NEW BLOG LINK

Hi all. Patently, this blog hasn't been updated in a while - but it isn't dead. What happened was - I lost my phone - so, also access to my Google account, because my (lost) phone is its 2-factor authentication. And that's how I access my blog. So I can now only access it from devices from which I've accessed it before!

I had to restart. My new blog is at London Still Rocks - check it out for updates on what I've been doing in the meantime! To avoid confusion - and because I'm not sure I can fix this Google problem - I'll continue there.

Hope to see you all there..

All the best.

C

Film: Hello, Bookstore

Tonight, was thinking film again - and top of the list was Hello, Bookstore, a documentary in the Curzon Bloomsbury again.

Glad not to have to go too far, on what was a rainy day. I had to run around getting things to post my laptop back to work - they're supposed to be collecting it tomorrow. I've ordered a new one - they really do get cheaper all the time - but they can't guarantee delivery before Saturday. Well, whatever, this is probably the last post I can write on the work one (my old one gave up the ghost months ago). After this, I'll be packing it up and saying sayonara.. So, we'll see how I feel about writing posts on my mobile, before the new laptop arrives. If it's too much trouble, you might have to wait until Saturday (or Sunday) for the next instalment..

After all that, there wasn't time to eat beforehand - so I went straight to the cinema, and had my usual wine and chocolate honeycomb bites. Funny thing is, I'll probably still be coming here on occasion after I move - so much is on here exclusively! Not this film, although from either my new or my old flat, this cinema is the closest it's showing in.. Well, I settled into my comfy seat and started on my "pre-dinner". The one thing I've often remarked on here is that there are no drink holders - so it's quite unnerving, trying to manage a drink as well as chocolates, a coat, a bag.. I usually use the seat beside me as a table. Handily, there's hardly ever anyone booked to sit in it - and the last time there was, she took one look and agreed to sit somewhere else..

Well, the film is a loving look at a bookstore called The Bookstore, in Lenox, Massachusetts. Which has been run by the same chap since 1976! And a more loving bookstore owner you could not find. It truly looks like one of those places you could happily spend a day browsing in - they have lots of nooks and crannies, and comfy seats to snuggle in.. and a wine bar at the back, thank you! where the owner also acts as bartender. Now, he has a fascinating story about the man in whose honour this wine bar was opened - I won't go into it, but this bookstore owner is a man full of stories! He's always in the middle of a book - and happy to pore through his collection for exactly the right one for a customer. Not only that, he can probably give an anecdote about it - perhaps quote half of it to you!

The film, however, starts in the sad days of the pandemic, where everyone is wearing a mask, and the front door is locked - people browse only through the window, or on the website, and put their orders in by phone or email. He then posts the books, or people show up and he puts them on a stool outside. Card payments only, and the details are communicated through the door. We also find out how badly his business was affected - he only did about a day's worth of normal business in a week. So he started a GoFundMe campaign - and wouldn't you know it, the good people of the community gave him the funds he needed in under a day! Now, that's what I call community spirit.

The film also introduces us to his family - and a few customers willing to be put on camera! There's one endearingly candid shot where he's talking to someone on the right of screen - but in the background, on the left, are a completely star-struck couple, grinning inanely at the camera and frozen stiff! It's a tellingly true moment.

Really, if you love books, if you've ever happily browsed a bookshop, you should go see this - it's absolutely charming. And all I can say is, if I find myself in the area, I am so paying a visit..

Ate at Nando's after, and how cosy it was to be inside looking out at the rain..

Next, two more days with UITCS - well, they book so much stuff! Tomorrow, it's Robin Hood: The Legend - Rewritten, at the Regent's Park Open Air Theatre. Today's rain is supposed to clear overnight, fingers crossed..

On Thursday, it's School Girls: Or, the African Mean Girls Play, at the Lyric Hammersmith.

On Friday, London Baroque Music Lovers lately advertised a concert, by La Nuova Musica, at St. Martin-in-the-Fields, of Handel's Coronation Music. Oh, lovely - I found this music so moving at the recent coronation! My sometime companion from UITCS suggests we eat there beforehand - which is fine, as long as we can find each other!

Saturday could be a landmark moment - could I get my four ex-colleagues together in a room at the same time?! So far, so good - nobody's yet said they can't make it - although one is worried about the planned train strikes. And although I'm already supposed to have moved, well, I'm between places - particularly with the constant mix-ups with my keys! so I just booked The Lucas Arms again.

On Sunday, heading with Cultureseekers, for a Historic Hampstead Treasure Hunt. We'll be split into groups, apparently, and the clues relate to historical plaques and the likes in the area. Official guides not allowed to participate. Hmm - how much can I remember from Laurence's walk there..?

On Monday, booked with TAC for an interesting-sounding show - Blood, Gold and Oil is about Lawrence of Arabia, and showing at Riverside Studios. Part of their "Bitesize Theatre" series.

Next Tuesday, back with UITCS - really excited to see The Pillowman, by Martin McDonagh, at the Duke of York's Theatre.

On the 12th, back with the World Music Meetup (and Tuned In London) for a concert by the Scottish/Zambian singer Namvula, at City Hope Church. Tickets through Billetto. And yes, closer to my new place, so it'd be really nice to be able to stay there that night..

On the 13th, back with UITCS for Cuckoo, at The Royal Court. Then it's back to Ireland for the weekend again.

On the 17th, back with UITCS for Song from Far Away, at Hampstead Theatre. I suspect this is one that Meetup just declined to notify me about.. I don't remember seeing it advertised before, although it's been up for a while.

On the 18th, I've signed up for the Epic Film Location London Tour Part 1, with London Socials, a new group to me.

And on the 19th, another new group - London Circus Cabaret and Burlesque Meetup is headed to Fool's Moon, a drag circus act at Soho Theatre. Meeting beforehand at the Nellie Dean - aw man, it's ages since I was at these places! I'm the only person to join, at time of writing..

Play: A Playlist for the Revolution

Last night, I was back with Up in the Cheap Seats (UITCS) for A Playlist for the Revolution, at the Bush Theatre. First though, back to the lettings agent to get yet another set of keys, in the hope these will work - haven't yet had a chance to schlep down there to check. The lettings agent's office is, in itself, a schlep - not an insignificant trip across town!

By the time I got done there, there was about enough time to eat, then head to the theatre. I couldn't see anywhere I fancied eating out in the direction of the lettings office, in Stepney Green, nor much around the theatre - so I decided to break my journey at The Lucas Arms. Not much longer that'll be an option.. after that, the only reasonable choice was Tube, to get to the theatre in time. Sadly, no papers available to read on my journey - they weren't quite out yet. I'll say this, it's dead handy to get to the theatre from the station - a sign at the exit tells you which direction to turn in, and it's right across the road! I got a drink and searched for the others, finding them in the "library" at the back. It was nice to be able to unload to them - and when it was time, we went in, me having to switch my drink to a plastic container. Funnily enough, even though we'd all got "Count Me In" tickets - cheaper, but you don't find out your actual seat until the day - we turned out to be all sat together!

An interesting set design sees a whole pile of blocks around the central stage area. They kind of resemble buildings, so could be taken for the skyline of Hong Kong, where this is set - however, they also act as storage boxes for props, and can be removed, to act as props themselves! The story starts with a meeting between a native Hong Kong-er, a conservative young man, into playing the piano - and a kooky young woman, of Hong Kong extraction, but living in the UK, who has taken some time out to visit Hong Kong and explore her roots. Both are students - he, of economics, she, of law. They meet at a nightclub, and there's an instant attraction - but she's on the point of going back. Still, they exchange numbers - and bond over their shared love of music (albeit different kinds).

Back in the UK, she's fascinated by the Hong Kong revolution - he hasn't the heart to tell her he's not involved. And they start to collaborate on a "playlist for the revolution" - he with the help of a cleaner at the university he attends, who's big into protesting. This actor, by the way, pretty much stole the show, in the opinion of someone sitting near us - and I agree. Meantime - I was fascinated that the play went in this direction; I guess I hadn't thought long enough about the title: but certainly, the latter part of the play is all about the revolution.

This revolution is something I've had a longtime interest in - the last time I came across anything about it though was over a year ago, with the memorable film, Revolution of our Times. It's such a titanic struggle - and ultimately, a pretty hopeless one. Very well depicted here, with only two actors and limited props - but some clever lighting - as our Hong Kong student finds himself inspired to join the cause at last. An excellent production, which flashes up the Hong Kong skyline on the back wall, after the interval:

A message displayed at the end offers anyone who needs it the chance to stay in the theatre for up to 15 minutes afterwards. Very sensitively done - recommended. Runs till the 5th of next month.

Couldn't blog last night, I had to be up early for the cleaner's last visit. Tonight, thinking film again - and it's looking like Hello, Bookstore, a documentary in the Curzon Bloomsbury again.

Then two more days with UITCS - well, they book so much stuff! Tomorrow, it's Robin Hood: The Legend - Rewritten, at the Regent's Park Open Air Theatre. Hope today's promised rain clears for that..

On Thursday, it's School Girls: Or, the African Mean Girls Play, at the Lyric Hammersmith.

On Friday, London Baroque Music Lovers lately advertised a concert, by La Nuova Musica, at St. Martin-in-the-Fields, of Handel's Coronation Music. Oh, lovely - I found this music so moving at the recent coronation! My sometime companion from UITCS suggests we eat there beforehand - which is fine, as long as we can find each other!

Saturday could be a landmark moment - could I get my four ex-colleagues together in a room at the same time?! So far, so good - nobody's yet said they can't make it - although one is worried about the planned train strikes. And although I'm already supposed to have moved, well, I'm between places - particularly with the constant mix-ups with my keys! so I just booked The Lucas Arms again.

On Sunday, heading with Cultureseekers, for a Historic Hampstead Treasure Hunt. We'll be split into groups, apparently, and the clues relate to historical plaques and the likes in the area. Official guides not allowed to participate. Hmm - how much can I remember from Laurence's walk there..?

On Monday, booked with TAC for an interesting-sounding show - Blood, Gold and Oil is about Lawrence of Arabia, and showing at Riverside Studios. Part of their "Bitesize Theatre" series.

Next Tuesday, back with UITCS - really excited to see The Pillowman, by Martin McDonagh, at the Duke of York's Theatre.

On the 12th, back with the World Music Meetup (and Tuned In London) for a concert by the Scottish/Zambian singer Namvula, at City Hope Church. Tickets through Billetto. And yes, closer to my new place, so it'd be really nice to be able to stay there that night..

On the 13th, back with UITCS for Cuckoo, at The Royal Court. Then it's back to Ireland for the weekend again.

On the 17th, back with UITCS for Song from Far Away, at Hampstead Theatre. I suspect this is one that Meetup just declined to notify me about.. I don't remember seeing it advertised before, although it's been up for a while.

On the 18th, I've signed up for the Epic Film Location London Tour Part 1, with London Socials, a new group to me.

And on the 19th, another new group - London Circus Cabaret and Burlesque Meetup is headed to Fool's Moon, a drag circus act at Soho Theatre. Meeting beforehand at the Nellie Dean - aw man, it's ages since I was at these places! I'm the only person to join, at time of writing..

Film: Jesus Revolution

I'm back to Ireland for the weekend again. How surreal it seems, to travel above the clouds - the views can be amazing:

Was waiting to hear what rating the new Indiana Jones film would have - Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny sees Harrison Ford, back again as the coolest archaeologist in the Western world. And yes, your eyes don't deceive you - that is Phoebe Waller-Bridge, tagging along as the female interest (his god-daughter). So, expect some good lines. Antonio Banderas shows up as - someone scruffy-lookin'. Mads Mikkelsen is the baddie, Toby Jones a professor. And I'd be happy to see it - if only for the CGI that makes Harrison Ford look young and gorgeous again.. (there's some time travel, I believe).

However, now that its rating is out, the highest rated was Jesus Revolution, based on a real-life spiritual movement across America in the 70s. Stars Kelsey Grammer as the straight-laced pastor whose daughter convinces him to give these long-haired hippies a go.. Showing, as is Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, in Limerick Omniplex. (Actually, it was also showing on Wednesday evening in London, but I really wanted to see Asteroid City, so although it wasn't as highly rated, I executed an executive override..)

Naturally, my mother presented me with a whole range of jobs to do - so timing was tight. Funnily enough, on the drive in, Take Me to Church was playing on the radio. I arrived in the cinema just as the film was starting - people being baptised in the ocean, a journalist interviewing a young man who's sketching what he sees. We then get the backstory, which starts a year before, basically following the story of the pastor, and of this young man.

It's an interesting take - very much, the focus is on the hippy movement, and a charismatic preacher called, ahem, Lonnie Frisbee, who by chance meets the pastor, and enthuses him with the sheer simplicity of his message - of peace and love. (Apparently he was also a homoesexual, but they decided to leave that bit out, despite focusing on his character quite heavily.) It's actually really moving, as the pastor brings all and sundry into the church, openly defying the church committee. Drugs - whose use we do see, but outside this Christian community - are described, by Lonnie, as a way to try to find God, but a false high; our protagonist, in fact, goes down that route first before finding Jesus.

Once this Utopian community is established, it starts to go pear-shaped, of course - Lonnie gets a bit too fond of the limelight and moves on, and our protagonist wants to marry his girlfriend, but gee, discovers that her wealthy father views him with some suspicion, having no money and no apparent direction in life. But hey, it all resolves itself - a set of snippets at the end describes how everyone turned out.

As I say, I found it quite moving - honest belief always is, and this really does start with the naive beliefs of a movement of teenagers. Whatever your belief about religion in general, it's refreshing to take it back to basics. You could say it's biased in favour of Christianity, but this was a real movement, and people's enthusiasm for it deserves to be noted.

Only a few others at the screening - and Lordy if some of them didn't try to evangelise me! One lady gave me a leaflet about herself, for goodness' sake - and a couple of guys at the door were giving away free copies of the New Testament. I passed. So, careful.. to be fair, they just seemed enthusiastic, rather than creepy. And it is an interesting film.

On Monday, I'm back with Up in the Cheap Seats (UITCS) for A Playlist for the Revolution, at the Bush Theatre.

On Tuesday, thinking film again - and it's looking like Hello, Bookstore, a documentary in the Curzon Bloomsbury again.

Then two more days with UITCS - well, they book so much stuff! On Wednesday, it's Robin Hood: The Legend - Rewritten, at the Regent's Park Open Air Theatre.

On Thursday, it's School Girls: Or, the African Mean Girls Play, at the Lyric Hammersmith.

On Friday, London Baroque Music Lovers just advertised a concert, by La Nuova Musica, at St. Martin-in-the-Fields, of Handel's Coronation Music. Oh, lovely - I found this music so moving at the recent coronation!

Next Saturday could be a landmark moment - could I get my four ex-colleagues together in a room at the same time?! So far, so good - nobody's yet said they can't make it. And although I'm already supposed to have moved, well, I'm between places - particularly with the constant mix-ups with my keys! so I just booked The Lucas Arms again.

On the 9th, heading with Cultureseekers, for a Historic Hampstead Treasure Hunt. We'll be split into groups, apparently, and the clues relate to historical plaques and the likes in the area. Official guides not allowed to participate. Hmm - how much can I remember from Laurence's walk there..?

On the 10th, booked with TAC for an interesting-sounding show - Blood, Gold and Oil is about Lawrence of Arabia, and showing at Riverside Studios. Part of their "Bitesize Theatre" series.

On the 11th, back with UITCS - really excited to see The Pillowman, by Martin McDonagh, at the Duke of York's Theatre.

On the 12th, back with the World Music Meetup (and Tuned In London) for a concert by the Scottish/Zambian singer Namvula, at City Hope Church. Tickets through Billetto. And yes, closer to my new place, so it'd be really nice to be able to stay there that night..

On the 13th, back with UITCS for Cuckoo, at The Royal Court. And then it's back to Ireland for the weekend again.