Avocado Presents: An Improvised Play

Tonight, back with Watch Improv & Chat Comedy for Avocado Presents: An Improvised Play, in Baron's Court Theatre. Easily known the main group is back from their holidays - you now have to pay for this! and the discount code advertised on the event page has expired, grr..

The last time I was there, and waiting in the Curtains Up pub upstairs, I noted that they served food, and said I must try it next time. So I did - actually left very early, as I had to post something for my mother, was hungry already, and decided to head straight out there. Tube, as usual - and Piccadilly Line, not only because it was direct and I'd have to change with the other route option, but the other option also included the District Line, which was, apparently, experiencing severe delays. Again, managed to get a seat - well, I just about beat rush hour.

Alighted in Baron's Court - to a curtain of rain. Mind you, it had pretty much stopped by the time I left the station.. so I made my way to the pub. Now, earlier in the day, I'd caught the news that the Queen's children, along with the Duchess of Cornwall and the Duke of Cambridge, had assembled in Balmoral - which couldn't be a good sign. They had the BBC news on both tvs when I went in - the sound was down, but seeing how engrossed I was in it, the barman kindly turned it up for me.

'Tis a dog-friendly pub indeed - although this little chap got a terrible barking-at from another, woolier creature when he came in. So the humans are friendlier to the dogs than the dogs are to each other, sometimes. Meantime, I was having food - none of which I shared with them! Burger, steak or fish. Burger or steak.. well now, there's a saying about that. So, hang the price, I had steak. Let's say it was in Her Majesty's honour.

I had a nice little table, with a good view of the telly. And while we all waited, watching the crowds outside Buckingham Palace, watching the closed gates of Balmoral - I chatted things royal with someone on the phone. And had an exceedingly good steak, yum! with a coating of garlic butter, and lovely, presalted chips. And some of their tasty Marlborough sauvignon blanc. And visited the loo, which is exceedingly decorated - and as someone in there remarked, with my red top, I matched the decor!

I had hours to kill - the show wasn't starting till 9. So I also had dessert - they didn't have chocolate ice cream, so I had salted caramel - which was quite nice!

But the news was to keep me occupied for longer:

Truly historic. 70 years, she was on the throne - longer than most people have been alive. Longer than anyone else was on this throne. She lived longer, and travelled more, than any of the others too. The world has changed so much during her reign. As people were saying, we'll never again see a reigning queen, or anyone rule so long, in our lifetime. RIP Lizzie, you were much-loved.

On another note - hold on to your hats. The British do nothing so well as pomp and ceremony, and there is no more ceremonious occasion than what's happening now. This will be interesting.

I did wonder when on earth the improv was going to start - I nipped downstairs to take a look at five to, but the door was still closed. So it was a bit after 9 when they let us in. Checked my name off a list, and I chose a seat. It wasn't hard - unlike the last time I was here (when it was actually free), there were plenty of seats; they'd attracted an audience of about six. Three had signed up through the Meetup group..

So, I remembered the two guys, and they had two chairs. However, no audience interaction.. was it because the audience was so pitiably small? Well now, the whole thing fell a bit flat. With cued music, I had to wonder - how improvised was this, really? and if it was actually rehearsed, jeez, it should have been better. I sat stone-faced, wishing there weren't people on either end of my row, preventing an early escape. I fairly ran out of there when they finally ended. Have now left the group - I won't be going back to their shows. Pity - the pub is a good one.

Back at the station, they were on the ball:

Tomorrow, the best thing coming up was Clorinda Agonistes ("the warrior") - a mixture of dance, opera, and film, courtesy of Sadlers Wells. Based on an opera by Monteverdi, it's the story of a female Saracen warrior, Clorinda, who loves a Crusader, in Jerusalem, back in the day. Which sounds like it'll have a particular resonance for me, as I've just finished reading a book about the Queens of Jerusalem, which concerns itself with this period. Anyway, this is advertised by Up in the Cheap Seats. (And it beggars belief that Meetup consistently refuses to advertise their stuff to me, considering how often I've attended their events!)

Anyway, again, I wanted to use my theatre token from Seatplan. Again, this is one of the venues that don't accept them online - so I had to ring the box office to book. Unfortunately, the box office has opening hours - and again, I couldn't get organised to ring during office hours. So I finally gave up, and booked without use of a token. Again. At least I got my favourite seat, all on its own to the side - "restricted view" because of a teeny rail in your line of vision. Mind you, when I booked, the entire back of the second circle was free - so I might have half the theatre to myself!

On Saturday, back with Laurence Summers and the 45+ Not Grumpy Old Londoners. This time, it's a tour of The Backstreets of Islington! Lovely, my neck of the woods - in fact, this is a walk I can walk to. And Helen is coming! Which will be nice, and the first time in ages I'll have seen her.

And on Sunday, Cultureseekers is heading to Open House London - which used to run over a weekend, and has turned into a fortnight-long extravaganza! This festival, which started today, allows access to buildings you normally can't see. They're off to the Banqueting House, which I've never seen, and the Royal Opera House, which I have - including on a backstage tour. Just before the world went into lockdown. So, I fancy the Banqueting House - but I don't fancy accompanying this group, which currently numbers 202 attendees! I'll go on my own, thanks - in fact, I'll be trying to avoid this humungous group, who will be there from 1-2.30 approximately. You have been warned.

Kid Smokers Improv

Tonight, I booked a free ticket with an improv group called Kid Smokers Improv! at Barons Court Theatre. (It's Pay What You Can, actually.) They're actually stepping in while Avocado Presents takes a summer holiday - they have a residency here, now. Anyway, I've seen Avocado Presents before, and they're excellent - so I figured I'd give these people a shot! Avocado Presents, interestingly, have a Meetup group now - Watch Improv & Chat Comedy! which I've also just joined.

I was delighted it wasn't on until late, the day was so hot and clammy - thinking about where to eat, I couldn't see anything much around the theatre, so decided to head to O' Neill's en route. My usual table was free. My usual table was also wet. And when I looked closer, it was soaking.. and when I sniffed what was dripping on my clothes, it had the distinct whiff of beer (I'm not a sufficient conoisseuse to tell which!). Eww - it was as though, not a single beer, but a barrel of the stuff had been poured on the table! I sat elsewhere. Apart from that, I was well fed.

This far out, it had to be Tube - and wow, was that unpleasantly hot and sweaty. It's so long since I was out this way - the nostalgia came flooding back. I mainly know Barons Court Station from when I was living in West Kensington, and flying to / from Heathrow, and the Tube from the airport dropped me here - I'd then get a District Line, or just walk, if it wasn't due for a while. Anyway, this evening's walk took me through a pleasant residential neighbourhood, to the Curtain's Up pub - the theatre is in the basement.

I was early, and asked for a savignon blanc - dead impressed when the lady behind the bar asked whether I'd prefer one from New Zealand or Chile! Browsing the food menus, of course it occurred to me that I ought to have given this place a try for dinner - never mind, perhaps I'll be back.

I sat myself opposite the door that said "Theatre", and waited. I moved when I saw some folks headed downstairs - but they turned out to be members of the improv group! So I finished my drink upstairs again, and waited until the man stood in the doorway and bellowed that the house was now open, and no tickets were required..

Open seating - a small space, which was nearly full by the time the show started:

Four people in the troupe, two chairs as props. As one of them explained, the format would be that they would chat a bit with someone from the audience, then use elements from that conversation to improvise a sketch. Now, wouldn't you know it - practically the entire audiemce was packed with drama students! And as luck would have it.. their chosen interviewee for the first part was.. a builder from Cork. You couldn't make it up. (It's such a cliche, Irishmen coming over to work on London building sites - many of which are Irish-owned, too.) Kudos to the chap doing the asking, who remembered that Roy Keane was from there ("my favourite combative midfielder..").

Now, I remember watching improv years ago, which - not to put too fine a point on it - was s***e. My, how it's improved - two people per sketch, and if one of the "subs" thinks they can add something more, they tap the person they want to replace, and they're off on a different tangent. No matter what storyline they follow, they're always trying to draw elements of the initial conversation with the audience member into it. What we saw on this small stage tonight was some brilliant, on-the-spot development of a scenario, of characters, thinking on their feet.. stunning improv ability. At least to me, who couldn't improvise my way out of a paper bag! Very highly recommended.

Tomorrow, I booked for the Sweeney Todd, the Demon Barber of Fleet Street Tour with Poppy's Events for 40s 50s and 60s, another new group to me. But Laurence and the 45+ Not Grumpy Old Londoners have a walk that day as well - the Strange Tales of Old (and New) London Tour. And with one company I applied to having rejected me, and the other saying they won't let me know before that day - I'll be free. So now I'm going on this instead - don't fancy doing both, although I could. And, of course, we're headed to the pub after. Being mindful of the heat, of course.. it's supposed to be a scorcher.

On Saturday, I'm off to see The Ehrlich Brothers, a magic show at the Wembley Arena. This is with Friendly Frolickers 50+ Meetup Group - so I've joined them as well. I was - as often happens - rather frazzled when I booked though, and completely forgot that they have their own, discounted tickets! Blast - they do this specifically so that they can sit together. Well, I've booked my own - more expensively - and explained. Can't be helped. Oh, and again, CT now has tickets for that very day..

On Sunday, I booked with the 45+s again - but not with Laurence this time! They do have walks guided by other people, and this one is of Brick Lane. Except.. today I noticed it's also on TAC. So I've now cancelled my original booking, and booked through them instead (cheaper). Oh, how mercenary of me.. but the guide was the one who decided to advertise it there as well!

For Monday, I finally gave up on Meetup - the best things coming up were walks, and it's supposed to rain. Instead, I'm headed with TAC to a show called Mediocre White Male, at the King's Head (another place I haven't been to in years!).

On Tuesday, back with Civilised London - for a Syrian meal this time, at Imad's Syrian Kitchen. Meeting beforehand at The Clachan.

And on Wednesday - well, I've signed up with Soho Comedy Factory Shows and Socials, which organises free events on Wednesdays at the aforementioned Soho Comedy Factory. Again. And again, this is subject to change. Watch this space..

Play: A Report to an Academy

We've got a colleague visiting from abroad today and tomorrow, so I left these days free, although I'm keeping an eye on what's on, in case she's interested. Mercifully, it's a lot cooler today. Well, despite me having a late meeting, it didn't run on very long, and I was out before my colleagues left. I know, because I saw them leave.. walking right past me, nary a glance in my direction. Charitably, I'm assuming they hadn't noticed I was there, packing up.

Well, that was me at a loose end, then.. happily, I'm very good at dealing with that. Nothing on Meetup, predictably, but my £3.60 club had a few things, and I decided on a Kafka play, A Report to an Academy, which was on in Baron's Court Theatre. Handily, since I'd left it so late to book, they were giving the tickets away for free! They are for tomorrow night as well, already. Time was, I'd have been walking distance from there.. Now, though, buses would take too long, so I Tubed it, there and back. Many thanks, too, to the lady who tapped me insistently to let my know I'd dropped my Oyster card on the way in, and hand it back to me - I'd never have found it, in that crush!

Oh, the smell in King's Cross, where I had to change.. I don't miss taking the Tube regularly. At least it was easy to get a seat on the Piccadilly Line, this far east. I finally disembarked at Baron's Court station, from where it's a short walk to the theatre. Oh, I miss living out here, when I worked in a friendlier office. Anyway, turns out the theatre is in The Curtain's Up! Used to be one of our local pubs, in that office. Well, unusually, here the theatre is downstairs - the box office is actually in the theatre, and unless the theatre door is open, the house isn't. I found this out the hard way, walking in on a last-minute rehearsal. Never mind, she was sweet about it!

So I went back upstairs, had a glass of wine. Careful with that, by the way - the wine list is quite large, and you could end up ordering something much more expensive by mistake. They do food, but I couldn't see anything quick. I'd finished my wine by five minutes before showtime, and as I headed down again, they were just opening up. The nice man checked off my name, and I took a seat - open, cinema-style seating. A perky young lady loitered around the place, sporting a top hat.

It's a cast of two - turned out to be half the size of the audience, so I was glad I'd come, to swell the numbers. The story concerns an ape that was captured, and figured out its best route forward was to act as human as possible - and the finale comes with a presentation by said ape to us "an academy". They swap the top hat between them - whichever has it is the teacher, the other the ape. The moral of the story seems to be the point that the ape doesn't remember anything about being an ape, and has reinvented itself to suit its new reality - you could apply this analogy to any group of people who adapt to new circumstances, forgetting their former selves in the process.

It's really well performed, quite engaging. Minimal, friendly audience interaction. I think the reason for the poor attendance might be the price - I'm glad I got it for free, considering that full price is £12! which would be fine, except that the performance only lasts half an hour. For goodness' sake, I've been to hour-long performances that only cost £10. They need to drop the price on this considerably. Anyway, runs till Sunday. And so home, with the nearest supermarket being Marks & Spencer, five minutes from closing. No wonder they're not doing good business - they're one of the earliest-closing supermarkets I know! And there are several in the vicinity, to provide an alternative.

I'd booked with London Literary Walks on Wednesday, for another Sculpture in the City walk. But wouldn't you know it, he just realised that the display only starts later in the month! He's postponed it to next month. Which leaves me free to head back to Sands Films, where Eleanor, courtesy of TunedIn London, and advertised via the London European Club, is hosting a blues concert by Errol Linton. Lovely!

Thursday is the company's monthly social - this month, it's in Junkyard Golf Club. Well, it beats feckin' ping pong - I might even have a go! Then I'm back to Ireland for the weekend again.

Next Monday, back with Up in the Cheap Seats for the first time in weeks! Another performance of Showstopper! The Improvised Musical - different every night. At the Lyric again.

On the 12th, another Funzing talk, courtesy of London Speaks Sessions and LDN Talks @ Night - Inside North Korea. I see the code crazy_fun is still getting a 10% discount.

On the 13th, London Literary Walks is taking us to A Circus School and Shakespeare's Dark Lady.

On the 14th, back with Up in the Cheap Seats - at the Bridge Theatre this time, for My Name is Lucy Barton, starring Laura Linney. I got the very last £15 seat!

On the 15th, would you credit it, I'm back with London Dramatic Arts! to see Monogamy, at the Park Theatre. Well, it sounds interesting - and they've sold their allocation for this showing, so we're free to buy our own (gee). My good God, it's August since I was last with them..

On the 16th, Funzing is advertising an ice skating display in aid of the victims of Grenfell. Via Funzing UK. The usual 10% discount applies.

On the 17th, Let's Do This is headed to the World Illustration Awards exhibition at Somerset House.

On the 18th, I'm headed to storytelling by Crick Crack again, finally.. I haven't been able to make any of their more recent ones. It's in Soho Theatre, and it's Sally Pomme Clayton, with Crow. Blood. Snow. Oh my God, it's been ages. Naturally, you'd never know from their Meetup group that it's happening at all. Our boss is in London that week, so I'm leaving the rest of the week free, for now - he'll just have to do without me on Monday evening. Then it's Ireland again at the weekend.

On the 25th, I'm indulging myself with a premium seat to see Andrew Scott perform the one-man show, Seawall, written especially for him. It's at the Old Vic, two weeks only.

And on the 26th, back with Up in the Cheap Seats, at Sadler's Wells, again for the first time in ages. Presumably my leg can manage the stairs by then! It's the Nederlands Dans Theater again - I remember good things about them from before.