Play: Orlando

For the next week or so, it's all Up in the Cheap Seats (UITCS)! Last night, 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).

We were meeting beforehand in The Chandos, because the theatre bar is so small and we had a large group. And it's just around the corner. Our organiser booked a table. I checked - yes, they do food - so I decided to head there early, try and grab a bite before we met. Turns out the main dining area is upstairs, although they do number the downstairs tables as well - I asked where her table was booked (upstairs or downstairs), but she didn't know. So, seeing that the downstairs was quite packed, I headed upstairs - our table wasn't booked for a while yet, so I grabbed what looked like the most convenient spot to eat at, a shelf with high seats. It did have a young couple at one end - sod it, this wasn't really like sharing a table! So I occupied the chair at the far end. Whereupon he remarked to her that this wasn't very private. Aww..

Well, I ordered at the bar. Funnily enough, they don't do sauvignon blanc, but they do a very nice chenin blanc. I could have had the steak and ale pie - to compare with Greene King - but I decided to have the half roast chicken instead. Very moreish, I have to say - yummy chicken gravy served with it, in a sauce boat, accompanied by pots of BBQ sauce and aioli. All massively tasty, and my chips did a round of all three. I posted on the Meetup page where I was sitting - there were people at the table we'd reserved - and was just about finished when people from the group started to arrive.

In due course, the organiser arrived, said hi, and went off to see about the reservation, digging out her confirmation email. Well! She came back in high dudgeon. Although someone had indeed emailed her to confirm the reservation - and given her a table number - they were now saying they didn't take bookings! Indeed, I hadn't been able to see a booking option when I looked it up on Google Maps. Now, it's one thing not to take bookings - it's another thing entirely to take a booking and then let customers down! Of course, the exact same thing happened on Sunday, when our organiser had booked a table at The Museum Tavern, which staff knew nothing about when we got there.. Well, you have been warned. Just because you're in a popular area, it's not worth treating customers badly. In the end, we did get a table downstairs, and chatted away until showtime.

Another cursory bag check, and we were in - and how pleasant it is to be on ground level! The Dress Circle, where I was booked, leads straight off the lobby. And it's lovely to be so close to the stage - closer than I usually am in venues like this. Good, comfy seat, too.

The only thing I can say I didn't like about this play was the use of no fewer than nine (!) Virginia Woolfs on stage, mostly just overseeing proceedings. I don't get the point of that, and as our organiser said, it's awkward when they're all speaking together - which, happily, doesn't happen much. Well, Emma Corrin plays the title role - a young man at the Elizabethan court, who zips through history, looking for love. Every time he goes to sleep, he seems to wake up in another time period - from the 1700s, he becomes a woman! (There is a maid to keep us all informed, but we can also tell from the costume changes.) By the end, (s)he is flummoxed - still Orlando, but when asked what (s)he loves, the best answer seems to be "a good red wine"!

It's a feminist piece, of course - and I guess there's no point in representing our hero as a woman before the 1700s, she'd have had so little say in her own life. By the 1700s, she might have had some - but, as we learn, she couldn't own property, and basically had to choose an obliging husband, who would allow her to live the life she chose. The Victorian period is funny, with the straitlaced manners, and the husband who marries her, then disappears to sea - indefinitely! The play's aim is ultimately unfulfilled, as despite his/her perambulations through history, (s)he cannot find an era where (s)he's truly happy, or a person with whom (s)he's truly happy. But hey, it's a fun romp through history! Runs till the 25th of next month, if you want to check it out for yourself.

Couldn't blog last night - I had to be up early for a delivery today. Which hasn't arrived yet, and won't now, unless it's by courier. Tonight, 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..

Tomorrow, 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. With partial film listings finally out for there, it's looking like The Fabelmans, in Ennis - an autobiographical tale from Stephen Spielberg, about how he got into filmmaking.

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

On Tuesday, 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!

Next Wednesday, back with the Horror Book Club. 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. I managed to get through the club's book, and read the entirety of the story it's based on, which is much shorter - and less coherent. Again, the meeting is in the Prince of Wales, Covent Garden. 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! Indeed, that evening might be the time to meet Ivan - and our coworker, if he's recovered, by then, from the jetlag he'll suffer from the trip to India he's currently on!

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 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. Turns out North London Friends are headed to it the same night - what, are they now copying this group, as another group did some time ago? (since closed down). And then I'm back to Ireland again.

And on the 13th, 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.

Film: The Jump, Musical: The Drifters Girl, & Dance: Outwitting the Devil

Well, film on Tuesday again. Top of the list was The Jump, only showing in the Curzon Bloomsbury, and is a documentary about a Lithuanian sailor, back in the days of the Soviet Union, who chose to defect to the United States by jumping from his ship onto an American one. Didn't do him much good - they sent him back! but the whole thing blew into a political storm. Sounded interesting. As long as it wasn't as much as half sold out, I kept an eye on it.

Well, it wasn't on until late, so I stayed late in the office again. I could walk. Except that I got caught up in doing something, so it'd have to be public transport for me to get there in time. Google Maps told me I'd make it by bus.. and I made it to the stop just in time for the bus that they'd predicted would come. Then checked my Buses Due app.. to be given the harsh news that it wasn't due for a quarter of an hour! Oh hell, that was all I needed, after a hard day. The only thing for it now was to scurry asap to St. Paul's and catch the Tube, which is what I did. I had to change in Holborn, startling a rat as I disembarked - and why, oh why, do they make you climb two sets of stairs, and leave the escalator for going down? I eventually arrived at the cinema about five minutes late, which wasn't bad. And had a third set of steps to climb as I exited the Tube. So I didn't completely miss out on exercise!

At the cinema, I walked straight into an "event" on the ground floor (the cinemas are in the basement). So I had to buy my ticket downstairs - as I eventually gleaned, although a combination of my stressed demeanour and the assistant's muffled voice behind her mask meant she had to tell me twice. And when I got through that hurdle, I forgot completely where the screen was! Ended up nearly going out through the emergency exit before I realised. And when I got in, someone had his stuff on my seat. So I sat in the one beside, and was quite glad nobody came along to move me.

It's a dramatic, Cold War tale - this guy was in the Soviet navy, off the coast of the US, and the US coastguard came along to see what they were doing. And they started throwing stuff to each other, from one ship to the other, until the Soviet officers objected to the American magazines. Whereupon our protagonist got the idea - just to jump for it! Now, this comprehensive documentary also interviews a couple of officers on the US ship, and one remarked that 4.15pm was the worst time of day to defect, because all the politicos were leaving the office for the day! They couldn't get anyone on the phone, so figured they'd better send him back - wow, what a furore that caused! The story of how he came to the US in the end is fascinating, and as well as archive footage, the documentary has him visit New York, where he used to live, and also follows him around his home in Lithuania - which he and his wife returned to, after independence. A well-rounded documentary, and a fascinating glimpse into this period in history.

And on the way home, I got off at the stop across from my flat - which, according to Google Maps, was not an option for me. Well, nuts to that.

The past two days, for the first time in a while, I was back with Up in the Cheap Seats. Yesterday, we went to see The Drifters Girl, a musical about the female manager of The Drifters, played by Beverley Knight. Playing in the Garrick, and wouldn't you know, when I was checking it out, I saw a message from a member who couldn't go, and was willing to give away her ticket for free to the first person to get in touch. Well, it just goes to show, you can't even give tickets away - this was three days later, and I said I'd take the chance - sure enough, I was the first! It's a physical ticket, which she posted to me - I just had to remember to take it with me! Not often, these days, I get a physical ticket. Oh, and yippee, Rear Stalls!

I decided to pop the ticket in my bag the night before - and just as well, with me in a rush yesterday morning! No email from the theatre, it seems, as they'd said they'd send, with instructions about what to do, and when to be there.

But I left work for the theatre in good time - in fact, I was the first of the group to arrive! Pleasantly, when I came to the auditorium, they were playing music from the era. Plenty of time to bag a drink - and as I sipped it, at the exit from the bar, I spotted a couple of the group over the other side. So I made my way over there - and we spent a good half hour chatting. Problem was, it was pretty cramped - people were having to push past us to go to the bar or toilet, and we duly made for our seats - some were sitting upstairs too, which was a consideration.

As you can see, the pillar "in my sightline" wasn't an impediment at all. Few people were wearing masks until an usher went around with a large sign, urging us to do so, when a lot complied. Anyway, the show started about 15 minutes late - apparently there was a to-do, with a large group of people near the front sitting in the wrong seats! This wasn't the only kerfuffle with the audience last night - a number of our group who were sitting upstairs apparently had terrible trouble with people near them who not only wouldn't stop talking through the show, but became quite belligerent when challenged! As someone remarked, theatre etiquette has really gone downhill since lockdown..

Well, we got the story of The Drifters - but what everyone's really there for is the actual music, and there's plenty of it - as usual, more of their back catalogue than you realised was theirs! And throughout, it's beautifully sung. Beverley Knight herself doesn't get much opportunity to sing until the end of the first half, when a showstopping number brings us to the interval. She is heard a bit more after that - and I distinctly remember being about to take a sip of wine while she was belting out a number, only to stop with the glass halfway to my mouth! Truly, she blew us away. And by the end, we were only too ready to rise to a standing ovation - and to sing along. (Mind you, some had started already, and a group just behind me were very merry after a trip to the bar at the interval..)

Terrific musical performance - plenty of laughs, too. Highly recommended if you're into the old classics. Runs until the 26th March. And it was great to see some folks I literally hadn't seen in years.

I was looking forward to tonight, when we were headed to Sadler's Wells for an Akram Khan production, the UK Premiere of Outwitting the Devil. Part of their Carnival of Shadows tour. And ooh, the first time I'd have been there since lockdown!

Of course, our office has now started serving free beer (and, crucially, wine) on Thursdays, so naturally, I imbibed before setting off. And the new office, with its single-kitchen layout, means a lot more mingling between the different departments. Indeed, I networked happily until I decided I really had to tear myself away - it was a pity, I was enjoying it. As it was, I'd have been able to walk if I'd left earlier - instead, I had a number of potential buses to choose from.

Just missed one - which I could have caught, if I hadn't been unsure it was the right one: caught another - and treated myself to a ride up in the lift, as I was already late. (Happily, not late for the show, just a little late to meet the group.) And again, it was great to see people I hadn't seen in so long.. had a good old chat until it was time to go in.

So, this is straight through without an interval.. and a more intense, creepy piece I defy you to find. (So, I loved it.) Nobody, but nobody, seems to have figured out exactly what the plot is, but as ever, it looks great, looks and sounds eerie, and grabbed my attention throughout. If you want to give it a shot, it's running until Saturday, with decent availability. Under-5s not allowed. And with it having no interval, it was over early enough for me to blog!

Tomorrow, back with one of my cheap ticket groups - TAC - for another concert at the Wimbledon Music Festival. This time, it's Yantra, an a cappella group, in the Trinity URC Church.

On Saturday, back with the Surrey History Meetup group - nominally - for yet another Zoom call. This time, it focuses on SHERF 2021 - a day-long conference based on the work of the Surrey Historic Environment Research Framework, and specifically on church archaeology. As promoted by the Surrey Archaeological Society.

And on Sunday, back with London European Club - we're off to Immigrant Comedy (standup comedy in English) at the Camden Comedy Club. Tickets from Eventbrite.. two shows, we're going to the later one.

Musical: City of Angels

Last night, back with Up in the Cheap Seats (UITCS) for City of Angels at the Garrick. Funny thing is, I was recently looking ahead for shows to book, and this came up - was on the point of booking for it, busily looking for deals, when I suddenly realised I'd already booked! The perils of booking early.. I booked this the day after Christmas.

I headed off asap - ever so slightly later than intended. In lashing rain, again. Happily, I had a choice of buses - and one came along just as I did. And was I relieved to be under cover. The rain didn't seem as bad as I walked the last bit to the theatre - there was a helluva queue to get in, though. And so, up to the Grand Circle bar to meet the others - although I was actually sitting in the Stalls, for once. Not too far to climb, at least - the bar is a decent size, and very swanky!

Being a bit late, I didn't bother with a drink beforehand. We chatted away, then those of us in the Stalls headed downstairs. All the way.. it's one level down from the street.

Yes, that is a restricted view - but acceptable. Mind you, I was delighted when the guy in the seat beside me said he was actually going to try for a seat further forward, and if he got one, I could have his! which is what happened. It's amazing the difference one seat makes.. for £10 more (on the official site), you get a much more panoramic view of the stage. In practice, this entire row (S, in the rear Stalls) has a problem with the overhang from the Grand Circle, which does obscure the top of the stage. Not too badly though, and I found you could get a decent view of whatever you needed to by ducking down to peer under it.

Ah wow, I don't know where to start in praising this show. I thought it was fabulous! The lyrics are consistently clever - I found myself waiting for each song with delight, to see how the play on words would work. The story concerns a writer who's accepted the contract to turn his book into a screenplay - cue artistic differences with the director / producer. It's a classic PI story, the gumshoe hired to track down the missing daughter of a multi-millionaire. But as you might expect, the case isn't so straightforward.. the story, for us, switches between the writer's "real-life" story and the story he's penning.

You might not expect all the twists in the tale, as the fourth wall (between writer and characters) gets broken. :-) A favourite of our group was the rewrite scenes.. worth the price of admission alone. I won't spoil the surprise. Or what happens when they turn on the radio! But overall, I just adored this - the subject matter, the presentation, the staging tricks, and, as I say, the clever lyrics, which often see "real-life" words repeated by characters in the screenplay. And the screenplay itself replayed, after the director's rewrites! Some performers were undoubtedly better singers than others, and perhaps I couldn't remember all the songs afterwards - but this was so good overall, I just couldn't resist. Runs till the 5th of September, booking recommended.

Waiting for my bus home, I availed - once again - of the free WiFi kindly provided by the adjacent Pizza Express. And when the bus did come, it actually had room to park - no Co-Op van in the space, for once! No blogging last night though - had to be in early for a planning session.

Tonight, whoop-de-doo! Finally got a decently priced, decently located ticket to the show of the moment, Hamilton! Showing at the Victoria Palace, booking through Ticketmaster exclusively. Booked the same day as City of Angels - I often block book. So I get to see whether it lives up to the hype - I'm just delighted to be able to stop searching for tickets for it! And even with everything else going on, I remembered to bring the ticket with me. Now paranoid about losing / tearing it..

Tomorrow, back at Soho Theatre (hopefully - at least the show is later than Tuesday's, which I missed!). This time, it's Sara Barron's show, Enemies Closer.

On Thursday, back with This & That (not for ages, then twice in one week!). This time, it's a pre-Paddy's Day concert with the Band of the Irish Guards, at the Guards' Chapel. Then I'm back to Ireland for the weekend.

On Monday, back at Soho Theatre again - this time, for the opening night of Tom Rosenthal's show, Manhood.

Next Tuesday is, of course, Paddy's Day itself - and like last year, I'm off to the Irish Centre in Camden. And again, they have a St. Patrick's Night Special - I've already booked my ticket. Dunno whether anyone will join me, but hey.

On the 18th, back with UITCS for Be More Chill, at The Other Palace. My only Meetup that week!

The 19th is going to be hugely busy for me. So, first I'm at Soho Theatre for Jena Friedman's show, Miscarriage of Justice. And then, wouldn't you know it, The Embers Collective scheduled a series of shows at the Vault Festival. And blast it if I wasn't already booked for the whole week! But hey, with the comedy show finishing at 8.30.. and the storytelling not starting till 10.. this one was doable! Their show that night is Queerstory - LGBTQ+ - themed. And I'm going.

On the 20th, finally getting to see Dear Evan Hanson, at the Noel Coward Theatre. It got the royal seal of approval during the week, of course! And it's about time I saw it - UITCS went last year.

On the 21st, a proper social at last from my last company, woo-hoo! We now have 5 (possibly 6) confirmations for a dinner at my current favourite Italian - Amarcord Museum. The place with the chocolate mousse cake to die for.. I've booked, on the assumption that I won't get any more takers. And that laying a space for 6 is much the same as laying a space for 5. And I've asked specially for the chocolate cake..

On the 22nd, heading to the last night of a classical spectacular at the Albert Hall. Popular classical tunes, complete with lightshow - sure to be a crowd-pleaser!

On the 23rd, back with UITCS for Far Away, at Donmar Warehouse. Unfortunately, I'm now hearing really bad reviews of this - ah well. Not surprised, given that it's by Caryl Churchill, who also wrote A Number. Which I didn't rate highly.

On the 24th, seeing The Dumb Waiter, by Harold Pinter, at Hampstead Theatre.

On the 25th, back with UITCS for Clybourne Park, at the Park Theatre.

On the 26th, back with them again - for the opening night of a Ballet Black Mixed Bill, at the Barbican, for once! Much handier for me. Interestingly, no fewer than three Meetup groups are going to the same thing - but UITCS advertised it first, and I've booked with them and will not be repeating the chaos of multiple bookings that I tried previously. One in particular, Love London Theatre Arts Music & Stuff (LLTAMS) - which has a habit of booking the same thing on the same night as UITCS - has introduced a new rule that you can't book with them if you've booked with someone else as well. Well gee, no problem - wasn't going to anyway. Not really the way to increase your group's attendance, if you ask me. Then I'm back to Ireland for the weekend.

On the 30th, ironically, I'm with LLTAMS for something that they're the only ones to advertise! It's a classical concert of religious music at Queen Elizabeth Hall, and should be lovely.

On the 31st, back at the Barbican for It's True, It's True, It's True. Dramatisation of a 17th-Century rape trial.

On the 1st, I find myself with London Science & Geek Chic Socials! We're off to a talk at the Star & Garter (Greenwich), entitled Greenwich Skeptics: A Magician Among the Spirits, which describes the confrontational relationship between magicians and psychics - the name is taken from a book by Houdini.

On the 2nd, back with UITCS at the Barbican - this time, it's the opening night of Orlando.

And on the 3rd, back with them again for Last Easter, at the Orange Tree.

Play: Don Quixote

Tonight, with Up in the Cheap Seats (UITCS) at the Garrick for Don Quixote, with the RSC. The only cheap tickets left for this were terrible, so I went a bit upmarket. A bit - I was still behind a pillar! Got caught up doing various things, and left a little later than I intended - sure enough, was just in time to miss my bus. Wouldn't you know it though, another was right behind. With a kind driver, I might add - along the way, someone had missed the 38, as she later told someone on the phone, and asked our driver whether he took the same route. No, he said, but he could take her as far as she needed along the route. He checked where she was going, and dropped her close enough that she could walk - and for free! Great bus service, to be honest.

Me, I ended up walking down Charing Cross Road - which has been awkward for as long as I've been doing it, what with roadworks, and hoardings blocking the pavements. It's even worse now, with hoardings also on the side of the road you can actually walk down! The pavement was so crowded at one point, with people walking in both directions, that we came to a complete stop. Dreadful planning. Mind you, with the road narrowed as well, it's hard to see what they can do better.

Collected my ticket at the box office - once the little old lady who'd barged in front of me realised there was someone at the next window and went there instead. Don'tcha just hate old people who think their age entitles them to be rude? Don't tell me she didn't see me.. she was glancing at me the whole time to see whether I was likely to make a fuss. Well, I got my ticket before she did hers anyway, and made my way to the Stalls bar - which you access through the Stalls; it's at the back. I had a chat with those clustered in the corner, and got myself an overpriced glass of wine. Went large - why not, when I could take it to my seat? It was plastic..

I was behind one of the forward pillars. As you can see in the photo, I could see most of the stage - all of it, if I leaned a bit! There were some free seats, including one beside me - I could have moved if I'd wanted. But I was quite fine. Apart from the obligatory coughing fit just after the start - WTF causes it to flare up just at the start of every show? Probably the combination of consciously not coughing on the way in - and talking to people just at the start.. Well, after some exasperated looks from those around me, I did manage to stop. The sips of wine probably helped. Never recurs during the same show, interestingly.

Most of our group, if not all, seemed to be in the Stalls - one chap, at least, had his ticket upgraded at the last minute. Under-filled upper levels, I guess. And several of the group seemed to be in the front two rows. I know this because they had intense audience interaction. Really, I was to be glad I was behind a pillar when the food fight (!) started. One bread roll landed near me, and an usher rescued it and flung it back on stage - there was an enthusiastic exchange of rolls, back and forth, for several minutes! Not only that - jeez, we had instructions to cheer, we had banter: and most memorably, our poor organiser demonstrated the art of being in exactly the wrong place at the wrong time, when she was practically dragged on stage, being draped over one of the actors, at the edge, for an extended period. Definitely different. Wonder what David Cameron thought - apparently he was sat behind her!

I adored this. It's just kind of perfectly surreal, the story of a daft old man in La Mancha who reads a lot, fantasises a bit too much, and decides to ride out as a knight errant and have adventures! I've passed through La Mancha - truly, there didn't seem to be a lot there, and I can imagine the locals fantasising. Off he pops, with shabby armour, and persuading his servant to tag along as a squire, with the promise of wealth. And as he wreaks havoc in the area, he causes much mischief - and perhaps also revives some chivalry, as is his aim.

It's as well performed as you'd expect from the RSC. And quite hilarious - as someone remarked at the interval, a great start to the panto season! The musical numbers are beautifully sung - and the band, hidden up in a musicians' gallery at the rear, play a variety of styles from classical guitar to flamenco to ballad. I was in heaven with the Spanish stuff, of course. Not quite to everyone's taste - I fancy the auditorium was a little emptier for the second half - but jeez, I can't recommend it highly enough. Includes haze and flashes. Currently booking till the 2nd of February. Oh, and I just missed my bus again on the way back - and this time, had quite a wait for the next. It's very unfair, how they've separated the sign and the shelter at that stop - people who don't know stand under the shelter, which also has the display, but the buses stop at the sign, much before that, and sail past the shelter!

Tomorrow, I'm on a Paranormal Activity Tour - ooh! Now, for this one, we get ghost-hunting equipment, which could make it interesting - I don't fancy the dowsing rods, myself, but we'll see. Walking in London, again. Therefore Funzing, so discounted by 20%, again, with the code Funzing_Fb20. And this was after my loyalty discount - so I got it at better than half price! which is good, considering the price.

On Saturday, I'm off on my own to see A Small Place, at the Gate.

On Sunday, back at last to Winter Wonderland! That evening, I'm off to Cirque Berserk - an annual tradition for me. The latest show is the cheapest, so that's the one I booked.

On Monday, I'm back with UITCS for Programme Three of Pinter at the Pinter - Landscape / A Kind of Alaska / Monologue.

On Tuesday, I'm going to see Company, by Sondheim, at the Gielgud. No tickets available for the upper levels on the official site - they must all have been bought up by resellers! Cheapest I found was with OfficialLondonTheatre, run by See Tickets.

On Wednesday, I was with Walking in London again for the Haunted London Pub Tour. But we've now arranged our team night out for that night. I'll have had enough ghostly things for the moment, anyway.

Next Thursday, I'm back with UITCS at the National for Hadestown. Then back to Ireland again for the weekend.

On the 3rd, I'm back to the National for I'm Not Running.

On the 4th, I'm off to the Bush, for Drip.

On the 5th, LDN Talks @ Night and London Speaks Sessions (both Funzing) advertised a "Winterville" talk on The Science of Santa, where we get the scientific explanation of how he does it. Taking place at The Windmill. However, seems they meant the day before, when of course I'm busy. So instead I'm going to True West, with Kit Harington, at the Vaudeville. Cheapest tickets from the venue. 

On the 6th, Hazel of Walks, Talks and Treasure Hunts, London Guided Walks (and, indeed, Walking in London) has a Christmas Carol Tour. Now, the last two events I booked with her turned out to be no-shows.. the first might not have been her fault, as she was advertising someone else's event, but the second, she just missed the ball on and left three of us standing on a street corner. Whether this event happens is anyone's guess! Now, it's technically more expensive if you book on Funzing - but if you have my discount ;-) it comes down to the same price she charges on her own site, without the booking fee! So I did it that way. But then Henning, with the London European Club, advertised a Happy Xmaths evening at Imperial College, the same night! Festive fun for maths geeks. Plus it's free - you just have to register with Eventbrite. I thought it'd be great to get back with this group. And since I booked the walk with Funzing, I've cancelled and will get a full refund. And I feel no sadness at missing an evening with Hazel, after what's been happening. But gee, this evening is proving to be one of the more popular- now a colleague has booked it for his leaving do. So I'm now going to that instead. Nibbles arranged at The Enterprise.  

On the 7th, back with UITCS at the Royal Court, for The Cane. Got the very last ticket, phew!

On the 8th, with them again at the Orange Tree Theatre for The Double Dealer.

On the 9th, the Crick Crack Club is back at the British Museum for I Know Not, a full afternoon of Sufi legend.

On the 10th, I'm off to the Bridge Theatre for A Very, Very, Very Dark Matter, by Martin McDonagh. Starring Jim Broadbent, this is a dark take on Hans Christian Anderson! Our new starter was going to see it tonight - I must ask her about it tomorrow.

On the 11th, I was going with North London Friends to The Convert, at the Young Vic. Discounted top-price seats, it seems! And then, the Crick Crack Club sent around an advertising email - and damnit if they haven't arranged a meeting that night! The House of Nine Lives is at the British Library, and has Nell Phoenix, Tim Ralphs, and TUUP talking about pussycats. Irresistible. However, I don't get my money back for the play unless they sell on the ticket - hopefully they can.

The 12th is our office Christmas party, but Let's Do This has now advertised a Christmas dinner- which sounds a more attractive prospect. So I'm doing that instead. Places filled up quickly with regulars.

On the 13th, I'm thrilled to be going to Matthew Bourne's Swan Lake, at Sadler's Wells, with UITCS. He's a fantastic choreographer, but I've never before gotten around to seeing this all-male version. Then I'm back to Ireland for the weekend again. 

And on the 17th, the Crick Crack Club is performing Gilgamesh, at Soho Theatre. With Ben Haggerty in the spotlight, this will be a treat! Sold out, of course - you have to book these things early. Meeting Helen for a meal beforehand.

Musical: Young Frankenstein

Happy birthday to me.. it started a bit earlier than intended, with a fire alarm. A good reason to leave where I'm now staying. But you know, as I was rushing to get dressed, it occurred to me that I was on my way in to the office anyway, and I might as well just get ready properly and head straight in. Which I did. Unfortunately, after a late finish last night, I ended up tired for the rest of the day. Plus ça change.. Tonight, I was off to see Young Frankenstein, at the Garrick. And with a walk there of, oh, about five minutes from the office - I didn't hurry.

My Print-at-Home ticket (which it took three of us in the office to try to print, the printer was playing up again) said Section OS - now, as usual, it's months since I booked this, but it turned out to be in the rear stalls. Perfect seat, really: right on the aisle, so all the legroom you could wish, and hardly any of the stage was cut off. An excellent seat (N22, FYI).

A riotous evening of song and dance, this is based on the Mel Brooks film, with Gene Wilder as the grandson of the infamous scientist, Madeline Kahn as his fiancée, Marty Feldman as Igor. So, he comes to Transylvania, of course, and ends up following in the footsteps of his late grandfather - with vastly different results.

Throughout, you can see the manic genius of Mel Brooks, and it's a fun night. Watch out (spoiler) for the monster, who runs into the audience at the end of the first act! I had to pull my bag in. Terrific production values, of course - great singing, great dancing, great sets. And it's a fun night, no question. Only thing.. it felt, to me, just a little dated. But hey, it's good. Currently booking until the 29th of September..

The weekend is Funzing, with Walking in London. On Saturday, A Secret London Tour - I've had my eye on this for a while, it sounds interesting. And on Sunday, I'm finally doing Murder Mile Walk. Early starts, bah!

On Monday, I was off to This Beautiful Future, at the Yard Theatre. And then it turned out that a couple of guys from the North American training team in our company are visiting the office for a couple of days! Team dinner that night. Well hey, I wasn't that pushed about the play anyway. Not everything I book for is a must-see.

On Tuesday, my annual pilgrimage to Cirque Berserk at Winter Wonderland! Whee..

On Wednesday, back with Walking in London, this time with Katie of Look Up London, and her Alternative Christmas Lights Tour. Delighted to give her the business, and it should be fun!

On Thursday, back with Up in the Cheap Seats - this time at the newly opened Bridge Theatre, for their first show, Young Marx. Delighted to make this - I had booked it for the 20th October, then the Crick Crack Club got in the way, as they often do! The theatre charged me a nominal fee to change it to this date. So this'll now be the first play I'll have gone to in a while! And then it's back to Ireland for the weekend again.

On the 27th, I'm headed to see Follies at the National - one that London Dramatic Arts (LDAM) went to a while ago, expensively. What with their ticket prices, and other things getting in the way, I really don't know when I'll be with them again..

On the 28th, back with Let's Do This! (LDT) at a place called The Fiddler's Elbow, for a Blues Club & Jam. Be good to see them again!

On the 29th, the Crick Crack Club has their long-awaited 30th birthday party at Rich Mix. Finally advertised by their Meetup group, I see, months after tickets went on sale. A friend is going to this, and Helen is thinking about it. Oh, and the crazy lady is supposed to be going - may she not dare to cross my path! I'm perfectly capable of throwing a drink over her. If the need arises.

On the 30th, LDT is off to.. Saint George and the Dragon, at the National! Now, when this was advertised, I remembered having booked it already. Checked, and discovered that was during my week in Stockholm - so I was happy to book it again. Completely forgot, of course, that I was already booked for last week, with Up in the Cheap Seats. But then, of course, I couldn't go to that either.. third time lucky, I hope! Mind you, consensus seems to be that it drags - never mind. Then I'm back to Ireland again.

On the 4th, I'm finally seeing Heisenberg: the Uncertainty Principle, at Wyndham's Theatre. Another that LDAM saw before I have, and another I rescheduled - this from the 16th October, when I was with Up in the Cheap Seats. Another nominal fee to change. And they posted me physical tickets - how retro!

On the 5th, my annual trip to La Soirée! "Posh new venue", as they say - they're now in the Aldwych Theatre. Cheapest tickets at Amazon tickets.

The 6th sees our office Christmas party! Mercifully, I've just found out it's not black tie this year - don't have to buy a new outfit, then! It's at Bounce - a pub with ping pong tables, wouldya believe?! We have a private room, with three such tables and a karaoke machine. I foresee a noisy night..!

I can't stay long though - have to be at Stansted at 6 in the morning of the 7th, for a trip to Nuremberg Christmas market with London European Club! We'll also be doing some travelling in the area. Helen liked the sound of it, and my other friend who's coming to the storytelling is coming too. We'll have a ball! I just bought Lonely Planet's chapter on Bavaria, downloaded it, and have shared it with them - isn't it handy how you can buy individual chapters? Mercifully, although the crazy woman was supposed to go on this, she's pulled out. So, the plan is to stay in the new place, the night before..

Back late on the 10th, and on the 11th - having taken the day off work (I'll be exhausted) - I'm off to the Barbershop Chronicles. At the National.

On the 12th, I've just booked a Funzing talk - Interviews With a Serial Killer, courtesy of London Speaks Sessions and LDN Talks @ Night. For which, with their new loyalty scheme, I earned £10 credit! Not so shabby..

On the 13th, my last visit of the year to Sands Films - finally advertised on Meetup, through the World Music Meetup, TunedIn London has a concert by Plastikes Karekles, a Greek group.

On the 14th, my friends who came to Soho on Monday are headed to Wilton's Music Hall, for something called The Box of Delights. And for once, I'm letting them decide for me, and am going myself too.

On the 15th, my final trip of the year to the Crick Crack Club - Jan Blake is performing Masters of Hex at the British Library. Along with Ben Haggerty and TUUP. Same friend going with me as on the 29th, and Helen too - and the same lunatic. Well, after the nasty things she had to say about me, I'll be surprised if she dares to approach me at all. Next day, I'm back to Ireland for Christmas.

Flying back to London on the 2nd of January, and on the 3rd (now that my brain is a bit less cluttered), I've booked to see Stewart Lee at Leicester Square Theatre. Determinedly not in the front two rows - not for a comedy show!

On the 4th of January, I'm back with Up in the Cheap Seats (Happy New Year to them!), who are off to see Hanna, at the Arcola.

On the 5th of January, I thought Time Out threw me a curiously interesting event - so I'm going on this Space Descent VR experience, at the Science Museum. I'll have to leave work early for it - there are timed slots, and it consists of wearing goggles, and living the experience of a descent to earth, with the astronaut Tim Peake narrating in your ears.

On the 6th of January, Crick Crack is back! Happy New Year to them too. The story of When Time Began is being told at King's Place. Creation myths. And wouldn't you know it, we're being treated to a host of performers - the husband and wife team, Emily and Nick Hennessy, and co-founder of the club, the amazing Ben Haggerty. Accompaniment provided by the wonderful musician, Sheema Mukherjee.

On the 7th of January, another Happy new Year - this time to LDT, who are off to an art exhibition. Gilbert & George: the Beard Pictures and their Fuckosophy. Sorry, but that is the title. Showing at the White Cube Gallery. Honestly, but for the group that's hosting, I wouldn't bother..

And finally, more art on the 8th of January, which I'll probably enjoy more. I'm taking the day off to go see Reflections at the National Gallery - an exhibition of Pre-Raphaelites, which, with a free day, I can peruse at my leisure. As inspired by a walk by the excellent London Literary Walks - roll on the summer, and a return of those!

Plays: All On Her Own & Harlequinade

A side effect of booking ahead for this week, at the end of November (and all working towards Let's Do London - for less!'s outing to The Nutcracker), is that most Meetup groups don't arrange things that far in advance. So it was Time Out that suggested that, for yesterday, I go to Harlequinade, directed by and starring Kenneth Branagh. Fair enough - it sounded ok. Now, it's in the Garrick, which I know from bitter experience to be one of those old theatres that's appalling for seating in the upper levels (no legroom whatsoever) - so the stalls it had to be. Which made it expensive. I found the best deal through London Box Office.

Yesterday evening, I didn't have much time to eat, but when I arrived back from work to Clapham Junction station, I was hungry - and Sainsbury's, conveniently located in the station precinct, provided me with the handiest hot counter, where I picked up a cooked half roast chicken. Very much appreciated! With Google Maps telling me that the 7.13 train would get me there in time, 7 o'clock seemed time enough to leave the flat, which just nicely gave me time to eat my purchase.

I arrived back at the station just in time to catch the 7.07 to Waterloo. Great - except there was a delay as we approached the station (something about a fault with the doors) and we eventually chugged in at nearly 20 past. Then I had what is commonly described as a senior moment, and couldn't find the Underground for a few minutes, despite walking right past it twice - and by the time I made it to Leicester Square, I was already five minutes late for the show. Well, I wasn't giving up on a £65 ticket, so I persevered.

I'm not used to exiting Leicester Square from the Northern Line, so it took me a moment to locate Exit 1, still to my left. From there, it's left down Charing Cross Road - I looked enviously at Wyndham's, which I passed on the way, but mine was further down. Sure enough, by the time I got there, the only people still in the lobby were staff. But they were kind enough to get me my ticket, and show me to the bar, where they sat me on a cushioned stool in front of a large television, showing a live feed, until I could be let in. So not so bad - and I wasn't even the last to arrive, as I discovered when they pulled up another stool next to me for another fellow.

Well, the sound quality wasn't terrific, and I couldn't get all the dialogue. And it was some minutes before the display changed to colour. Nonetheless, it was good that I hadn't really missed anything. The first play is the short one - All On Her Own, where Zoe Wanamaker gives an excellent solo performance as a drunk, middle-aged woman, downing the whiskey while conversing with her dead husband.

After about 15 minutes, that play was ending and we were shown to our seats - in my case, at least, making several of my neighbours grumpy! As I sat, they were showing a postwar-style film, which explained how a national board was sponsoring a number of theatre companies (this one included) to bring culture to the masses. In due course, the curtain rose to a Renaissance-style set, and Kenneth Branagh appeared in Renaissance costume and a flamboyant wig.

Oh dear. Oh dearie me. Now, the audience loved it - well, the laughter died down as the evening progressed, but the people around me had a hoot! It's the story of the shenanigans of a madcap touring theatre company, with him as the director - and Zoe Wanamaker back, after a costume change, as his aunt, who is also a member. Comedy is subjective - and I'm afraid, although this elicited some laughs from me, and indeed, I loved their use of the venue - I just found it far too silly. Note to self - never, ever again go to a comedy directed by Kenneth Branagh. I'd have left, if I'd been on the end of the row - it played without interval, so I had to stay to the end.

At least it finished quite early - although there still wasn't time to blog, last night. London Box Office asked for a review today, and I told them the same - and remarked that, although the seat was fine, it definitely wasn't worth £65. Which, by the way, is face value.

Well, I have higher hopes for tonight - both for quality, and likelihood of getting there on time. Again part of my early booking, I have a ticket to La Soirée, playing at the Spiegeltent, walking distance from Waterloo. And, having been there before, I MIGHT not get lost.

Well, if you've been reading regularly, you'll know that I didn't get a ticket to The Nutcracker tomorrow - after all that fuss, they were sold out by the time I got to them! I got a ticket to an evening of poetry set to music instead, part of the Winter Festival at the Southbank Centre. I got a seated ticket when there was a cancellation - and it's free! And then.. I was literally just writing this very post, a short while ago, and looked up the link to the Let's Do London - for less! page (just for reference).. and there had just been a cancellation (as he only just now explained); they had one ticket left (one of the more expensive ones, but still the best value available) in the auditorium. So I snapped it up, and now I'm going to that instead!

Thursday's plans have also changed. I've decided I want to come to the office that day - which I normally wouldn't be - because I'm interested in our product planning meeting that's happening that day, and which won't have remote access. (Means an early start after what's bound to be a late night, but never mind! And at least I get a free lunch out of it). Unfortunately, that means that, once again, I have to cancel on the Central London Outdoor Group - that's happened a few times now, but I'd never make it in time. Instead, I got another of those cheap tickets - to Cirque Berserk, in Dartford. Long journey, but I know they're good. And I don't have to travel to work on Friday! Later that day, of course, I fly back to Ireland for the weekend - that plan hasn't changed (yet)!