Dance: Creature

Tonight, I was back with Up in the Cheap Seats (UITCS) to Sadler's Wells - feels like ages, but it's not that long - for Creature, by Akram Khan! I absolutely love his work. Handily enough, I used my latest Theatre Token for this - would have used it for Phaedra, last night, but while neither theatre takes them online (you have to phone if you want to use a token), the National charges extra for phone bookings. So I used it for this instead.

Again, to The Lucas Arms - and I notice the first time I went here was the last time I was in Sadler's Wells! It was busy, but mercifully, not as much as last night, and I got a better located table. And the dinner was excellent - happily, accompanying the pie, they seem to have swapped out the cabbage for peas, which I much prefer! Still quite busy, mind - I got the impression the staff were eyeing my table, although they didn't try to hurry me. And as I was packing up, a group of three approached to ask whether I was leaving. So, business continues to boom..

As I was walking along Acton Street afterwards, would you believe, as I approached each of the two bus stops, a bus pulled up to it! Lordy, I wouldn't have such service if I needed it..

My, but it's a taxing walk from there to Sadler's Wells, a substantial amount uphill - and, as usual, I had the stairs to climb there. I certainly worked off that dinner! Got myself an interesting pinot grigio from the bar - yes, I generally prefer sauvignon, but I wasn't sure the one they had was worth it, so I just went with this. Which was cheaper, and fine. Better queue management than the National last night, I might point out - I neglected to mention it in last night's blog, but our queue was cut in on last night, and neither queue-jumpers nor the barman paid the slightest attention to the apoplectic reaction of people on all sides of me.. you have been warned. Much more civilised here. And we all chatted happily until it was time to go in - no problem taking my glass in, either.

I was in one of those handy seats to the side, one with no other seats beside it (N30):

Wow. After tonight, yes, I still love Akram Khan. The booming score is compelling, the imagery striking. Basically, some kind of creature is experimented on by an openly agressive regime - we are left in no doubt about the regime's ferocity, nor the creature's essential humanity.. The vision of the synchronised marching of the regime's soldiers bearing down on the creature is absolutely overwhelming. And as someone remarked, kudos to the dancer portraying the creature, who works visibly harder than anyone else on that stage! The set falling to pieces at the end is a nice touch.. you can kind of see how the structure lends itself to that.. Mind you, again as someone remarked, we were lucky to be sat up high, what with the live orchestra - it was loud enough for us, but must have been deafening to be closer to the stage!

Runs until Saturday. V highly recommended.. Contains strobe lighting.

Tomorrow, back with the London European Club, at somewhere called the Ugly Duck, for Synchrony, a female 12-piece string ensemble. Tickets from Eventbrite. As hosted by Eleanor Salter Thorn again! So glad to see her hosting events in more central locations..

I was keeping Friday free because Ivan is feeling thirsty again. :-) And for once, he seems to be sticking to the date, having booked us a table at The Lucas Arms (which, as he pointed out, has a smoker's area). We're hoping to have Martin - my other friendly ex-boss - join us, but he has more family commitments, which he's trying to juggle - we've told him to join us whenever. And this looks like turning into the first zapoi in a while - Ivan is talking about booking a studio, where we can drink overnight. Oy ve, watch this space.. So, not pushed about doing anything extra on Saturday.

On Sunday, I'm back with the Crick Crack Club, for Orpheus Dismembered, at the British Museum, courtesy of Ben Haggarty. The event there that I'd already heard of..

Monday is film, so I was waiting for the film listings - and I'm delighted with what's come up. Far ahead of anything else on the list at this point - and rising in ratings - is Tetris, would you believe! Now, this is a game I used to love - and it seems it also has an interesting backstory! The chameleon-like Taron Egerton plays the American businessman who wants the rights, but it seems the inventor is actually a programmer in Soviet Russia. Cue lots of Cold War-style intrigue - right when the USSR was collapsing, in 1989. So, also looking forward to sights and sounds I remember from then! Also stars Toby Jones. Seems the real story wasn't quite as exciting as depicted - but you know what they say about not letting the truth get in the way of a good story! Anyway, the trailer looks fantastic. Streaming on Apple TV+ from Friday, if you have it.. In cinemas, it seems to be exclusively in the Everyman - not all of them though, and the closest showing to me is in the Screen on the Green. 

Tuesday, back with UITCS for The Unfriend, in The Criterion Theatre. A comedy about a British family that befriend an American lady while on holiday over there, and agree to keep in touch. Now she's on a plane over to see them - and they've discovered a terrible secret about her! How to they get rid of her - politely..? Sounds excellent. My though, I had terrible trouble trying to find a decent seat - everything left that was cheap seemed to be behind a pillar! and they aren't small pillars, as I discovered thanks to Seatplan. I finally plumped for something in the back row of the Dress Circle, where the pillars are thinner. Hey, you never know, I might be upgraded..

Next Wednesday, back with the Horror Book Club, at the Prince of Wales in Drury Lane, as usual. And wow, this month's book is a doozy - House of Leaves is a massive tome, which I started reading years ago and never did get finished. I couldn't find that copy, so ended up buying it again - but am I finding the time to read it? Well, I'm doing my best, and it is a cracking read. Here's hoping I get it finished in time, as it's quite dense.. I'm still only about 110 pages through a nearly 700-page story..

On the 6th, with a bank holiday next day, flying back to Ireland. Aer Lingus, because I left it too late to book with Ryanair, and the evening flights were gone. Now, I have an old friend, Vicki, in Cork, whom I usually go down to see once a year, staying the night - usually at Christmas, but she was too busy for me last Christmas. So we've arranged for me to go and stay on the 11th this year, coming back the next day. Now, that realistically means I can't fly to London before the 13th - but with nothing unmissable on the 14th, I'm flying back that day instead. I haven't yet had a chance to put in a holiday request though, and now the system security isn't letting me in! Honestly, you couldn't make it up.. Well, if I am denied the holiday, I'll just have to take the laptop with me. Which could get interesting, as I'd have to have it on in the car on the road to Cork..

I definitely have to be back for the 15th though, when I'm booked on another walk with Laurence Summers and the 45+ Not Grumpy Old Londoners! This one is A City built by a Genius - Wren's London. And as of now, he's scheduling walks I haven't done for days I can make them! Very cool.. because I do love his walks. And lunches.

Now, I'm not exactly clear on what's happening on the 16th, when my boss suggested - quite a while ago - that we might have a jaunt to the head office in Tel Aviv! I haven't heard anything since, though - I must get around to asking him. The dates suggested were out on the 16th, back on the 21st. Watch this space..

Dance: Samsara

Tonight, I originally booked a free online talk about Railways of Surrey, from the Surrey History Meetup. But I just recently saw (despite the fact that it was evidently posted months ago) an event in Sadler's Wells from Up in the Cheap Seats (UITCS) - Samsara is inspired by the Chinese novel, Journey to the West, and contains partial nudity, we were told. Tickets for this are quite cheap, and we were all in the Stalls, for once - they haven't even opened the Second Circle, where we normally are! So, no stairs, for a change!

It's not a long walk from home, for me. (Whee!) I figured I'd eat on the way - and checking what there was to eat on the way, I thought - why don't I go to The Lucas Arms? Laurence had good things to say about it, and it's my local.. but I'd never been in. Plus, it's a Greene King pub.. the chain I've been with for the past two days. I'm becoming a cheerleader for them, eh? So, I popped in there - it was pretty empty, staff were friendly. And I looked at what, by now, is a familiar menu, and thought - that was a cracking pie I had yesterday. I think I'll have another.

And by 'eck, this pie was cracking as well! (I'm also becoming a cheerleader for that!) I see, from the menu, it's award-winning - I can see why. And the gravy has merlot in it. Yep, I have another pub favourite.. had a second glass of wine before I set off.

Wended my way through backstreets, and what a relief not to have to climb stairs at Sadler's Wells! As I remarked to the organiser, who'd arrived first - that's what I always associate with the place, the long climb upstairs. Instead, we occupied a sofa in the lobby and chatted merrily until it was time to go in.

It's only an hour or so long - but such intensity. It's basically the story of a Chinese monk who journeyed to the west (from his perspective, Central Asia, the Indian subcontinent, or thereabouts) - and the performance mixes elements of both traditions in what is a beautiful show, rendered even more ethereal by the streams of sand, constantly pouring from the ceiling onto the dancers. Booming over it all is what, for me, is the most powerful element - original music composed for this show, and played live on stage, the band hidden in darkness to the rear. It's quite overwhelming.

I was delighted to stay for the Q+A at the end, where we heard the lead dancers, and the musical composer, who also sings, describe the origins of the piece. We heard how the Chinese dancer is a celebrity back home - he certainly seemed to have some groupies, down the front - and how the global lockdown delayed everything.. and the composer of the music explained how she integrated so many different elements into it, including Tibetan throat singing. Quite an evening! Highly recommended, for something a bit different - last performance is tomorrow, though. Unfortunately, staying for the Q+A meant I missed the others, afterwards - but it was good to see them beforehand, anyhow.

Tomorrow, I've booked for Iphigenia in Splott, in the Lyric Hammersmith.

On Wednesday, was supposed to have drinks with Ivan. But now it turns out he has Covid, so that's off the menu. Instead, I'm headed to hear the London Handel Players perform At Their Majesties' Pleasure, a programme of Baroque dance music, at St. John's Smith Square. Courtesy of TAC.

On Thursday, back with Civilised London for dinner at Le Sacré Coeur. Always good.

On Friday, back to Ireland again - and next Monday, it's my mother's birthday, so I'm staying in Ireland for that and flying back on Tuesday 25th. I've already cleared it with work.

On the 26th, I've booked with UITCS again - for Mary, at Hampstead Theatre again. Political machinations in the court of Mary, Queen of Scots. Funny thing - there were two seats in the main seating section at the cheapest price, but the site objected to me just booking one of them. No problem booking an equivalent seat in a higher price bracket, though! So I booked one of the high seats, at the back, instead. At the lower price.

I hadn't anything booked for the 27th - was thinking film - and then Ticket Text (one of hundreds of ticket organisations I seem to have signed up for) sent me an advertising email. So, it seems that night the comedy venue, 21Soho, is holding an event of Comedians Telling Spooky Stories. Which sounds the business, for the week that's in it. So I booked. Hallowe'en fancy dress, apparently - well, I'll have a think. I do have some duds that might do.. 😜

The 28th, I've kept free for an all-night drinking session with Ivan. Man, I've missed these! In vino veritas, as they say, and these are wonderful chances to get stuff off your chest. He fancied doing it earlier, but I didn't want to have to take time off work - this was the first overnighter I could fit in. And with him taking ill, it seems it was just as well! I hope he can make this one.

Which should make the 29th interesting - I'm on another walk with Laurence Summers and the 45+ Not Grumpy Old Londoners! Might not actually get to bed in between.. this one is the Edgy London Walking Tour, and is one of his new ones.

And yes, I have something to do that evening! (This month is far too busy.) I'm back with the Crick Crack Club, for the Game of Candles - their Hallowe'en offering, where they extinguish a candle for every spooky story told. Tim Ralphs and Sarah-Liisa Wilkinson - in King's Place, lovely! I can walk (or stagger) home..

Dance: Clorinda Agonistes

Today, the best thing coming up was Clorinda Agonistes ("the warrior") - a mixture of dance, opera, and film, courtesy of Sadlers Wells. Based on an opera by Monteverdi, it's the story of a female Saracen warrior, Clorinda, who loves a Crusader, in Jerusalem, back in the day. Which sounded like it'd have a particular resonance for me, as I've just finished reading a book about the Queens of Jerusalem, which concerns itself with this period. Anyway, this was advertised by Up in the Cheap Seats. (And it beggars belief that Meetup consistently refuses to advertise their stuff to me, considering how often I've attended their events!)

Anyway, again, I wanted to use my theatre token from Seatplan. Again, this is one of the venues that don't accept them online - so I had to ring the box office to book. Unfortunately, the box office has opening hours - and again, I couldn't get organised to ring during office hours. So I finally gave up, and booked without use of a token. Again. At least I got my favourite seat, all on its own to the side - "restricted view" because of a teeny rail in your line of vision. Mind you, when I booked, the entire back of the second circle was free - so I thought I might have half the theatre to myself!

Looking for somewhere to eat en route, nowhere seemed to open before 5 - and I was hungry before 5. So I ended up in O' Neill's again, in the upstairs dining area because it was so busy downstairs. The waiter was one who's served me many times before - he didn't quite manage to remember my order without being told, though he tried! (I'll have to eat there a few more times, it seems.) Anyway, both tvs were - of course - showing footage related to the historic royal handover - BBC on one, Sky News on the other. Both with the sound down. Interestingly, when I finished and went downstairs, the King's inaugural speech was playing - with the sound up! I listened to a few minutes of it, then got bored and left.

Gee, we're not going to forget what the Queen looked like anytime soon!

At the theatre, I schlepped up to the top level - I was the first to arrive. Not just the first of the group - the first customer! Just me, the Queen, and the bored people working there, probably wishing they were somewhere else.

I ordered a drink, and the others arrived in good course. And it was great to see the organiser again - it's been months! When it was time to head in, the usher, upon seeing my seat number, pointed out that I could probably sit where I liked. So I did - in the front row. Not a bad view at all.

Now. What to say about the show. Tricky. Afterwards, there was a Q+A - only one of us went to it, while the rest of us chatted about what we'd seen - and I think we all agreed that it was kind of incomprehensible. (Perhaps we should have gone to the Q+A..) Basically, it's about female warriors - for a deeper meaning, take what you like from it. I'm glad I had the basic story of the first part, with the Saracen and the Crusader - because I certainly wouldn't have figured it out from this. The story was, apparently, being sung - but not in English, and such surtitles as there were, were - patchy. With the side screens flickering, I wondered whether there was a technical fault - there certainly was with the audio, at the start - but if this was a creative decision, it was woeful!

The second part of this one-hour show has background footage depicting flight over buildings - it's unclear, but I got the impression that our heroine who is killed in the first part is reincarnated in the second, as one of a whole band of female warriors. We get the same surtitles as in the first part - making even less sense, here. Having said that, there was some imagery - and some music - in the second part that I found stunningly beautiful. But plotwise, it all seemed quite pointless. So, um, I'd have to say - avoid. Also showing tomorrow night, but you can surely find something less confusing to attend!

And so home, through interesting backstreets:

Tomorrow, I'm back with Laurence Summers and the 45+ Not Grumpy Old Londoners. This time, it's a tour of The Backstreets of Islington! Lovely, my neck of the woods - in fact, this is a walk I can walk to. And Helen is coming! Which will be nice, and the first time in ages I'll have seen her. The timing is a bit unfortunate, as it clashes with the accession council, at least part of which is being televised.. oh well, we shall see!

And on Sunday, Cultureseekers is heading to Open House London - which used to run over a weekend, and has turned into a fortnight-long extravaganza! This festival, which started yesterday, allows access to buildings you normally can't see. They're off to the Banqueting House, which I've never seen, and the Royal Opera House, which I have - including on a backstage tour. Just before the world went into lockdown. So, I fancy the Banqueting House - but I don't fancy accompanying this group, which currently numbers 202 attendees! I'll go on my own, thanks - in fact, I'll be trying to avoid this humungous group, who will be there from 1-2.30 approximately. You have been warned. Mind you, the question does arise - can you take a group that large in?

Dance: Matthew Bourne's The Nutcracker

Tonight, North London Friends was off to - Matthew Bourne's production of The Nutcracker, at Sadler's Wells! Aw man, I was dying to see this! Well, they had their own tickets, and all were already sold out - but they were more expensive than I tend to go for, anyway. So I booked one of my regular seats, in the gods, a single seat to the side. Perfect. (Annoyingly, CT offered tickets to this - very briefly - last year, but by the time I checked, they were all gone. But my seat isn't expensive anyway.) Had to reset my password - they've enhanced the security requirements for passwords.

I had an exhausting day - a second interview for that job (which went well), and a scurry to get some essential work done before my boss went home. And in between, I popped into the office - which was completely empty - to clear out my desk. Didn't get all the work done either - I guess that's for Sunday evening, in a panic. Anyway, by evening, I was well ready for some downtime.. from the office, I'd have walked, but as I was coming from home, it was a little further, and I took the bus. Which was kind enough to arrive at exactly the moment I did! How obliging, just when I needed it. And dropped me around the corner from the theatre. Where long queues snaked to the door - they were checking, well, whatever you had! Confused patrons were asking what they had to show, and were told.. whatever! Covid certs, negative test results.. whatever was easiest. So I dug out and flashed my Covid cert, and she instantly waved me in.

I treated myself to the lift to the second circle, and naturally, made straight for the bar. Where I had what I must say was a very overpriced, and rather watery, Sauvignon Blanc. Ah well. As I sipped it, while wandering around because there were no free seats, it occurred to me how weird it is for me to be there without an accompanying Meetup group! Anyway, I finally found a quiet corner where I could people-watch:

And when I'd finished my drink, I climbed to my cosy, solitary seat at the side:

Ooh, was I looking forward to this. But the opening, in an orphanage, was familiar.. so I checked at the interval, and sure enough, I saw this online during lockdown! Never mind, it's always worth seeing twice.. as usual, make sure you have a look around the stage, where visual gags abound. And you know something? I think they changed the ending! So.. whoopee for seeing it twice! Even worth braving the freezing cold. As I made my way to the bus back, one of a pair of what seemed very irate binmen glared at me as I walked around him, and as I passed, remarked, "It's your doing, you know!" (Huh? Was he talking about me blocking his path? or him blocking mine? or the rubbish?) Anyway, after I froze my toes off waiting, the bus finally arrived just before he made his way down to us. Which was nice.

Tomorrow - ironically, the most expensive thing I've booked - I'm headed with London European Club to an Albrecht Durer exhibition at the National Gallery. I could have booked for free if I'd taken out membership, but I don't think I'd get the value of it. We finally got access to the free audio guide that comes with the booking, accessible through our smartphones, today, and of course I'd picked up my headphones. Anyway, we're meeting beforehand at Notes Coffee.

That's around lunchtime - and in the evening, London Classical Music and Theatre Group (LCMTG) is headed to Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike, in Charing Cross Theatre. Not far from the National Gallery - I guess I'll hang around for dinner in the area. Now, this was a funny one, because the organiser and I both booked with TAC - but when someone else wanted to book, he went to the theatre website, where it said tomorrow's performances were cancelled! Much to-ing and fro-ing eventually clarified that actually, the performances are going ahead, but only for an invited audience - including TAC. Well, don't we feel privileged! 

On Sunday, I'm with Discover London - History Walks and Events for a walk entitled Bawdy Borough: Poverty, Prostitutes and Playhouses. Cash on the day, annoyingly - I just about have it, as long as she doesn't mind a bit of change!

And on Monday, back with LCMTG, for a Gabrieli Consort & Players concert at Wigmore Hall. And wouldn't you know it, the organiser gave his seat number - so, when I saw the seat beside him was free, I booked it! Well, I know him now..

Film: The Jump, Musical: The Drifters Girl, & Dance: Outwitting the Devil

Well, film on Tuesday again. Top of the list was The Jump, only showing in the Curzon Bloomsbury, and is a documentary about a Lithuanian sailor, back in the days of the Soviet Union, who chose to defect to the United States by jumping from his ship onto an American one. Didn't do him much good - they sent him back! but the whole thing blew into a political storm. Sounded interesting. As long as it wasn't as much as half sold out, I kept an eye on it.

Well, it wasn't on until late, so I stayed late in the office again. I could walk. Except that I got caught up in doing something, so it'd have to be public transport for me to get there in time. Google Maps told me I'd make it by bus.. and I made it to the stop just in time for the bus that they'd predicted would come. Then checked my Buses Due app.. to be given the harsh news that it wasn't due for a quarter of an hour! Oh hell, that was all I needed, after a hard day. The only thing for it now was to scurry asap to St. Paul's and catch the Tube, which is what I did. I had to change in Holborn, startling a rat as I disembarked - and why, oh why, do they make you climb two sets of stairs, and leave the escalator for going down? I eventually arrived at the cinema about five minutes late, which wasn't bad. And had a third set of steps to climb as I exited the Tube. So I didn't completely miss out on exercise!

At the cinema, I walked straight into an "event" on the ground floor (the cinemas are in the basement). So I had to buy my ticket downstairs - as I eventually gleaned, although a combination of my stressed demeanour and the assistant's muffled voice behind her mask meant she had to tell me twice. And when I got through that hurdle, I forgot completely where the screen was! Ended up nearly going out through the emergency exit before I realised. And when I got in, someone had his stuff on my seat. So I sat in the one beside, and was quite glad nobody came along to move me.

It's a dramatic, Cold War tale - this guy was in the Soviet navy, off the coast of the US, and the US coastguard came along to see what they were doing. And they started throwing stuff to each other, from one ship to the other, until the Soviet officers objected to the American magazines. Whereupon our protagonist got the idea - just to jump for it! Now, this comprehensive documentary also interviews a couple of officers on the US ship, and one remarked that 4.15pm was the worst time of day to defect, because all the politicos were leaving the office for the day! They couldn't get anyone on the phone, so figured they'd better send him back - wow, what a furore that caused! The story of how he came to the US in the end is fascinating, and as well as archive footage, the documentary has him visit New York, where he used to live, and also follows him around his home in Lithuania - which he and his wife returned to, after independence. A well-rounded documentary, and a fascinating glimpse into this period in history.

And on the way home, I got off at the stop across from my flat - which, according to Google Maps, was not an option for me. Well, nuts to that.

The past two days, for the first time in a while, I was back with Up in the Cheap Seats. Yesterday, we went to see The Drifters Girl, a musical about the female manager of The Drifters, played by Beverley Knight. Playing in the Garrick, and wouldn't you know, when I was checking it out, I saw a message from a member who couldn't go, and was willing to give away her ticket for free to the first person to get in touch. Well, it just goes to show, you can't even give tickets away - this was three days later, and I said I'd take the chance - sure enough, I was the first! It's a physical ticket, which she posted to me - I just had to remember to take it with me! Not often, these days, I get a physical ticket. Oh, and yippee, Rear Stalls!

I decided to pop the ticket in my bag the night before - and just as well, with me in a rush yesterday morning! No email from the theatre, it seems, as they'd said they'd send, with instructions about what to do, and when to be there.

But I left work for the theatre in good time - in fact, I was the first of the group to arrive! Pleasantly, when I came to the auditorium, they were playing music from the era. Plenty of time to bag a drink - and as I sipped it, at the exit from the bar, I spotted a couple of the group over the other side. So I made my way over there - and we spent a good half hour chatting. Problem was, it was pretty cramped - people were having to push past us to go to the bar or toilet, and we duly made for our seats - some were sitting upstairs too, which was a consideration.

As you can see, the pillar "in my sightline" wasn't an impediment at all. Few people were wearing masks until an usher went around with a large sign, urging us to do so, when a lot complied. Anyway, the show started about 15 minutes late - apparently there was a to-do, with a large group of people near the front sitting in the wrong seats! This wasn't the only kerfuffle with the audience last night - a number of our group who were sitting upstairs apparently had terrible trouble with people near them who not only wouldn't stop talking through the show, but became quite belligerent when challenged! As someone remarked, theatre etiquette has really gone downhill since lockdown..

Well, we got the story of The Drifters - but what everyone's really there for is the actual music, and there's plenty of it - as usual, more of their back catalogue than you realised was theirs! And throughout, it's beautifully sung. Beverley Knight herself doesn't get much opportunity to sing until the end of the first half, when a showstopping number brings us to the interval. She is heard a bit more after that - and I distinctly remember being about to take a sip of wine while she was belting out a number, only to stop with the glass halfway to my mouth! Truly, she blew us away. And by the end, we were only too ready to rise to a standing ovation - and to sing along. (Mind you, some had started already, and a group just behind me were very merry after a trip to the bar at the interval..)

Terrific musical performance - plenty of laughs, too. Highly recommended if you're into the old classics. Runs until the 26th March. And it was great to see some folks I literally hadn't seen in years.

I was looking forward to tonight, when we were headed to Sadler's Wells for an Akram Khan production, the UK Premiere of Outwitting the Devil. Part of their Carnival of Shadows tour. And ooh, the first time I'd have been there since lockdown!

Of course, our office has now started serving free beer (and, crucially, wine) on Thursdays, so naturally, I imbibed before setting off. And the new office, with its single-kitchen layout, means a lot more mingling between the different departments. Indeed, I networked happily until I decided I really had to tear myself away - it was a pity, I was enjoying it. As it was, I'd have been able to walk if I'd left earlier - instead, I had a number of potential buses to choose from.

Just missed one - which I could have caught, if I hadn't been unsure it was the right one: caught another - and treated myself to a ride up in the lift, as I was already late. (Happily, not late for the show, just a little late to meet the group.) And again, it was great to see people I hadn't seen in so long.. had a good old chat until it was time to go in.

So, this is straight through without an interval.. and a more intense, creepy piece I defy you to find. (So, I loved it.) Nobody, but nobody, seems to have figured out exactly what the plot is, but as ever, it looks great, looks and sounds eerie, and grabbed my attention throughout. If you want to give it a shot, it's running until Saturday, with decent availability. Under-5s not allowed. And with it having no interval, it was over early enough for me to blog!

Tomorrow, back with one of my cheap ticket groups - TAC - for another concert at the Wimbledon Music Festival. This time, it's Yantra, an a cappella group, in the Trinity URC Church.

On Saturday, back with the Surrey History Meetup group - nominally - for yet another Zoom call. This time, it focuses on SHERF 2021 - a day-long conference based on the work of the Surrey Historic Environment Research Framework, and specifically on church archaeology. As promoted by the Surrey Archaeological Society.

And on Sunday, back with London European Club - we're off to Immigrant Comedy (standup comedy in English) at the Camden Comedy Club. Tickets from Eventbrite.. two shows, we're going to the later one.

Dance: Revisor

Last night, I was supposed to be back at Soho Theatre to see Dane Baptiste's comedy show, The Chocolate Chip. Headed off a little later than planned - but still in time, according to Google Maps. Got to the stop in time, and double-checked with the Buses Due app, which gets its information straight from TFL. Well, durnit if the app wasn't of the opinion that my bus wouldn't get there for another 14 minutes! which would definitely make me late. Checking for a faster route, Google Maps suggested I go all the way back to the office (which I'd just scuttled from) and, indeed, past it, to catch the Tube - there really wasn't a station close.

Sod that, I said - it's not worth it: and anyway, the flat inspection we were supposed to have on Monday had been rescheduled for today, so I needed to re-tidy, and would finally have a chance last night to clean the carpet! Better to spend my time doing that. So I started for home. Whereupon the blasted bus passed me.. I made an effort to run for it, but I was now too far from the stop, and missed it. Never mind, I had some exercise with all the walking and running, and the carpet now looks better than ever! (No feedback from the inspection, which might be a good thing.)

Tonight, back with Up in the Cheap Seats (UITCS) at Sadler's Wells for the last night of a collaboration between Crystal Pite and her company, Kidd Pivot, and Jonathon Young, on an adaptation of a Russian comic play, Revisor (The Inspector General). This one, I could walk to - but again, I left later than intended - blame the necklace I was trying to disentangle, and never managed to. Now, I could still have managed to walk - but when I left the building and saw how miserable the weather was, with rain pouring down, I decided to take the bus, for once. Which had the advantage of being much more relaxing - goodness knows, there are enough stairs to climb when you get there! Which I did, to find the group gathered around a table at the back. And we chatted until it was time to go in.

90 minutes straight through, no interval - there was a break nearly halfway through, for about 10 minutes, mind, but that was for a technical hitch. And just before the lights went down at the start - and again during the technical pause - streams of people left the back to go and sit in the front and middle, where there were several free seats. Me, I like my isolated perch, so I stayed put.

I liked this a lot more than I thought I would. So, it was based on a Russian satirical play, and indeed, started out as a farce - narrators read the story, which was enacted in a highly exaggerated way by the dancers on stage, and we learned how an inspector had come to the office, but incognito, and everyone was on tenterhooks to find out who it was. By the end of the first section, they'd decided that it must be this gent who was claiming to be a simple "revisor" - whose sole job there was to move a comma in some report. Well, they're important things, commas. Anyway, this part, I found quite hilarious.

Mind you, I really perked up at the second part - when things got much darker, more ominous. The music got eerier, the stage was stripped bare, and the dancers dispensed with the complicated costumes. The narration changed to be the account of the actual inspector, who proceeded to explain to the audience what we had just seen - a bare-bones description, described onstage by an abbreviated version of the dancing we'd seen in the first part. Changed the whole mood of the evening - and some of it, I found quite sinister.

The show ended with a return to the farcical play - but somehow, it wasn't as funny any more. It was as though we'd been shown the dark subplot that underlay the humour, then returned to the humour, just to emphasise the point. Not to everyone's taste - but I loved it, loved the range of moods we'd been taken through. Also liked the retelling of the story of the first half, which was recognisable, but at the same time completely different. I thought this production was really clever.

Tomorrow, going to see Shoe Lady at the Royal Court. One that's generating quite a bit of interest among people of my acquaintance.

On Friday, I was holding off on deciding what to do until I heard for definite from my friends, who were supposed to be coming over. But one of them realised she needed her passport renewing, so they had to wait to do that before booking - and lo, the flight prices increased too much in the meantime. So now they're not coming this weekend - which leaves me free to go to a talk about the Camino, at Southwark Cathedral, courtesy of This and That (TnT)! I know the organiser - it's about time I got to one of his events, and it'll be good to see him again. And I've always been fascinated by the Camino - perfect. (Interestingly, London Social Detours is going too.. and charging £3.50.)

On Saturday, I'm headed back to the Lyric Hammersmith, for something called Love, Love, Love, written by the excellent Mike Bartlett. UITCS is heading to this later in the month, I see.

On Sunday, I was thinking of film - got the film list done today, then wasn't too pushed about what was coming out on top. Not that it was easy to get the listings, mind - my film site has a new look, still apparently gets the new listings on Tuesday evenings, but now doesn't seem to list the times for the following week along with the new films! So I can see what's on, just not where or when. I managed to Google a couple, which had their own websites, and from those I determined that they're not showing on days that'd suit. Others, I wasn't so lucky with, and just had to guess on the basis of the cinemas in which they're showing this week, whose websites I then had to check.

Anyway, the upshot was that I thought Meetup had better suggestions. So now, on Sunday I'm joining North London Friends for a concert called Some Kinda Wonderful - a tribute to Stevie Wonder. Run by the Chickenshed - interestingly, the concert link no longer works. Perhaps they've sold out - although there were several seats left when I booked, late this afternoon. Unfortunately, it's all the way out in Cockfosters - ah well.

On Monday, back with UITCS for City of Angels at the Garrick. Funny thing is, I was recently looking ahead for shows to book, and this came up - was on the point of booking for it, busily looking for deals, when I suddenly realised I'd already booked! The perils of booking early.. I booked this the day after Christmas.

On Tuesday, whoop-de-doo! Finally got a decently priced, decently located ticket to the show of the moment, Hamilton! Showing at the Victoria Palace, booking through Ticketmaster exclusively. Booked the same day as City of Angels - I often block book. So I get to see whether it lives up to the hype - I'm just delighted to be able to stop searching for tickets for it! Must just remember to bring the ticket to the office with me - they insisted on posting it.

Next Wednesday, back at Soho Theatre (hopefully - at least the show is later!). This time, it's Sara Barron's show, Enemies Closer.

On the 12th, back with TnT (feast or famine, I guess!). This time, it's a pre-Paddy's Day concert with the Band of the Irish Guards, at the Guards' Chapel. Then I'm back to Ireland for the weekend.

On the 16th, back at Soho Theatre again - this time, for the opening night of Tom Rosenthal's show, Manhood.

The 17th is, of course, Paddy's Day itself - and like last year, I'm off to the Irish Centre in Camden. And again, they have a St. Patrick's Night Special - I've already booked my ticket, although they haven't yet announced the full lineup. Honestly, the only artist as yet confirmed is a comedian called Alison Spittle. Whom I'm not that keen on. But hey, if I get enough drink in first, she should be endurable.. and Ivan said he'd probably be able to come. We shall see.

On the 18th, back with UITCS for Be More Chill, at The Other Palace. My only Meetup that week! (so far).

The 19th is going to be hugely busy for me. So, first I'm at Soho Theatre for Jena Friedman's show, Miscarriage of Justice. And then, wouldn't you know it, The Embers Collective scheduled a series of shows at the Vault Festival. And blast it if I wasn't already booked for the whole week! But hey, with the comedy show finishing at 8.30.. and the storytelling not starting till 10.. this one was doable! Their show that night is Queerstory - LGBTQ+ - themed. And I'm going.

And on the 20th, finally getting to see Dear Evan Hanson, at the Noel Coward Theatre. It got the royal seal of approval during the week, of course! And it's about time I saw it - UITCS went last year.

Acosta Danza - Evolution

Yesterday, back with Up in the Cheap Seats for Acosta Danza - Evolution, at Sadler's Wells. Last time with them this month. So I took my usual walk up there - veering slightly to the right of the suggested route, to avoid the unpassable roadworks. My route ended up being more like 45 minutes than Google Maps' estimated 25 - but who's counting?!

Unusually, when I booked this, I wasn't given the option of an e-ticket, and had to queue at the desk, where the frazzled woman, rather than asking to see anything, just asked for my name and postcode. And then I had all those stairs to climb, which I gamely did, finding the group sat at the back - at least I wasn't the last there, this time. When we went in, I had my usual, solitary seat, and kept it.. but it was funny, as soon as the lights went down, to watch the stream of people rushing to the empty middle seats! Not as many free seats as last time, but there were enough.

They weren't handing out cast lists this time, so we didn't know the running order - until someone noticed it was posted to the side of one of the doors. (The programme, BTW, is only worth buying if you're into the pretty pictures, or perhaps cast biographies - don't buy it in hope of finding out anything about the pieces! But in fact, just enjoy..

The first piece was my favourite of the night, certainly - Satori is a new work. A joy for anyone who likes purple - a huge, purple sheet is at the centre of proceedings, while dancers cavort in, under, and around it: but regardless of your preferences for colour, the imagery is stunning, as the dancers form the most beautiful shapes. Contains strobe lighting and partial nudity.

After the first interval, Paysage, Soudain, la Nuit sees a somewhat more conventional piece (well, it could hardly be less conventional than the first!), in a cornfield. And after a brief pause, the beautiful Faun, with the music of Debussy, takes us through to the next interval.

The final piece, as usual, is a crowd-pleaser; Rooster does an excellent job of illustrating the music of the Rolling Stones - starting with Little Red Rooster, and with sundry male dancers playing the rooster, and sparking off the female dancers. I was having a fine time, rocking out, all on my own, over the side.. and as far as I was concerned, the music improves as the piece continues. Hell, I nearly started dancing myself when they started Paint It Black.. love that song way too much! Oh, and don't start clapping till the lights go down - he's got a closing treat in store. ;-) Highly recommended - runs till Saturday.

Everybody scuttled off like lightning as soon as it was over - well, since nobody wanted to stay and chat, I was on the bus by 10! However, no blogging last night - I had to come in early for a meeting. Which, ironically, was moved half an hour earlier last night, after I'd left. So I actually missed it. Ho-hum.

Tonight, Anthony's Cultural Events and Walking Activities Group is off to a performance entitled Virginia Woolf - Killing the Angel, at the LSE. So I decided to go on my own, and save the Meetup fee - I haven't had that much luck with socialising with them, anyway. And that Meetup soon filled. But you know what? Yesterday, the LSE sent an email to all attendees, to say that they'd allocated more tickets than they have places, because it's a free event, and not everyone shows. So it's first come first served, no latecomers admitted, they'd be opening the doors at 6.. hmm. I've had bad experiences with those before - and honestly, I have way too much to do, to be queueing all evening. So I implemented Plan B - and now I'm going to a film. Top of the rapidly decreasing list is Marriage Story, with Scarlett Johansson as part of a perfectly matched couple who, unfortunately, find themselves splitting apart because their work drags them away from home all the time. Cue a nasty court spat over custody.. showing in the Barbican, in a while. Selling out a bit, so I booked.

Tomorrow, back with Spooky London - the John Snow Pub. Then another weekend in Ireland.

On Monday, the Crick Crack Club is back with Rebel Children, at the British Library. Ben Haggarty & Jan Blake - ooh yeah!

On Tuesday, my annual trip to Winter Wonderland - heading to Cirque Berserk and the Ice Kingdom, as usual. Someone said he might come along.

Next Wednesday, the first night in ages with North London Friends! We're at A Day in the Death of Joe Egg, at Trafalgar Studios.

And on the 28th, our ex-company's social group's Christmas meeting. We had a tiff about the venue - the organiser decided on Thai Square, which I think is overpriced and underwhelming. So he started to grumble about the difficulty of getting somewhere before Christmas - which will take a group, and doesn't cost the earth. Still though, he came up with an alternative - we've decided on the Warwick Castle pub in Little Venice. Lovely area, the pub sounds nice - with a Christmassy open fire, and a room we can book - and hey, it's a pub, which won't throw us out as quickly! Must get on to booking their wine deal.. 10% off if you order at least £150 worth. Which I'm sure, among the dozen or so that are coming, we'll manage to drink. And gee, he's had us choosing what we want off the menu. I also asked for the wine list - and now am waiting impatiently for someone - anyone - to get back to me with an idea of what they'd like to drink!

Dance: Rambert2

Tonight, back with Up in the Cheap Seats (UITCS) at Sadler's Wells, for a Rambert2 double bill - the first of two performances. And I should've been able to walk there, as usual - but as sometimes happens, today got very annoying, I got delayed, and I ended up taking a very uncomfortable, overcrowded Tube journey. Got there a bit later than intended, so I treated myself with a lift up to the second level - where we stood and chatted for a bit, and then went in. I had the same seat as last time, at the side in glorious isolation - check that post for the view!

Tonight's programme had three separate dances, the first two just separated by a pause, the second two by a proper interval, during which we met (and sat) and tended to agree, I think. We weren't sold on the first piece - Terms & Conditions seems to be all about, well, people conforming to rules and regulations. The start of it is mainly a repetition of words they can't use as they try to make speeches, and I certainly didn't feel it gelled as a piece.

The other pieces were much more successful - although the second, Sin, is performed on a very dark stage: a bit hard to see from the back! Still, it is a graphic depiction of the old tale of the femme fatale, long blonde hair streaming as she seduces her hapless victim. And the last piece, Sama, is a glorious riot of colour, music, and rhythm, starting with something very like street theatre, turning a bit dark, and testing the performers' abilities on stilts! Loved that. Anyway, there's nothing like a mixture. And after a brief chat outside, I got a bus back.

Tomorrow, I'm going to the comedy The Man in the White Suit, at Wyndham's. Stars Stephen Mangan as the chemist who develops a material that never gets dirty! and finds himself suddenly in huge demand. Going on my own, so can rest my voice a bit again.

On Wednesday, back with UITCS for The Antipodes, at the National - a play about stories and storytelling, sounds irresistible. Mixed reviews, I hear, but I can hardly miss this.

On Thursday, back with Spooky London for their monthly drinks - and Ivan, who has business in the City that day, has expressed an interest in coming. This month, it's in the Prospect of Whitby. Then I'm back to Ireland for the weekend.

And next Monday, I'm back with UITCS (as always!) for a night of comedy with Sara Pascoe, at the Backyard Comedy Club.

Film: Hallowe'en & Birmingham Royal Ballet - Mixed Programme

Was supposed to be back to London on Sunday. Kudos to those who guessed that something got in the way of that! Basically, my mother unexpectedly had to have a run into hospital on Monday - nothing serious, she just needed an iron boost - and there was nobody else to take her. So I had to book another flight. Ryanair was booked out all the way through to today, so I needs must go with Aer Lingus - and their last flight on Monday was potentially too early, so instead I booked myself a painfully early - and painfully expensive - flight on Tuesday morning. Ouch!

Also had to go to great rounds to get the extra, emergency, day off - my boss' email address didn't recognise mine, and I don't have work email on my phone, or his phone number, so I thought of LinkedIn. But he wasn't a contact - I ended up taking out a free trial of LinkedIn Premium (subsequently cancelled, of course), just so I could message him! Which all worked out ok.

On Monday, the Crick Crack Club was back again - Ben Haggarty was in Soho Theatre with Grim Grimms - a dark take on fairytales, highlighting four lesser-known tales of the brothers Grimm. With musical accompaniment. Tickets weren't available when I noted this in my calendar - they did, predictably, sell out. Sadly, of course, because of my changed plans, I missed it. Roll on the next one.. and hopefully I'll get another chance to see this show at a later time.

Well, the most practical thing to do because of the early flight was to spend the night in the airport hotel, the Park Inn - I booked on Booking.com, but I think the price is fairly consistent across platforms anyway. At least it was nice to have another night's hotel stay - only my second this year! And I must say, it was lovely - I got my taxi driver to drop me there, and an ultra-chirpy young lady checked me in, amidst a flurry of Hallowe'en decor. She was also kind enough to let me know that breakfast the following morning would start at 6 - yippee, as for once it was included in the room rate, and the early start meant I could make it!

A lovely, comfy room with a widescreen tv and a lovely, comfy bed, and blackout curtains - I slept deeply before I got up at 5.30. Had a very nice cooked breakfast in an almost empty dining room - the only ones to beat me to it were a couple of Chinese-looking ladies. And then, with a minimal amount of packing to do, it was just a short walk across the car park to the terminal. Just as well, as it was very cold, and had been all week!

Back in London, a long, long Tube ride got me home - where I noticed that some of our neighbours are getting in the spirit of the season!

And then I walked to work - I tell you, I was lucky to make Tuesday's event at all! On Tuesday, I tried to persuade the social group from my former company to come with me to a Design My Night event - Fright Night Cinema was showing Hallowe'en in the Rivoli ballroom, with a themed cocktail bar and people dressed in spooky costumes. Now, that sounded like fun.. I booked, at least, and a couple of others indicated they'd come.

Unfortunately, the Rivoli ballroom turned out to be a bit of a trek - my first time on the Thameslink! There were only the three of us, in the end, from that group - one arrived before me, one decided to drive, as public transport would take so long - she arrived last. Naturally, I took the wrong exit from the station - but I found my way, through housing estates, back onto the main road with Google Maps. Where.. there were crash barriers all the way down both sides! For goodness' sake, how they expect people to cross.. well, I ran into the first person to arrive (or rather, she ran into me), and we trekked down to where there was a gap in the barriers. On both sides. We arrived at the door of the ballroom - to discover they weren't open yet. Now, I was quite miffed at this - yes, we'd got an email in the morning to say the box office would open at 8, but I really thought we'd have time beforehand to hang out; the film was starting at 8.30 (sharp)! Which didn't leave us much time at all.

In the end, they opened at 7.50 - and we were told, at the door, that it was a cash-only bar. Gee, that was something they really should have told us in advance! Well, cash was available, back across the road.. we went in relays. Inside, it was certainly ornate, and I did wish that I'd taken more pictures. But then, as I say, we didn't really have much time outside of the actual screening.

We nabbed a table at the side, and the one who'd come last snuck in a take-away, as all they were offering at the venue was hot dogs and popcorn. The bar (discreetly hidden on the way to the toilets) was even more ornate, if possible - I wished I'd taken my camera in with me. A huge queue meant that was my only trip of the night. As for the "themed" bar? Didn't happen. The "dressing-up" was restricted to one of the bar staff, who wore a cat-ear headband. There were cocktails, but I stuck to a bottle of wine - which, of course, I shared with the others.

Would you believe, neither of them had ever seen this film before! I had one of them asking me beforehand what it was about, just as it was starting - "You'll find out!", as I said. And I, for one, had a great night - although the sound quality wasn't terrific. I'd said to them that it was a classic.. for one, there's the incomparable soundtrack, right up there with the best of suspenseful music! There's the relentless chase scene, so naturalistic. And there's the classic horror trope, of being chased by something or someone, barely seen, hardly more than a shadow, and pretty much unstoppable. Not much gore in this, either. But let's not forget that this can be viewed as quite a funny film - the characters are likeable, and Carpenter throws in a lot of humour before things get serious. Some unintentional gags, too.. the audience had a lot of fun with it, as did my - slightly nervous - companions!

Afterwards, we chatted - briefly - before we were thrown out: the last to leave, not half an hour after the film finished. Really, for something that was supposed to be an "experience", this was a dead loss - it was pretty much just a straight film showing, no extras, no time even to stay and talk. I guess I'll know in future. We went our separate ways - it was at least great to see the others - and I got a couple of buses home. Which, thankfully, didn't require me to cross the road! I was supposed to have morning meeting next day though, which meant I couldn't blog - of course, it didn't happen, in the end! Spent most of yesterday doing the film list - watch this space..

Last night, back with Meetup at last - Up in the Cheap Seats was at the last night of a mixed programme by Birmingham Royal Ballet, at Sadler's Wells. I'd seen part of it before, which I found excellent. More trouble though - the blasted tablet I bought my mother for her birthday, last week, seems to have some trouble running Skype, which she depends on to get to see me. So I was frazzled, after an extended phone call with her during which she completely failed to explain what was going wrong, but still felt like complaining about it a lot. I walked off some of the stress, on my way to the theatre - I see I still have to go around a ton of roadworks, but this time I didn't get lost, for once! Still, by the time I made it there, and up all those stairs, I was well ready for a drink, which I took to where a couple of others who'd arrived early were sitting. Kudos to them, it's hard to get seats in the lobby here!

We stayed and chatted for a bit before it was time to take our seats.. and again, I was in my solitary seat to the side! although there were plenty of free seats in the middle, and lots of people moved down before the start.

Three pieces, two intervals - the first, A Brief Nostalgia, was my favourite. With no narrative to speak of, this was nonetheless a visually stunning piece, the audience split between watching the dancers, frantically moving, and the cavorting shadows they cast on two screens, one to either side. Clever lighting was used to maximum effect, plenty of visual tricks lending sometimes violent imagery to proceedings - helped along by particularly ominous music. Suitably creepy for the week that's in it!

The Suit, by Ballet Black, I've seen before. The only piece in this show with a narrative, it tells the story of a man who leaves for work, but forgets his briefcase. Upon his return for it, however, he finds his wife in flagrante with another man! The lover flees, leaving his clothes behind. The jealous husband makes a thing of the suit, insisting that his wife take it everywhere with her..

The final piece, Nine Sinatra Songs, saw the cast dress in their glad rags, and treat us to what reminded me of nothing so much as an episode of Strictly. (More acrobatic, mind.) A glitter ball was suspended from the ceiling as a series of couples came on and performed sundry ballroom dances.. For me, not all the pieces worked, but mostly it was lovely to watch. I was far more interested in the music though, with a couple of songs I hadn't heard before, and two renditions of My Way. So, in all, a very successful evening, and great to see everyone! Nice to be back with Meetup again.

For Hallowe'en, The Embers Collective stepped up to the plate, with a storytelling performance called Witch, at The Jago. Let's hope they do a good show.. I need some distraction, with the ongoing techie problems on my mother's side.

Tomorrow, meeting Ivan, at a friend's house. It'll be a late one. Good chance to blow off steam.

And on Saturday, I booked with Best Authentic Walking Tours in London, for a Royal Maritime Greenwich Ghost Tour. Now, this is - as with all their walks - with Funzing, so I can get a refund up to 48 hours beforehand. Which I knew I'd probably do (have, in fact, done for this twice already), as I might have gone to a film that day - depending what was on - or, if I didn't like the offerings, Love London Theatre, Arts, Music & Stuff is off to Blood Wedding, a new adaptation of the Lorca play, at the Young Vic. But that since sold out - was bound to happen. Well, I finally did come up with an alternative that made me cancel the ghost tour - another ghost tour! specifically, of the British Museum, with Spooky London. I mean, technically I could probably go to both - I just couldn't be bothered rushing the first to traipse all the way out to Greenwich, for an event that wouldn't be at all sociable! Might get on that walk some day.