Concert: RCM Brass Ensemble

Tonight, back with CT for a concert by the Royal College of Music Brass Ensemble, at the college on Shelton Street. Well.. I swear, that's what they said. Except when I checked today, wondering where my ticket was - the venue was listed as being at the main RCM building! Completely different location - just as well I checked. Anyway, checking the booking confirmation, I saw that I was supposed to get my ticket from the official box office today. I contacted CT to let them know I hadn't - and of course, they replied to me to explain that the venue wouldn't send the ticket until 1-2 hours before the performance, and if it still didn't come, to go to the box office with my confirmation, and explain. And of course, within a minute of that reply, my ticket arrived by another email from the RCM..

I could get a combination of buses. Which was fine, apart from the typically awful traffic on Hyde Park Corner - and a dreadful situation with roadworks on Knightsbridge! Gawd, what an awful part of town. TFL actually warns of atrocious delays. Which, again, was fine - except I'd wanted to get something to eat. Well, things didn't really work out like that - the environs of the RCM aren't flush with eateries, and by the time I found what I wanted, it was too late to get anything decent - and there was nowhere for a quick bite. Every damn place had table service. Ah well..

(That last photo is of WWII bomb damage to the exterior of the V & A, which they've left in remembrance. Preceding - the Albert Hall and the RCM.)

I gave up in the end and made for the RCM, arriving roughly half an hour before the concert was to start. And lo.. I'd been here before, and forgotten! Well, the last time was over six years ago..

Well, and they have a cafe, which was still open. I should just have come there in the first place. Had a v nice brownie and a rather insipid wine in their v nice outdoor courtyard - I was glad I'd taken the guy's advice to get the wine in plastic, because I hadn't it half drunk when the bell rang for the concert. And - with the place maybe 1/3 full - I had been given an excellent seat! Not quite front row centre - it was actually second row, a couple off from the centre:

It was sweet to watch the students perform - some were so obviously self-conscious about being in front of an audience! And wow, what a palaver is involved in playing brass - such an array of plugs ranged in front of each performer, to be inserted and removed according to how muffled they want their instrument to sound. (Great big one, looking slightly bashed, for the tuba.) Not to mention the French horn players, constantly dismantling their instruments to shake out the spittle that had accumulated in the pipes..

As to the programme, I didn't recognise most - although a couple of pieces sounded somewhat discordant to me. But you do expect some musical shocks with brass. The most familiar to me, in tone, was the Piazzola - I used to go to so many Concertante concerts, all of which featured him! Anyway, it was lovely to get to a classical concert again - I really don't go enough.

Tomorrow, back with Guided Walking Tours in Brighton and Sussex, for The London Necropolis Virtual Tour. I pointed out to him that the registration link had the wrong date, and he said it was outdated, and he'd replace it and send me the new link - well, he's removed it, but no new link yet. A few of us have complained.

And then - you guessed it, I'm back to Ireland for the weekend again! I'll finally get to see Elvis - in the Omniplex this time, as it's no longer showing in the early afternoon in Ennis. Directed by Baz Luhrmann, and apparently as flamboyant as you'd expect from him, according to a glowing recommendation by someone I know who's just seen it! This is the story of Elvis (of course, there could only be one), played - apparently most realistically - by Austin Butler, with Tom Hanks as his manager, Col. Tom Parker, and Olivia DeJonge as his wife, Priscilla.

On Monday, I'm going to Favour, at the Bush Theatre - after much effort, as their website wasn't working for days! In fact, it seems to go down sporadically. I chose an unreserved seat, will be allocated one on the day. Anyway, I see TAC has now started selling tickets for this - gee, might be not only the cheapest, but the easiest way to book! Now only available for next Wednesday. Wow, was only there once before, 3.5 years ago..

On Tuesday, I booked for The Southbury Child, at the Bridge Theatre. But then I noticed that Up in the Cheap Seats (UITCS) is going, later in the week - so switched my ticket to that night. The theatre is most obliging, that way, and gave me the seat next to the one I'd originally booked. Which leaves me free to go to a film on Tuesday. Well, I just checked the film list - and I see I'm falling foul of the curse of the summer, where I run out of high-rated films. Had I not booked for Elvis on Saturday, it'd have been that. Not only that, but what was left at the top of the list didn't appeal - until I got down to Thor: Love and Thunder.

Stars Chris Hemsworth in the title role, with, jeez - Natalie Portman as his ex-girlfriend: Christian Bale heavily made-up as the villain: Tessa Thompson as a valkyrie, as in Thor: Ragnarok - although I think in this one she's been promoted: the voice of Taika Waititi as an old god (he also directs and co-writes): Russell Crowe as Zeus: Chris Pratt as a star lord (no, me either): Dave Bautista as a kind of sympathetic mercenary (sorry, I just don't follow this stuff in general!): the voices of Vin Diesel (as a talking tree) and Bradley Cooper (as his raccoon sidekick): Ben Falcone as the Asgardian stage manager (!): Simon Russell Beale as Dionysus (way!): Tristan (Thor as a kid) and Sasha Hemsworth (an Asgardian kid) - Chris' twin sons: Matt Damon (uncredited) as an actor recreating Loki's part in Thor - Ragnarok: Luke Hemsworth (yes, Chris' brother) (uncredited) as an actor recreating Thor in Thor - Ragnarok (how appropriate!): Melissa McCarthy (uncredited) as an actor playing Loki's daughter: and Sam Neill (uncredited) as an actor playing Odin. Gee, you think they all really wanted to get involved..?!

Anyway. I loved Thor: Ragnarok, which is hilarious.. this isn't, apparently, as good, but as I say, top of the list of what's left! and stands on its own merit, I hear. Closest to me is in the Everyman King's Cross. Wow, never heard of it! A bit pricey, I see.. ah well.

Next Wednesday, back with Civilised London for dinner - this time at The Crown itself, where we usually meet for drinks before heading somewhere else for dinner. Excellent choice. Which marks the beginning of a whole spate of Meetups in a row! When's the last time that happened..?

On the 14th, I had booked with The Garden Talks - this online talk is How Do Languages Evolve? But as I say, have now backed out of that, and am headed instead to see The Southbury Child with UITCS.

On the 15th, back with the London Classical Music and Theatre Group for the opera Otello, at the Royal Opera House.

On the 16th, which is a Saturday, I had booked with Discover London (DL) for a trip to see a cart making ceremony. Just today, I saw a new ad from UITCS - sounded good, 9 Circles - a psychological thriller that examines the ethics of war - at the Park Theatre, with lunch beforehand in Palmyra's Kitchen, next door.  And of course Eleanor, organiser of TunedIn London, advertised a concert through the World Music Meetup, for that evening, at City Hope Church. So now I'm going to all three! Should be able to squeeze them in, although I won't be able to join DL for drinks after if I'm heading for lunch..

On Sunday the 17th, back with Bucket List London - this time, it's a trip to Sandown Antiques Market. Well, I've never been to Sandown, so this could be interesting.

On the 18th, back with North London Friends! for the first time since before lockdown. This is for an Edinburgh Comedy Festival preview, at the King's Head in Crouch End, featuring Lucy Porter and Rachel Fairburn.

On the 19th.. I'm taking a punt that I won't actually be employed that day, and have signed up again - at last - for a walk with Laurence and the 45+ Not Grumpy Old Londoners. This is The Magic of Midtown - and as I said to him, it finishes very near my new home! I also promised to let him know if I can't actually make it - although, even if I have started work by then (which would be surprising), perhaps I could take a day off.

On the 20th, I finish my Meetup run with a trip with UITCS to Leicester Square Theatre to see Frankie Boyle, who has a work in progress show.

On the 21st, I'm thinking of heading - at last - to Summer by the River at More London. This is for a free evening of music, curated by Soho Radio. Then I'm back to Ireland for the weekend.

On the 25th, I'm headed to see The Throne, a comedy about to open at Charing Cross Theatre, in which the Queen gets locked in a portaloo with a staunch republican. Time Out has an offer of £10 tickets for the cheapest seats for this - a saving of more than 50%!

On the 26th - tan-ta-ra! I finally managed to get a decently priced ticket to Jerusalem, at the Apollo. I have heard so much about this, and it's always at the top of the Time Out listings - nearly as hard as Hamilton to get a reasonably priced ticket for, so I'm delighted to get one, if only not to have to look any more.

On the 27th, back to Summer by the River again.. for Bumper Blyton: Improvised Adventures for Grown-Ups! Improvised comedy in the style of Enid Blyton books.. sounds jolly good!

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

And on the 29th, thinking about the National Theatre's River Stage 2022. This will be the first night of the Hackney Empire's Young Producers Weekend, and there'll be some dance and some music.

Concert: Orchestral Masterworks

Today was one of those TBD days. I had RSVPed in the affirmative for a comedy show with London Live Comedy - but I don't know anyone in it, and it was all the way over in King's Cross. Well, I hadn't had to pay - so that was changeable. I thought I might go to a film, but nothing was jumping out at me. And then Kensington Classical Music advertised a concert in the Royal College of Music - not only was it close, but they were playing Prokofiev and - more importantly - Finlandia, which I love. Right then..

Now, I say they advertised it - that doesn't mean I went with them. For this event, they charged £2.50 over and above the more expensive ticket price - they were open about it, explaining that there was a £2.50 Meetup fee. Well, they are, of course, entitled to charge what they like - but frankly, it wasn't worth it to me. So I booked direct with the college, and determined to avoid them - got a Print at Home ticket so I wouldn't have to go to the box office.

Last time I did this, I ran right into the organiser after the concert. I hoped to have better luck this time.. Now, I knew I'd be getting a bus, but the funny thing about Google Maps - although they're very useful - is that the bus directions aren't always perfect. They told me I could get the 345 from the stop just up the road, or the 49 from further up.. rubbish, they both stop at the same stop. And as for having to get off the 49 at South Kensington.. I could get off closer to the college, at Queen's Gate Terrace.

As it happened, the first along was the 345, which I took. It was a lovely, sunny evening as we crossed into what I always call leafy West London, and travelled along streets that used to be more familiar to me than they are now. We were supposed to travel as far as the Natural History Museum - but sometimes buses terminate early, and this one did so at South Kensington. Never mind - I could see the museum over the rooftops, so knew where I was going, and had in mind that the later I arrived, the better - so that organiser wouldn't see me.

It was an easy walk - the college is around the back of the museum though, and it takes a while to walk around its bulk. Turn right onto Prince Consort Road, and it's on the right - the red building. By the time I got there, the audience had already gone in - an usher took me to the remaining open door, and I hurried to my seat as the orchestra was tuning up. We could hear the odd strain of piano playing in the distance - occupational hazard of a music college. Took me a while to spot the organiser, who was sat near the front, pretty much straight ahead of me. From the free programme I'd been given on the way in, I saw there was no interval - perfect! No extra chances to meet the group - and being in the very last row, near the door, I could make a fast getaway.

My view was fine, by the way - it's not a huge hall. And what excellent value these concerts are, for £5 (most seats). The running order was different to what was on the concert website - we started with the modern, award-winning piece - sorry, but unsurprisingly, I hated it. A 10-minute jangle of noise - I noticed one woman with her fingers in her ears. Why, oh why, are the modern pieces always so horrible..? It did occur to me to marvel that I'll accept one piece I don't like in a classical concert, but not one comedian I don't like in a comedy line-up.. but it is more annoying to be pissed off and have people laughing around you. If there was anyone there tonight who enjoyed the first piece, they kept it to themselves.

Prokofiev's First Violin Concerto was played by a soloist in a striking, scarlet evening dress, and was such a lovely change from the first piece. But Finlandia was, of course, my highlight - I love a bit of drama, and this piece nearly blew the roof off! It was over all too soon, and I beat a hasty retreat, and was one of the first to leave. The group were headed to a hotel - I didn't know which, but I figured it was in the opposite direction I was headed in, to catch the 49 - that stop was closer.

I had my phone on in case I needed directions, but it was quite easy - back along Prince Consort Road, left, first right onto Queen's Gate Terrace, left at the end. It wasn't long before a bus appeared - whose driver seemed to be in a hurry; it was positively dangerous to get up to leave the bus. But in due course I was deposited, safe and sound, at home.

Back to Ireland tomorrow.. but next week is all about Meetups! I was a bit lost for something to do on Monday - and then, pretty last-minute, London Speaks Sessions announced a talk - Where's Dean? 1 Man, 196 Countries, His Mission. Eh - and another, at the same time, in the same square, if not quite the same address: Life Without Rent: The Secrets of a Digital Nomad. They both link to the same Funzing page, so I figure it's the same thing - what the hey, the story of a man whose mission is to travel to all these countries is a story I wanna hear. I'm already loving his Facebook page.. So I've booked, and I'll believe Funzing's version of the address. I'm probably not going to make it much in advance anyway, so may not meet the group at all - I'll be in Guildford that day. Hey, Monday is becoming something of a day for talks, eh?!

On Tuesday, I'd booked to go to a talk again - and then the World Music Meetup stepped up with a free Spanish guitar concert! Aw man - you couldn't get better for me! There are some things that I love with a passion, and Spanish guitar is on that list. About two seconds' hesitation - what the hey, it is free. And although I'll be in Guildford again.. and it's in Shoreditch again.. it's on late, so I should be ok.

On Wednesday, I'm back with the Man with the Hat, who's taking Let's Do London - for less! to (ahem) The Toxic Avenger, in Southwark Playhouse. I predict another interesting night - no crystal ball required for that.

On Thursday, I'm back with London Dramatic Arts, for The Flick, at the Dorfman (in the National). Oh, and on Friday, they're off to Lawrence After Arabia, in Hampstead Theatre - I got cheaper from the theatre itself, so I'm going separately. They don't like that, but I have a seat upstairs, so it should be possible to avoid them - and, of course, having banned me from linking to this blog on their website, they're less likely to read the blog and find out what I'm doing..

Concert: Tchaikovsky's Rococo Variations conducted by Peter Stark

I actually had different plans for tonight - but nothing I couldn't get out of. So when the organiser of Kensington Classical Music very kindly contacted me to say she'd like to offer me a ticket as her guest to this concert, I was delighted to accept!

We went for a drink after work - but only the one, and I was able to head to the venue in good time: important for anything near the Albert Hall, which always takes longer than you'd think to get to. This, mind you, was across the road - in the Royal College of Music. Now, that's evocative for me, as I used to do RCM exams when I was a kid! Never been there before in person, though.

For once on the approach, I was relaxed. I strolled onto Prince Consort Road - knew my way that far, at least. However, I've always before turned off to go to the Albert Hall; this time, for the first time ever, I continued straight along the road. I knew from the ever-useful Google Maps that the first, grey stone building was a constituent college of Imperial College - the next, red-and-white striped building, was the College of Music. Just opposite the entrance was what must be the most spectacular approach to the Albert Hall, up a broad flight of steps - for the sake of this, and the elegant lobby of the College of Music, with its portrait trio of royalty overlooking the entrances to the auditorium, I was devastated that my phone battery was dead, so I couldn't take pictures..

I was quite early for the concert - although a bit late for the preceding talk - and easily found our organiser in the lobby, a couple of people having got there before me. In due course, the lobby filled up, and our group also swelled in number. This was actually a joint Meetup; the organiser of Kensington Classical Music is also a member of the London European Club, where she had advertised this as well. At about 7, they kicked the attendees out of the talk, so the only place for them to go was back into the lobby - they could, and should, really have opened the doors to us at that point; I was practically crushed, and our group were taking up space in trying to chat to each other. I'm guessing the college wanted to sell more drink, from the rather rough and ready bar down the back of the lobby.

They finally deigned to open the doors and let us in. I had a privileged position in the front row, so marvellous legroom - as someone remarked afterwards, however, we could only see the people at the front of the orchestra, from there. Other members were scattered throughout - but it isn't a large hall, and I doubt any seat was really bad. It was sold out, by the way - they often are, I believe.. and a hopeful-looking returns queue lined up along the wall, in the lobby.

The programme started with some Webern - which was unfortunately exactly the type of music I don't like, all discordant notes. I could quite easily visualise it as the soundtrack for a horror film. Better was to follow, with La Lugubre Gondola - as described in the free programme we were handed on the way in, it features in Marguerite et Armand, a ballet based on La Dame aux Camélias - reason enough for its melodramatic, sweeping score, a harbinger of tragedy..

The promised Tchaikovsky Rococo Variations took us to the interval, featuring the evening's soloist, a young Azeri/Turkish man - Jamal Aliyev - on cello. Apparently, his mother was in the audience, having flown over especially from Turkey for the evening! Well, he didn't disappoint - it was a beautiful performance. (And yes, I was watching for the gestures that so marked Lang Lang's performance, the last time I was with this group! No such shenanigans this evening - although I'd imagine there's less range of motion with a cello.. For the most part, he restricted himself to conspiratorial glances at the first violinist.)

At the interval, our organiser scurried off to get a photo with him - I passed, and stayed where I was. The second half was probably the highlight of the evening for most, consisting of the Nutcracker Suite. Which put everyone in a Christmassy mood.. as promised. And as someone remarked, he was half expecting ballet dancers to sweep on - yes indeed, it's exactly that kind of music! Afterwards, we congregated in the lobby again, until our organiser led us outside. Unfortunately, through a fire exit, setting off the alarm! O well..

A longish - and increasingly cold - walk down Exhibition Road (past an ice rink) brought us to the Pelham Hotel. As she'd explained, there just isn't much choice in the area - and the Hoop & Toy pub, across the road, was obviously jammed. Now, the Pelham Hotel is a beautiful building. It's cosy, the panelling is lovely, glimpses into rooms enticed us with promises of comfy chairs, arranged around fireplaces.

Our organiser had told us to head for the bar - which was downstairs - so off we went. Uh-oh, I thought, as we piled in - there were about 20 of us, and the place was tiny! Not to mention that half the room was taken over by tables with people having dinner. Now, apparently the manager (or whatever) had spoken to our organiser the day before, and assured her that they could accommmodate us. Unfortunately, his idea of accommodating us rather differed from ours - he wanted to put some of us at a large table, some at the bar, others at tables for two..!

Now, we were a group, and wanted to be seated together - more or less, anyway. I'm thinking that we weren't the type of group he's probably used to - large corporate groups, not terribly interested in mingling. However, I struggle to imagine a group that would be happy with some people being paired off at tables on their own..! Well, this wasn't at all acceptable. So after something of a row, our organiser led some of the group upstairs to one of the sitting rooms. The rest of us remained in the bar, taking seats around the large table.

After a considerable period of time, our helpful manager came around with menus: nibbles and drinks. After another considerable interval, we got glasses, followed by water - mind you, it was flavoured with cucumber, which we didn't realise until we'd tasted it. Hmm, it would have been nice to have been asked whether we wanted that - or the mint-flavoured one that came after.. or perhaps no flavour at all? Frankly, I was amazed tonight, when I consulted the website and found that the place has a 5-star rating.. with service as thoughtless as this?

He said he'd be back shortly to take our orders. He wasn't. And someone finally pointed out to the rest of the group that we'd now been waiting for fully half an hour, with no sign of being served, and we might as well try our luck in the overcrowded pub across the road. So we headed back upstairs. Where we passed the cosy sitting room in which the rest of the group was ensconced, and where they had just got their wine. So we ended up joining them in there - not enough chairs for us (not that there was room to add many more), but we were cosy, we now had drinks, and the chat flowed freely. Nibbles duly arrived - I can recommend the croquettes. We heartily toasted our organiser's impending birthday.. And when trays of chocolates arrived, he came to the corner where I was, first. I can believe what she later said about having sent him straight over, to keep me - the group blogger - happy.

Well yes, they were good chocolates. But while all's well that ends well, frankly, the place is sorely lacking in management. And common sense. NOT recommended - save your money, stay somewhere with less extortionate rates and better service. There are plenty. But we did leave in a good mood, and it wasn't far to walk to the Tube.

I'm very glad I'm not headed out early tomorrow, considering how late it's gotten! Tomorrow evening, I'm headed with the London European Club (again!) to a carol service with a difference, at a Romanian church in town. And on Sunday, I have an overdose of The Man With the Hat; Let's Do London - for Less! is off to a matinee of "Your Last Breath" at Southwark Playhouse - based on the true story of a Norwegian woman found trapped in the ice - and in the evening, London for Less Than a Tenner is off to a concert in Cadogan Hall. Actually, so is Let's Do London - for Less! but there's no conflict.. guess who's in charge of both?! So I can blithely pick the cheaper group. ;-)