Play: The Comedy of Errors

Today, delighted to be back with Expat Bucket List London! Well, back with the founder of both this and Bucket List London - I hadn't actually been with the Expat group yet. Yippee, back to the Globe - for The Comedy of Errors. Unfortunately, while I was in the Lower Gallery, as usual, the others were upstairs.. the organiser did offer to switch with me, so I'd have some company, but I wouldn't subject him to such a lower-priced seat! Anyway, I do like to be close.

Slight confusion beforehand - I couldn't find the message where we'd arranged where to meet, but thought it was the river entrance - but when I got there, there was no sign. So I meandered around to the other entrance, then back - and wouldn't have spotted them at all, but for that he spotted me. Do you know, it turned out I was the only one of us to have been there before! so I did a wee tour for them, before we went in. Someone had advised him against the Lower Gallery seats, tsk..

It was such a hot, clammy day - as usual, the ushers' main job was preventing groundlings from sitting on anything. Several people were fanning themselves, lots had the Globe "hats", which provide a shade for the eyes but not much else. I really pitied people caught in the sun, when it came out - a couple felt faint, and were let sit in the Gallery. (You can actually see my fellow group members in the photo, if you zoom right in.. they were directly in my sight line.)

Well, the performance - typically for here - was as merry and raucous as you could wish. A boat "sailed" in through the crowd a couple of times, and there was a bit of banter with the crowd near the stage. Interestingly, I see they now have two groundling rates - near the stage and not near, perhaps? One of the main performers had injured herself, and someone had to stand in for her - as another explained at the start, with absolutely no rehearsal - they don't have understudies. She acquitted herself quite well, although having to read, and not getting to dress up..

Well, 'tis another barmy tale of mixed-up identities - Shakespeare did seem to fancy those. Identical twin brothers - to be fair, played by similar-looking, and identically dressed, actors - are separated at birth, and their lives follow quite separate paths. They finally fetch up in the same city, and hilarity ensues as one is mistaken for the other. The craziness is compounded by the fact that each has a manservant who is the brother of the other's - and guess what? They look alike, too. Or maybe people don't pay so much attention to servants - certainly, they dress the same, though. There's also a father knocking around - and as the Duke says at the end, there'll be a lot of gossip at the feast!

As usual, my side view wasn't really a problem - except when there was some visual gag, and a huge laugh from the crowd, just as the actor was standing on the other side of a pillar from me. They had a platform running into the audience this time - that's nice, you do see more. Not to mention it gives the groundlings another thing to lean on. Only quibble from me - the father, in particular, had poor projection: and frankly, they all needed to yell today - the helicopter that keeps swooping over was particularly noisome. Hovered right above for what must have been 15 minutes - I swear, I have a theory they're watching the show. The actors feel it too, of course - in fact, it was even woven into the text today, with one of the servants complaining about the helicopter! ("Whatever a 'helicopter' is..")

Well, despite that, another fun production at the Globe - and as usual, this feels like the start of summer for me. Runs till the 29th of next month. Afterwards, with the organiser having to shoot off, I didn't wait for them - headed off to the adjacent Pizza Express, as usual when I'm here, and asked to sit upstairs, for their gorgeous views. And tried another of their new starters - the garlic mushrooms are very moreish, very strong flavour, what with the balsamic syrup.. served with slivers of goat's cheese, which counterpoints the flavour nicely. And I had my usual carbonara (which arrived while I was still tacking the mushrooms) - didn't honestly think I'd manage to finish it, in this heat, but I surprised myself. Had to be ice cream for dessert, of course. And then a bus home - and here's an interesting thing - I caught it on Blackfriars Bridge, and lo! it has something like half the number of steps up to it of, say, Waterloo Bridge. Now, that's a fact worth knowing, if you're not keen on overexerting yourself..

I fully intended to move into my new flat tonight, stay till Monday - when I'm at something nearer my old place. I packed a load of stuff - as much as I could reasonably take in one run - and slogged out there, in what was a cooler, but still muggy, night. On which none of the buses obliged me, and I was waiting for ages. Only to discover that my flat key wouldn't work! They obviously gave me the wrong one. Well, I knocked, and lo, the flatmate whose room is near the door let me in. So at least I got to meet him! We confirmed that I had the wrong key - I did get into my room though, which has a code (or I probably wouldn't have). But, well, I did leave some stuff, moved the furniture around, hooked my phone up to the WiFi.. Not practical to move in though, until the key issue is sorted. Not and have to have someone let me in all the time! I still have the old place until the end of next month anyway.. I'd just have liked to leave more stuff out there, but it didn't work out that way. Never mind.

Tomorrow, back with Discover London - History Walks and Events to Discover the Secrets of the 19th Century London Docks. Always love this part of town - again, this is walking distance from my new place. So it would've been nice to stay the night.. So glad it's not on till afternoon, and I can lie in!

On Monday, got a cheap ticket with CT for From Swing to Soul, a concert series at Wonderville. I do wonder whether they fixed their tech issues from last time..

On Tuesday, back with Up in the Cheap Seats (UITCS) again - this time, for A Strange Loop, at the Barbican. Multi-award-winning, it seems - cheaper tickets available from WhatsOnStage (WOS), fulfilled by London Theatre Direct. Interestingly though, to get the cheaper offer, buy through WOS..

On Wednesday, thinking film - and delighted to see that Asteroid City has risen in ratings, and is now top of my list! Ah well, that's a no-brainer - a Wes Anderson comedy, with an all-star cast, including Jason Schwartzman, Scarlett Johansson, Tom Hanks, Jeffrey Wright, Bryan Cranston, Edward Norton, Maya Hawke, Rupert Friend, Steve Park, Liev Schreiber, Matt Dillon, Steve Carell, Tilda Swinton, Jeff Goldblum (playing an alien, appropriately I guess..), Adrien Brody, Willem Dafoe, Margot Robbie.. and probably some other people I recognise. Anyway, I love Wes Anderson's stuff - and it's on in my local cinema (for flat #1). My new flat isn't so close to a cinema, so I'll stay in the old one for this, while I still have access to it. And there are showings all day, so, given that I probably shan't have any other demands on my time that day, until I get another job, I can go to whatever suits!

On Thursday, thinking of heading back to Watkin's Bookshop, for the first time in an age - they have an author talk called Holy Waters - Searching for the Sacred in a Glass. There's a new book about this, which considers the use of alcohol in religion - sounds interesting! Then I'm back to Ireland for the weekend again.

And on the 3rd, I'm back with UITCS for A Playlist for the Revolution, at the Bush Theatre.

Concert: Freddie Joon & Clayton

Yesterday, back with Buddies on a Budget in London - Mandy introduced us to the Floating Pocket Park, in Paddington! where they have free things in summer - yesterday, it was a free concert: Freddie Joon (she mentioned her name so often during the concert, you couldn't forget it!) and Clayton. Now, I have a late meeting on Wednesdays - which, had it run to time, I'd have had to skip out of. But wouldn't you know it, yesterday the boss both ran out of things to say, and also had vocal problems, what with all the presentations he's been giving lately. So.. it lasted all of 15 minutes, and I legged it immediately thereafter.

I could get the bus.. but traffic was dire - around King's Cross, anyway. Mercifully, it eased further down, and I got there in reasonable time - no problem at all for Google Maps to find this place, nor indeed for me. Access is through sundry laneways between the buildings, and I could see the water - the "floating pocket park" is on pontoons on this bit of water, and it was easy to find the musicians, who were already in full flow. So I moseyed off that way, located the deckchairs, located Mandy, dragged a deckchair a bit closer, and eased myself into it - it's been years since I sat in one, so the operation needed some care,

Very chilled vibe - pity that the glorious sunshine we'd had in the morning didn't last, though! It's not really my kind of music, but it's fine.. they're good, and fair play, they took requests, with Freddie looking up the lyrics, and Clayton the sheet music I guess, on their phones. Mandy put in a request - and good for her, got it played twice when a little girl requested it later, and Freddie agreed to play it again! Closest they got to my music, mind, was when someone requested Little Lion Man! And they did make a good attempt at that, but it's not really their thing. But hey, it was great to be back listening to music in the open air again - feels like summer! Well, apart from the fact that we were freezing.. Freddie must have been very warm, as she dispensed with her outer top for most of the show. Mind you, it does look quite fleecy and warm..

Afterwards, the general consensus was to head to the nearby Pizza Express, which six of us did. Gradually defrosting, most people had pizza, which, to be fair, is kind of the house specialty. I was going to, until I finally found the "al forno" section at the bottom - so I had carbonara. For a change - I hadn't had it in this chain before. And it was very nice, I must say, with nice, crispy bacon. I also thought the new "hot honey dough balls", which were advertised on the table, sounded interesting, and ordered a portion of those - sadly, they never arrived.

But apart from that, service was quick as a flash, and as friendly as you could ask for. A couple of people stayed while I had dessert - the chocolate fudge cake is, I'm happy to report, very good. And conversation flowed as freely as the wine, all night - honestly, best Meetup in ages! Delighted I came along.. Roll on the next one with these folks.

Exiting wasn't quite as easy - I think a lot of these properties are residential, and this central section seems to get closed off at night, with locked gates cutting off all those laneways! We left between 10 and 11pm, by which time two of the gates were locked - and had we left after 11, I'm not sure what we'd have done, as that's when the gate was to be locked that we left by! Never mind, we escaped to visit another day.. With another blasted early morning meeting today, though, it ran too late to blog last night.

Tonight, another film - this, however, is a private screening, organised by The London Palestinian Rights Meetup Group, in association with the Bethlehem Cultural Festival! Showing at the Prince Charles is Farha, the dramatisation of the life of a young Palestinian girl in 1948 - just at the start of the Nakba.. includes a Q+A afterwards with the director. Tickets from Eventbrite again. Tomorrow, I'm back to Ireland for the weekend.. Sadly, of all the films showing locally, however, there's only a couple I'm interested in seeing, and neither is at a time I can manage, what with keeping my mother company in the evenings! Ah well..

On Monday is An Evening Stroll in Fitzrovia, courtesy of a new group, Paul and Tim's Greater London Talks and Walks! So yes, I'll give it a go..

On Tuesday, The Horror Book Club just advertised an author event, with two female horror writers, at Waterstone's in Trafalgar Square. Tickets bookable in advance - I checked out one of the books as a free Kindle sample, and liked it, so I said I'd go. Pay extra and you can get a book with your ticket - but only one, and it costs more than both together cost on Kindle! So I passed on that option - if I feel like it, I'll order them on Kindle afterwards.

On Wednesday, thinking film again - and despite the new films I've seen advertised, it's still looking like The Blue Caftan, which was always near the top of the list. It's Moroccan, and showing at my local cinema - not that either of those film listings websites seems to think so, so I had to confirm on the cinema's own website! Grr..

And next Thursday, I'm back with TAC for a play called The Last of the Pelican Daughters, at The Courtyard..

Comedy: One Night with Robbie Williams

Well, well, well - went out for food today.. and it snowed on me! I know they had little snowmen on the weather forecast, but this is London! Bitterly cold, too. Tonight, I was back with TAC for One Night With Robbie Williams. This was at The Courtyard. Walking distance - oh Lordy, and on a day like today! Never mind, off I set - into the most bitter, driving wind. "Bracing", someone described it as. "Vicious" would be closer to the truth.

Needing food - and warmth - I broke my journey at Pizza Express, reasoning that I hadn't been for a while. I've had pollo pesto the last few times, so fancied a change, and reverted to the pollo ad astra pizza, which I used to like. Knowing that I wouldn't finish a whole pizza, I skipped a starter, and just went for a rather delectable glass of Sauvignon Blanc - new to the menu, it seems! The pizza was nice, but sure enough, proved too much - but I did eat most. Service was flawless - I was never left alone too long, and the waiter was just the right amount of friendly. Anticipating my wishes, he asked whether I'd like a dessert menu, and when I ordered "just vanilla gelato", he agreed that that was just perfect to counteract the heat of the pizza. And it was delicious, so rich. Such a pain to brave that wind again.. Got a nice "goodbye" from him, though.

Between having to keep checking the map and having to keep wiping my eyes, which were tearing up in the wind, I had a terrible time. Had to put a glove on the hand holding the phone, or get frostbite - couldn't have one on the other hand, which I needed to work the phone! Boy, was I glad to get to the theatre. Also glad that I'd been here before - and my previous blog post was helpful in finding the entrance tonight, although I think the doorway was a little better advertised. The fellow at the bottom of the stairs cheerily asked me whether I had a ticket, I cheerily told him whom I'd booked with, and I headed into the bar.

Where someone was telling someone else about the snow. See? I didn't dream it. So I corroborated the story, and got a very reasonably priced large wine. Loved standing right under the heater, blowing hot air on me! Not seeing any spare tables in this too-small bar, I shared a table with a single lady, and we chatted a little - I explained that I'd been there five years or so ago, and she exclaimed how good it was to see places lasting that long! I also brought her attention to the book pages that still cover the wall - she went over to investigate, and discovered that they were all sort of "Daring Dan" and "Boys Own" sorts of stories. And in due course, we went in - well, I should say, along the hall, up the stairs, across the dance studio, and in, taking unassigned seats.

Started late, of course - unless you count the Robbie Williams soundtrack that ran for 10 minutes beforehand! Now, again I was misled by the blurb, which sounded as though she was going to be ranting about all the things she hated. No, not really - what she was doing was reliving a day with lots of detestable things in it, which did come across very funny! She started with a job interview, carried on to a night out that led to a hook-up.. and finished with a poignant tribute to her mother, and the only grownup conversation they ever had! Very good.. mild audience interaction, including her asking for a pen - which I could have provided her with, but I'd have had to dig! Glad I went to that - it only had two performances, finished tonight. Happily, the wind had died down for my walk home.

Well, I finally got a provisional start date from my new job - and it's next week. So tomorrow, still being free, I've booked with Laurence Summers and the 45+ Not Grumpy Old Londoners for a daytime walk. This is Tinker, Tailor, Soldier & a Hatful of Spies - and comes highly recommended from previous attendees! In fact, I got the last spot (at the time, anyway). 

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

On Saturday, I had booked with Walks, Talks & Treasure Hunts for a Regent's Canal Walk. But yay, Laurence and the 45+s then advertised another walk for that day, which is pretty much guaranteed to be superior. So I've booked it. This is Scandals, Scriptwriters & Sumptuous Architecture - and of course, it being a London weekend, I can go!

That evening, an ex-colleague of mine is having a leaving do - he's emigrating. Happening at The Woodman, in Highgate. I said I'd put in an appearance.

On Sunday, the CCC again! Emily Hennessey and Sheema Mukherjee are at the British Museum, with Holy Cow! Tales from the River of Life. Unfortunately, the London Landmarks Half Marathon is also that day, so I'll probably be on the Tube, at least getting to the museum. 

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

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

On Wednesday, back with Up in the Cheap Seats at Southwark Playhouse, and another free ticket for me! This time, it's for Anyone Can Whistle, with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim.

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

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

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

On the 13th, back with Civilised London, who are off to the opera at the Southbank Centre. The show in question is The Paradis Files. Next day, I'm back to Ireland for Easter - but left it so late to book, I could only get an afternoon flight, and will have to start my new job (whenever) by asking for that day off work!

Well, my friend got back to me - they're away in the middle of Easter week, back on the 21st, so the most sensible thing to do seemed to be to visit on the 22nd, which I've now arranged with her. Whether I take that week as holiday, or take the laptop there and work from Ireland, remains to be seen. Anyway, I'll fly back to London on the 24th. And on the 25th, I'm off to The Corn is Green, at the National.

Film: Incendies

Today, it was promised to rain. And so it did, chucking it down! Perfect day for the cinema then.. unfortunately, when I had cause to check my film list again last night, it had changed almost completely! New films, new times.. well, as long as it's as accurate as possible, I guess! So, top of the list for today was now Incendies, in which a brother and sister, who have grown up in Montréal and whose mother has just died, learn that she has instructed each of them to go in search of their father, whom they'd thought had died, and a brother they didn't know they had! In the Middle East. So this gives them a chance to explore the region, and their own roots.. Showing in the BFI only, and today was the last showing.. Interestingly, the BFI has moved to a first-come first-served, unallocated seating policy. Not sure what the advantage of that is, but the upshot is that I can't see how full a screen is, online! However, knowing how busy the BFI traditionally gets, I decided I'd better book, and I did.

I managed to get out early for once, sheltered with several others under a building outcrop while we waited for our buses. And waited.. and waited.. as the rain got heavier, bus after bus came, and none was mine, the #26 - the Buses Due app kept pushing back its projected arrival time until it had gone so late that it couldn't get me there. And the BFI doesn't admit latecomers, you know! So I ended up settling for the 344 - which I could have taken ages before, and would need a change. Well, at least now I was on the move. And wouldn't you know it, as I got off and rounded the corner, my next bus was taking on passengers! Sadly, the stop was a way off, and the driver wasn't paying attention - I was literally hurrying along the side when the door closed and it pulled off. Had to wait 20 minutes for the next one!

Well, it was only a short second journey, and I did actually make it - with just minutes to spare. Just as well, too, that I remembered that NFT3, where this was showing, is upstairs, through the door beside the sign for the mezzanine - it isn't signposted. I panted through there - if you have prebooked, you don't have to bother with the box office - and despite having been instructed to show the booking on my phone, I actually just had to give the lady my name, which she checked off a list. As she waved me in, she alerted me to the information fliers, in the holder to my left, which they provide for all their films, and which contain a critical review. Excellent, I didn't think they were doing paper copies any more!

And so, looking around, I identified a few empty seats in a row, where I decided to sit - it wasn't completely full, but mostly, and I'd probably have booked in advance anyway if I had known the number that finally came. Settling into my comfy, plush seat, I didn't have time to read more than half of the flier before the lights went down - and just as well, because he gives away the whole plot! Tsk.. A nice cool breeze wafted over us throughout. Anyway, lights down, and the message on the short introductory film was "Welcome Home"! Aww..

The Middle Eastern country in the film is never named - but events are based on the Lebanese Civil War, and it's filmed in Jordan. The brother isn't too keen at first - seems he wasn't as close to their mother, he thinks her funeral demands are OTT, and he wants nothing to do with any of it. The sister, however, is intrigued, and sets out to solve the mystery by travelling out there. Her story intersects with their mother's, as the scenes flit back and forth, and it can take a minute to figure out which we're dealing with. But my goodness, what's discovered is stunning, unexpected, and devastating - both on a personal level for this brother and sister, and also on a wider level, with what was happening in the country.

Absolutely compelling, sensitively told. Definitely, take a look if you get a chance.

Afterwards, I felt like food - wandering in the most likely direction, I plumped for Pizza Express. They had no problem seating me - and despite the poster we passed, with the massive QR code so you could register with Track n Trace, I wasn't asked to use it. Unlike its Irish equivalent, Cafe Milano, where I was in July. Also unlike there, I was automatically given a physical menu! So, I had garlic bread - and they really need to get with the concept of a starter, because I hadn't finished it before my pizza arrived. I was having the BBQ Burnt Ends, which my friend's fiancé had back in July, and which was so tasty when he shared it with us. And it was just as tasty now - but oh! impossible to finish. I left the very end, to squeeze in some rather good chocolate fudge cake (with a scoop of ice cream). Yum.. and really friendly service to boot. Highly recommend this place, if you're in the area. (A table just down from me had obviously also been to the same film, which they were discussing..)

Had to do some climbing, to get up onto the bridge, to catch a bus home. Funnily enough, there was no trouble getting a #26 this time..!

Tomorrow, back with Up in the Cheap Seats for Shining City, a Conor McPherson play set in Dublin and showing in the Theatre Royal, Stratford East. Brendan Coyle plays a man haunted - he believes literally - by the ghost of his late wife, and the play takes the form of a series of psychiatric sessions that he attends. Well, this is an excellent playwright, so we're in safe hands. Someone's going for food beforehand, but I seriously doubt I'll be able to get there for that.

Songs of Lear

For today, the Globe was just in touch last week - today only, there was a musical performance, evoking the story of King Lear, in the Wanamaker Playhouse. Had a look at the trailer, liked what I saw - and booked it: the matinee, for better availability. When I checked last night, however, it seemed they hadn't emailed me my ticket - I contacted them, confident they'd set it right. They are quite efficient with this kind of thing. Pity it was the matinee, in a way - I could have done with a rest!

Reassuringly, when I turned on my phone today, I had an email from them to say I could pick it up at the box office. Since I was up a little early though, it was the perfect opportunity to schlep over to the sorting office first, to pick up a small parcel that couldn't be delivered during the week. Too far to walk - unfortunately, the bus I might have taken was hit by roadworks, all this weekend! I ended up walking past my office to catch another.. and after I'd picked up the parcel, I waited for another bus to take me straight to the theatre. In a coup for Google Maps, they correctly predicted it'd be right along - unlike my bus app, which predicted a wait. I guess it can't always be right!

I was glad of its promptness - I didn't have much time to spare. Fought my way through the crowds in the lobby to pick up my ticket, and made my way to the Upper Gallery. Where it's quite easy to tell which door to enter by, but not so much which row to head for! Confusingly, they all seem to be prefaced on the tickets with the letter D - so my row, B, was marked as DB. With so many people having to ask for help from the ushers, you'd think they'd fix this.

It's been a while since I was here, and it's as gorgeous as ever:

Even the musicians' gallery was used, it turned out, by the composer, who gave the odd blast on something that looked like uileann pipes.

The show was advertised as 90 minutes straight through, but it was about 20 minutes before it actually got going, what with an explanatory introduction by the guy who'd conceived the piece. He described how he was inspired by a certain painting retrospective, so he split the performance into several different "paintings", or moods, describing the basic plot. It didn't quite flow linearly mind, with one event happening out of sequence.

But never mind - this is a mood piece. At the beginning of each scene, he describes the motivation for what's happening, before it's actually sung. The performance also incorporates some dance, a few musical instruments, and the odd snippet of text from the play - indeed, that's all that the guy playing Lear gets to do, reciting the odd quote! That, and be a foil for the others.

The music takes the form of a sort of medieval a cappella. And therefore, I loved it - I'm a complete sucker for this! Parts were so beautiful I could have cried. Throughout, it has a rhythmic intensity that utterly surrounds and grabs the audience. Completely stunning - we jumped to our feet at the end in a standing ovation. The actual performance is only about 50 minutes long - the last 20 minutes are taken up with a discussion about ROPKA, the charity that this is in aid of, and for which brochures are left on seats. I didn't bother to stay for that.

It was pretty full - I could only see a few empty seats. Only one more performance, in under an hour at time of writing - for which tickets are already sold out. They're in for a treat! Me, I took myself off to the ever-entertaining giftshop, then next door to Pizza Express - I hadn't had time to eat yet. And when they finally noticed me waiting by the "Please Wait Here" sign, they suggested I head upstairs - and left me to it, to the surprise of the waiter upstairs. Ah well. Upstairs at this Pizza Express, BTW, is usually to be recommended, with one of the best views in London - not so much today though, it was so grey and drizzly. Never mind, the food was excellent - and the chocolate cake, I might add, much better than the last I had, in the Pizza Express near the office..

Walked it off as I made my way home - and it was cold enough (again!) that I was glad I'd brought a coat. Tomorrow, heading with North London Friends to Ballet Flamenco Sara Baras - part of Sadler's Wells' Flamenco Festival. So I'll get more flamenco dancing! The lady hosting is going with some people from her Spanish class, and heading for tapas after - hell, why not? Even if I don't join them, I'll love the show.

And on Monday, back with Up in the Cheap Seats at last, for Peter Gynt at the National. Modern version.

Restaurant: Pizza Express & The Third Westminster Walk

Yesterday, Helen and her husband joined me for lunch, as they were going on a guided walk that came near the office. We considered Byron Burger, but they were completely booked till 2pm - instead, we headed to Pizza Express, which is more off the beaten track.

We made it in decent time - and found ourselves behind a gaggle of young ladies that showed no interest in anything other than chatting. Afraid we'd be there all day, we pushed past them to claim our reservation. Well, we ended up in the middle - which wasn't ideal, in the middle of the day in the middle of the week, in this location in the middle of town. Noisy does't begin to describe it, and there's nothing here to muffle the noise - chatter deafened us, all around, and we had to shout at each other to be heard. Mercifully, our fellow diners vanished pretty quickly around 2 - it really pays to be outside regular lunch hours, here!

The meal was very good - we started with garlic bread, which for once I had with mozzarella, which suits it nicely. I had pollo pesto, the others had pizzas - thin base - and all plates got cleared. For dessert, they had mini desserts with coffee - mine was a full-size slice of chocolate fudge cake, which unfortunately was more chocolate than fudge. Still, we were well fed - the downside, of course, was a food coma that affected me for the rest of the afternoon, and made me really sleepy just as I was headed on my walk.. 

Yesterday evening - not with Up in the Cheap Seats (UITCS), unusually!! Instead, I was back with London Literary Walks - this was The Third Westminster Walk. I managed to find a bus that was predicted to get there without too much delay - and despite heavy traffic on Strand, it actually beat Google maps' estimate! So it wasn't too late when I schlepped into the Colonies.

I felt a bit uneasy with the name - hardly something to celebrate. Anyway, it was pretty packed - and unfortunately, the bar staff are the kind that seem to pass right over me. I was there for a solid 10 minutes - the person who came to the bar with me gave up and returned to her seat - and finally, when the barman looked right at me and then started to take someone else's order, I butted in and insisted I be served first, having been there longer. And to top it all, the wine was insipid. I won't be back.

As someone remarked later, this was more a Victoria walk, leading to Westminster. But hey, it all merges! We passed grand buildings, such as the hotel where Idi Amin stayed in London:

Saw an interesting quote by Prince Albert:

..and finished up with the monuments of Westminster:

Oh, and some remnants of a protest, it seems:

Or rather, we finished at St. Stephen's Tavern, probably a favourite haunt for those with business in Westminster. Certainly, it filled up as the night wore on - we were lucky to get a seat when we did! It's not large, and the upstairs dining area was closed - although you could get food at the bar. The service here, BTW, was excellent - and not only did they notice me, but remembered, later on - despite the crowd - what we'd ordered! Much better. And we had a nice chat to round off what was a surprisingly cold evening.

It went too late to blog last night, of course. Tonight - yes of course, back with UITCS.. for On Your Feet at the Coliseum: the musical about Emilio and Gloria Estefan. A couple of people from last Monday going. Then I'm back to Ireland for the weekend.

..and then we're into next month! On Monday, nothing much I fancy on Meetup - instead, I got a cheap ticket to some quite local comedy - Catch 22 Years is a WIP by Katie O' Brien, at The Glory. 

On Tuesday, I'm headed to a Summer Science Exhibition Late at the Royal Society - adults only. London European Club (LEC) organised an outing - then London Science Events did, too. I decided I'd rather go with the LEC, so haven't RSVPed to London Science Events - they'd only be looking for me if I did. Free, no registration required.

On Wednesday, London Literary Walks is taking us all the way out west - for Strand on the Green.

Next Thursday, back with Spooky London - this time, we're off to the Rising Sun. A fascinating part of town, with a ton of history - I've been there a lot, but never been in the actual pub. And with these two events being free as well (not counting drinks!), it'll be a cheap week.

On the 5th, Helen's in town for a training course. The LEC is taking a group to a flamenco (music only, no dance) concert at Rich Mix, and we're going.

On the 6th, the Globe was just in touch yesterday - for that day only, there's a musical performance, evoking the story of King Lear, in the Wanamaker Playhouse. Had a look at the trailer, liked what I saw - and booked it: the matinee, for better availability.

On the 7th, heading with North London Friends to Ballet Flamenco Sara Baras - part of Sadler's Wells' Flamenco Festival. So I'll get that dancing that I'll miss on the 5th! The lady hosting is going with some people from her Spanish class, and heading for tapas after - hell, why not? Even if I don't join them, I'll love the show.

And on the 8th, back with UITCS at last, for Peter Gynt at the National. Modern version.

Exhibition: World Illustration Awards

Today, Let's Do This was headed to the World Illustration Awards exhibition at Somerset House. It was actually a bit cooler than yesterday, but I dressed warmer - and, of course, no ice rinks were involved! I'd had a good, long lie-in - needed it, what with waking every hour or so to expel phlegm - and still got ready in good time - although vexingly, my bus passed seconds before I got to the stop. I was early, and the next didn't take long - but oh, I do hate that! Anyway, we ended up being diverted - checking my phone, I discovered it was due both to roadworks and to the Adidas run.

Hey-ho, the bus still dropped me right in front of Somerset House, nice and early. Which gave me time to walk past the weird, smoky installation in the courtyard, to the South Wing where the exhibition is being held. Where I thought about waiting, as we were to meet at the entrance - but which entrance? I decided to look for the exhibition instead, which was well-signposted. Posted on the Meetup page that I was there, and it turned out that Mary was running late, and our organiser said he'd wait for her and then come find me. Which is as it turned out - this is a complicated building.

More photos here. The exhibition is tremendous - jam-packed with curiosities, which would take forever to examine, there is so much detail. You'll find politics:

science:

and a whole lot of children's illustrations - and as if that weren't enough, books in the room at the back allow you to see them in their natural setting, and read the whole book! As I remarked, if they had chairs in there, they'd never get rid of people:

Afterwards, we headed to the student exhibition upstairs - separate from this, finished today - and to a print exhibition that focuses on magazines (runs till the 22nd August), but we were most impressed by this first one, I think. Highly recommended - only, do take the time to look closer, because it's worth it. Runs until Wednesday - free admission.

We then made for the Riverside Terrace cafe, where we took a table, and the nice man brought cushions for the wire chairs. And our nice organiser bought us a bottle of wine to share. Good, sturdy canopy over us to protect against rain and wind. And when they chucked us out - they close at 5, and today's weather wasn't tempting anyone to stay - we made for the indoors cafe, where I had a very good chocolate fudge cake, and Mary vouches for the hot chocolate. We moseyed out to the courtyard installation, which was still blowing smoke around - then into the adjacent room that explained what was supposed to be happening. Apparently there are also banks of mirrors, and when the sun shines (ah! that was the problem), a temporary halo effect is created by the reflections from the mirrors, projected onto the smoke / steam. Only to be seen on a sunny day. Runs till the 27th..

When we split up, I knew I was too late for the local supermarkets, so treated myself to a meal out. Just a pizza and wine at the Pizza Express down the road - after a slightly-longer-than-short wait to be seated, I had what used to be my usual, the pollo ad astra Romano, and the house chardonnay, which was quite decent. The pizza was also tasty - unfortunately, they didn't deem it necessary to provide me with a pizza cutter (or a sharp knife), so it was quite hard to saw through. Anyway, nice for a change.

Tomorrow, I'm headed to storytelling by Crick Crack again, finally.. I haven't been able to make any of their more recent ones. It's in Soho Theatre, and it's Sally Pomme Clayton, with Crow. Blood. Snow. Oh my God, it's been ages. Naturally, you'd never know from their Meetup group that it's happening at all. Our boss was supposed to be in London that week, so I decided to leave the rest of the week free, for now.

Then he pinged us, last week, to say it'll actually be the week after. Cue me booking things frantically for the week that was now free - happily, I did well. On Tuesday, something very interesting - Up in the Cheap Seats is off to Whist, at Sadler's Wells. Now, turns out that this is an immersive, VR experience! Definitely different.

On Wednesday, London Literary Walks is off on Pop the Weasel, and I'm delighted to be able to accompany them. Local again, I see. Yet another attendee now that Mary's signed up, yay!

On Thursday, back to Sands Films for Fete de la Musique - Belcirque is performing, and they do sound quirky. London European Club, TunedIn London. Then it's Ireland again at the weekend.

On the 25th, I'm indulging myself with a premium seat to see Andrew Scott perform the one-man show, Seawall, written especially for him. It's at the Old Vic, two weeks only.

On the 26th, back with Up in the Cheap Seats, at Sadler's Wells. It's the Nederlands Dans Theater again - I remember good things about them from before. As I say, the boss is now in the office that week - well, he'll just have to manage without me, those two nights. I'm keeping the rest of the week, and the weekend, free, just in case. Hey, I do have to move that week as well, so could probably do with the time! Just waiting on the contract now, which I have to sign before I can pick up the keys.

And on the 2nd, back with Up in the Cheap Seats, at the Gielgud Theatre for Imperium I - Conspirator. The first part of a double-bill, but viewable independently, it is told from the point of view of Cicero's secretary, as he watches how his master's work is used to bring about an end to the Roman Republic. I should probably have booked the second part at the same time - there's a discount for that - but well, my schedule is generally so packed..!

Play: Agamemnon & Concert: Talent Unlimited Showcase

Yes, I know, I know.. I've been very quiet of late. Well, I ended up not going to the cinema on Monday - I wasn't in the mood unless it was something really attractive, and it wasn't. So I stayed in. Then I was in Guildford on Tuesday, and I haven't been in the habit of going out on such days - although that'll have to change in the New Year, when the London office closes (shock, horror!). Yes, that's what's been causing all the consternation at work that I've hinted at. So they want us all to move to the Guildford office. Now, I had a serious think, and I wanted to give up neither the job (which I love) nor, of course, London. But after some consultation, it seems I may be able to work from home part of the week. Which would make things much better. Watch this space..

Yesterday, I'd booked for Agamemnon, in the Bunker Trilogy, with the London European Club. So I dragged myself all the way to Stratford again, leaving straight from the office because it just takes so long. At least there wasn't a rugby match there that night. I made Earl's Court in time for one of those trains that sit at the platform for ages, then changed at Westminster for the Jubilee Line, as usual. O Lordy.. it wasn't nearly as crowded as the last time, but it was still uncomfortably so. One of the busier lines, it was crowded enough the whole way that I felt slightly travel-sick in the stuffy environment, all the way till two stops before the end, when I finally got a seat.

I was so glad to get off. Made my way to the Arts Centre, said hi - and "be back in a minute" - to my fellow group members, who were sitting at a table in the café, and ordered myself a glass of wine. Large. I was still worried about affairs at work, and needed this more than I needed the dinner I hadn't had time to get. They served it to me in a plastic container so I could take it in, and indeed, it wasn't long before we were called to take our seats. Blasé after the last time, and knowing our way, we sauntered in after some minutes.

Same bunker - we sat at the other side this time, which allowed us to see the staging that had previously been behind us. They use smoke to create an atmosphere.. it was thicker this time, but never fear, it doesn't cause breathing difficulties. Well, as I explained to my fellow group member, seated beside me, this play is based on the Greek legend. And I recounted as much of it as I could remember, from that production of The Oresteia that I saw at Trafalgar Studios.

This production has the same cast as Morgana. Unlike that play, however, no original character names are used in this - in fact, no names at all. But it is the story of a man who heads off to war, leaving his wife behind, who doesn't understand.. and ends up falling for his cousin. And simmering passions come to a head..

I found this more accessible than Morgana. That was also an excellent production, but Agamemnon forms a more familiar story. Again, the sheer proximity of the performers gives a more intense experience, and the acting is excellent. As a recent reviewer remarked, it's notable how universal these stories are.. in this case, transmuted to the First World War. Highly recommended.. runs until Saturday, on which day tickets are limited.

Afterwards, we stopped by Pizza Express again, and had nibbles and drinks. I was intrigued by their honeycomb dessert.. so naturally had it.. and yes, it is as good as it sounds! Some convivial chat accompanied the nibbles. Home too late to blog, naturally.

Tonight, I had won a free ticket to the Talent Unlimited Showcase, courtesy of a new Meetup group I joined - Kensington Classical Music. The organiser asked several questions, and it seems I was the only one to answer the one that won me the ticket! Well, I was glad to have it. Mind you, for some reason I was sure it was in Cadogan Hall - but no, St. James', Piccadilly. A little further from home, but never mind - I went straight from the office again, and made it just in time. The correct exit from Piccadilly Station was easy to find - Exit 3 (South Piccadilly) is the one you want, and it's directly opposite as you come off the Piccadilly Line.

There was a little confusion at the box office - the group organiser was otherwise engaged, and the box office person knew nothing about me. My name was on the list of people who were supposed to get a ticket, but she asked me whether I'd paid already. Well, no, but.. she gave me the ticket, in a slightly confused manner. And I agreed to pay £1 for the programme.

Took a seat over the side - I subsequently saw the organiser at the other side, but I don't know anyone from this group very well, so just stayed where I was. This was a concert of music students - very talented ones. You know, the baffling ones.. one was just 17, and you do wonder simply that they are so good. We were treated to a fabulous - and quite long - concert, featuring many famous composers, and some not so much. And at the end, a treat not mentioned on the programme - a soprano came on to sing several popular numbers, classical and from musicals. Fabulous stuff - and I got it for free! By the end though, I was hungry and didn't fancy going to the pub with the others, so just slunk home.

Back to Ireland tomorrow for the weekend, and on Monday I'm off to Barcelona! for a U2 concert the next day - they are playing on the 5th too, but I couldn't get a ticket. :-( Mind you, I'm damn lucky to get there - I completely forgot to book the time off work, only realised yesterday, and but for having the Best Boss in the World Ever, I wouldn't be going at all. I fly back on the 7th, and on the 8th I'm off to see People, Places and Things at the National. Good job I booked early - apparently they're completely sold out now. The London Dramatic Arts group is off there on Saturday, so we can compare notes! On the 9th, I'm back to Barcelona for another couple of U2 concerts..

On Monday 12th, I'm back with the Crick Crack Storytelling Club, in the Soho Theatre again, for an interesting-sounding evening called The Heart of a Hero, apparently with an Egyptian storyteller. And the following day, I'm back with the World Music Meetup, for Varlden's Band, in Rich Mix. Long time no see this group!