Play: Measure for Measure

Last night, the RSC's production of Measure for Measure, at the Barbican. Set in decadent 1900s Vienna. Much less far to walk - and I'm lovely and close in the new office! (Ironically, at lunchtime yesterday I got a ticket offer for this from my new cheap ticket outlet - let's call them CT.) Naturally, I made it in time - and was inconveniently sent around the other side, to "theatre right". Which isn't nearly as convenient, as the entrance is less obvious - you have to go downstairs! Well, once in, I had to climb more stairs to the Upper Circle.. except there was a lady at the foot of the stairs, brandishing a pile of tickets, and upgrading the lady who'd come in ahead of me! Ooh, I said, is there one for me? Of course! she said - so we both ended up headed downstairs, where we were sat in the rear stalls:

I then noticed that half the row was empty.. so over I went to the middle! She didn't bother - up to her. A lot of empty seats last night in general, obviously.

The setting is a good idea - it fits the play and the language quite well. The story concerns a Duke who's taking a few days off, and leaves his virtuous deputy in charge. Next thing we know, however, he's laying down the law, closing the brothels and imprisoning the workers there. And he's sentenced a young man to death for getting a woman pregnant, outside of wedlock! Things take a turn for the worse when his sister, a novice nun, pleads clemency, and he promises to spare her brother's life.. if she will sleep with him! Well now.

Can't say I liked it that much. The Duke, mind you, is excellent - with a nice comic touch, disturbed from his few days' respite to discover that his deputy isn't all that he hoped. And the acting, in general, is spot on - as you'd expect from the RSC. I liked the staging, with a projected backdrop that tells you exactly where each scene is set. But.. it's a bit dry. In particular, the novice just annoyed me - I know she's fighting for her chastity, but honestly, she just comes across as shrill and preachy. And how the duke ends up wanting to marry her (SPOILER!) is, frankly, beyond me. I'd run a mile myself. Anyway, runs till next Thursday.

It ran too late last night to blog. For today, I decided on film - and joint top of the list were Le Mans '66 (aka Ford v Ferrari) and Little Women. Not being a motor racing fan (although the film is supposed to be good), I decided on Little Women - I did love the book, and reports of the film are excellent. It's the story of a family of sisters growing up in rural Massachusetts in the Civil War era.

• Nominated for a Golden Globe for her performance (although she didn't get it), Saoirse Ronan plays Jo, the literary sister, who's now writing a book about them all. 
• Emma Watson is Meg, the eldest, who follows the most conventional path of being a wife and mother. 
• Florence Pugh, last seen in Midsommar, plays Amy, the youngest, who becomes an artist. 
• Laura Dern plays the mother. 
• Timothée Chalamet plays the boy next door, who falls in love with Amy. 
• James Norton is Meg's future husband.
• Meryl Streep is the rich aunt who funds Amy's artistic ambitions.

So, a star-studded cast, and what should be an excellent production. Showing in two screens in the Barbican, the early showing was moved to Screen 1 when it started to book heavily, and that's the one I'm going to. Finally booked my ticket just today, when it showed as over half booked.

Best thing coming up for tomorrow was with CT - I'm headed to Soho Cinders, a gay, musical take on Cinderella, playing at the Charing Cross Theatre. Should be fun. Only thing is, booking things with CT is so stressful - all the dire warnings about all the things that can get you permanently banned from the club! Thou shalt not cancel without at least three hours' notice.. thou shalt not cancel any of thy first six bookings.. (no exceptions).. thou shalt not be a no-show (we check!).. thou shalt book something at least every three months.. honestly, it sounds as though, if you do anything wrong, they come around and beat you up!

Ivan wants to meet on Saturday - but he's not sure he can make it, in which case I'll be thinking of film. Watch this space.

And on Sunday, back with CT - this one booked before tomorrow's, to make the three-month rule. I'm going to the Clapham Comedy Club at the Bread & Roses. Crumbs, it's ages since I've been there!

Stratford Upon Avon

On Saturday, a group called Get Out of London was off to Stratford-upon-Avon. Ooh, I thought, that sounds nice - but they were leaving ridiculously early, and coming back the same evening. It being a Saturday, I thought it'd be much nicer to head off at a more civilised hour and stay the night! So that's what I did. Booked a nice, cheap advance train ticket and a night at the Doubletree by Hilton - and because I booked with Expedia, I got a nice discount, on account of all those U2 trips I've been booking with them lately! It's very near the station, which would be convenient. Handily enough, my guide book to England didn't get thrown out in the recent move - and reading it, I might have missed a trick; seems the Shakespeare Hotel is an olde-fashioned type of establishment, and might have been nice. Never mind, it might just be noisy. Only thing is, I just last Monday got a delivery slip for a missed delivery, which I had to pick up at the sorting office - which isn't close to me! And the only real window I had to pick that up - was on Saturday morning. And let's not forget the cycle ride through London this past weekend, which meant a lot of central roads were closed, so I needed to take the Tube. Just as well I didn't book too early a train - for that price, I had to take a specific one!

Of course, I'd been busy booking other things too - such as a "full-story" ticket to all the five houses associated with Shakespeare (much better value than individual tickets: I was to pick it up when I got there - valid for a year); a couple of them are a bit far-flung, but the hop-on, hop-off city sightseeing bus covers them all. So I booked a 24-hour ticket for that too - cheaper on that website. (Valid for three months after booking, and for 24 hours after first use. Cancellable up to 48 hours beforehand. But I had to get a co-worker to print the ticket for me - they only accept paper confirmations! and I still can't get the office printer to work.) And, of course - considering what I'm like - I booked myself into an RSC production on Saturday night, at the Swan. It's not Shakespeare, but it is a period play; Venice Preserved is a Restoration thriller.

Saturday morning was fun. I needed to get the Tube for the sake of going to the sorting office, but had I just been going to the station, I'd probably have managed by bus - the bus there skirts the centre. Well, off I went - and was besieged by bicycles the whole way, from when I was heading to the Tube to the time I got off:

More photos here. Funnily enough, I almost missed the sorting office, being distracted by adjacent road works..

The package? An Amazon gift voucher, a reward for completing a Work. Shop. Play. survey, so long ago that I'd completely forgotten about it. Ironically, I'd considered heading straight to the station from there - but had had no idea of the size of package I'd be collecting, or whether it'd be feasible to take it with me. In the event, I could've, but never mind. Now I had to rush home, pack, and rush out again - and it's a good thing I double-checked the station, because somehow I'd gotten the idea that I was leaving from Euston - no I wasn't, it was from Marylebone, and happily, I got the Tube right there. Made it with five minutes to spare, collapsed on a seat (not too crowded, on a Saturday), and brunch was a bar of chocolate..

As usual on trains, the WiFi on Chiltern Railways was shit. Anyway, I changed at Leamington Spa.. I'm spoiled with LED displays, so was a bit flummoxed when they had none here! So I had to, you know, use common sense.. figured I'd have to change platforms. So I went to the passage underneath the platforms - and they had a sign that explained that trains to Stratford leave from Platform 4. Sure enough, a pretty basic one was waiting there - and in due course, off we went, along tracks overgrown with hedgerows. A bucolic idyll could be glimpsed in the gaps, with tidy-looking sheep dotted evenly around fields that bordered country churches. And the sun was shining.

Arriving in Stratford Station, I wandered next door to check in - they give you a warm, double chocolate cookie! (with nuts). Strangely, a note had been appended to my booking to say that I required an accessible room - once we'd established that I didn't, she just gave me a different one, so I could check in a little early. Oh my, they have comfortable seats.. but I was there for a purpose, and when I'd freshened up, I headed off.

Shakespeare's Birth House was the closest - at about five minutes' walk - so I said I'd better head there first, get my ticket sorted. And let me tell you, it's worth a look! Shakespeare lite.. you can take a seat and watch a 15-minute film that gives you a flavour of the popularity of Shakespeare's works, and the commonness of the phrases he used. (In fact, if you have a non-English-speaking group, you can book a room for a private, translated version of this!) And when you're done with the exhibit, you mosey out the back, to the house itself (watch your head on the low beams, as in all these houses):

I skipped New Place, where no house is visible any more - wasn't in the mood to look at the garden. And as I strolled the streets of the town, I had to marvel at the sheer number of Tudor buildings - to come here, you really need to enjoy the period! Anyway, I stopped briefly into the school where Shakespeare studied - and then stepped quickly out again, as I was clearly the only customer, and it looks highly interactive! Not part of the Shakespeare Trust, they looked a bit anxious for custom - probably a good thing if you have kids to entertain, and had I been with a group, I'd have been happier to go in.

Instead, I continued to Hall's Croft, home of Shakespeare's elder daughter - her husband was a doctor, but they also benefited from Shakespeare's income, and the building is substantial:

And now I was hungry - but it wasn't yet 5pm, and wouldn't you know, a lot of places don't open till 5. So Ask Italian, which was open, won the day. Service a bit erratic, but I didn't mind - I was killing time until the play.

After dinner, I headed straight there - it had taken so long to be served that that was the wisest option. And gee, I'd been upgraded - from the upper gallery to the front stalls!

The acting was as marvellous as you'd expect from the RSC - and the production spectacular, staged in 1980s style dress, with power dressing for the ladies (padded shoulders and big hair), and Mad Max-style revolutionaries, looking very menacing. Terrific soundtracks, plenty of laser effects. Jaw-droppingly arresting. The story is a bit naff - a corrupt senate: the son-in-law of one senator, shunned for having "stolen" his beloved daughter, joins the rebellion against the senate, then tries to switch sides when his revolutionary pals prove not reliable. Doesn't end well. But by 'eck, it's entertaining! Runs till the 7th of next month. Highly recommended.

Yesterday - after a lovely night's sleep - I woke late, and not feeling hungry just yet (I never pay for hotel breakfasts, they're not generally worth it), I took the bus from the nearby stop out to Anne Hathaway's Cottage (she was Shakespeare's wife). A beautiful day for it - and a beautiful setting - the American-sounding lady in front of me absolutely gushed about everything (the sheep, the thatched roof..). Large gardens are laid out with treasure trails for the kiddies - a great idea. And there's a sculpture park - featuring, of course, images from Shakespeare's works.

The final Shakespeare house to visit was Mary Arden's farm (his mother). A semi-proper farm, with petting zoo, this MUST NOT be missed! At seven miles from the town, you might be dubious - no, it's worth the small effort of hopping on the sightseeing bus. The interactive re-enactments are worth the entire trip to Stratford - and we arrived just in time for lunch. Highly recommended - find the building where it's on, and you can chat to the actors while they prepare their lunch..

..then follow them through to the dining room. While they're eating their lunch, they'll happily answer any and all questions! Quite the best of this kind of exhibition I've seen.

I was absolutely delighted with the whole thing. Not so much with the selection at the cafes though - I was hungry by this stage (especially after watching the actors eat their lunch!). To be fair, the cafes were packed, seating was at a premium, and such food as they had was quickly snapped up. Not that they go in for main meals, out here. So I hopped the bus back into town, where I thought The Encore pub looked like a decent eating option. They were doing Sunday roasts - and yes, it was an excellent choice! Gorgeous food and good wine - I had the roast chicken, and it was as succulent as you could wish, with a scrumptious red wine jus. Mind you, when I read "chicken with stuffing wrapped in bacon" on a menu, I tend to think that the chicken is stuffed and wrapped in bacon - not what I got, which was chicken, with a little roll of stuffing to the side, which was wrapped in a sliver of bacon.. Anyway, I had onion rings and fries with it, and all were gorgeous! Highly recommended. Mind you, the slow service was in evidence here as well - I was lucky to be sat beside the serving station, where I could get my own cutlery and napkin: and although a waiter specifically agreed to fetch me another glass of wine, of course I ended up getting it myself. Not to mention that all the bar staff vanished as soon as I went up to order it..

For dessert, I fancied something a bit tastier than what was on the menu (which I took from the bar, myself). So I said, you know what, McDonald's - if nothing else - does decent desserts: nothing fancy, but very tasty. And I'd get served faster. There was one just up the street - inside, it turns out, they have machines where you can order and prepay! Very handy, and a much easier way to see what's available. I discovered that they now do ice cream cones, so I ordered one - and indeed, it was delicious. Unfortunately, it was also the runniest ice cream I've ever had - started melting, all over, almost straight away! So I ended up with very sticky hands. They need to improve the formula, methinks.

Well, now I needed to kill a few more hours - I'd booked the last train back to London. It was nearly five, so the Shakespeare houses would soon be closing, even if I'd felt like going back to them - and the sightseeing bus had done its last run of the day. Checking online, I saw that boat trips were still running - the pier was just as the end of the road, so I mooched around there for a bit. One did dock at the end of a sightseeing run - the pilot explained that they needed a minimum number to take it out again, but I could sit onboard while we saw whether others showed up. Two did - but it just wasn't enough. Still, we appreciated the chance to sit down for a bit!

Meandering slowly back, I passed something I hadn't noticed before - the Tudor World Museum was about to close, and not letting in customers. But they were advertising a ghost tour at 6.. it was now 5.15. Ok then. First, I cheekily grabbed the loo in a nearby wine bar - promised faithfully to order something after I'd been, then snuck out without doing so. And then I moseyed over to the tour entrance - paid, and took a seat while we waited for all the folks who'd booked online. I was lucky to get a spot, actually - there's a maximum of 16 per tour because of the cramped surrounds in which they do the tour, inside the museum, and we nearly reached that.

The stories were good actually - but there was nothing to see, apart from shadowy, unlit, cramped rooms (we had lanterns to go around with). You couldn't really see the exhibits, in the dark - the point of the tour is just the stories. It's supposed to be the most haunted building in the UK, actually, and the stories were all to do with stuff that's happened there - apparently, a couple of workers have quit as a result of things they've had happen. It's a decent tour - but be ready for a lot of standing around as he goes through the stories, for the first couple of stops; after that, there are places to sit. And most of the tour is stationary, listening to stories - after all, he does take over an hour to get through the building! But it was interesting.

And so I repaired, at last - and exhausted, after all that standing - to the hotel, for a cold drink and to charge my phone a bit. A good choice to head there, given that the station itself is under renovation, and doesn't have many facilities. Headed to the station about half an hour early for the train - which, handily, was already there, this being the end of the line. Snuggled into a seat at the end of the carriage - the train wasn't very full. The WiFi was now working, for some reason. And as this was a direct train to London, I had a very relaxing journey - dozed most of the way, in fact. And if I snored slightly, there was nobody nearby to hear - so, arguably, it didn't happen.

Took the bus home from the station, this time - a very handy bus, linking all the stations to the north of the city centre. I hadn't been bothered about blogging in Stratford Upon Avon, since I hadn't brought my laptop, and wasn't inclined to tap it out on my phone - and it ran too late last night. But I'll say this - what a delightful, relaxing mini-break! So glad I did it.

Tonight, back with Up in the Cheap Seats (UITCS) for Pilgrims, at the Orange Tree Theatre.

Tomorrow, I'm off to the Bunker..  they have a program of plays by black writers, called This is Black, and that day, I'm seeing Double Bill 2 (they run on alternate days).

On Wednesday, London Literary Walks has a walk called Moby Dick (ahoy!). It's around Greenland Dock.

On Thursday, I'm at a UITCS double bill at the Orange Tree! The Mikvah Project and Eight Gigabytes of Hardcore Pornography! (ahem..) Then I'm back to Ireland for the weekend again.

Next Monday, I booked for This is Black, Double Bill 1. But gee, Civilised London (CL) just advertised another night at Wilton's - featuring, on this occasion, the Lucky Dog Jazz Trio. Now, that'll be a blast! So I'm going to that, instead.

On the 13th, back with Anthony's Cultural Events and Walking Activities Group - they're at a free outdoor concert in Canada Square Park, called the Magic of the Movies. Again, I'll be watching the weather.

Now, UITCS is at Matthew Bourne's Romeo and Juliet the same night, at Sadler's Wells - and I was gutted not to get a ticket. But guess what - I got one for the next night! Last seat in the house, in fact.. love Matthew Bourne.

On the 15th, back with The Embers Collective, who are performing Full Moon Stories at Cafe Cairo.

On the 16th, I'm back with the Best Authentic Walking Tours in London (aka Funzing) - for the Sex, Drugs, Sausage Rolls Tour. Unusual for me to find a new walk!

On the 17th, going to see The Doctor, with Juliet Stevenson, at the Almeida. Now, I'd originally booked for this for the 15th, forgetting that The Embers Collective were meeting that day. Can happen when I'm booking lots of stuff. When I realised my mistake, I thought I just wouldn't bother with this - then saw that London Dramatic Arts are going on the 17th! So I switched my ticket to that night, and let them know I was coming too. Now, the organiser is selling tickets for this, and doesn't appreciate competition - or anyone advertising another way to get tickets. Which might be why she deleted the comment I left to explain that I'd be there that night too! I haven't had a message from her either - so I suppose she'll be ignoring me, then. Wouldn't be the first time.

On the 18th, going with CL to the Cartoon Museum - with optional dim sum afterwards. Yes please!

On the 19th, I'm finally going to see Evita, at Regent's Park Open Air Theatre. Never have seen it.

On the 20th, with the London European Club at the Globe - we're going to risk The Comedy of Errors.

And on the 21st, I'm seeing Showtune - an evening of Jerry Herman music - at the Union Theatre.

Play: Coriolanus

Tonight, I was at the RSC's MMXVII season at the Barbican, seeing Coriolanus with Up in the Cheap Seats. Just enough time to grab something to eat, and off I scurried to catch the #55, cursing all the way my constant need to rush for things. As it happened, it wasn't me that was late - the bus was fully nine minutes behind schedule, and crammed; I think the one before it hadn't come. Now, as I was only aiming to make it 15 minutes before the show started, this was kind of stress-inducing.. I finally scurried in the door of the Barbican just as they were calling the three-minute warning. Had to go all the way downstairs to the box office.. and queue.. and then she hadn't heard of ShowFilmFirst, with whom I'd booked it. Perhaps I should have mentioned Encore tickets - I now see, on the confirmation, that the ticket was booked through them!

So I just gave her my card and told her to go look, and she eventually found my ticket, my name scribbled on the side. And then it was back upstairs again, and up more stairs to the gallery, where the overhang is so severe that it feels as though you're going to bump your head. Passed a number of people to get to my seat - although the gallery was so empty, we could pretty much sit where we liked, and the people either side of me moved to more central seats shortly after. Somebody later remarked that the sound was better there - perhaps, although I had no problems, in B51.

Yes, that is a big fat security rail in front of me. And you know what? Disappears completely from view if you lean forward a bit. I know one crazy person (crazy for other reasons) who would regard this as a severely restricted view - well tough, some of us are just glad to be in the building, and cheaply! When I didn't feel like leaning, I just craned my head to the side and watched under the rail.

Panting, I settled myself, and was just in time - of course, the warning had lied, and they started about five minutes late, as usual. It's London, it ain't usually easy to get to places on time by public transport.

Modern dress, this production - which some don't like, but I think that it frees the audience's attention to concentrate on the story. Not to mention causing them to draw parallels with modern times. This is the tale - which I wasn't familiar with before, and had to research - of a brilliant Roman general, who scores fabulous victories and has the world at his feet. "Coriolanus" is an honorary title, conferred on him after a great victory. However, his pride, his sense of superiority, his contempt for the common folk, continually proves his undoing. Dunno about you, but that says Theresa May to me..

Beautifully acted, as you would expect from the RSC. Nice costumes too, for the patricians. (The mob were more scruffily dressed, in clothes typical of the high street.) No mics, as usual for the RSC, so a couple of people were more difficult to hear - but I did think that overall, sound quality was fine. As for the show - I was engaged enough, but did pass someone on the way home who was complaining into her phone that it was too long and they should have cut some of the dialogue. She was glad she hadn't paid more than £5. Huh?! Must've been with one of those groups whose names I can't mention. I thought I was doing well at £11..

Tomorrow, I'm with Up in the Cheap Seats again, at the Royal Festival Hall for a "Night Under the Stars" - Russian Soul. No idea why, but I though this was with the London European Club (LEC)! Never mind, still have most of my marbles..

On Wednesday and Thursday, I'm with Up in the Cheap Seats again, which makes four nights in a row with them, as it turns out - Wednesday for Saint George and the Dragon, at the National. Which sounds like fun. Unfortunately, the consensus on Friday between those who had seen it was that the second half is too drawn out. On Thursday, we're off to Everybody's Talking About Jamie, at the Apollo. Then I'm back to Ireland for the weekend. And wouldn't you know it, U2 (the band I worship) are being awarded by MTV on Sunday.. and they're performing a free concert in Trafalgar Square on Saturday. And, as a Westminster resident, I was entitled to two tickets. Well now, blast...

Next Monday, the Crick Crack Club returns to Soho Theatre for an evening called Under the Eyes of Baron Samedi, courtesy of Jan Blake. Delighted to say I persuaded a couple of friends to come along! Hope they enjoy it. Also delighted that the crazy woman isn't coming - despite being a fan of Jan Blake, she couldn't make this.

On the 14th, Up in the Cheap Seats again, and we're off to The Secondary Victim, at the Park Theatre.

On the 15th, I'm finally back with The London Jazz Meetup, to see Ben l' Oncle Soul at Cadogan Hall. Really, I'd go with them much more often, but there's so much else on..!

On the 16th, I'm back at Sadler's Wells with Up in the Cheap Seats, for Hunted Maud Le Pladec / Okwui Okpokwasili.

On the 17th, I'm off to see Young Frankenstein, at the Garrick!

The weekend is Funzing, with Walking in London. On the 18th, A Secret London Tour - I've had my eye on this for a while, it sounds interesting. And on the 19th, I'm finally doing Murder Mile Walk.

On the 20th, I'm off to This Beautiful Future, at the Yard Theatre.

On the 21st, my annual pilgrimage to Cirque Berserk at Winter Wonderland! Whee..

On the 22nd, back with Walking in London, this time with Katie of Look Up London, and her Alternative Christmas Lights Tour. Delighted to give her the business, and it should be fun!

On the 23rd, back with Up in the Cheap Seats - this time at the newly opened Bridge Theatre, for their first show, Young Marx. Delighted to make this - I had booked it for the 20th October, then the Crick Crack Club got in the way, as they often do! The theatre charged me a nominal fee to change it to this date. And then it's back to Ireland for the weekend again.

On the 27th, I'm headed to see Follies at the National - one that London Dramatic Arts (LDAM) went to a while ago, expensively. What with their ticket prices, and other things getting in the way, I really don't know when I'll be with them again..

On the 28th, back with Let's Do This! (LDT) at a place called The Fiddler's Elbow, for a Blues Club & Jam. Be good to see them again!

On the 29th, the Crick Crack Club has their long-awaited 30th birthday party at Rich Mix. Finally advertised by their Meetup group, I see, months after tickets went on sale. A friend is going to this, and Helen is thinking about it. Oh, and the crazy lady is supposed to be going - may she not dare to cross my path! I'm perfectly capable of throwing a drink over her. If the need arises.

On the 30th, LDT is off to.. Saint George and the Dragon! Now, when this was advertised, I remembered having booked it already. Checked, and discovered that was during my week in Stockholm - so I was happy to book it again. Completely forgot, of course, that I was already booked for next week, with Up in the Cheap Seats. No refunds either. Ah well, just hope it's good, considering I've now booked it three times! Then I'm back to Ireland again.

On the 4th of December, I'm finally seeing Heisenberg: the Uncertainty Principle, at Wyndham's Theatre. Another that LDAM saw before I have, and another I rescheduled - this from the 16th October, when I was with Up in the Cheap Seats. Another nominal fee to change. And they posted me physical tickets - how retro!

On the 5th of December, my annual trip to La Soirée! "Posh new venue", as they say - they're now in the Aldwych Theatre. Cheapest tickets at Amazon tickets.

The 6th of December sees our office Christmas party! Mercifully, I've just found out it's not black tie this year - don't have to buy a new outfit, then! It's at Bounce - a pub with ping pong tables, wouldya believe?! We have a private room, with three such tables and a karaoke machine. I foresee a noisy night..!

I can't stay long though - have to be at Stansted at 6 in the morning of the 7th of December, for a trip to Nuremberg Christmas market with LEC! We'll also be doing some travelling in the area. Helen liked the sound of it, and my other friend who's coming to the storytelling is coming too. We'll have a ball! I just bought Lonely Planet's chapter on Bavaria, downloaded it, and have shared it with them - isn't it handy how you can buy individual chapters? Mercifully, although the crazy woman was supposed to go on this, she's pulled out.

Back late on the 10th of December, and on the 11th of December - having taken the day off work (I'll be exhausted) - I'm off to the Barbershop Chronicles. At the National.

On the 12th of December, I've just booked a Funzing talk - Interviews With a Serial Killer, courtesy of London Speaks Sessions and LDN Talks @ Night. For which, with their new loyalty scheme, I earned that £10 credit! Not so shabby..

On the 13th of December, my last visit of the year to Sands Films - not yet advertised on Meetup, although it probably will be, TunedIn London has a concert by Plastikes Karekles, a Greek group.

On the 14th of December, my friends who are off to Soho next Monday are headed to Wilton's Music Hall, for something called The Box of Delights. And for once, I'm letting them decide for me, and am going myself too.

And on the 15th of December, my final trip of the year to the Crick Crack Club - Jan Blake is performing Masters of Hex at the British Library. Along with Ben Haggerty and TUUP. Same friend going with me as on the 29th of November, and Helen too - and the same lunatic. Well, after the nasty things she had to say about me, I'll be surprised if she dares to approach me at all.

Next day, I'm back to Ireland for Christmas. Farewell 2017 - it's been good! Roll on 2018, and the next U2 tour..

Play: The Tempest

Tonight was 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. Well, several people have recommended it to me - it's about time. We were off to see The Tempest, with Simon Russell Beale, at the Barbican - who, unusually, posted my ticket to me.

The only issue was my phone, which was very busy during the day, with loads of Meetup invitations and messages.. which is great, except that the battery started to give out as the afternoon progressed, and the situation was becoming critical by the time I was thinking of leaving. And I had nothing to charge it with! Well, I engaged battery-saving mode, and off I went - see, there'd have been no problem if I'd been travelling a well-worn route: but, although I've been to the Barbican many times, not from this direction! Always before, I was coming from West London, and it was just too far to take a bus, so I took the Tube: which is easy, with the maps at each station.

This evening, it was the bus - several different options, from several different stops. I chose the 55, from New Oxford Street - and what intriguing little backstreets I was led up to get there! Quite a short bus journey after that, alighting on Clerkenwell Road. Always brings back memories of an ex of mine, who used to live here. Where, to be fair, the architecture looks nothing like the brutalist architecture of the Barbican! I did wonder. Never fear, just turned right up ahead, onto Goswell Road, and after a bit of walking, there was that ugly architecture I know so well. Once I happened on the Tube station, I knew exactly where I was!

A short walk then to the Barbican itself, where I also knew where I was going - although I already had my ticket, the group was meeting at the box office, so down I went. On the way, however, I took a slight detour to the Into the Unknown exhibition, apparently all about sci-fi. Well, I just strolled through the shop - apparently there is a whole exhibit around it: and it would've been fascinating to stay and have a look around, had I not been elsewhere engaged. So off I went.

As I wandered around, slightly early, looking for a group that might be my group, whaddya know but I ran into a member of the Man with the Hat's old groups! So we chin-wagged for a bit, then wondered whether the nearby group mightn't be the one we were in. So we grabbed someone hovering on the edge of it - only to find that she wasn't actually in the group, she was a plus-one! Well, her companion duly appeared, and we chatted away until we decided it was time to head all the way upstairs - we were right in the gallery, the top level. We bought our own tickets, as is common for this group it seems, so were all sat apart, and I didn't see any of them after that. There was no message on the Meetup page as to where we might meet at the interval, or after.

Phew! Quite a few flights, although they were all short, and frankly, after Amsterdam at the weekend, I'm just not entitled to complain. As ever here, my seat was comfortable - and though a safety rail cut across my line of vision, if I leaned forward I had a perfect view: and, being in the very back row as I was, there was nobody behind me, so no problem in doing that!

Now, this was the Royal Shakespeare Company, so you might have the idea that it would be rather po-faced. And to be honest, I never really liked this play, and was dubious about going tonight. Wow, was I wrong! This is a spectacular production.. from the start, where the tempest of the title terrifies the sailors, and we're right there with them. A film playing on a screen at the back, showing lightning, then waves that seem to flood the ship, combines with lighting that swings up and down, most effectively conveying the ship's swaying through the storm. (Warning: contains flashing lights.)

Far from dreading the magical sequences of the rest of the play, as I've always done before, I was eagerly anticipating them tonight. The lead character, Prospero (Simon Russell-Beale, who plays a blinder) is a magician, and the play hinges on his moods. When he's angry, the stage turns a deep red.. quite terrifyingly. And when he conjures demons, they're cleverly displayed. But when he's in a good mood.. why, everything is sweetness and light - the stage is bathed in green, or gold, or maybe flowers: the sprites and dryads sing quite beautifully. Speaking of sprites, the main one - Ariel - starts out as a hologram! And there's quite a beautiful display of shipwrecked sailors sinking to the bottom of the ocean.

It's absolutely enchanting, and I can't recommend it highly enough! Visually stunning - excellently acted, of course. Gasping from the audience was well deserved. I see a lot of things, but this was one of the best I ever have. Runs until the 18th - do go see, if you can at all! I did keep thinking how the Man with the Hat would have loved it.. Damn, we miss him!

Afterwards, my phone battery literally lasted just long enough to tell me the route home. Which was back the way I came - which I eventually found - hang a left, and catch the same bus in the opposite direction. Tomorrow, I'm back to Ireland for the weekend again.

On Monday, back with Let's Do This for a vintage swing jazz evening at Wilton's. Complete with a couple of other ex-Man with the Hat members - apart from the organisers, of course!

On Tuesday - well, a member of Up in the Cheap Seats has obviously got a thing for the Camden Fringe Festival, because he's just advertised a whole host of stuff on there! And I've booked most of it.. Tuesday sees two short plays: Beautiful Little Fools, in The Cockpit, and Borders in a Bedroom, in the Tristan Bates Theatre.

On Wednesday, I had booked free comedy in Greenwich, with Free Comedy Nights in Hammersmith, Wimbledon and Greenwich, and Random London. Then I booked with London Live Comedy and Funzing UK for "Gangster Magic" at The Water Rats. Magic and comedy - sounded interesting. Finally, however, I was saved by London Literary Walks, whose organiser is running a walk that evening on 101 Dalmatians! Honestly, I don't really know what the walk is about - but it has to be better. Mary messaged me about it - for some reason, I didn't get a notification.

Next Thursday, the London European Club is off to a contemporary dance performance called Morphed, at the Royal Festival Hall. It's part of the Nordic Matters festival, apparently.

On the 11th, handily enough, Spooky London Pubs (another new group for me - I think!) are hosting a talk on Conan Doyle and the Mysterious World of Light. Handiest of all, it's in the King and Queen - my local! Why, I pass it every day..

And on the 12th, I'm finally back with London Dramatic Arts, for the opening night of Against, with Ben Whishaw, at the Almeida. I'm in the rear stalls - they also have tickets in the front stalls, for a higher price, of course. They're actually also going to see Apologia, with Stockard Channing and Laura Carmichael, earlier in the day, but for a ridiculous price, so I passed on that.

Play: Henry IV Part I

I've never seen Henry IV Part I before - or Part II, for that matter. Some of the advertising for this production has it as the greatest of Shakespeare's plays. Well, I do like a good Shakespeare - so I booked. One of the cheapest seats in the house - but a decent one, centre of the front row. Of the gallery, the very top level.

It's been a terrible evening, weatherwise - pouring rain - and if I hadn't booked I wouldn't have ventured out tonight. And it all the way across town as well, in the Barbican! Google Maps gave me two options, basically - District Line to Mansion House and walk, or in the other direction to Edgeware Road and take either the Circle or Hammersmith & City Line from there to Barbican Station. Well, with the weather, I fancied a shorter walk - so the latter was the option I chose.

I really thought I was going to be late. Infuriating delays on the District Line were followed by several lengthy pauses as we made our way on the Circle Line. The driver apologised several times, saying they were trying to match up with the timetable. Or something.. Anyway, we pulled into Barbican Station 10 mins before the performance was due to start. Now, this is the closest station to the Barbican - but it's not quite across the road. Still, all you have to do is cross the road and walk down the covered street ahead - a relief, given that it was still raining. Then cross that street and it's around the corner on your right.

I set a blistering pace, and halved Google's estimate of the walking time. So I arrived with a whole 5 minutes to spare. And o, was I glad I had a Print at Home ticket - and may they issue many more of them! This is a horrendously complicated building, but it turned out that the entrance I needed was the very first one inside the building proper! What a joy not to have to climb down two flights of stairs to the box office, then up again to get back there. Instead, I just showed my printed ticket to the usher, who directed me up a couple of flights of stairs, and to the other usher at the top of them, who directed me to the door. And then I had to squeeze past half of a very long row - there are no aisles in the middle - to get to my seat. And it is a bit of a squeeze!

I keep forgetting the rail that blocks your vision in this row. It's not too bad - you get used to it - but really, they should mark it as a "restricted view" row. And with the dim lighting, it was impossible to see seat numbers - I kept having to ask people. It was a relief to sit down, finally. Seats are comfy, at least, and the legroom is ok - principally because there's enough room to either side to turn your legs slightly.

You can always expect excellence from the RSC, and they didn't disappoint. Right from the start, the staging is magnificent - lighting on the floor reminiscent of the stained glass rose window of a cathedral, and a giant crucifix hanging at the back. Simple and striking. Candles are lowered in glass beakers, and monks appear, also bearing candles, and standing in a circle around the lighted floor. Finally, we see a hooded man, prostrate in the midst of the "reflections" on the floor. This is the king, and this is how we find out he's a religious man.

What unfolds over the next three hours or so (including interval) is worthy of any tale of fantasy. They do say that Game of Thrones is based on mediaeval history - well, they'd lap this up. The king's son and heir, Prince Hal, spends his time drinking, carousing, womanising. The king despairs of him - particularly with his enemies massing against him, including a young man, a ferocious warrior that the king wishes were his - another Henry: "Hotspur", for his hot temper. (Actually, in real life, he was slightly older than the king. But why let the truth get in the way of a good story?)

So, Hotspur allies with his brother-in-law, Mortimer, who's just shown where his allegiance lies by marrying the daughter of the Welsh rebel, Owen Glendower. Mortimer was never really a fan of the king's anyway, as the previous king, Richard, had apparently named him heir, and not the man who now holds the title. (Actually, in real life, his nephew was the heir. But anyway.) Now, as the rebels gain power, the king summons his errant son. Will he step up to defend his birthright?

It's a classic tale, beautifully told, with musical accompaniment of the period. Particularly moving is the scene, apparently in Glendower's court, where the rebels debate their plans. You can tell it's the Welsh court, because a Welsh harp stands beside a chair. And sure enough, before they're done, a lady picks up that harp and strums an air, as Glendower's daughter sings in Welsh. The lighting is low, the room illuminated by open flames, and the effect is spine-tingling - with a crude map of England and Wales on the floor, you feel the reality of this, the last real fight for the independence of Wales.

The most popular character has to be Hal's drinking buddy, the irrepressible Falstaff, brilliantly portrayed. Yes, this is a must-see production if you're into Shakespeare. Both plays run until the 24th, with matinees and evening performances for Part I on different days (except Sunday & Tuesday), and Part II showing in the evenings only, on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. But next Saturday and the following Thursday are sold out. Highly recommended, booking advisable.

On my way back, the rain was even heavier, but at least the Tube was behaving itself. On the District Line, I shared my carriage with a sizeable group of American college students, who had been to the play on what looked like a field trip, and were accompanied by their professor - the only one who seemed to have bought a programme. They all got off at my station - I guess they're staying in a nearby hotel, there are a few - and duly blocked one of the two exit gates when someone got her bag caught in it. To be fair, you have to be quick!

Well, bedtime for me - Helen and I are off to Orfeo at the Roundhouse tomorrow. It's the opening night, and the Royal Opera House, who are collaborating in this production, are sold out - although last I looked, limited tickets were available on the Roundhouse website. Anyhoo, the restaurant at the venue is booked out, so we reserved a table at Nando's, down the road, for before the show.

Wednesday: a gig at the Lexington, near King's Cross. They're running a week-long event - The Line of Best Fit - to showcase up-and-coming acts. Particularly interested in Jagaara.

Thursday: The Magic Hour. A Victorian-style magic show, with spirit messages and everything. I like the look of the venue too - the Grand Royale, a glorious old Victorian hotel near Hyde Park.

After I get back from Ireland, on Monday, I've booked to go to a play in the only theatre within walking distance of me - the Finborough. The play is called Pig Girl, and the theatre is so small that it's always advisable to book.