Concert: Mozart - Secrets and Seduction

Tonight, back with TAC - for another operatic evening at Hoxton Hall. National Opera Studio was presenting Mozart: Secrets and Seduction. (So much for Meetup being busy on Wednesdays!) So, two days in a row with them - ironically, Guided Walking Tours in Brighton and Sussex had online talks scheduled for both nights - and I would have gone to either, or both, but the links weren't working! By the time the organiser updated them, I'd booked for the other events.

It pissed rain all afternoon. For food, I planned to head to The Astronomer, en route - a slight detour from the shortest path, but not by much. It started to lash down as I headed there - and wouldn't you know it (well, you would by the noise as you approached) - it was packed, not a table free. Well, that wasn't going to work - so I headed for the door again in despair, looking at the weather. My coat was already drenched. Headed instead for Nando's, which had the main advantage of being right across the street.

And had lots of tables - I beat the rush, plus they have seating downstairs. I'm loving the QR codes on the tables, it saves having to queue to order, and in particular if you're having dessert, it saves waiting an age for a waiter to come in a busy restaurant! So I ordered my main and then a dessert, and it didn't take either order long to come. Had the usual - and had exactly the usual experience. Everything was lovely, but the chicken was tough around the edges. How does a chicken restaurant manage to get the chicken wrong so consistently? Ah well, at least they're consistent.. For dessert, I might just have had ice cream, but that's not what they were offering. They had gelato, and I never know whether it's going to taste normal or weird. So instead, I had my regular choc-a-lot cake, the chocolatiest thing in London (as I said in the survey they sent me afterwards) - and it was gorgeous. I was well stuffed by the time I left.

Mercifully, the rain had finally stopped. On the long trek to the theatre, it occurred to me several times that the last time I walked this way was in an Arctic gale.. much better this time. Plus they've fixed those traffic lights, it seems, so it's now not such such a hazard! I was glad to get there in the end - we'd been asked to arrive half an hour early, but all that did was find me in a long queue at the door! Apparently, the box office printer was broken, and all the tickets were printed on teeny slips of paper that they were peering at to see what was what. Well, this time I got seated to the side, downstairs, which was nice!

Seat secured, I headed off to the bar, where a shaky-handed but friendly barman dealt with yet another queue. Drinks are good value, though! Back in the theatre, there was some confusion over seats - I think two people who were supposed to sit together hadn't been given adjacent seats. So an elderly lady was asked to budge up to the seat behind mine. She raised a frightful objection to the fact that my (admittedly damp) coat was brushing against the seat, so I had to spend the first half with it held awkwardly across my knee! Didn't do much good - I turned at the interval to find her glaring at me, whereupon she packed up her things and left! (thank goodness). I dunno, maybe the hood had fallen in her direction? I really can't think what else it could have been..

So, the concert was lovely. I've always loved Mozart, and this was first-class. Not done in costume, it was, as they say, semi-staged. I have no idea what they performed - I didn't really recognise the pieces, so the programme wouldn't have been much help. Some people laughed along to some bits - I guess they understood the Italian better than I did? But I enjoyed it, and it was longer than last time. Still over nice and early, though, for the long trek home..

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

An open house viewing on Friday morning - I hate those, you put your name down if you're interested, and they play eenie-meenie-minie-mo. Last time I was accommodation-hunting, a couple got around the queue of folks wanting one of the two rooms in a flat by simply paying for both themselves! Supposed viewing of the possibly fake flat in the afternoon - we shall see. Then back to Ireland for the weekend - would you believe it, I've exhausted the films showing locally that I'm interested in! So it'll be a quiet one. I could do with that, will be glad when the day is over.

On Monday, headed to Middle, at the National.

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

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

On the 19th, I'm headed to the Crick Crack Club again, for Astray, at Rich Mix. A storytelling double bill, both Irish ladies telling Irish myths!

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

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

Opera: Anarchy at the Opera

Tonight, I was at Anarchy at the Opera, at Hoxton Hall. Courtesy of TAC. Where we were going to hear some lesser known works..

Well at last, another I could walk to! and the weather isn't as viciously cold today. Although it did spit a bit of unexpected drizzle on me, en route. Turn up Old Broad Street, and literally keep walking in a straight line. Well, apart from where a sign blocks the pavement and tells pedestrians to cut through the station for access. No problems then, apart from the pedestrian crossing light not working to cross Old Street - now, that's a fun, big road to jaywalk across!

I needed to eat - thought I'd go simple, with Hoxton Chicken and Pizza, which is on the way. What can I say, I was in the mood! It is only fast food, so I wasn't expecting the earth. First problem was when he asked me sadly, as I waggled my card at him, whether I didn't have cash. Now, it isn't that they don't take cards - in fact, there's a sign on the wall that specifies a £3 minimum for doing that. No, it was that the delivery driver had taken the card machine with him, because of course the people getting deliveries don't have cash either.. Well, he said the driver would be back in a couple of minutes, so I plonked myself at a table and started to eat.

Another couple came in in the meantime and had the same issue - but he knew where there was a cash machine, and ran off and got some. Meantime, I was finding that, while the fries were fine, the chicken strips were absolutely tasteless. Never had them so bland anywhere. The 7Up was nice, I hadn't had any in ages. Anyway, I was fed - and in due course, the driver came back, the boss insisted that he deal with me right away, and I paid. No bins, so when I was done, I tidied up a bit and left it there.

I collected my ticket at the box office, but the rest of the venue wasn't open yet, so off I went again. Wandering back the way I'd come, I came across the Barrel Boulangerie - said well, if they have hot chocolate, I can hang out here! They did, and I did; a standard coffee shop, where people can come and work - good, free WiFi - they also have sandwiches and cake, and make pizzas, breakfasts and lunches. Not at this time of night, perhaps. But service comes with a smile, the hot chocolate is excellent (with lashings of cream - optional) and the atmosphere is good. Lots of others headed to the show found their way there.

When I saw others leaving, about 10 minutes before showtime, off I went as well. I was actually here before - but it's nearly five years ago now, and I didn't remember a thing about it! My ticket said I was on the first floor, so I followed the sign for the stairs, but when I got there, the usher explained that there was free seating on this level! First come, first served. So I sat somewhere else.

The bit directly facing the stage was pretty full, so I took myself to the side, fairly close. Mind you, if I'd realised that there were going to be surtitles on that bit you can see on stage above the door, I'd have sat on the other side of that pillar, which was in my way a bit!

This was a performance by the National Opera Studio. Before the performance, a couple of organisers - wearing blue and yellow, the national colours of Ukraine - made a statement. Firstly, they explained how the programme would be cut slightly short because one of the performers had to return home to Latvia, because of a family emergency. Then they read a prepared statement on behalf of the company, about how they included members from all over, and listed the countries - including Ukraine and Russia - and how this was only a benefit to them. They finished by denouncing Putin's actions - to a thunderous round of applause.

And so to the business of the evening. The programme took about an hour in all, pieces running into each other, few times when we could applaud. I followed it in the free programme I found on my seat - mostly, I knew a piece had changed when the language they were singing in changed! The orchestra consisted of a single piano, people taking turns to play it to accompany the different pieces. And the singers! O me, what a gem of a night I found. I'm not always this lucky, but the singing was of such good quality.. I wasn't familiar with any of the pieces, but they were delightful, and comically - and energetically - sung.

Particularly comical was the "Ride Around Moscow" from Shostakovich's Cheryomushki. All cleverly staged, with minimal props, as usual. We had a drag version of The Mikado, with one of the men playing Yum-Yum, preparing for her wedding.. a couple of pieces from Britten's A Midsummer Night's Dream, and a wonderful rendition of Les Oiseaux dans la Charmille from Offenbach's Tales of Hoffman. Among others. All so beautifully sung, so entertaining - and how lucky were those of us, in particular, who got such entertainment so cheaply..

Getting home was easier, as I'd already walked it - and the crossing light at Old Street was working (at least from that side!). When I got to Liverpool Street though, I got quite turned around.. not as easy as heading out. Ah well, I made it home eventually.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

On the 4th, I'm back at the Park Theatre for the first time in nearly three years! This is for Clybourne Park, a comedy about a white family moving into a predominantly black neighbourhood.

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

On the 6th, back with UITCS at Southwark Playhouse, and another free ticket for me! This time, it's for Anyone Can Whistle, with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim.

On the 7th, Tommy Tiernan is playing at the Eventim Apollo! Now, I failed to get a ticket for this the first time around. Then it was rescheduled because of Covid.. and I got a ticket for the rescheduled event! Then that was rescheduled.. third time lucky?! Love Tommy Tiernan. The show is called Tomfoolery. And then it's back to Ireland for the weekend again.

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

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

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

Old School Cockney Singalong

I enjoy events that Henning from the London European Club organises, so thought I'd give his Cockney Singalong a shot. This was in Hoxton Hall, and there was a smidgeon of confusion when someone in the group thought it was in Wilton's - which it sometimes is - and then couldn't find it listed! Confusion corrected, she booked a ticket - and then ironically came down with a sore throat and couldn't come after all! Well, what good is a singalong if you can't sing?!

So, back to Shoreditch with me again. I left it a bit tight, what with doing my film list for next week - but with Shoreditch, I don't have a fast option - I have to take a bus at least part of the way! So it was with some trepidation I rushed from the office. And on the way, realised I hadn't printed out my Print-at-Home ticket.. well, I didn't have time to go back and do it now, so I downloaded it on my phone and hoped that'd do. Thankfully, the 55 bus came a bit quicker than Google predicted. It got quite crowded on the way, and the fat lump slouched in the seat opposite me got several looks from people standing. Apparently, the rucksack he'd dumped on the seat next to him "had glass in it", so he couldn't move it. Until a pretty young lady came on and was standing next to him, and got asked whether she'd like a seat. She passed.

I squeezed off through the crowd of standing passengers at Shoreditch Town Hall in good time for what Google predicted would be a five-minute walk. Back to Hoxton Street, and straight ahead on the right. Sure enough, five minutes - and I made it 10 minutes before showtime, phew! And yes, no actual ticket required - all they did was check my name off a list. Registered where the hall was, and made my way to the bar at the end. Where there was a looong queue - that barman was really slow. I had a choice of a small bottle of wine, or a full-size one - I chose small, and trotted to the hall, where the ushers were looking impatient. But I wasn't even the last in the queue, and ended up being in plenty of time.

Lovely hall - from what I could see of it, considering that the lights had already gone down. Seating was cafe-style, with chairs around small, round tables - Henning had nabbed one near the front, but it was a small room anyway, although balconies with wright-iron railings stretched to the ceiling; they were empty, apart from the lighting guys - oh, and the projectionist; handily, lyrics were projected on a screen, hanging high above the stage.

Cor, it was a good old night. Tom Carradine, who plays the piano and leads everyone in the singalong, is a terrific showman, and led us through a whole set of medleys. The Lambeth Walk started us off - and although I'd heard of it, I'd never really heard the whole thing, and didn't know what I was about. By 'eck though, the table beside us had a blast - there were some oldies in it, and to be fair, I think the oldies would get more out of this. There were a lot of wartime numbers - some of which I knew, some I didn't - but I got the impression they were remembering them from the first time around.

The medleys also included an Irish one (hey, not even I knew all of them!). During which they slipped in one that wasn't included in the lyrics on screen - I'll Tell me Ma was, apparently, unknown to most there. At least that was one I was familiar with. ;-) There was also a football anthem medley - I mightn't have known the teams they were associated with, but I did know most of those songs. And we had the Hokey-Cokey.. for which we were invited to dance, but not many did.

After the interval, and some more lubrication (as the man said), the second half flowed a bit easier. We ended, happily, with Roll Out the Barrel. All in all it was a fun night - and a tribute to the city that has become my home, and that I really love as though I'd always been here. Recommended, for those of you who think you might feel the same - playing the 2 May in Hoxton again, and 25 July in Wilton's. And I was hoarse by the end, so I guess I contributed enough to the singing!

Tonight, I'm headed with LEC again - with a different organiser - for music of a different sort. We're off to see 2 Cellos in concert in the London Palladium. Cool - never seen them before, never been there before, and I can walk there! Unfortunately, I heard a few days ago that it's one of those steep venues.. oo-er, I'll just have to manage somehow. Pity today has turned out rainy, as well.

Tomorrow was another Funzing talk, with London Speaks Sessions, LDN Talks @ Night, and London for a Tenner or Less, on The Science of Hypnosis. And then, wouldn't you know it, Henning from the LEC advertised.. Hypnosis - Altering Consciousness! With Pint of Science. (What is it about that day and hypnosis?!) Anyway, I do enjoy events with Henning, and I can cancel Funzing up to 48 hours in advance without penalty. So I did, and booked the other instead. And then it's back to Ireland for the weekend again.. Not sure what I'm doing next week, as someone in our team at work is visiting from another office, and we might be doing something with her. Watch this space..