Play: Favour

Tonight, I went to Favour, at the Bush Theatre - after much effort, as their website wasn't working for days! In fact, it seems to go down sporadically. I chose an unreserved seat, was allocated one over the weekend. Anyway, I see TAC has now started selling tickets for this - gee, might be not only the cheapest, but the easiest way to book! Now only limited availability for Wednesday. Wow, was only there once before, 3.5 years ago..

Well, at the time I left, only Tube would get me there in under an hour - so that's what I did. And I have to say, on such a hot day, the aircon was blissful on the Circle Line! Even if I did have to stand most of the way - interestingly, most people around me got out not at Paddington, but at the next stop, Royal Oak. Which was when I got a seat. Even more interestingly, Google Maps told me to get out at Wood Lane - when I could clearly see from the map that Shepherds Bush Market, the next stop along, was much closer! So I got out there instead - and sure enough, there was the theatre, right across the road. Beside the eponymous market.

I moseyed into the theatre bar - which had a food list. Very misleading, as they told everyone who asked that the kitchen was now closed! I have no idea what the opening hours are, they're not posted anywhere. Never mind, I had some wine.. and some Hula Hoops (original flavour). God, they're tasteless when you're used to, say, BBQ flavour! And finally, I spotted nuts of various kinds, and got them to pour me a pint of salted peanuts. Not the fellow collecting glasses though - he seemed unsuited to serving people, and persistently ignored me. And so I passed my time, sat where I might get a breeze from the open door, and watching on loop a summary video of their productions, in honour of their 50th anniversary. Woo.

It was past start time when they let us in. I remember calling this "leafy West London" when I lived here - more like sleepy West London! Can't complain about my randomly allocated seat - I was front row centre!

So, this is the tale of a Muslim woman that gets out of prison and comes home to Ilford, to her conservative mother, and teenage daughter, whose granny has been raising her.  She also has a disapproving sister. And that's it for plot. But the dialogue flows naturally, it's well-written - as this is a forum for young writers, kudos to the writer of this play! It's very watchable, and over its 90 or so minutes of unbroken acting, we get to know all the characters quite well, and care for them. So, I'd have to say beautifully acted, too. Runs until the 6th, if you're interested.

Tomorrow, I booked for The Southbury Child, at the Bridge Theatre. But then I noticed that Up in the Cheap Seats (UITCS) is going, later in the week - so switched my ticket to that night. The theatre is most obliging, that way, and gave me the seat next to the one I'd originally booked. Which leaves me free to go to a film tomorrow. Well, I just checked the film list - and highest (that I don't think I'd hate) is La Vie Me Va Bien (Life Suits Me Well), a Moroccan film about a fellow diagnosed with a progressive neurological disease, and how his family cope with it. The trailer actually looks really good. Showing in the Ciné Lumiere. Too early to get food beforehand. Hmph.

On Wednesday, back with Civilised London for dinner - this time at The Crown itself, where we usually meet for drinks before heading somewhere else for dinner. Excellent choice. Which marks the beginning of a whole spate of Meetups in a row! When's the last time that happened..?

On Thursday, I had booked with The Garden Talks - this online talk is How Do Languages Evolve? But as I say, have now backed out of that, and am headed instead to see The Southbury Child with UITCS.

On Friday, back with the London Classical Music and Theatre Group for the opera Otello, at the Royal Opera House.

On Saturday, I had booked with Discover London (DL) for a trip to see a cart making ceremony. Just last week, I saw a new ad from UITCS - sounded good, 9 Circles - a psychological thriller that examines the ethics of war - at the Park Theatre, with lunch beforehand in Palmyra's Kitchen, next door.  And of course Eleanor, organiser of TunedIn London, advertised a concert through the World Music Meetup, for that evening, at City Hope Church. So now I'm going to all three! Should be able to squeeze them in, although I won't be able to join DL for drinks after if I'm heading for lunch..

On Sunday, back with Bucket List London (BLL) - this time, it's a trip to Sandown Antiques Market. Well, I've never been to Sandown, so this could be interesting.

Next Monday, back with North London Friends! for the first time since before lockdown. This is for an Edinburgh Comedy Festival preview, at the King's Head in Crouch End, featuring Lucy Porter and Rachel Fairburn.

On the 19th.. I'm taking a punt that I won't actually be employed that day, and have signed up again - at last - for a walk with Laurence and the 45+ Not Grumpy Old Londoners. This is The Magic of Midtown - and as I said to him, it finishes very near my new home! I also promised to let him know if I can't actually make it - although, even if I have started work by then (which would be surprising), perhaps I could take a day off.

On the 20th, I finish my Meetup run with a trip with UITCS to Leicester Square Theatre to see Frankie Boyle, who has a work in progress show.

On the 21st, I'm thinking of heading - at last - to Summer by the River at More London. This is for a free evening of music, curated by Soho Radio. Then I'm back to Ireland for the weekend. Unlikely to get to a film that weekend, as I need to get my car serviced for its NCT - sooner the better, and I couldn't last weekend.

On the 25th, I'm headed to see The Throne, a comedy about to open at Charing Cross Theatre, in which the Queen gets locked in a portaloo with a staunch republican. Time Out has an offer of £10 tickets for the cheapest seats for this - a saving of more than 50%!

On the 26th - tan-ta-ra! I finally managed to get a decently priced ticket to Jerusalem, at the Apollo. I have heard so much about this, and it's always at the top of the Time Out listings - nearly as hard as Hamilton to get a reasonably priced ticket for, so I'm delighted to get one, if only not to have to look any more.

On the 27th, back to Summer by the River again.. for Bumper Blyton: Improvised Adventures for Grown-Ups! Improvised comedy in the style of Enid Blyton books.. sounds jolly good!

On the 28th - another UITCS event that Meetup finally decided to flag to me. So I've booked to go with them to see Briefs Factory's show, Bite Club! at Queen Elizabeth Hall. Drag, burlesque.. should be fun!

On the 29th, thinking about the National Theatre's River Stage 2022. This will be the first night of the Hackney Empire's Young Producers Weekend, and there'll be some dance and some music.

On the 30th, back in Greenwich with BLL - we're starting with the Old Royal Naval College and National Maritime Museum. Was originally supposed to be the Queen's House to finish, but turns out they're booked out all day for a wedding, despite not having clarified that on the website! Then in the afternoon, we're headed to Eltham Palace and Gardens. Quite the packed day - the organiser's English Heritage card expires, it seems, so he's cramming everything in while he can..

On the 31st, back with TAC for the opening night of I'm Not Myself Today: A Villainous Cabaret at the Bread and Roses in Clapham. An hour in which someone discusses with us why we all love the villain!

And on the 1st, I'm going to the Kiln Theatre for The Darkest Part of the Night. Another troublesome website - I've been trying for days to get it to work..!