Comedy: John Bishop - Work in Progress

Tonight, Up in the Cheap Seats (UITCS) were off to see John Bishop at the Leicester Square Theatre. Love him, so I booked as soon as I saw this advertised - one of the few things for this month that I booked last month! Not that it came close to selling out..

There are plenty of places near there to eat. Mostly overpriced, a lot substandard - and likely to be busy. It's possible to eat well there, but it's not so easy. Anyway, the show is a late one, and I was hungry long before it was time to head in - I headed down to The Lucas Arms. It was bitterly cold outside - so what a haven awaited me inside, with delicious food and service so prompt that the cutlery and napkin got to the table before I did! Service with a smile, too - and they nearly have my order by heart!

When I got back, it was to discover that Amazon had delivered my parcel - and left it outside the flat door. Inside the building, but outside the flat. Not acceptable at all - especially when they disingenuously said on the receipt that it had been "handed to resident". Of course, they don't offer a way to complain about that.. Never mind, all's well that ends well, and it was an excellent buy..

Worked a little (what else was I going to do?) and headed in later - still freezing outside, and me without the top button on my coat, which will keep popping off. Got to the theatre too early - they only open the bar an hour before the show, and I was 10 minutes before that - so I strolled around Leicester Square for a bit. There isn't a lot to see, now that the Christmas decorations have gone.. I was glad when the clock struck nine, and I could head in. The bar is is in the basement, and I was a solid 10 minutes waiting for the people in front of me to complete their order. Hey-ho, I got a drink at last, and took a seat. But, not seeing anyone else from the group, when the house was declared open, I made my move - I was sat beside what seemed like a family, who were talking incessantly about which of their many sun holidays was best.. Not a sun holiday type of person, me.

And so upstairs, to quite a decent seat.

Turned out that, of the four of us attending in this group, three were sat together! which was nice - it was good to chat. Now, both of my companions had seen the Mother Goose panto that's running at the moment, in which John Bishop stars - thing is, he was coming straight from there tonight, and neither thought he'd make the comedy show for 10! Sure enough, although they made us take our seats in time, the minutes ticked by.. it was 10.15 by the time he actually came on. Which, as one remarked, might have been the reason for all the empty seats - not everyone lives as close as I do, and can blithely stay out so late.

Anyway - as our organiser was to remark afterwards, she's never before seen a comedian do a WIP without any notes of any kind! I have, but it tends to be only in the case of well-established comedians, secure in their performance skills. Basically, the naturally funny - and Lordy, he is that. Tonight was kind of like a comedy jukebox, where he perched on the stool, sipped from a can of lager (best for his throat, he says), and invited us to ask him questions. Whereupon he'd launch into one story or another, one often reminding him of the next.

He started on the panto, naturally enough, and how - on this night, of all nights - they started half an hour later. And also on what it was like to kiss Ian McKellan on stage - tonight was, apparently, the 60th performance, so he's done that rather a lot! A long, meandering routine about pantomime was followed by someone shouting a question about politics - the loaded question was, "What do you think of our present government?" He's rather famously anti-Tory, and his routines about them are hilarious. I particularly like the description of Boris - and this is one I hadn't heard before - as looking like he's just woken up on someone else's floor, the morning after the night before.. and this, as he says, being the man who can't remember being at a party.. in his own house..

His Irish connection came up - apparently, he'd give anything for an Irish passport, and he had an interesting tale about his mother's family being gunmakers in Antrim.. but wow, he ventured far and wide in his performance tonight, even teaching us some sign language, and reciting Shall I compare thee to a summer's day? to a lady from the front row, who'd met her husband at a punk gig in 1977. Still rocking a long leather coat, too.. In all, an excellent night. He's doing it all again tomorrow night, and the audience is in for a treat.

On my way home, completely ignored Google Maps in favour of a quicker, and more convenient, bus route..

Tomorrow, we're off to The Vaults Festival - specifically, The Welsh Lxdies, a bilingual show about the women of Wales.

Then back to Ireland for the weekend again. With partial film listings finally out for there, it's looking like The Fabelmans, in Ennis - an autobiographical tale from Stephen Spielberg, about how he got into filmmaking.

On Monday, we're heading to Noises Off, starring Felicity Kendal, at the Phoenix. Again, cheapest tickets from Official London Theatre (OLT).

On Tuesday, with a group I haven't joined in a Very Long Time - I'm back with London Dramatic Art, from whom I've got a front-row ticket for Sylvia, at The Old Vic; this is the story of Sylvia Pankhurst, and stars the excellent Beverley Knight. Completely sold out - this was my only way to get a ticket!

Next Wednesday, back with the Horror Book Club. This time, it's The Ballad of Black Tom, based on the Lovecraft story, The Horror at Red Hook, but told from the perspective of a black man. I managed to get through the club's book, and read the entirety of the story it's based on, which is much shorter - and less coherent. Again, the meeting is in the Prince of Wales, Covent Garden. Question is, will the kitchen be open..?

On the 2nd, I'm on my own for My Son's a Queer (but what can you do?), a musical at the Ambassadors Theatre.

On the 3rd, my first meeting of the year with London Classical Music and Theatre Group! We're off to Wigmore Hall, to listen to the Hagen Quartet play Mozart. They're Austrian, so that's appropriate.. I just need to remember not to drink the ultra-expensive sauvignon blanc!

On the 4th, well, Laurence Summers and the 45+ Not Grumpy Old Londoners are back to Greenwich again. Now, I have been there with him before.. not sure how "new" this one will be, but hey, it was a great day last time! Indeed, that evening might be the time to meet Ivan - and our coworker, if he's recovered, by then, from the jetlag he'll suffer from the trip to India he's currently on!

On the 5th, nothing on Meetup appealed massively - I thought I might go for a walk along the Ken's Events route, if I feel like it! (on my own). Or Over 40 Living the Life has advertised a walk along the New River.. I'd have to see, as I have to pay to sign up (refunds given to those who then come). And I might well change my mind.. which I finally have, now that Free Stuff and Free Events has advertised a blues concert at the Earl of Chatham, Woolwich. It's a way out, is all - but then, it's free, if I want to cancel.

On the 6th, my first actual event with the Over 40s. We're off to How Not to Drown at the Theatre Royal, Stratford East - the first event of theirs for which I couldn't get a cheaper ticket! So I decided, if I couldn't beat them, I might as well join them. True story of an unaccompanied, 11-year-old asylum seeker.

On the 7th, excited to be headed to see Derren Brown in Showman, at the Apollo Shaftesbury Avenue. Cheapest tickets with OLT again.

On the 8th, off to The Lehman Trilogy, at the Gillian Lynne Theatre. Based on the true story of the bank that collapsed. Got the last £39.50 ticket!

On the 9th, back with UITCS for Winner's Curse, at the Park Theatre - an interactive show about a peace negotiation. Turns out North London Friends are headed to it the same night - what, are they now copying this group, as another group did some time ago? (since closed down). And then I'm back to Ireland again.

And on the 13th, I'm headed to Allegiance, starring George Takei in a musical based on the true story of his time in an American internment camp during the Second World War. Showing at the Charing Cross Theatre.

Opera: Satyagraha

Tonight, an opera in Sanskrit..! without subtitles. Satyagraha had its last night at the Coliseum, and is about Gandhi. So I should have been able to figure it out - could do with the Sanskrit scholar from last Tuesday's play! Gosh, it's ages since I've been there.. I only noticed today that I got my ticket from Amazon tickets, soon defunct. Shame - always bad to lose a ticketing venue, not that I went with them that often, but I did sometimes.

Well, you know, first the weather forecast said it'd snow, then it said it wouldn't. It was perfectly fine and snow-free when I left the house this morning. And then at lunchtime..

Well, of course, that was supposed to be the warmest part of the day - so needless to say, what didn't melt immediately - didn't melt at all. By the time I left, much of the pavement was an icy mess. I went very carefully to the bus stop, missing one in the process, and enduring a frigid wait for the next. Never mind, I was in good time anyway - and delighted to see, when I got to the West End, that the incessant footfall there had cleared away pretty much all the ice and snow.

Got to the Coliseum about 10 minutes before showtime. No indication whatsoever where the box office was - I got in a queue, had my bag checked, and asked. She waved vaguely to my left, and said that if I had a confirmation email with the seat number on it, that'd do just as well. Yeah - maybe not from a second-hand vendor! Took me about five minutes to find the discreet box office - happily, I squeezed in to a gap in the queue, so wasn't queueing for long at all. Now with five minutes to go, I said sod it to the energetic option of the stairs - the Coliseum is a very tall building, and I was in the top level! I pressed the button for the lift. It's a small one, but only one couple already in it, headed for the Dress Circle (two levels below me). And a lift operator, whom I asked for the Balcony - I explained to her that, had I been earlier, I'd have taken the stairs, and she agreed that very definitely I'd done the right thing! Turns out there are 93 steps.. yep, sounds about right. I seem to recall a Tube station with a warning on its emergency stairs that there are 93 steps, only to be used in an emergency..

Happily, I emerged on Balcony level and found my seat - carefully chosen on the basis of me being able to get to it! The Coliseum is notorious, in my experience, for lack of handrails and for very long drops from step to step - I've seen people stumble on them before. Anyway, I'd chosen a seat that was accessible from the side (which has a handrail), and from the side I entered and took my seat, all relaxed and prepared for an enjoyable evening. As I say, it's ages since I've been here, and gosh, it's gorgeous:

 

I've been threatened with a cold the last while, and was rather worried that a cough would disturb the evening. Well, I uttered a slight one or two - and a sniffle - but despite the look from the person beside me, I was quite ok. The seat to my other side was free, which was handy for leaving my stuff on.

I watched the start with anticipation - it's so long since I've been to the opera! Gorgeous score, I must say. We started with a fellow in glasses and a suit - Gandhi, I guess - who sang away while reading a book. After a while, I realised there were captions on the back wall of the stage - in English! Ah here now, I was never told this - so basically, they eschewed the surtitles, which are designed for the purpose, in favour of projected captions (not describing the script verbatim, but giving the gist). Problem was - in the Balcony, we couldn't see them!! What a terrible production decision. We only ever got the bottom line or two.

So, because I saw the name Krishna, and some mention of an epic battle, I concluded that we started with a battle involving Krishna. (Some very clever things were done with newspapers, I must say.) And I guessed that this was linked, symbolically, to Gandhi's decision to reject the Western world in favour of India. Then Tolstoy came into it. (?!) Turns out they were penpals - well, I never. Not that I found that out until I got home. The action moved to Tolstoy's farm..? Turns out (again, just looked it up now) that Gandhi implemented his theories on a "farm" that one of his associates called a "Tolstoy farm". Well, gee.

So then, they took a vow.. of what, I don't know, because all I saw on the captions was "The Vow". And a set of coathangers descended from the ceiling, so they could hang their outer garments on them. (Some went back empty - does that mean that not everybody on stage was committed?) That's as much as happened up to the (first?) interval.

Oh, and it happened very, very slowly. Really, you could go to sleep for five minutes during this and not miss a single thing. Indeed, they'd still be singing the same song. They even walked very, very slowly around the stage. Jeez, a fellow (Lord knows who) was climbing a set of three steps at one point - and the suspense as we wondered whether he'd ever get to the top! Dunno why he was doing it - he probably forgot on the way up, himself. Me, at the interval I figured I'd better leave before I started to get annoyed. I did feel energetic enough to walk all the way back down.

Anyway, it was good to get home early, on such a bitter night. On the way to the stop, I passed a soup kitchen with an enormous queue - literally livesavers, on a night like this. Me, I shivered until my bus came - got off just around the corner from home, and oh dear, I wasn't in the West End any more! So I made my way very gingerly along the pavement to get back in, where I picked up my Yaktrax before heading to Tesco. Wouldn't be without them, they're invaluable. Think I may have to bring them everywhere with me for the rest of the week!

Tomorrow, Summer and Smoke (Tennessee Williams) at the Almeida. Does include actual cigarette smoke, and a gunshot. North London Friends are going, but I'm going independently. Sold out now.. and I can walk there. With Yaktrax - it's not even supposed to get as warm as freezing tomorrow, so I suspect the pavements won't improve.

On Thursday, back with Up in the Cheap Seats - and Meetup - at the Bridge Theatre, for what I hear is a stunning performance of Julius Caesar. You get the choice of being part of the crowd - I'm not. Modern setting.

On Friday, Helen's in town, so we're headed for lunch, somewhere TBD. In the evening, back with North London Friends, at Hampstead Theatre, for Acceptance.

On Saturday, Up in the Cheap Seats, and Beginning, at the Ambassadors Theatre. For once, not an official ticket for this - got better value with What's on Stage!

On Sunday, I found another Southwark tour - excellent! The "Family Friendly Liberty of the Clink" tour is run by Walking in London.. therefore Funzing.. and Londonist is involved somewhere too. Hard to keep track of everyone involved in walks. The standard code (crazy_fun) is still giving 10% off on Funzing's website. Hope the weather's warmed up by then..

On Monday, London European Club is headed to Monologue Slam, an actors' showcase at the Theatre Royal, Stratford East.

Next Tuesday, Up in the Cheap Seats is at Sadler's Wells for a performance by Ballet British Colombia.

On the 7th, Let's Do This is off to a jazz evening at Two Temple Place. Beautiful venue - should be a lovely evening.

On the 8th, Walking Victorian London is running a walk around Il Quartiere - Tales from Italian Clerkenwell. Excellent - I've had my eye on that for a while. Then I'm back to Ireland for the weekend again.

And on the 12th, London Dramatic Arts is at Caroline, or Change, at Hampstead Theatre. As usual, too expensive for me, and I got my own ticket, at about half the price. She's only going with one unnamed guest - maybe she won't go at all!

Circus: La Soirée

Tonight, my annual trip to La Soirée! "Posh new venue", as they say - they're now in the Aldwych Theatre. Cheapest tickets at Amazon tickets - you save on the booking fee. I see they now have a family-friendly version - La Petite Soirée! Anyway, I was thrilled to be seeing this again - and wouldn't you know it, Up in the Cheap Seats today advertised a trip to see it next month! I passed - I'm doing something that night anyway. But it turns out that the organiser of that outing goes every year, just like me. Well, great minds..

So, down I schlepped - another 8pm start, so plenty of time. Boy, Drury Lane takes forever to walk down though - you forget how long it is. Finally, there was the theatre, at the end, on the right. Circus music playing in the lobby when we went in - and how Christmassy it is!

I went to collect my ticket - and wouldn't you know, I'd been upgraded again! Yet another good reason to buy the cheap tickets - if it's not especially busy, they close the upper levels. I found myself - tan-ta-ra! in the stalls! And they gave me a wristband - an usher helped me to put it on. Mine was green - I also noticed red ones, which turned out to be for the folding seats that had replaced the theatre-style seats in the front stalls - green was for the remaining theatre seats at the back.

In my book, I got the better of it - the view was perfect, apart from the bits that happen close to the stage, for which you'd need to be ringside anyway. And you have less chance of being hit by flying bits of banana - if you don't know, don't ask! Besides, I've done the close-to-the-stage thing. Anyway, I have to say, they managed to retain that big-top atmosphere, even in this most ornate theatre. Now, the posher the seat you get, the more you get interacted with - so you'd better be prepared for it. Where I was sitting, we got flashed. Multiple times, at close quarters. People closer to the stage are liable to be pulled onstage - and interfered with. Or play a small part in the show. The most expensive seats are onstage, at cafe-style tables. Where the audience is looking your way all the time - even when you're not playing an integral part in the show! That happens a lot - they do want you to get your money's worth. A young couple beside me actually got pulled to ringside - obviously there was space, and he figured they looked like they'd play along!

Some old favourites. Apart from the pair with the bananas, we had Amy G, who does have a spectacular voice, quite apart from all the clowning around. But oh, such spectacular new arrivals! Highlights include Cabaret Décadanse, with an incredible puppet act; they hail from Montréal, practically the home of circus these days. And were followed by a truly jaw-dropping (I'm running out of adjectives..) duo from Mumbai, who wriggled up and down a wooden pole in ways that looked positively painful. (Apparently, mallakhamb is actually a sport!} There was one aerialist, contorting on a hoop, whose costume made her look as though she was naked, with liquid gold running down her body..

Spectacular, and frequently hilarious stuff - and throughout, the most fantastic, rock soundtrack. I want to scream from the rooftops how good this show is! Go see, go see. Runs until the 3rd of February - apparently, at the moment, tickets are available from £10 in the Get Into London Theatre New Year Sale. They gave out free programmes as we were leaving - and in them is a flier, with a discount code giving £5 off weekday shows (not Grand Circle or Posh tickets), not from next week till the end of the month. TELLURFRIEND. Worth a try.

Tomorrow sees our office Christmas party! Mercifully, I found out it's not black tie this year - didn't have to buy a new outfit, then! It's at Bounce - a pub with ping pong tables, wouldya believe?! We have a private room, with three such tables and a karaoke machine. I foresee a noisy night..!

I can't stay long though - have to be at Stansted at 6 on Thursday morning, for a trip to Nuremberg Christmas market with London European Club! We'll also be doing some travelling in the area. Helen liked the sound of it, and is coming too: sadly, not my Crick Crack friend, who can't swing the holiday time. We'll have a ball though! I just bought Lonely Planet's chapter on Bavaria, downloaded it, and have shared it with her - isn't it handy how you can buy individual chapters? Mercifully, although the crazy woman was supposed to go on this, she's pulled out. So, the plan is to stay in the new place, tomorrow night..

Back late on Sunday, and on Monday - having taken the day off work (I'll be exhausted) - I'm off to the Barbershop Chronicles. At the National. Mind you, I've suggested this as an alternative for Mary - we'll see.

Next Tuesday, I booked a Funzing talk - Interviews With a Serial Killer, courtesy of London Speaks Sessions and LDN Talks @ Night. For which, with their new loyalty scheme, I earned £10 credit! Not so shabby.. But it's not very Christmassy, all the same, and I subsequently booked an evening at Keats House, with London Social Detours. Where we'll be exploring Christmas in the Romantic era - ahh!

On the 13th, my last visit of the year to Sands Films - finally advertised on Meetup, through the World Music Meetup, TunedIn London has a concert by Plastikes Karekles, a Greek group. However, the friend I've been persuading to go to the Crick Crack events has suggested that night for a nostalgic trip, by some of us, to Top Secret - I would rather do that, so we'll see whether we can get it together!

On the 14th, my friends who came to Soho a while ago are headed to Wilton's Music Hall, for something called The Box of Delights. And for once, I'm letting them decide for me, and am going myself too.

On the 15th, my final trip of the year to the Crick Crack Club - Jan Blake is performing Masters of Hex at the British Library. Along with Ben Haggerty and TUUP. Same friend going with me as on the 29th, and Helen too - and the same lunatic. Who will probably avoid us, and good enough for her. Next day, I'm back to Ireland for Christmas.

Flying back to London on the 2nd of January, and on the 3rd I've booked to see Stewart Lee at Leicester Square Theatre. Determinedly not in the front two rows - not for a comedy show!

On the 4th of January, I'm back with Up in the Cheap Seats (Happy New Year to them!), who are off to see Hanna, at the Arcola.

On the 5th of January, I thought Time Out threw me a curiously interesting event - so I'm going on this Space Descent VR experience, at the Science Museum. I'll have to leave work early for it - there are timed slots, and it consists of wearing goggles, and living the experience of a descent to earth, with the astronaut Tim Peake narrating in your ears.

On the 6th of January, Crick Crack is back! Happy New Year to them too. The story of When Time Began is being told at King's Place. Creation myths. And wouldn't you know it, we're being treated to a host of performers - the husband and wife team, Emily and Nick Hennessy, and co-founder of the club, the amazing Ben Haggerty. Accompaniment provided by the wonderful musician, Sheema Mukherjee.

On the 7th of January, another Happy new Year - this time to Let's Do This, who are off to an art exhibition. Gilbert & George: the Beard Pictures and their Fuckosophy. Sorry, but that is the title. Showing at the White Cube Gallery. Honestly, but for the group that's hosting, I wouldn't bother..

And finally, more art on the 8th of January, which I'll probably enjoy more. I'm taking the day off to go see Reflections at the National Gallery - an exhibition of Pre-Raphaelites, which, with a free day, I can peruse at my leisure. As inspired by a walk by the excellent London Literary Walks - roll on the summer, and a return of those!

Play: Apologia

Tonight, I finally got to see Apologia, at Trafalgar Studios - London Dramatic Arts was going to this a while ago, but it was far too expensive on that occasion. Well, that's what you get for having Stockard Channing and Laura Carmichael in it! Amazon Tickets again provided the cheapest - what you don't save on ticket prices themselves, you do save on a whopping online transaction fee.

Our late meeting didn't go on that late, and the office is a short walk from the theatre anyway - how I'll miss that when we move! I can console myself with every show I go to locally in the meantime. Hell, I passed two on the way that I'm already booked for. Anyway, I didn't need directions for this - although it's been a while, I have been here several times. Got there in good time, picked up my ticket at the box office - where he apologised sympathetically for Stockard Channing being indisposed this evening, her role being played by an understudy. This didn't come as too much of a shock - I'd just been reading it on a notice while he was hunting down my ticket.

The usher had a sign advertising a very good value offer - a drink, ice cream, and a programme for £7.50! The programme on its own would have cost £4.. she didn't take cards, but the kiosk just inside the door did, and was doing the same deal. And yes, the drink could be wine, which could be taken in. She gave me a voucher for the ice cream, which I could present at the interval - I figured I wouldn't fancy it all at once. So, I made my way in - had forgotten all the stairs you have to climb here, and gee, I would be right in the back row. Which meant more climbing. Anyway, I'd just settled myself - and remarked to myself how the stage looked like a doll's house - when another usher came along and asked me whether I'd like to move down. Eh, ok. And so I moved from Row R.. all the way down to Row F! Not so bad.. You do miss a tiny bit of the left of the stage, but nothing worth mentioning.

So. A family drama, Stockard Channing (usually) as the matriarch, the clan descending for her birthday. Laura Carmichael plays the girlfriend of one of her two sons. As well as them, her other son's girlfriend and a longtime friend of hers, Desmond Barrit. And her other son - who's gone off the rails - might - show up.

It's a very well-written play. And the part is obviously perfect for Stockard Channing, as the bitchy and sarcastic mother. Over the course of the play, characters turn into something we weren't expecting, and there's a nice resolution.. it wasn't until I read my good-value programme that I realised that it was a comment on the idealism of the 60s, and how that panned out: some forsaking it for capitalism and greed, some truly espousing its aims and living by them. There's a most excellent essay on the subject in that programme, which I really recommend getting. Of course, this relates to the choices that Stockard Channing has made along the way. Unfortunately, that understudy is completely wrong for the part, playing it quite flatly, especially in the first act.

What the hey, hopefully Stockard Channing will be back on form before long - and I really recommend this. Runs till the 18th. Awesome music of the 60s and 70s plays at the interval.. oh, and if you were wondering, it's pronounced "Apol-OH-gia", and means a justification or defence of one's actions, rather than an "apology". You live and learn..

I'm hoping for a nicely scary Hallowe'en.. when I heard that they were doing the first-ever stage production of The Exorcist - and what's more, it's on in the Phoenix Theatre, right behind the office.. well, that was fate, wasn't it?! I jumped to get a ticket for that, as soon as they went on sale - after all, Hallowe'en has to be its most popular night! Jenny Seagrove plays the mother of the demonically possessed teen..

Musical: Dreamgirls

Tonight, I finally went to see Dreamgirls, at the Savoy, courtesy of Amazon Tickets. This much-advertised show has been in my emails for a long time.. so, about time! Well, the theatre is - as usual for the West End - only a short walk from the office. Which means I left it tight! With the show starting at 7:30, it was after 7 by the time I called a halt to work, changed into something a bit sparklier, and galloped out of the office. It was just their misfortune that a couple of American-sounding tourists waylaid me, asking for directions for the Dominion Theatre, at that point. Flustered, I thought to myself - I know that! I do, indeed, pass it every day.. unfortunately, at that moment, what I associated it with in my head was the one showing Motown - the Musical. Which is how I came to wave them off, most definitively, in the wrong direction. Oops! Felt bad about that for ages.. if they'd only mentioned which show they were hurrying to, I'd have had no problem! I do hope they made it..

Me, I nearly twisted an ankle on all the bloody cobblestones around Seven Dials and Covent Garden - most vexatious when you're in a hurry. Very pretty, very hard on the feet. The theatre isn't really hard to find - head first for the sparkly sign advertising the show, then head down the alley to the hotel - the theatre entrance is just to the right of the hotel entrance. I was delighted to make it just on the stroke of 7:30, and more delighted to see a long queue making their way in - I'd get in now, for sure. My ticket, at this late hour, was swiftly dispensed - and an usher immediately asked to see it, then led me through a code-protected side entrance to the Grand Circle, which I was relieved to find is at ground level - it's been a while, I'd forgotten. Anyway, she said they weren't too busy, so I could sit wherever. So, I sat a couple of rows further down, and in front of the restrictive safety rail. I was just about settled by the time the show started.

Well now, this is the musical that everyone denies is based on the story of Diana Ross and The Supremes. Probably because they don't want to be sued. No, this is the story, not of Diana, but of Deenah, and the fact that most of it also happened to Diana is purely fiction. I'm sure. Anyhow, it's an engaging story of a young, black, female trio that come to fame in the 60s, and how their lives and careers progress.

The music isn't quite as toe-tappingly amazing as the aforementioned Motown - the Musical (maybe the similarity in the shows is why it'd been on my mind), but it's very enjoyable. The dancing of one "Jimmy Early" (Adam J. Bernard) is absolutely stunning, and he was the second-most popular star of the evening. The costumes and sets get more elaborate as the show goes on, and are every bit as sparkly and spectacular as the sign outside. (Expect flashing lights and lots and lots of glitter!) But - if you go for any reason, go for the amazing singing of "Effie White". Played by three different actors - see the cast list for more information, I think we had Amber Riley, but I may be wrong) - and I'm not surprised, I was wondering how one woman could do such damage to her throat every night! Whichever it was, she was utterly spectacular - one of those that you watch open-mouthed. Wow. And a nightly standing ovation is well deserved. Booking till February - highly recommended. Not least for their 5* "ordertorium"service to your seat at the interval - no extra charge - where you can order food and merchandise! 'Twas the only way I could order an ice cream - I didn't have cash - and it was worth the slight wait, for that creamy Losely ice cream..

On the way back through Covent Garden, passed a busker who could have taken a role in the show, she was so good. Gotta love the West End! Tomorrow, I was back with the Scarlet Ladies for a talk on Generation Sex. Until Let's Do This advertised a concert that sounds really good.. at the Apples & Pears Bar. Hey, I do allow myself to change if something sounds better.. and as I say, the Scarlet Ladies are not my kind of ladies. In fact, I've finally left that group. Talk about not taking no for an answer though - I actually got an email from them this morning about tomorrow's event, despite having both changed my RSVP for it, and actually left the group! I've now blocked their emails - hope that works.

On Wednesday, I'm with another new group - North London Friends - for an interview with Michael Palin, at the Knowledge Centre Theatre at the British Library. I was really torn, though - the London European Club is off to an early music concert the same night, and I do love that - but had already booked this, and it is Michael Palin. Hey-ho..

On Thursday, I was back with North London Friends, and another talk on Fake News - different speaker, mind! This is the Fulbright Commission annual lecture, at the British Library. However, much more attractively, Let's Do This are reviving what used to be a regular Man with the Hat event - we're off to St. Martin-in-the-Fields, for some Vivaldi concertos. With a discount, yet! London Concertante, as usual.

On Friday, until the other day I was still technically booked for free comedy in Hammersmith with DiscoverLDN.UK. But, as I say - good atmosphere, but the comedy is usually pretty bad. I was saved - again - by Up in the Cheap Seats, who are off to see Doubt, a Parable, in Southwark Playhouse. Aww.. it's so long since I was there, and I have so many good memories of it from my time with the Man with the Hat!

On Saturday, Helen and I have our 25km sponsored walk, in aid of Haslemere's Cat Protection Society. We're going as Dick Whittington and his cat, respectively, and the route is the Thames Bridges Trek. You can donate here.. Got a pair of Skechers Go Walk 4s last week, woo! Dying to try them out on the walk.

Which will tire me out nicely, just in time for my flight to Prague on Sunday morning! I'm at a conference there, Sunday to Tuesday. (What a nice company I work for!) Gee, but I love Prague - most beautiful city I've ever seen, and I've seen a few. They're putting me up at a nice hotel too, just down the road.

So, I fly back on the 12th September, and on the 13th I'm back with Up in the Cheap Seats, at Sadler's Wells, for the Hofesh Schechter Company grand finale.

On the 14th September, I was at another talk with Walks, Talks and Treasure Hunts - this one, at Southwark Cathedral, is about the River Effra, South London's Secret Spine. Another free Eventbrite event, this is to publicise a book about the subject, and the talk is again given by the author. Another thing that had no tickets, then it did (no notification)! Now I've changed though, and will be off with Up in the Cheap Seats to Loot, at the Park Theatre. Got the last £20 ticket, yay! Then I'm back to Ireland for the weekend again.

On the 18th September, I was off to Showstopper! at the Lyric. Ticket courtesy of From the Box Office again. I have actually seen this before - but, being an improvised musical, it literally is different every time! But you'll never guess - the Crick Crack Club finally announced their autumn schedule recently, and now, that night, I'm off to Eaten Father, Eaten Mother by Ben Haggerty. In Soho Theatre, first time in ages.

On the 19th September, I was back with the Scarlet Ladies, for a talk entitled 100 Women - Their Breasts, Their Stories. No longer, of course - now I'm joining London Science Talks and Museums Meetup for a talk at the Alan Turing Institute about the future of data in public life. Most pertinent, given the talk I was at on Thursday.

On the 20th September, Funzing (London Speaks Sessions and LDN Talks @ Night, as usual) and Jennifer Rees again - this time, a fun talk about the Psychology of Batman Villains! The first of hers for which I managed to get a 30% discount.. and it's on nice and close to me again. Seems to be a feature of her talks!

On the 21st September, it was free comedy in Hammersmith - with Free Comedy Nights in Hammersmith, Wimbledon and Greenwich, Random London, and DiscoverLDN.UK. But yay, I have my alternative at last! Going to some comedy I have to pay for, which will probably be better. Mae Martin is at Soho Theatre. Advertised by a group called Moxie Ladies.. good luck to them, but as they charge extra, I'm going solo.

And on the 22nd September, the same free comedy - with DiscoverLDN.UK. I rather doubt it though - don't you?

On the 23rd September, I was to do the same, but am now headed to the launch of Rob Luft's new album, Riser, at King's Place. As advertised by The London Jazz Meetup. I finally ended up paying their membership fee after booking an event with them the other day, for November, which someone is attending that I know. So I figured it was wiser!

I had booked the same free comedy, with the same group, on the 24th September, but was again saved - this time, by the World Music Meetup! They're off to see Kefaya, in Nell's Jazz and Blues bar, back in my old stomping ground of North End Road! Happy days, when I was working there..

On the 25th September, a group called Theatre and Stuff is off to see Prism, at Hampstead Theatre. They're charging extra to go with them, though - so I happily bought my own ticket. What the hey, odds are I won't know any of them anyway.

On the 26th September, I'm back with Up in the Cheap Seats - to see Wings, at The Young Vic. Accidentally booked standing, I think.. :-/

On the 27th September, with Up in the Cheap Seats again - for Jekyll & Hyde, presented by the National Youth Theatre, at the Ambassadors Theatre.

On the 28th September, with another new group: London, Surrey and Beyond.. for an event called "A Unique Experience. Olde Pub, Gerry's Private Club, 2 'i's Famous Fish 'n' Chips". Which says it all, really! Then it's back to Ireland for the weekend again.

On the 2nd October, I had booked at Hampstead Theatre, for No One Will Tell Me How to Start a Revolution. North London Friends are attending - and charging extra, so I was going it alone! But now it turns out I'm spending the week in the Stockholm office - back on the 8th.

On the 3rd October, it was free comedy in Hammersmith - nominally. With Free Comedy Nights in Hammersmith, Wimbledon and Greenwich. So, that was easy to cancel, for Stockholm!

On the 4th October was Up in the Cheap Seats and Labour of Love, with Martin Freeman, at the Noel Coward Theatre. Cheapest tickets from the venue, for once!

On the 5th October, same group - headed to see the Company Wayne McGregor, at Sadler's Wells.

And finally! on the 6th October, headed to see Chekhov's The Seagull, at the Lyric. Third night in a row for that group - almost as busy a group as I am a person! So, four things in all I had to cancel, without refund.. what the hey, I'll doubtless be saving money in Stockholm! Expenses paid, after all.

On the 9th October, I'm finally going to see the show so many people have asked me whether I'm seeing. Ink is showing at the Duke of York's Theatre. 

And on the 10th October, I'm back with Up in the Cheap Seats for Ballet Boyz at Sadler's Wells.

Play: The Mentor

Tonight, London Dramatic Arts was off to see The Mentor, at the Vaudeville Theatre. Expensively, as usual - but a bargain if you want to sit in the front stalls, which they got for £35. I went as well - for less than £20, courtesy of Amazon Tickets. Sat in the Grand Circle, I figured I should be able to avoid them - well, they don't approve of members buying separate tickets!

Google Maps predicted I'd need all of 11 minutes to walk there from the office. I left a little extra time, of course, but was still rushing - oh, my poor ankles! And oh, how I cursed the school groups, and the tourists, and the crowds clustered outside pubs, as I wended my way around them and through the maze of streets of the West End. It didn't help that Google Maps was sending me down a non-existent alley - never mind, I made the theatre pretty much on the dot, and of course they always do start late.

Obligatory bag check outside, even though I'd only brought a teeny weeny evening bag - "Oh, what a lovely little bag!", she exclaimed, taking a cursory look inside. Still had to go through the palaver, of course. A quick stop at the box office to get my ticket - they don't mind too much about id checks when you're pushing the limit of punctuality - and up the stairs. Was just looking for the way up to the Grand Circle when an usher hailed me, and told me to come over to him. I was hoping for an upgrade.. yep! One level lower, so fewer steps, yay.. I ended up in the Dress Circle - an aisle seat, although legroom was fine anyway - and I don't know what the official price was on this last night of previews, but as of tomorrow, that seat costs £52. And that level was only half full..

I had time enough to settle myself nicely before we began - no need for applause, it was provided for us! The show opens with a young(-ish) writer receiving an award, named for an older mentor; most of the rest of the story is told as a flashback to when they stayed at the same villa, as part of a mentoring programme, the older writer (F. Murray Abraham) giving guidance to the younger. But in a play about writers (written, of course, by another writer), how can we be sure how much to believe of the story we're being spun..?

Fabulously witty, frequently hilarious. I loved this. A lovely couple of scenes illustrate how both youth and age can be obnoxious, demanding and throwing hissy fits, and a hapless employee is made to dance attendance to the side, patently not part of the great circle of Artists. And as the story progresses, we become unsure what the purpose of the story even is. The twist in the tale..? Absolutely delicious. Yes, definitely recommended - runs until 2 September: but do shop around for tickets.

No interval - love that, although I bet the theatres don't, with less chance to sell us things. Nice and swiftly out, and didn't run into anyone I knew. Some bemusement on the way back, as Google Maps was sending me down non-existent alleys again - but despite still having to steer around crowds of people, it was a more relaxed trip. Still nice and warm out, too.

Tomorrow, I cancelled more free comedy in Hammersmith (Free Comedy Nights in Hammersmith, Wimbledon and Greenwich, Random London, Hammersmith & Fulham Friends, London Live Comedy, and Discover LDN.UK) for another Funzing talk - The Psychology of Dreams. As advertised by London Speaks Sessions and LDN Talks @ Night. (As ever, WELLBEING30 was still giving 30% off most talks, last I looked.)

On Wednesday, back with the London European Club, for a concert of Greek music at Sands Films. Looking forward to that - I love the venue, but haven't fancied the last couple of concerts they've had there.

On Thursday, I was booked for free comedy in Hammersmith (!) with Free Comedy Nights in Hammersmith, Wimbledon and Greenwich, Random London, London Live Comedy, Hammersmith & Fulham Friends, and Discover LDN.UK. Did you think I'd actually go? ;-) Well, I'm not - but the reason is an unusual one. My new company is very nice indeed - and they have an annual volunteering day: gardening. I hate gardening. And it's that day. For the whole day, they're at it. And last Monday, the office manager kindly informed us that it was compulsory unless we were on holiday. Huh! Well now, I hate being told what to do. So I've suddenly decided to be on holiday that day - and as it's a Thursday, the next too. Helen has suggested we get last-minute, half-price, day tickets for Death of a Salesman at the Yvonne Arnaud Theatre on Friday - sounds like a plan!

Then comes a weekend I've been looking forward to for a while. Long-anticipated, the European leg of U2's 30th anniversary tour of The Joshua Tree kicks off in Twickenham on Saturday and Sunday. 'Mare of a place to see them - after I saw them there in 2005, I swore - never again. Happily, I now know someone living down that direction! :-) Helen is also coming with me to the first concert, and I'm staying with her for the weekend (now starting on Thursday, as she kindly offered). Which sorts transport for the first night - she'll drive. The second night, I'll head back by bus - the train is an absolute nightmare. Anyway, this would have been a weekend in Ireland - hence the trips back two weekends in a row, preceding it.

Next Monday, nothing had been appealing - until I tried the app again, and came across a Meetup group called, attractively, Let's Do This! Quite new - anyway, they have organised a trip to see La Voix Humaine, a 40-minute solo opera, performed in English by Opera Up Close. It's in King's Place, which I love. I'd already found it by the time the Man with the Hat took us there, but it was with him I went the last two times: so this'll be bittersweet. Lordy if I didn't then discover that it's co-run by a couple of the Man with the Hat's old members! So of course I'm going. Great to see the Man with the Hat has left a classical legacy - there are very few Meetup groups doing this sort of thing. And at a discount, yet!

The 11th started out with yet more free comedy in Hammersmith - the same five groups. But then Funzing (the same two groups) rocked up and saved me, with a talk on Blitzed - Drugs in Nazi Germany. Has to be better, frankly.

The 12th, I'm currently still looking at free comedy in Greenwich, with London Live Comedy, Free Comedy Nights in Hammersmith, Wimbledon and Greenwich, and Random London.

The 13th, more of the same - in Hammersmith - with the Famous Five (aforementioned) groups - Discover LDN.UK twice, as before. At least the headliner that night is John Hastings, who's guaranteed to be good - and it's a lovely, small venue to see him in. Then it's back to Ireland for the weekend.

On the 17th, more comedy - for £3.60, this time. Tez Ilyas is performing at the Pleasaunce, and I know he's good - saw him in Top Secret once, for free..

The 18th, the U2 tour continues - I fly to Barcelona that day, to see them that night! One of their crazy, one-night-only appearances, on what is a very limited tour. Turns out I'm seeing them at half of all their European concerts for the year!

I fly back on the 19th, and that night am - provisionally - booked for more free comedy (quelle surprise). Greenwich, the above three groups. There are some interesting Funzing talks that night, but I've already seen them.

The 20th, I booked another Funzing talk (the above two groups). This is a talk about serial killers, as given by a forensic psychologist that works with the police, and who also gives terrific talks about psychopaths. Highly recommended! She's a terrifically engaging speaker, and looks far too young to be working in such a murky area. Unfortunately, now I've had to cancel - turns out that the much-anticipated first Meetup of the Man with the Hat's other ex-members' group, Love London for Less, is happening that night, so of course I'm headed to that - we're going to the Icebar, where I've never been. Should be interesting. Just a pity the only other instance of that talk I'm missing is sold out - I've added myself to the watchlist.

Then I'm back to Ireland for a long weekend - first to Dublin (from London City airport, a first for me), for U2's (one-and-only!) concert there.. then down to see my mother for a couple of days, flying back on Tuesday. On the Wednesday.. and Thursday.. free comedy!! First Greenwich, then Hammersmith - the usual groups, on both occasions.

So, that brings us to Friday 28th July, and it's off to Amsterdam, for my final two U2 concerts of the year (sniff). On Saturday and Sunday. Really, you have no idea of the organisation that went into all of this, back in January..!