Tonight, Up in the Cheap Seats (UITCS) headed to Mandela, a musical at the Young Vic. Unfortunately, I was way too late for a cheap ticket - but then I noticed that someone attending couldn't make it, and had advertised two tickets for anyone who wanted - much cheaper than what I could get elsewhere. Front row, too! One ticket had gone - I messaged her, and yay, I got the other! She sent them through when they arrived on Saturday, and I agreed with the other guy who should take which! Now, someone did contact the group to mention that she had been attending on Saturday, and the second half was cancelled due to illness - so I hoped that'd been sorted out..
Well, chance'd be a fine thing. Late this evening (and many people complained about the lateness), the theatre was in touch to say this'd be a stripped-down, "concert" production - we'd get all the songs and dialogue, but not the sets, or the whole production. Fully 2/3 of the group dropped out, rescheduling to other dates - six of us ended up going, in the end. Looking for somewhere to eat, I saw Olivelli's, across the road - well now, it was ages since I'd had Italian. So I booked.
Just about managed to leave the house in time - work was unusually chaotic. I think everyone lives in slight dread of the CEO, who always wants things done five minutes ago. Anyway, I banged off a document and scarpered, just making the bus in time - arrived at the restaurant 10 minutes early. And I was glad I'd booked - I might have beaten the rush, but most tables had "Reserved" signs, and had I not booked, I might have had trouble. As it was, I got a table near the staff cloakroom.. when a couple of ladies sat at the table next to me, one of the waiters moved my table a bit away for me, to give them some space. It's snug.
OMG though, it could not have been more delicious. I had calamari for a starter, with tartare sauce - lovely. I had veal with a truffle and mushroom sauce for main - divine. And a glass of sauvignon blanc that was so nice, I had another. Service throughout was both prompt and friendly - they could give lessons. Not cheap - but definitely memorable.
By the time I'd finished, the organiser was messaging to say he'd arrived at the theatre and got a seat - I joined him when I'd finished. And as the others arrived, a convivial chat was had before it was time to go in. I was in the front row:
So, this "concert" version consisted of the cast ranged in an arc of chairs across the stage. A few seats, for the principals, had music stands in front of them - as the story progressed, various characters rose from their seats to speak, or sing - or dance. The orchestra was unseen. Mind you, we didn't get the whole cast either - a notice at the door explained the substitutions that were being made for some roles - including Mandela himself.
The songs are terrific, the singing beautiful. I think the dancing caught everyone's imagination - and of the four, suited, white men sat at the end throughout, to represent white authority, it was lovely when one of them joined in the African dancing at the end. As one of the group remarked, if we had a true picture of the music and dialogue, this is very music-heavy!
It is, in fact, very politics-lite. My education about apartheid started with watching Cry Freedom.. and while it's easy, now, to brush over it, since we know it did come to an end - it was terrifying then, to think of what was going on there, had been for decades, and showed no sign of coming to an end. State violence isn't so easy to overcome, and the Soweto massacre, so lightly covered in this, was as horrific an example as you're likely to find, in which schoolchildren protested having to learn Afrikaans in school, which they saw as the oppressors' language. The police, not taking kindly to this, killed hundreds.
Tonight, however, we had as little involvement with that as Mandela did, stuck on Robben Island as he was. No, the real star of the show was the music and dance, and it was hugely enjoyable. The show runs till the 4th, although in what form is hard to say. But either way, it's worth a look!
Tomorrow, thinking film again - the listings site was typically slow last week, but had some info for this week. But given my experience on Tuesday - when it hadn't even included listings for my local cinema - I checked what was on there tomorrow as well. And lo, I came up with some not yet listed at all at that stage on the listings site.. highest rated is a documentary - Crows are White tells the story of a rather unusual Buddhist monk, who'd rather listen to heavy metal than birdsong..
On Wednesday, heading to Comedy in your Eye, at the Camden Eye. Tickets from Design my Night, including a free drink.
On Thursday - my first Crick Crack Club (CCC) event of the year! Online, but never mind - it's Nick Hennessy, at the Story Museum, performing The Kalevala. I think I remember hearing that he's the only non-Finnish person ever to win their competition to recite this! So, really looking forward to it.
Then, of course, I'm back to Ireland for the weekend.. film is looking like A Man Called Otto, which suits just fine! Based on the Swedish comedy, A Man Called Ove, it stars Tom Hanks as an old grump whose wife has just died, but who meets his match in the fiesty young family that moves in next door. And, interestingly, its IMDB rating just keeps rising.. Showing in Ennis, handily.
Next Monday, back with UITCS for The Art of Illusion, at Hampstead Theatre. Award-winning, it seems..
On the 17th, I'm headed to Chicago Blues Explosion in the January Blues Festival at the 100 Club. Just a shame their early bird tickets were sold out.
On the 18th, with TAC for a classical concert at King's Place (nice and close). This is the Kirckman Society for young artists, presenting Connaught Brass.
On the 19th, Ken's Green Walks for Health (aka Ken's Events, to those of us who know it from before) is off to see the Winter Lights at Canary Wharf. Now, I wouldn't go with them in a fit - but there's nothing to stop me seeing the lights myself for free, eh? I don't see the point in paying Ken £5 to lead a group around..
On the 20th (a Friday, unusually), back with Watkin's Bookshop for a book launch. This is Fifty Forgotten Books by R. B. Russell. Occult theme, as usual. Let's see whether I can avoid falling asleep this time!
On the 21st, back at King's Place - this time it's the CCC, with Stories in the Dark. Told in darkness, by the sound of it - sounds divine!
On the 22nd, back with Cultureseekers for the Hieroglyphs: Unlocking Ancient Egypt exhibition at the British Museum. Assuming it's not curtailed due to transport strikes - there is a warning on the museum website that galleries might have to close early!
On the 23rd, I've finally booked for Best of Enemies at the Noel Coward Theatre. This play concerns a series of debates on US television between liberal writer Gore Vidal and conservative William F. Buckley in 1968 - the interesting twist here, given the time and place we're talking about, is to cast William Buckley as black! Had my own seat review on Seatplan to guide me in picking a seat - this is one of those restricted view/legroom theatres. And despite all the theatre offers flooding my inbox, I found the cheapest tickets for this on the official website! Mind you, what with See Tickets doing the selling, I found myself with a second, unexplained, booking fee..
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