Comedians Telling Spooky Stories

I hadn't anything booked for tonight - was thinking film - and then Ticket Text (one of hundreds of ticket organisations I seem to have signed up for) sent me an advertising email. So, tonight the comedy venue, 21Soho, held an event of Comedians Telling Spooky Stories. Which sounded the business, for the week that's in it. So I booked. Hallowe'en fancy dress, they said - well, wasn't too pushed about that.

There aren't many decent places to eat around there - but I saw it was within walking distance, and I saw the route took me past Gourmet Burger Kitchen. So I popped in there, en route - and wouldn't you know it, they not only had WiFi of their own (which worked, for a change), but I picked up the Brunswick Centre's WiFi! Mind you, I was sat at the front of the place. Anyway, it was really busy - I got a table all right, but by the time I was finished, people were having to queue. I have to say though, despite the crowd, this was the best service I've had - anywhere - in an age! You kind of forget what good service looks like..

I had my usual - the classic chicken burger, with panko (breadcrumbed) chicken. And chunky fries. I asked for onion rings, but would you believe it, they were out of them! Never mind.. apart from my chicken being too large for the bun, so I had to eat the extra bits separately, it was only gorgeous. Truly. Excellent chips, too. V glad I dropped by - I skipped dessert though, after my last experience. Did have time for a second glass of wine!

And so I schlepped down to 21Soho - my first time there, as it happens. On the same street as the new @SohoPlace Theatre! Went to show the bouncer my ticket - I opened the QR code, he wasn't much bothered and waved me in. Drinks are expensive.. just as well I had that second one at GBK. Got a seat near the back - it was under half full.

I was glad I hadn't bothered with fancy dress - hardly anyone else did either, although I think someone in the front row had. And the MC, who wore Maleficent horns, which she described as very hot and uncomfortable. Yes, even those of us not wearing latex were hot and uncomfortable by the end..

Yeah, the acts weren't the spookiest, as you might expect. Each was supposed to come armed with a spooky story - the MC's was probably the best-written. One guy told a story, apparently from real life, which I actually thought was the best of the lot. But of course, they were still trying to be funny, rather than spooky - he was the only one who pulled it off. During the last act, the noise from the bar was so intrusive that an audience member had to go and ask them to keep it down! So, not a good venue, by any means. Not a great show, either - I won't be hurrying back, and was delighted when it ended.

Tomorrow, I kept free for an all-night drinking session with Ivan. However, predictably, he cancelled - probably still recovering from his bout of Covid. I've only met him once so far this year - hope I get to see him again before the end of it! What annoys me, though, is how I always have to chase people to let me know when they have to cancel - he's not the only one, but he wouldn't have thought to tell me if I hadn't asked. Honestly, how is a person supposed to plan? Anyway, instead, I booked with TAC for By the Light of the Moon at the Old Red Lion. Part of their Grimfest Festival.

So I should find it easier to get up on Saturday - I'm on another walk with Laurence Summers and the 45+ Not Grumpy Old Londoners! This one is the Edgy London Walking Tour, and is one of his new ones.

And yes, I have something to do that evening! (This month is far too busy.) I'm back with the Crick Crack Club (CCC), for the Game of Candles - their Hallowe'en offering, where they extinguish a candle for every spooky story told. Tim Ralphs and Sarah-Liisa Wilkinson - in King's Place, lovely! I can walk home..

On Sunday, I dug out something interesting on Meetup, from a new group to me - London Social & Cultural Meetups is headed to evensong at the church of St. Bartholomew the Great. Gorgeous church, sounds great - unfortunately, their event is full, but I can head along on my own.

Ahh.. and then, 'tis Hallowe'en.. yes, of course I have something for that. Do you remember me mentioning I was going to five Darkfield events this month? Eagle-eyed readers will have noticed I've reviewed four.. which leaves one. For Hallowe'en - the only one they're running that night. Séance, appropriately, which, it seems, was their first ever show - I do have to go all the way up to Watford for it, but it should be worth it. I've booked the first showing of the evening, which is at 7.

Deliberately booked early, to try and squeeze something else in. Now, that only lasts 20 minutes - and it seems I can get down to Leicester Square within an hour. Which gives me time to get to Prey for the Devil, showing at Cineworld Leicester Square at 9pm. Another exorcism story, this one unusually seems to have the exorcism performed by a nun! (Very egalitarian.) She gets around the Church's rules about women not doing such a thing by claiming that the same demon that possessed her own mother is now inhabiting a patient at the facility where she works. So this nun is probably a target. Well, it's probably not high art, but it should do the trick..

On Tuesday, the horror continues - I've booked with TAC again for The Drought, a short horror play at Grimfest at the Old Red Lion again.

On Wednesday, back with the CCC for their annual Day of the Dead event - this one is at Rich Mix. Stars Daniel Morden, Clare Murphy, Lucy Lill, and TUUP - and all but Clare Murphy, I haven't seen in an age! In fact, I've never heard of Lucy Lill before..

Next Thursday,  I was back with Up in the Cheap Seats - for Noor, at Southwark Playhouse. The true story of a WWII spy - and bought, as usual, on my PAYG subscription - which gives you cheap tickets to five shows, and never expires. Suggestion of eating beforehand at Mercato Metropolitano. But wouldn't you know it, that night's performance was cancelled.. Instead, I'm off to a talk at Watkin's Bookshop (which also has a Meetup presence!). Theme is The First Ghosts, by Irving Finkel - ghost stories have been around for a long time..! He's written a book about the first evidence of tales of the supernatural.. Then I'm back to Ireland for the weekend.

On the 7th, with nothing on Meetup, I'm currently thinking of heading to see the Carnaby Street Christmas lights, which will be up by then.

On the 8th, headed to see John Gabriel Borkman, by Ibsen, at the Bridge Theatre.

On the 9th - originally, nothing better coming up than Soho Comedy Factory, upstairs at The Blue Posts. Now, instead, I've changed my booking for Noor to this night. Sadly, not with the group, who rearranged for a night I can't go.

On the 10th, back - at last! - with London Classical Music and Theatre Group (LCMTG), for Alcina at the Royal Opera House. More Handel..

On the 11th, I was heading to The Horror Show at Somerset House - a horror-based art exhibition - with The Horror Book Club. But then Civilised London popped up with another meal - so I booked that, and we were headed to Champor Champor, a Thai / Malay restaurant. Meeting beforehand at The Rose, nearby. Until he decided, today, to cancel it! I supposed he hadn't wanted to do it with only two of us, since I was - unusually - the only one to sign up. But to my further surprise - he kicked me out of the group later tonight! Jeez, I suppose he's had enough of me. Killer is, he was such a good reference for good eateries - and the group is private, so without being a member, I won't be able to see where he's going. Ah well, TBH, I was beginning to feel out of place with the people who were attending the meals.. which was pretty much all I was doing with the group, lately. Meantime, I'm back at The Horror Show - at least the ticket won't go to waste!

On the 12th, planning another meal with the people that are harder to herd than cats! As of now, of the four people I've invited, one is a pretty certain "no" and two more are iffy, as they might have to be abroad. Jeez.. If it's just the same person that was the only one to make it last time, I think we'll head somewhere different. For variety. On the other hand, Imad's Syrian Kitchen is right off Carnaby Street.. and the lights are probably going to be cool.. Of course, there is the small issue of the irregularity of the wine measures!

On the 13th, back with the CCC at the British Museum, where Daniel Morden and Hugh Lupton are performing The Iliad.

And on the 14th, not having been with LCMTG for ages, I'm with them for the second time in a week! Heading to Wigmore Hall this time, for the Takács Quartet, who are playing Beethoven. Now sold out - and I'm not surprised, given that when I booked, I got one of the last three (top price) seats! Ah well, it wasn't astronomical - and I do love Beethoven.