Today, Helen came to town and we arranged to have lunch - in Byron Burger again. Earliest time available, since I had a lunchtime meeting! Well, I did manage to get up and out in time.. made it to the office in time to stick my phone on for a quick charge, unlock my drawers and extract, plug in, and switch on, my laptop.. and then I was off again. As I headed down the road, she messaged where she was, sitting in the glorious sunshine!
Gee, we were their first customers! Took a seat at the sofa, and we ordered - both fancying the delicious bbq chicken burger, her with cheesy fries, me with regular. And a bottle of pinot grigio. Which was half gone, half an hour later, when she - who was facing the restaurant - remarked that some people had finished their starters and gotten their mains, and we (who hadn't ordered starters, as the mains are so filling) remained unfed! A quick word with another waiter, who went to check the computer, then called over the one who'd taken our order.. uh-oh, I bet she did something wrong and it didn't go in! Not a mistake she'll repeat, probably. We got our food not long after. And, to be fair, it was worth the wait - indeed, not worth rushing, so I didn't; I wasn't speaking at that meeting anyway. And I still made it back in time for most of it - we didn't have dessert, but the choice isn't huge anyway. And not very appealing if you're not a fan of Oreos!
This evening, I was off to see Faustus: That Damned Woman, at the Lyric Hammersmith. As usual, that far out meant Tube - I could have got there slightly faster by changing lines, but decided on a direct one - and the Hammersmith & City line arrived at the platform just as I did. More spacious than most, and airier - however, I had to stand for a few stops, which was a bit of a nightmare; they don't have horizontal overhead bars to hold onto, and it was a struggle to reach out to the nearest available bar - my back was killing me. Much better when I got a seat - and I just got my paper read by the time I arrived in Hammersmith.
Now, this station is in two separate buildings - and handily enough, this line terminates in the building that's right across the road from the theatre! Not that I got there as quickly as I might have - you forget how terrible the traffic is out this way, much worse than in the centre, and it took forever for the lights to change in my favour - jaywalking is pretty nigh impossible. Inside the theatre at last, I marvelled at the number of stairs to climb - after a long flight up to the bar, you have to climb another couple of flights (festooned with fairy lights) to get to the theatre proper. Just as well I didn't have to climb any further - I was in the stalls.
As was everyone else - indeed, when I went in, about 15 minutes early, I wondered whether anyone was going to be behind me - and I was sitting in the second row! The seats did fill in due course, or a lot of them.. and close to the stage as I was, I thought I could smell something odd.. must've been the sawdust they covered the stage with. Quite a spooky set, too:
Because, of course, this is a take on the story of Faust, the doctor who sold his soul to the devil. Like the original play, it starts in Elizabethan times, and Faust - in return for signing away his (her) soul in blood - gets some time, and the use of the demon Mephistopheles in the interim. At the end of the timespan, Faust's soul is forfeit. Unlike the original, this Faust is a woman, not allowed to be a doctor as the original is (initially, at least) and bargains a much better deal, getting a huge lifespan - and also the ability to zip forward to live in future times. Both, however, do end up feeling that they've frittered away the time allotted to them.
There's a lot to like, here. I adored Mephistopheles, who appears as a fashion-conscious demon - indeed, they have great fun with the demons' costumes, which are an imaginative mish-mash of fashions and ideas, and all in shades of white (referring to Lucifer's identity as a bringer of light). And he does go around with a rather endearing smirk, most of the time. And I have to give kudos to the actor playing Faustus, who throws herself into the performance, and is onstage almost all the time, generally wrestling with inner demons. Lots of angst, lots of shouting.. it's a strenuous performance, I bet.
The treatment of the story is also interesting, taking us through sundry time periods, mainly designed to give us a potted history of women's progress in science. So, you know, Faustus meets pioneering female scientists, and finds herself inspired to study. With an insatiable frenzy, she seems to absorb every fragment of information, and ends up trying to work for the good of humanity with the benefit of her vast knowledge - oh yes, and she doesn't age either. But.. what's going to happen to her in the end? and to her legacy..?
Absorbing, unpredictable, with impressively scary bits - I liked it a lot. Runs till the 22nd, then tours the country for the next couple of months. And taking the Tube back to Liverpool Street was handy, as I got to stop in for some much-needed shoppng.
Tomorrow - why, I finally get to an Up in the Cheap Seats (UITCS) social! They have them every now and again, but they're generally sometime I can't make. I go to so much with them, I'm delighted finally to be able to go to a social as well. This is on in the Phoenix Arts Club - ah, memories of happier days, when I worked in the next building over.. Seems we can order food from 5, but I'd better eat something beforehand.
On Sunday, well, initially I was thinking of film again. But wouldn't you know it, that damn film, Outside the City, is still showing - that day only, next week! It's a documentary about trappist monks, whose numbers are dwindling, and whose members are ageing, so they can no longer run the farm, and have taken to brewing beer instead. Yeah.. I'm sure it's very good, very interesting - but I'm not that enthused. I'm not even a beer drinker. Never mind, UITCS again came to the rescue - and I'm now going with them to an operatic treatment of Alice's Adventures in the Underground, at the Opera House! With a lot wanting lunch beforehand, we're meeting at Wagamama - they have large, communal tables. And I'll be more careful what I order, this time!
Yet again, I was to be glad I hadn't anything booked for Monday - Civilised London left it late enough, but I'm now going with them to another of those Monday jazz nights at Wilton's! This time, it's the Jim Hammond Duo.
On Tuesday, I tried to get the first meeting of the year going with that group from my last company. Had the idea while I was eating at the Amarcord Museum - I love to advertise good places to people, and this is one! But apart from a couple of people who made their excuses because they're on holiday abroad - and despite the invite having gone out before Christmas - the only taker is Ivan, with no-one else even bothering to respond. Dead in the water, that group, it seems. Well, their loss. We'll have a lovely meal, and then he's booked that recording studio again for later that night. And as they do a special deal for 10 hours.. it'll be an all-nighter! So I'm taking the next day off work.
On Wednesday evening, I'm signed up for my first ever event with The Roads Less Travelled: Ekzotic Adventures Travel Club. Not actually travelling, mind - this is a talk about Myanmar. Specifically about the rubies you can get there, but with plenty of other information about the country as well. And I've never been, so it should be interesting. Takes place in a room above The Iron Duke pub. Unless I don't feel like it, after the night before.
On Thursday, I'm back at Soho Theatre for Jen Brister's show, Under Privilege. Then I'm back to Ireland for the weekend - where I have to sneak a look at my mother's Eir contract. She just changed to a new package, I just got her first bill for it (we've gone paperless, so it gets emailed to me as she doesn't use her email account), and I swear they've overcharged her on the monthly package price. They messed up the email address when I was ordering over the phone, so I never got the confirmation email - will have to check the paper version she got to ensure that what she got was what I agreed on in the first place. No point in asking her to check - she won't know what to look for, and she'll only get hysterical.
And assuming I survive all of that (they are AWFUL to deal with, and I thought her previous internet provider, 3, was bad!), on the 17th I'm back with UITCS for The Haystack at Hampstead Theatre. Another group of them went tonight, and I'm hearing excellent reports..
Arranged to have lunch with Henning today - venue TBD - and needed to remember to pick up my package from the Amazon locker in One New Change. In the event, I had time in the morning to pick up that package - great directions from Amazon, which I was glad I remembered, as I couldn't find the email again when I looked!
For lunch, we ended up going to Byron Burger - it's been a while since I was last here, and yes, it was yummy! Even if I couldn't manage to finish the chips. Quite noisy too - it's well worth coming early, as they do fill up, and by the time we left, the din made it hard to hear, and the queue stretched along the hall. Henning had to book a team lunch, so we went across to Wahaca..
..but they were full, so we ended up back at Byron, where he was more successful.
This evening, back with Up in the Cheap Seats (UITCS) for Cyrano de Bergerac, at the Playhouse. Stars James McAvoy. Popular event this, I see - and not just with the large number of people that booked with our group! A number of people got upgrades - turns out that they were upgrading everyone from the front row of the Upper Circle. The legroom is pretty bad throughout, and the front row is a case in point, squashed up against the rail. And this is a long show.
The bus dropped me at Somerset House, and Google Maps suggested that I walk from there to the theatre via Embankment! An interesting walk - I haven't gone quite that way before.
Picking up my ticket, I noted that the performance was sold out - and as I headed in, I passed a group of our people in a cluster outside! Now, it was freezing cold, but this turned out to be the best option.. when we went in, we climbed an unearthly number of stairs, then squashed into the teeny Upper Circle Bar - which we took up most of - and could hardly turn to talk to each other. As I remarked, it was like being in a Tube carriage at rush hour! Which was a shame, because it's a while since I'd seen a lot of these people, and probably shan't again this year.
Anyway, it was a relief to take my seat:
The view is just fine if you lean into the aisle. You kind of need to point your legs that way too, with the lack of legroom. A number of people - what with the empty front row n all - decided to head down there. Now, the railing (as you can slightly see from the above photo) curves slightly - outwards at the edges, inwards in the middle. Very decorative - very uncomfortable, in the middle. So all those people who scooted down there for the show ended up at the edges..
Cyrano de Bergerac. Rap version, complete with beatboxer. I hadn't read about it closely, and wasn't expecting that - and a couple of elderly guys on our level decided early that it wasn't for them, and left. Boy, they missed out. What you see on stage at the opening is about as much decoration as you get - the only stage props are a full-length mirror that's lowered periodically, and some plastic chairs. V avant-garde. Despite the sparsity of decoration, the staging is inventive - characters who aren't in a particular scene just sit, or stand, with their backs to the audience. The stage floor does clever things, like form into steps in the second half - honestly though, they could have left it flat throughout.
Because that's not what's most attractive about this show. Someone once said of me that I seemed to be keen on complex wording - he was right, and I was in heaven here. This is the best I've heard since Lose Yourself. Three solid hours of it - verbal jousts, in rhyme, adapted to the character speaking. The best lines go to Cyrano, of course, and in the simplicity of this staging, we get to concentrate on the poetry, and get to the heart of what the play is really about. I did love one of the background actions, which has someone painting on the backdrop while the action continues in the foreground, completely unrelated to what he's doing. And when you finally see what he's writing, it makes perfect, simple sense.
I preferred the original ending, which is slightly changed here. But this is a spectacular display of brilliant writing. Love words? You'll love this. Booking till the 29th of February - deserves to run and run. Booking recommended. At the end, the crowd was delighted to leap to its feet - and outside, we wished we had a playtext. Oh, and do have a wander by the stage door - even in this cold, the queue was phenomenal.. I mean, I couldn't get anything like all of them in one shot!
Delighted the #11 now stops just across from my flat.. For the next two days, Meetup has given me ideas, which I'm using to do things outside of Meetup. Tomorrow, London Social Detours is charging £3 to go to a talk about Oscar Wilde's London. I booked myself - for free - on Eventbrite; I don't find her group that friendly, to be honest, but the talk sounds interesting.
On Friday, Ken's Walks and Social Events (and its sister group, London Art, Comedy & Walks) are on a Christmas lights tour. Now, after past experience with the walks organised by this group, I'll never darken their doors again. However, a Christmas lights walk sounded good - and I didn't get to one at all last year! So I had a browse - and came up with a pay-what-you-want walk by Free Tours by Foot London. Starts in Covent Garden - and the handy thing is, we're to clear our stuff out of our old office that day, and hand in our passes before the receptionist goes home. Which means we have been told to finish at 4! Excellent - that gives me loads of time. Ivan is coming to this one - which means it'll probably be a late night.
On Saturday, headed with UITCS to the Orange Tree, for Candida, by Shaw. Unless I get sidetracked.
On Sunday, my last visit of the year to the Crick Crack Club - Emily Hennessy is telling the Ramayana at the British Museum. Oh, and I'd completely forgotten that was on when I booked with North London Friends for a carol concert at St. James' Muswell Hill, followed by drinks at the John Baird. Sounds lovely - but I doubt I'll make both. We shall see - with such a huge group going, I doubt I'd be missed. Then I fly back to Ireland for Christmas on Monday.
MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL!
..and I'm off again next month, flying back to London on the 5th. On the 6th, I will start as I mean to go on, with UITCS at the Almeida for the Duchess of Malfi.
On the 7th, I'm off to the Opera House, for the Royal Ballet's production of Coppélia - one I've never seen.
And on the 8th, the RSC's production of Measure for Measure, at the Barbican. Set in decadent 1900s Vienna.
So, over Easter, I got a phone call from one of the interviewers I'd spoken to before, to invite me to an interview on Tuesday - which was perfect, as I was to fly back to London on Monday. And this was a face-to-face - without even a phone screen! And when Helen then asked whether I'd be free for lunch on Tuesday - well, of course I said yes, as long as I was done in time! Happily, my flight wasn't delayed by much at all - go figure, I guess no-one was travelling on Easter Monday. So I was to bed in decent time - well, allowing for washing my hair and swotting up for the interview..
On Tuesday, I was up in good time, and had agreed to meet Helen at Byron Burgers, there being a branch close to the interview site. Of course, I got slightly held up.. that night, I was headed with Up in the Cheap Seats (UITCS) again for Come From Away, finally, at the Phoenix. And, having some time to spare before I left for lunch, I said I'd just check what the arrangements were about my ticket. Well, wouldn't you know it - this is one of the rare places that absolutely requires you to print out the ticket, if you'd selected an e-ticket! Tarnation - I booked this before there was any whisper of redundancies, then subsequently, of course completely forgot that, by the time the event rolled around, I wouldn't have access to the office printer any more! I emailed the box office to ask them to duplicate the ticket, so that I could pick it up - but it took them a while to respond, and in the meantime I dragged my own printer out from the dark cupboard where it'd resided for nearly a year, and went to all the trouble of finding paper, hooking it up and printing out the ticket myself. Pretty disastrous - the ink needs replacing and it came out all funny. Happily, the box office did eventually get back to me and confirm that I could pick up my duplicate, as requested.
(Sigh.) As a point of interest, Byron is on the first floor of One New Change. Made it to the eatery about 10 minutes late - she'd worried that we might have to book, but as we discovered, at 12.10 - 40 minutes after opening - it was almost empty. We even snagged a booth, all to ourselves. (Mind you, she remarked that the town was pretty empty in general.) Careful here - everything is delicious, but also filling, and you will probably overextend yourself. I certainly did - she had some of the onion rings I'd ordered, but I was completely unable; of course, these days they do include a portion of fries as standard, which wasn't always the case. They really have a way with burgers though - she had BBQ beef, I had BBQ chicken, and they both got finished, along with cheesy fries that she cheekily requested instead of the regular ones that come for free. All washed down with a very tasty bottle of pinot grigio. Somehow, we did manage a brownie each for dessert.. and service comes with a smile. Highly recommended, at all branches. My appetite wasn't perfectly on form though, as I was a bit nervous - I was happy to be sat facing an enormous clock, so I could check the time..
Afterwards, we schlepped up to the viewing deck for a while - again, no crowds! Simply delightful:
Well, I was grateful for something to take my mind off the interview for a few hours: but actually, within minutes of the interview starting, I was amazed at how relaxed I felt! I immediately had a really good feeling about it, and by the time I came out - it took a reassuringly long time - I was quite ready for evening. I've heard so much about this award-winning show, it's about time I saw it, eh? It's the true story, apparently, of the aftermath of 9-11, when all planes were temporarily grounded. And a small Newfoundland town played host to people stranded there, from all over!
I was early, so popped into the Caffe Nero across the road - just for a drink of water, as I was still quite full! Headed over near the time that we were due to meet (leaving most of the water - they unfortunately only had the large bottles. And I couldn't have taken it into the theatre).
Queued for the box office, then back outside - I was in the Grand Circle, whose door wasn't yet open. Not long till it was though, and I climbed an inordinate number of steps - in very short flights, so it didn't feel as bad - up to the Grand Circle bar, where our organiser was waiting, as most of us were sat up there.. and he had a spare seat! the last in the bar. I grabbed that pretty quickly, got myself an overpriced drink, and as the group arrived, I proceeded to regale them with tales of how well my interview had gone. On the way in, there was a board where you could attach a little tag to show where you were from - I'd thought it was too crowded, not noticing the separate board for the British Isles, where I might have found a space!
Most of us were sat in the very back row of the theatre - but as we tried to enter, there was this little old lady sat in one of our seats! She explained that she had booked a seat in the centre of the row, but was looking for one with a better view, as she hadn't brought her glasses. Like a magpie, she did try other seats, but it was sold out, I think - would you believe it, she managed to perch at the bottom of the stairs, right at the front of the Grand Circle, for the whole show without being evicted! Good for her.. it helped, of course, that there was no interval, so the ushers weren't around so much. Mind you, as we remarked, the view was perfectly good, even from the very back row of the theatre:
I was under some pressure here, in the company of so many who'd been before and were back for a repeat performance. Ok.. first impressions and I could immediately see the attraction. The soundtrack is damn catchy, a foot-thumping medley of songs driven by the band sitting to the rear of the stage. As emphasised by the foot-stamping cast, who play up a storm, representing different roles, shifting the minimal props around to represent different settings - from the bar to a plane to one of the public spaces used to accommodate 7,000 unexpected visitors..!
It's absolute machine-gun delivery, never letting up. Funny, poignant and true, as it tells some true stories of people that interacted in this small town. We're far removed from it now, and it's not so raw - but one scene that just melted me was when they set a room aside for religious services. And as the stranded, worried passengers filter in, they start with Make Me a Channel of Your Peace.. but just wait until the other religions enter, and start to merge their own hymns. I defy anyone not to be moved. You know, I did say afterwards that - with no reflection on the quality of the show - I still felt no major need to see it again. But hey, all the same, I wouldn't mind if I found myself in that position.. and that soundtrack is going on my favourites list. Runs until the 14th of September, booking highly recommended. Seeing it is also highly recommended - definitely one of the best shows in town. Most deserving of the standing ovation that extended all the way to the back row.
Listed as a separate Meetup for that night - afterwards, the band from the show plays at the Arts Club, downstairs, on Tuesdays: entry free if you have a ticket for the musical. If you're going separately, the entry ticket includes a free cocktail, which makes this excellent value! Se we scooted down there - no ticket check, I noted. And our efficient organiser had had a word in advance with the manager, who'd reserved some tables for us by the wall. We had a good night, a good chat, and the band treated us to hours of excellent trad music. Oh, and the wine is quite a bit cheaper than upstairs.
Proud to have been one of the last three of our group in the bar. ;-) I was too tired to bother blogging afterwards - went straight to bed. And yesterday, I got all caught up doing the film list..
Last night, back with London Literary Walks for his Elephant and Castle Walk. Another popular one - he even restricted the numbers, for the first time! We were to meet in The Three Stags - and I travelled there in buoyant mood, having received the news, just before I headed out, that I got that job. Yes, the one I interviewed for the day before! Unheard of, really - but the recruiter, when I mentioned as much to her, remarked that they weren't in the habit of hanging around. So I fairly skipped in. This is an interesting pub - very politically correct, shall we say:
They also support an animal charity, and something I haven't seen in many pubs - a contactless payment point on the bar to donate to the homeless. £3 a pass. Terrific idea!
There were so many of us that a helpful barman shoved over another table. Not only that, but there was cross-pollination - a couple of people who'd been with UITCS the night before had come along for the first time, and the organiser (Anthony) of Anthony's Cultural Events and Walking Activities Group had come along! This group's fame is spreading..! Well, our guide for the evening spent so much time socialising that he fair forgot to drink his pint. So we were a little late in leaving - and as usual, we left without the full contingent. These things will happen when you run a free event - most people did show up, but not everyone bothers to cancel.
Someone had remarked that the theme of this "literary" walk wasn't the most literary. Indeed - but it was interesting, and it was varied. Our highlights included a lot of Charlie Chaplin's early life - we even got a dance performance from our guide as he demonstrated how the young Chaplin would entertain passers-by by tap dancing on the door to the cellar. As we remarked on leaving that spot, we hoped no-one had been under him in the cellar just then!
We got an explanation of how, not only is Easter a moveable feast, but so is St. George's Day, which can't be held in Easter Week - so it's next week instead. There was also a scientific bent to the walk, with an explanation of the periodic table of elements - and, walking through a park in bitter cold, we were told that Faraday was born there. Gee, I hope it was a bit warmer on that occasion.. And who could forget the Museum of Anarchy?
Kudos also to the participant in the walk who, with his comprehensive knowledge of both Chaplin and Kubrick, contributed much. (There's a Kubrick exhibition on, you see.) And to finish, we repaired to The Tankard - mock Tudor exterior, somewhat spoiled, as was pointed out, by the big banner outside advertising Sky Sports. Sure enough, there was football on inside, accompanied by two screens showing other programs, muted. The entire pub is dotted with them. When the football ended, they switched to music.. didn't stop those of us who stayed for a couple. And isn't it funny, at the end of the night there were three of us left again!
Had to take a couple of buses home, in absolutely freezing conditions. On the second, several people were asleep - including one sitting at the edge of the buggy / wheelchair area. When the bus braked suddenly, he went flying - his fall was broken by the folding bike that someone had left there.
Spent the rest of the night finishing the film list, in anticipation of going to a film today. Considering I'm still on garden leave, and my days are nice and free, I booked to meet 45+ Not Grumpy Old Londoners for a walk about A History of Chelsea - from quaint to Quant. Starting in the morning, they were meeting in the bar of the Royal Court, and were to have lunch after the walk. But you know, it was late enough when I got in, and I'd have had to go to bed pretty much straight away - I hadn't paid anything, so I just cancelled. Have to wait a bit longer to meet them.
Then, this morning, I got an email from my cheap ticket club - and lo, they had a couple of interesting offerings! So I said I'd pick one of those. A play called Devil's Choice sounded up my street - love devilish things, me. It's at The Playground Theatre - a fairly new one, I believe; I certainly hadn't been there before. This was the opening night. And my ticket represented a substantial saving on the official price, courtesy of Eventbrite.
Having spent most of the day doing this (extremely long) blog post, I was tight for time - finally dragged myself away and scooted down to the kitchen to grab what I had in the fridge from yesterday. Wouldn't you know it, one of my bloody flatmates had eaten it! I didn't really have time to buy more, bring it back and cook it - so I was quite hungry, heading all the way out West! Tube it was, this far out - and uncomfortable on the Northern Line, with me positioned so the only handrail I could reach was the ceiling one, which was uncomfortably high. Things, as usual, were much better on the Circle Line.
It's funny how far Latimer Road Station actually is from Latimer Road, where the theatre is! Seems a portion of the road was demolished for construction of the flyover, before which the road did run much closer to the station. Anyway, I need the exercise. And I love walking through the suburbs of West London, which are so much more pleasant.
Google Maps directed me until I practically fell across the theatre, which doesn't heavily advertise itself. I did arrive half an hour early - and boy, was I glad to see a cafe to the side! Better yet, they had some sandwiches - I chose one, and the nice man asked whether I wanted it toasted. Now, they were all made with brown bread, which doesn't often toast well - but I loved the sound of a toastie, and said yes please. I also had a wine, which he served to me in a plastic container - although I did manage to finish it before I went in. Grabbed the very last table - and he was obliging enough to bring the sandwich over for me, attractively presented on a plate, complete with knife and fork.
Oh Lord, it was lovely. Whatever bread they use toasts beautifully, and it was exactly what I needed. My mood had massively improved by the time I finished - the only thing that upset me was that I didn't have time to try what was a most attractive-looking chocolate cake. My table had several free chairs, and I'd happily have shared with any of the folks round about, looking for a place - but I'm afraid they were all too English to ask. Never mind..
When I was finished, the theatre was open - it had opened quite unobtrusively. So I showed the nice man my confirmation, and he scrabbled on his phone to find the list, before letting me in. Seating is unassigned in this small venue - I must also, sadly, report that it's a bit uncomfortable. The set takes the form of a well-appointed living room:
The central character - at least at first - is an ageing actress, to whom the Devil pays a visit. And a suave fellow he is too - sings, dances, wears a suit.. the only concession to his profession is a pair of red socks: and later, a red hat. Quite charming. She decides she wants eternal youth - he decides her soul isn't really enough for that, and persuades her to invite her three kids (sat in the audience) around, on the pretence that she's dying. But what deal does he have in mind? and what choices will everyone make?
There's a lot to like here. The set is pleasant, the soundtrack elegantly classical, and as I say, the Devil is a delight to watch. By and large, the acting is fine. However, for me, the son didn't convince, the first half (well, 2/3, given how short the section after the interval is) dragged, and - what the hell is with the ending? Took me quite a while to decide what I thought had happened. Most confusing. Anyway, if you decide to give it a try, it's on till Sunday - but honestly, I don't think it's worth the official price. Never mind the VIP ticket, whatever it is!
The Tube home was much emptier. Tomorrow, I'm also thinking of film - and what's coming up is Eighth Grade, opening tomorrow, about the final week of an unfortunate teen in middle school. (Higher-rated offerings didn't appeal.) The trailer looks quite appealing - seems quite funny. Showing in Rich Mix - I might surface in time for the earlier showing. Never actually been to the cinema there before!
Today, Helen came to town, and had the excellent notion of going to an Exhibition of Witchcraft at Viktor Wynd's Museum of Curiosities! Love that place. In the evening, I was to be off with Walking in London (hence Funzing) on a Hampstead to Highgate Haunted Pub Tour! She can't depend on the trains, so couldn't really commit to an evening event - I don't blame her, they're worse than Irish ones! (which is saying something). The tour takes a while, but includes a pub crawl, so that's forgivable. "crazy_fun" is the current 10% discount code, BTW. I also see they've now switched their loyalty scheme to cover anything booked online - much more efficient, as it automatically credits you! ..But then, at virtually the 11th hour, Walking in London advertised a more attractive-sounding ghost walk! Based in the centre, it promised to be less hilly, and includes a cruise. Starts later too, so I didn't have to rush. And as well as my 10% discount, I took advantage of my £10 voucher, for having booked so many events. So I got nearly a 50% reduction! And was just within the deadline for cancelling the other, if I were to get my money back.
So, a nice lie-in, and I had time for breakfast before meeting Helen - who had headed into Primark anyway, which is conveniently located right by the bus stop. She'd got to the bus stop by the time I made it there, and we had a bit of a wait for our bus - which happened along eventually. We sat upstairs, and as we passed from the posh West End, through the City and to the scruffier surrounds of Shoreditch, I got a look at where our new office is supposed to be - if they'd ever finish signing contracts! Location looks ok anyhow.. I just wish they'd tell us something definite.
We got off just down from the Museum of Curiosities, which was open and serving drinks to a crowd - well, any amount of people in this cramped space constitutes a crowd! We ascertained that the Witchcraft Exhibition was on the ground floor.. so he's just basically converted the display cases on the ground floor to the theme of witchcraft. And so we had a meander around this most interesting of venues:
I do think the place is fascinating. However, it's small, it's crowded, and it's difficult to see around people's heads to look at the exhibits, which do only form a small collection, albeit a unique one. I wouldn't go out of your way to come for the exhibition itself, which runs through February. The place was full of people who'd come for a drink - I see they serve food too, although as Helen remarked, it's a bit dark as a lunch venue! Perhaps a bit dubious too, considering what you're surrounded by. She didn't fancy eating in the area, so we came back into town.
When we passed a Byron, she had an epiphany - burgers it was! We were seated quickly, and as they only do burgers, burgers it was. She had cheese, I had a smokey - with every single choice on the menu, I'd have had to ask for either no tomato or no pickles; with the smokey, it was pickles. But everything else in it was fine - and when I bit into it, I had an epiphany of my own. It was delicious! Not quite the equal of the sublime dog I had in Brewdog in Stockholm, but ballpark. Lovely, spicy sauce - very moreish. We shared a bottle of wine (their menu lists "good", "better", "great", and "best" - we had "good", which was good enough). Brownies followed for dessert, and for me a hot chocolate - which was quite wonderful, with a caramely taste that I think came from the topping. I have a new favourite hot chocolate..
A brief trip to Primark for other stuff she'd seen, and she ended up gifting me an early birthday present that is quite lovely. Thanks, Helen! After I'd seen her off, I returned and got something I'd seen while she was queueing for her purchases - ah, Primark, consistently irresistible, particularly in the run-up to Christmas, with all those lovely fabrics.
Coming home, I just had time to drop off my purchase and ready myself to head out again. I was so glad I'd changed to go to something later! I could walk down to Mount Street, where we were to meet - wasn't exactly sure where though, what with my receipt telling me one thing and the Meetup page another! I believed my receipt, and was right to do so - I messaged the guide on Funzing, and to be fair, got a prompt reply, confirming that we were to meet at the seating area in front of the Church of the Immaculate Conception. Now, that isn't an obvious place to find - what it is, is a dual row of plants (the troughs in which they are planted are at a good height to sit on), leading to a park, which was closed. There is no mention of the church, although it's just visible in the background, in the dark.
Well, our guide duly happened along and took names. When he'd done that, and spent some time calling to anyone who'd listen "Anyone else for the ghost tour?", we started off.
Not many stops on this tour, but he gave value at each one. Our first was at the "most haunted house in London" - 50 Berkeley Square, with one ghost in the cellar, one that keeps falling from the balcony from which she threw herself to her death, and an attic that's so scary that people are advised not to enter alone, or at night. I have to say, that last one reminded me more than anything of a particularly creepy story I heard on a ghost walk in Edinburgh once - great city for them, with its atmospheric closes and wynds. Ah, makes me nostalgic for the place..
We stopped off at St. James' Palace - gee, how come no other guided walk of any kind has led me here? Kudos to the guy - or whomever - for finding a route that's new to me, who's done so many! We then visited Green Park - well, the edge of it - to be told how the building of the Victoria Line under it disturbed all the plague victims who were buried here. So now, lacking houses, they haunt the trees. You have been warned. For our part, it felt as though we were in Blitz conditions, with all the fireworks going off for Guy Fawkes! We could see some, over the trees, as we prepared to leave the park.
Now, we next took the Tube - which we had to pay for ourselves. Which is fine, except that the price for the tour is £30 per head! Seriously, you'd think they could afford to pay for the fare out of that. Anyway, again, kudos to the guide for managing to shepherd us all through the Underground. We had an unfortunate delay to our departure, owing to delays up the line, but it did ultimately save our feet. And after a stop at Westminster (Big Ben sadly shrouded in scaffolding, to the despair of tourists), we boarded a ferry.
It was a long, cold wait till it arrived, during which the guide told us the story that made him believe in ghosts. Onboard, we could sit indoors or outside at the back - back it was, for me, and I got a nice view of St. Paul's:
I loved the trip - it's ages since I've been on a boat. I was bloody freezing though - the weather has really turned cold! I've never been on one of these before, and it was interesting to note that, outside, you can't actually hear the announcements. But I was keeping an eye and an ear out for the Tower stop, where we were to get off - just as well, because the guide stayed inside, and I might well have missed it.
I dunno whether he continued his guiding duties during the boat trip, but he was back on duty for the Tower of London - nice to have this obvious venue included on a ghost walk, it's too far out for most.
A few more tales, and we were let off into the night - after he passed the hat around! Honestly, he kept talking about his boss - does he not get paid enough? I did find him a good and personable guide, but sadly had very little cash on me, and just fished out a handful of very small change for him. The company has cool business cards though, like Death from the tarot:
Now, I was very happy with the content of this tour. I heard stories I hadn't before, visited places I hadn't before, and had a boat trip at night. The guide was good fun, and it was a good evening. But £30? (£32.70, when you add the Tube trip, and that's not counting a discretionary tip.) Definitely not worth it - certainly, from the back of the boat, I had no commentary for the duration of the boat trip, and apart from delivering us to the Tower, it provided no value whatsoever! As for it being included in the price of the tour - gee, had we had to pay ourselves, it wouldn't have cost more than £5.40.. Which makes this far and away the most expensive walk I've ever been on. No, I have to say, avoid - it was fine for the £17 (well, £19.70) I paid, but I'd have been very miffed to pay full price.
And so I made my way uphill for the bus, and shivered till it came - I felt like a block of ice by the time I got in. Glad tomorrow's is indoors, and in daytime - the Crick Crack Club is back, with Hugh Lupton telling the tale of Beowulf at the British Museum - sold out by now, I believe, and no wonder.
On Monday, I'm at the RSC's MMXVII season at the Barbican, seeing Coriolanus with Up in the Cheap Seats.
On Tuesday, I'm with the London European Club (LEC), at the Royal Festival Hall for a "Night Under the Stars" - Russian Soul.
On Wednesday and Thursday, I'm with Up in the Cheap Seats again - Wednesday for Saint George and the Dragon, at the National. Which sounds like fun. Unfortunately, the consensus last night between those who had seen it was that the second half is drawn out. On Thursday, we're off to Everybody's Talking About Jamie, at the Apollo. Then I'm back to Ireland for the weekend.
On the 13th, the Crick Crack Club returns to Soho Theatre for an evening called Under the Eyes of Baron Samedi, courtesy of Jan Blake. Delighted to say I persuaded a couple of friends to come along! Hope they enjoy it. Also delighted that the crazy woman isn't coming - despite being a fan of Jan Blake, she couldn't make this.
On the 14th, Up in the Cheap Seats again, and we're off to The Secondary Victim, at the Park Theatre.
On the 15th, I'm finally back with The London Jazz Meetup, to see Ben l' Oncle Soul at Cadogan Hall. Really, I'd go with them much more often, but there's so much else on..!
On the 16th, I'm back at Sadler's Wells with Up in the Cheap Seats, for Hunted Maud Le Pladec / Okwui Okpokwasili.
On the 17th, I'm off to see Young Frankenstein, at the Garrick!
The weekend is Funzing, with Walking in London. On the 18th, A Secret London Tour - I've had my eye on this for a while, it sounds interesting. And on the 19th, I'm finally doing Murder Mile Walk.
On the 20th, I'm off to This Beautiful Future, at the Yard Theatre.
On the 21st, my annual pilgrimage to Cirque Berserk at Winter Wonderland! Whee..
On the 22nd, back with Funzing and Walking in London, this time with Katie of Look Up London, and her Alternative Christmas Lights Tour. Delighted to give her the business, and it should be fun!
On the 23rd, back with Up in the Cheap Seats - this time at the newly opened Bridge Theatre, for their first show, Young Marx. Delighted to make this - I had booked it for the 20th October, then the Crick Crack Club got in the way, as they often do! The theatre charged me a nominal fee to change it to this date. And then it's back to Ireland for the weekend again.
On the 27th, I'm headed to see Follies at the National - one that London Dramatic Arts (LDAM) went to a while ago, expensively. What with their ticket prices, and other things getting in the way, I really don't know when I'll be with them again..
On the 28th, back with Let's Do This! (LDT) at a place called The Fiddler's Elbow, for a Blues Club & Jam. Be good to see them again!
On the 29th, the Crick Crack Club has their long-awaited 30th birthday party at Rich Mix. Finally advertised by their Meetup group, I see, months after tickets went on sale. A friend is going to this, and Helen is thinking about it. Oh, and the crazy lady is supposed to be going - may she not dare to cross my path!
On the 30th, LDT is off to.. Saint George and the Dragon! Now, when this was advertised, I remembered having booked it already. Checked, and discovered that was during my week in Stockholm - so I was happy to book it again. Completely forgot, of course, that I was already booked for next week, with Up in the Cheap Seats. No refunds either. Ah well, just hope it's good, considering I've now booked it three times! Then I'm back to Ireland again.
On the 4th of December, I'm finally seeing Heisenberg: the Uncertainty Principle, at Wyndham's Theatre. Another that LDAM saw before I have, and another I rescheduled - this from the 16th October, when I was with Up in the Cheap Seats. Another nominal fee to change.
On the 5th of December, my annual trip to La Soirée! "Posh new venue", as they say - they're now in the Aldwych Theatre. Cheapest tickets at Amazon tickets.
The 6th of December sees our office Christmas party! Mercifully, I've just found out it's not black tie this year - don'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 in the morning of the 7th of December, for a trip to Nuremberg Christmas market with LEC! We'll also be doing some travelling in the area. Helen liked the sound of it, and my other friend who's coming to the storytelling is coming too. We'll have a ball! I just bought Lonely Planet's chapter on Bavaria, downloaded it, and have shared it with them - 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.
Back late on the 10th of December, and on the 11th of December - having taken the day off work (I'll be exhausted) - I'm off to the Barbershop Chronicles. At the National.
On the 12th of December, I've just 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 that £10 credit! Not so shabby..
On the 13th of December, my last visit of the year to Sands Films - not yet advertised on Meetup, although it probably will be, TunedIn London has a concert by Plastikes Karekles, a Greek group.
On the 14th of December, my friends who are off to Soho on the 13th of November 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.
And on the 15th of December, 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 of November, and Helen too - and the same lunatic. Well, after the nasty things she had to say about me, I'll be surprised if she dares to approach me at all.
Next day, I'm back to Ireland for Christmas. Farewell 2017 - it's been good! Roll on 2018, and the next U2 tour..
