Concert: Damian Lewis

Today, I had a final interview with one of the companies I'm in the running for. No drills by that stage, apart from the interviewer trying to find out what it was about the other company I've applied for that attracts me! and me determined not to tell her. Anyway, after I survived that, I was back with Up in the Cheap Seats for a concert by Damien Lewis at Omeara. Yes, the actor! Tickets were from See Tickets. I'd never actually been here before. Met Didi for dinner beforehand at Tas Borough - she came to the concert too.

I can't fault the service at Tas. Considerate at every turn, when I mentioned I was late, he said he'd saved us a table by the window :-) and brought a glass of iced water while I waited for Didi. As we ordered, he was happy to explain whatever needed explaining - and we were well fed, and sated, me looking up what I'd had before to see what was good, and ordering from the set menu. The house wine, I have to say, was very nice. And we were done in plenty of time to mosey down to the venue.

A massive queue greeted us - so handy to have people we knew in the line! so we joined about halfway. They  opened late, of course, and gave us a rather fetching stamp on our way in.

The bar in the venue proper doesn't serve wine - but she helpfully explained that there was a full bar, out the way I came in, and to the right. Which there is - quite a nice one, actually. This direction is also where the toilets are. Useful information.

Back in the hall, we snaffled some seats - until it turned out that that was where the Lewis fanily were sitting, and we were turfed out. Some seating on the other side, but basically this was a standing gig. Naturally, the time on the tickets (7pm) bore no relation to reality - doors opened at about 7.15, posters on the way in advertised the support act, Cherise, to come on from 8 to 8.30, Damian Lewis from 9 to 10. And to be fair, they stuck pretty well to those times.

Cherise, we agreed, has a lovely voice. But of course, everyone was there for the main attraction:

Although sometimes, it was easier to get a secondhand view:

There was no single style, the concert a mishmash of rock, blues, jazz.. but the atmosphere was excellent. His first ever gig, he said. And OMG, it's the closest I've come to a rock concert in nearly three years. Crikey, it felt good..!

A relief, afterwards, to get out into the air though:

Tomorrow, 9am (ouch), I have another interview with the other company - I've put a hurry on them, on account of being at the final stages with their rivals. Had to be early, because in the middle of the day, I've booked for another tour with Laurence and the 45+ Not Grumpy Old Londoners - Wonders of the National Gallery. Which I should be able to go on. Heading for lunch after to the Lamb and Flag.

Then I'm back to Ireland for the weekend - tried, once more, to get my car serviced, but for two days in a row, nobody was answering the phone. So, sod that - I'll get my taxi driver to take it for a service somewhere else. Which leaves me free to go to a film on Saturday - and what's coming up is Bullet Train, an adventure caper with a Japanese bullet train full of assassins, one of whom is Brad Pitt. Looks like fun - I've seen so many trailers for this!

On Monday - yes, I am succumbing. Finally managed to get a decently priced (seated) ticket to Abba Voyage. Hell, I love Abba, and even if they have been replaced by avatars - it's supposed to be a spectacular show. Kind of has to be done..

On Tuesday, I've booked with London Classical Music and Theatre Group - Didi, from the group, who is herself a classical guitarist, is playing a free Summer Music Festival concert in the Holy Sepulchre Church, which should be lovely.

That evening, I'm at Chasing Hares, at the Young Vic. And wouldn't you know it, CT now has ticket offers for this..

On Wednesday, I'm with a new Meetup group - Soho Comedy Factory Shows and Socials, which organises free events on Wednesdays at the aforementioned Soho Comedy Factory. Unless something better comes along - I've had bad experiences with free comedy!

Next Thursday, I've booked a free ticket with an improv group called Kid Smokers Improv! at Barons Court Theatre. (It's Pay What You Can, actually.) They're actually stepping in while Avocado Presents takes a summer holiday - they seem to have a residency here, now. Anyway, I've seen Avocado Presents before, and they're excellent - so I figure I'll give these people a shot! Avocado Presents, interestingly, have a Meetup group now - Watch Improv & Chat Comedy! which I've also just joined.

On the 12th, I've booked for the Sweeney Todd, the Demon Barber of Fleet Street Tour with Poppy's Events for 40s 50s and 60s, another new group to me. But Laurence has a walk that day as well - the Strange Tales of Old (and New) London Tour, which, you know, I'll go on if I'm free.. haven't booked it yet though.

On the 13th, I'm off to see The Ehrlich Brothers, a magic show at the Wembley Arena. This is with Friendly Frolickers 50+ Meetup Group - so I've joined them as well, making that four new groups in a row! I was - as often happens - rather frazzled when I booked though, and completely forgot that they have their own, discounted tickets! Blast - they do this specifically so that they can sit together. Well, I've booked my own - more expensively - and explained. Can't be helped.

And on the 14th, I've booked with the 45+s again - but not with Laurence this time! They do have walks guided by other people, and this one is of Brick Lane.