Plays: Press & Tunnels

Tonight, Up in the Cheap Seats (UITCS), the same group as last night (with a different combination of members), were back at the Park Theatre for the Make Mine a Double series - this week, it's Press, which examines the world of journalism, and Tunnels, about two cousins hoping to escape East Berlin. So, darker than last week's.

Well, considering last week's debacle with the AWOL chef, we decided not to risk eating at the theatre - instead, we made for My Cottage, next door, for a pre-theatre meal. I have a lot to do in my last week at my current job - so didn't leave as early as I'd have liked, and ended up on the Victoria Line, which is only two stops away. Just managed to squeeze onto a rush-hour train - thank goodness it wasn't for too long! And then it's just a short walk.

I was the last to arrive - and gee, what an interesting finish on the tables:

No, that's not actually a spillage - they're made to look that way!

We noted how narrow the entrance was - you'd never think there could be a restaurant in here. But there is, with friendly service - and really, they were quick enough. And served (two of) us the most yummy chicken shawarma, with very tasty rice. Another had lamb shawarma and salad - memory fails as to what the fourth had. But we were very well fed - I'd be happy to come back and try some more.

And so to the theatre - again, both of these plays are in the smaller space, seating unreserved. And for Press, we were faced with a chair, a table, a rug, a dartboard on the wall. Kind of cosy - and a good soundtrack to welcome us. In fact, the first part in this short play of many parts is quite convivial! It's essentially a monologue - and for the first part, there was even some back and forth with the audience.

Interestingly, a non-speaking girl keeps coming in to remove the props - which are less and less relevant as the story progresses. After an intriguing start, we discover this is the worst kind of newspaper hack - the kind that fabricates populist news if there isn't any to hand. He describes all this for us with great glee - and goodness knows, the UK has some of the worst press in the world. So yes, we have all experienced this kind of journalism.

But wow, what a change for the final part. Now, we get to see the other side of journalism, as he has a change of heart, and begins to speak out about government oppression. The shift in mood is quite scary - and as the projection we've been seeing on the walls throughout turns to an actual photograph, you see where he's got some of his inspiration.

Because yes, the man who acts alone on stage throughout is also the writer - and it shows, I think. I loved this - it's clever, it's cutting, based on real-life stories, apparently. It's passionate. And the merge between the stories is believable. Oh my yes, I can recommend this - it's a most thought-provoking look into the whole of the world of journalism, both the disreputable hacks and the brave truth-tellers.

Second play of the night was Tunnels - live music for this meant a guy sat near the entrance with a guitar, and a sound desk of some kind - some electronica came out of there too. Two cousins are busy digging under the Berlin Wall, chatting as they go. Now, an Eastern European in our group wasn't very impressed, saying that's not how it was, but wouldn't elaborate on why - for sure, I was never over there before the wall fell, but for me it evoked memories of 1989, when it did fall, and I was at school, and couldn't keep from dashing to the tv to see what the next exciting piece of news was. It was almost daily, with the domino effect of the collapse of Eastern European governments - and isn't it funny how engaging stories of, say, the Stasi still are. Certainly, for me, the most exciting part of the play was when someone described a failed escape attempt over the wall. Not as good as Press, but still interesting - both run till the 10th, at varying times.

And so home - mercifully, by bus! which was almost empty.

Tomorrow.. same problem as last Wednesday, with little on Meetup. Until just recently, when the London Classical Music and Theatre Group advertised a London Philharmonic Orchestra concert at the Royal Festival Hall for that day! I managed a Black Friday discount too! ;-) So now I'm going to that.

On Thursday - well, my contract has been extended, and I start with the new company next week. I had booked an online talk, The Life and Times of Magnus Folk, from the Surrey History Meetup. One of the earliest electrical engineers in England, it seems. Anyway, it's free, and I've since cancelled - I found something more interesting while I was waiting for the play on Thursday night. The Arabic Music, Dance and Party Meetup Group are advertising an evening at the Bethlehem Cultural Festival - tickets from Eventbrite - in which there's a talk about 19th century travellers, as well as discussion of a forthcoming book, and a talk from a female artist in Gaza. Not that the group is advertising it, but there's also an Arab dance after, and another talk - you can go to some, or all. Happening in The Tabernacle. So, I booked a ticket - stopped short of joining the group though - we shall see.

Then back to Ireland for the weekend again - flying Aer Lingus for a change! My passport is due to expire, you see - I don't technically need one to travel between Ireland and the UK, but Ryanair demands it. Aer Lingus doesn't.. I finally submitted a renewal application - and they rejected my blasted photo. So much for the Photo Me booths - don't trust them, they pass photos that don't meet spec, it seems! Anyway, film for the weekend is looking like - Spirited, in which Will Ferrell plays the Ghost of Christmas Present to Ryan Reynolds' Scrooge, in a musical update to A Christmas Carol. Octavia Spencer plays Ryan's hapless assistant. Well, it looks like fun - Ryan Reynolds is always very watchable - and frankly, it's the best thing on in the afternoon that I haven't seen. Ennis will do - let us pray there isn't a match!

On Monday - yep, the London Chess Community again looked like the best option. Hmm. But just lately - hallelujah! I was saved by London Social & Cultural Meetups, who have scheduled a talk on The 70th Anniversary of the Great London Smog. (Although oddly, we're meeting outside - perhaps the venue is hard to find?) Anyway, I'm delighted - this is that friendly group I joined a while ago for Evensong at St. Bartholomew the Great, and I'm glad to be seeing them again.

Next Tuesday, well, Free Stuff and Free Events are holding another online singalong. Again, I cancelled my attendance at the last of these I booked for, so was reluctant to rush off and book again.. Or the Garden Talks have one on How Did Language Begin? Unfortunately, my free trial has long since expired, and they won't let me take out another. Well, I might have paid - but I'd be paying for a month's worth, so I figured I might as well wait until closer to the date, and get the value.. And yay, then UITCS jumped to the rescue again, with a comedy called Dinner with Groucho, at the Arcola. The setting is a dinner, somewhere in heaven, with Groucho Marks and T. S. Eliot the guests.. best available seats for £15 with the code FRANK15, until Friday.

On the 7th, I'm back with UITCS for Baghdaddy at the Royal Court. About a little girl, realising she's half Iraqi, just as the Gulf War is raging. I see CT now has tickets for this.. unusually for this venue!

On the 8th, I've signed up for another Watkin's Bookshop talk! This is Colin Stanley on Colin Wilson's Introducing the Occult. Well, the last talk I was at here was interesting, so..

On the 9th, I'm heading to Lightopia, at Crystal Palace Park. As suggested by Over 40 Living the Life, who are not actually hosting a trip themselves, but just wanted to advertise it. 15% discount if you subscribe to Lightopia's mailing list, 20% discount for purchases of 10 or more tickets. And durnit if Groupon hasn't just advertised cheap tickets..

On the 10th - I've bravely scheduled another meeting of Those who Do Not Come. It's my last weekend in London before Christmas, you see. Well, so far Ivan and my first boss in London are actually coming! while the one person who came the last two times probably not, for once. We shall see - I've booked The Lucas Arms - O' Neill's isn't taking bookings for that day. Deposit payable, refundable with cancellation up to 72 hours beforehand.

And on the 11th, I'm vaguely thinking of heading to see Carnaby Street's Christmas lights..