Today, I was thinking of a film. However, I wasn't mad about what was coming out on top - and since Meetup had an alternative, I did that instead. Headed with Up in the Cheap Seats (UITCS) (again) to the matinée of Sweat, at the Gielgud Theatre. It's the very last day - and lots of sites had half price offers on decent seats. I chose the one suggested on Meetup - lastminute - and since they'd widened their half price offer, I scored myself an excellent price for a seat in the rear stalls. Nice how they specify the seats now! I remember when you booked in a price band, and had to take pot luck after that.
I wasn't too late to bed, so was up and out in decent time, and took the #8 to the West End. It's funny how Google Maps never seems to recognise that there's a stop nearer to me than where they send me - ah well, at least I do, and waited there. Traffic was appalling, so I was a bit later to arrive than intended, and on what seemed an unusually busy day - even for a sunny Saturday! For one thing, Frith Street was blocked off for a street concert, in honour of Ronnie Scott's 60th anniversary!
Swerving around people the whole way, I threaded my way through backstreets to the theatre - and just as I approached the door, where they were checking bags, I realised I had wine gums in my bag! Just in time, I slipped them into my pocket - which, of course, wasn't searched. Got my ticket from the kiosk in the lobby, and joined the others, positioned in a decently out-of-the-way place in the middle.
A nice seat - good legroom, if space to the side was a bit snug. It was also nice that practically the whole row in front of us was free - this was the back row of the next price band up, you see! And while the overhang obscured the very top of the stage, we didn't miss anything relevant:
Sweat takes you right into the heart of small town America - starts at the very beginning of 2000, but I don't think much has changed since. The town's main industry is a steel mill, but almost all the action takes place in the local bar, where gossip is spread, fights are started, and people let their hair down. Tickertape and news broadcasts keep us apprised of what's happening on a national scale - what president is elected, and how there's trouble with the economy. We can all tell what's coming next.
It's no surprise at all when the workers are replaced with those who will do the job cheaper - what the play concerns itself with are the consequences for the different characters, and the differences in their reactions. And what a terrific bunch of characters they are - the play spends most of its time making sure we get to know them, and recognise them as just like us - or like people we know. They're real, they're fleshed out - there's the young and feckless one, the young one with ambition, just like his mother, his dad a strung-out loser. There's the one who regrets the lost ambition of her youth, and now drinks her life away - and there's the mouthy one, who always blames her misfortunes on someone else. Let's not forget the Colombian guy who works in the bar, and is practically ignored by all the customers! Finally, the bartender keeps the peace, a benign figure who tends to stay out of arguments.
The first half is mainly exposition - but I did love the easygoing script. At the interval, I was peckish, so had a box of Maltesers with my - rather watery, but well-priced - pinot grigio. And at the start of the second act, I was glad of those wine gums, when my cough flared up briefly. And gee, what a second act.. by now, the workers are out of a job, disillusioned - and things rapidly go from bad to worse, ending in an abrupt climax that shows just how bad the consequences can be when people let their prejudices get the better of them. A depressing reflection on today's reality.. and an interesting reflection of the people behind the headlines. I'd advise you to go see it, but the last performance is running as I write - keep an eye out for it though. Highly relevant theatre.
Afterwards, a pub had been mooted - but we had no plan of where to go. One member's suggestion might have been good, but was noisier than expected - at which point, everyone turned tail for home. We could have headed for Waxy O' Connor's, but by now there was no point, the group had scattered. Me, I was hungry, and the stage set had inspired me to go American - so I headed for Garfunkel's. Which was busy, but they found me a table - and to be fair, service was prompt. The food definitely wasn't up to their usual standards though - the main course was ok, but the garlic bread and chocolate fudge cake were absolutely tasteless! I could have saved myself some money by not ordering them, and I think I won't, if I go there again. I do see that you can now pay via the website, if you want a quick getaway.
Tomorrow, I really was going to go to a film - until my cheap ticket club advertised their weekend offerings, just yesterday. Thinking I saw some interesting options, I looked closer - and was immediately captured by a classical Spanish guitar concert in King's Place! Part of the IGF Guitar Summit. So yeah, I booked that without hesitation! Terrific price, too.
On Monday, more music - I'm back with Civilised London for more jazz - Dai and the Ramblers - at Wilton's. A great atmosphere is guaranteed!
On Tuesday.. well, my cheap ticket club came to the rescue again! I'm off to St. Martin in the Fields - for the first time in a while - for a performance of the Goldberg Variations. (Cheap!) Three - very different - musical evenings in a row. (And wouldn't you know it, ShowFilmFirst just advertised the same tickets even cheaper. Grr..)
On Wednesday, back with London Literary Walks for The Richmond Walk. Third West London walk in a row with him - but I'm not complaining, they're lovely settings.
On Thursday, back with the London European Club - it'll be my first time in St. Mary's Church Rotherhithe, where the Little Symphonic Duet is performing. They aim to reproduce famous classical pieces, with only a guitar and an instrument called a charango, a kind of miniature ukulele. It'll also be my first time in an age with Tuned In London - delighted to be with them again! Then I'm back to Ireland for the weekend.
On the 29th, back with UITCS - we're off to see Present Laughter, by Noel Coward, with the wonderful Andrew Scott, at the Old Vic. It'll be interesting for us all to see how he is in a comedy. Rear stalls again, yay!
And on the 30th, I'm back with Anthony's Cultural Events and Walking Activities Group, who are off to a free Motown concert in Canary Wharf. First come, first served for spots on the grass. Unless it's promised to rain, in which case I'll probably cry off..
Now, we're into the Early May Bank Holiday (whee!) - and I saw an interesting trip, advertised by Carpe Diem, for a long weekend in Bulgaria. So I applied for a place - only to be told that there'd only been six, which were now gone. When I pointed out that the Meetup page advertised 12 places, and that some were shown as still available, they removed the event entirely. And so it happened that I stayed in town this weekend.
For today, I thought of a film.. and what was being thrown up sounded good! Nothing Like a Dame is a portrait of four acting dames and lifelong friends: Judi Dench, Maggie Smith, Eileen Atkins and Joan Plowright are interviewed about their separate lives, and their friendship. And it looked like fun. Nearest showing to me was in Picturehouse Central.
Had an early night, and a leisurely start today - just as well, in quite oppressive heat! As usual, I got all nostalgic as the bus got to the West End - I really miss living there. It was a relief to get off the stuffy bus - and I was right beside the cinema. They should make it a bit more obvious, I've always thought, that none of the cinema's business goes on on the ground floor - you have to climb the stairs (which I can now take in my stride, if I am left panting afterwards), where there's a concession stand and ticket desks - or you can buy your ticket at a machine downstairs. There's a ticket check, and then it's upstairs again to the screens - by escalator, this time. I was right up on the top floor.
Oh, how deliciously cool it was - I knew I was right to come to the cinema today! A sentiment I was later to see echoed on my way home:
Lovely, chenille seat covers too, and comfy seats with good back support. I can't say I was too impressed with the ice cream I'd bought, £3.70 for a tiny tub that tasted no more of chocolate than of the cardboard it was packaged in - never mind, it's not like I'll be making a habit of it.
Some things I'd expected of this film, some came as a surprise - somehow, I'd missed the fact (or maybe forgotten it) that Joan Plowright is now blind! Gosh, that isn't even on her Wikipedia page. I'd also forgotten that she was married to the late Sir Laurence Olivier - her friends had quite a bit to say about him. Including Maggie Smith, who described how he kept belting her when she played opposite him in Othello - said he knocked her out once! There's method acting for you.
Oh yes, this is a film jam-packed with anecdotes - the combined reminiscences of four acting greats, over decades on stage and screen. One thing I'd expected was that Maggie Smith would be the wicked one - and she is a genius at turning a comic phrase. Judi Dench, mind you, has a feisty spirit of her own, and had the most hilarious story about how a hornet stung her on her bum last summer. She was attended by a 17-year-old paramedic, she said, who opened with "What's our name?" "Judi," she replied testily. "And do we have a carer?" At which point she lost it, replying with, "Oh fuck off, I've just finished six weeks of The Winter's Tale at the Garrick!"
The audience were in stitches throughout - most unusual for a documentary. And this is an absolute must-see for anyone who loves the theatre - or film. The stories span four lifetimes, and the old footage of them is priceless, including Judi in a York Mystery Play, back in 1952. Incorrigible characters, their personalities light up the screen - I'm not surprised the IMDB rating for this actually rose three points from yesterday. Go see, go see.
Afterwards, not fancying the dubious standards of Chinatown, I took myself instead to Garfunkel's - had to sit inside, with all the outside tables taken, but never mind. Had my dependable usual, and was absolutely stuffed - and so home, via another overheated bus. I pity the drivers.
Tomorrow, we're all back to work, and Meetup is back to something approaching normal activity! I'm headed, with Henning and the London European Club, to a talk on the Catalan crisis, at the LSE - tickets were allocated by ballot, but even those of us who got them aren't guaranteed entry, as they oversell and it's first come first served.
On Wednesday, back with Up in the Cheap Seats, for Red, at Wyndham's. Terrible time I had, booking this - I accidentally let my old billing address (I've moved since my last booking with them) go through on the form, the payment was rejected, and I couldn't get back into the page to edit my address! Neither could I start a new booking - everything I tried gave me an error message. Dreadful site. I finally e-mailed them, and they said to ring back during working hours and they'd amend my booking, or if they hadn't heard from me after one working day, they'd cancel it. Not fancying paying for a premium-rate call, I let them cancel, and rebooked myself. Carefully replacing my address with the correct one!
On Thursday, I'm headed with London Social Detours to a talk on Shakespeare and the Wandering Mind, at the Wanamaker Playhouse - my first trip there in over a year, goodee! They were sold out when I tried, which is why I'm willing to go with her and pay her booking fee.. Payable on the day, so I'd better get some more cash out. And then I'm back to Ireland for the weekend.
I took today off to go see Reflections at the National Gallery - an exhibition of Pre-Raphaelites (much more conventional than yesterday's!), which, with a free day, I could peruse at my leisure. As inspired by a walk by the excellent London Literary Walks - roll on the summer, and a return of those! Then, Let's Do This advertised another trip to the excellent Vintage Swing Jazz evenings at Wilton's - for this evening. And why not, indeed? So I booked that, too..
Just as well I had the day off - it turned out to be a busy one. I had to give the keys to my old place back this morning - and have an inspection meeting, to make sure I hadn't destroyed the place. Which led to a hectic weekend, as I tried to make the place as presentable as possible! Of course, some stains I just couldn't get out.. mercifully, I got the nice guy on reception, who did the inspection and just waved away the various stains, saying they were reasonable wear and tear. Wow, what an anticlimax. Anyway, I was exhausted after all that, and after an early start (and on a day off, too!) to try to finish off some things this morning.
I also spent the day traipsing around town, from the new place to the old, then back again with the cleaning stuff (what wasn't completely used up!). Had some brunch, freshened up, and I was on the road again to the National Gallery. Got off the bus as it passed our old office - looking unchanged so far; Google Maps wanted me to carry on one stop more, but the traffic was horrendous (as usual along that stretch), and I was now close enough to walk. Inside the gallery, I didn't really know where I was going, but it was easy enough - straight ahead, past the desk where they were selling tickets. They guy at the door checked mine - I was a little late for my time slot, but as I suspected, that didn't matter.
Upon entering, I saw there was a film, and decided to start with that. About 10 minutes long, it describes the origins of the pre-Raphaelite movement, and some of the common themes. Such as, for example, the habit they had of featuring mirrors - often round, and generally positioned to show something just out of the scope of the picture. Such as the artist painting it! And how the movement grew out of a disillusion with the existing masters, such as Raphael, whose work the pre-Raphaelites thought exaggerated, and so overblown as to be meaningless.
Instead, they turned their attention to the mediaeval artists who preceded him, and adopted their themes, which they combined with the most gorgeous, vivid colours, and tried to engage the viewer in an emotional response. Absolutely down my alley, obsessed as I am with things mediaeval! Such gorgeous colours, and wistful scenes.. Sadly, they don't allow the taking of photos inside, so you'll have to make do with this one, which features part of my favourite painting of the exhibition, Mariana:
My only quibble about the exhibition - apart from the ban on photos, and the number of ushers hanging around to enforce it - was that it's so small! Even including sketches, I was done with it in half an hour. Dunno, I think you're better off getting hold of a book about pre-Raphaelites, really.. anyway, runs until the 2nd of April.
By the time I came out, I was hungry - and had Garfunkel's in mind; I hadn't been there in ages, and it's always good. Well, except for the sirloin, which was too tough for me once. It's just up the road, and had plenty of room - and wouldn't you know it, they have an early bird till 4! which I was in time for. And whose limited menu still included all the food I was intending to order. Three courses for £13.95 - where would you be going? So I had garlic bread - delicious - 1/4 chicken with bbq sauce and fries - delicious, but I would've liked more chicken; as I remember, 1/4 was the only option on that menu - and a chocolate fudge cake - delicious, and served with a scoop of cream or ice cream. Generally served warm, I always have them cold - who wants all that lovely fudge melting around the plate? A couple of glasses of chardonnay, and I was well fortified to go back out into the bitter cold - wished I'd brought a scarf.
So I went home for a bit again! Where I promptly fell asleep - I was exhausted. Woke up a little bit later than intended, and sorted myself to go to Wilton's. Brought a snood, which was most welcome in the freezing cold. Again, the Bus Countdown app made a hames of predicting buses from my stop, telling me that nothing was expected for the next half hour! Rubbish, and mine was along in a few minutes. When I got there, I made straight for the bar, where I spied our organiser, and a few folks I hadn't met before. As he'd predicted, the place was busy, and got more so - I was happier when I joined the others by the wall, where we could lean.
As the place filled, unfortunately it became harder to stay together as a group. Well, that's the problem with such a good event.. in fact, one of us spied David Oakes at the bar! He's known for playing historical roles, and is currently appearing as Prince Ernst of Saxe-Coburg in the ITV series Victoria. Turns out I've seen him in a few other historical things, too. Well hey, I can't fault his taste - the Shirt Tail Stompers were out in force again tonight, taking three volunteer singers in succession from the crowd: two Americans and an Australian. And stomp we did! As I was to remark, excellent music to de-stress to. Always a terrific gig, here, with one of the best atmospheres you're likely to find.
Tomorrow, I was thinking of going to a film. Listings for next week were just released last Tuesday. Anyway, delightfully, top place goes to Three Billboards outside Ebbing, Missouri, whose trailer I'd already seen and which was one I identified as a must-see. Directed by Martin McDonagh, Frances McDormand is the frustrated mother of a young woman that was raped and murdered, but whose attacker was never caught. So she rents these billboards, on which she posts messages designed to shock the police into action - greatly irritating the police chief, Woody Harrelson. This black comedy is critically acclaimed, was joint top winner in the Golden Globes, looks fantastic - and is previewing during the week, including at the BFI tomorrow! As it was nearly sold out, I decided to book - and Lordy, what a time I had! No wonder it took me so long to get to bed - see, I wanted to change my address, as I already had with my bank, but every time I tried to do it the site crashed. I finally managed it, on my third browser, by not touching the address settings at all - lo and behold, it went through with the wrong address. Phew.. Sold out now.
On Wednesday and Thursday, I'm with Up in the Cheap Seats again. On Wednesday, it's Misalliance, by Bernard Shaw, in the Orange Tree Theatre - on Thursday, I'm looking forward to the stage version of The Twilight Zone, at the Almeida! Then I'm back to Ireland for the weekend.
Next week sees not much action with Meetup - well, there wasn't when I was looking - and booking! Still quiet for January, I guess. Still, I'm excited about what I am doing - next Monday, I'm headed to Mary Stuart, at the Duke of York's Theatre. I've heard so much about this - apparently, they toss a coin beforehand to decide which plays which role, Elizabeth or Mary!
On the 16th, my annual trip to Cirque du Soleil at the Albert Hall! The show this year is Ovo - cheapest tickets for the date coming in at just under £50, but they're worth it! So, back through that subway again..
On the 17th, more comedy - Sara Pascoe, at Wyndham's.
And on the 18th, back with Up in the Cheap Seats - my first Meetup in a week will be Lady Windermere's Fan, at the Vaudeville Theatre.
You'll recall that, when last seen, I was stewing in Gatwick, waiting for my rebooked Easyjet flight, as I'd missed the one that morning. Nine and a half hours later, the next one was to go.. well, at least I'd still get there that day, without missing anything much.
I was too early to go through security, so sat and wrote the blog instead. (Photos now fixed, if you want to check them out.) Rumour online had it that three hours beforehand was the deadline.. after all that blogging, my phone needed charging, and I'd seen a handy breakfast bar-style charging point earlier, which I now made for. I was lucky enough to get a charging point, if not a seat - I see each socket also has a USB port, handily. When the time came for me to try security again, the phone wasn't sufficiently charged, but the website said they had the same facilities after security, so I went through.
First thing I saw on the other side was the departures board. Funny how, for a flight leaving at 6.25, gate information wasn't coming through till 7.55.. Blast, it was delayed. Anyway, next priority was food.. I was starving.
Garfunkel's beckoned.. it was the first one I saw, anyway. Didn't see the sign for the lift, which was well-hidden, so I lugged my bag up the stairs. After a short wait, I was seated. Now, it may have been my fault, because when he reassured me that I'd be served quickly, I told him my flight was delayed. I was duly kept waiting forever. When I finally mentioned it to someone, service did improve. And it was very moreish.. nothing sufficiently chocolatey for dessert, so I had a good hot chocolate instead.
And then I really needed to charge my phone. Where was the charging station? Where were the charging lockers I was promised on the website?! I did two tours of the departure lounge before giving up and asking one of the workers in Dixon's. She directed me to the seating round the side, where there were some sockets. Sadly, all the seats beside sockets were taken, so I spent the next 90 mins on the floor, babysitting my charging phone. Bloody cold it was, too. I lashed into them on customer complaints.. no acknowledgement they'd done anything wrong, of course, just an assurance that they were constantly improving..
I'd just nicely got the phone charged when the gate number was displayed. Estimated departure now 8.45 - the website was sticking to 7.55, but I'd never believed that. Well, off I headed. I hadn't cleared the departure lounge before the boards were reading "Gate closed".. Easyjet subsequently apologised for that, it was apparently Gatwick's fault. 10 mins more it took us to get all the way to the gate.. which, I guess you could say, was closed, as it wasn't open! No staff there.. we hunkered down and waited, somewhat blocking the corridor to all the gates further down.
You can judge a company by how it behaves when things go wrong. On that basis, Easyjet is in serious trouble. The plane had arrived all right.. and I have to wonder whether it was a pilot that had come off that plane, who was looking at us worriedly, speaking on his mobile. Finally, someone appeared to make an announcement; the disembarking crew had worked their maximum number of hours, and couldn't fly us. He'd get back to us when he knew more.
WTF?? Did they really only just find this out when the plane arrived? I suppose it was because of the delay - which was never explained to us. It took them another half hour to decide they couldn't find a replacement crew, so were cancelling the flight - and another half hour to find a security team to lead us back out. Where they told us that someone would be available to rebook us. They weren't. Had probably gone home. (What the hell are they doing, leaving a customer service desk unoccupied, while there are still passengers in the airport?) In due course, someone appeared with a schedule of our rights.. by now, seats were disappearing fast, and the best I could do was arrive at 7.25pm the next day. Flying with Norwegian.. at 9.50am.. via Helsinki! I was going to miss half the conference.. but what can you do?
Well, it was from Gatwick again - and me swearing it'd be an age before I darkened their doors! So I bought a return Gatwick Express ticket, which I expect them to pay for as well as my flight, and took myself home again. Another early start beckoned - God, I was exhausted! Isn't it funny, by the way, how the Gatwick Express runs every 15 minutes from the airport, but only every 30 minutes to it..? You might think that people heading to the airport would be in more of a hurry..
Well, this time went much better. I had to get up at the same time, but gee, Norwegian doesn't have the stupid baggage restrictions that Easyjet does. So, no morning panic. Plus I was mostly already packed. And at Victoria, I took the correct exit for the station - the opposite direction to Cardinal Place. Upshot was, I was in plenty of time for the 7.30 train, which would have saved me all this trouble the day before. Why, I even had time to buy a pain au chocolat. Already checked in - and bless, they texted me a link to my boarding pass! For free..
Even the boarding gate was nearer. Lots of folk on the flight were wearing Mad-Croc gear.. And Norwegian has an interesting boarding policy I haven't seen before, whereby the front of the plane board via airbridge, and the back by steps.. Slightly different plane configuration, but a comfy flight, and we duly landed in Helsinki.
Vast airport. Not that many facilities though.. best I could see for eating was Burger King, so I bought a bar of chocolate and made do with that. Nature sounds in the loo. I must say, I like their boarding procedure! Queue up, and it's self service.. scan your pass, and you're through. (I'd only just remembered to check in for my second leg, that morning).
And so I finally arrived in Prague. (Thanks Norwegian, I'd happily go with you again!) There was no sign of my hotel transfer - turned out he'd been delayed in traffic. In the meantime, I tried getting out some Czech Korunas from a nearby ATM - however, maybe it was my exhausted state, but all the amounts seemed quite large, and excessive for my stay, which would be less than 24 hours. So I skipped it - they take the Euro in Prague anyway, and I'd packed mine, given that I was also passing through Finland. My driver arrived shortly after, and in a bit I was finally in the hotel, and able to relax a little. I was delighted that the restaurant was still open - well, with the scarcity of customers, he served us in the bar:
Really limited menu - salads, two kinds of spaghetti, burgers. I had a burger - not gourmet, but well cooked, and very, very welcome. No desserts appealed - so I had a second glass of wine, and collapsed to bed. Pretty standard hotel room - mattress a bit hard for my liking, and aircon too loud.
The breakfast buffet was quite decent, and the conference venue - the Autoklub - was just next door, notable for being covered by scaffolding. I wouldn't have recognised it, were it not for Google Maps. Gorgeous inside, all marble:
More photos here. I managed to register without fuss, and was flummoxed that this was the first conference I'd ever attended where I didn't get a notebook and pen! (Well, it's been nine years, and they all use laptops now.) I did get a free t-shirt, mind. Oh, and they served a breakfast even more extensive than that at the hotel! I had some pancakes, but found them a bit doughy, but they did come with syrup.. Anyway, I knew things wouldn't appeal for the full day, and after a couple of talks, I took myself off. Wasn't on a sightseeing mission, as I'd already been twice before, but did want a run around the shops. Prague is a beautiful place..
I ran out and back during the day, between sessions at the conference - where I got lunch, too. And early in the evening, I decided I'd had enough of the conference, got my bag from the hotel - where they kindly overlooked the fact that I'd lost my ticket - and changed my taxi booking to - now. Dozed in the taxi to the airport. Saw I'd have been too early to check in for my BA flight - but that was ok, because I'd already checked in online, and security let me through! Bought a few souvenirs, found a seat beside a charging point - and in due course, wouldn't you know it, my gate turned out to be right in front of me!
Boarded without issue. It was then that the fun started. Our very sarcastic pilot explained to us that, despite the weather in Heathrow having been fine earlier, they were now limiting the number of flights coming in, apparently due to bad weather - strong winds, in particular. So we had a long delay before we could leave. Oh and then we had to wait for a Sichuan Air plane to leave, just before us. And they apparently needed a tug - because, as he said, they were afraid of hitting something. "Ladies and gentlemen," he said, "you couldn't make this up. They - can't find a tug!" Pause, cue laughter from cabin. I couldn't believe my bad luck - this trip was cursed. "Oh wait," came the announcement, "they've found one."
We got away soon after that - and despite a flight that was horrendously bumpy in parts, including the approach to London - we had the most feather-soft landing I've ever known! Really, I couldn't believe we'd actually landed. Kudos to BA, who also came around with water while we were waiting, and rebooked one passenger headed to the States, who was going to miss her connecting flight because of our delay. Can't fault their professionalism, or their care of us. Can, however, fault bloody Terminal 3, where they'd by now closed all the e-passport gates, so we had to queue at the manned ones. Which were mostly open. It was after midnight when I got home.. hardly ever have I been so glad to be back.
Still exhausted today, even after a good night's sleep. Tonight, I'm back with Up in the Cheap Seats, at Sadler's Wells, for the Hofesh Schechter Company grand finale.
Tomorrow, I was at another talk with Walks, Talks and Treasure Hunts - this one, at Southwark Cathedral, is about the River Effra, South London's Secret Spine. Another free Eventbrite event, this is to publicise a book about the subject, and the talk is again given by the author. Another thing that had no tickets, then it did (no notification)! Now I've changed though, and will be off with Up in the Cheap Seats to Loot, at the Park Theatre. Got the last £20 ticket, yay! Then I'm back to Ireland for the weekend again.
On Monday, I was off to Showstopper! at the Lyric. Ticket courtesy of From the Box Office again. I have actually seen this before - but, being an improvised musical, it literally is different every time! But you'll never guess - the Crick Crack Club finally announced their autumn schedule recently, and now, that night, I'm off to Eaten Father, Eaten Mother by Ben Haggerty. In Soho Theatre, first time in ages. Finally advertised by their Meetup group, jeez!
On Tuesday, I was back with the Scarlet Ladies, for a talk entitled 100 Women - Their Breasts, Their Stories. No longer, of course - now I'm joining London Science Talks and Museums Meetup for a talk at the Alan Turing Institute about the future of data in public life. Most pertinent, given the talk I was at recently.
Next Wednesday, Funzing (London Speaks Sessions and LDN Talks @ Night, as usual) and Jennifer Rees again - this time, a fun talk about the Psychology of Batman Villains! The first of hers for which I managed to get a 30% discount.. and it's on nice and close to me again. Seems to be a feature of her talks!
On the 21st September, it was free comedy in Hammersmith - with Free Comedy Nights in Hammersmith, Wimbledon and Greenwich, Random London, and DiscoverLDN.UK. But yay, I have my alternative at last! Going to some comedy I have to pay for, which will probably be better. Mae Martin is at Soho Theatre. Advertised by a group called Moxie Ladies.. good luck to them, but as they charge extra, I'm going solo.
And on the 22nd September, the same free comedy - with DiscoverLDN.UK. I rather doubt it though - don't you?
On the 23rd September, I was to do the same, but am now headed to the launch of Rob Luft's new album, Riser, at King's Place. As advertised by The London Jazz Meetup. I finally ended up paying their membership fee after booking an event with them the other day, for November, which someone is attending that I know. So I figured it was wiser!
I had booked the same free comedy, with the same group, on the 24th September, but was again saved - this time, by the World Music Meetup! They're off to see Kefaya, in Nell's Jazz and Blues bar, back in my old stomping ground of North End Road! Happy days, when I was working there..
On the 25th September, a group called Theatre and Stuff is off to see Prism, at Hampstead Theatre. They're charging extra to go with them, though - so I happily bought my own ticket. What the hey, odds are I won't know any of them anyway.
On the 26th September, I'm back with Up in the Cheap Seats - to see Wings, at The Young Vic. Accidentally booked standing, I think.. :-/
On the 27th September, with Up in the Cheap Seats again - for Jekyll & Hyde, presented by the National Youth Theatre, at the Ambassadors Theatre.
On the 28th September, I was with another new group: London, Surrey and Beyond.. for an event called "A Unique Experience. Olde Pub, Gerry's Private Club, 2 'i's Famous Fish 'n' Chips". Which says it all, really! But then TunedIn advertised flamenco at Sands Films.. irresistible really. So I've looked that instead. Then it's back to Ireland for the weekend again.
On the 2nd October, I had booked at Hampstead Theatre, for No One Will Tell Me How to Start a Revolution. North London Friends are attending - and charging extra, so I was going it alone! But now it turns out I'm spending the week in the Stockholm office - back on the 8th.
On the 3rd October, it was free comedy in Hammersmith - nominally. With Free Comedy Nights in Hammersmith, Wimbledon and Greenwich. So, that was easy to cancel, for Stockholm!
On the 4th October was Up in the Cheap Seats and Labour of Love, with Martin Freeman, at the Noel Coward Theatre. Cheapest tickets from the venue, for once!
On the 5th October, same group - headed to see the Company Wayne McGregor, at Sadler's Wells.
And finally! on the 6th October, headed to see Chekhov's The Seagull, at the Lyric. Third night in a row for that group - almost as busy a group as I am a person! So, four things in all I had to cancel, without refund.. what the hey, I'll doubtless be saving money in Stockholm! Expenses paid, after all.
On the 9th October, I'm finally going to see the show so many people have asked me whether I'm seeing. Ink is showing at the Duke of York's Theatre.
On the 10th October, I'm back with Up in the Cheap Seats for Ballet Boyz at Sadler's Wells.
On the 11th October, back with Funzing for a talk on Revolution in Iran: Girl with a Gun. This will be an interview with a female Kurdish revolutionary.. on the Battersea Barge, which I believe can get choppy. Never mind. This is one I got for free, for completing a loyalty card with three talks.
On the 12th October, Let's Do This are back to St. Martin-in-the-Fields, where London Concertante is performing Bach Violin Concertos. Then I'm back to Ireland for the weekend again.
And on the 16th October, back at Southwark Playhouse with Up in the Cheap Seats - this time, it's for A Day By the Sea.
Oof, whatta couple of days! So, on Sunday I spent the afternoon at West End Live. Apparently, it's the 11th year of this.. how did I miss it before? Maybe it was on a weekend I wasn't here, and I just didn't pay attention. Anyhoo, what it is, is a couple of weekend afternoons of West End stars performing live snippets from their shows, about 20 minutes each, on a stage in Trafalgar Square. And the day dawned bright and sunny, so I packed a backpack and off I went.
Trafalgar Square isn't on a Tube line - I usually go via the District Line to Embankment and walk, but the District Line was closed through that section this weekend, for planned engineering works. Never mind - Leicester Square station turns out to be just as close, and I took the Piccadilly Line to there and walked. It's an easy walk, not five minutes - just turn left from Exit 1, down Charing Cross Road. You can't miss it!
The entrances were on either side of the North side of the square, and it didn't take me long to get in. I kind of missed the first act - What's It All About? Bacharach Reimagined - and found myself listening to an annoying pair of MCs touting MasterCard (the main sponsor) and the Fortnum & Mason stalls, selling water and ice cream. That's another thing - where were the food stalls? I've never seen an event like this without catering! So I realised I'd have to leave the venue for lunch, and identified a block of the schedule I wasn't interested in, during which I could do that.
Meantime, there weren't many good vantage points to sit, so I stood for a lacklustre performance from The Lion King, whose cast gave just one number and weren't much appreciated. The Commitments, on the other hand, had everyone bopping along, and I made my way over to the other side of the venue for Stomp, always good crowd-pleasers. Oh, and naturally there was at least one ticket booth in the place so you could buy tickets to all these, along with various promotional tents from people like Picturehouse, Forbidden Planet and Ripley's Believe It Or Not.
But, as I say, no food - so after Stomp, I headed off in search of some. Heading down Northumberland Avenue, there's a Prezzo on one side and a Garfunkel's on the other - you know, I have had consistently good quality from Garfunkel's, so I chose them - generally much tastier than my experience of Prezzo. I was quickly seated, and generally well served, despite them being rushed off their feet.. I had garlic bread to start, which comes as a flat loaf, accompanied with a little jug of garlic sauce in case you want more. And I chose the carbonara for a change.. the sauce was a bit indifferent, but the chicken and bacon were delicious, and it filled a spot. And the (very good) wine arrived promptly - glad to see that, they used to take forever with drinks. Dessert was a chocolate fudge cake (natch), which I asked for cold, and which did arrive unheated - but not exactly cold, as it was on a warm plate. Ah well..
Rested and revived, I returned to the square. I'd missed Memphis the Musical for that chocolate cake, but never mind. I joined the long queue snaking down the road. Unfortunately, if you enter later in the afternoon, beware - the queue is much longer, and this time I was queueing for 35 minutes. During which time we were, at least, entertained by the strains of L' Amour est un Oiseau Rebelle, from Carmen. And some stuff from Jersey Boys. And finally, we were in..
I headed to where I'd been last, with the stage to my right. I'd determined that there was no point in trying to see the stage directly - the fountains are in the way, the area in front of the stage is too crowded, and there are large video screens either side anyway. I also quickly determined, with the sun as hot as it was, that I'd better sit. So I did what many around me were doing, and plonked myself on the concrete, somewhere with a decent view of the screen on my side. Sat on my coat, and when I got stiff doing that, lay down with my bag as a pillow. The weather was what you might call variable - clouds scudded across the sky, and when the sun disappeared behind them it turned cool and breezy. When the sun reappeared though, it was like an oven.. and I quickly got a bit burnt.
Dusty was scheduled to make an appearance, but doesn't seem to have - we got a medley of random show songs from somebody I didn't recognise instead. Let It Be, the tribute musical to The Beatles, was full of catchy Beatles numbers, of course - but the guys playing the band themselves didn't excite. They seemed a bit too old, honestly - and somewhat lacking in enthusiasm, I thought. Ah well. This was followed by a number of West End kids acts - which were excellent - a performance from American Idiot the Musical, which made me wonder why anyone would bother seeing this when they could just go listen to Greenday's albums, and a performance from Avenue Q, the puppet show. Surreal. The little girl near me kept time to the music by swinging her Elsa doll around by the long veil she wears. Excellent use of it, that!
The show I saw last year, which returns this year - Briefs - made an appearance, with the obligatory striptease! They kept their briefs on, appropriately. Showstopper! The Improvised Musical did a decent job of constructing an impromptu musical from audience suggestions. Then we were into a cabaret section, where a lineup of stars did a rendition of songs that people had voted for, and which hadn't been featured already that day. Notable in this section were Don't Stop Believing and Memory.. gee, I'd forgotten how much I love that. It brought a tear to the eye. And the show was rounded off, as was the day before, by Lord of the Dance: Dangerous Games. Which also involves some disrobing, it seems.. and it seems that long hair for women is in the job spec. Spectacular moves, though.
A good day, all in all. But do try and bring food. And a folding chair would have been lovely - I saw some, and was quite jealous. Me, I'm still a bit stiff from sitting / lying on that concrete all day..
That night, I started this week's film list and didn't have time to blog. Well, I was in Guildford yesterday anyway, and not expecting to go out.. except then, the training course I was on finished early, and there I was with no laptop, and nothing to do save go home! Early. So.. I decided to follow London For Less! again - they were off to Don Giovanni in the Opera House, which you'll remember I wanted to go to on Saturday but couldn't get a ticket for. Well, I managed one for last night - booked a seat slightly to the side in the Lower Amphiteatre. Makes a big difference, being in the lower part - you feel much closer, and the view from the seat was fine. Love that feature of providing a photo of the view from every seat..
So, I had time to eat at home before I headed in. My seat was at the edge, so I could lean out over the balcony to see the obscured corner of the stage. Nice, velvety covering on the balcony too - and a nice little ledge for the castlist (they object to you putting anything heavier on it, in case it falls). The guy on my outside was a real Mozart buff, telling me how he'd seen this in practically every major opera house in the world. Playing imaginary piano during the arias. You know, it's lovely to see someone who gets such pleasure from a performance!
I agree with him - this performance was a treat. This is an opera I haven't seen before, but this was a great introduction to it - the music is gorgeous, and was most beautifully sung. The packed house erupted in cheers and applause several times - and I was frequently carried away by the sheer beauty of the piece. The costumes were stunning, and the action played out cleverly on a revolving stage, with clever visuals that projected on the walls the names of the title character's numerous conquests. And other visual treats. Wow, what a production! A long one, but I enjoyed every minute. Only three more performances - this Thursday, and Wednesday and Friday of next week. As I look, there are 69 tickets available on the official website for Thursday, 8 for Wednesday, and the "last few" for the last performance. Get onto it, if you're interested!
I'd messaged the London For Less! organiser to say I'd be there and it'd be nice to meet the group, and he told me they were planning to be in the Amphitheatre Bar at the interval, and in The Globe pub across the road afterwards. Well, the bar was as crowded as ever at the interval, but I did spot his distinctive cream baseball cap. But he was way too busy to chat, occupied as he was with sorting a refund for someone. I didn't know anyone else there last night, and the bar was too crowded to get to know them, so I left them to it. The Globe is quite easy to find, and I did head there briefly after, but didn't see anyone I recognised. Knowing how long he takes to leave venues, and since I was tired, I headed home - meeting a couple of ladies from the office on the way! Apparently they'd been at the same thing - this is the second time I've met them at the Opera House..
After such a long show, there was no time to blog last night either. Today, I finally finished the film list - but nothing enthuses me for tonight, and although it's Film Nite's last Meetup before summer, they're headed to something I couldn't get to in time from work. You know, I might just stay in.. tomorrow, I've booked for a Science Museum late. The Art & Science group are headed there.. anyway, it's free and I'll see how I feel. Leaving drinks for someone from work on Thursday, and I'm back to Ireland for the weekend..
Of course, I was originally supposed to go on a Meetup event today - Ken's Events, a walk around Wimbledon and Putney Commons. And then that was postponed, on account of the engineering works on the Wimbledon branch of the District Line. Which coincided nicely with a massive blister on my foot, courtesy of yesterday's walk - to be fair, the footwear wasn't really appropriate. So, instead, I booked to see Death Ship 666 at the Leicester Square Theatre.
My foot's been aching all night, so it's a pity this was matinee only - I would have loved a longer rest. Anyway, I applied a blister plaster and dragged myself out. I discovered I could only walk quite slowly, so the trek to Earl's Court was rather hard. I took longer than usual, so was rather worried about being late - but the Piccadilly Line whisked me there in good time, despite the obligatory stop halfway through (probably to "even out the gaps in the service", although no announcement was made). I hobbled with as much speed as I could muster to the theatre, and queued at the box office (I couldn't be bothered printing at home).
Again, I had a seat near the end of the row - three seats in, I wouldn't like to be at the very end. The view was quite sideways from there, but you manage. And of course, I needn't really have worried - they started quite late.
This is a parody of the sinking of the Titanic. So you get some nautical sets - well, bits of sets. And bits of the soundtrack of the film blare over the speakers. This turned out to be a nuisance right at the start, as it drowned out what the actors were saying. I think they might have noticed this quite quickly, because it wasn't a problem for the rest of the show.
Six actors portray lots and lots of characters. They achieve this by running off one side of the stage (frequently) and reappearing on the other side in a slightly different costume. Which actually works really well! One scene even has the captain / evil electrician adopting both personas, an arm through one sleeve of each of two different jackets, clipped together at the back. So he can adopt a different character, depending which sleeve is turned towards the audience.
This is excellent! I recognise some of the actors from previous comic productions, and they are as skilled as always. Their comic timing is perfect. The story is utterly and delightfully daft, and well worth an afternoon indoors. Runs to 90 minutes, including interval, and only one more performance, on the afternoon of Sunday 24 May. Trot along if you're free.. recommended.
Afterwards, I was starving, given that I'd eaten all the food in the house and had had nothing left for breakfast. So I decided to head for Garfunkel's - uncomplicated and filling. There's one just across the square. Instead of my usual garlic bread, I had soup - mushroom, served with some excellent malted bread. And I had the reliably filling bbq chicken melt - chicken topped with some delicious bacon, smothered in bbq sauce. Comes with chips, and I had a side order of onion rings. Delish! Scoffed almost all of it, and predictably had no room for dessert - sadly, because they do an excellent chocolate fudge cake. Service was as friendly as you could hope for - she even drew a smiley face on my bill! :-)
Afterwards, I dragged myself to the Tesco just off Piccadilly Circus, where I bought tomorrow's breakfast. Then dragged myself onto the Tube, and home, where my feet are now up again, and hopefully not so much dragging shall be required to get me to work in the morning. And tomorrow evening, I've booked for Made in Dagenham - cheapest tickets available through the official website.
...and Disappeared. Or The Centenarian Who Climbed Out the Window and Vanished. Or alternative translations!
Yes, I've done the top-recommended plays on the Time Out page, so I'm back to films - and with a shake-up in the IMDB ratings, this was the highest rated film showing today that I hadn't seen and would be interested in! I'd seen the trailer, so was confident that I'd like it, and off I went to the Prince Charles cinema after work. Of course, that meant a crammed Piccadilly Line to Leicester Square - I didn't get a seat, and I was dripping in sweat by the time I got off. It didn't help that the weather has turned hot again - at least we got a respite yesterday!
Mercifully, there wasn't a queue, and I soon got my ticket. I didn't think I'd have to give the whole title, and indeed, trailed off as she went to ring up my order. I treated myself to a reasonably priced Sprite, which I drank while I waited for the upstairs cinema to open. This is the smaller of the two screens here, but still a decent size, with nice, reclining, leather seats. There weren't many there, and seating is unallocated, so it was easy to get a good seat.
This film is, apparently, based on a best-selling book. Well, it's a helluva yarn! It's a Swedish comedy. The title, helpfully, tells you what happens in the first five minutes. Our hero is a 100-year-old explosives expert, who ends up in a nursing home, where he's rather bored. So one day, he eases himself out the window and heads off. And, as you might imagine, he has many adventures. Mind you, he has form - we get a fair number of flashbacks of an eventful life, that have him involved in the Spanish Civil War, working on the Manhattan Project, meeting Stalin, spying in the Cold War.. and all because of his love of, and capability with, explosives.
Yes, it's completely over the top - as is what happens to him, and his bemused comrades, after he escapes from the nursing home. But it's deliciously funny - think of the kind of humour employed in Fargo. The one point where it falters is in the depiction of world leaders - Reagan, in particular, looks as though he's wearing a rubber mask, and I don't wonder we don't see him in close-up. Gorbachev ain't convincing either. The others I can't vouch for - I've only ever seen photographs. But you know, it's a small gripe about what is a very enjoyable film. Go see, give yourself a laugh!
Afterwards, I needed food - hadn't had time to eat before the film - but didn't fancy anything fussy. So, rather than the obvious option of Chinatown, I wandered round the corner, where I found a Garfunkels, and was well fed. Good food, really friendly service, not a bad price. Funny thing though - what is it with Garfunkels and drinks orders? Most places serve the drinks first - in Garfunkels, you're left waiting..
For tomorrow's film, it's looking like David, the story of a little Muslim boy in New York, whose Jewish pals think he's one of them. Showing in JW3, apparently a Jewish cultural centre. Well and good, as long as what happened to me the last time I went to see a film in a Jewish centre doesn't happen again..! (See my post on "The Lady in Number 6".) What worries me is they're geographically quite close, and may be run by the same people. Well, I'll go have a look anyway.
