Plays: Bleak Expectations & The Shape of Things, & Album Launch: The Devil's on the Mast

On Wednesday, I was back with Up in the Cheap Seats (UITCS) for Bleak Expectations, a Dickens-based comedy, with a different star every week, showing at the Criterion. We got Julian Clary.. I ended up going up a price band here, the cheap tickets all seemed so restricted!

Oh, what a horrendous couple of weeks it's been at work - hence the delay in the blog, I literally have been that busy. On that note, I did not have time to eat on Wednesday evening - dinner was a box of Maltesers and a glass of reasonably-priced sauvignon blanc at the theatre. We all met in the attractive Dress Circle Bar:

and chatted away until it was time to take our seats. I was fourth row from the front - someone else from the group was in my eyeline, but obligingly ducked to the side for me to take a shot of the stage!

It's a quirky stage, for a quirky play - as the blurb says, much as Dickens would have written, had he been at the gin. Julian Clary played - well, himself, except, as he pointed out, heterosexual, and a Victorian gentleman, whose own story he was supposedly narrating. It is, as you might suppose, a mishmash of various Dickens stories, with sundry Dickens quotes; a trio of siblings find themselves in trouble when their father dies, their mother goes insane, and a wicked guardian takes over, packing young Pip (the narrator's younger self) off to a suitably Dickensian boarding school, while conspiring to marry his elder sister and claim the family fortune for himself. Now, where have we heard that one before..?

It's utterly bonkers. It was exactly what I needed, but wasn't everyone's cup of tea, and one left at the interval. Be warned, it is a farce, it is exceedingly silly - but if you're cool with that, do go along, because it's a lot of fun. I, at least, had a great time! and the acting is excellent. Runs till the 3rd of September - recommended, for those who like their comedy OTT.

No time to blog afterwards - no time for a full night's sleep all week! When I came home, I was working - slept a few hours, and was back at it again..

Yesterday, back with North London Friends, for the first time in, oh, ages.. we were off to The Park, to see The Shape of Things. Different people from last time, these were some I knew before. But it's been years! Anyway, happily, this time I took time out to eat.. The Lucas Arms beckoned, and it was nice to feel human again! Caught a bus from just around the corner, and met the others, sat outside the theatre on what was an unusually nice evening, not as cold as recently. In fact, it was so nice, just sitting there, a gentle breeze blowing, that I couldn't even be bothered getting a drink beforehand..

There was a slight delay getting into the auditorium - when the usher got to scanning my ticket, her scanner - which had been playing up for ages - broke completely, and she finally gave up and let me in. I was right around the side - no photography, thank you: probably because two of the cast were already onstage.

The story is one of college students falling in love. They're interesting characters, but so far, so samey - I was wondering what made this so special.

I was to find out in the second half. Don't be fooled - this is seriously one of the best twists I've come across in a play, one of those classics that has you all talking afterwards and re-examining everything you thought you knew. I really can't say any more - except that, when they start to show things on the screen, don't worry if you're to the side, as I was - it's also shown on a small TV screen, directly opposite the main one. To reiterate - one of the best-written plots I've come across. Very highly recommended - runs till the 1st.

Afterwards - speaking of post-show discussions - we repaired to Oak, around the corner - which I haven't been to since I was last here with this group! I generally prefer New World wines, but last night found myself reverting to the sauvignon, even though it was Old World. What can I say, it is my favourite.. and an excellent chat was had, until it came time to go home. Where, of course, I was working again - not blogging, frankly, I couldn't face that on top. Anyway, lovely to see these people again! May the next time not be as long in coming.

Last night was as soon as I was able to consider what to do this evening - and I'd completely forgotten that Eleanor - of TunedIn.London and the World Music Meetup - had advertised an album launch - The Devil's on the Mast, by Cider with Kirsty (Ciderhouse Rebellion with Kirsty Merryn). At the Finnish Church. Folksy kind of music - I liked what I heard, and booked. Again, didn't really have time to eat, on what was the last working day for me, before the work deadline - I made for Pret, in the station. Sadly, not only was their main seating area closed off, but they didn't have the salmon sandwiches I love! so I went to the takeaway one, outside the door, instead, and ate my sandwich at a convenient bollard. Ah, food.. great start to the weekend.

A bit tight for time, I took the Underground, followed by the Overground, changing at Whitechapel - where, paradoxically, I had to climb down to get from the Underground to the Overground! Anyway, the sun streamed in the windows on the whole section above ground - it was a gorgeous evening to be travelling. I arrived quite early - said hi to Eleanor, took a seat near the front. Where, again, the sun streamed in the door to the garden - which was left open, allowing a lovely, cool breeze to waft over us. 

They make a lovely sound, complete with historical context - it's just a pity that the music was quite soothing, and I was fit to drop - I spent the entire concert fighting to stay awake! Absolutely no reflection on them - it's just that I could happily sleep for a week. Honestly, I was delighted that it finished a bit early - apart from giving me a bit of leeway with my evening, it meant that I could shop! which I was in dire need of. But anyway, lovely to get to another of these concerts. Even if it's a bit of a slog to get there.

And now I need to get to bed.. I have to be up in the morning.. uhh.. Laurence Summers and the 45+ Not Grumpy Old Londoners are headed on a new walk, Rockin' in the West End! Must dig out some U2 gear.. it certainly seems as though it's gonna be t-shirt weather! Tomorrow evening, I was supposed to be having my monthly get-together with my ex-work colleagues, too - at The Lucas Arms - but two can't make it, and the other two of us have decided to wait for next month, and do it properly.

On Sunday, back with the Crick Crack Club, for Dauntless - Grace O' Malley, Pirate Queen, at the British Museum. AKA Granuaile, she was a real person.. the pirate queen of the West of Ireland, who did one better than Mary, Queen of Scots, and actually did get to meet Elizabeth I! This one isn't told by Clare Murphy, though - it's Debs Newbold. 

On Monday, taking myself off to see The Accidental Death of an Anarchist, at the Theatre Royal Haymarket. I've heard only good things..

On Tuesday, giving up on Meetup, I'm with TAC, for Mixed Omens - an improvised horror show, at the Drayton Arms.

On Wednesday, thinking film - and what's coming up is a documentary called The Pearl Button, set in Chile. Scenery looks spectacular.. this is showing in the ICA only. Wow, it's years since I was last there, too!

On Thursday, back with UITCS, for All of It, at the Royal Court. And then I'm back to Ireland for the weekend.

Play: The Unfriend

Tonight, back with Up in the Cheap Seats (UITCS) for The Unfriend, in The Criterion Theatre. A comedy about a British family that befriend an American lady while on holiday over there, and agree to keep in touch. Now she's on a plane over to see them - and they've discovered a terrible secret about her! How to they get rid of her - politely..? Sounded excellent. My though, I had terrible trouble trying to find a decent seat - everything left that was cheap seemed to be behind a pillar! and they aren't small pillars, as I discovered thanks to Seatplan. I finally plumped for something in the back row of the Dress Circle, where the pillars are thinner. We were texted a link to our tickets, five hours before start time.. which, as well as preventing scalping, is handy for finding them at the last minute!

Wow, it's over six years since I was last here - but I hadn't forgotten that there are tons of places to eat. Having a look at what was available, I booked a table at the Angus Steakhouse for 6. Had a couple of options for buses - and as I approached, I saw, damnit, I'd just missed one. Nearly didn't make it at all, mind you - as I crossed at the zebra crossing, all the cars were stopped in a traffic jam anyway: but as I stepped onto the crossing, gazing at the bus I wasn't going to make, I heard an expletive to my right. Which was just as well, because it made me pause - at which point, a b****y cyclist sailed past me, at speed, not an inch from my face. No intention of stopping at a pedestrian crossing, of course.

Well, another bus was along in just a minute, literally. I then had to change buses, which involved me crossing both ways at a large junction. I waited for the pedestrian lights to turn green - and, sure enough, as I crossed, had to navigate a whole fleet of cyclists, cycling illegally in all directions. If I've said it once, I've said it a thousand times - BAN CYCLISTS IN CENTRAL LONDON!! They're a danger to pedestrians, too many of them not bothering with rules of the road, and absolutely no enforcement. Sick to the hind teeth of them.

In other bus news, we had fun when a tourist family, without much English, and with a pushchair, got on - at the back, because that was the closest door to them! and then had to push forward through the aisle, past people blocking the way, to where they could park the buggy. Ah well, you live and learn..

Saw my first ever Ramadan decorations!

And so to the Steakhouse, where I arrived early, and was seated immediately. Brief panic when I couldn't find my phone, which wasn't in any pocket, or in the outside pouches of my bag - I finally found it on the seat, where it must have fallen out of my coat pocket! Jeez, that was scarier than the cyclist..

But anyway, service was quick and faultless - I remember the first time I was here, when it was a very different story. For starter, I asked what the soup was - had to ask him twice, because it sounded exactly like "liquid potato"! I passed, given the "potato" part, later figuring out that it was probably "leek and potato". 

By the time of my original booking, I had ordered, and been served my starter. Poor guy didn't realise there was a drink as well, though, until I told him - at which point, he looked for guidance to the waiter who had taken the order, who pointed to the drink sitting on the bar, which the guy who'd brought the starter then fetched. Too many people doing too many disconnected tasks.. there was someone different again to bring my main, and another person to clear up. And not enough communication among them all, I think..

The starter consisted of four moreish southern fried chicken goujons, which came with a mayo dip and were gorgeous. For main - well, I just had to have steak. I actually don't that often, even in a steakhouse - but I felt like it today. The smallest is 8oz, which does me just fine - I later saw someone served a massive chunk, and I really don't know how she managed it. So, the "Angus cut" is cooked medium by default - although he did check - and I didn't bother with a sauce; I don't think a good steak needs it. I had onion rings and skinny fries with it - and polished the whole lot off, and it was all terrific.. was given the bill in good time, and took myself off to meet the others.

This theatre is completely in the basement.. and it's a beautiful building!

One quibble - there's very little signposting! I had to ask for the bar, and I'm not sure there was even a sign for the Dress Circle, where I was sitting - later, there was no signposting at all for the toilets! which turned out to be on the other side of the Dress Circle, conveniently for me. The Stalls Bar, where we met, is a poky little place too, although service is friendly and the drinks are cheaper than usual. And we chatted until it was time to go in.

So, as Seatplan indicated, the view isn't too restricted - and legroom is ok, with a large pillar just to my side, which I could lean against, as well as pop my stuff on the floor in front of.

The opening scene, as you can probably tell, takes place on the deck of a cruise ship, where we meet the English couple and their new BFF. Soon, however, the backdrop parts, and the rest of the play takes place in their home - a twin-level set, with a small kitchen and larger living room downstairs, and stairs leading up to a second level, which they enter under the roof of the painted front of the house:

Yes, it's very good! The interplay between the casual friendliness of the American, and the stilted awkwardness of the English family, is beautifully done. I also loved the "passive-agressive" neighbour who keeps dropping by to complain about things, and the gradual unravelling of the English couple is a delight to behold. Yep, a most enjoyable play - runs till the 16th.

As we made our way out, I could hear cheering - of course, I'd forgotten we were right on Piccadilly Circus! where, at that point, there was some line dancing..

Terrific atmosphere, as ever - and what a lovely, mild evening! It was great to stay and chat to people for a while.. despite everything else I have to do. And on the way home, I got to look out the window, from the safety of the bus, at a Deliveroo cyclist, speeding up the pavement in Aldwych..

Tomorrow, back with the Horror Book Club, at the Prince of Wales in Drury Lane, as usual. And wow, this month's book is a doozy - House of Leaves is a massive tome, which I started reading years ago and never did get finished. I couldn't find that copy, so ended up buying it again - but am I finding the time to read it? Well, I'm doing my best, and it is a cracking read. Here's hoping I get it finished in time, as it's quite dense.. Now up to 323 pages through a nearly 700-page story.. Thank goodness for the unconventional publishing style, where some pages have hardly anything on them!

On Thursday, with a bank holiday next day, flying back to Ireland. Aer Lingus, because I left it too late to book with Ryanair, and the evening flights were gone. Now, I have an old friend, Vicki, in Cork, whom I usually go down to see once a year, staying the night - usually at Christmas, but she was too busy for me last Christmas. So we've arranged for me to go and stay next Tuesday, coming back the next day. Now, that realistically means I can't fly to London before the 13th - but with nothing unmissable on the 14th, I'm flying back that day instead. I finally got my holiday request in - as the boss says, let's see what we get done this week.. Well, if I am denied the holiday, I'll just have to take the laptop with me. Which could get interesting, as I'd have to have it on in the car on the road to Cork..

I definitely have to be back for the 15th though, when I'm booked on another walk with Laurence Summers and the 45+ Not Grumpy Old Londoners! This one is A City built by a Genius - Wren's London. And as of now, he's scheduling walks I haven't done for days I can make them! Very cool.. because I do love his walks. And lunches.

Now, my boss suggested - quite a while ago - that we might have a jaunt to the head office in Tel Aviv on the 16th! I hadn't heard anything since, though - so I finally asked him. He confirmed that it won't be until at least next month now - wants to get the latest release out. So I'll be in London that week. However, there isn't honestly much coming up on Meetup - so, for the 19th, I've booked For Black Boys Who Have Considered Suicide.. at the Apollo. I have a front-row seat in the Dress Circle - now, I seem to remember ridiculously tight legroom, here - so I'm at the end of a row, and Seatplan says it'll be OK if I lean forward..

On the 20th, I'm with TAC for a talk on Arab & Islamic Roots of Europe's Architecture, at St. Mary Magdalene Church.

Then it's back to Ireland for the weekend. On the 24th, back with UITCS for The Secret Life of Bees, at the Almeida - no seats left in the stalls! Seatplan made me wary of the cheapest seats, so I'm in the next bracket up..

And on the 25th, back with Over 40 Living the Life, for dinner at the Greenwich Yacht Club again. Well, it was good last time - good food, cheap prices, good company. Three of us going so far - I'm sure there'll be more!

Play: The Comedy About a Bank Robbery

So - the first event of the day was lunch, when I accompanied some colleagues. They had this idea of going to a local Moroccan place - couldn't remember the name, but one guy remembered where it was. And, in a glorious example of how good a location this office has, it was only a hop skip and jump away.

The name was Souk.. not really that hard to remember, I'd have thought. And my, how I regretted not bringing my phone, to take pictures! Talk about that exotic experience - it was like walking into an opium den, the entranceway lined with upholstered benches and tables with hookah pipes. The ceiling was decorated with ornate, Moroccan-style lamps. And as we entered the main eating area, it became apparent that it was decorated in the classic Arabic style, with a mock central courtyard, overlooked by a balcony area with more seating. Lamps on the tables had fake candles inside, but looked like the real deal.

One of our number recommended the soup, and that's what most of us had to start, from the good-value set menu. To follow, I had the chicken and lamb shwarma, with couscous.. and wow, would I have that again! I've rarely had chicken so tender. As someone remarked, great value and filling food - and a pretty authentic Moroccan experience. During the meal, they lit some joss sticks near us. Terrific - it was like being on the set of Casablanca. Someone else ordered Arabic coffee to finish, saying they made really good coffee. I wouldn't know - I don't drink it - but oh, I bet they do..

And so the hours rolled by till it was time to leave for my show - at the Criterion Theatre, just 10 minutes' walk down the road from the office (so I left from there). Ah, the time rolled around at last. It's over a month ago that I booked a ticket for The Comedy About a Bank Robbery - by the same people responsible for The Play That Goes Wrong, which is hilarious, so I was looking forward to it. With the show starting at 7:30, I left the office at 7 - and boy, was it freezing! We're experiencing a real cold snap, and I was glad not to be out longer.

It wasn't long before showtime that I arrived, and the doorway was crowded with two queues - happily, I accidentally chose the right one, for the box office. There was someone there to tell us, but he was busy. Anyway, when I got to the counter, I told him my name, he got my ticket and asked for my card - now, that card has been replaced since I booked it, as I explained: but he just got me to sign as well. A quick bag check, ticket scanned, and down I went - all levels seem to be below ground here. And as someone behind me on the stairs remarked, I wonder what it was before. Well, a quick check of the website reveals that it was always a theatre, apart from a stint as a subterranean radio station during the Second World War. Despite the fact that the tiling on the stairs reminded me of a Tube station!

With a terrible queue at the bar, and not much time to go, I went straight to my seat - at the edge of a row, it had been advertised as restricted view, and indeed, a very small part of the action was cut off. Not detrimental to my enjoyment.

Right, well, I guess this is what you'd call a screwball comedy. The jokes start off - and continue throughout - so cheesy that you have to laugh at them. Or groan. Anyway, through the whole thing, they're so persistent hat you have to love it. In the second half, I have to say, my favourite scene is where they flip the law of gravity.. watch for that scene where they're crawling through the air vent above an office. Really, it's a classic. Finally, I have to conclude, although it's not quite as good as The Play That Went Wrong, it is kind of hilarious. Stick with it. Runs until 29 October, best value tickets from the theatre.

And I came back to the office to write this! (and avail of the free alcohol in the fridge, I'm no martyr). Anyway, tomorrow, I'm out with the Man with the Hat again, after an unusually long break - this time, it's Woolf Works, a Wayne McGregor triptych, inspired by the works of Virginia Woolf and showing at the Royal Opera House. Both his groups are going: London for Less Than a Tenner, and Let's Do London - for less! As usual, I have a cheap seat.

On Sunday, the ever-busy Man with the Hat is headed (with Let's Do London - for less!) to a dance production - at Sadler's Wells, unusually for him. The Red Shoes, choreographed by Matthew Bourne, is completely sold out for its whole run. Our Man with the Hat has tickets, though.. but he held them back (under his hat, as you might say), with sales starting at 11am on New Year's Day. They sold out in 15 minutes - I checked. That's the speed of U2's ticket sales.. of course, being a seasoned purchaser of U2 tickets, I managed to get one. All he needs now are a stetson and some glasses.. (Mind you, I think U2 broke records this year for speed of selling out. U2 are touring, you see, and I have tickets. Purchasing still in progress. Watch this space..)

On Monday, I've provisionally agreed to go to Cineworld with Mary. She won a couple of Cineworld vouchers in a raffle, you see, and has very kindly offered me one! The nearest to me are the cinemas in Leicester Square and Haymarket, and the best showing in them is La La Land, so that's the rough plan, as it stands.

Tuesday sees me at the Royal Society, for a talk on "Can our immune systems fight cancer?", a Meetup organised by the London European Club.

Wednesday, London for Less Than a Tenner is back at Top Secret.

On Thursday, I'm back with the Crick Crack Club at last, at the Art House Crouch End. First meeting of the year, and not actually advertised on Meetup! I saw it on their flier for Crouch End, and booked. Anyway, the title is Rebranding Beelzebub, which is certainly enough to get me there! And I now live closer to it than I did the last time I was there.

Back to Ireland next weekend, and on Monday 30, I'm back with Funzing UK for Eat Zagi - an immersive dining & theatre experience. I had some fun booking it, when the bank thought it was a fraud and kindly stopped my card, so I had to ring them at 2am.. in the meantime, I did find a discount code, so it wasn't all bad. Try "EnjoyFunzing5". Actually, why not try "EnjoyFunzing10"? That's a code too. Anyway, again, I'm closer to this venue in Finsbury Park than I was before..

Tuesday 31, I'm headed for Sex with Strangers at Hampstead Theatre. First Meetup of the year with London Dramatic Arts. Dunno, I think it was that she had seats at both levels of the theatre, so it would've been too hard to avoid them..

Wednesday 1, the Man with the Hat is starting the month again. Let's Do London - for less! is off to the Opera House for La Traviata.

Thursday 2, he's taking both groups to Cadogan Hall for a concert involving the works of Brahms and Elgar, among others.

Friday 3 promises to be unusual.. the Crick Crack Club is hosting a late-night storytelling event at the Wellcome Collection. Mustn't forget to book tickets for the actual storytelling - they go on sale on the 27th.

And finally, Saturday 4, I'm finally going to the much-advertised British Museum Tour - Ideas That Made our World. A Funzing event, as advertised by two of their Meetup groups - London Speaks Sessions and LDN Talks @ Night. So I booked with both..