliament. Courtesy of Guided Walking Tours in Brighton and Sussex. But they record the talks, so I can catch it afterwards. True, isn't it - everything happens on Wednesdays!

On the 5th, I'm off to Scandaltown, at the Lyric. Yet another play by the prolific Mike Bartlett, this is a revamped Restoration comedy, set in modern-day, debauched London. As always, love his stuff and am really looking forward to this. But wouldn't you know it, now CT has tickets.. ah well..

Just as well I had the 6th free when another ex-boss, Ivan, asked when we could do drinks again! He also suggested we try to find somewhere quieter than the last place - not an easy ask, for a central venue on a Friday night. Ah, but I have contacts.. the organiser of CL once recommended to me a pub just off Charing Cross Road, which he knows as quieter than the usual - I couldn't remember the name, but he reminded me it's the Round Table. I'd have booked, but they seem not to take bookings on Friday evenings. Our ex-colleague is coming, and for the first time, my aforementioned ex-boss from my last company! Should be cool.

On the 7th, back with Laurence and the 45+s - this time, it's a walk called Red Lights, Rabble Rousers & RocknRollers, around Soho. And Helen is coming up for it! So, a highly sociable week!

And on the 8th, back with the Crick Crack Club. This is The Origins of Life and Death, with Jan Blake, at the British Museum, which I missed in January. Limited availability at time of writing, as they have socially distanced seating.

Film: CODA

Tonight was film - with a few Indian films at the top of the list looking unappealing, I rejected them when I checked out the trailers. Which left CODA! Winner of best picture, best supporting actor, and best adapted screenplay at the Oscars, this was actually showing a while ago and is no longer on general release. I missed it at the time, and am lucky that Riverside Studios decided to re-release it, on foot of its Oscar success, for just two days, today and tomorrow. There's only one showing each day though, and early enough, so I'd have to hustle to make it all the way out there in time! Wasn't booking out, so I didn't book. "CODA" stands for "Child Of Deaf Adults", and focuses on the hearing child of deaf parents, who kind of deserts them when she decides that she actually wants to pursue a career they can have no real appreciation of - singing, of all things! Marlee Matlin plays the mother.

Tube, of course, so far out, and I was lucky enough to catch one straight away. Then I got lost, looking for the way to Riverside - well, it's been a while since I was last there! And as for Riverside itself - huh. Completely forgot where the entrance was. They really should have a signpost of some kind, pointing to the right as you come from the station, as most people do! I wasted some minutes figuring out the correct direction, finally coming across the entrance. The lady who greeted me at the box office had to direct me to her colleague - they only had one card reader. That lady, having sold me my ticket, was good enough to volunteer to tell me where to go. Damn confusing building. Anyway, at least when you get near the stairs heading down to the cinema, there's a sign.

Downstairs, I headed for the bar first, for a glass of wine and a pot of chocolate jazzies - I was hungry. And so into the smaller screen, where the trailers were showing. Good timing then! The film itself is subtitled. It'd have to be anyway, for the scenes with only sign language, but actually it all is. Indeed, I'm sure I passed a deaf lady as I was looking for the door (signing to her friend, who was inside the glass, obviously asking the same thing!). There were probably deaf people at the screening. Nice to see.

It's an interesting point they make - what happens if you grow up as the only hearing person in the family? So, we learn that when she started school, she was bullied because of her "funny accent". And as she has grown older, she's got interested in music - but it's something none of the family get at all. She is told off for listening to music on her earbuds, which, as she points out, she has to because everyone is so noisy! Indeed, they are so deliberately - if someone puts dishes down with a clatter, you can feel the vibration in the table. Her dad drives with rap music blaring at full volume - he can feel the vibration. It's a nightmare for a hearing person.

On top of all this, her father and brother have a fishing business, but legally need a hearing person on board for using the radio, hearing sirens and warnings etc. And she doesn't have to be paid.. so she gets up at 3am to work with them, falls asleep in class, and everyone makes fun of her. And when she turns around and says she wants to go and study music.. and they just don't get it.. and can't tell whether she's any good.. well.

How they overcome all this is a fascinating tale, and heartwarming too. As her classmate points out, at least her parents are mad about each other - his can't stand each other! The acting, as you'd expect, is superb, and it's a gorgeous film. Troy Kotsur, who plays her dad, really deserves that Oscar. One you really should see.

Tomorrow, I have another flat viewing scheduled - with no word about the last one, I think I'd better attend. It is slightly closer to the office, you never know, it might suit better. For the evening, I was without anything in particular to do for a while - unusually for a Wednesday! Of course, Meetup annoyingly doesn't always show everything running on a particular day - not even for your own groups. So it was only last week that it reminded me that Up in the Cheap Seats had an event on! They're going to see The Misfortune of the English, at the Orange Tree, and I got the last cheap ticket in the front row. It's based on the true story of a group of English schoolboys who arrived in Nazi Germany in 1938 to go on a walking tour in the Black Forest - just as a blizzard kicked in. And it'll be lovely to see some folks I haven't seen in ages! My only social event of the week, too. Delighted I caught this.

On Thursday, back to Riverside, for a rescheduled concert. Liza Pulman - The Heart of It was supposed to happen over lockdown. She'll be singing popular show songs. And at least I know where I'm going, now!

Then back to Ireland for the weekend. Yes, almost every weekend this month - it just worked out that way. I'd normally have been in London last weekend you see, except for staying in Ireland to see my friend. And this trip for the upcoming weekend was already booked when that was organised. Now, it's a long weekend, so I have an extra day there - can see two films! The Arc Cinema now being the cheapest around, I'm concentrating on that - there isn't anything special showing in Limerick anyway. Higher rated is The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent, a comedy where the versatile Nicholas Cage plays a version of himself, apparently sending up his iconic characters. I'll have to see how many I recognise - I'm not the most dedicated follower of his work! So, thinking of that for Saturday. (Funnily enough, that was the first trailer I saw, this evening.)

And for Sunday, it's looking like Downton Abbey: A New Era. Like the tv series, the films focus on an aristocratic English family: Dame Maggie Smith as the dowager Countess, Hugh Bonneville as the Earl, Brendan Coyle as his valet, Laura Carmichael as one of his daughters, Jim Carter as the butler, Penelope Wilton as a cousin, and friend of the dowager Countess, whose son is heir to the earldom, as the Earl and Countess have no sons. I was never a fan of the tv series, and didn't see the first film, but hey, it should be watchable. Apparently, in this one, a film crew arrives at the stately home - the real-life Highclere Castle. (And this was the second trailer I saw this evening! The third was for Operation Mincemeat, which of course I've already seen.)

Back then on Monday, and next Tuesday, a revamped version of Oklahoma at the Young Vic!

On the 4th (Star Wars Day - May the fourth be with you), I'm at last back with Laurence Summers and the 45+ Not Grumpy Old Londoners! Ah, it's been too long.. someone suggested that I skip off work for a couple of hours during the day to go on the walks, but seriously, every time I checked when his walks were, I had a meeting that clashed! So, not an option. Anyway, this is the Cool Camden Pub Walk! It was actually rescheduled - was originally supposed to happen tomorrow, which was why I was left with nothing to do tomorrow. Unfortunately, on the 4th, it clashes with a couple of other things - a Civilised London (CL) meal I was actually booked on (happily, he gave me a refund of my deposit), and leaving drinks for my favourite ex-boss from my last company. Tarnation. Well, can't be helped - this is a pub tour I really want to go on. I was originally booked for an online talk that night - Fight Them on the Beaches is a talk about the greatest speeches in parliament. Courtesy of Guided Walking Tours in Brighton and Sussex. But they record the talks, so I can catch it afterwards. True, isn't it - everything happens on Wednesdays!

On the 5th, I'm off to Scandaltown, at the Lyric (which I passed this evening, helpfully). Yet another play by the prolific Mike Bartlett, this is a revamped Restoration comedy, set in modern-day, debauched London. As always, love his stuff and am really looking forward to this. But wouldn't you know it, now CT has tickets.. ah well..

Just as well I had the 6th free when another ex-boss, Ivan, asked when we could do drinks again! He also suggested we try to find somewhere quieter than the last place - not an easy ask, for a central venue on a Friday night. Ah, but I have contacts.. the organiser of CL once recommended to me a pub just off Charing Cross Road, which he knows as quieter than the usual - I couldn't remember the name, but he reminded me it's the Round Table. I'd have booked, but they seem not to take bookings on Friday evenings. Our ex-colleague is coming, and for the first time, my aforementioned ex-boss from my last company! Should be cool.

On the 7th, back with Laurence and the 45+s - this time, it's a walk called Red Lights, Rabble Rousers & RocknRollers, around Soho. And Helen is coming up for it! So, a highly sociable week!

And on the 8th, back with the Crick Crack Club. This is The Origins of Life and Death, with Jan Blake, at the British Museum, which I missed in January. Limited availability at time of writing, as they have socially distanced seating.

Play: The Corn is Green

Good to be back in London - for flat-hunting as much as for anything else. However, I returned to a malfunctioning fire alarm in our flat, making the most atrocious racket. Mercifully, my bedroom door blocked most of it, and my earplugs some more - but I could still hear it, and it contributed to me being awake at 4am. Now, I'd left my phone on to charge - and when I do that, I don't switch it off, as I normally do at night. I forget why - I think it might be harder to turn on if it's charging. Anyway, while it and I were awake, a message came through from someone I'd contacted about a room! So, in the wee small hours, I arranged a viewing for yesterday evening. Up in the direction of King's Cross, just at the border of what I'd consider walking distance from the office.

I got up really early - wasn't really able to go back to sleep once I was awake, anyway - so I decided to finish early as well, and eat in that area before the viewing. Headed for the Indian Lounge again - I was surprised that the over-enthusiastic staff member (who practically chases people down the road if they show an interest) didn't come out while I was studying the menu! But no, I was left to come in of my own accord, and the friendly manager showed me to a table. Dunno why I bothered looking at the menu, inside or outside the door, considering I had my usual! The tv projector wasn't on, this time:

The food was generally lovely, and the pulau rice I found particularly nice! The peshwari naan was also very tasty. And it's nice that they provide large glasses of wine, which many Asian restaurants don't. I have to say though, the butter chicken was rather salty! Might not have that if I'm here again. But as I remarked on leaving - I felt I had to explain my unfinished meal - I had to rush somewhere. I made sure to avail of the free shot they gave me with my bill, mind..

I then had a trot up the road to the flat viewing. Got myself most of the way, and found myself in an estate at the back of the station. Had a little trouble finding the right number, but a flatmate was showing me around, and helped me with directions. And ladies and gentlemen, we have a winner! Big room, plenty of storage - not to mention the large empty space at the rear of the wardrobe that I could use as a walk-in wardrobe! and a decent-sized, private balcony. Plus, fewer stairs than I have now, not so much extra to pay, available immediately (although he did suggest that I wait a few weeks to move in, because it's going to be painted), and it faces away from the road! How different from where I am now. Oh, and he said references would be "nice", which bodes well. Fingers crossed I don't have this one snatched away from me as well.. I've sent him everything I can, and contacted work and my landlord for references, but no word back from him yet; I suppose he has to run it past his landlord. And perhaps they're waiting to see whether a better candidate comes along. Here's hoping..

Anyway, it was in a good mood that I headed off for my evening's entertainment. I was off to The Corn is Green, at the National. I see this was also a film, which I remember seeing on tv, years ago.. Bette Davis played a teacher in a deprived area in the 1930s, who had one promising student whose lot in life she sought to improve, despite his humble circumstances.. I was lucky enough to get to the loo before the rush, then got a celebratory drink on the way in, in plastic so I could take it into the auditorium and wouldn't have to gulp it. This also has the advantage that you can get a seat, as soon as the house opens - the lobby was crammed, so I started off by wandering around while drinking..

On the way in, I noted the warning notice that this is set in the early years of the last century, with "different attitudes" from now. Jeez, talk about hand-holding. I was in the Stalls for once, of the Lyttleton. Row V, the very back row. But it was unfortunate that my seat number led me to enter by the left-hand door.. because it turns out the mixing desk is on that side, blocking access to the back row, so I had to schlep all the way across the row in front (happily, empty at that point) to get to where I needed to be! I wasn't the only one, of course. Still, excellent view:

I knew the story - but the staging of this is excellent! The author (as we discover he is) starts by attending a swanky ball in the 1920s - but is lured away by this story, and finds himself back in a small Welsh mining village, some years before. Interestingly, the first half of the play takes place on a bare stage, the surrounds suggested by the author, who weaves through and around the onstage action. This contrasts vividly with the second half, where the set is fully built around them! I suppose this is meant to suggest the unfinished nature of the school at the beginning of the story, which is quite well-established by the end. More striking still about the production is the near-constant presence of a male voice choir, their beautiful singing providing a soundtrack evocative of the Welsh valleys.

So, I loved it. The singing is sublime, the acting spot-on, and in particular, Nicola Walker as the inspirational teacher is a pleasure to watch. It's funny, the story is gripping.. go see! Runs till the 11th June, highly recommended.

Last night, it ran too late to blog - I had to be up for a meeting this morning. Tonight is film - with a few Indian films at the top of the list looking unappealing, I rejected them when I checked out the trailers. Which left CODA! Winner of best picture, best supporting actor, and best adapted screenplay at the Oscars, this was actually showing a while ago and is no longer on general release. I missed it at the time, and am lucky that Riverside Studios decided to re-release it, on foot of its Oscar success, for just two days, today and tomorrow. There's only one showing each day though, and early enough, so I'll have to hustle to make it all the way out there in time! Not booking out, so I haven't booked. "CODA" stands for "Child Of Deaf Adults", and focuses on the hearing child of deaf parents, who kind of deserts them when she decides that she actually wants to pursue a career they can have no real appreciation of - singing, of all things! Marlee Matlin plays the mother.

Tomorrow, I have another flat viewing scheduled - with no word about the last one, I think I'd better attend. It is slightly closer to the office, you never know, it might suit better. For the evening, I was without anything in particular to do for a while - unusually for a Wednesday! Of course, Meetup annoyingly doesn't always show everything running on a particular day - not even for your own groups. So it was only last week that it reminded me that Up in the Cheap Seats had an event on! They're going to see The Misfortune of the English, at the Orange Tree, and I got the last cheap ticket in the front row. It's based on the true story of a group of English schoolboys who arrived in Nazi Germany in 1938 to go on a walking tour in the Black Forest - just as a blizzard kicked in. And it'll be lovely to see some folks I haven't seen in ages! My only social event of the week, too. Delighted I caught this.

On Thursday, back to Riverside, for a rescheduled concert. Liza Pulman - The Heart of It was supposed to happen over lockdown. She'll be singing popular show songs.

Then back to Ireland for the weekend. Yes, almost every weekend this month - it just worked out that way. I'd normally have been in London last weekend you see, except for staying in Ireland to see my friend. And this trip for the upcoming weekend was already booked when that was organised. Now, it's a long weekend, so I have an extra day there - can see two films! The Arc Cinema now being the cheapest around, I'm concentrating on that - there isn't anything special showing in Limerick anyway. Higher rated is The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent, a comedy where the versatile Nicholas Cage plays a version of himself, apparently sending up his iconic characters. I'll have to see how many I recognise - I'm not the most dedicated follower of his work! So, thinking of that for Saturday.

And for Sunday, it's looking like Downton Abbey: A New Era. Like the tv series, the films focus on an aristocratic English family: Dame Maggie Smith as the dowager Countess, Hugh Bonneville as the Earl, Brendan Coyle as his valet, Laura Carmichael as one of his daughters, Jim Carter as the butler, Penelope Wilton as a cousin, and friend of the dowager Countess, whose son is heir to the earldom, as the Earl and Countess have no sons. I was never a fan of the tv series, and didn't see the first film, but hey, it should be watchable. Apparently, in this one, a film crew arrives at the stately home - the real-life Highclere Castle.

Back then on Monday, and next Tuesday, a revamped version of Oklahoma at the Young Vic!

On the 4th (Star Wars Day - May the fourth be with you), I'm at last back with Laurence Summers and the 45+ Not Grumpy Old Londoners! Ah, it's been too long.. someone suggested that I skip off work for a couple of hours during the day to go on the walks, but seriously, every time I checked when his walks were, I had a meeting that clashed! So, not an option. Anyway, this is the Cool Camden Pub Walk! It was actually rescheduled - was originally supposed to happen tomorrow, which was why I was left with nothing to do tomorrow. Unfortunately, on the 4th, it clashes with a couple of other things - a Civilised London (CL) meal I was actually booked on (happily, he gave me a refund of my deposit), and leaving drinks for my favourite ex-boss from my last company. Tarnation. Well, can't be helped - this is a pub tour I really want to go on. I was originally booked for an online talk that night - Fight Them on the Beaches is a talk about the greatest speeches in parliament. Courtesy of Guided Walking Tours in Brighton and Sussex. But they record the talks, so I can catch it afterwards. True, isn't it - everything happens on Wednesdays!

On the 5th, I'm off to Scandaltown, at the Lyric. Yet another play by the prolific Mike Bartlett, this is a revamped Restoration comedy, set in modern-day, debauched London. As always, love his stuff and am really looking forward to this. But wouldn't you know it, now CT has tickets.. ah well..

Just as well I had the 6th free when another ex-boss, Ivan, asked when we could do drinks again! He also suggested we try to find somewhere quieter than the last place - not an easy ask, for a central venue on a Friday night. Ah, but I have contacts.. the organiser of CL once recommended to me a pub just off Charing Cross Road, which he knows as quieter than the usual - I couldn't remember the name, but he reminded me it's the Round Table. I'd have booked, but they seem not to take bookings on Fridays. Our ex-colleague is coming, and for the first time, my aforementioned ex-boss from my last company! Should be cool.

On the 7th, back with Laurence and the 45+s - this time, it's a walk called Red Lights, Rabble Rousers & RocknRollers, around Soho. And Helen is coming up for it! So, a highly sociable week!

And on the 8th, back with the Crick Crack Club. This is The Origins of Life and Death, with Jan Blake, at the British Museum, which I missed in January. Limited availability at time of writing, as they have socially distanced seating.

Restaurants: Jade Cottage & China-Ki

Had to run an errand for my mother in Ennis on Thursday - and while I was there, I got a yen to eat at Jade Cottage again. So I did! As usual, they weren't busy - the table next to the one I had last time was occupied, so he showed me to the back of the room instead, where I was seated on a very fetching, gold-effect bench. It is interesting how most of the tables are hidden from view from most of the other tables, with careful positioning of screens and such.

I had the same starter as before - but, mindful of how heavy I found their version of General Tso's chicken, I changed my main, and had "sweet chilli chicken". Which was good, if a little fiery - I am getting closer to my perfect dish here though, and I'll try their honey chicken next time. Had a half bottle of wine, which she offered to present in an ice bucket, and some chocolate ice cream to finish. With the same smiling service, this restaurant is always an excellent choice!

Well, my friend got back to me - they were away in the middle of the week, back that day, so the most sensible thing to do seemed to be to visit yesterday, which I arranged with her. Happily, my boss was also fine with me taking the week as holiday. Long, long drive down there though - with the usual heavy traffic in Charleville. Still, traffic jams are great for having a look around - I hadn't seen this before!

And it was terrific to see her, and see how her boys have grown! It's over two years, what with everything, since we've seen each other. I tried out location sharing on my phone, so she could tell when I was near - she has a Huawei though, I think she said, and it was hard for her to get Google working. She did in the end, mind, and it's a cool feature!

I broke the long drive back with a stop in Limerick, and was just about hungry enough to eat there. And again, the nearest was China-Ki. First thing, I needed the loo - which turns out to be just inside the door. In fact, the door to the toilets leads into a little corridor, with the various different categories marked on doors along it. Unfortunately, for whatever reason, the lights were off in the toilets - and I hadn't brought my phone, whose light I could have used. Well, I could see from the light coming through the pane of glass in the corridor door that the first toilet door was the Gents, the next the accessible toilet. The Ladies was around the corner - probably - but it was in complete darkness, and I had no hope of telling which was which. So I just went back to the accessible toilet.

Dark inside as well - but there was an emergency light, and I felt around until I found the door lock: locked the door. Located the toilet, the handbasin, and the hand dryer - could just about see them in the dim light. Did my business satisfactorily. And then could not find the flush! Feeling around, I felt something dangling - so I pulled it. Pity it was the alarm - which sounded all through the restaurant! I managed to get the door unlocked, and made my escape.. the ultra-calm waitress tended to me most solicitously, bringing a jug of water before she went to investigate, and eventually turned it off. I have to wonder though - was there, in fact, a light switch somewhere that I missed (in the darkness)?

I had the chicken fillet rolls - dunno what it was, but I didn't enjoy them today, and don't think I'll have them again. Looking back over previous posts, I discovered I had liked the beef szechuan here - but I didn't feel like anything spicy, so went for General Tso's chicken again. Couldn't finish it though - left a large portion of it uneaten. Again, will change my order the next time! At least this time, when she brought me wine, she had the good sense to pour it all out at once! and when she brought a top-up, to pour it straight into the same glass. Again, service was extremely attentive - with no-one else in the restaurant, I was plagued with people not too subtly popping around the partition to see whether I was done yet..

Anyway, I'll fly back to London tomorrow. And on Monday, I'm off to The Corn is Green, at the National. I see this was also a film, which I remember seeing on tv, years ago.. Bette Davis played a teacher in a deprived area in the 1930s, who had one promising student whose lot in life she sought to improve, despite his humble circumstances..

Film: Morbius

The final film on my list, and only showing locally in the afternoon in Ennis, Morbius is another of those superhero things - an antihero, rather. Jared Leto is the hapless biochemist who accidentally turns himself into a vampire - with all the powers that entails. Also stars Michael Keaton. And I went yesterday.

Weather's turned cold in Ireland, and a bitter wind drove into me all the way to the cinema. I was so glad to get inside.. in Screen 4 (a different one from the last two times I was here), the only other occupants were a couple of lads. Curiously, I'd been given (without asking) a ticket for seat C6 - which didn't seem to exist! I found Row C - but on one side are just the seats 1 - 5, and in Row C, the other side starts at 7! Unlike the rows behind and in front of it. So I sat in C7, as a reasonable compromise.

Well then. The SFX are excellent in this, I thought - kind of like The Matrix, with vampires. The vampires' movements in this are followed by a kind of trail, like the vapour trail left by aeroplanes - for originality, and also so we can follow their movements, which are in general too swift to be detectable by the human eye. As to their characteristics, I found them closest to the vampires in True Blood - which came after this character was originally conceived. So, did True Blood get its rules of play from Morbius? I wonder. Now, I'm not a Marvel fan in general, so I missed any and all Spiderman references - but I believe that Morbius originated as a villain there. In which case, you could see this film as his backstory, and the rehabilitation of his image!

Apart from the sheer pleasure of watching excellent SFX, and the thrill of not knowing where the vampires are going to pop up next, it's a delight to watch Jared Leto, who is very pleasant on the eye. Never really noticed him before - I will make the effort from now on. And.. that's kind of it. So, I did enjoy the film, but won't be rushing to see any sequels. And yes, you just know there are going to be sequels - I spent the whole film wondering where Michael Keaton was, only to have him show up practically at the very end, having suddenly appeared, apparently as surprising to him as to any of us. His character was not explained - but when I Googled him, I discovered that yes, he's another Marvel character! Adrian Toomes, to be specific. And so, that'd be lining up the sequel right there - that's one I think I'll skip!

Ran too late last night to blog - I had to be up this morning to greet the Tesco deliveryman. And now, that's all that's on in the afternoons, so I'll be taking it pretty easy for the next few days. Well, my friend got back to me - they're away in the middle of the week, back on Thursday, so the most sensible thing to do seemed to be to visit on Friday, which I've now arranged with her. Happily, my boss was also fine with me taking the week as holiday. Anyway, I'll fly back to London on Sunday. And on Monday, I'm off to The Corn is Green, at the National.

Film: The Lost City

Of all the films showing locally this week that I might have been interested in, only one is showing in the Omniplex in the afternoon. So I booked that one for today - it was The Lost City, and stars Sandra Bullock as an author, Channing Tatum as the model for the hero on her book covers, Brad Pitt as an action-hero type, and Daniel Radcliffe as an eccentric millionaire in another of those lost-city-in-the-jungle capers. Mind you, I won't automatically be booking here from now on - they have increased their price by 50%, and are now more expensive than Ennis! Watch this space.

Started off in good time, being used to terrible traffic in Limerick - only to find traffic was very light! I was soon to find out why, as I discovered most things were closed. So I was very prompt into the cinema for once, allowing me time for a quick trip to the toilet. And why people leave public toilets in such a state is beyond me.. Anyway, this is actually showing in four different screens, and this showing was in the smallest of all, I think. Which was pretty full, but that wouldn't take much. And happily, I made it before the film started, this time!

Ah now, this is a lot better than I expected. I did read a review that praised Sandra Bullock's excellent comic acting skills - and they're right - but I do think they underestimate Channing Tatum, who plays a wonderful straight man, and is always up for being made fun of. Seriously, the comic twists and turns in this film just get better and better - inventive, original, and laugh-out-loud funny. It does drag a little during the more serious scenes - luckily, it's more funny than serious. Brad Pitt, meantime, is absolutely perfect as the all-purpose action hero. It's when he exits - quite early - that Channing Tatum is given the freedom to display his comparative uselessness in the same role, providing many of the chuckles. Gorgeous fun, go see! Highly recommended.

The final film on my list, and only showing in the afternoon in Ennis, Morbius is another of those superhero things - an antihero, rather. Jared Leto is the hapless biochemist who accidentally turns himself into a vampire - with all the powers that entails. Also stars Michael Keaton. I have four days to get to see it, but will probably go tomorrow.

Well, my friend got back to me - they're away in the middle of the week, back on Thursday, so the most sensible thing to do seemed to be to visit on Friday, which I've now arranged with her. Happily, my boss was also fine with me taking the week as holiday. Anyway, I'll fly back to London next Sunday. And on the 25th, I'm off to The Corn is Green, at the National.

Films: Operation Mincemeat & Don't Go

Three more films showing locally this week that I might be interested in, and only one showing in the Omniplex in the afternoon. So I've booked that one for tomorrow - it's The Lost City, and stars Sandra Bullock as an author, Channing Tatum as the model for the hero on her book covers, Brad Pitt, and Daniel Radcliffe as an eccentric millionaire in another of those lost-city-in-the-jungle capers.

The other films only have afternoon showings in Ennis - so, it's there I'm bound for them. They charge for booking, and are not booking out, so I haven't. Higher rated of the remaining films was Operation Mincemeat, which stars the ever-dependable Colin Firth, Matthew Macfadyen, and Penelope Wilton as MI5 agents in a comedy based on the true story of how, during WWII, they put the Nazis off the scent by handcuffing a case of fake "secret" papers to a corpse, and letting it be found. They've made a play about this too, you know!

I had to drag myself out pretty early - I had a choice of seeing it at 12.35 or 5.45, nothing in between! There must have been a parade in the town square, which was all blocked off as I passed through - I saw band uniforms, later. The gap in showing times turns out to be because it's showing in the same screen as The Northman, so had to make way for that in the middle of the afternoon. And there was only one other person at the screening. I'd arrived shortly after the start of the film, so couldn't really see where I was headed - just plonked myself in a seat. At the time, Colin Firth was reading a bedtime story to what I assumed was his son, and I assumed I hadn't missed much.

Of course, as one newspaper review remarked, with this cast you're in safe hands, and it's going to be a pleasure to watch - and so it proved. When I joined it, a party was taking place in one of those lovely, comfortable, posh London residences, Colin Firth's home, to celebrate his leaving the legal profession. Most people there think he's retiring - few know the truth, that he's just been hired by MI5.

Ian Fleming is also part of this sub-section of the organisation, and it is he who comes up with the idea - originally and unimaginatively called Trojan Horse - of using a corpse carrying fake official papers as a decoy. He spends much of his spare time clacking away at his typewriter in a corner of the office, working on his spy stories - but he's not the only one. In fact, as Matthew Macfayden sighs later in the film, he's surrounded by them. "Nazis?" wonders his companion. "No, writers!" is the exasperated reply.

It's a comfortable film, a combination of smart military uniforms, pleasant buildings, pleasant company. I spent a great portion of the film trying to recognise places! Certainly, I know the steps that they trot up and down at various points, with the statue at the top - that's the Duke of York column. (The steps are also named for him.) When they're shown watching a newsreel, I'm sure they're in the Balcony of the Coliseum - however, when they're shown climbing a staircase to go into another show (or newsreel), that's not the Coliseum. In fact, I have been there, but damned if I can remember which one it is! That is going to vex me, since I recognise the stripey wallpaper..

It's a very interesting story, and we are given a sufficient backstory for each character to develop a bond with them. It's fascinating to see the level of detail they go into, to try and make sure that nothing will trip them up. And when, despite an exasperating boss (I have known the feeling!), they manage to get the plan in motion, it is such a relief! Cue massive tension soon after, as it's now out of their hands, and pretty much all they can do is wait for news - even when they get it, they can never be sure whether it's just misinformation of the kind they're feeding to the other side! Also quite touching in parts, as we are gently reminded how what they call "the real war" (as opposed to the virtual war they're fighting, but which they are influencing by their actions) is affecting people's lives. Highly recommended.

On my way back, I had a car stop again to let me cross - can't have been the weather today, it was overcast! Anyway, this was too early for dinner, so I ate back at my mother's in the evening.

After a gaggle of films on tv this evening that I'd already seen, the late film was something new - sounded interesting, and I ended up watching it. Don't Go is set in the west of Ireland, where a young American couple come to start a hotel by the sea - she used to study in Ireland, and they wanted a complete change from what they were doing. However, they are haunted (literally, it seems) by their dead daughter. Simon Delaney plays the local priest (no, not required to perform an exorcism in this case).

Seems a fairly typical story, but the acting is very watchable. And don't fall into the trap of thinking you know the ending - I was surprised, and briefly confused, by this one! In fact, it's one of those ambiguous endings, which can be read a number of ways. Some strong symbolism throughout, too. I liked it a lot.

The final film on my list, Morbius is another of those superhero things - an antihero, rather. Jared Leto is the hapless biochemist who accidentally turns himself into a vampire - with all the powers that entails. Also stars Michael Keaton. I have four days, after tomorrow, to get to see it.

Well, my friend got back to me - they're away in the middle of next week, back on Thursday, so the most sensible thing to do seemed to be to visit on Friday, which I've now arranged with her. Happily, my boss was also fine with me taking that week as holiday. Anyway, I'll fly back to London on the 24th. And on the 25th, I'm off to The Corn is Green, at the National.

Film: The Northman

I identified four films showing locally this week that I might be interested in, and only one showing in the Omniplex in the afternoon. So I've booked that one for Sunday - it's The Lost City, and stars Sandra Bullock as an author, Channing Tatum as the model for the hero on her book covers, Brad Pitt, and Daniel Radcliffe as an eccentric millionaire in another of those lost-city-in-the-jungle capers.

The other three films only have afternoon showings in Ennis - so, it's there I'm bound for them. They charge for booking, and are not booking out, so I haven't. Highest rated, and therefore the choice for today, was The Northman, a Viking caper about a young prince (Amleth) whose father, the King (Ethan Hawke), is murdered, so it falls to the lad to avenge him. Nicole Kidman is the Queen, Alexander Skarsgård the adult Amleth, Willem Dafoe and Björk are oracles.

So, Amleth's father, the King, is murdered by his brother, who seizes the kingdom and takes his widow, Gudrun. It falls to Amleth to avenge his father's death. Hmm.. this story is sounding familiar! Turns out that this film is actually based on the hero, Amleth, from the Norse sagas, on whom Shakespeare's Hamlet was based. And the saga was actually set in Denmark, too. Having said that, it does take liberties, and as the director, Robert Eggers said, he threw in whatever was cool from the sagas. Interestingly on that point, there's a YouTube video discussing the historical accuracy of the trailer - this hasn't had a worldwide release yet, so possibly the maker of this video hasn't seen the entire film, at time of writing. I'd love to know his thoughts on it!

As one of the reviews says, "Wow!". It is a long one, but it's dazzling from the start - I watched much of it open-mouthed. It's almost relentlessly violent, but that is the kind of story we're dealing with, and you have to expect some. Besides, it shies away from the worst, leaving much to the imagination. It's not gratuitous. The scenery is suitably stunning - some was shot in Iceland, and it's a great advert for it. Having said that, they were trying to shoot during the pandemic, and ended up shooting most of it in Ireland, a place called Sallagh Braes standing in for the Icelandic village. Early in the film, a fight scene in the mud made me think immediately that it had to be Ireland - it comes with the territory!

The soundtrack is suitably menacing - I would love to be able to get the full version, which I guess won't be available until it's had a full release. Someone remarked to me that he hates seeing Nicole Kidman these days - her face is frozen. I watched her closely during the film - it mostly isn't an issue, there isn't a lot of smiling to be done in the film anyway! and a lot of her shots are taken from the side. There is just one scene where I'd have to say, it looks as though he's right, she does seem expressionless. Sadly.

As for the rest - crikey, I knew I recognised Alexander Skarsgård from somewhere; I didn't realise, not having seen it for some time, but of course, he played Eric Northman in True Blood! Willem Dafoe and Björk play suitable spooky oracles - and I love all the supernatural elements, woven as deftly into the story as they were into the sagas. FYI, in the trailer, the woman seen screaming on a horse is a Valkyrie, and those teeth don't have braces on them, they're carved! which was a common Viking practice.

I absolutely loved this, but it's tough if you have a problem with violence. Otherwise, in the name of the gods, go see! As someone in one of the online reviews said, it's so good to see a film treat Norse mythology properly! My only problem with it was the kid (who looked too young to be there, but no-one was checking) in the row behind, who got bored in a quiet bit where nobody was being killed, and started kicking the seat in front of him. Which wasn't mine, but it made the whole row vibrate, and I had to move to the one in front. Happily, the cinema was mostly empty - a good side-effect of matinees!

Walking back to the car (this being a cinema without a car park), the sun was pelting down for the first time today. Put everyone in a good mood, which must have been why, every time I had to cross a road, the drivers stopped to let me across..

Anyway, afterwards I thought to go to Jade Cottage, where I haven't been in a while. I actually got the same table I was at the last time! Decided to choose chicken spring rolls to start this time - which were delicious, especially with the sweet chili sauce that came with them. For my main course, I had General Tso's chicken, simply because the one I had yesterday was disappointing. And it was beautiful - but again, like last time, I was stuffed after them. Might choose something a little lighter next time. Gorgeous wine, too - this is an excellent place, and staff passed so frequently, and were so efficient, that it was easy to catch them. Will be back.

I have five days in which to see the remaining films - watch this space as to when that'll be. In descending order of rating, they are:

Operation Mincemeat stars the ever-dependable Colin Firth, Matthew Macfadyen, and Penelope Wilton in a comedy based on the true story of how, during WWII, they put the Nazis off the scent by handcuffing a case of fake "secret" papers to a corpse, and letting it be found. They've made a play about this too, you know! Planning on this for tomorrow.

Finally, Morbius is another of those superhero things - an antihero, rather. Jared Leto is the hapless biochemist who accidentally turns himself into a vampire - with all the powers that entails. Also stars Michael Keaton.

Well, my friend got back to me - they're away in the middle of next week, back on Thursday, so the most sensible thing to do seemed to be to visit next Friday, which I've now arranged with her. Happily, my boss was also fine with me taking that week as holiday. Anyway, I'll fly back to London on the 24th. And on the 25th, I'm off to The Corn is Green, at the National.