Film: The Fabelmans

Well, back to Ireland for the weekend again. Interestingly, no scrum for the airport bus this week - it was very relaxed, in comparison to last time! Very relaxed driver too, considering he made us load our own luggage.. pity his driving wasn't as relaxed. What with the constant acceleration and braking, and a stuffy, over-warm bus, I felt a bit ill by the time we got there.

Anyway, I was in plenty of time to grab a sandwich at Pret. And we were boarded in due course, sat on the plane and waited. And then - it got interesting. A member of cabin crew asked could we please dig out our boarding passes again.. turned out that the computer that records your details as you scan your boarding pass as you board - wasn't working. So our details hadn't been recorded. And, I kid you not, a guy came on with a pen and paper, and wrote down all our details. And then off he went to enter those on the computer. And then we had to wait for them to get that computer working again, so they could board the rest of the plane - I'd thought it looked a bit empty! To top it all off, when we landed, someone was parked in our spot.. so the journey took a bit longer than it should have..

Film for the weekend was The Fabelmans (Oscar-nominated for Best Picture), in Ennis - an autobiographical tale from Stephen Spielberg, about how he got into filmmaking. Stars Michelle Williams (Oscar-nominated for Best Actress) as his mother, Paul Dano as his father, Judd Hirsch as his great-uncle, who spent his lifetime in the circus and drops by, following his grandmother's death, for a single, Oscar-nominated (Best Supporting Actor) scene,.and Seth Rogen as a friend of the family. Oh, and real-life director, David Lynch, as the legendary director, John Ford, whom Spielberg meets briefly, in one of the most spellbinding scenes of the film. Directed (with another Oscar nomination), co-produced, and co-written, by Steven Spielberg. Naturally.

An Evening Standard review said it best - this is pure.. magic. No more than expected, from the master magician of movies. All the characters are lovable, and despite the long running time, I didn't find it dragged at all. It's fascinating to watch as he learns his craft - and just near the end, as he's about to start making history, a couple of great scenes top it off.

First up is the scene after he plays the film he shot of the school's day at the beach, which he shows at the prom. He's been bullied a lot at school for being Jewish, but he makes one of the bullies the star, depicting him as a hero, winning the footrace. Afterwards, this guy seeks him out for an explanation. While they're talking, another bully appears - he didn't come across so well, and wants his revenge. Well, the first guy sees him off - then warns Fabelman (Spielberg) never to tell anyone about this. "Oh, I won't!" he reassures him. "Well, unless I put it in a film." Seeing the other guy's wary look, he hastily adds, "Which I never will!" Yeah, well, he did wait a while, huh..? ;-)

The other scene that stuck out to me was his chance meeting with legendary director, John Ford, who gruffly gives him a few minutes and a nugget of advice. Right at the end of the film, just as he's starting his career. And having watched years and years of his movies.. all I can say in response is, "Wow." This is like being there at the start. Just "Wow".

Back to London tonight, and tomorrow, I'm heading with Up in the Cheap Seats (UITCS) to Noises Off, starring Felicity Kendal, at the Phoenix. Again, cheapest tickets from Official London Theatre (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 (in song) of Sylvia Pankhurst, and stars the excellent Beverley Knight. Completely sold out - this was my only way to get a ticket!

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

On Friday, 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! Meeting my sometime dinner companion beforehand, down the road at Olivelli.

On Saturday, 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!

Next Sunday, nothing on Meetup appealed massively - I thought 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'd 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.. which I finally have, now that Free Stuff and Free Events has advertised a blues concert at the Earl of Chatham, Woolwich. It's a way out, is all - but then, it's free, if I want to cancel.

On the 6th, my first actual event with the Over 40s. 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.

Films: A Man Called Otto & Peterloo

Yesterday, flew back to Ireland for the weekend. As usual, that wasn't so easy a process.. for the rest of the month, the Stansted Express is out of operation - no, not for strikes this time (for once) but for engineering works. Now, they offer a rail replacement service - but as that takes half an hour extra, I prefer to take the bus the whole way. Might take as long, but at least you don't have to change.

Well, I got to the stop 15 minutes before it was due - at 4.10pm - to see a bus pulling in! Wow, that was early.. I scurried to meet it, and then I saw the queue. Or scrum, as you might call it, with people queueing from two different directions, and each branch accusing the other of queue-jumping. It finally transpired that this was the 4pm bus, whereas mine was the 4.25. And they were strictly only taking people with confirmed bookings for 4pm - in the end, the bus actually left with empty seats as a result, even people with open tickets refused permission to board! The same thing happened with my bus, when it arrived - 15 minutes late, but I was in plenty of time. I'd gratefully settled myself on board, but before we left, the driver hailed us, wanting to know who'd left a case at the door! Of course, it was mine - I identified myself, and he said he'd put it in the hold. Well now, the National Express employee shepherding us on board had specifically said to do that.. not my fault..

It's a comfortable journey, and I napped - and, of course, our flight was delayed, as usual, so I had time for dinner in Pret - not enough time for anything more substantial. At the other end, I was to find the weather much colder, and wetter, than where I'd left!

This weekend's film was A Man Called Otto, which suited just fine! Based on the Swedish comedy, A Man Called Ove, it stars Tom Hanks as an old grump whose wife has just died, but who meets his match in the fiesty young family that moves in next door. And, interestingly, its IMDB rating just keeps rising.. Showing in Ennis, handily. But oh, what a cold day to head out.. I nearly froze on the way to the cinema! And then got stuck behind someone buying a gift voucher, which took forever.. by the time I got in, the film was on the point of starting. I never pay any attention to the specific seat I'm allocated, here - nor does anyone else. So I sat in front of the long row of people all in one group.. shortly after I got there, a couple arrived, and I guess were supposed to sit inside them, because he excused himself past every single one! His companion, more sensibly, sat on the other end of my row instead, where he duly joined her..

I have to say, the things Otto is grumpy about, I sympathise with him on. He can't buy exactly the quantity of rope he needs at the store, cars continually drive down his restricted road.. and as the film progresses, we all find ourselves turning more to his point of view about things. Partly, this is because, as the film progresses, we learn more about his back story. Early in the film, we see his truly horrendous retirement do at work, but mostly, the film concerns itself with his wife: how they met, and what happened with them.

It's a Tom Hanks film, so as I kept saying to people beforehand, you're in safe hands. It's hilarious, as you'd expect. The family that moves in next door is endearing, and Otto is adopted by a stray cat. But oh, it's heartrending.. his backstory has unexpected depth, and there's a poignant side story with his old friends, also neighbours. This is a real tearjerker. Approach with caution.. those who brave it, however, will be well-rewarded.

Walked right out into the most horrendous hail shower:

Tonight's film on tv was Peterloo, which I hadn't seen, and ended up watching most of - directed by Mike Leigh, it stars Rory Kinnear as Henry Hunt, the MP who spoke at the gathering. This is the story of the Peterloo massacre, as it came to be known (it took place at a place called St. Peter's Field, and reference was made in the name to the recent Battle of Waterloo) - a group of factory workers and their families met at  a political gathering to discuss parliamentary reform. Unfortunately, as someone recently said, the British government is not known for its restraint, and overreacted, in typically brutal form, with the military brought in and attacking and killing innocent people.

Most of the film is a bit dry, honestly - lots of political discussion in backrooms, women relegated to the position of serving drinks and food, or other menial tasks. The film only hots up when the violence starts, and that is suitably horrible. A scene of gaudy decadence is thrown in shortly afterwards, for contrast, where we see a ghastly made-up and out-of-touch Prince Regent cavorting with his mistress and complaining about the pesky poor. Of course, as I was watching British soldiers impaling countryfolk with their swords, it did occur to me to wonder whether today's British government thinks of the general populace any less a herd of cattle than they did then.. Anyway, an event I'd recommend finding out about, but not a film I'd recommend watching.

On Monday, back with Up in the Cheap Seats (UITCS) for The Art of Illusion, at Hampstead Theatre. Award-winning, it seems..

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

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

On Thursday, Ken's Green Walks for Health (aka Ken's Events, to those of us who know it from before) is off to see the Winter Lights at Canary Wharf. Now, I wouldn't go with them in a fit - but there's nothing to stop me seeing the lights myself for free, eh? I don't see the point in paying Ken £5 to lead a group around.. Mind you, the lady that sold me my ticket for Mandela was in touch afterwards to say that the theatre is offering a free link to a livestream of the full show! and she was asking me what day would suit. This being one of the options, I figured it'd be a good way to avoid the cold of Canary Wharf..

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

Next Saturday, back at King's Place - this time it's the Crick Crack Club, with Stories in the Dark. Told in darkness, by the sound of it - sounds divine!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

On the 9th, back with UITCS for Winner's Curse, at the Park Theatre - an interactive show about a peace negotiation. 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.

Concert: Charpentier's Christmas Music

I was back in Ireland for the weekend - just worked out that way - coinciding perfectly with a train strike! So I booked a ticket on the bus - mercifully, he cancelled (yet again) our evening work meeting. In fact, it's now gone down to a single, daily meeting - which wouldn't have suited that day, so good timing.

I made the bus in good time -in fact, it was five minutes late. Now, it was to leave at 4.25, for a 7.25pm flight; I didn't want to leave it any later. So, it arrived at 4.30 and we piled on. And.. there we stayed, on the bus, as it crawled up the motorway for the next 2h 20 minutes (twice as long as normal).. in what the driver described as "shit" traffic (gee, I wonder why!). She postulated she'd get us there next week sometime, but she'd do her best - as it happened, we arrived at the airport five minutes before my gate was due to close. Approaching the airport, when it looked as though there was half a chance we'd make it, I'd booked Fast Track, so now legged it there ASAP - made it two minutes after the gate officially closed, and was let through. Which told me - the flight was delayed. Hallelujah - goes to show, if you're with Ryanair, and you're close - run for it. They generally are delayed, in which case they delay closing the gate. I finally made it to the boarding gate queue at 7.20pm - they hadn't started boarding yet. The relief..

.. And would you believe it, there wasn't a single film showing in any of my local cinemas in Ireland at the weekend that I haven't seen and wanted to see.. Bah humbug! Just had to go Christmas shopping. ;-)

Last night was another delayed flight back - I had my return bus ticket, which was just as well, because we'd have been too late for the train. Was very quickly out of the airport - so I made a bus within about half an hour of landing, and got home about 2.30am. Now, I was thinking of scrapping this late-night flight - but if work is scrapping early morning meetings, well..!

This evening, back with London Baroque Music Lovers for the first time in months! This time, we were back to see Les Arts Florissants, who were performing Charpentier's Christmas music at the Barbican. Now, my initial thought was to eat at Cote Barbican - but I checked, and they only had availability from 7pm, which was no good. Second choice was The Lucas Arms, which was on my way to the fastest bus - nope, they only had availability from 6.15pm, which was also no good. Sod it, no point in even checking O' Neill's - I went to Pret. Caught the bus from Stop E outside, afterwards (which Google Maps, for some reason, says is closed) - the departures board there is as much a work of fiction as ever, telling me my bus was 10 minutes away, as I could see it pulling up! In the end, I made it in good time, and chatted to the organiser - whom I hadn't seen in so long - and a couple of newcomers - before we went in.

I actually had a ton of empty seats around me, so could spread myself out as I liked - even more so after the interval, when the lady to my left didn't return! Well, to each their own - in common with the group, I thought the concert was absolutely lovely - as was the moment, just before the start, when someone from the Circle (where I was sitting) yelled out "Happy Birthday!" to the conductor, William Christie: whereupon he turned to acknowledge the gesture, hand on heart. As someone near me remarked, "Aww.."

The first half was gorgeous - particularly the choral parts, in my opinion. The second half started with the Pastorale sur la naissance de Notre Seigneur Jésus Christ, a lighthearted number sung by observers at Christ's birth. This might have been my favourite piece of the evening - but frankly, it's hard to choose. At the end, an encore, complete with tambourines. A concert I'm delighted not to have missed!

Afterwards, we repaired to the Martini Bar, which - unlike the downstairs bar - does stay open after shows. And sells wine, as well as martinis.. and we had a lovely time! Meetup can be lovely, when it throws people together like this.. and wouldn't you know it, we ran right into the orchestra on the way out.

Tomorrow, couldn't see anything on Meetup, again - so I'm with TAC for The Grotto, a Christmas comedy at the Drayton Arms, which was local to me, many years ago! You never know, I might even get to eat there.. I'll have a go. I remember the food being decent, long, long ago.. and they're less central, so it might be possible!

On Wednesday, back with London Classical Music and Theatre Group - we're going to St. John's, Smith Square to hear the Tallis Scholars. Which should be lovely! I had to get a ticket for the Gallery - the ground floor was already sold out!

And - last London event of the year, on Thursday, goes to (drum roll).. Laurence Summers and the 45+ Not Grumpy Old Londoners!! Oh, it'll be so good to see them again - I'm taking the day off specially. It's for Dickens in the City - a Festive Walk. Ah well now, I wouldn't miss the last of the year.. Starts nice and close to me too, at the Shakespeare's Head pub. And it's full, with four on the waitlist. Nice way to finish the year - I can't go on his walks so much now, while I'm working and he's only scheduling them during working hours..

On Friday, it's back to Ireland for Christmas. See you on the other side..! Have a very merry one.

Concert: Piano Passions

Well, I made it back! eventually. It occurred to me afterwards that the reason my flights have been earlier in recent weeks might simply be that I didn't book in time to get the later ones! They wouldn't necessarily advertise the flights that are full.. Anyway, I was now back to the later time - with a vengeance. Ryanair had its standard 1-hour delay - so, instead of taking off at 10.15pm, we were now scheduled to leave at 11.15. So it's a shame that the airports no longer seem to have free WiFi:

As someone said, this sign should read "WiFi-Free Zone"!

Now, at 11.05, we were still waiting to get onto the tarmac and walk to the plane. Could see it out the window, could see the passengers disembark. They were long gone and still no sign of letting us out - I was wondering whether the plane had a fault, and whether we'd get out at all! Half an hour, we were stood there.. finally, someone opened the door. The guy at the head of our queue asked him what the delay was - wouldn't you know it, he said, they were late already, and then two kids were sick. So they were just cleaning it up. Lordy.. I guess even Ryanair wouldn't leave that for us to find!

So, it was 11.45pm by the time we took off, 12.50am by the time we landed. Too late for the Stansted Express, of course, which finishes at 12.30 (I must remember I have an unused return portion of a ticket with them, now) - fair play to the National Express though, I've always said they had enough demand to put on a more frequent service, and it looks as though they've finally noticed. Not much of a queue, and I easily got on a bus at 1.25. Which means it was after 3 when I got home, fielding regular calls from my mother, who stayed up till she knew I was in..

Ah, the advantages of WFH - I rolled out of bed at 9.30, logged into the computer, set it to stay on as if I was working, and went back to bed for a few hours. Lovely! and no-one was looking for me till after I was properly up. Tonight, with nothing on Meetup, I thought about heading to see the Carnaby Street Christmas lights, which will be up by now. But I had another look at what was on, and booked for Piano Passions at Cadogan Hall - Beethoven and Chopin, gorgeous! Hadn't had a chance to shop, of course, and was properly hungry by the evening - I decided to go for Cote in Sloane Square, just down from the concert hall. Decided also to book, just in case.

I had to take a couple of buses - had some fun. I had a choice for my first bus - one was the #46, so I was sad to see it come as I made my way to the stop. Happily, just as I got to the stop, along came another! and I was off. Just down the road, we came across the first #46 - I dunno what happened, but it was now empty and executing a complicated turnaround - our driver got out to assist. Shortly afterwards, I had to change buses - and of course, my stop was closed for roadworks, and I needs must head to the next. (This closure is not flagged online.) Never mind, things went smoothly after that - and I could view the Christmas lights progress! Plenty of signs on Piccadilly, warning of road closures this week so they can be put up.. A lot of places haven't gotten around to them yet - this will be a spectacular route in a few weeks. Harvey Nichols is a notable exception, looking as though Christmas has exploded all over it! (Sorry, I couldn't get a good shot of it.)

Arrived slightly early at Cote - she gave me a choice of a cramped table between two occupied ones, or heading down the back - which is what I did, taking a seat with a good view of the bar. (Which proved handy when I wanted a second glass of wine, later on, and the barman noticed me and brought it himself.) The Prix Fixe menu had butternut squash and roasted garlic soup, which I thought sounded nice - as well as steak frites, my old reliable, and chocolate mousse. So all of that is what I had, along with their excellent chardonnay.

Service, I have to say, was unparalleled in my recent experience - it makes such a difference. In fact, my waiter was being trained in, and boy was he keen to please! Poor lad only made one mistake, getting flustered when he brought my steak knife, and forgetting to remove my regular knife. As to the food - oh man, that soup was divine, lovely and sweet. I wasn't mad about the burnt offering of sourdough served with it - but it was warm, I was hungry, and I ate every bite. The rest was excellent, as ever - when Cote is good, it's very, very good, and this is a lovely branch of it. No wonder I had another glass there, instead of in the concert hall bar - and I had a great view of the barman, impressing customers with his cocktail-shaking tricks. Interestingly, towards the end of my meal, I got an email to say my reservation had been cancelled - I suspect the restaurant forgot to confirm I'd arrived, then cancelled it later. As it happened, there were plenty of tables - I needn't have booked at all.

A short walk to the hall then, and the guy wasn't half as interested in checking my bag as my ticket. Well, it's a small bag. I had to run to the loo, which just left me enough time to pant my way upstairs to the hall. Just as well I wasn't late - I was front row centre!

I just had time to snap that photo as the pianist walked onstage. And it was an impassioned performance indeed - unable to see his face properly, or his hands, from where I was sitting, I focussed on his feet - constant use of the right pedal, I noticed. Rather like driving! Similar function here, in a way, to the accelerator pedal in a car - driving the sound forward by blending the notes.

Beethoven first, and I was in heaven. After the interval, passion of a different sort, with Chopin - I've never been as keen, I'm afraid: in contrast with the chap to my left, who was enraptured. But they were both beautifully played, and it was an interesting combination of repertoire. Also great to be back here - it's been a while.

On the way home, I caught the bus much more easily - and got a glimpse of the tree on Regent Street, as we turned the corner:

Got off near the Brunswick Centre to do a bit of shopping on the way home - of course, again my bus stop was closed because of roadworks! (This, at least, is flagged online.) Anyway, again, it looks as though Christmas has exploded over Brunswick Square:

Tomorrow, headed to see John Gabriel Borkman, by Ibsen, at the Bridge Theatre.

On Wednesday - originally, nothing better coming up than Soho Comedy Factory, upstairs at The Blue Posts. Now, last Thursday, I was to be back with Up in the Cheap Seats (UITCS) - for Noor, at Southwark Playhouse. The true story of a WWII spy - and bought, as usual, on my PAYG subscription - which gives you cheap tickets to five shows, and never expires. But wouldn't you know it, that performance was cancelled. Instead, I've changed my booking for Noor to this night. Sadly, not with the group, who rearranged for a night I can't go.

On Thursday, back - at last! - with London Classical Music and Theatre Group (LCMTG), for Alcina at the Royal Opera House. More Handel..

On Friday, I was heading to The Horror Show at Somerset House - a horror-based art exhibition - with The Horror Book Club. But then Civilised London popped up with another meal - so I booked that, and we were headed to Champor Champor, a Thai / Malay restaurant. Meeting beforehand at The Rose, nearby. Until he decided, just last Thursday, to cancel it! I supposed he hadn't wanted to do it with only two of us, since I was - unusually - the only one to sign up. But to my further surprise - he kicked me out of the group later that night! No warning, no explanation - not very "civilised". Jeez, I suppose he's had enough of me. And you think you know someone.. Can't believe I used to consider him a friend.

Killer is, he was such a good reference for good eateries - and the group is private, so without being a member, I won't be able to see where he's going. Ah well, TBH, I was beginning to feel out of place with the people who were attending the meals.. which was pretty much all I was doing with the group, lately. Meantime, I'm back at The Horror Show - at least the ticket won't go to waste!

On Saturday, planned another meal with the people that are harder to herd than cats! But lo, of the four people I invited, three have now bowed out. Jeez.. so I'm down to just the same person that was the only one to make it last time, so I decided to head somewhere different. For variety. We're going to The Garrick Arms, which is in a nice, central area, and is - crucially - a Greene King pub: so I can have my pie!

On Sunday, back with the Crick Crack Club at the British Museum, where Daniel Morden and Hugh Lupton are performing The Iliad.

Next Monday, not having been with LCMTG for ages, I'm with them for the second time in a week! Heading to Wigmore Hall this time, for the Takács Quartet, who are playing Beethoven. Now sold out - and I'm not surprised, given that when I booked, I got one of the last three (top price) seats! Ah well, it wasn't astronomical - and I do love Beethoven.

On the 15th, back at the QT Bar - for the RB and Soul Revue. Now, they put on a great show - but, given my experience last time, I'll know to buy my drink at the upstairs bar and take it down with me - better choice! And at least this time, I'll know where I'm going.. Pity I didn't think to check CT first, who have cheap tickets!!

On the 16th, I'm back at Conway Hall, for a concert called Sing Like a Vagabond - Shouts and Cries of Victorian London. Tickets are free, but you do have to book.

On the 17th, I'm back with UITCS at the Coliseum, for a performance of Yeomen of the Guard, by Gilbert & Sullivan. And knowing the steepness of the steps in the Balcony - and the irregularity - and what with my stairs phobia - I've done my best to get a seat at the side, so I can use the handrail to get down. Oh, and an aisle seat, what with the restricted legroom..

Then I'm back to Ireland again. On the 19th, UL is hosting a PhD reunion, with a tour of the campus and, crucially, free lunch. And I'll be using the occasion to catch up with an old friend and, hopefully, find out what finally prompted him to quit lecturing at last, more than 10 years after I did, considering he was bullied even worse than I was! With a late flight the next day, I might get to a film as well..

Films: Where the Crawdads Sing & The Great Debaters

I'm just back from Ireland for the weekend. Wanted to get my car serviced for its NCT - sooner the better, and I couldn't last time I was back. Now, I told the mechanic as much ages ago, and that I'm only back every second Saturday. So it's funny how it came as a complete surprise to him, when I rang him on Thursday to confirm for Saturday. Oh no, there won't be anyone there. Hmph. If there were anyone else around who could do it.. anyway, what was coming up in the cinema was Where the Crawdads Sing, a thriller, set in the 50s & 60s, about a young woman - Daisy Edgar-Jones, making waves again - who grows up wild in the North Carolina swamps (it was filmed in Louisiana though, apparently). An outcast from society, she does manage to meet, and have a relationship with, a young man - when he shows up dead, everyone suspects her, and she is duly charged with murder. Trailer looked good, I know she's an excellent actor - and it has a cracking theme song, Carolina, by Taylor Swift, who sounded very much like Lana del Rey to me before I knew who it was! So, was looking forward to that. Ennis is cheaper, so I headed there.

Well and if petrol hasn't come down in price since I last looked! Not that I needed any, but it was great to see. On the radio on the way in, I heard there was a match in town - and sure enough, parking was a nightmare. I was finally lucky in the Friary carpark, where a couple of cars were pulling out! I had to pay - €1 per hour - but at least it was closer. A lady obligingly gave me her ticket, which had time left on it - but it wasn't enough. And as it was, I was late! Came into a completely dark cinema, where the police on screen were already hunting our "marshgirl", following the discovery of the body - the film is told in flashback, as she is arrested and tried. I couldn't see a thing - eventually stopped, and must have been right beside someone, who whispered, "Do you want to move in past me?" Lordy, I hadn't even known there was anyone there! I sat further forward.

Now, on Friday I read a terrible review of this. She didn't like it, she remarked that better dialogue could have been produced by seagulls pecking at a keyboard. She also made fun of the fact that the marshgirl loses not just her parents, but her entire family! I'm happy to report.. I completely disagree. Goes to show, you should always take reviews with a pinch of salt. As to the girl's entire family disappearing - the father is abusive, they leave one by one until she's the last left with him, and then he leaves. As to the dialogue - lookit, these are country folk, not poets. They don't speak in lofty tones, and they deal with commonplace things. I don't know what she was really expecting from the dialogue. Perhaps she just got bored.

I didn't get bored. Daisy Edgar-Jones does a marvellous job of conveying the girl's love of nature, and depth of character - and even if it wouldn't be a life I'd choose, I can appreciate it! It's beautifully shot - there's plenty of silence, considering there aren't many people out in the swamp - and it is a cracking story once it gets going. It becomes surprisingly touching, as she is betrayed by people she trusts, and - hey, even that reviewer acknowledges the great twist! That gorgeous theme song is played over the credits, so I stayed - and when the lights came up, I could see about a dozen people still in the cinema (almost everyone who had come). They also show drawings over the credits - one of the traits of this character is that she draws the wildlife - so maybe it was those that kept people. Or the music. Or both. Anyway, safe to say we all liked it! Strongly recommended.

Sick of Jade Cottage, and with The Grove usually packed, and unwilling to source another eatery, I ate at my mother's that evening. On TV that night - a great contrast if, like the reviewer, you were underwhelmed by the dialogues of the afternoon's film - was The Great Debaters. This is the true story of a black college that had a fantastic run of debates in 1935, culminating in an invitation to come and debate Harvard. Denzel Washington plays the black team's tutor, and also directs, Forest Whitaker is one of the parents. Packed as it is with racial conflicts, as well as mutterings about Communism - that black teacher was a Communist - the stand-out element of the film is the debating itself, which sparkles. Well done them! It's a great watch - makes me wish I'd been more engaged when I was on the debating team in school. But I was young and bashful..

It went too late to blog afterwards. This evening, another delayed Ryanair flight did, at least, have full trolley service! For the first time in months. The last flight of the day usually has hardly anything left, you see - they don't refill between flights, there isn't time. Well, perhaps it was the surveys I filled out - but today, you could have what sounded like a full range! And even though we were forced onto the buses into London again, by yet another weekend of engineering works on the Stansted Express, the driver was a cheery chappy, who warned us that we'd have a 5-minute delay in Whitechapel - and then pulled away after two minutes! Can't fault his enthusiasm.

When I finally got home, I was hungry - unbelievably though, O' Neill's, up the road, not only stays open till midnight every night, but seems to do food pretty much until they close! How many places do you know where you can rock up at 9.30pm on a Sunday and order a full dinner? What a lifesaver - and it was very moreish. Chicken katsu curry - just what I fancied. They'll be seeing a lot of me.

Tomorrow, 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 - and London Baroque Music Lovers (LBML) are now going - 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.

On Wednesday, I was to head back to Summer by the River again.. for Bumper Blyton: Improvised Adventures for Grown-Ups! Improvised comedy in the style of Enid Blyton books. But now, I'm headed with LBML to a Grimeborn opera at the Arcola - I' Incoronazione de Poppea. I'm in the stalls - could have got a cheaper ticket in the balcony, but you can't take a drink up there!

On Thursday - another Up in the Cheap Seats 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 Friday, 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 Saturday, 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.. Unless the rail strike scuppers it! He's considering cancelling. Well, I don't think the tickets are refundable, so if I have to head out there by myself, I will..

Next Sunday, 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 last Tuesday. 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 last Tuesday - but I hope I can still make it..

Concert: Taboo

The Stansted Express wasn't running again last night, damnit. So I was back on the National Express again - must have just missed one, because almost no-one was queueing when I arrived! The bus came in due course, I gave the driver my bag and filed on with the others. Have to say though, this wasn't as successful a journey as last time - the WiFi quit as soon as we pulled off, I couldn't understand a word the driver said through the tannoy (so it's a good job mine was the last stop!), and at some point the aircon seemed to switch off. What with the lack of fresh air and the constant braking and jolting as we got into the city, I was feeling quite ill by the time we got off - and was glad when we did! despite the lashing rain, that soaked my coat, my jeans, and my case by the time I finally got inside. Bah humbug.

Today's interview went OK, I thought - except that I discovered that the company describes itself as completely remote. I must have made a face, because he hastily confirmed that there is an office I could go to if I wanted. Honestly, who would've thought it was so hard to get a non-remote job?! Anyway, tonight, I booked for another Zoom talk - this was run by a new group to me, The Garden Talks (TGT), and the talk for the evening was Are We Living in the Age of Persecution? Which promised, hopefully, to be more interesting than the last online talk I attended - on canals! But just at the end of last week, Up in the Cheap Seats announced an outing to see Taboo, a charity 25th anniversary concert, celebrating the original musical by Boy George. Taking place at the Palladium, and better than half-price tickets from Show Film First! So I thought that sounded rather better, and booked it. Similarly priced tickets available with London Box Office for today. 

I had to catch two buses - both of which came early and deposited me ahead of time! Heading in, it was weird to be asked for my vaccination cert, which is no longer the case in Ireland - so there I was, fiddling around first for that, then for my ticket. Which SFF had the good sense to email me earlier in the day, complete with a nice, fat barcode to be read. We had all decided to go for the Royal Circle, so I headed up to the bar..

(BTW, I find the photos even better on my new phone, with less glare!) We all found each other in due course, and chatted away happily until we went in. Where we were very happy with our seats (although I had my usual trouble with the stairs):

It started a bit late, and there was some speechifying beforehand.. it was in aid of the Terence Higgins Trust, and Shelter. But when it did finally start, we were treated to a truly camp, truly 80s experience. The character of Boy George was instantly recognisable, in his classic 80s outfit - less so was the real Boy George, everyone wondering which he was! To be fair, there was an awful lot of makeup, wigs, and general mayhem, which would have made it hard to figure out much. Julian Clary was easier to spot! Oh, and I was rather glad to be upstairs, with the audience interaction that was going on..

The house, it was said, was sold out - and at the interval, it certainly seemed so:

The show resonated more with me when they sang Culture Club numbers I knew - but with none of us having seen the original musical, or knowing the story, this abbreviated version ended up being a bit confusing, as the story skipped several important points, making straight for the musical numbers. Ah well, we kind of got it. And we finally figured out which was Boy George! (Still not sure whether he appeared in the first act, though.)

A few of us were sat together, and came out together - unfortunately, there were so many exits that we were never all going to find each other after! But hey, it was fun - and we had Karma Chameleon in our heads, headed back. And I had to change buses again - although it'd have been helpful if Google Maps hadn't wanted me to change at a bus stop that is closed for roadworks!

Tomorrow, I've plumped for something I've seen advertised a lot, but never attended - again on Zoom, this time it's a Free Tuesday Sing-a-long for Health and Pleasure, courtesy of Global Music Fusion & Arts.  As advertised by Free Stuff and Free Events - which might just be the first thing I've done with them. Happens weekly, apparently, lasts an hour - the words are on-screen. Could be good.

On Wednesday, my first Meetup of the year with Civilised London! And as usual, it's dinner - yum! We're off again to Little Georgia, meeting beforehand at The Crown.

On Thursday, heading with London Classical Music and Theatre Group - and I was lucky to see it, what with Meetup not even suggesting the event when I was looking for something that day! If it hadn't been for some mention over the last couple of events with them, of some event happening this week.. Anyway, we're off to see the LSO at the Barbican - wildcard tickets sadly sold out by the time I booked.

On Friday, headed with the London European Club to the Puppet Theatre Barge, for a performance of The Red Balloon!

On Saturday, back with the 45+ Not Grumpy Old Londoners, and Laurence Summers - got the last spot on his Passage through Pimlico walk! which, as he was telling me on Tuesday, is through a not very well-known part of town! Well, this one should at least be warmer, being in daytime.. and we're getting lunch after.

On Sunday - Crick Crack is back! Now, this is an interesting one - Japanese ghost stories, the event is called The Game of Candles, with each story represented by a lit candle, which is blown out when the story is completed. Taking place at the British Museum, Tim Ralphs and Sarah-Liisa Wilkinson performing. Sold out now - they're only doing half capacity.

And next Monday - another interesting talk by TGT! This one is What Conditions Create Witch Hunts? Have to say, Meetup seems to have awoken from the doldrums..!