Comedy in Your Eye

Tonight, headed to Comedy in your Eye, at the Camden Eye. Tickets from Design my Night, including a free drink.

So, I headed off - it's a short bus ride, and I intended to eat there. For some reason, Google Maps on my phone showed a really confusing route, also confusing me about where the stop is - not the first time that's happened. Not to mention confusion about where I'd be getting off - never mind, I figured it out. Unfortunately, I took one look around the pub and walked out again! It's tiny, it was packed. Wanting somewhere half decent to eat, I lighted on Brewdog - I remember it being very good in Stockholm, but hadn't been back since.

Well, they had plenty of seats, mercifully - they have a limited menu, so it didn't take me long to order. It was going to be a burger - with fries - and I saw one description that particularly attracted me. The glaze on the chicken included honey - I was there. Ah yes - but it also included hot sauce.. Let me testify that their description is accurate. This is, indeed, hot sauce. I managed it.. mind you, they stuffed so much chicken into the burger that I had to demolish it and eat it with a knife and fork - I'd never have got my mouth around it. To clarify, it was actually tasty - just HOT! The chicken, when I noticed it around the hotness, was succulent. With time to spare, I was going to have dessert - and it was going to be ice cream (they had chocolate or strawberry). Bless, he also asked whether I'd like a glass of water - no thanks, I'd recovered by now. And the ice cream, I have to say, was divine! Next time though, I'll see whether they have sauvignon blanc - the pinot grigio is insipid.

And so, back to the pub - where the clientele was sozzled, and the sauvignon blanc is very tasty. No indication of getting anything free, though. I moseyed in a little early, got a seat near the back - make sure to arrive early to this, it was packed! Standing room is, however, reserved for performers. A guy came around stamping wrists of people who had tickets:

So, there's a big eye to the side of the stage - I think it's supposed to change colour when certain subjects come up. But it wasn't working tonight.

I really have to stop coming to these. They always take the same format - at least the performance space here is less grotty than most. The MC was bland, the first three acts - frankly, pathetic. I might have counted one good joke among them (running might increase your respiratory capacity, but it decreases your ability to use it to say anything interesting). The fourth guy (Ibrahim - something - known as Ibs) showed potential. And then we came to the interval, and I legged it. In my defence, my back had been troubling me all day, and there was no back support - these were all benches, and I was uncomfortable. And this was all looking familiar. I bet the second set was better - but I was glad not to be there to see it.

On the way home, I passed the Co-Op - didn't really need anything urgently, but thought I might pop in. Except - they were closing! At 9.05..? I bet the tills were playing up again. Anyway, nice to be in, on another rainy night.

Tomorrow - my first Crick Crack Club (CCC) event of the year! Online, but never mind - it's Nick Hennessy, at the Story Museum, performing The Kalevala. I think I remember hearing that he's the only non-Finnish person ever to win their competition to recite this! So, really looking forward to it.

Of course, I got confirmation today that it'll be recorded, and available for a week afterwards. So, you know, I can do something else if I feel like it! So I checked.. and wouldn't you know it, there's loads on. In particular, Up in the Cheap Seats (UITCS) has two events. I looked first at Arms and the Man, showing at the Orange Tree - but it was sold out. However, they are broadcasting next week's performances.. so I've booked for one of those. Can be watched, on demand, any time next week. (And can be got cheaper than a physical ticket).

Which still left me free to check out the group's other offering - so now I'm off to The Wife of Willesden, at The Kiln. Which looks like fun!

Then, of course, I'm back to Ireland for the weekend.. film is looking like A Man Called Otto, which suits just fine! Based on the Swedish comedy, A Man Called Ove, it stars Tom Hanks as an old grump whose wife has just died, but who meets his match in the fiesty young family that moves in next door. And, interestingly, its IMDB rating just keeps rising.. Showing in Ennis, handily.

On Monday, back with UITCS for The Art of Illusion, at Hampstead Theatre. Award-winning, it seems..

On Tuesday, I'm headed to Chicago Blues Explosion in the January Blues Festival at the 100 Club. Just a shame their early bird tickets were sold out.

Next Wednesday, with TAC for a classical concert at King's Place (nice and close). This is the Kirckman Society for young artists, presenting Connaught Brass.

On the 19th, Ken's Green Walks for Health (aka Ken's Events, to those of us who know it from before) is off to see the Winter Lights at Canary Wharf. Now, I wouldn't go with them in a fit - but there's nothing to stop me seeing the lights myself for free, eh? I don't see the point in paying Ken £5 to lead a group around..

On the 20th (a Friday, unusually), back with Watkin's Bookshop for a book launch. This is Fifty Forgotten Books by R. B. Russell. Occult theme, as usual. Let's see whether I can avoid falling asleep this time!

On the 21st, back at King's Place - this time it's the CCC, with Stories in the Dark. Told in darkness, by the sound of it - sounds divine!

On the 22nd, back with Cultureseekers for the Hieroglyphs: Unlocking Ancient Egypt exhibition at the British Museum. Assuming it's not curtailed due to transport strikes - there is a warning on the museum website that galleries might have to close early!

On the 23rd, I've finally booked for Best of Enemies at the Noel Coward Theatre. This play concerns a series of debates on US television between liberal writer Gore Vidal and conservative William F. Buckley in 1968 - the interesting twist here, given the time and place we're talking about, is to cast William Buckley as black! Had my own seat review on Seatplan to guide me in picking a seat - this is one of those restricted view/legroom theatres. And despite all the theatre offers flooding my inbox, I found the cheapest tickets for this on the official website! Mind you, what with See Tickets doing the selling, I found myself with a second, unexplained, booking fee..

For the next week or so, it's all UITCS! On the 24th, for some reason, I hadn't seen their advertised event to see Orlando, based on the book by Virginia Woolf, and showing at the Garrick. For this, however, I found the cheapest tickets from Official London Theatre (OLT).

On the 25th, we're off to see John Bishop at the Leicester Square Theatre. Love him, so I booked as soon as I saw this advertised - one of the few things for this month that I booked last month! Not that it seems to be selling out..

On the 26th, we're off to The Vaults Festival - specifically, The Welsh Lxdies, a bilingual show about the women of Wales. Then back to Ireland for the weekend again.

On the 30th, we're heading to Noises Off, starring Felicity Kendal, at the Phoenix. Again, cheapest tickets from OLT.

On the 31st, with a group I haven't joined in a Very Long Time - I'm back with London Dramatic Art, from whom I've got a front-row ticket for Sylvia, at The Old Vic; this is the story of Sylvia Pankhurst, and stars the excellent Beverley Knight. Completely sold out - this was my only way to get a ticket!

On the 1st, back with the Horror Book Club - Lordy, that means I need to read a book! :-) I suppose I can use my flights for that. This time, it's The Ballad of Black Tom, based on the Lovecraft story, The Horror at Red Hook, but told from the perspective of a black man. Which means I should really read that, too.. Nice, I'd like to get back to some Lovecraft! In the Prince of Wales, Covent Garden again. Question is, will the kitchen be open..?

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

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

On the 4th, well, Laurence Summers and the 45+ Not Grumpy Old Londoners are back to Greenwich again. Now, I have been there with him before.. not sure how "new" this one will be, but hey, it was a great day last time!

On the 5th, nothing on Meetup appeals massively at the moment - I might go for a walk along the Ken's Events route, if I feel like it! (on my own). Or Over 40 Living the Life has just advertised a walk along the New River.. I'll have to see, as I have to pay to sign up (refunds given to those who then come). And I might well change my mind..

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

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

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

On the 9th, back with UITCS for Winner's Curse, at the Park Theatre - an interactive show about a peace negotiation. And then I'm back to Ireland again.

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

Mooch About - Thursday at the Vauxhall Comedy Club & A Vibrant Village! Walking Tour of Marylebone

Yesterday, I was supposed to be back with Guided Walking Tours in Brighton and Sussex, for what promises to be a very interesting talk: Dark Days Virtual Show - The Dark Days of Edgar Allen Poe. Love Edgar Allen Poe, myself. But it was then rescheduled, and I can't make the new date. Have requested a refund. So, looking for something else to do, I came across Over 40 Living the Life. Who were off to the Vauxhall Comedy Club. Two interesting things about this. Firstly, the group was charging twice what the venue advertises - so fine, I didn't go with the group. Secondly, the venue adds a 50p booking fee to what they're advertising. So, you know, seems a bit rich to advertise an "early bird" charge, then add a booking fee. But whatever. I went. On my own. (Oh, it does include a free drink.) Tickets from Design My Night. Promised to be interesting getting there, on a strike day.. it'd be over an hour's walk, if it came to that! Probably in the rain.

In the event, it didn't rain. But it was interesting, schlepping around Liverpool Street Station - I hadn't been there to see the effects on Tuesday. The Tube entrances were blocked - mostly; a shuttle service was running on the Central Line between there and Hainault. And a TFL worker was there to answer queries, and distribute copies of the poster displayed outside the entrance. You know, the kind you get on bus stops, with a map of the surrounding area, and an index so you could check what bus you needed to get, and from where..

Me, I knew what buses I could get, and where to get them. As usual, I had a choice, and the first to come was the one I chose - the #35 took me to Elephant and Castle, where I had to change. Ironically, the next one along was the #344, which I could have got straight from home in the first place.. Anyway, I was lucky to get a seat on both, despite the crowds caused by the Tube strike - and this dropped me a few minutes' walk from the club. Now, I don't know this area much at all, and pretty much followed my nose - over the high walkway that you need to take just to stay on your side of the road, and through a railway tunnel.. and if I hadn't had my nose in my phone, I'd have noticed the club, which I passed on the other side. As it happened, once I was out the other side of the tunnel, I realised I'd come too far, and retraced my steps.

Oh my, but they've decorated nicely. This is literally a beer garden, with a green carpet, food stalls along the side, and a long bar. Loads of long benches to eat and drink at. Following others, however, I realised that the comedy was through one of the doors - the doorman scanned my QR code, and gave me a drinks voucher. So I went back and queued for a 175ml wine, then back to the door and in - I could have grabbed something to eat, probably; the show, with an advertised start time of 7.30, didn't actually start till 8. But hey.

I sat, pretty safely, in the third row - this is not my first comedy show, and I wasn't in the mood to be part of the performance. A DJ up at the side provides a musical backdrop - and the guy taking tickets on the door turned out to be the MC. Eight (!) acts - four before a 10-minute interval, four more after. And in time-honoured tradition, as the acts progressed, they got progressively better. Which is the polite way of saying that the first three were.. trying. You can just tell when someone hasn't quite got the knack of this yet - particularly when the next one up is so good! But you know, the fourth one made the first half worth coming for. Apologies, I cannot remember a single name - none were familiar to me - but I do know that the second half just flew, and I was sorry when it ended. So, well worth a punt! V cool vibe as well - I'd be delighted to come back here. And maybe have a burger, next time - no hassle bringing food and drink in, either.

The wait for the bus back was freeeeezing.. but at least it was a lot less crowded. Sadly, it ran too late last night to blog.

Because today, Laurence Summers and the 45+ Not Grumpy Old Londoners had another walk - A Vibrant Village! Walking Tour of Marylebone. And as I haven't yet started my new job, I booked. Lunch after as well, of course! and this time, I didn't have a flight to catch. Had to be up reasonably early though. And might have got the bus, except by the time I was ready to leave, Tube was the only reasonable option. My local cash machine didn't have cash, so I figured I'd get some when I arrived.

Bond Street Station has an exit in Marylebone Lane. Who knew?! Anyway, this is where we were to meet. Now, I did see a sign in the station.. then went through the barrier and seemed to lose it again. So I just went onto Oxford Street. Where I did get an ATM. And then turned around, and noticed a sign for Marylebone Lane - and an Underground sign there. Hmm. And wouldn't you know it, that is where the Marylebone exit for Bond St Station is. Wow. Happily, everyone seemed to find it in due course - apart from several who cancelled because of travel delays, a knock-on effect from the strike..

So, off down Marylebone Lane we trotted. And to St. Christopher's Place, where we were informed that St. Christopher is a saint no longer! Hmm, I don't think that'll wash with the likes of my mother..

Religion was, interestingly, to feature heavily on this walk; we saw some lovely churches:

..of which the highlight must have been the Catholic St. James', built for the Spanish community in the 19th Century! We went in, naturally - churches like this are irresistible, particularly if you like to take photos..

And so around some quiet streets that would be eye-wateringly expensive to buy in, and we came across a hoarding of some famous people associated with the area:

And so to our last church of the day, Marylebone Parish Church, so high Anglican that some were sure it must be Catholic! but there you go.

And thence to lunch, in the Sir John Balcombe. Where, from a pretty comprehensive menu, I chose gammon - maybe a little tough and salty for my taste, but the accompaniments were excellent.. I'd maybe choose something else next time. The wine was perfect, though.

Conversation buzzed, as usual - and after, we headed in search of a café, ending up at La Gauloise. Where some of us had cake, a couple hot chocolates, and tea/coffee. As soon as I saw the massive chocolate cake in the window, I was sorted, of course - and it was fine. If perhaps - as tends to happen when cakes are left for a while in window displays - a little stale.. Never mind, it's a nice little place, with friendly staff.

By the time we left, the weather had turned unpleasant - cold and damp. And I got a bus back.. which felt like, and was, quite a long journey. And absolutely crammed - is this normal for a Friday, or had nobody told them the strike is over? I was glad to escape!

Tomorrow, back with the group and guide again for the Heavenly Heights of Hampstead Walking Tour. Heavens, I shall be fit after the Hampstead hills.. and I can get buses. Assuming I leave in time.

On Sunday, it's back with the Crick Crack Club (CCC) for Atalanta, as recounted by Ben Haggarty, at the British Museum. Assuming their pipes are fixed. Well, he is the man for Greek mythology..

On Monday, I'm back with Up in the Cheap Seats (UITCS) for a new version of Wuthering Heights, at the National. Well, this was my favourite book for a long time - let's see what they've done to it!

On Tuesday, I'm at Anarchy at the Opera, at Hoxton Hall. Courtesy of TAC. Where we're going to hear some lesser known works..

On Wednesday and Thursday, back with London Classical Music and Theatre Group (LCMTG). Wednesday, it's a concert at the Southbank Centre, where Sheku Kanneh-Mason plays Shostakovich. Apart from numerous other accolades, he achieved worldwide renown after playing at the wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. (And nuts if CT didn't just advertise tickets for this..!)

On Thursday, we're back to the Barbican for a concert of Haydn music by the Academy of Ancient Music.

Now, my new job - after some chasing - did finally send me the paperwork to complete. But as I still don't have it back to them, I figure they surely won't have me up and running by next Friday! so I've booked on another of Laurence's walks with the 45+s - Pubs, Poets & Prostitutes: a Tour of Southwark. Honestly, I think this is my favourite part of London - can't resist. And again, we'll finish fairly close to home for me - because that evening I'm back to Ireland for the weekend again.

On the 14th, more classical music at the Barbican - this time it's with London Baroque Music Lovers, and this is Handel with Les Arts Florissants.

On the 15th, headed with UITCS to The Woods, at Southwark Playhouse. Aw man, it's over a year since I last saw a performance from there, and over two years since I was last there in person! And would you believe it, I bought a PAYG subscription from them years ago, and it still entitles me to free tickets. So I used it for this! With the group having snapped up most of the front row, I'm in the row behind..

On the 16th, I'm back with LCMTG - for a play this time! We're seeing Straight Line Crazy, with Ralph Fiennes, at the Bridge. Just as well we booked early - availability is low for that night.

The 17th is, of course, St. Patrick's Day. In Ireland, it's a bank holiday - here, Kíla is playing the London Irish Centre again. A standing gig, this time. Should be mad.

On the 18th, I'm back with London European Club, for 24 Italian Songs & Arias, at Battersea Arts Centre. They're operating a "Pay What You Can" scheme, where you pay what you want, between £5 and £35 - recommended price, £16. They even sent me a survey afterwards to see what I thought!

On the 19th, back with Laurence and the 45+s - this time, it's Highgate: A Very English Village.

On the 20th.. someone I swore I'd never do a walk with again. Well, we'll see whether she's back on form - Walks, Talks & Treasure Hunts (WTTH) is off on a walk called Secrets of Belgravia. (Courtesy of her company, London Guided Walks.) The code MEETUP3 gets you a £3 discount on all her walks - which does cover the booking fee of £1, not advertised before you come to the point of purchasing the ticket. Well, it'll be a start if she shows up!

On the 21st, I'm at another Zoom talk - Quakers at War is the story of the Quakers and their pacifism. Courtesy of Surrey History Meetup.

On the 22nd.. I'm booked for Dear Evan Hansen, at the Noel Coward Theatre! Finally - I'd booked for this before lockdown, and of course it got cancelled. Cheapest tickets from the official site.

On the 23rd, back with Civilised London (CL) - back at Le Sacré Coeur, meeting beforehand at The Crown, as usual.

On the 24th, back with TAC for Avocado Presents - Improv, at Etcetera Theatre. Eh, I think it's a jazz concert? Anyway, then back to Ireland for the weekend again.

On the 28th, going to see Daddy at the Almeida. Having never seen a bad production here, I have high hopes.

On the 29th, finally going to see Andrew Lloyd Webber's Cinderella! I hear good things.. it's playing at the Gillian Lynne Theatre, which is new to me - Seatplan was invaluable in choosing the best seating option. What's On Stage provided the cheapest price for that seat, though!

On the 30th, back with CL - for a play this time. This is The Fever Syndrome, at Hampstead Theatre.

On the 31st, back with TAC for One Night With Robbie Williams. This is at The Courtyard.

On the 1st, back with the CCC for - The Grand Annual Lying Contest! at Rich Mix.

On the 2nd, back with WTTH for a Regent's Canal Walk. Different guide.

On the 3rd, the CCC again! Emily Hennessey and Sheema Mukherjee are at the British Museum, with Holy Cow! Tales from the River of Life.

On the 4th of next month, 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 the 5th of next month, I'm headed to But I'm a Cheerleader, a musical comedy at the Turbine Theatre.

On the 6th of next month, back with UITCS 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 the 7th of next month, Tommy Tiernan is playing at the Eventim 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 of next month, 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 of next month, 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.

And on the 13th of next month, back with CL, who are off to the opera at the Southbank Centre. The show in question is The Paradis Files.

Storytelling: Scared to Death in the Woods / Night Owl

So, made a beeline for Wasabi today - earlier than yesterday, so I wasn't in a rush. And yum. I was stuffed by the end, though - they give two escalopes per portion, and it's a lot. I was lucky enough to get a place to sit in the station, again, while I was eating - and was entertained by the sound of cheering, from an indeterminate location in the building. Which I'm guessing was the reason for the police officers stationed outside. Anyway, nothing untoward happened, and I set off in good time for my event.

Tonight, I booked something nice and Halloweeny - a ghost story event entitled Night Owl - changed from Scared to Death in the Woods, which they're now doing on Hallowe'en itself, and which has sold out. (Although mind you, my reminder email still called it Scared to Death in the Woods.) Tickets from Design My Night. So, an organisation called London Dreamtime was leading us off into a undisclosed location, somewhere around Hampstead Heath.. we were to dress warmly, and bring a blanket to sit on, and a "candle in a jar" - I actually went out and bought an LED flickering candle in a lantern-style holder. Well, thought it was the most practical! And I brought batteries back with me.

So, I popped in the batteries, and off I popped for the bus, which came promptly. And it was cool to see all the people out in Hallowe'en costumes. Even the Teletubbies. I had to change buses, mind - and as I waited for the next - the #46 - I checked the LCD screen to see how long it'd be. Nearly half an hour?! Ah now, that wouldn't do at all. This completely disagreed with Google Maps' estimate of 1 minute. Google, get your act together - I ended up on the Tube, which I could have taken in the first place, and which would then have worked out quicker and cheaper.

The Central Line was crowded, so I stood - but it was a shorter journey. The Northern Line, I did get a seat on - but it was so hot.. it was a relief to emerge into the cool night air. Speaking of which, I was glad I hadn't taken the advice to bring a blanket - it really wasn't that cold. So, I set off for the Overground Station, where we were to meet. I was just checking whether I should turn to the right, for the entrance - when I saw a lady with a lantern across the road, a crowd around her. Sure enough, 'twas her - and she ticked my name off the list along with the others', then told us to go stand with the crowd huddled on the path into the woods, further up. I noticed a few with lanterns, so didn't feel out of place. Looks like the avenue of trees here would be lovely in daylight, but in the dark, it's hard to make out.

We set off at a fair pace - and when we got past the lit area at the edge of the Heath, she instructed us to use our phone torches. Sure enough, my little lantern wouldn't have been much good on its own! She stopped a couple of times en route, to set the scene - at the first stop, she told us the hilarious tale of how her mother was secretary to Christopher Neil-Smith, an Anglican exorcist - until something happened one day to make her flee out the door and never come back. Her second stop was to set the scene for her main story. (Yes, story, singular..)

So, we eventually got led into the woods proper, where the light came in handy, and there were logs we could sit on - or a groundsheet. One couple had, indeed, brought a blanket to sit on. I got a bit of log - not that comfortable, I might add. But I did find that the lantern added to the atmosphere. We were kind of in a circle, and she took an elevated spot so we could see her - and she related the story of a practiser of occult arts, who lived just down the road, and of the last day of his life. Beautifully told, quite eerie - and with a backdrop of the sound of fireworks, somewhere nearby, it sounded as though we were under attack. I'd have taken a photo, but honestly, I didn't want to spoil the mood..

And, um, that was it. Half an hour to make our way there, a half-hour or so to tell the story, and we were done. You what?! It took me longer than that to get there on the Tube! Granted, my bum was glad to detach itself from the log, but still - dragging us all the way up there for half an hour's worth. Also, not as advertised - I mean, this event was advertised as carrying on until 10! We finished at about 8.15..

I needed to take someone's arm for a short but steep slope that led back to the path - then it was easy enough to make my way out - I just followed the lanterns, still lighting, of those in front of me! (The lanterns were handy for that.) And the #46 - this time - appeared as it was supposed to, and took me back into town. And on board, I noticed how muddy my boots were - and a patch of mud on my clothes, too. Bah humbug. Well, all's well that ends well - and I would like to see her do something else. Just maybe not on the Heath!

Tomorrow.. Halloween itself.. I finally came up with something to do! One of my cheap ticket groups (CT) finally sent me an email with good suggestions - one of which was the Cloak & Dagger Immersive History Tour (yes, with actors). Starting and ending at The George, and yes, running tomorrow. Sadly, all their ticket allocation had gone - I just booked one direct with the company.

On the same email, they advertised the Unrestricted View Horror Film Festival, at the Hen & Chickens Theatre! I found tickets even cheaper with my other cheap ticket group, TAC, however.. They have three sessions of short films tomorrow, the last of which finishes an hour before my walk, giving me time to get there. So I booked the first - but when I tried to book the others, the system wouldn't let me, saying they were too close together! I had to contact the box office direct to book them for me - which they promptly did. So, three 1.5-hour short horror film sessions, lasting all that afternoon, should set me up nicely for the walk!

On Monday, back with the Crick Crack Club - at King's Place, this time - for their annual Day of the Dead celebration! Keeping the spooky tradition nicely alive, there.

On Tuesday - weyhey, back with Ivan! Don't know where yet - watch this space.

Therefore, I'm taking the next day - Wednesday - off work. As I said to my boss, it'd be that or a sick day! That evening, however, I'll be dragging myself to the National for The Normal Heart, of which I've heard good reviews.

On Thursday, finally getting to see Tina - The Tina Turner Musical, which I'd booked pre-lockdown and got a refund for! Cheapest tickets, I found, were direct from the Aldwych Theatre. Peculiar website though - I couldn't see my basket without going back into the booking section. And then I'm flying back to Ireland again - a Friday flight, for once! Just for the weekend, this time.

Opera: Alice's Adventures Under Ground & Storytelling: Love, Lust and Betrayal

Today, well, initially I was thinking of film again. But wouldn't you know it, that damn film, Outside the City, was still showing - today only, this 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, Up in the Cheap Seats (UITCS) again came to the rescue - and so I went with them to an operatic treatment of Alice's Adventures Under Ground, at the Opera House! With a lot wanting lunch beforehand, we arranged to meet at Wagamama - they have large, communal tables.

I had no inkling of the effect of Storm Ciara until I went outside, heading to Wagamama - and heard the wind whistling through the skyscrapers. Felt the effect as I was crossing the road - I had to make a real effort to get to the middle, where I had to wait to let traffic pass, and in the meantime cling to the traffic light for stability. Damn cold wind too - it was a relief when the bus finally came; for some reason, Google Maps was recommending a combination of buses, but I knew the #11 would take me straight there. We were slightly delayed, mind, when our driver stopped to help another bus driver - the ad had half blown off his bus! He was asking our driver whether he'd seen the bit that had come loose, on his travels.. and now a section remained half attached, flapping around - and he couldn't drive along like that! Our driver spent some time unsuccessfully trying to pull it off, then gave up when the TFL emergency van arrived.

Alighting at Bedford Street, I was a two-minute walk from the restaurant, with half an hour to spare. Google Maps helpfully informed me that there was a Caffe Nero en route - so I headed in there. Was sorely tempted by the chocolate fudge cake - which I passed on, given that I was shortly to eat. Ordered my usual chocolate Milano, and was lucky enough to get a table by the window. And when I'd finished the chocolate Milano, I headed the short distance to the restaurant - to find that a couple of people had beaten me to it, and we had taken a table near the kitchen. Handy for watching the cooking, if you sat facing it as I did. Most of the people who'd fancied lunch didn't make it - sore throats, travel disruptions.. seven of us ate in the end.

I had chicken katsu curry, which was an improvement on last time - still, the lamb teriyaki that the person opposite me had looked very tempting, and I might try that if I'm back again. More complaints from today's group about the changed menu.. but by and large, we were decently fed. Now, for dessert, our Italian organiser had a couple of places in mind - but we'd have had to eat outside, and in this weather, that wasn't an option. So instead, we headed to the Opera House, and took a seat in the Paul Hamlyn Hall - it's a long time since I arrived here early enough before a show to be able to have a drink! which I did.

The theatre was packed for this final performance - lots of kids present. And I hope they enjoyed it as much as I did! The general consensus after the 55-minute show (without interval) was that we didn't like the discordant music, but yes, it was visually stunning. Completely anarchic, quite surreal (dancing cake, anyone?) - perfect for the subject matter, I thought. Sung in a mixture of languages - some real, some made-up - it belted along at a manic pace. Most of the action took place to the left of the stage, which was handy for me, as my view of the right was cut off. Yes, glad I came.

Afterwards, we headed out in search of dessert - but the lack of options and the awful weather defeated some, and only four of us were left - a convenient number! - to get a table at Paul. We took a table in the restaurant section - where I decided that this was as good a place as any to get an evening meal, so I had a moreish steak, with chips that had been sprinkled with something like cinnamon. Delish! Cake and coffees for the others, and we had a lovely chat before deciding it was time to depart.
Now, last night I was checking with The Embers Collective - and they had only just advertised some more shows. They'd said they were holding another performance of stories of Love, Lust and Betrayal tonight (for the week that's in it) but had only just advertised it. With the earlier show being a matinee - I decided I could make this! Tickets from Design My Night, as usual. It was this evening, in Dona: and I was doubly delighted this was on - I just heard about it at my last storytelling event - because it's showing again later on a date I'm already booked up for, and in Cafe Cairo: which, as mentioned before, is a terrible venue for storytelling. Happy to skip that.

So I headed off again - in lashing rain, now - and caught a bus up to Stoke Newington. Nearly fell asleep on the way. It dropped me across the road. Dona is easy to miss.. I'd walked past it, and turned to realise that it was just a doorway, decorated in red streamers. However, the doorman wouldn't let me in - said they were still rehearsing, and wouldn't be open till 7; I was 20 minutes too early. He directed me to the chipper next door.. hmm. Instead, I headed a few doors down, to Cafe Babel - where I ordered a hot chocolate and took the last free table. 10 minutes went by before I got it - by going back up and reminding the server, who'd completely forgotten me! Anyway, it was decent.

By the time I'd finished, it was about time to head back to Dona - and the doorman decided to let me in. A bag check was followed by a climb down a steep flight of stairs, and Lonan Jenkins scanned my ticket.

Ah now, this was an improvement on Cafe Cairo! More space, decent seating.. a very funky vibe, of course, as typical for The Embers Collective. I ordered a glass of wine at the bar - and the other server, who'd been dealing with another customer, jumped in with suggestions of what I could have. Laconically - I hardly guessed she was addressing me. Especially since I didn't recognise a word of what she was saying! The only one I had a hope of remembering was her last suggestion of pinot blanc - and since she said they were all the same price (before drifting off again, without making eye contact), that's what I had. And it was watery.

Well, I was one of the first there, so had a good choice of seats - mind you, most were hard wood, which was a little uncomfortable by the end of the night. Dotted around the walls were little round tables, each with two stools - which turned out to be bolted to the tables! So when someone tried to move a stool - the whole contraption came too. There were a couple of armchairs, some loose stools - reminding me of Sands Films, with its eclectic seating. Or you could sit on the floor - there were a few cushions. And the place was pretty full by the time the performance started, some time after 7.30..

This was also to be an improvement on the last show. Well, for a start, we didn't have nearly as much noise creeping in from outside. And there was guitar accompaniment throughout, which greatly added to the atmosphere. Lonan started us off, with a story of a lonely fisherman who snagged a strange catch, then ended up falling in love with it.. we had a storyteller I hadn't seen before, and whose name I hadn't a hope of catching amid the applause at the end - she told us a tale of a Welsh princess with a sad experience of love. And Sarah Liisa Wilkinson took us through to the interval, and finished her story after it - it was a long one, of the youngest son's quest for love and adventure. The guy who rounded off the night - with a Greek myth, followed by a tuneless rendition of a folk song - is someone I've seen before, but again, have no idea of the name. And try getting it during the applause!

An excellent show, and a soothing way to end the day. Highly recommended - this show is running again on the 20th - but as I say, it's in Cafe Cairo; you have been warned! Freezing cold wind when I went back outside - and on the way to catch my bus, I came across a free WiFi terminal! Now there's something I haven't seen before. That bus couldn't have come soon enough either - and I was glad to be home at last. The wind is still whistling outside, as I write.. Not looking forward to the walk to work tomorrow.

Yet again, I was to be glad I hadn't anything booked for tomorrow - 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 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. Takes place in a room above The Iron Duke pub. Ah, but then.. (and I should have remembered this event, because I knew about it) London European Club (and the World Music Meetup) advertised a concert by a Kurdish artist (from the Turkish side) at the Finnish Church. So I'm going to that instead. Tickets from Tuned In London, as usual.

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 on Friday night, and I'm hearing excellent reports..

Tap Dance Jam Session

Tonight, London European Club (LEC) was staying pretty local (to me) - they were headed to a tap dance jam session in Gigi's in Hoxton. And so did I. It was my first event of the year with them.. Tickets from Design My Night again, and cheaper in advance.

Close enough to walk - but a miserable day for it, cold and rainy.

Never mind, I made it in the end - right on Hoxton Square, Gigi's is apparently under new ownership, with a new name. The guy on the door asked whether I was there for the tap.. and when I confirmed this, he told me to head to the bar on that level first, for a drink. So that's what I did, then checked my name off the list, and made my way downstairs - where we'd secured a table, to the rear, and with a decent view of the stage. Nice choice! The floor directly in front of the stage was also scattered with cushions, which people occupied as the night wore on - there was a nice, relaxed vibe to the place in general.

First there was an improv class, which two of our members joined: and what a great idea, to try it out in a safe space, with no obligation to perform afterwards. Although a lady did carry a list around, for those that wanted to. Some nifty moves, from our group members as well as others, at this point!

And finally, the show proper began, with hot moves and cool jazz. The MC was looking swell, in red top hat and shoes:

And we were treated to some really excellent dancers, and a few outstanding singers. Good age mix as well. Cool vibe, as I say, a fun and catchy way to spend a Sunday evening. And when one of the dancers won a prize of a bag of sweets, she very kindly came around to distribute them among the audience!

Awesome - who doesn't love jazz? Runs the last Sunday of every second month - very highly recommended. And it's great to be back with the group again!

Now.. tomorrow is promising to be film. And top of the list is.. 1917. Now, I know I said I'm not into war films. But then I heard reviews from a couple of people who say the same - and they say it's awesome, and not like any war film they've seen before. So I think I'm kind of obliged to see it. Co-written and directed by Sam Mendes, it stars Colin Firth as the general, the delectable Andrew Scott as the lieutenant, and Benedict Cumberbatch as the particularly obnoxious colonel, in a tale of two lads, sent on a suicide mission across no-man's-land, to deliver a message to a forward battalion not to attack, because they're walking into a trap. Stunning camerawork apparently, made to look as though it was all done in one take. Showing, conveniently, in the street-level cinemas at the Barbican - I'll try for the earlier showing, which isn't yet booking out - I'll keep an eye on it.

On Tuesday, I'm back for more comedy at Soho Theatre - this time, it's Alfie Brown.

On Wednesday, back with Up in the Cheap Seats - this time, for the Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe! at the Bridge Theatre. I absolutely loved the Chronicles of Narnia when I was a kid - let's see how this matches up!

Again, I was to be happy I hadn't anything booked for Thursday, when Eleanor from the LEC (and World Music Meetup) advertised a flamenco concert - I'm a sucker for flamenco. So I've booked for that - this time, it's in City Hope Church. Tickets, as usual, from Tuned In London - and as the lady says, on the eve of Brexit, we need something European.. Must remember to bring cash for the bar.

Then I'm back in Ireland for the weekend. Ironically, today I was messaged by a Bulgarian fellow, who said he'll be in London for a few days from Friday, and could I recommend some social events to him?! Took a while to give him a shortlist..

On the 3rd, I'm back with the LEC (how appropriate that they should bookmark Brexit for me! completely coincidental on my part) for an organ concert at the Royal Festival Hall.

And on the 4th, I'm finally doing something with the folks from work - every now and then they have pop-up social events, and this time it's a pub quiz. So I can see whether all those tv quiz shows have helped! Taking place at The Castle pub, not far from the office.