50-50 Trivia Quiz

Back to London at last. I swear, I thought I'd never get here - the flight delayed by two hours (no explanation), the boarding computer system not working properly, the flight then unable to take off for half an hour (all of us sitting on board) because we were waiting for passengers! We eventually arrived three hours late - no compensation of course, just a survey today, which I gleefully filled out. Too late to get anything proper to eat, I was saved by Delice de France in Liverpool Street - never has molten brown sludge in pastry been so welcome!

Today, I'd booked with 50-50 Trivia again for the afternoon - and then cancelled, because of the job, which is supposed to start this week! The quiz was rescheduled from the day of the Queen's funeral. However, I subsequently told them I was coming again, because I just found out the job wouldn't be ready to start me today, it'd be tomorrow at least.

So, glad to be headed off to the Rugby Tavern again. I got a drink, headed upstairs - didn't really fancy Thai food today, which they do here - maybe some other time. Lots of others did, mind. We chatted, we broke into roughly equal-numbered groups. Three teams, in the end - ours tied for the lead, which was cool! We lost in the tiebreaker though, sadly.. still, I always enjoy a quiz, hope I can join them again! After, I shopped, then headed to O' Neill's (as usual) for food - which turned out to be an inspired choice (not the first time) because they now have live music there on Mondays! Honestly, I love it..

Ivan is back, and suggested going for a drink in the evening - but when I checked with him, of course he was too busy.

Tomorrow, I "provisionally" booked with Laurence Summers and the 45+ Not Grumpy Old Londoners again - this time, for Down and Out in Clerkenwell, ironically very near to where I live. Again, I had to cancel this because, as he said, I've gone from "provisional" to "professional"! He kindly offered me the chance to come to lunch with them at least, if I could manage it, at the Bowler. But.. lo.. the job won't start until Wednesday/Thursday now! (Perils of managing an IT system.) So.. sadly, I won't be paid for a couple more days. Happily, I get to go on the walk! Every cloud..

That evening, I'm with the 45+s again - this time for a classical concert, at St. John's, Smith Square. OMG it's years since I was last there - and they have discounted tickets!

On Wednesday, I "provisionally" booked for the Soho Comedy Factory again.. but lo, was saved from having to make another of those difficult decisions, when Up in the Cheap Seats (UITCS) posted a trip to see The Boy with Two Hearts, at the National! Based on another true story, of a refugee family from Afghanistan, with a little boy who needs heart surgery. Interestingly, I thought to use my Theatre Token for this - since I was finally booking something during box office hours, and could ring them up; few theatres take them online. But I had to book by phone for that - which incurs a £3 fee that other booking methods don't! So I left it, and just booked a ticket online for full price. Was perplexed when it wouldn't accept my card - until somehow I was logged into my National Theatre account, and noticed I had an old billing address. When I changed it, I had no further problems. There's a moral there. (Interestingly again, I couldn't even cancel my attendance at the comedy club - they now close RSVPs very early!)

On Thursday, I was thinking film - but what was coming up wasn't as interesting as what the same group is advertising in Hampstead Theatre. So I booked to go and see Ravenscourt with them - a medical drama, centred on the failings of the mental healthcare system. And yay, for this I finally used my Theatre Token! (No phone booking fee, here.) Well, that's a weight off..

Then I'm back to Ireland again, because of the dates I have weekend things in London this month, and the date of my mother's birthday, which I want to be back in Ireland for. It all works out - but only if I switch weekends, which I'm doing by coming back to Ireland again next weekend. Film for the weekend? Currently looking like The Lost King, a comedy co-written by, and starring, Steve Coogan as the husband of the woman who found the remains of Richard III. Under a car park.. Only showing in the Omniplex, and a little late. Ah well.

Next Monday. Well. 👿 Anyone who knows me well, knows that I love horror. And am really excited that Darkfield is doing onsite shows this month. Mwa-ha-haa.. Five of them, in fact. I've booked the first of them next Monday, the first day I was free - the first they're showing, it's Intravene, nearby the BFI (actually, I think it's outside the National Theatre, but I'll figure it out - they're next door to each other). These are all held in shipping containers, and the unifying idea for all Darkfield shows is that they're aural - you have headphones, which are your main sensory input. The shows all take place in complete darkness. This one is about drug abuse, and focuses on the drug problem in Vancouver.

On the 11th, signed up for another of The Garden Talks' free online talks - this one is Does Dark Matter Really Matter?

On the 12th.. heehee. Back with Darkfield. (Cue scary music.) They're also doing shows in Canary Wharf this year - three, in fact. This is the first night for those.. and yes, I'm doing all three, that night. In fact, they allow for that when you're booking. So, I'm doing them in the following order: first is Eulogy, an unusual Darkfield concept in that it's somewhat interactive, at various points you have to say "yes" or "no"..

Second up, I chose Coma (they all have multiple showings, so you can decide exactly what you want to go to, and when. They just ask that you leave at least 15 minutes between, which I have.) For this one, we get to lie down, I think - which is nice - and get an option to take a pill. :-)

Final for the night is the one I've heard the best reviews of - Flight is a reconstruction of an aircraft cabin, and the show is based around - well, a plane crash! Booked all of these while waiting for my eternally delayed flight - as I say, every cloud has a silver lining..

The 13th is the first of my busy days. See, first I booked with Civilised London (CL) for Tango After Dark, at the Peacock. All good, no-brainer. Then I was messaged by an ex-colleague - another ex-colleague is having leaving drinks that same night, in the Pelt Trader! Hellfire.. so, what I'm going to do is skip drinks with CL after the show and leg it over to the Pelt Trader - I've ordered her not to stop drinking till I get there!

On the 14th, something advertised with the Crick Crack Club (CCC) - they're celebrating all things Mexican in Kew Gardens, with Mexico After Hours! With something about the Day of the Dead, no doubt..

The 15th is another of those busy days. So.. first I'm headed on another of Laurence's walks - this one is Paddington - Proud, Perky & Picturesque.

But, for over a year now, I've had tickets booked, for me and Helen, for Dara O' Briain in the Hammersmith Apollo that night! Crikey, I'd never even have thought of it if it hadn't been noted in my calendar. So anyway, she can't come to the wallk, but we'll meet for dinner beforehand in Bill's of Hammersmith. I can only hope for better service than I got in Bill's of Clink Street..

On the 16th, back with the CCC for Inisfáil, Irish storytelling courtesy of the wonderful Clare Murphy, in the British Museum.

On the 17th, best I've been able to find so far is an online talk about Railways of Surrey, from the Surrey History Meetup.

On the 18th, I've booked for Iphigenia in Splott, in the Lyric Hammersmith.

On the 19th, a rescheduled Ivan! Might go to O' Neill's, we could do worse.

On the 20th, back with CL for dinner at Le Sacré Coeur. Always good.

On the 21st, back to Ireland again - and the following Monday, it's my mother's birthday, so I'm staying in Ireland that day and flying back on Tuesday 25th. I've already cleared it with the job I haven't started yet!

And on the 26th, I've booked with UITCS again - for Mary, at Hampstead Theatre again. Political machinations in the court of Mary, Queen of Scots. Funny thing - there were two seats in the main seating section at the cheapest price, but the site objected to me just booking one of them. No problem booking an equivalent seat in a higher price bracket, though! So I booked one of the high seats, at the back, instead. At the lower price.

Film: Elvis

Just back from Ireland for the weekend again! I finally got to see Elvis - in the Omniplex this time, as it's no longer showing in the early afternoon in Ennis. Directed by Baz Luhrmann, and reportedly as flamboyant as you'd expect from him, according to a glowing recommendation by someone I know who's just seen it! This is the story of Elvis (of course, there could only be one), played - most realistically - by Austin Butler, with Tom Hanks as his manager, Col. Tom Parker, and Olivia DeJonge as his wife, Priscilla.

Took myself off yesterday afternoon - and just as well I left early, with all the slow traffic I couldn't pass on the narrow roads! I just made it in time - and was slightly late (for the ads) by the time I'd bought some chocolate M&Ms, which I had a yen for. Now, I had an assigned seat - but as it was right beside someone, I just sat somewhere else. Which was perfectly fine. And had half the bag of sweets eaten by the time the feature started.

Oh wow, this is An Event. You kind of need to see it, if you have even only a passing interest. It really seems like being there, a fly on the wall, as these historic events pan out. I have to say, I agree with what I've heard about Col. Parker's accent being overdone in the film - yes, he was Dutch (although there was some question about whether he really had any nationality), but from what I've heard of the real man, his accent seemed all-American. And this Dutch accent seems a bit intrusive.

That's it for criticism then. As for Austin Butler.. wooh! I'll say this - it really helps that he has a lovely, deep voice - just like Elvis', in fact. He doesn't do a lot of actual singing - he does do a lot of wiggling! We have explained to us how his dad went to prison, so he and his mother were in dire straights, and ended up living in the poor, black part of Memphis. But oh man, was that a hotbet of musical innovation - and the young Elvis was enthralled by the entertainers he saw and heard around him, and by the gyrations, both of the musicians, and of the Evangelical congregation.

So, when he started to perform on stage.. this was the music he performed, and this was the way he did it! And my, did that start a revolution.. through the whole film, but not overshadowing it, we have a backdrop of race relations - segregation, the assassination of MLK, the assassination of Bobby Kennedy.. terse exchanges between teenage daughters, swooning over the man gyrating in front of them, and their stern fathers, appalled at the "negro" moves and music he's popularising!

I had to keep wondering what would have happened if he'd been allowed to do what so many did after him, collaborate with the (black) musicians he admired, give full rein to his crossover music. During the film, we see him sneaking off to black clubs, meeting people like B. B. King. Wow, what his life could have been - rather than the drug-fuelled haze it became, trundled out every night to entertain the hotel crowd in Las Vegas. The film does focus on that, but handles it quite sympathetically - in particular, we never do see his waistline expand like it did in real life!

The snatches of black music we keep hearing are divine - and watching this, you'd have to conclude that Elvis was the first real rock star, as we understand the term. Fabulous piece of work - completely engaging. Go see. Guaranteed, you'll come out humming some Elvis tune or other..

Afterwards, I went in search of food - but short of heading for the city centre peoper, my choices weren't great! I ended up heading out to the Kilmurry Lodge Hotel, for a change - which turned out to be an excellent choice. Heading straight to the bar, I waited to be seated (like the sign said) - she suggested a booth by the bar, told me what the specials were. I ended up having the roast of the day (lamb) - ages since I'd had one! This was accompanied by some excellent wine, and followed by a most decadent brownie - yum.

The blog was delayed by the redoing of the film list, now that the full listings for London are finally out. Did better for food yesterday than today, I have to say - I didn't dare eat properly before my flight, not having much time, but of course it was delayed. And if I'd wanted to eat on the plane, I couldn't have - they never have the full complement of supplies these days, they don't refill during the day. And during the flight, they didn't even bother to wheel the trolley around - just made an announcement, listing what they had left, and asking people to press the call bell if they wanted anything. As far as food was concerned, they had "a few bars of chocolate"..

Nothing to eat on the Stansted Express either, of course. And with everything, by the time I got to London, it was too late to get anything decent. Arriving in Liverpool Street, I thought - well, I know where to eat here! Got a steak slice from Delice de France, as so many times before. Perhaps not the best of ideas - as sometimes happens, the filling was molten, and I could barely eat it. Burned my tongue quite badly. Ah well..

Tomorrow, I'm going to Favour, at the Bush Theatre - after much effort, as their website wasn't working for days! In fact, it seems to go down sporadically. I chose an unreserved seat, will be allocated one on the day. Anyway, I see TAC has now started selling tickets for this - gee, might be not only the cheapest, but the easiest way to book! Now only limited availability for Wednesday. Wow, was only there once before, 3.5 years ago..

On Tuesday, I booked for The Southbury Child, at the Bridge Theatre. But then I noticed that Up in the Cheap Seats (UITCS) is going, later in the week - so switched my ticket to that night. The theatre is most obliging, that way, and gave me the seat next to the one I'd originally booked. Which leaves me free to go to a film on Tuesday. Well, I just checked the film list - and I see I'm falling foul of the curse of the summer, where I run out of high-rated films. Had I not booked for Elvis on Saturday, it'd have been that. Not only that, but what was left at the top of the list didn't appeal - until I got down to Thor: Love and Thunder.

Stars Chris Hemsworth in the title role, with, jeez - Natalie Portman as his ex-girlfriend: Christian Bale heavily made-up as the villain: Tessa Thompson as a valkyrie, as in Thor: Ragnarok - although I think in this one she's been promoted: the voice of Taika Waititi as an old god (he also directs and co-writes): Russell Crowe as Zeus: Chris Pratt as a star lord (no, me either): Dave Bautista as a kind of sympathetic mercenary (sorry, I just don't follow this stuff in general!): the voices of Vin Diesel (as a talking tree) and Bradley Cooper (as his raccoon sidekick): Ben Falcone as the Asgardian stage manager (!): Simon Russell Beale as Dionysus (way!): Tristan (Thor as a kid) and Sasha Hemsworth (an Asgardian kid) - Chris' twin sons: Matt Damon (uncredited) as an actor recreating Loki's part in Thor - Ragnarok: Luke Hemsworth (yes, Chris' brother) (uncredited) as an actor recreating Thor in Thor - Ragnarok (how appropriate!): Melissa McCarthy (uncredited) as an actor playing Loki's daughter: and Sam Neill (uncredited) as an actor playing Odin. Gee, you think they all really wanted to get involved..?!

Anyway. I loved Thor: Ragnarok, which is hilarious.. this isn't, apparently, as good, but as I say, was top of the list of what's left! and stands on its own merit, I hear. Closest to me is in the Everyman King's Cross. Wow, never heard of it! A bit pricey, I see.. ah well. Predictably, it ultimately didn't hold water - its ratings have slipped, and now that I finally have the full film list, highest (that I don't think I'd hate) is La Vie Me Va Bien (Life Suits Me Well), a Moroccan film about a fellow diagnosed with a progressive neurological disease, and how his family cope with it. The trailer actually looks really good. Showing in the Ciné Lumiere. Too early to get food beforehand. Hmph.

On Wednesday, back with Civilised London for dinner - this time at The Crown itself, where we usually meet for drinks before heading somewhere else for dinner. Excellent choice. Which marks the beginning of a whole spate of Meetups in a row! When's the last time that happened..?

On Thursday, I had booked with The Garden Talks - this online talk is How Do Languages Evolve? But as I say, have now backed out of that, and am headed instead to see The Southbury Child with UITCS.

On Friday, back with the London Classical Music and Theatre Group for the opera Otello, at the Royal Opera House.

On Saturday, I had booked with Discover London (DL) for a trip to see a cart making ceremony. Just last week, I saw a new ad from UITCS - sounded good, 9 Circles - a psychological thriller that examines the ethics of war - at the Park Theatre, with lunch beforehand in Palmyra's Kitchen, next door.  And of course Eleanor, organiser of TunedIn London, advertised a concert through the World Music Meetup, for that evening, at City Hope Church. So now I'm going to all three! Should be able to squeeze them in, although I won't be able to join DL for drinks after if I'm heading for lunch..

Next Sunday, back with Bucket List London (BLL) - this time, it's a trip to Sandown Antiques Market. Well, I've never been to Sandown, so this could be interesting.

On the 18th, back with North London Friends! for the first time since before lockdown. This is for an Edinburgh Comedy Festival preview, at the King's Head in Crouch End, featuring Lucy Porter and Rachel Fairburn.

On the 19th.. I'm taking a punt that I won't actually be employed that day, and have signed up again - at last - for a walk with Laurence and the 45+ Not Grumpy Old Londoners. This is The Magic of Midtown - and as I said to him, it finishes very near my new home! I also promised to let him know if I can't actually make it - although, even if I have started work by then (which would be surprising), perhaps I could take a day off.

On the 20th, I finish my Meetup run with a trip with UITCS to Leicester Square Theatre to see Frankie Boyle, who has a work in progress show.

On the 21st, I'm thinking of heading - at last - to Summer by the River at More London. This is for a free evening of music, curated by Soho Radio. Then I'm back to Ireland for the weekend. Unlikely to get to a film that weekend, as I need to get my car serviced for its NCT - sooner the better, and I couldn't this weekend.

On the 25th, I'm headed to see The Throne, a comedy about to open at Charing Cross Theatre, in which the Queen gets locked in a portaloo with a staunch republican. Time Out has an offer of £10 tickets for the cheapest seats for this - a saving of more than 50%!

On the 26th - tan-ta-ra! I finally managed to get a decently priced ticket to Jerusalem, at the Apollo. I have heard so much about this, and it's always at the top of the Time Out listings - nearly as hard as Hamilton to get a reasonably priced ticket for, so I'm delighted to get one, if only not to have to look any more.

On the 27th, back to Summer by the River again.. for Bumper Blyton: Improvised Adventures for Grown-Ups! Improvised comedy in the style of Enid Blyton books.. sounds jolly good!

On the 28th - another UITCS event that Meetup finally decided to flag to me. So I've booked to go with them to see Briefs Factory's show, Bite Club! at Queen Elizabeth Hall. Drag, burlesque.. should be fun!

On the 29th, thinking about the National Theatre's River Stage 2022. This will be the first night of the Hackney Empire's Young Producers Weekend, and there'll be some dance and some music.

On the 30th, back in Greenwich with BLL - we're starting with the Old Royal Naval College and National Maritime Museum. Was originally supposed to be the Queen's House to finish, but turns out they're booked out all day for a wedding, despite not having clarified that on the website! Then in the afternoon, we're headed to Eltham Palace and Gardens. Quite the packed day - the organiser's English Heritage card expires, it seems, so he's cramming everything in while he can..

And on the 31st, back with TAC for the opening night of I'm Not Myself Today: A Villainous Cabaret at the Bread and Roses in Clapham. An hour in which someone discusses with us why we all love the villain!

Cool Camden Pub Walk & Play: Scandaltown

Well, Wednesday was Star Wars Day. And I had another flat viewing on Wednesday evening - advertised as a 1-bed! Imagine, affordable and within walking distance of work - I hoped it'd work out, I'd love to live alone again, for the first time since I moved to London!

I could have taken a bus, but with a last-minute work demand and having to call my mother, it ran too late, and I ended up on the Tube. I arrived where I'd been told to go on the dot of 5, when I'd arranged to be there. Messaged him to let him know I was there..

So, it started to rain. No response from him, and the only people around had shopping bags, so I figured none was him. I messaged him every few minutes, no response. No sign of him either. Then it started to pour - I finally took refuge under a large tree across the street. I might have left, but was so keen to view a 1-bed that I hung on. At 5.30, he apologetically messaged back, asked whether I had a UK number. Duh, no, just the one you've been messaging me on! I pointed out to him that it's on WhatsApp, on which you can call and message for free - indeed, this was what we were talking on! He told me there was someone in the flat, who would call me on WhatsApp.

He did, told me to come into the courtyard. I told him the gate was locked, he contradicted me and said it was open. I said it had been open, but someone had gone through and locked it. He said he'd come down.

No sign. His boss, whom I'd been speaking to first, got back to me to say the other guy had been calling and there was no answer. Meantime, someone opened the gate and I entered the courtyard. I didn't know the flat number, got it from the boss - but checking the list of flat numbers, I couldn't see it! A local resident passed, and I asked - he told me I was on the wrong side of the building, I'd have to go out and around. Sure enough, there was another courtyard with another gate - and it was open! Guy #2 called me again, I explained what had happened, and he came and got me, led me up to the flat.

He told me someone else was also looking. Well, duh - I should have been in and out by now. Lo, it was a couple that had also been waiting around the other side - pity I didn't get talking to them! Now, they'd got directions from someone, and come around here before I did - pity the idiot didn't join the dots and realise I'd got lost the same way. Anyway. The place - described in the ad as "spacious" - was the pokiest flat I've ever seen. A tiny kitchen, a tiny bathroom, no storage anywhere - and two other rooms. The whole place still needed furnishing, which makes it odd that it's already available! Anyway, I was confused about the two rooms - oh, he told me, he's renting out both! So it's a 2-bed. Well, they were way too small for my purposes, as was the whole flat. What a let-down. I legged it out of there, and reported the ad to Spareroom as misleading. They've been on to him to change the description.

I was due back with Laurence Summers and the 45+ Not Grumpy Old Londoners shortly afterwards! Ah, it'd been too long.. someone suggested that I skip off work for a couple of hours during the day to go on the walks, but seriously, every time I checked when his walks were, I had a meeting that clashed! So, not an option. Anyway, this was the Cool Camden Pub Walk! and a short walk from where I was. It was actually rescheduled - was originally supposed to happen last week. Unfortunately, last night it clashed with a couple of other things - a Civilised London (CL) meal I was actually booked on (happily, he gave me a refund of my deposit), and leaving drinks for my favourite ex-boss from my last company. Tarnation. Well, couldn't be helped - I really wanted to go on this. I was originally booked for an online talk that night - Fight Them on the Beaches was a talk about the greatest speeches in parliament. Courtesy of Guided Walking Tours in Brighton and Sussex. But they record the talks, and indeed the organiser sent me the link yesterday, since I didn't attend. True, isn't it - everything happens on Wednesdays!

So, I was the first Laurence met. And heading to the nearby station, we met someone I literally haven't met in years! Great to see her. The others happened along gradually - only half the number who'd booked, because of the rain. And off we schlepped, through the always-interesting streets of Camden. To be fair, it did rain on us a bit, but not as much as when I was stuck under that tree. It was chilly, though..

Came across a statue that Laurence described as "unloved" - but this guy does deserve respect, as the man who helped to repeal the corn laws, which had such a devastating effect on Ireland as well as England.

Famous residents included:

and I've always loved the graffiti:

We even saw some blue sky, eventually:

Our first pub was The World's End, with nice heavy music on the sound system, and a barman who (again!) mistook my request for a glass of white wine, and tried to serve me red. And him Irish, too! Mind you, he was a bit away with the fairies - stared into space as I was ordering, and came back to himself with a jolt. Anyway, I always like this pub.

Next was The Dublin Castle, which had a loud, live gig in the back (with well-soundproofed doors, thankfully). This is where we shared a table with someone who used to work there, and regaled us with stories..

And so finally to Camden Market:

and our final pub, the Hawley Arms, where Amy Winehouse used to work. V musical part of town, Camden!

Terrific to see everyone! I'm nearly forgetting how to have proper conversations these days, it happens so seldom.. Anyway, I was too tired that night to blog. Mercifully, my internet connection was down yesterday morning, so I got a bit extra in bed. And then too busy to blog all day!

Last night, I was off to Scandaltown, at the Lyric Hammersmith. Yet another play by the prolific Mike Bartlett, this is a revamped Restoration comedy, set in modern-day, debauched London. As always, love his stuff and was really looking forward to this. But wouldn't you know it, now CT has tickets.. ah well..

Again, work got in the way of my leaving at a decent hour - and again, I had to do without a proper dinner. Grabbed a molten steak slice from Delice de France in Liverpool Street Station en route to catch the Tube. And while I was there, caught sight of a Tube status update board - severe delays on the Circle, District, and Hammersmith & City lines. For different reasons, it transpired. All the lines I could get direct to Hammersmith. Happily, there's an alternative - Central and Piccadilly lines. Just as well I've been out there several times lately, and knew what I was doing.

Now, this had all been a rush - which is why, as we approached Hammersmith - in the above-ground section, where I can get internet - it occurred to me that I hadn't dug out my ticket yet. They had texted me a link, but that was to pre-order drinks. So I set about finding the ticket - and was so engrossed, would you believe it, I missed my stop! Jesu. I ended up all the way out in Acton! Non-stop between there and Hammersmith on the Piccadilly line, mind you - so I just caught the next one back. Having said that, I was so flustered, I was in grave danger of missing it - it's years since I lived in West London and used to fly to/from Heathrow, so was familiar with this station..

The Lyric isn't far from the station, is well-signposted, and visible once you're at the right exit - all v helpful. It also helped that I knew where to go - the entrance is on the right, the theatre upstairs (not immediately obvious) - and with all of the fuss, I just made it in time! Well, I might actually have been slightly late, but that was due to the horrendous queue on the stairs. And I had a nice seat, third row in the Stalls:

I'd heard a bad report of this - but that was from someone who doesn't like Restoration comedies. Me, I absolutely loved it! The tone is exactly right, rather silly and very debauched, with even some of the appropriate language creeping in! (The excuse for the two young persons at the centre of the plot speaking in such an old-fashioned way is that they were raised by their aunt, who "wanted to raise them right"). It's hilarious - and wow, does it poke a pin in the inflated ego of some of today's sacred cows! Politics, TV, social media, "wokeness".. scathing dialogue combines with very topical plotlines. Covid shows up, appropriately, as the Plague - Tories having parties in the garden, anyone? The hapless politician, squirming and changing sides as he finds himself in bind after bind, turns to the audience at one point for support. Heh. In fact, there was a good bit of heckling, all taken in good spirit by the cast. Silly, cheeky, OTT.. Highly recommended! Only runs till the 14th - run and see it!

(Oh, and maybe buy something from the poor usher who positions himself in the Stalls at the interval - with everyone heading out to the landing, where there's a bar as well as an ice cream stand, he had nothing to do! Occupied himself bopping to the interval music. Well, I'd have bought my ice cream from him, but he didn't arrive in time..)

Anyway, the Tubes were all running again when I was headed home, and I got a direct one. Ran too late to blog though, as I had to be up for a meeting today - which, ironically, I couldn't attend: internet problems again! For tonight, another ex-boss, Ivan, asked could we do drinks again! He also suggested we try to find somewhere quieter than the last place - not an easy ask, for a central venue on a Friday night. Ah, but I have contacts.. the organiser of CL once recommended to me a pub just off Charing Cross Road, which he knows as quieter than the usual - I couldn't remember the name, but he reminded me it's the Round Table. I'd have booked, but they seem not to take bookings on Friday evenings. Our ex-colleague, James, was coming, and for the first time, my aforementioned ex-boss from my last company! Promised to be cool, and would make up for me missing her leaving drinks on Wednesday night.

And now Ivan has cancelled - as usual. Complicated life, as he says - he swears he'll make it up to us. Ah well, I did enough drinking on Wednesday night anyway! And my ex-boss is still recovering from her debauchery on Wednesday. James is still meeting me for a meal - we've booked Cote Covent Garden. V necessary on a Friday night.

Tomorrow, back with Laurence and the 45+s - this time, it's a walk called Red Lights, Rabble Rousers & RocknRollers, around Soho. And Helen is coming up for it! So, a highly sociable week! Sadly, this'll probably be my last trip with Laurence and the 45+s this month.. the trials of working during the week.

On Sunday, back with the Crick Crack Club (CCC). This is The Origins of Life and Death, with Jan Blake, at the British Museum, which I missed in January. Limited availability at time of writing, as they have socially distanced seating.

On Monday, I'm headed to a film - Everything Everywhere All at Once is a Chinese English-language comedy about a woman travelling through multiple alternate realities. Jamie Lee Curtis shows up too. Nearest showing to me is in Hackney Picturehouse, and I've booked because it's booking heavily.

On Tuesday, what I think is my last event rescheduled because of Covid - I'm headed to the postponed Tarot, at Soho Theatre. Wow, it's over two years since I was there last.. (and now TAC have tickets, blast.)

On Wednesday, back with TAC - for another operatic evening at Hoxton Hall. National Opera Studio is presenting Mozart: Secrets and Seduction. (So much for Meetup being busy on Wednesdays!)

On Thursday, my only Meetup of the week - I'm back with Up in the Cheap Seats, to see a performance of As You Like It at Wilton's. Went for a slightly more expensive seat than usual, this time - I'm sick of straining my neck.

Then back to Ireland for the weekend - would you believe it, I've exhausted the films showing locally that I'm interested in! So it'll be a quiet one.

On the 16th, headed to Middle, at the National.

On the 17th, back with CL for a meal at last - this one is at Mestizo (Mexican). Not usually my favourite, but I'll give it a shot. Meeting beforehand at the Crown & Anchor.

On the 18th - well, I saw on Meetup that a group called Get a Tech Developer Job has a free webinar, Learn Web Scraping with Python! Now, we're expected to use Python in my new job, and I never have - so this could be very handy indeed.

On the 19th, I'm headed to the CCC again, for Astray, at Rich Mix. A storytelling double bill.

On the 20th, headed to Marys Seacole, at Donmar Warehouse. Based on a true story, I've heard mixed reviews - we shall see.

And on the 21st - well Lordy, I've booked for the Roman London Walk, with Walk About London (also advertised on Walks, Talks & Treasure Hunts - both linked to London Guided Walks). Now, I missed the last two I was booked on with this company - third time lucky?

Tomfoolery

Tonight, Tommy Tiernan was playing at the Hammersmith Apollo! Now, I failed to get a ticket for this the first time around. Then it was rescheduled because of Covid.. and I got a ticket for the rescheduled event! Then that was rescheduled.. third time lucky.. Love Tommy Tiernan. The show is called Tomfoolery. Doing something of a world tour for the next few months.

It was as well that I checked for my ticket early in the day - I'd selected to receive an e-ticket, which was supposed to be stored in my Eventim account - but it wasn't there! Probably as a result of the reschedule. I did come across a phone number to ring if it was within 24 hours of the event - got a quick response, explained the problem, and the nice chap tried to email me the ticket but couldn't. Instead, he switched it to box office collection, emailed me a collection code, and instructed me to have ID with me.

This far from me, of course it was going to be Tube. Google Maps suggested that the Central Line, followed by the Piccadilly, would be faster - and after my last experience of the Circle Line, I'd be forced to agree - so that's what I did. Again, just as well - there were delays on the Circle. I needed to eat, wanted something a bit fast, although I knew the show wasn't starting till 8 - behold, I was walking out through the shopping centre at Hammersmith Broadway and there was a Wasabi. So I thought - why not? It'd been a while, and I used to like it. As I was queueing though, I made the decision to pass on the katsu curry I used to get, and try the teriyaki instead - I have always liked that. Had noodles with it too, for a change. And it was all nice - if perhaps a bit heavy on the soy sauce. I found I couldn't finish it.

And so to the theatre, just past 7, when the doors had opened. There is great value to not being there when the doors open, there's much less queueing. A separate queue led to the box office - and so much for the collection code, he just checked my name against the filed tickets, using my ID. Wow, it's so long since I had a physical ticket.. And to the bar, where the white wine comes in cans. Well, it's ok. And so to the long climb to my seat, in Row X of the Circle.

The support act, as before, is his cousin Eleanor. And thereafter, a 15-minute wait for the main attraction:

Well, the warm welcome that Eleanor got was nothing to the roar that greeted Tommy. His following is loyal - and was pissed. It's more than two years, you know, since this show was originally scheduled here - imagine. And part of the show tonight had him describe how he is re-energised by the energy of the audience, how on long stretches of motorway - or at home during lockdown - his life force just drains away. He thanked us for remembering we'd bought tickets (as one fellow beside me remarked to his companions, he'd only suddenly remembered today..).

He sure was in fine fettle here! He prowled around the stage like a kind of creaky guru, complete with white beard. The crowd was a bit rowdy - drowned out by one group of ladies, he quieted them by saying "ladies, we arranged to meet BACKSTAGE, afterwards.. I have work to do here now!" And he still manages to reduce me to tears. I particularly love his description of his small dog at home, which he doesn't much care for: describes it as a "small, yappy thing - a cross between a mop and a panic attack!" Or then, there's the explanation for why the Russian forces are retreating - it's not that they're being beaten back. Oh no, it's the Irish. They haven't sent over troops (hah! as if - if the Ukraine is short of equipment, sure the Irish never got any..). No, instead they've sent over council road workers with diversion signs. The Russians have just been diverted back to Russia..

Fabulous stuff. Be warned though - the jokes get filthier as the set progresses. Good luck to you Tommy, delighted to see you on the road again!

Happily, I didn't have to climb down all those stairs without a handrail - we had a quick route out the fire escape at the back. Circle Line home, stopped off in Liverpool Street because I was peckish, Wasabi not having quite done the business. Delice de France was still open, and I grabbed a bite there before walking the last bit.

Tomorrow, it's back to Ireland for the weekend again. For Saturday, I've booked Uncharted - an Indiana Jones-style adventure, probably with less style, but at least starring Mark Wahlberg and Antonio Banderas. Could be fun, and anyway, the choice for daytime isn't spectacular. Showing, as usual, at the Omniplex.

On Monday, I've booked for The 47th, at The Old Vic. Written by Mike Bartlett, this imagines the American presidential elections of 2024. I am really looking forward to this play..

On Tuesday, I'm finally going to Six, the Musical! Based around the story of the six wives of Henry VIII (very loosely, I'd say), it's playing at the Vaudeville and I hear good things. Cheapest tickets from Leicester Square Box Office.

On Wednesday, back with Civilised London, who are off to the opera at the Southbank Centre. The show in question is The Paradis Files. On Thursday, I'm back to Ireland for Easter - but left it so late to book, I could only get an afternoon flight - no problem getting the day off work though!

Well, my friend got back to me - they're away in the middle of Easter week, back on the 21st, so the most sensible thing to do seemed to be to visit on the 22nd, which I've now arranged with her. Happily, my boss was also fine with me taking that week as holiday. Anyway, I'll fly back to London on the 24th. And on the 25th, I'm off to The Corn is Green, at the National.

Walks: "Tinker, Tailor, Soldier & a Hatful of Spies" & "Scandals, Scriptwriters & Sumptuous Architecture", Pub: The Woodman, & Storytelling: Holy Cow!

Well, I finally got a provisional start date from my new job - and it's this week. So last Friday, still being free, I booked with Laurence Summers and the 45+ Not Grumpy Old Londoners for a daytime walk. This was Tinker, Tailor, Soldier & a Hatful of Spies - and comes highly recommended from previous attendees! In fact, I got the last spot (at the time, anyway). 

Wow, it's so long since I was on Villiers Street! And I see a couple of restaurants have disappeared from there since, sadly. Anyway, we had to meet at the bottom, near Embankment - I couldn't see the group as I came down, but sure enough, there they were, behind the lorry.. and we stood, as usual, for a while, and chatted.. and lo, there was that pesky snow again! Interestingly, this was to be a feature of the walk - it fairly pelted down on us at one point, and we noticed a few interesting patterns. Like, it always seemed to follow a sunny spell. And it always seemed to be encouraged by us putting down our hoods, taking off gloves etc. It came to the point where we were practically dragging Laurence into the sunnier sides of streets, and encouraging him to abridge the walk.. we actually did have to abandon one spot we stopped at, for fear of being blown over!

Having said that, it was an interesting walk, lots of chat about spies, both real and fictional. Not so interesting visually, sadly - especially as spy organisations tend to favour nondescript buildings. I did manage one photo, and here it is:

Anyway, lunch turned out to be in Henry's! Now, this is a find.. decent, reasonably priced food in this part of town? Fabulous. Having said that, my chicken schnitzel was a bit hard to cut, and service was a little scatty.. but we did have a massive group, almost all of whom stayed for lunch, and so we had way more than had booked. And the food was good - in fact, the white chocolate profiteroles were divine! Would love to come back. One of the group was still celebrating her birthday from the day before - so we consumed much wine.. ;-)

After lunch, we repaired to Caffe Concerto. Never been in here before, imagine! Where I had more wine, some people had cake.. and the chat was mighty. And then, some folk wanted to continue.. so, we let ourselves be led by someone else to a wine bar she knew, called Le Beaujolais. And the gent of the group proved himself a gent by paying for a cab!

Mad place, and a bit cramped, but good company, good wine, good nibbles. Mind you, I was now flagging, and by just gone 11, I'd had enough. Despite a plea to continue at Ronnie Scott's, I was adamant I needed to go to bed - and that is what I did. Still, a most excellent night - hell, entire day! was had. Memorable. Thanks, guys! I was too tired to blog, of course.

That evening, I had booked with the Crick Crack Club (CCC) for - The Grand Annual Lying Contest! at Rich Mix. Of course, that fell by the wayside.

Yesterday, I had booked with Walks, Talks & Treasure Hunts for a Regent's Canal Walk. But yay, Laurence and the 45+s then advertised another walk for that day, which was pretty much guaranteed to be superior. So I booked it. This was Scandals, Scriptwriters & Sumptuous Architecture - and of course, it being a London weekend, I could go!

Would you believe, only three people showed up to that - not including Laurence. (And yes, it was a tad difficult for me to drag myself out of bed. But I did.) Lovely sunny day for it too - with the odd snow shower, of course. A much more photogenic walk, I have to say.. We started in Kensington Gardens - a beautiful day for a stroll in the park, lots of dogs around, and a great way to blow off the cobwebs.

We met the man who invented the Penny Black:

and other residents:

And boy, was there a lot of religious architecture! Sadly, they weren't letting the public into the synagogue, it being Sabbath:

And we didn't stop at St. Matthew's:

But we had more luck with the Greek Orthodox church, where we sneaked in with a few minutes to spare before a christening! Sometimes, it pays to be a small group:

Passed an old art deco cinema, now converted to flats:

And here's a curiosity: a memorial to an Albanian war hero! Fought off the Ottomans, it seems:

Gee, you never do know what's around the corner! We finished with a sumptuous hotel:

Now, apparently not all the rooms are decorated like the reception rooms, but wow, those reception rooms:

And there's a teensy theatre - now converted to a bar:

Fabulous stuff. We then repaired to Pret, had a good old chat.. and went our separate ways. Very sorry not to be joining Laurence and this group again for a while, but I have so much time scheduled in Ireland this month.. and if work starts when it says it will, there go the midweek ones! Ah well, I do need a way to pay for all of this..

Now, that evening, an ex-colleague of mine was having a leaving do - he's emigrating. Combined with a birthday bash. Happened at The Woodman, in Highgate. I said I'd put in an appearance. I didn't see much point in going home first - so I didn't! Tube it was..

Located the pub - where I had to wait to be seated. And during the day, it seems to be more about food! First, I visited the loo - with pull chain flushes and a peculiar design of handbasin, it is a unique establishment! And so to ordering food, and they got all antsy when I tried to order at the bar - mind you, considering how long it took anyone to come to me between courses, it was as well I did. Still, I was killing time. I decided to try the shepherds pie:

Isn't that just dinky? Unfortunately, I was feeling fragile after the night before, and couldn't finish it - not to mention the enormous portion of onion rings I ordered with it. Well, a portion of ice cream for dessert went down well.

When someone else I knew came along, we established that the birthday/leaving guy had arrived, and made our way out to the "covered al fresco" section. Which is very well-designed, a kind of shack effort, with overhead heaters. Have to say, those heaters were not effective - it seemed that only the person directly under the heater got any benefit, and we spent most of the night shivering. Thankfully, they closed the outdoor bar at around 11pm, and we moved inside - and wondered why we hadn't done it earlier!

A terrific, retro soundtrack kept us going all night, and one guy had brought his seriously cute dog, Mollie - a poodle cross, white and fluffy - who was the star of the evening. But oh man, it was so good to see all these people I hadn't seen for years! So glad I made the effort for this. And our host and his partner were good enough to let me share their Uber home - turns out they don't (for the moment) live so far from me! Well, well.. again, sadly, I was too tired to blog.

Today, the CCC again! (and was I glad of the lie-in). Emily Hennessey and Sheema Mukherjee were at the British Museum, with Holy Cow! Tales from the River of Life. Unfortunately, the London Landmarks Half Marathon was also today, so I took the Tube again. First off, got a bite to eat in Delice de France - it's been a while - and for once, it didn't burn my mouth! Arrived at the museum in good time, got a pack of Piper's sweet chilli crisps, which I really didn't like and didn't finish! and a much nicer apple juice. And in due course, took my seat downstairs - I see it was well-signposted, for once!

I don't think I've ever seen Emily Hennessey on better form, as she pranced around the stage, ankle bells jingling, bringing to life fantastical Indian tales about gods and magic. But the real star of the show for me was Sheema Mukherjee, who wove an enchanting and hypnotic spell around the words, playing her sitar, singing, providing sound effects. As ever, a terrific way to spend a relaxed Sunday afternoon - additional validation provided by the Indian family in front of me, who were very impressed with it all. And kudos to Emily for not batting an eyelid when someone's phone went off, or there was a public announcement that the museum was closing - no, she just wove them into her story.

Afterwards, I might have eaten locally, but I had to run and view a room - I want to move to a larger place, now that I'm going to be working completely remotely. I'd promised the tenant who was to show it to me that I wouldn't keep him all night, so I zipped over there by Tube again. Unfortunately, although it would be an improvement on what I have now, the price seemed excessive for what was on offer, and I've declined it - for one thing, I think a wardrobe is a dealbreaker! The guy living there now keeps his clothes on a rail - and he's even taking that with him. Nope, the search continues.

Meantime, looking for somewhere to eat around there, I hit on The Empress - appropriately, an Indian restaurant. I was their only sit-down customer - although they had a couple of takeaway orders - so service was prompt. And friendly. I had my usuals, and I have to say, I haven't had tastier anywhere. Why, the naan wasn't even burnt. Although - as ever - there was a pitiful amount of chicken for all that sauce; having eaten the six chunks they provided me with, I nearly laughed out loud when the waiter asked whether I wanted a doggy bag for the leftovers. What, the leftover sauce?!

Tomorrow, I'm back at the Park Theatre for the first time in nearly three years! This is for Clybourne Park, a comedy about a white family moving into a predominantly black neighbourhood.

On Tuesday, I'm headed to But I'm a Cheerleader, a musical comedy at the Turbine Theatre.

On Wednesday, back with Up in the Cheap Seats at Southwark Playhouse, and another free ticket for me! This time, it's for Anyone Can Whistle, with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim.

On Thursday, Tommy Tiernan is playing at the Hammersmith Apollo! Now, I failed to get a ticket for this the first time around. Then it was rescheduled because of Covid.. and I got a ticket for the rescheduled event! Then that was rescheduled.. third time lucky?! Love Tommy Tiernan. The show is called Tomfoolery. And then it's back to Ireland for the weekend again.

On the 11th, I've booked for The 47th, at The Old Vic. Written by Mike Bartlett, this imagines the American presidential elections of 2024. I am really looking forward to this play..

On the 12th, I'm finally going to Six, the Musical! Based around the story of the six wives of Henry VIII (very loosely, I'd say), it's playing at the Vaudeville and I hear good things. Cheapest tickets from Leicester Square Box Office.

On the 13th, back with Civilised London, who are off to the opera at the Southbank Centre. The show in question is The Paradis Files. Next day, I'm back to Ireland for Easter - but left it so late to book, I could only get an afternoon flight, and will have to start my new job (whenever) by asking for that day off work!

Well, my friend got back to me - they're away in the middle of Easter week, back on the 21st, so the most sensible thing to do seemed to be to visit on the 22nd, which I've now arranged with her. Whether I take that week as holiday, or take the laptop there and work from Ireland, remains to be seen. Anyway, I'll fly back to London on the 24th. And on the 25th, I'm off to The Corn is Green, at the National.