Comedy: Frankie Boyle -Work in Progress

This evening, I finished my Meetup run with a trip with Up in the Cheap Seats (UITCS) to Leicester Square Theatre to see Frankie Boyle, who has a work in progress show. The weather app couldn't seem to decide whether it'd rain, but eventually came down on the side of it, so I took a (light) coat.

Galloped to get my writing test done - at least a first draft, I'm still to send it in - before I left, and took a couple of buses there. It's ever so slightly far to walk! Ah, the nostalgia of the Prince Charles cinema, next door - I see they still have the same slogan!

We chatted for a bit outside, then headed in, as the house was open - and I hadn't had time to eat, so queued at the lobby bar, which has the snacks. A bag of Maltesers went down a treat! And I got to my seat in decent time.. although I was mithered trying to keep my stuff out of the way of all the people who wanted to squeeze past to get to their seats. I did a fairly good job of not spilling my wine - except the once, when a big splosh of it went over a seat in front! Just as well there wasn't anyone in it..

Ah, Frankie. One of the most un-PC comedians out there, and what else would you expect of a Glaswegian with parents from Donegal. Some remarked afterwards that he hadn't been as out-there as expected - well perhaps, but he did ruffle a few PC feathers. And always remember, these are WIP shows. Me, I loved it. Highlights included, among his many descriptions of Boris Johnson, the "chewed toffee that's been pulled from the coat of an Afghan hound"!

The show lasted an hour, during which he went through two small bottles of water - must've been hot up there. The royal family got some digs - and I particularly liked his Irish section, which I thought he got spot-on, with his descriptions of the different categories of Irish music - one for songs about leaving this town and going to America, another category for how now that you're in America, you wish you were back home.. as he said, it's funny 'coz it's true. And oh my, the sad Donegal accent.. LOL! If you doubt it, have a listen to wee Daniel some time!

Afterwards, we chatted briefly outside again, then went our ways. I fancied something decent to eat, and thought I'd try Imperial China again! OMG, I guess this is another casualty of covid - I won't be back. They don't seem to have proper menus any more, it's all done in the style of a dim sum menu - although they weren't serving dim sum. But all I got was a folded paper menu, a brief description of each item and a check box. I wasn't even given a pen or a pencil to indicate what I wanted - happily, I had a pen in my bag. And they don't seem to have the same range as before.

I had hardly started my chicken spring roll starter when they brought the main. They needn't have bothered. I hadn't been that keen on ordering lemon chicken, but it was all I could see - and frankly, it was as tough as an old boot. The rice was ok, the rolls were fine, the wine was decent - but I couldn't finish the chicken, paid and left. Yuck, what a disappointment.

On the bus home, I had to stand for a while - a fat **** (I'm not as brave as Frankie Boyle) had stashed her luggage on the seat beside her. Despite sitting right in front of a luggage storage rack! And never mind me standing - there was a guy on crutches, standing in the luggage area. She blithely played with her phone the whole journey and ignored everyone. Now, just because she was too fat to squish the case in front of her is no excuse. Happily for me, I got a seat after a couple of stops. (The guy on crutches had gotten off by now.) And when I eventually got off, I was immediately cheered by the sounds of buskers, two on electric guitars, one on drums, playing a decent rendition of Paradise City to an appreciative crowd. Oh, what a choice of song..!

Tomorrow, I'm heading - at last - to Summer by the River at More London. This is for a free evening of music, curated by Soho Radio. Meeting someone for this, we are getting food beforehand at Wawa - she's keen on ramen. Then I'm back to Ireland for the weekend. Unlikely to get to a film at the weekend, as I need to get my car serviced for its NCT - sooner the better, and I couldn't last time I was back.

On Monday, I was headed to see The Throne, a comedy about to open at Charing Cross Theatre, in which the Queen gets locked in a portaloo with a staunch republican. Time Out had an offer of £10 tickets for the cheapest seats for this - a saving of more than 50%! Sadly, I then got word that remaining performances of this production have been cancelled, due to covid. Still with nothing on Meetup that appeals, I'm back with TAC for a classical concert - Mario Brunello is playing Bach on the violoncello piccolo, at Wigmore Hall. He's playing in the evening as well, but cheap tickets are available for the matinee.

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

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

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

On the 29th, I was thinking about the National Theatre's River Stage 2022. This will be the first night of the Hackney Empire's Young Producers Weekend, and there'll be some dance and some music. But now, Civilised London has organised an Ecuadorian meal at El Inca Plebeyo - so I'm going to that instead. His choices are always good. Meeting beforehand at The Canonbury Tavern.

On the 30th, back in Greenwich with Bucket List London - we're starting with the Old Royal Naval College and National Maritime Museum. Was originally supposed to be the Queen's House to finish, but turns out they're booked out all day for a wedding, despite not having clarified that on the website! Then in the afternoon, we're headed to Eltham Palace and Gardens. Quite the packed day..

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

On the 1st, I'm going to the Kiln Theatre for The Darkest Part of the Night. Another troublesome website - I tried for days to get it to work..!

And on the 2nd, thinking vaguely about the Camden Fringe, which runs all next month - there's, for example, an interesting audio event called A Little Drape of Heaven, where you hold a precious item of clothing to your heart, then press play to access a YouTube link that you've paid for. Hmm.. Meantime, I had booked a walk with Laurence and the 45+ Not Grumpy Old Londoners for yesterday. This is The Magic of Midtown - and as I said to him, it finishes very near my new home! And wouldn't you know it - he postponed it, as a result of the heatwave, to this day. Not that I'm not glad he didn't run it yesterday - but I hope I can still make it..

Restaurant: Imperial China

Last night, we had a slightly delayed September social for ex-employees (and current, if they want) of the company I last worked for - Ivan was away till Sunday, and of course I was busy on Monday. So, last night we headed to Imperial China - the new Chinese restaurant I discovered via Civilised London (CL). Booked for six people, it was pretty much guaranteed not to exceed that. Getting an answer out of people is always difficult.

The weather decided to go for a record, yesterday.. we had thunderstorms, we had pretty torrential rain. And with me getting delayed at the office, I ended up taking the Tube. A packed Central Line gave way to an amazingly deserted Piccadilly Line, where I easily got a seat! As someone said after, I should've taken a picture of such an unprecedented event..

And so out into the rain again, where I discovered one of the group had arrived slightly before me - the only one to arrive on time! He'd messaged me, so I told him I was there now, and to come on in when he actually got there. The others arrived gradually; in the end - with one cancelling at the last minute and the other just not showing up without saying anything - we had four. And it was a while before we ate, as we were waiting for everyone to arrive before we ordered mains!

We started with wine, which was conveniently placed at my elbow.. went through a couple of bottles of that, and some water, and then someone suggested starters. When I saw a dim sum platter, I thought that'd be perfect. It turns out you can have vegetarian or seafood - we chose seafood. Very tasty it was, too. The last person arrived while we were eating it, and we duly ordered mains.

Service was pretty slow throughout - and they mistook a couple of orders. But hey, it was all done in good spirits - and the food was tasty, with decent honey and lemon chicken for me. Just as well we didn't have more people - the table was groaning with what we ordered, what with a couple of portions of fried rice, a chicken fried rice, a special fried rice, another honey and lemon chicken, and another couple of mains for someone else. who was feeling hungry. One had a Coke, and it's good to know that they do spirits, too - a couple of Chivas Regal were ordered.

The toilets are a bit annoying, because you can't flush the paper, but have to bin it - yuck. But all in all, it was a good meal. When we'd finally managed to divvy up the bill to everyone's satisfaction, we repaired to Brewmaster for a couple, where we had an uproarious conversation, fuelled by the news on the tv screen near us. We had to leave all too soon - but it was great to see everyone! Roll on the next time. And at least I got to bed a bit earlier, given that I had a meeting this morning. No blogging, of course.

Tonight, I'm headed to The Merry Wives of Windsor, at the Globe. And wouldn't you know it, it completely rained itself out yesterday, and today is the first day with no rain in two weeks! Feckin' freezing, though.. it would be the day I'll be sitting outdoors.

Tomorrow, I'm back with CL - this should be interesting. Red Palace is an immersive cabaret experience - lots of fairytale characters, I believe - at the Vaults. And I really hope the weather is ok, because I sourced the most fantastic outfit for it..! On Sunday night, someone from the group took the trouble to read the T&Cs - fair play her! - and realised that we have to wear masks. Damnit, and I have one from Venice that would have done perfectly! except it's back in Ireland. Ah well, they'll have cheap ones for sale on the door - just hope I don't freeze.. Then I'm back to Ireland for the weekend - the start of another brief hiatus from Meetup.

On Monday, I'm off to Shushkin's Stories, at the Barbican. Performed in Russian, with English surtitles, it's a dramatisation of the short stories of Vasily Shushkin.

On Tuesday, off to Wilton's, for Lady of Jazz.

Next Wednesday, heading to the Turbine Theatre, for Torch Song. This is the inaugural show at the new theatre in the revamped Battersea Power Station!

On the 10th, back with Meetup - North London Friends is off to A History of Water in the Middle East, at the Royal Court. Another where I got my ticket from the organiser.

On the 11th, back with Up in the Cheap Seats (UITCS) - to Southwark Playhouse this time, for Preludes. D' you know, I bought their passport a while ago, which entitles you to cheap tickets to five shows - and of the last three I booked, something else came up for every single one! Hope I make this one.. reports of it being "weird" don't phase me in the slightest!

On the 12th, seeing the matinee of Solaris at the Lyric Hammersmith. Turns out that both UITCS and Love London Theatre, Arts, Music & Stuff (LLTAMS) are going - so I booked with both! Why not? Each requires you to buy your own ticket. And since only the organiser and I are going from LLTAMS, I hope we can merge.. Ivan is talking about possibly meeting up that evening.

On the 13th, joining the London Improvisation Community Group for the first time - they have a show called Happily Never After at the Pleasance - part of the London Horror Festival.

On the 14th, I'm seeing Mother of Him, at the Park.

On the 15th, UITCS is off to the Albert Hall for Symphonic Queen - the Royal Philharmonic is performing Queen.

Then begins a long period of non-Meetup stuff. On the 16th, I'm heading to the ballet Manon, at the Opera House.

On the 17th, the Crick Crack Club (CCC) is back at Rich Mix, with Melusine. TUUP is the headliner on this occasion, which should be terrific!

On the 18th, Helen's in town, heading to a Midge Ure concert at the Palladium - we're meeting for dinner beforehand. Now, that's the day I should be flying back to Ireland - so I'm going the next day instead. And with my mother's birthday during the week - and not having any major holidays booked - I said, why not just take the week off and spend it in Ireland? So I am.

On the 28th, the CCC is back again - Ben Haggarty is in Soho Theatre with Grim Grimms - a dark take on fairytales, highlighting four lesser-known tales of the brothers Grimm. With musical accompaniment. Tickets weren't available when I noted this in my calendar - they are now, and will likely sell out.

On the 29th, I'm trying to persuade the aforementioned social group from my former company to come with me to a Design My Night event - Fright Night Cinema is showing Hallowe'en in the Rivoli ballroom, with a themed cocktail bar and people dressed in spooky costumes. Now, that sounds like fun..

On the 30th, back with Meetup at last - UITCS is at a mixed programme by Birmingham Royal Ballet, at Sadler's Wells. I've seen part of it before, and it's excellent.

And for Hallowe'en, The Embers Collective stepped up to the plate, with a storytelling performance called Witch, at The Jago.

Film: Babysplitters

Today was film. What came up top was - appropriately for the weather - something for the last day of the Raindance Festival, at the Vue Piccadilly. Booking seems to be on the Raindance website, rather than the Vue's - tickets with Eventbrite. And I went to Babysplitters - a comedy about two couples who can't decide whether they want a baby, so decide to have one they can split amongst them all! Since tickets were only available until yesterday, I'd have had to book anyway - so I just went ahead and booked straight away.

Took the bus in plenty of time. The weather was a lot worse in the West End - I got off to spitting rain. Which made it all the more impressive that so many had turned out in Trafalgar Square for the Japan Matsuri Festival.

By the time I'd made it to the cinema, it was bucketing down. The cinema was buzzing..

Brunch was a packet of Minstrels. I didn't know what screen my film was in, but a handy programme of the day's events flashed up on screen after a while - and an usher announced it when the screen was ready anyway. Seating was, of course, unassigned, and I sat myself fairly centrally - the place wasn't exactly jam-packed. Lovely, plush seats - the backs recline. And beforehand, somebody in charge introduced the writer / director, who'd apparently chosen this over the Vancouver Film Festival, which would've been a lot more convenient, and flown all the way over. And gee, he's flying back for work in the morning! Dedication.. he was also doing a Q+A afterwards.

Ah jeez, he needn't have bothered. In fact, he shouldn't have bothered making this. You know the expression "Two hours of my life I'll never get back"..? Yep. Too long, too ponderous. You could see things coming a mile off. The characters were bland and boring, the comedy slight enough that when the twists and turns started to come, instead of slotting into the story, they just seemed ridiculous! People around me laughed - I just groaned "What?!" And what a predictable ending. This strikes me as a straight-to-tv-movie (the quicker the better). The minute the credits started to roll, I legged it. Well, you can't believe everything you read on IMDB.

I fancied a Chinese, and decided to try Imperial China, where we're headed on Tuesday.

Last time I was here, I had very good dim sum, and very good wine, served as a large glass. After today's visit, I know a bit more about the place - phone reception is terrible, so people won't be able to contact anyone who's already there: the satay is really spicy: the rice is good, and the chicken tender: and I don't really like their kung po. Useful to know these things.

Boy, was I glad to get home - it's miserable out, windy and wet. Tomorrow, I'm back with Up in the Cheap Seats (UITCS) for Ballet Preljocaj - La Fresque at Sadler's Wells.

On Tuesday, we have a slightly delayed September social for ex-employees (and current, if they want) of the company I last worked for - Ivan is away till today sometime, and of course I'm busy tomorrow. So, on Tuesday we're headed to Imperial China - the new Chinese restaurant I discovered via Civilised London (CL). Booked for six people, it probably won't exceed that. Getting an answer out of people is predictably difficult.

On Wednesday, I'm headed to The Merry Wives of Windsor, at the Globe.

On Thursday, I'm back with CL - this should be interesting. Red Palace is an immersive cabaret experience - lots of fairytale characters, I believe - at the Vaults. And I really hope the weather is ok, because I sourced the most fantastic outfit for it..! Then I'm back to Ireland for the weekend - the start of another brief hiatus from Meetup.

On the 7th, I'm off to Shushkin's Stories, at the Barbican. Performed in Russian, with English surtitles, it's a dramatisation of the short stories of Vasily Shushkin.

On the 8th, off to Wilton's, for Lady of Jazz.

On the 9th, heading to the Turbine Theatre, for Torch Song. This is the inaugural show at the new theatre in the revamped Battersea Power Station!

On the 10th, back with Meetup - North London Friends is off to A History of Water in the Middle East, at the Royal Court. Another where I got my ticket from the organiser.

On the 11th, back with UITCS - to Southwark Playhouse this time, for Preludes. D' you know, I bought their passport a while ago, which entitles you to cheap tickets to five shows - and of the last three I booked, something else came up for every single one! Hope I make this one..

On the 12th, seeing the matinee of Solaris at the Lyric Hammersmith. Turns out that both UITCS and Love London Theatre, Arts, Music & Stuff (LLTAMS) are going - so I booked with both! Why not? Each requires you to buy your own ticket. And since only the organiser and I are going from LLTAMS, I hope we can merge..

On the 13th, joining the London Improvisation Community Group for the first time - they have a show called Happily Never After at the Pleasance - part of the London Horror Festival.

On the 14th, I'm seeing Mother of Him, at the Park.

On the 15th, UITCS is off to the Albert Hall for Symphonic Queen - the Royal Philharmonic is performing Queen.

Then begins a long period of non-Meetup stuff. On the 16th, I'm heading to the ballet Manon, at the Opera House.

On the 17th, the Crick Crack Club (CCC) is back at Rich Mix, with Melusine. TUUP is the headliner on this occasion, which should be terrific!

On the 18th, Helen's in town, heading to a Midge Ure concert at the Palladium - we're meeting for dinner beforehand. Now, that's the day I should be flying back to Ireland - so I'm going the next day instead. And with my mother's birthday during the week - and not having any major holidays booked - I said, why not just take the week off and spend it in Ireland? So I am.

On the 28th, the CCC is back again - Ben Haggarty is in Soho Theatre with Grim Grimms - a dark take on fairytales, highlighting four lesser-known tales of the brothers Grimm. With musical accompaniment. Tickets weren't available when I noted this in my calendar - they are now, and will likely sell out.

On the 29th of next month, I'm trying to persuade the aforementioned social group from my former company to come with me to a Design My Night event - Fright Night Cinema is showing Hallowe'en in the Rivoli ballroom, with a themed cocktail bar and people dressed in spooky costumes. Now, that sounds like fun..

On the 30th of next month, back with Meetup at last - UITCS is at a mixed programme by Birmingham Royal Ballet, at Sadler's Wells. I've seen part of it before, and it's excellent.

And for Hallowe'en, The Embers Collective stepped up to the plate, with a storytelling performance called Witch, at The Jago.

Cartoon Museum & Film: Apollo 11

Today, had to be up a bit earlier - I was going with Civilised London to the Cartoon Museum - with optional dim sum afterwards. Yes please! I was the only taker - never mind, it's happened before!

It took quite a while to blog about yesterday - so I got to bed quite late, and didn't appreciate the early start. Never mind, I eventually dragged myself out of it - and made my bus in time: early, in fact! I see people still haven't accustomed themselves to not being able to board at the middle - yes, awkward, but with so many fare-dodgers, TFL didn't have a choice! I saw them several times myself. Anyway, I was lucky with buses - I had to change, and my second bus arrived just as I did. Cue a most pleasant stroll at the end - the rain that was pouring down earlier had stopped, and it was now pleasantly sunny. And it's so long since I strolled these streets on a Sunday morning!

The Cartoon Museum opens at 12, which was when we had arranged to meet - my companion rocked up a few minutes after I did, and just in time. :-) They opened ever so slightly late, by my watch.. but it was well worth the wait. Stairs leading down to the basement, where the museum is located, are decorated with previews of what you can see, and free lockers are provided at the bottom, should you wish to leave your stuff.

More photos here, if you can access it. And gee, there's a photo opportunity just inside the door!

Next comes a rather tempting giftshop, which we patronised both on arrival and departure. And past that is a fabulous collection of cartoons from the 1700s right up to the present day, with one room dedicated to comic strips - let Dennis the Menace show you the way!

Cartoons range from the amusing..

..to the political..

..to scathing social commentary, past and present:

As advertised on the way in, the one museum where you are encouraged to laugh out loud! And should you be accompanied by kids who feel the spark, they run workshops:

A terrific way to pass the time! And we spent over an hour there, even with the absence of some exhibits, removed because of a leak that they're in the process of fixing.

Afterwards to Chinatown, and a restaurant I hadn't been in before, but would be delighted to go back to! Imperial China has an ornate entrance, a bridge crossing a fishpond:

Apparently you can't book on Sundays, but they had a table for us - and we were very well fed, sharing a variety of delicious dim sum. Some things I liked more than others, but all were tasty.. as was the house white! I must find an excuse to come back..

So, a lovely day so far - but it was still early, not yet 3pm. My companion left me at this point, but I felt like hanging around - thought I'd go see a film. Well, next on my list was Apollo 11.. and wouldn't you know it, it's showing at the Prince Charles, which I was standing right beside! The next showing was in just over an hour, so I bought myself a ticket - I was lucky with the time; checking afterwards, I could see it was the most convenient time this week.

Killing time before the film, I decided I'd like an ice cream. Couldn't see anywhere around Leicester Square that didn't involve a full meal.. but Google Maps helpfully directed me to La Gelateria, a short walk away. You can buy by the tub or cone (cone, of course!), and choose small (one scoop), medium (two scoops), or large (three scoops). They were out of the (very) dark chocolate, and I considered the chocolate with chilli.. but the cocoa hazelnut caught my eye, and I had a large cone of that. I don't much like mixing flavours, though I could've. Now, they're not the cheapest - but they don't skimp on the quantities, and the large takes some eating - I only just managed it. In fact, it was such a quantity that the salesman decided that one cone wasn't enough, and "double-coned" it. And yes, it was delicious..

The screen opened slightly before the screening time, and I went up. I'd forgotten how very comfy the seats are, upstairs at the Price Charles - spacious, leather seats, that don't recline as such, but kind of rock backwards. Gorgeous. Nearly dropped off, in fact..

Which I didn't. Which is just as well, because Apollo 11 is quite compelling. Free of narration, it's a well-edited compilation of actual clips from the first moon landing, 50 years ago this year. And there's no shortage of those - comprehending the momentousness of the event, they provided blanket tv coverage. So we get to see the anxious - then joyful - faces inside Mission Control, the astronauts as they make their way onto the rocket, and footage of the families that have driven out hours early, to pick a good vantage point to see the launch from. Complete with picnics and binoculars! and hats and sunglasses - the weather was sunny.

As the mission gets underway, a clock to the side times the important events for us - so much time to blast-off, so much time till landing on the moon, and so on. And the background music is terrific! Tense music underscores the parts of the mission where something could go wrong, echoed in the faces of those in Mission Control. But there's more lighthearted music for the fun parts. And the actual moon landing - and return of the astronauts to Earth - is unexpectedly moving. Well, well worth seeing - and a terrific end to my day. Oh, and my bus home came straight away! ;-)

Tomorrow, I'm finally going to see Evita, at Regent's Park Open Air Theatre. Never have seen it. Showers promised.. bah. Well, if the weather is bad enough, they'll cancel.

On Tuesday, with the London European Club at the Globe - we're going to risk The Comedy of Errors.

On Wednesday, I'm seeing Showtune - an evening of Jerry Herman music - at the Union Theatre.

On Thursday, I'm still looking at a film - but of course, my choice keeps changing! Now, top of the list is a preview of Pain & Glory, the latest by Almodóvar, starring a very grey Antonio Banderas as an ageing filmmaker, looking back over his life, and Penélope Cruz as his mother. Or that's what it looks like from the trailer!

I'm back in Ireland for the bank holiday weekend - Ryanair strike permitting! Depends on what nationality our pilot is - and whether they voted to strike..

On the 27th, The Embers Collective is back - at Dalston Eastern Curve Garden this time. There'll be storytelling, there'll be music - and hopefully food. And we're making that the occasion of this month's social from my last company! Be great to see everyone again. And at least I don't have to depend on the Tube this time - unlike last Thursday!

On the 28th, London Science Events is off to a Science Museum Late.

And on the 29th and 30th, finally back with Up in the Cheap Seats - first time in three weeks! On the 29th, it's HMS Pinafore at Wilton's.

And on the 30th, we're at Treemonisha, by Scott Joplin, at the Arcola. Part of the Grimeborn Opera Festival.