Immersive Audio: Séance & Film: Barbarian

Ahh.. today, 'twas Hallowe'en.. yes, of course I had something for that. Do you remember me mentioning I was going to five Darkfield events this past month? Eagle-eyed readers will have noticed I've previously reviewed four.. which left one. I went to the only one they were running tonight. Séance, appropriately, which, it seems, was their first ever show - I did have to go all the way up to Watford for it, but thought it should be worth it. I booked the first showing of the evening, which was at 7.

Fastest way to get there was a train from Euston. And with O'Neill's on the way, it made sense to eat there. I left early - time was of the essence. By 'eck, though.. I guess they were on a shift change, and everyone going off had left the tables piled high with dirty dishes and glasses. I checked, but the upstairs section was closed. So I placed myself at the single cleared - if sticky - table, downstairs. Ordered online, as usual - and when the guy came with my drink, he kind of gave a look at the tables around, and cleared two on his way back. And to be fair, when another guy started to do the same, it hardly took them any time to get most of them cleared. Meantime, I was delighted to see my dinner arrive within 10 minutes - and was, as usual, well fed.

Off, then, to Euston - just as it started to pour rain. Now, initially, Google Maps had only shown me the 5.56pm train as an option to get me to Watford on time - but when I recalculated from the pub, it also gave me a 6.24pm option. Which was a relief - but I headed for the 5.56, just in case. And when I got to the station, I was delighted I was early - the 6.24 was cancelled! I got on the 5.56 - went as near as possible to the front, and managed to get a seat.

We were late in departure - when we'd been delayed a couple of minutes, an announcement was made, apologising and explaining that two doors were out of action. They'd sent for someone to fix them, and were hopeful that at least one could be fixed, so we could get underway. (They can run with one broken door, but not two..?!) People started to stream off the train - someone helpfully told whoever might be listening that the train we could see on an adjacent platform was going the same way - at 6.03pm.

Well, he also explained that it was a slower train - a stopping service. I finally decided that a slow train was better than one that might never move at all, and made my way as well. Unfortunately, that meant traipsing all the way back along the train, back onto the concourse, down the other platform, all the way along that train. They were packed in like sardines - I finally managed to squeeze on, with a couple of minutes to go. I checked the map - of the three stops between there and Watford, at least they were only stopping at two. After the first, there was breathing space - after the second, I scored a seat. Finally arrived in Watford, making it out of the station about 6.40.

Noticed an O' Neill's right outside - perhaps I should just have eaten there! I then went down two wrong turns before I went the right way, and sure enough, 10 minutes later I was outside the Palace Theatre - wondering where my shipping container was. Couldn't see it. Tried the door - locked. But yes, this was the right company - the show was advertised on the door. I tried ringing the box office - got an automated message, which, to be fair, started with instructions on getting to Séance. "Turn right from the theatre - it's on the Parade, across the bridge. Or there's a map on the website. A two-minute walk"

Unfortunately, I was too flustered to find a map on the website. It's at https://watfordpalacetheatre.co.uk/events/seance/, for future reference - I hadn't looked it up before. And I couldn't figure out what they meant by "right from the theatre" - right as you're facing it? (yes) Right as you're standing in front of it, looking at the road? (what I thought) And in the latter case, the first thing you come to is a crossroads - right at the crossroads as well? The automated message had given no other directions. I looked up the Parade on Google Maps, and saw I now seemed to be going in the wrong direction, so retraced my steps. Tears of frustration as the time ticked away, and I had visions of missing my show - and after all the trouble I'd had getting there!

In desperation, I asked a young couple at the side of the road whether they knew where Séance was. "Oh yes!" (oh phew) She told me to head back, then right, then right again. He said, "or you could head through the market", pointing the way I was going. I decided to try that way, which seemed faster - he advised me to turn right when I got onto the high street. Bless him, I wove my way through the market, its stalls now closed - was half afraid I'd find the exit locked, but no, I emerged on a high street, looked to the right - and there it was. With three minutes to spare. I panted my way over, located one of the organisers, and showed him my ticket, remarking that he'd never believe what I'd had to go through to get there..

Inside is a long table, with cinema-style seats on each side - we filed in. I'm not sure whether we completely filled the space, but certainly we nearly did. There is a plastic container at the door - under a shelter, to protect it from the rain - where you can leave anything bulky. Headphones are on hooks on the walls behind the seats, each person's headphones to their left. Put them on - the lead is attached to the left earpiece, which makes sense from their positioning. When you put them on, you hear the test for "left ear, right ear". They then have a brief blackout, followed by lights up again, in case anyone wants to leave. And then you're into it.

Complete darkness - you're asked to put your hands on the table, which makes you feel surprisingly vulnerable. The sound effects are, as usual, terrifyingly realistic - only for I was nearly at the end of the container, it really sounded as though it continued for ages to my left. As you can tell from the trailer, it sounds as though someone is walking on the table. And here's the thing - it feels like it, too! The table vibrates exactly as it would if what you can hear were really happening.. Everything is so realistic that I started to conjure up visions, in the blackness.

Now, here's a caveat. This is not for the overly suggestible. At one point, the guy on the headphones asks sundry people to lie on the table (this is another freaky element, and why I wonder whether it has to be full to capacity every time - you can never really tell whether people are talking in real life or only in the audio feed). Well.. all of a sudden, I felt something brush my hand. Nearly took my hands off the table, except we had been sternly instructed not to do this (it frees the conjured spirit). I did move them away, though - wondering to myself, is there actually a physical element to this? Happily, that was the last I felt.

When the lights finally came on, the guy to my left apologised - to me, and to the people across from us. He'd taken it as a real instruction, and had climbed up on the table.. I reassured him that it just made it seem more real. And as we made our way out, he did think to ask whether we'd heard the thing at the end as well.. yes, we all heard the same thing, don't worry, you weren't singled out. Goes to show though, eh? You have been warned.. suggestible people had better avoid. The organiser was utterly shocked when I told him what had happened! For anyone else who might fancy it, though, it runs until Saturday. For my money, it's the best they've done!

Well, at least I knew my way back to the station afterwards! When I got there - for heaven's sake. The next train to Euston was supposed to be at 7.54 - but was cancelled. The next fastest one, we were told on the board, was at 8.14 from Platform 9 - so off we went. Only to be told, by the train guard standing at the top of the steps, that the next train to Euston was from Platform 7 - in one minute. So we raced over there - happily, it hadn't arrived yet, and we managed to squeeze onto a much more comfortable express train, nonstop - unlike the one I'd come up on. I was sat opposite a woman who was on the phone to someone to explain the delay - apparently, a problem in Birmingham! Truly, the trains in this country are a disaster.. I am so glad I don't normally have to depend on them, I'd never get anywhere.

Deliberately booked early, to try and squeeze something else in. Now, Séance only lasts 20 minutes - and it seemed I could get down to Leicester Square within an hour. Which gave me time to get to Prey for the Devil, showing at Cineworld Leicester Square at 9pm. Another exorcism story, this one unusually seems to have the exorcism performed by a nun! (Very egalitarian.) She gets around the Church's rules about women not doing such a thing by claiming that the same demon that possessed her own mother is now inhabiting a patient at the facility where she works. So this nun is probably a target. Well, it's probably not high art, but it should do the trick..

Ah, but.. that blasted film list never now gets updated until the Friday - with the films due to show on the week starting that Friday! Poor you, if you wanted to go to a film that Friday.. So - just checked it on Friday, and lo, there's a new kid on the block. Barbarian - very obviously released with the Hallowe'en market in mind - looks like a jumpscare film. But it has some good credentials, coming from "an executive producer" of The Ring and The Grudge, both excellent films. In this one, a young woman comes to Detroit for a job interview, books a house through Airbnb. (Ah, we know where this is going..) Well, from what I could glean from the trailer, the house already has someone renting it. But it's late at night, and he seems fine - whereas the neighbourhood really isn't. So she decides to stay the night and move on in the morning. Biig mistake.. ooh, and it seems to have a really big basement.

The teaser trailer spends the whole time showing us audience reactions! This is currently very highly rated! Showing in the Odeon Tottenham Court Road, at 9.30. So I walked from Euston. Ah, happy days when it was actually my local cinema..

I was early - the showing hadn't started yet. So I bought a soft drink, because I was parched - and a small bottle of white wine, when I saw they had it! Very insipid, I might add. I must also state a general displeasure with the Odeon website - no matter the cinema, it's impossible to navigate them - they take so long to load, I'm never sure I'm on the right page. Anyway, they have a few tables to the side, here, complete with chairs - so I had some comfort while I waited. The usher told me he'd let me know when I could go in - and fair play, he did! Impossible to see my row when I went in there, though, and I wasn't the only one - everyone was running through the alphabet, and counting rows to see which was their row! Seat numbers, we could at least see. (I do recommend sitting on the very left of the row - that's where you enter, and it has a spare bit beside it to the left, where you can leave your stuff.)

Only one horror film trailer - M3gan does look good, about an advanced AI doll, made to resemble a little girl, and whose role is as a real little girl's playmate. Same producers as The Black Phone..

And so to the feature. For all the jumpscares in the trailer - this has a lovely, slow burn. Yes, there are jumpscares, but they're cleverly handled - and frankly, most of the surprises in this film come from extraordinary plot twists, and changes of pace! Funnily enough, the film it kept reminding me of was something completely different; Rec, my third favourite horror film of all time, is a zombie film, and an awful lot shorter - but this reminded me of it, with its imagery and its pacing. More than that, I cannot say without giving too much away - but some plot twists are so extraordinary that, despite being scared, I actually left the cinema laughing. Do stay for the credits, there's a little more of the story there..

Scarifying storm on the walk home - as I write, the wind is playing havoc with my balcony furniture! Haven't heard the like here, before.

Tomorrow, the horror continues - I've booked with TAC again for The Drought, a short horror play at Grimfest at the Old Red Lion again.

On Wednesday, back with the Crick Crack Club (CCC) for their annual Day of the Dead event - this one is at Rich Mix. Stars Daniel Morden, Clare Murphy, Lucy Lill, and TUUP - and all but Clare Murphy, I haven't seen in an age! In fact, I've never heard of Lucy Lill before..

On 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. Suggestion of eating beforehand at Mercato Metropolitano. But wouldn't you know it, that night's performance was cancelled.. Instead, I'm off to a talk at Watkin's Bookshop (which also has a Meetup presence!). Theme is The First Ghosts, by Irving Finkel - ghost stories have been around for a long time..! He's written a book about the first evidence of tales of the supernatural.. Delighted to be continuing the scary theme for the week, after tonight being so fantastic for a horror fan! Then I'm back to Ireland for the weekend.

Next Monday, with nothing on Meetup, I thought about heading to see the Carnaby Street Christmas lights, which will be up by then. But I had another look at what's on, and have now booked for Piano Passions at Cadogan Hall - Beethoven and Chopin, gorgeous!

On the 8th, headed to see John Gabriel Borkman, by Ibsen, at the Bridge Theatre.

On the 9th - originally, nothing better coming up than Soho Comedy Factory, upstairs at The Blue Posts. Now, 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 the 10th, back - at last! - with London Classical Music and Theatre Group (LCMTG), for Alcina at the Royal Opera House. More Handel..

On the 11th, 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 on 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. 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 the 12th, planning another meal with the people that are harder to herd than cats! As of now, of the four people I've invited, one is a pretty certain "no" and two more are iffy, as they might have to be abroad. Jeez.. If it's just the same person that was the only one to make it last time, I think we'll head somewhere different. For variety. On the other hand, Imad's Syrian Kitchen is right off Carnaby Street.. and the lights are probably going to be cool.. Of course, there is the small issue of the irregularity of the wine measures!

On the 13th, back with the CCC at the British Museum, where Daniel Morden and Hugh Lupton are performing The Iliad.

On the 14th, 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..

On the 16th, Im 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. And for once, not going to the cinema that weekend - instead, 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!

Day 6: Stockholm & Film: Blade Runner 2049

Wow, our week in Stockholm came to an end at last! Finally, after a succession of days in the office (exploring eateries at night), we got to do some exploring of our own yesterday, Saturday. And wouldn't you know it, after a couple of fine days - Saturday, it rained all day! Figures.

Undaunted, we set out after breakfast - a slightly later one than usual - to make our way to Gamla Stan, the old town. We could see it in the distance - which didn't make it easy to get to! Dunno what it is about Stockholm, but they seem to have a habit of layering the city - and not all streets are suitable for pedestrians. They also lack connections between streets. So, finding your way between a bridge and a particular road isn't that easy! Google Maps also kept being confused about where we were - so it took us longer than necessary, but we did make it.

Actually, we were intent on going to Riddarholmen, a small island off of Gamla Stan, because that's where my guidebook suggested starting a walk that we thought would be a good way to see what was to be seen. And there's a direct bridge there from the west side of Norrmalm, where we were. Sadly, that turned out to be exclusively for vehicular traffic, so we had to do quite a round to approach Riddarholmen through Gamla Stan. Which was when it started to rain appreciably, as we dodged our way around roadworks to see the Riddarholmkyrken church, and then around the other side of the island, where we got a lovely view of the bay:

More photos here. Anyway, we then proceeded back into Gamla Stan proper, where we wended our way - trying to compare the unclear map in the guidebook with Google Maps - up to Stortorget, the old square.

By the time we got to the palace, we were very ready to go indoors - the only part that seemed to be open on our side was the treasury, so we queued for tickets there. A highly deferential chap was asking everyone whether they already had tickets? "No? Then I'm afraid I can't help you, you'll have to wait a while." People who already had tickets could go straight in - a good tip, as we were in the queue for about 10 minutes. Hey, at least we were dry! The treasury itself contains the crown jewels, and as with the British crown jewels, photography is strictly prohibited, I'm afraid. They also have guided tours - I do believe the guide was the same chap who'd been directing the queue. At 160Kr for an adult ticket, it's a bit steep - but the ticket is valid for a week, and covers two other museums. No good for us, of course..

Back outside, we were determined to find the armoury, which had been recommended to us as a must-see. And free! We found it further down from where we'd just come out, towards the water and on a lower level. And we spent an age in there - what a phenomenal amount of stuff, for a price of 0Kr. Armour (for kings and horses)..

Costumes..

..more photos here. Down the back, there was a display of Japanese weaponry - and down another level, the most fabulous display of carriages!

Cinderella, eat your heart out.

Outside, it was still raining, and it was lunchtime - so we decided to look for food. Around the palace, there was a distinct lack of eateries: so we headed back to Stortorget, which turns out to be lined with them, and decided pretty quickly, especially with the rain that was falling on us. Ebenist had a decent-looking meatball special, so in we went, and got a snug table. To my mind, the interior had a distinctly nautical feel, with wood everywhere and quite cramped conditions. The menu presented us with several eye-wateringly expensive options - the special we'd seen was the cheapest, and was all we were prepared to eat, and that's what we got, along with a soft drink for my companion and a white wine for me.

Well, I have to say, we chose well - the meatballs were simply served, in gravy with a mound of mash (called puréed potato here) and some sides in separate bowls: but the dish was scrumptious! as was the wine. I was sorely tempted to have another, but figured I'd spent enough - we're not expensing that, as it was a day we took to ourselves. A city to eat well in - but be careful not to bankrupt yourself; we were lucky to have people to suggest eating options for the rest of the week.

And so back out into the rain. We took a detour from the guidebook route to visit the Finnish church, home of the city's smallest statue, dressed against the cold of the Stockholm winter:

..and carried on along some charming streets, ducking into a couple of souvenir shops on the way. When we'd had enough of schlepping through puddles, and figured we'd seen most of the place, we decided to take up another recommendation, and head out to the Vasa Museum. Which would also have the advantage of being indoors.

This was definitely Metro weather, and that's what we took out there. Now, when we took it on Friday, we got our tickets in a shop, and were able to scan them like any other card - however, getting them from the machine, we were to discover that we got paper tickets, which we had to show to the attendant, who would then let us through. Go figure.. anyway, the nearest Metro station to the Vasa Museum isn't very near at all, and it was a bit of a miserable schlep through the rain. It was worth it though, when we finally came to the Vasa Msueum complex - joining the fast-moving queue outside the museum itself.

This museum is dedicated to the warship of that name, which sank 20 minutes into its maiden voyage - the masts in the above picture depict the actual height of the ship, and what with those and all the ornate woodwork on top, when the wind started to blow, the thing capsized because it was top-heavy! We were just in time for a guided tour, which attracted so many people it was impractical to try and hear much - but what we heard was interesting. And the ship is undoubtedly impressive:

Three hundred years it lay underwater, until salvaged. What a feat.. and the museum makes a fine job of the history, with exhibits about the people involved, and nautical life at the time. There's also a well-appointed café, where we had a most welcome drink! Truly, a fine day out - and were I to go back again, I'd love to investigate the Nordic Museum, next door.

Back to the hotel then, somewhat exhausted, and I had a wee nap before we headed out to eat. With rain still pouring down, proximity was of the essence, and when we saw the Hong Kong Restaurang across the way, we made a beeline for it! We were seated with ease - there was a large birthday party at one end, but otherwise it wasn't crowded. Not the cheapest either, but my goodness, we were well fed.. I had the largest spring roll I've ever seen, packed with chicken, and one of the tastiest beef Szechuans I'ever had, with rice that had been doused in soy sauce, by the look of it, and was delicious. I accompanied it with a half bottle of white. My companion had duck in plum sauce, with which he was very impressed. And when I decided to have dessert, he did too - ice cream for me, banana fritter for him. Again, a fabulous place to eat - if not the cheapest.

And so, today it was time to leave Stockholm at last. An incredibly clean city, which I also found to be very elegant - I'd miss London, but Stockholm is a very liveable place. If a lot colder than here! Expensive in parts, with cheap alternatives. The train to the airport this morning seemed to have narration by Bjorn from Abba again, although he didn't do any advertising this time; never mind, we had our Abba fix on the escalator in the airport!

Ironically, despite the early start, I still wouldn't have been in time for the Crick Crack Club's event today - not if I wanted to leave my bags home first, certainly! Unsure I'd make it - what with depending on flights and airport transport, which can be erratic - I didn't book, and it was sold out anyway. (Bummer, and Clare Murphy is my favourite, too.) Which left cinema as a Plan B. Now, I didn't get the film list completely done - but mostly: and what it was showing was that the IMDB highest-rated film showing today was Blade Runner 2049. I adore the original - this wasn't a hard sell for me, and although it's since slipped in ratings, my film list is stored on my work computer, whose battery died, and so I had to work with what I had! Excellent.. it's showing close to me, in the Odeon Tottenham Court Road, and with 5pm proving a bit early, since I had to shop and eat, I booked for 6pm. (With Odeon, it's cheaper to book.)

Seating was unreserved, and the place was pretty packed - but I was happy to sit near the front for this. Now, I can't give away very much of the plot - the filmmakers were adamant about that, and I can see their point - what happens is so unexpected that it would spoil the experience to say much at all. What I can say is the following.. Ryan Gosling reprises Harrison Ford's old role as a young "blade runner" - in a dystopian near future (but with flying cars as the only truly unlikely element), society has taken to producing "replicants": humanoid robots that are indistinguishable from the "real thing". Some of them have "gone rogue" though - they're acting human, mimicking emotions for example, and the blade runners' job is to hunt them down and "retire" (kill) them. Robin Wright is his boss. Jared Leto is the megalomaniac boss of the company that took over from the original robotics company, which has gone bust. Harrison Ford shows up in this as well, the old rogue blade runner who went on the run himself, 35 years ago.

Eh, that's it! :-) Except to say the following: this is a real homage to the original, and if you liked that, you'll love this. Hell, IMDB even has a side-by-side comparison of the trailers, showing, frame by frame, how similar they are - check it out at the site of either film. The music - just like the original - is haunting. The visuals - just like the original - are spectacular: jaw-dropping, in fact. The images are even more unforgettable than the original, and the ending is so head-wrecking that I left the cinema in a state of shock. If you are a fan of the original, you must see this. If you haven't seen the original, mind, you can still make sense of this - but you get so much more from it if you get the references.

They say it's bombed on its opening weekend.. but the original wasn't a box office success, either. This deserves to go on to be every bit as much of a classic as that was, dealing so poetically with themes like slavery, the nature of reality, what it means to be human.. I adored it. Go see.


Tomorrow, I'm finally going to see the show so many people have asked me whether I'm seeing. Ink is showing at the Duke of York's Theatre. 

On Tuesday, I'm back with Up in the Cheap Seats for Ballet Boyz at Sadler's Wells.

On Wednesday, back with Funzing (London Speaks Sessions and LDN Talks @ Night) for a talk on Revolution in Iran: Girl with a Gun. This will be an interview with a female Kurdish revolutionary.. on the Battersea Barge, which I believe can get choppy. Never mind. This is one I got for free, for completing a loyalty card with three talks.

On Thursday, Let's Do This are back to St. Martin-in-the-Fields, where London Concertante is performing Bach Violin Concertos. Then I'm back to Ireland for the weekend again.


And on the 16th October, back at Southwark Playhouse with Up in the Cheap Seats - this time, it's for A Day By the Sea.

Film: Dunkirk

Tonight was free comedy in Hammersmith again. With London Live Comedy, Free Comedy Nights in Hammersmith, Wimbledon and Greenwich, Random London, and DiscoverLDN.UK. And would you believe it - before I had the chance to cancel, they did! Well, Hammersmith & Fulham Friends did - which I'm taking it applies to all. Maybe not -anyway, it gave me the excuse. So I decided to go to a film, as I was already thinking of doing; predictably, top of the list was Dunkirk. Showing at multiple times, nice and close to me. So I chose the nearest to me - the Odeon Tottenham Court Road. And a nice, early showing.

No bother to get to - it's on my way home! Plus, of course, this being a mainstream film, I didn't have to hurry - I knew there'd be loads of time for ads beforehand. Just as well, considering the crowds I had to navigate on the way - I usually only walk this way late at night, and this was more crowded than I was used to. What I forgot was that it's cheaper to buy on the website - nuts! It's just so rarely I go to anything at an Odeon. Ah well, next time.. Seating was unreserved, but the place was quite crowded (not completely full, but I wouldn't vouch for availability late nights or at weekends). No problem - I actually wanted to sit quite close; I'd heard this is quite the visual spectacle.

Dunkirk. Famous for the rescue of nearly 400,000 trapped Allied forces from the beaches, in the face of the encroaching Wehrmacht, in 1944. Rescue effected in large part by small, civilian craft, drafted in from England - that's what makes it special. Christopher Nolan decided to make a film about it. Stars Kenneth Branagh as a naval commander, frustrated at the lack of boats for all the men that need rescuing: Tom Hardy as an embattled Spitfire pilot, keeping the Luftwaffe away from the poor men on the beach: Mark Rylance as the plucky captain of a small boat, determined to do his bit: Cillian Murphy, as a shell-shocked soldier that gets in the way more than anything: and, of all people, Harry Styles as a soldier, just trying to get out.

It's phenomenal. Christopher Nolan has the Midas touch anyway - anything he makes is worth seeing. In this, he takes three distinct strands: the Mole (on the beach), the sea, and the air. It's been described as "a silent film punctuated by dialogue". Yes, I see what they mean - little dialogue in this (what a saving on translations!). Well I mean, what with all the action going on around them - a) what need they say? and b) you wouldn't hear them anyway.

Instead, we have the most wonderfully impressive score; Hans Zimmer does it again. No gore whatsoever in this film - it's all about tension, as people wait for bad things to happen. Part of the score, in fact, is a ticking clock. Start to finish, it's relentlessly tense - not a film for those of nervous disposition. The soldiers on the beach, sitting ducks for the Luftwaffe. The Navy, doing all they can but feeling helpless. The crew of the small boats, sailing into something they're patently unprepared for. The RAF pilots - fantastic cinematography for these sequences: and how fascinated my late father would have been at the detail of the machinery! A real sense of the clunkiness of the technology of the time, too - no sleek modern technology here. Throughout, the camera is right up-close to the characters, and gives a real sense of place.

Christopher Nolan has been criticised for his lack of characterisation: rubbish. The film manages to give a very broad sweep of what was happening at Dunkirk during the evacuations, and - I'm no expert, mind, but I do think he succeeds in doing it justice. It's hugely moving, hugely shocking, and - as you might expect - I left shell-shocked. Stunning. Recommended.

And what a treat to finish early! Tomorrow, I'm off to Amsterdam, for my final two U2 concerts of the year (sniff). On Saturday and Sunday. Really, you have no idea of the organisation that went into all of this, back in January..! These were the only ones I couldn't get tickets for officially - bought them on Viagogo. And I see I booked from City Airport again - lovely!

I fly back on Monday, and saw an interesting Funzing talk advertised for that night - "Are We Living in the Matrix?" Well, I'm well overdue a free talk, with all of them that I've booked (every fourth free), so I contacted them to get a code to get this for free. Still waiting..! Despairing of them, I finally booked it on one of their limited 50% deals. It had been advertised with London Speaks Sessions and LDN Talks @Night - funnily enough, they've now both cancelled. It still seems to be running, though. No loyalty points for this one, I guess!

On Tuesday, another Funzing talk - I finally get to see Jennifer Rees again, when she's giving a talk on The Psychology of Criminals. With dim sum, great! (Had to stick with a 10% discount for this one - Fun_Day10 or Fun_Week10 are the ones you want for that.) And it's walking distance from me for once, in Covent Garden. She's a fantastic and engaging speaker. Excellent.. and Helen has sensibly decided to come too. On which occasion she'll deliver all the stuff I couldn't fit in my bag, coming back from Twickenham!

I was just looking up what to do on Wednesday - and wouldn't you know it, at that moment the Pop-Up Opera sent me a mail with upcoming events. Une Éducation Manquée is a short, French comic opera, whose run finishes that day. All right then!

Next Thursday, my first Meetup with Up in the Cheap Seats, one of several new groups I've joined to fill the great void left by the sad departure of the Man with the Hat. We're off to see The Tempest, with Simon Russell Beale, at the Barbican. Then I'm back to Ireland for the weekend again.

And on the 7th, back with Let's Do This for a vintage swing jazz evening at Wilton's.

Film: Get Out

So! This is the week that someone is visiting from the Stockholm office. And what a great excuse to do things we normally don't.. Firstly, we saw her to her hotel, the grand-looking Kenilworth:

A lobby filled with artworks, lovely chenille upholstery on the sofas - a good thing, considering how long it took them to check her in! A teeny-weeny lift elevated us to her floor, where we passed a line of (cupboard?) doors that looked for all the world like (wooden) toilet cubicles. Squeezing into her (slightly less) teeny room (nice chenille bedspread),  I remarked to myself how hotels always seem to be overheated. Sure enough, we heard today that she was glad to be able to open her windows overnight, considering she could only get the aircon down to a certain temperature..

And so to dinner. Knowing that Charlotte Street has a profusion of eateries, I suggested we head there - and, wandering along the street, we came to L' Êtoile; our guest decided it looked a likely prospect, and in we went.

Pleasant décor, friendly staff. With prices a bit high, we skipped having a starter, contenting ourselves with the slice of crusty baguette each of us had on our plate. Funnily enough, we all had chicken - we were warned that it'd take 25 minutes to cook, and since it was obviously cooked from fresh, it was fittingly tender, and stuffed with a gorgeous mushroom paste. Accompanying it were a number of rock-hard, but edible, potato slices, and a bushy lump of kale. I also ordered a portion of mash, which we had to re-order as they'd obviously forgotten it, and which, when it did finally arrive, had a creamy texture but was tasteless. At least I got it for free, considering the delay. A bottle of wine among us completed the order.

I might have gone for a dessert - I was planning to head to the cinema afterwards, but had some time to kill - but it was suggested we find a pub instead, so I asked for the bill. I thought the maître-d' started fiddling with the register at that point, but perhaps he was doing something else - because the next thing they did was to start moving furniture around. After 15 minutes, they seemed finished with that and we asked again - and finally got it. Honestly, I remarked as we left - the two main reasons I no longer usually eat out in London are (a) the price, and (b) the service. At least at home you have some idea what time you'll be finished!

And so to the pub. Nearest seemed to be the Fitzroy Tavern, so in we went, carefully navigating steps up and steps down. I got a wine that was cheaper than the equivalent in the restaurant, and we sat ourselves beside a dangerous-looking flight of steep steps, leading down to "cellar and toilets". Not a place to get very drunk, then..

After a while I left them, intending to make the second showing of Get Out, at my local cinema - handily, just down the road! Well, that had been my original plan, and the trailer just looked so good.. a few minutes' walk got me there, and with no obvious person to sell me a ticket, I got one from the machine and made my way downstairs. Seating is unassigned, and the place was reasonably full - I got a seat in the second row, which was fine - the screen isn't very big.

As I entered (just under 20 minutes after scheduled start time), the opening scene had a black guy being arrested for, apparently, the crime of walking down the road. Cue the title, and a series of still images, to the backing track of Run Rabbit, Run.. You know, it's funny how you can sometimes tell a good film in the first few frames. Definitely had that impression here..

So. This is the story of a black guy (a photographer, hence the stills we see at the start), whose white, middle-class girlfriend takes him home to meet the folks for the first time. And they don't know he's black. He's dubious - nah, she says, they're liberals, they won't mind at all! And off they set for her folks' idyllic country estate.

Gee, I really don't recommend this film for anyone with a heart condition! They do a marvellous job of sustaining the suspense throughout - we agree completely with him that something's off, although we can no more provide an explanation than he can. Maybe the closest we come to a suspect is the girlfriend's mom (Catherine Keener), who, funnily enough, is a psychotherapist who treats people with hypnotism. She offers her services to cure him of smoking - "No thanks," he says, "I'm good".

Marvellous stuff, beautifully cast and acted in a very restrained way. I guarantee, however close you get to the truth, there's a couple of twists that will catch you out. The climax is an homage to Hammer horrors.. however, unlike your typical horror, this film firmly sets out to entertain you, and I just LOVED how they sent us all out laughing at the end. What a great idea! no better time than the end of a horror film to release all that tension. Fabulous - a great way to send me to bed. I give it 9/10. And I hardly ever go that high.

Tonight, Helen is coming to a concert at the O2. The Mavericks - not my thing. However, I've said I'll head out there - after my evening meeting - and have dinner with her beforehand.

Tomorrow, I'd booked my first event with a new Meetup group. Spooky London Pubs has a talk on Rosalie the Ghost Girl. It's at the College of Psychic Studies. The case was investigated by Harry Price, and I've just finished reading a book about him. However, our visitor has expenses for a team dinner for us, and we've chosen that night. Ah well..

On Thursday, I'd booked for a Crick Crack Club event - the Grand Annual Lying Contest is at Rich Mix. And wouldn't you know it, I persuaded them all to come with me! Yippee.. we might grab a bite in Brick Lane beforehand.

On Friday, London Dramatic Arts (LDAM) is off to see The Goat - or Who Is Sylvia? with Damian Lewis, at the Theatre Royal Haymarket. I managed to get a cheaper ticket - however, we'll be taking out our team member that night for drinks.

Never mind - April starts with the Man with the Hat (long time no see!). Both London for Less Than a Tenner and Let's Do London - for less! are off to see the ballet Jewels at the Royal Opera House on Saturday. Really looking forward to the show, and seeing old friends.

On Sunday, I'm on a guided walk through Islington - Between the Wars - with London for a Tenner or Less. Funzing, so I can cancel, provided I do it in time.

On Monday, I'm back with the Crick Crack Club - at Soho Theatre this time, for an evening of Greek mythology entitled Atalanta, brought to us by the able Ben Haggerty. You know, now that I'm a Westminster resident, I have a Westminster card, which - among other things -entitles me to £1 off at this theatre! Pity I didn't yet have it when I booked this..

Next Tuesday, Let's Do London - for less! is back at the Opera House, for Madama Butterfly. I'm in the slips, as usual.

On the 5th - why, it must be summer! Welcome back, London Literary Walks - good to see you. We're on The Composers' Walk - apparently a repeat. And yay, we're meeting in Caffe Nero - I can have a chocolate Milano.

On the 6th, I'm with the World Music Meetup, for a free concert of Iranian music at the Brunei Gallery. It's been a while for me, with both group and venue.. Then it's back to Ireland for the weekend again, and a meeting with my birth and adoptive mothers at Greene's on the 8th.

On the 10th, I'm back at the Wanamaker Playhouse - always a favourite - for The White Devil, a Jacobean tale.

On the 11th, I got a cheap ticket to the Caine and Kane comedy show, in Brixton.

On the 12th, I'm with LDAM to see Don Juan in Soho, with David Tennant, in Wyndham's. Just down Charing Cross Road - nice!

Then I'm back to Ireland for Easter - on Good Friday, my (adoptive) mother and I are off to La Bohème, at the University Concert Hall.

On the 18th, back in London, and back with Funzing - London Speaks Sessions, LDN Talks @ Night, and London for a Tenner or Less, for a talk on the Science of Paranormal Activity. Unless I get a better offer, in time - it'd have to be a good one, I'm interested in this!

On the 19th, London Literary Walks is off down Brick Lane - and so am I.

On the 20th, I have my usual placeholder of free comedy in Hammersmith - courtesy of Free Comedy Nights in Hammersmith Wimbledon and Greenwich, and London Live Comedy. Of course - much like Funzing - I usually end up cancelling these, when something better comes up.


Ditto the 21st - or I may go to the cinema that day. As usual, watch this space..!

On the 22nd, I'm off to see the Naked House Cleaner! Venue to be revealed just the day before.. ooh!

On the 23rd, I'm on a walk of Hampstead Village Highlights, with Walks, Talks and Treasure Hunts. Be good exercise, leading up to my own sponsored walk in September, in aid of Cats Protection.. Helen and I are going as Dick Whittington and his cat.

The 24th, another summery treat! The Man with the Hat is taking both groups to the Globe (ah, it's been too long..). For one night only, the Comedy Store Players will regale us with Shakespeare-inspired improv. As usual, London for Less than a Tenner standing in the yard, Let's Do London - for less! in lower gallery seats. Which is where I go - couldn't take standing for that long.

The 25th, London European Club again - it'll have been a while! They're off to an informal evening of classical music, in Peckham.

The 26th, London Literary Walks is doing the Sloane Ranger.

The 27th, Helen and I are on an Underground treasure hunt, courtesy of Walk, Talks and Treasure Hunts. TFL goodies to be won, it seems.. Then back to Ireland for the bank holiday weekend - which I'd forgotten was a bank holiday, or I'd have stayed over an extra day!

Instead, for 1 May, I've booked The Ferryman, with LDAM, at the Royal Court.

And 2 May, those same three Funzing groups have advertised a talk called Origin of Vampires: Fact or Fiction?