Musical: How to Succeed in Business without Really Trying

Tonight, my local cinema's excellent doc house was showing Tina, a documentary about the phenomenon that was the late Tina Turner! but then, Up in the Cheap Seats (UITCS) advertised How to Succeed in Business without Really Trying, at Southwark Playhouse. Happily, the organiser informed us that tickets are available from CT - so I got one of those! and as I had a little credit with them, got them at a small discount..

I'd be walking past The Lucas Arms to catch my bus - but I didn't feel like eating there two nights in a row, and thought I'd try Mercato Metropolitano instead - it's been a while! I had to change buses - and the second bus was packed like sardines - I was lucky I'd got on early. I squeezed off at the Mercato, had my bag checked, and went for.. exactly what I usually have, the handmade pasta and a glass of wine. Well, if it ain't broke.. and it was nice to get back here.

And so to the theatre, where I queued for a glass of wine, and - ooh! they had Tayto! so I had to have some of those. And so we chatted until it was time to go in - and we were all sat together, except for the organiser, who discovered his seat had been double-booked! and chivalrously surrendered it to the lady already in it, coming to sit with us at the side. Both sides were quite empty, anyway.

Ah, this was exactly what I needed, in another horrendous week! Cheesy, catchy, great fun - the lead character starts as a window-washer and works his way through to the top of the corporate world. In about a fortnight, and without much effort, as the title suggests! The singing was great, the story is barmy, but who cares.. my only quibble was that the first half is 90 minutes long and the seats, while comfortable enough, are not up to being sat on for that long. Happily, the second half is shorter. Never mind, all in all, I loved it! And sitting in the rear of the bar at the interval left me so nostalgic for happier times.. Runs until the 17th - recommended for a fun night out. Sadly, even though the bus dropped me right outside my local shop - and I did need shopping - it had, as usual, decided to close 10 minutes early, so my shopping list remains unfulfilled. (sniff*)

Tomorrow, back with the same group for Bleak Expectations, a Dickens-based comedy, with a different star every week, showing at the Criterion. I think we're getting Julian Clary.. I ended up going up a price band here, the cheap tickets all seemed so restricted!

And on Thursday, back with North London Friends, for the first time in, oh, ages.. we're off to The Park, to see The Shape of Things. Different people from last time, these are some I knew before.

Play: Brilliant Jerks

Tonight, my final booking - for the week - with Up in the Cheap Seats (UITCS), for Brilliant Jerks at Southwark Playhouse. And wouldn't you know it, I still had credit on my Pay as you Go subscription, so got it for free! Looked like it'd be just me and the organiser, but at the last minute, we had another subscriber. Great to see her again, too!

Earlier, I got a warning email from the theatre, to warn me to ensure I was going to the right venue.. they have a new one new, down the road.

My way to the quickest bus took me by The Lucas Arms, so I ate there. Decided I'd had enough steak and ale pie for the moment, and had the roast chicken instead.. I'll be back to the pie next, it's more substantial than what I had. Anyway, just as I arrived, so did a group called the Acrobats - looked like visually impaired people, all accompanied by seeing minders! They go out regularly for a meal, it seems - great facility for them.

And so to the theatre, where I arrived ridiculously early - fine, it had been a stressful day at work, I could do with chilling. They still have the sign saying to "check in at the box office" - so I did, and he spent ages looking for a ticket that I had on my phone! "Oh, you have an e-ticket!" sez he. "Go on in then!" Really, they should take down that sign..

I was early enough to get a seat at a table, which filled up with sundry people. Who all eventually dissipated - and indeed, the place was beginning to empty by the time my companions arrived! The other show starts earlier, you see. And we chatted happily until it was time to go in.

Seating was unassigned - we ended up in the second row:

Funky desk - appropriately for a tech environment. Because, you see, this is about the founders of a kind of taxi app - yeah, we all know it's Uber. It's really interesting - and really true-to-life, from my experience. The three actors switch roles - sometimes representing the cuttthroat board of the company, sometimes the programmers, dealing with a troublesome manager - sometimes the drivers, with their variety of experiences.

It's notable that they mention both ADHD and autism - tech is known to be a good career for people who fall into both categories. They're social conditions, characterised by a difficulty in social situations: and work that has you staring at a computer screen minimises social interactions. (I always remember a cartoon, years ago, with a kid playing videogames, watched over by his optimistic parents, who dream of him earning a six-figure salary for shooting aliens. Well gee, truth is stranger than fiction - that's exactly what happened..)

Mix into that a toxic corporate culture, led by people who had a bright idea one day and made millions from it, so they think they can do no wrong! (It's not unheard of - one guy from my class in college started his own tech company, sold it to a multinational, and retired on the proceeds. He was 25.) And on top of that, consider the drivers, at the frontline - the company depends on them, but do they recognise that? Not a bit of it - they live in a different world.

So - brilliant, but jerks. It's a very rounded look inside a major tech company - fast-paced and clever, finding the nub of every situation it handles. Perhaps better appreciated by those who work in the industry, but still a nice piece of work. Runs till the 25th - check it out!

Tomorrow, it's back to Ireland for the weekend again. Now that the film listings are finally out for there, at the top of the list was one I hadn't heard of. My Sailor, My Love is an Irish, geriatric love story - a crusty old ex-sailor is looked after by his daughter, who gets in a housekeeper (Brid Brennan, looking a lot older than when I last saw her, in Brooklyn). The last thing she's expecting is for them to fall in love.. This is showing in the Odeon Limerick.

Ah, but yesterday they finally released a rating for the newly released Scream VI! And it's a lot higher-rated - although it dropped a lot on its first day. Still, let's hope it stays at least as high as the other choice - I'd much rather see this, frankly! It moves the action to New York, where the survivors of the original killers have moved to start a new life - still has Courteney Cox, of course, and the classic Scream masks.. and this one is in Ennis, which is quicker to get to. And with a choice of showings.. Contains strobe lighting, by the look of one of the trailers.

On Monday, I'm also planning film. And with the London listings finally out (partially), I plumped for A Guilty Conscience, a Hong Kong film about a lawyer whose negligence gets an innocent woman convicted - so he sets out to put things right. Showing in the Odeon Haymarket - cheaper to book online, so I have.

On Tuesday, I was to go with The Hideout: Horror Sci-Fi Club London to a talk at the Horse Hospital, entitled Raising Hell, about horror and the British film industry in the 1980s. Bought a ticket - and then the organiser said he can't make it. I already have a ticket, of course - so I'll be going anyway. And the annoying thing is, he's deleted the event completely! It might have been nice to meet others who could still make it, you know..! This isn't the first time he's done this, apparently. Well, at least it seems to be close to me.

On Wednesday, back with UITCS for Medea, with Sophie Okonedo, at Soho Place.

Next Thursday, it's back to the Vault Festival - for Happy Factory, who have an airealist show. Not suitable for young children, apparently..

Now, the 17th is Paddy's Day. But for once, I'm not doing anything related - I'm back with the Crick Crack Club (CCC) for a performance of Beowulf, at King's Place. Two Danish storytellers, it seems.

On the 18th - awesome! Laurence Summers and the 45+ Not Grumpy Old Londoners have a walk I haven't done, and which is scheduled for a day I can make it. How unusual.. This is Clubland: Secrets of the Gentleman's Clubs. I hear there was supposed to be yet another rail strike that day, but not now..

And what a very good job it's in the afternoon - because that evening is a performance, in conjunction with the CCC, of Medusa, again at King's Place! An unusual take on it, from the evidence of last night's storytelling..

On the 19th, London Walks, Art & Culture Explorers are going on a Quirky London walk. And so am I.

On the 20th, back with UITCS for a play called Women, Beware the Devil, set in the year 1640 - showing in the Almeida.

On the 21st, I've booked with The London Palestinian Rights Meetup Group for Taking Sides – A Conversation about Love, War, and Changing the World. Happening at Amnesty International UK.

Back with UITCS for the next two days - on the 22nd, it's for comedian Rosie Holt at the Leicester Square Theatre.

On the 23rd, I'm at Further Than the Furthest Thing, at the Young Vic. Then back to Ireland for the weekend again.

On the 27th, I've booked with the Happy Positive Group! For their weekly Monday trivia night! They seem to be completely online, and frankly, the chances of me attending this are slim. But we'll see.

On the 28th, I've booked for Phaedra, at the National.

On the 29th, I'm going with UITCS to Sadler's Wells - first time in an age - 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, 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.

And on the 30th, 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..

Play: Noor

Tonight - originally, nothing better coming up than Soho Comedy Factory, upstairs at The Blue Posts. Now, last Thursday, I was to be back with Up in the Cheap Seats (UITCS) - for Noor, at Southwark Playhouse. The true story of a WWII spy - and bought, as usual, on my PAYG subscription - which gives you cheap tickets to five shows, and never expires. But wouldn't you know it, that performance was cancelled. Instead, I changed my booking for Noor to this night. Sadly, not with the group, who rearranged for a night I can't go.

They had suggested meeting at Mercato Metropolitano, which is a good choice for the theatre - however, I was celebrating in a small way, having had a very promising interview for a permanent job, and decided to head back to The Lucas Arms again: which, after all, I would be passing. Rather preferable to having to head to separate stalls for your food and drink. Well, it was less crowded than last night, and I got a table without too much trouble, and ordered - exactly the same. Yes, they are beginning to recognise me here, too.. And interestingly, I was sat beside a group of young folks that I think I've sat beside before! Intense political discussion, very left-wing - and the same table that they were sat at before. I bet it's a regular thing..

Well, I quietly ate and left, avoiding joining in - their views being a bit too left-wing for me. Was just in time to miss one of the buses I could catch, and just in time to catch the other! At the theatre, spent ages queueing behind a couple that were confused about whether to buy a playtext or a program - and then the lady behind me tried to jump in front of me! Hmph. Annoying that they don't just scan e-tickets here any more. Anyway, I got my ticket and was just in time to buy a drink of v nice sauvignon blanc before they declared the house open. Unassigned seating, so I made my way in - you can take drinks in, here, and in glass too!

A very interesting, long, thin stage, seating on both sides. An usher was at pains to keep people from walking on the stage itself! Not even the actors always did that, frequently making their way past our feet, so that I was scared of tripping them - I sat in the front row. And wow, what a powerful performance - a gripping story, cleverly told, with minimal props, and one actor playing multiple parts. Permeated throughout with background music: from jazz to the Bach that the Nazi officer likes to listen to, to - right at the end - Indian music, evocative of the title character's origins. All beautiful. And the story itself is edge-of-your-seat stuff, a combination of carelessness and betrayal leading to Noor's downfall. A really moving ending makes it all the more memorable. Highly recommended - runs, again, till the 26th.

Tomorrow, back - at last! - with London Classical Music and Theatre Group (LCMTG), for Alcina at the Royal Opera House. More Handel..

On Friday, I was heading to The Horror Show at Somerset House - a horror-based art exhibition - with The Horror Book Club. But then Civilised London popped up with another meal - so I booked that, and we were headed to Champor Champor, a Thai / Malay restaurant. Meeting beforehand at The Rose, nearby. Until he decided, just last Thursday, to cancel it! I supposed he hadn't wanted to do it with only two of us, since I was - unusually - the only one to sign up. But to my further surprise - he kicked me out of the group later that night! No warning, no explanation - not very "civilised". Jeez, I suppose he's had enough of me. And you think you know someone.. Can't believe I used to consider him a friend.

Killer is, he was such a good reference for good eateries - and the group is private, so without being a member, I won't be able to see where he's going. Ah well, TBH, I was beginning to feel out of place with the people who were attending the meals.. which was pretty much all I was doing with the group, lately. Meantime, I'm back at The Horror Show - at least the ticket won't go to waste!

On Saturday, planned another meal with the people that are harder to herd than cats! But lo, of the four people I invited, three have now bowed out. Jeez.. so I'm down to just the same person that was the only one to make it last time, so I decided to head somewhere different. For variety. We're going to The Garrick Arms, which is in a nice, central area, and is - crucially - a Greene King pub: so I can have my pie! again..

On Sunday, back with the Crick Crack Club at the British Museum, where Daniel Morden and Hugh Lupton are performing The Iliad.

On Monday, not having been with LCMTG for ages, I'm with them for the second time in a week! Heading to Wigmore Hall this time, for the Takács Quartet, who are playing Beethoven. Now sold out - and I'm not surprised, given that when I booked, I got one of the last three (top price) seats! Ah well, it wasn't astronomical - and I do love Beethoven.

On Tuesday, back at the QT Bar - for the RB and Soul Revue. Now, they put on a great show - but, given my experience last time, I'll know to buy my drink at the upstairs bar and take it down with me - better choice! And at least this time, I'll know where I'm going.. Pity I didn't think to check CT first, who have cheap tickets!!

Next Wednesday, I'm back at Conway Hall, for a concert called Sing Like a Vagabond - Shouts and Cries of Victorian London. Tickets are free, but you do have to book.

On the 17th, I'm back with UITCS at the Coliseum, for a performance of Yeomen of the Guard, by Gilbert & Sullivan. And knowing the steepness of the steps in the Balcony - and the irregularity - and what with my stairs phobia - I've done my best to get a seat at the side, so I can use the handrail to get down. Oh, and an aisle seat, what with the restricted legroom..

Then I'm back to Ireland again. On the 19th, UL is hosting a PhD reunion, with a tour of the campus and, crucially, free lunch. And I'll be using the occasion to catch up with an old friend and, hopefully, find out what finally prompted him to quit lecturing at last, more than 10 years after I did, considering he was bullied even worse than I was! With a late flight the next day, I might get to a film as well..

Film: Smile & Play: The Prince

Had an interview (well, an informal chat) yesterday! Unfortunately, only a couple of nights ago I finally booked something for yesterday - and wouldn't you know it, it was Walking the Lambeth Walk, which clashed with the interview! Even more annoying, I booked it with TAC to get it cheaper, and therefore had to pay in advance - and it's non-refundable. Nuts.

Well, they're desperate to hire someone, I have to say - NOT, I stress, because they hired me! But she only scheduled 20 minutes - and then only used up 10 of them. And most of it was her telling me what she'd found wrong with other people in the job - none of which, I assured her, I'd do! By yesterday evening, the recuiter was back to me, to tell me I had the job. :-) So, all those companies that kept me hanging - for weeks - can go take a running jump.. And I'm keeping them hanging, too.

Yesterday evening, the outlook was pretty bleak for things to do on Meetup - looked like Soho Comedy Factory again, really! Now, they do have a Meetup group, with no need to buy a ticket - but their attendance was booked up. Still, when I went before, nobody asked me for a ticket, or whom I was with.. Thought I might schlep along there.

Ate in O' Neill's beforehand - well, I fancied something nice and easy. And as I was eating - well, I just didn't feel like heading to the crowded environs of The Blue Posts. Just then - like a sign - a bus passed.. with a sign on the side.. advertising.. Smile. 😀 Well, that was all I needed. You know, when I used to attend pub Meetups with a group called Spooky London Pubs - since defunct - I once met a young man who gave me a business card. He was in this "serendipity" group - as he described it, they'd meet and then spontaneously decide what to do, which side street to go down.. I never did go, but I think he'd have approved of this. Well, I had now decided on horror - and gee, the highest rated horror film on my list was, indeed, Smile! which was showing in the Vue Islington in a couple of hours. I booked it - seeming to remember that's cheaper than paying when you show up, in this chain. Anyway, the Vue Islington is nice and cheap, as they go, too..

Really, really slow quques at the concession stands. It was quite full, as it happened - I, handily, found a seat with a spare seat beside it, so I wasn't sitting right beside anyone. And Lordy, that girl two seats away, who never turned off her phone, but kept looking at it and messaging on it throughout. Seriously guys, this is an addiction you need to quit - not least because the screen is so distracting to those of us trying to concentrate on the film! Plus, you're spoiling the experience for yourselves. As pointed out during the "turn your phone off" ad before the feature started. During which ad, she was, of course, messaging someone. Interestingly, she took a screenshot of the censor's certificate, and shared it with someone.. I guess she doesn't get to many horrors.

Now, I didn't need to research this, apart from the rating - I had a pretty good idea what I was dealing with. I watch a lot of short horror films on YouTube - it's a great way to pass a few minutes - and the "grinning man" (it's usually a man) is a common trope. Basically, someone with a rictus grin, and some kind of evil intent - looking manic, they are never good news. And so it proves in this film, with an unfortunate psychiatrist, who has a patient kill herself in front of her - with a rictus grin on her face - and seems haunted by it ever after.

I have to say, this is a genuinely good horror film. I was actually jumpy on the way home - hell, it's a long time since that happened to me. They succeed in creating a truly creepy atmosphere - yes, initially by means of maybe too many jump scares, but they do the job. It's damn creepy, when you catch sight of somebody, grinning manically for no apparent reason - especially if their attention is fixed on you. Simple, huh? Combine that with a sinister soundtrack, dizzying, upside-down camerawork - reminiscent of another excellent horror, Midsommar (which I notice also had the jangly music) - and a very effective transformation of the lead character, from the calm and collected doctor, to someone who looks truly like she is a danger to herself and others. And you have a horror film that started with a high rating (for a horror film) and has since climbed in ratings. Not that it's to everyone's taste, for sure - the initially verbal crowd got very quiet as the film progressed, and I overheard one guy remark to his companion that "that was twisted". In rather a shocked voice. Well, it is an R.. So, in short, highly recommended to those who appreciate the genre.

Last night, was busy reworking the film list - and too tired to blog when that was finished. Today, was thinking film again. A few Indian films at the top - which, of course, I'm very wary of. I rejected one romance - but had trouble deciding on the next on the list, Dhokha. This is a thriller, in which a cop's wife is taken hostage by a terrorist. Has a twist, though - she's got mental health issues. Something along the lines of - which reality should we believe? So, thought I might give that a whirl - would have to traipse all the way up to Wood Green again, is the only thing.

Having spent so long on the list, I'd forgotten that others might have things on - and when I looked, I decided I'd rather accompany Up in the Cheap Seats to The Prince, at Southwark Playhouse. Happily, I still had credit left on my PAYG subscription! So I booked that, late last night.

Got to bed really late, then was woken too early by a series of messages from people requiring me to sign things, send them copies of things, fill out forms - I was at it for hours, by which time it was time for me to get up! I've been wrecked, all day. Now, for this theatre, I really should have headed to Mercato Metropolitano for food - it's just across from the theatre. But, tired as I was, I just couldn't face it - traipsing from stall to stall for food, a different stall for wine, then searching for a seat. No, I fancied something easier, so just went back to O' Neill's. Where I ordered from the table and had everything brought to me, and got to watch Sky News tell us how dreadful the UK economy is.

When I was finished, I headed straight to the theatre - was the first of our group there. They're requiring paper tickets, unusually - problems with people getting in without a ticket, perhaps? We weren't sat together:

A minimalist stage, divided into black and white squares - two raised platforms, which turned out to house boxes. We are plunged into Henry IV Part I, the King complaining that his ne-er-do-well son and heir, Prince Hal, is no match for the splendid, warrior son of the Earl of Northumberland, Harry "Hotspur" Percy. Into the scene, enter two incongruous characters - dressed in modern clothes, speaking in a modern way - as the play continues, it transpires that they have been trapped in this alternate dimension, full of Shakespearian characters. One of the newcomers is newly arrived, so we get exposition when the one who's been there longer explains everything. However, the newcomer isn't just content to observe - she has a tendency to get involved. Which leads to climactic consequences for all concerned!

The writer, in fact, plays Hotspur, here. The casting is a bit gender-blind, but for once it works, with people making a real effort to resemble the gender they're supposed to convey. Oh, and it's packed with actual Shakespearian dialogue - which, it seems, left my companions a bit cold! Me, I love a bit of Shakespeare - I also loved the way that the modern characters weave around and through the story, and comment on it after a scene! Oh, and spoiler - you also get a bit of Hamlet, the writer playing the title character. I swear, she only does it to get to perform that soliloquy!

So, as I say, I thought it was excellent - inventive, and with plenty of Shakespearian dialogue. I've always felt a bit funny about standing ovations - are you applauding the actors, or the playwright? No such problems here, as she takes her bows with the others, then individually! Runs till the 8th - very highly recommended!

Back to Ireland tomorrow - and the weekend's film, as of now, is looking like one I'd never even heard of until recently, when someone was talking about it! Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris is a comedy about a 50s cleaning lady (Lesley Manville), who dreams of owning a Dior dress - so, off she goes to Paris for it! Based on a book, it seems - and from the trailer, it looks like the absolutely charming story of a middle-aged lady who finally gets the chance to fulfil a few of her dreams! Showing in Ennis, again.

On Monday, I'd booked with 50-50 Trivia again for the afternoon - and have now had to cancel, because of the job, which starts next week! Rescheduled from the day of the Queen's funeral. Then Ivan is supposed to be back, and has suggested going for a drink in the evening - I have to check with him on Sunday, when I'm back from Ireland, though.

On Tuesday, I "provisionally" booked with  Laurence Summers and the 45+ Not Grumpy Old Londoners again - this time, for Down and Out in Clerkenwell, ironically very near to where I live. Again, I had to cancel this because, as he says, I'll have gone from "provisional" to "professional"!

That evening, at any rate, I'm with the 45+s again - this time for a classical concert, at St. John's, Smith Square. OMG it's years since I was last there - and they have discounted tickets!

And on Wednesday, I've "provisionally" booked for the Soho Comedy Factory again.. We shall see.

Play: Yeast Nation

Tonight, I was back with Up In The Cheap Seats - crikey, when's the last time that happened, twice with them in one week! This time, it was for Yeast Nation in Southwark Playhouse. Bless, they always put on something interesting.. Anyway, with my old payg subscription used up, I've taken out another - £60 gets you five tickets, over an unlimited period. Excellent value! and I have such good memories of evenings spent in the bar here. Doesn't happen any more, sadly.

Just missed one bus, but another was along within five minutes. Well, I have gotten into the habit of eating in the Mercato Metropolitano when attending a show here - it's just across the road - and did the same this evening. One of the first stalls I passed was the Gourmet Burger stall - with good memories from the Gourmet Burger Kitchen, I decided to try it. For each of their burgers, you get a choice of beef, chicken, brisket, or vegetarian - I chose a beef truffle burger (comes with truffle sauce). Double, while I was at it - with fries. Got a receipt, and was told it'd be about 10 minutes - nipped around the corner in the meantime for a glass of wine, there's a decent bar there.

Came back, sat down. The girls who had ordered ahead of me duly collected their order - and seeing a burger remaining there - which might have been mine - I went up with my receipt. She was rather surprised I had to ask - yes, this is your burger! Jeez, is it not the norm to announce a burger when it's ready?! Also, it would have been really nice to get some cultery - or at least a napkin. I'd been struggling for a while when I noticed they did have knives on the counter - but that was it. So I had the messiest meal I've had in years - finally gave up on the thing (I was a bit sick of all the truffle sauce anyway), left about a third of it. The fries were quite nice, but needed salt - that wasn't on offer either, of course. It was already past the time I was supposed to meet the others, so I dumped the rest and nicked some kitchen paper I'd spotted to wipe my hands. Won't be back there again..

At Southwark Playhouse, you have to check in. That's all - they don't give you a ticket or anything, just confirm your seat number. I spotted the others, queued for a drink - better wine here, TBH. Joined the others, and we moseyed in when we saw other people moving. Most of us were sitting together, one over the side:

We did wonder what the beanbags were for - I noted that they reminded me of characters in the excellent Everything, Everywhere, All at Once, but here, they're mainly for sitting on. The lighting, the sound effects, contribute the sensation of being under the sea. In the primordial soup, as one yeast character calls it later.

The yeasts are all called Jan - Jan the Second (son of the King), Jan the Wise, Jan the Sly, and Jan the Sweet are the main characters. And they all wear skintight costumes with bits of taffeta attached - not very well, as bits kept falling off. These have a green hue. The King has ordained that the Strictures must be maintained - to maintain stasis, because he's seen the alternative, and it ain't pretty. But his son (Jan the Second) has been to the surface, and sees a different future.. the yeasts split into two factions, those who want to preserve stasis, and those who want to - evolve. There's a lot of glooping.

:-) Emm.. The singing is very good. In fact, I'd have to say, the whole thing is very well performed - they could hardly have done better with the material. The material - is happily bonkers. What else would you expect, really. My only complaint was that the first half, in particular, felt very long.. evidently, practically the entire far side of the room felt the same, not coming back after the interval! But it's quite interesting. Even if one of the evolving sea creatures did take an unhealthy interest in my wine..

As noted afterwards, the cast seemed to have the best fun with this! I agree. Runs until Saturday, if you want to see for yourself. I got the bus back again - who would take the Tube, with views like this?

Tomorrow, I got a cheap ticket with TAC to the Cabaret All-Stars!

Saturday is going to be busy - I'm back with Laurence Summers and the 45+ Not Grumpy Old Londoners for a walk called Glorious Greenwich. So popular, he's reached capacity and there are still 11 on the waitlist! He's finally found somewhere that can accommodate 20 of us, and is trying to get people to confirm whether they're going to lunch - since 34 have booked for the walk!

That evening, I was supposed to be meeting two ex-coworkers for dinner and drinks. But it turns out one got her wires crossed, and is now doing something else. Unfortunately, the other can only manage central London - Greenwich is too awkward for him. We're going back to Imad's Syrian Kitchen.. perfect location, great restaurant!

On Sunday, I'm off to Rye. London and Sussex Walking Tours - whom I joined during lockdown - are running a daytrip! called Rye - Pirates, Ports and Jazz (they also have a jazz festival this weekend): and I've never been. It's a bit of a palaver to get to, involving two trains - but well, it's about time I travelled a bit, and it's not too early a start. And the tour itself ends early in the day, so I have plenty of time to eat and explore before my train(s) back.

On Monday, thinking of film - and with the film listings (partially) out, finally, what it's looking like is M, a 1931 thriller set in Germany about the hunt for a murderer. Only showing in the BFI, which has a tendency to sell out - this isn't yet, but I'll have to keep an eye on it.

On Tuesday, I'm back with TAC - for a play called Angel, in the Hope Theatre. Based on the true story of the "Angel of Kobane", a young woman who fought against the encroaching forces of Islamic State. This is the final part of an "Arabian Nightmares" trilogy of plays by Henry Naylor.

And on Wednesday - assuming I'm not working by then, I've signed up to another of Laurence's walks: The Lady-Killer is an inventive renaming of London's most notorious serial killer.. Failing that, if I have to work (sadly, a necessary evil eventually), I can always head back to the Soho Comedy Factory that evening.. (Be aware, Design My Night sells tickets to this for £5, but you can show up for free..!)

Musical: Anyone Can Whistle

Tonight, back with Up in the Cheap Seats at Southwark Playhouse, and another free ticket for me! This time, it was for Anyone Can Whistle, with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim. In the afternoon, we had the most horrendous thunder shower, and I hoped desperately that would clear up by the time I left!

Well, it did - pretty much. My quicker bus, I was told, was the #35 - and it was due. No sign of it, of course - it didn't actually appear until Buses Due had given up on it. When it did, it was pretty crowded - I ended up upstairs, unusually for me. Where we were entertained by a man - who sounded drunk, but you never know - who was having a conversation with everyone and no-one. We learned that he had throat cancer. He informed us that it would take him, or his voice. I guess he was making the most of it while he could, then..

I alighted - into light rain - and crossed via an enormous puddle to Mercato Metropolitano. When I was looking for somewhere to eat around here, I'd completely forgotten about this place, until Google Maps reminded me! Well gosh, it was good to be back - the Uzbek place looked good for food, but she completely ignored me, so I ended up back at the Italian. Where he gave me a buzzer that would go off when my food was ready. Meantime, I headed off and got a rather delectable glass of wine at the nearby bar - pretty soon after that, my tagliatelle bolognese was ready, and I took a seat at a nearby bench. And it was delish! Returned the dish afterwards, and wandered around with a second glass of wine - I resisted having a third, knowing that I'd be drinking at the theatre as well.

Crossed back to the theatre a little early, where I met the organiser - we were to be the only ones from the group that showed. As I "checked in" at the box office, he warned me that the front row would be subject to audience participation. Hmmm. Anyway, I had my third drink, the organiser and I chatted, and it was good to see him. And we hung around the bar until it was time to go in, just in case. Then took our seats, a spare seat between us where another group member had been supposed to sit, but she couldn't make it.

Oh dear, what a difference from last night. For a start, whyever it was, I couldn't hear all the lyrics - might have been because of the stage design. But that wasn't the half of it. Now, to give it its due, the songs were catchy, the singing was excellent. It's just the completely bonkers, infantile story, which had lunatics escaping from the asylum (the "cookie jar") and hiding in the audience. Which theme was repeated again.. and again.. as if to tease us. Well, at least my organiser got some fun out of it - he ended up with one of the ladies on his lap! She even invited him home for dinner later.

Me, I could not keep from looking at my watch - and apparently my sigh of relief when the first half was over was pointed. We both legged it out of there at the interval. For the love of God, avoid - runs till the 7th. Don't be tempted. But it was good to get an early night for once.

Tomorrow, Tommy Tiernan is playing at the Hammersmith Apollo! Now, I failed to get a ticket for this the first time around. Then it was rescheduled because of Covid.. and I got a ticket for the rescheduled event! Then that was rescheduled.. third time lucky?! Love Tommy Tiernan. The show is called Tomfoolery.

And then it's back to Ireland for the weekend again. For Saturday, I've booked Uncharted - an Indiana Jones-style adventure, probably with less style, but at least starring Mark Wahlberg and Antonio Banderas. Could be fun, and anyway, the choice for daytime isn't spectacular. Showing, as usual, at the Omniplex.

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

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

Next Wednesday, back with Civilised London, who are off to the opera at the Southbank Centre. The show in question is The Paradis Files. Next day, I'm back to Ireland for Easter - but left it so late to book, I could only get an afternoon flight - no problem getting the day off work though!

Well, my friend got back to me - they're away in the middle of Easter week, back on the 21st, so the most sensible thing to do seemed to be to visit on the 22nd, which I've now arranged with her. Happily, my boss was also fine with me taking that week as holiday. Anyway, I'll fly back to London on the 24th. And on the 25th, I'm off to The Corn is Green, at the National.

Play: The Woods

And so the saga of providing information for my new job continues! In the futile search today for a place to print (as someone won't accept an electronic signature), I finally gave up - have asked someone still working at my old company whether she wouldn't mind printing off that page for me, and I can meet her and get it from her so I can sign it. Hopefully tomorrow. Anyway, meantime I was tired and hungry, and came across an Italian - Giovanni's - in my travels, which I thought would do fine.

I was quickly shown to a table - handily located right beside a talkative table of work colleagues, whose conversation was entertaining enough to keep me occupied. The lady took my wine order.. but I was waiting for quite a while for her to come back to take my food order - I guess I hit the lunchtime rush - and meantime, I had noticed a QR code on the table, whereby I could order on my phone. In fact, I wasn't quite sure that that wasn't what I was actually supposed to do, and whether she would ever come back to me at all! Well, she did - by which stage I'd just ordered. To be delivered to Table 26. Cue some confusion, as they located my order, then the owner (I guess) announced that if I wanted to order on the app, I'd have to put the drink on the app as well. Eh, ok then.. so she was just slow in coming, they do take the order at the table!

It took quite a while to arrive - no wonder, as the starter arrived with the main course! I had ordered garlic bread - I wouldn't again here, it was focaccia, and came out as crisp as a poppadum. But the chicken in mushroom sauce.. mm-hmm! Delish, and worth a return trip, no mistake! Served with fries. For dessert, I decided to have the lemon sorbet for a change - which was served in a hollowed-out half lemon! And was extremely lemony. I was bade farewell in Italian - would definitely come back here again! (and order and pay IRL.).

So, I didn't really need to eat this evening. I headed with Up in the Cheap Seats (UITCS) to The Woods, at Southwark Playhouse. Aw man, it's over a year since I last saw a performance from there, and over two years since I was last there in person! And would you believe it, I bought a PAYG subscription from them years ago, and it still entitles me to free tickets. So I used it for this! With the group having snapped up most of the front row, I was in the row behind.. And there'd be several people there that I know.

Headed out in decent time - there were a few buses I could take, but when the #35 came, it was so packed I couldn't get on! Happily, there was a #133 right behind that would do just as well. When I got to the theatre, we were made to "check in" - which consisted of the people at the box office telling me my seat number. Eh, ok. The others were already mostly in situ - I joined one at the bar getting a drink, where the bartender thought we were on the same bill. Kindly, he offered to pay for mine. And the group chatted until it was time to go in. Quite a few faces I hadn't seen in a while - but then, I don't go with this group so much any more.

Well, as someone said, in the front row they were just in the middle of the action - not always a good thing. This is 90 minutes straight through, and is the story of a young couple spending a romantic time in his family's cabin, up in the wilds somewhere. It's a chance to get away, a chance to get to know each other properly away from the hustle and bustle of the city.

Except, beware of what you find out, you might not like it. And indeed, the group was pretty universal in its dislike of this. Me, I thought it was decently written - and indeed, pretty true to life! in a depressing sort of a way. What an unpleasant couple. She started out, I thought, annoyingly chattery, and perhaps reading too much into the relationship, while he was typically taciturn, his mood changing unexpectedly. So yeah (spoiler), in essence, she read something more into his taking her up there than he intended, and it all went sour pretty fast. Predictably. An accurate description of many relationships - just not a pleasant watch. Won't be going on anyone's list of favourites. And probably, the violence was unnecessary. Also includes flashing lights - there's a big thunderstorm. Runs until the 26th.

Afterwards, it was a real shame that nobody seemed to want to stay on for a bit - this is the best theatre for a drink that I know of, and I have very fond memories. But hey, if the will isn't there..

Tomorrow, booked again with Laurence Summers and the 45+ Not Grumpy Old Londoners.. well, I still won't have started the new job by then! Jeez, just as well I have savings.. This walk is Glamorous Chelsea and its Famous Residents. Got cash out on my way home today - I am getting organised!

That evening, I'm back with London Classical Music and Theatre Group - for a play this time! We're seeing Straight Line Crazy, with Ralph Fiennes, at the Bridge. Just as well we booked early - availability is low for most of the rest of the month.

Thursday is, of course, St. Patrick's Day. In Ireland, it's a bank holiday - in London, Kíla is playing the London Irish Centre again. A standing gig, this time. Should be mad. But you know, when SFF advertised tickets for Lord of the Dance, at the Hammersmith Apollo the same night.. I booked. Well, such is life. Anyway, I should have paused a moment-  because I checked afterwards, and TAC has tickets as well. Bah humbug, would've been even cheaper. Never mind.

On Friday, I'm back with London European Club, for 24 Italian Songs & Arias, at Battersea Arts Centre. They're operating a "Pay What You Can" scheme, where you pay what you want, between £5 and £35 - recommended price, £16. They even sent me a survey afterwards to see what I thought!

On Saturday, back with Laurence and the 45+s - this time, it's Highgate: A Very English Village. More hills..

On Sunday.. someone I swore I'd never do a walk with again. Well, we'll see whether she's back on form - Walks, Talks & Treasure Hunts (WTTH) is off on a walk called Secrets of Belgravia. (Courtesy of her company, London Guided Walks.) The code MEETUP3 gets you a £3 discount on all her walks - which does cover the booking fee of £1, not advertised before you come to the point of purchasing the ticket. Well, it'll be a start if she shows up! Funnily enough, she messaged me yesterday - because I signed up on the Meetup group - to remind me to book a ticket through her company. I see she doesn't cross-reference, since I already did!

On Monday, I'm at another Zoom talk - Quakers at War is the story of the Quakers and their pacifism. Courtesy of Surrey History Meetup.

Next Tuesday.. I'm booked for Dear Evan Hansen, at the Noel Coward Theatre! Finally - I'd booked for this before lockdown, and of course it got cancelled. Cheapest tickets from the official site.

On the 23rd, back with Civilised London (CL) - back at Le Sacré Coeur, meeting beforehand at The Crown, as usual.

On the 24th, back with TAC for Avocado Presents - Improv, at Etcetera Theatre. Eh, I think it's a jazz concert? Anyway, then back to Ireland for the weekend again.

On the 28th, going to see Daddy at the Almeida. Having never seen a bad production here, I have high hopes.

On the 29th, finally going to see Andrew Lloyd Webber's Cinderella! I hear good things.. it's playing at the Gillian Lynne Theatre, which is new to me - Seatplan was invaluable in choosing the best seating option. What's On Stage provided the cheapest price for that seat, though!

On the 30th, back with CL - for a play this time. This is The Fever Syndrome, at Hampstead Theatre.

On the 31st, back with TAC for One Night With Robbie Williams. This is at The Courtyard.

On the 1st, back with the Crick Crack Club (CCC) for - The Grand Annual Lying Contest! at Rich Mix.

On the 2nd, back with WTTH for a Regent's Canal Walk. Different guide.

On the 3rd, the CCC again! Emily Hennessey and Sheema Mukherjee are at the British Museum, with Holy Cow! Tales from the River of Life. Unfortunately, the London Landmarks Half Marathon is also that day, so I'll probably be on the Tube, at least getting to the museum. 

On the 4th, I'm back at the Park Theatre for the first time in nearly three years! This is for Clybourne Park, a comedy about a white family moving into a predominantly black neighbourhood.

On the 5th, I'm headed to But I'm a Cheerleader, a musical comedy at the Turbine Theatre.

On the 6th, back with UITCS at Southwark Playhouse, and another free ticket for me! This time, it's for Anyone Can Whistle, with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim.

On the 7th, Tommy Tiernan is playing at the Hammersmith Apollo! Now, I failed to get a ticket for this the first time around. Then it was rescheduled because of Covid.. and I got a ticket for the rescheduled event! Then that was rescheduled.. third time lucky?! Love Tommy Tiernan. The show is called Tomfoolery. And then it's back to Ireland for the weekend again.

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

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

And on the 13th, back with CL, who are off to the opera at the Southbank Centre. The show in question is The Paradis Files. Next day, I'm back to Ireland for Easter - but left it so late to book, I could only get an afternoon flight, and will have to start my new job by asking for that day off work! Still waiting to hear whether my friend will be around after Easter, for me to pay a flying visit..

Musical: Fiver

Now, this evening, Up in the Cheap Seats are doing a couple of things - one is a musical called Fiver, about the journey of a five-pound note. Livestreamed from Southwark Playhouse, so you have to watch it at set times. Ran yesterday, running today. I love a musical, and the story sounded interesting.. of course, I can't do it in the evening, but there was a matinee today, which I booked for. Full price, for once, and my ongoing discount didn't apply, but I'm delighted to help the theatre.

I was glad to hear they've followed the Old Vic's lead, and included audience sounds while you wait. Really adds to the realism. Only thing is, the recording keeps looping, and there's a slight pause before each restart. And as you listen over and over, you do start to recognise segments. Still, it helps.

Runs for just over two hours, including an interval - and as it's live, they encourage you to tweet them, so they can read the tweets in the interval. (In today's, animals watching the show featured heavily.) Five performers adopt different characters, as different vignettes are performed, and the fiver serves to show us snapshots of people's lives.

Clever lyrics, catchy music, beautifully performed, and quite uplifting. No set or scenery whatsoever, so you can concentrate on words and music. The performance I watched happened to be subtitled - not completely accurately, so I'm guessing they ad-libbed a bit. (Ironic, given the lack of subtitles on The Warren, which I watched just before!) And I really enjoyed it. A real pick-me-up, on a cold and dark November day. One more show of this, this evening - and more showing, and to come. Check them out! You can also donate. Great little theatre, one we really need to keep alive.

And tomorrow, reliable London Social Detours has another talk. This time, it's one hosted by the host's historian friend, which makes a nice change - and it's about "Death, Disease & the Great Fire of London"! 

Play: Preludes

Tonight, back with Up in the Cheap Seats (UITCS) - to Southwark Playhouse this time, for Preludes. D' you know, I bought their passport a while ago, which entitles you to cheap tickets to five shows - and of the last three I booked, something else came up for every single one! I was determined to make this one.. reports of it being "weird" didn't phase me in the slightest! Meeting at Mercato Metropolitano, across the road, beforehand for a bite to eat.

Well, my original plan was to walk there - and in retrospect, that's what I should have done. However, I did get caught up with things at the office.. so had the bright idea to take the Tube. At that, had I known better, I'd have walked to Bank, and taken the Northern Line straight from there. It'd have been quicker. Nope, I needs must wait at St. Paul's - the station that, at that time of the evening, no-one needs to get out at - for a Central Line train to arrive that had space for me on it. I was waiting a while.. I had to let seven trains pass before managing to squeeze on the eighth. I hope I never make that mistake again - it would actually have been quicker to walk the whole way. (The Northern Line was much emptier, BTW.)

So, I duly made it to the Mercato. Gee, what a place! Packed with literally dozens of food stalls, it is a maze - and it wasn't until my second pass through the place that I even saw the stall they were supposed to be sitting near. I appealed for help on the event page, was given more directions.. still couldn't find them. Until, of course, I was actually on my way to the theatre, and spotted the bar that had been mentioned. And lo, there they were. Well, there was a pasta stall nearby,and I figured that'd be quick enough - so I got some of their bolognese, served on a mini frying pan, with a fork. And very tasty it was! And hey, it was an experience, despite the hassle.

So we then made our way over to the theatre - via the convenient zebra crossing. I had to pick up my ticket. And we were then into the crowded theatre bar. It's so long since I was here last that I actually couldn't remember whether they allow drinks into the auditorium (yes, they do). Once that was settled, I purchased a glass of house white - and yay, they do proper measures here! I was beginning to worry I'd never see a 250ml glass again. In the end, I drank enough that it would've been (slightly) more cost-effective for me to have bought a bottle. Ah well.

This is a dramatisation of the life of Rachmaninoff during a time when, as a very young man - just starting out - he suffered from severe depression. A soulful-looking, intense young chap, with heavy eyeliner, plays the lead role; as he consults with a therapist, his alter-ego plays the piano, in the back. His fiancee makes a few appearances, as do friends. But as they come and go, we start to wonder which he's fantasised meetings with.

But hey, this gets a lot more interesting than that! Clever lighting is used most effectively to represent the sheer chaos in the head of a tortured genius - there's a lot of strobing. So much happens in this that it would actually be worth a second viewing, just to remind yourself.. there's the conflict between the Rachmaninoff in the therapist's chair and the one at the piano, there are the larger-than-life people he meets. And after a mesmerising, surreal first half - we get the bowels of hell at the start of the second! Whether this is meant to represent a real-life operatic event, or just his fevered imagination, isn't clear. Perhaps it's both.

The roots of his depression seem to be both his early success, and the failure of his first symphony. (And yes, as referenced in the play, part of the blame was down to the conductor.) The reconstruction of this in the play is suitably horrific. But oh, along with the intensity of the acting, we have the most gorgeous music throughout... appropriately for a play about a composer, of course, although his compositions are mixed up with those of the writer. Beautifully played, parts are also most beautifully sung; I don't think there was anyone in this who lacked musical talent. It was for that, as much as anything else, that I joined in the standing ovation at the end. My summing-up came as one word - Wow! Such talent, such a fantastic show.. others could take note. (And how funny that the two best things I've been to this week are based around Russians.) Ends tomorrow (Saturday) - for goodness' sake, if you can, go see this. Rapidly.

Convivial drinks after to finish the night - and it seems they're selling off old costumes, now! They also have a contactless donation point in the bar - seems they're fundraising to move to a permanent premises. Good luck to them! Afterwards, an untroublesome bus took me (swiftly) straight home.

Tomorrow, seeing the matinee of Solaris at the Lyric Hammersmith. Turns out that both UITCS and Love London Theatre, Arts, Music & Stuff (LLTAMS) are going - so I booked with both! Why not? Each requires you to buy your own ticket. And with only a few going from LLTAMS, I hope we can merge.. Ivan was talking about possibly meeting up that evening, but then realised he had a train booked for the following morning, so we have to reschedule.

On Sunday, joining the London Improvisation Community Group for the first time - they have a show called Happily Never After at the Pleasance - part of the London Horror Festival.

On Monday, I'm seeing Mother of Him, at the Park. I see NLF is going to this a bit later, and already raving about it..

On Tuesday, UITCS is off to the Albert Hall for Symphonic Queen - the Royal Philharmonic is performing Queen.

Then begins a long period of non-Meetup stuff. On Wednesday, I'm heading to the ballet Manon, at the Opera House.

On Thursday, the Crick Crack Club (CCC) is back at Rich Mix, with Melusine. TUUP is the headliner on this occasion, which should be terrific!

Next Friday, Helen's in town, heading to a Midge Ure concert at the Palladium - we're meeting for dinner beforehand at the Slug & Lettuce. Now, that's the day I should be flying back to Ireland - so I'm going the next day instead. And with my mother's birthday during the week - and not having any major holidays booked - I said, why not just take the week off and spend it in Ireland? So I am.

On the 28th, the CCC is back again - Ben Haggarty is 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 are now, and will likely sell out - indeed, I see availability is now limited.

On the 29th, I'm trying to persuade the social group from my former company to come with me to a Design My Night event - Fright Night Cinema is showing Hallowe'en in the Rivoli ballroom, with a themed cocktail bar and people dressed in spooky costumes. Now, that sounds like fun.. I've booked, at least, and a couple of others have indicated they'll come.

On the 30th, back with Meetup at last - UITCS is at a mixed programme by Birmingham Royal Ballet, at Sadler's Wells. I've seen part of it before, and it's excellent.

For Hallowe'en, The Embers Collective stepped up to the plate, with a storytelling performance called Witch, at The Jago.

On the 1st, that rescheduled meeting with Ivan.. he's away most of the time till then, and I'm busy the rest of the time!

And on the 2nd, I've 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'll probably do (have, in fact, done for this twice already), as I might go to a film that day - depending what's on - or, if I don't like the offerings, LLTAMS is off to Blood Wedding, a new adaptation of the Lorca play, at the Young Vic. By 'eck, though, I see there's already limited availability on tickets for the whole run, and several dates sold out! Hope I don't lose out..