Today, well, my £3.60 club finally got tickets to Circa's Peepshow, the new cabaret circus act at Udderbelly! Awesome, another one I had my eye on - had seen cheap tickets for this already. This was much better than the other things advertised for today - and with a regular price of £21.50 (or £26.50, at this short notice), a bargain, it has to be said. And it was in the evening, so I got a lie-in..
Spent most of the day in my room - which is reasonably cool, as I'm keeping the blinds permanently closed. Makes sense, if the alternative is for the sun to superheat the place.. not to mention that I can't easily get to the window for boxes! I also greatly impressed myself by digging out of boxes all the clothes I wanted for today.. see, it can be done. During the day, I got an advertising email for this show - seems you can get £15 tickets (much cheaper than normal) by quoting the code ROCKSTAR15, valid for all shows from Tuesday to the end of the month. By the time I ventured out.. it was still like an oven. This time, I was glad of the bus - sweltering as it was. Walking would have been torture.
By the time we got south of the river, I was dizzy with the heat - having a backwards-facing seat didn't help. But I survived, and made it to the box office at about a quarter to seven (show at 7). Joined the queue - it's in the Spiegeltent, with unreserved seating, and it pays to grab a seat as soon as you can. As I waited, my ticket was torn - and they were handing out free programmes! (marked price £10). Gee, I suspect they're having trouble getting people to spend money on this..
Barely five minutes before doors opened - at about 10 minutes before showtime. Some folks had got in early - I think they had VIP tickets. Inside - with glorious aircon - with no-one to tell us where to sit, I got myself a second-row seat to the side. It wasn't full, anyway. Sadly, no photography during the show.
Seven performers - you can find out all about them in the programme, which I wouldn't bother buying, it's the usual fare of glossy photos and ads. Now, I read a review of this that was quite dismissive, saying that the performers dropped things, fell over.. I do have to admit, the juggler could use some practice. However, that's just a tiny element of the show - and the rest is beautifully done, and occasionally spectacular! Truly artistic quirks on hula-hoop spinning and acrobatics, and some poses that will stay with me forever, accompanied by a well-thought out soundtrack.
An excellent show, thoughtfully staged - great to be so close, too. Highly recommended - even if I don't think their take on "peepshow" really came across. Still, there is some mild stripping. Nothing you can't really take the family to. Now running to the 18th of next month - do get a discount if you can, but of course, they really do work for their money, and to be fair, given what they present, the official price isn't excessive.
Mercifully, it was cool by the time I finally got off the bus home! At last.. Tomorrow, I'm with Anthony's Cultural Events & Walking Activities group, to see The Tempest at the free Outdoor Theatre in Westferry Circus. Seating on the grass, in the middle of a roundabout, it seems. Apparently they provide mats. Well, that should be interesting! Just as well my evening meeting has been cancelled - this is an early start. Set in outer space, this one, it seems.
Speaking of which, on Tuesday I'm with London Science Events for a talk on Moon, Mars and Beyond at The Royal Institution. Tickets from Eventbrite. And there'll be an astronaut there, and - something I haven't heard of before - if you want his autograph, it'll cost you £20! (discount prices for members of the Institution). I think I can live without.
On Wednesday, back with London Literary Walks (but of course!) for The Belgravia Walk.
And on Thursday, I RSVPed with North London Friends, for the first time in ages, for End of Term Moors Bar Blues Jam and Drinks. And then, wouldn't you know it, Ryanair announced another pilots' strike - for the next day, when I was to go back to Ireland for the weekend! Nothing about it on their website, of course - and you know, if it affects me, I'll just find out at the last possible minute. Like all of those delayed flights that they only email you about - with the option to cancel or reschedule - when they're already in the air! (when it's actually legally too late to cancel, even if you don't go). I know from personal experience how hard it is to get last-minute flights - and how expensive. So, for safety's sake, I'm now flying on Thursday.. damnit, I'll never get to that Blues bar! And this group will think I'm avoiding them..
Roll up, roll up.. another January, another La Soirée! Nice not to have anything on Meetup, for once - gives me a chance to return to the old favourites. I see I last saw this last January.. but
for the first time, the Udderbelly Festival - which is hosting it - has
now decamped to Leicester Square!
I also discovered that the official tickets for tonight were
completely sold out - however, I could get tickets from no fewer than
five different sources: ShowFilmFirst, OnlineTheatreTickets, TheatrePeople, LondonBoxOffice, and BestOfTheatre.
All for a markup of over £10, at least on the cheapest tickets -
whatever, I love the show, and this is near the end of the run. I was
delighted to get a ticket at all. Booked with the first on the list -
ShowFilmFirst; they were all the same price, anyway.
Got the bus there. One of the fun things about bus travel is the variety - the fastest journey can change from one minute to the next, and can change completely depending on where you are when you ask. Or when - I knew I wouldn't make it to the bus stop they suggested, in time for the bus that they said would arrive there at a certain time. So I went with the next option on the list - and Google Maps' bus arrival time estimate is quite accurate, I must say! Sadly, it involved a change, and I had a cold, shivery wait for a few minutes on King's Road - during which I had time to admire the lunacy of the shop window behind me. £200 for a jumper, reduced from £300?! As the saying goes, are they crazy or am I? More money than sense, I say.
The next bus was the #22, which is one of the great - cheap - tourist routes, running through Chelsea, Sloane Square and Knightsbridge, before dropping you at Piccadilly Circus. And with the Christmas lights still up, it was a beautiful drive - honestly though, by the end, I was nodding off. See, I was up late blogging, and when I woke today and it was after 9, I decided I'd better get up, to get to the bank to lodge some cash in my account. Just in case the estate agents got organised for me to pay, so there's be no delay. Well, all that went swimmingly - unfortunately, it did mean I only got about four hours' sleep..
I'm not best familiar with the walk from there to Leicester Square, so had the phone out all the way, displaying the Maps app. Which was unfortunate, because it meant one of my hands had to be gloveless - and this was not the weather for it! Well, I found my way, and after a brief nosey around the Christmas market - pretty, but I'm Christmassed out these days - approached the Spiegeltent, the obvious venue for the show. I hadn't seen a box office outside, and had forgotten that they do it inside for this show.
I hadn't been made to print the email confirmation, except for my own reference, but sometimes it makes it easier for box office staff, who can process you faster. She was glad to take mine this evening, and crossed me off the list - upon seeing that I had a booth seat though, and there was only one of me, she said, ach, let's put you up front. (Whee!) And so I got one of the red wristbands:
On entering the performance area, an usher checked how many of me there were, and asked did I want to sit in the front? Now, I've seen this show before.. "Eh, not right in the front!" So she sat me in the second row. Result! I checked after a bit, and what I paid for a cheaper seat in the booths at the back was the standard price for a ringside seat - there only seem to be two price levels, this time. So I did get my money's worth!
Never disappoints, this show. The Irish singer from the last time I saw it has been replaced by a stunning American lady, with a terrific voice and an array of dazzling costumes. Old favourites return - the English Gents, in particular, minus the bubble-blowing this time: but it was cool to be close enough to see the strain on their faces as they performed their feats of strength. And as usual, the greatest cheers were reserved for when they stripped off their shirts. The inimitable contortionist, Captain Frodo - although I doubt his falling off the stage while wrapped around tennis racquets was intentional, it was hilarious.
Acts I hadn't seen before included an inimitable pair of clowns, apparently known as Daredevil Chicken, and a juggler who insisted on flinging her balls into the audience. You're not really safe anywhere ringside for this show - the girl beside me got her drink spilled all over her during this act. Not because the ball splashed into it - no, it landed square in her lap, she got a fright and jumped. Pity the usher, trawling the hall during the interval, searcing for the discarded balls. Also expect - in other acts - flying food and full nudity. A circus not for kids, as they say in the ads.
Speaking of nudity, it was only when she stripped off that I thought Ursula Martinez looked familiar - oh yeah, the comedian from Soho Theatre who stripped naked and ran down the street outside! Yes, La Soirée sees her demonstrate the Hanky Panky act, where this red hanky keeps disappearing into different parts of her wardrobe, which are then discarded. Apparently, she's a founder member of La Soirée.. and this is the swansong for Hanky Panky.
Ah, a terrific show, as ever. Runs until Sunday, and I really can't stress enough how good it is - definitely one of the best in town. Recommended!
Tomorrow, I got a cheap ticket (phew! that evens out a bit - especially considering the whopping deposit I just paid) - to Antigone, at Theatro Technis, in Camden. Would be lovely to have moved into the new place by then, but the b*****ds are insisting I can't, before Monday. Fat lot of good that is to me, with work starting that day! Now I have to try and find a removal man to work in the evening.
Saturday has turned out unusually busy. See, a while ago, I saw that the guide on the excellent Christmas lights walk I did was doing a walk of Victorian Covent Garden that day, and I booked. Then the London European Club advertised an "Arab Christmas"
- a concert of early Arab Christian chants! Ah well now..
unfortunately, it's on the same day as my walk. Fortunately, the walk is
at lunchtime and the concert in the evening! I booked for that as well. That's in Rich Mix.
On
Sunday, I'm on another walk - again, with Walks, Talks and Treasure
Hunts - same guide, different group from the Christmas Lights walk.
This walk is charmingly entitled Heretics and Horrors - Exploring London's Bloody Past. And although I've heard much about them already, I don't doubt that this guide will shed new light on 'em..
On Monday, I'm with Kensington Classical Music, at Pushkin House, for a piano recital. Unless I spend the evening moving - ironic, considering how close it is to my new place!
On Tuesday, London European Club has a very interesting evening planned - "Beat the January Blues and Discover the Curse of the Green Fairy". Basically, a lecture about absinthe,
with tasting afterwards. Tragically, all tickets were sold out by the
time I heard about it.. What the hey, I probably wouldn't like the taste
anyway. With the free comedy in Hammersmith cancelled again, I'm with
TNT Comedy again that night. Provisionally. But they were friendly folk, it's a lovely venue, and I wouldn't mind at all. Still, I may sacrifice the evening to a move.
On Wednesday, the Man with the Hat is taking London for Less Than a Tenner to Top Secret - inaugural visit of the year. And walkable from my new office! I'm liking it..
Thursday, again nothing on Meetup - instead, I'm going to the opening night of Amaluna, Cirque du Soleil's latest show, at the Albert Hall!
Cheapest tickets from the venue website, as long as you don't mind a
slightly restricted view - for my money, a handrail in my sightline
shouldn't prove too much of an obstacle. Then it's back to Ireland for
the weekend.
Monday 16th, I've booked for Festival of the Spoken Nerd, at Soho Theatre. Yes, it's a comedy.
Tuesday 17th, I had signed up for free comedy in Hammersmith (!) with Free Comedy Nights in Hammersmith Wimbledon and Farringdon, and London Live Comedy. But.. then I saw that Funzing UK had advertised Rising Stars: East England Burlesque Festival 2017. So I booked that instead - hey, I can get straight there on the Central Line! And I love burlesque. After booking, I got an email from them to point out that there are two events there that night, and that to avoid confusion, the name of mine has been changed to "Star Watch"..
Wednesday 18th, I've signed up with London Speaks Sessions, London for a Tenner or Less (as usual, NOT to be confused with the Man with the Hat), and LDN Talks @Night (or more particularly with Funzing) for a talk on The Science of Psychedelics.
Thursday 19th, free comedy in Hammersmith.. same two groups as above.
Friday 20th, I'm finally headed to The Comedy About a Bank Robbery, at the Criterion Theatre. Same team that did The Play That Goes Wrong - which is excellent - so I'm looking forward to this. Best value tickets from the venue.
Saturday 21st, I'm out with the Man with the Hat again - this time, it's Woolf Works, a Wayne McGregor triptych, inspired by the works of Virginia Woolf and showing at the Royal Opera House. Both his groups are going - as usual, I have a cheap seat.
Sunday
22nd, the ever-busy Man with the Hat
is headed (with Let's Do London - for less!) to a dance production - at Sadler's Wells, unusually for him. The Red Shoes, choreographed by Matthew Bourne,
is completely sold out for its whole run. Our Man with the Hat has
tickets, though.. but he held them back (under his hat, as you might say), with sales starting at
11am on New Year's Day. They sold out in 15 minutes - I checked. That's the speed of U2's ticket sales.. of course, being a seasoned purchaser of U2 tickets, I managed to get one. All he needs now are a stetson and some glasses.. (speaking of which, good news from the U2 camp. Watch this space..)
Some things, you just know are going to be good. I saw La Soirée last year, I think it was.. maybe longer ago, since I can't seem to find it in the blog. Anyway, they made an impression - and when I was booking ahead for this week.. and came across La Soirée.. no hesitation required, I booked.
Well, I anticipated an easy trip last night from Waterloo.. it didn't quite work out that way. To start with, I was delayed coming from work. Well, but the show wasn't starting until 8 anyhow. I grabbed a quick bite in Clapham Junction on the way, then hopped on a train for Waterloo. And then realised I hadn't tapped in with my Oyster card - I'd just come straight off the train from Guildford and hadn't passed through the barriers. Ehh.. oops. And the train was now moving. I got off at Vauxhall, the next stop - no Oyster readers. I had to go all the way back to Clapham Junction, pass through the barrier, tap in with my Oyster card, and get on another train to Waterloo. All of which I could've done without.
I finally got there at 7.50. I knew which exit to take, at least - or thought I did. The terrible exterior design of Waterloo struck again, and I was completely lost, despite following signs for the South Bank and Southbank Centre. Turning left from the platforms, I was faced with two exits - in retrospect, the (main) exit, to the right, would've been a bit easier, but I still ended up in the same place - Belvedere Road, facing the backs of a number of buildings, knowing that London Wonderground was just around the other side, but with no way of getting there.
In retrospect again, I could've just climbed the steps straight in front of me, to the Southbank Centre. But there was a sign for the Spiegeltent, pointing to the left - so off I went, under the bridge, crossing the road, looking for a road to the right. Do not believe Google Maps at this point - there is no access to the side of Jubilee Gardens. They've blocked off all those roads for deliveries and such. No, I had to go right into the gardens, walk down the middle - as Big Ben struck 8, and I was sure I'd be late: eyes and nose streaming in the freezing cold breeze.
I couldn't find the box office, so made straight for the tent - turns out there is no box office, they just crossed my name off the list and gave me a wristband, and bless, there were even ladies there to put it on for me! This is so you can pass in and out to the bar, at the entrance. I was just after 8 - but sure enough, the MC didn't come on until 5 past, and the show proper didn't start until 10 past. Phew. One convivial chap passed me on to another, who showed me to a decent seat at the end of a row. I think all these people were performers in the show as well - they run a tight ship.
I am at something of a loss as to how to describe this show. I certainly can't do it justice - I can start by saying that yes, it was at least as good as I remembered (and a different show, mostly - they have a huge cast, which varies between performances), and that it must absolutely be one of the best shows in London right now. Sexy and sassy, there's so much to watch in this stylish show that you sometimes forget to keep an eye on the really spectacular circus acts being performed in front of you. And spectacular many of them are, as you bop along to the most excellent soundtrack. All circus should be like this.
I don't want to give too much away, but to give you a flavour - an Irish cabaret singer started us off with a demented, but talented performance. Immediately followed by possibly, for me, the stars of the show - The English Gents, complete with pinstripe suits and bowler hats. Muscular is not the word for what lies underneath. :-) Acrobatics ain't all they get up to - the act of the show (for me, and many others I think, judging by the cheers) was the bubble-blowing in the second act.
A trapeze artist in stilettos, smoking a cigar throughout, and never dropping the trilby she was wearing. A hilarious contortionist / sword swallower. A chap who doesn't do much dramatic, but does it so salaciously you don't care! A juggler with a yen for Queen. And more.. there was a large crowd in, who seemed to have set up their boss to be dragged up on stage - and a good sport he was. We laughed, we gasped, we cheered, and we gave them a standing ovation at the end. Seriously, you don't want to miss this! Runs until Sunday - beg, borrow, or steal a ticket.
I came out around the other side - I now know the area better, but I don't think that would've been any faster to go by - you need to leave about 10 minutes to get from Waterloo to the Spiegeltent. And the show ran later than your average circus show - 2.5 hours including interval - so I wasn't home until after bedtime. What the hey, it was worth it!
Again, if you've been reading regularly, you'll know that I didn't get a ticket to The Nutcracker tonight with Let's Do London - for less! - after all the fuss, they were sold out by the time I got to them. I got a ticket to an evening of poetry set to music instead, part of the Winter Festival at the Southbank Centre. I got a seated ticket when there was a cancellation - and it's free! And then.. I was literally just writing the last post, and looked up the link to the Let's Do London - for less! page (just for reference).. and there had just been a cancellation (as he afterwards explained); they had one ticket left (one of the more expensive ones, but still the best value available) in the auditorium. So I snapped it up, and now I'm going to that instead! Better be careful with my timings - I had a complicated trip to the Opera House last time. This time, I think I'll take the RV1 - with my newfound knowledge of the station, that stop seems easiest to get to!
Tomorrow's plans have also changed. I've decided I want to come to the office - which I normally wouldn't be on a Thursday - because I'm interested in our product planning meeting that's happening that day, and which won't have remote access. (Means an early start after what's bound to be a late night, but never mind! And at least I get a free lunch out of it). Unfortunately, that means that, once again, I have to cancel on the Central London Outdoor Group - that's happened a few times now, but I'd never make it in time. Instead, I got another of those cheap tickets - to Cirque Berserk, in Dartford. Long journey, but I know they're good too. And I don't have to travel to work on Friday! Later that day, of course, I fly back to Ireland for the weekend - that plan hasn't changed (yet)!
Yesterday afternoon, we had a leaving lunch for a colleague who'll be greatly missed. I guess it was her choice to eat at Eat Aroi Thai, a few minutes' walk from the office. Anyhoo, she booked and off we headed, stopping at a cashpoint on the way, because they only take cash. We were seated, as usual, at the high table in the middle, with the slightly awkward high stools. They'd set out a cosy 15 places, but someone had forgotten the ex-colleague that was joining us, making 16: no problem, they produced another high stool from the back, and he squeezed in at the end.
A number of the group had never been there before, and amidst the confusion over what to order, and the lack of familiarity with the dishes, there was hilarity over the drinks panel - black print on a black background. Also over the ordering system, where you grab a server as soon as possible, they take your order, it's cooked immediately, and quite possibly served to you while others are still waiting to order.
Anyway, I ordered some very refreshing lemonade - which comes served with ice and a mint leaf. For food, well, I've been here twice before and it wasn't very successful - their Massaman curry ("voted tastiest") and their pad thai I found a bit bland. However, this time I looked just under the pad thai, to find a dish called pad see-iew, which sounded ok. So I ordered that.. good choice! It was a succulent dish of chicken, fried egg, and flat noodles in soy sauce - and it was delicious. Definitely my new favourite. Afterwards, they produced dishes of complementary lollipops - how long is it since I had one of those? And after the little ceremony of giving each of us a little dish with the bill, collecting them with the cash, and returning them with the change, we left.
For last night, I got a nice discount from Time Out for the House of Burlesque production, Straight Up, in the Spiegeltent, as part of London Wonderground - a £16 ticket (£16.50 with booking fee) for £10. Also good was that it started late, so I had time to have a proper dinner. And it felt strange, leaving the house after dark - kinda spooky. Well, it's been a while!
Unfortunately, I just missed a direct train at West Brompton, and had to wait about five minutes for another, then change at Earl's Court. Another five-minute wait, a train arrived, and we got on. And waited. A train arrived at the other platform, headed the same way. Ooh, I hate that.. sure enough, that one left first, and ours waited another five minutes after this before trundling on its way. Sometimes the drivers are good enough to point out that the other train will be leaving first - not ours last night, though.. Nope, Earl's Court is not a good place to be if you're in a hurry!
I panted my way across the bridge - out of practice, y'see: paused very briefly to admire the spectacular view - and made the box office with five minutes to spare. Exchanged my emailed, printed voucher for a ticket, and followed the signs to the Spiegeltent. Well, to the queue for the Spiegeltent, which stretched out around the corner and under the bridge. This tent has a great capacity, and it was a long queue.. it was raining on us, slightly, by the time we got in.
It was quite full, but not completely sold out. We with the cheap tickets were prohibited from the front two rows, but they were full anyway - I ended up in the back, but there are only four or five rows here. I was to the side, but you nearly get a better view from there. So I was ok with my seat.
So! Another burlesque show! They started in darkness, with costumes and hoops decorated with leds. Very high-tech vibe, and a bit naff, in my opinion. After that, a procession of acts invented new and artistic ways of taking their clothes off - well, down to the standard thong and nipple covers. Quite professional, but a bit samey, except for the one (ripped) male performer, who, for variety, started with practically nothing and put his clothes on! I did like how not all the girls were stick insects - a couple were pretty but chubby, or what would commonly be known among silly people as "obese".
During the interval, the mc encouraged us to tweet her the craziest things we'd done while drunk, the best tweet to receive a bottle of Beefeater gin (the sponsors). The theme of the show is drink, you see. In the second act, the quality of the acts noticeably improved - there was a story to some, an acrobatic act with a hoop, and a really well conceived, artistic performance, with a girl in a skintight, nude, sparkly costume, cavorting on a hoop in front of a machine blowing bubbles. Very reminiscent of champagne. I particularly liked the bit where they held up a sign reading "BEACH BODY READY" and geefully ripped it to pieces. It's tough, this business, you know - on the way out (when it had, mercifully, stopped raining), we passed so many posters for other burlesque shows currently running. This is a quality act, and I wish them well. Just three more shows - the next two Thursdays, and Thursday 24th September. Worth a look.
Tonight, I'm back to Ireland for the weekend, and we're headed to the Irish Youth Wind Ensemble, tomorrow at the University Concert Hall. On Monday, I'm finally going to see Memphis: the Musical, at the Shaftesbury Theatre.
And the next two days, I'm headed to the Guildford office - first for a
meeting, then the Sports Day. Coincides nicely with the next Tube strikes, assuming the current talks don't help.. On Thursday, I've booked a ticket to see the comedian Iliza Schlesinger at the Soho Theatre - she was sold out for Monday, so I said maybe I'd better. And that Friday, I'm headed to the Boat Show. Those should both be interesting to get to and from, if the strikes go ahead!
The following Saturday, I'm back with the London Dramatic Arts group, for Oresteia at Trafalgar Studios - its West End transfer. (I see it's at the Globe as well - bummer, that'd have been good.) On the Sunday, I'm headed to the Scoop, for their double bill of classical plays. Technically, I'm accompanying the Free London Events and Talks group, but with 100 of us going, I doubt I'll be much bothered with actually meeting anyone. Unless I see someone I know.
I'm finishing off the month by going to the Proms, and on the 1st September I'm going to What's It All About? Bacharach, at the Menier Chocolate Factory. And then there's more..
Saturday dawned with work to be done, as our plans had changed and, with District and Circle lines out of action, I had to research bus routes. They wanted to go to Harrod's, I wanted them to see the V&A, and it turned out they're only ten minutes walk apart, so that was a perfect pairing! Just take the Cromwell Road exit from the V&A and turn left. Initially, I discovered we could take the Victoria line, followed by the Piccadilly line, to South Kensington for the V&A, so that's what we agreed to do, and I met them at Victoria Tube Station. After a bus ride (the C1) that, ironically, took me right past the V&A and Harrod's. Ah well.
My guests declared they'd slept very well, that the hotel was comfortable and quiet - and despite only continental breakfast being available at the weekends, they were delighted with the selection. Enchanted by the hotel overall, in fact!
The Tube was about as packed as I've seen it - all the tourists diverting from District and Circle, of course. So we had a crammed ride, but fortunately not many stops. Again, I say, if it's crammed, head for either end of the platform, so as to board the very front or back of the train - it's less crowded there.
We disembarked at South Ken, and took the subway to the V&A, passing the obligatory busker, who was blaring out jazz. Had a lovely stroll around the V&A - photos here. It's a gorgeous museum of art and design, with a statue hall at the subway entrance, and highlights including a large jewellery gallery and an enchanting gallery of stained glass and religious metalwork. We were also particularly taken by the silver gallery, and my guests were delighted by the central garden, with its feature pond, and people sitting around, eating ice cream and having drinks from the stall, and children paddling in the pond. We agreed that this is a most liveable city. If you can handle the rent/mortgage..
By the time we left, we were getting hungry, but the museum cafe was packed and we decided to search further. On the way to Harrod's, we passed a pub called the Bunch of Grapes, and since pubs generally do food, we said we'd give it a try. It turned out to be an excellent lunching spot - not too busy, reasonably priced, good service, and delicious food. I was boring and had the hunter's chicken again (obviously an English pub lunch staple), and my guests had traditional fish n chips.
Saturday afternoon was primarily given over to shopping. After lunch, we detoured to a nearby souvenir shop, then it was Harrod's turn. It was as crowded as ever, of course, and impossible to navigate. Bears, as ever, featured heavily. We did make a point of visiting the shrine to Princess Diana and Dodi Fayed, the former owner's son, who was going out with her when they were killed in a car crash. The shrine is on Lower Ground level, at the bottom of the famous Egyptian escalator. Now, the shrine itself, with pictures of them both, and candles, is one thing - but in my opinion, the large statue that stands between it and the book of condolence - which is still open - and depicts both apparently setting free some kind of bird.. that's a bit much. Anyway, now you know where to find it.
We took the #74 bus from just across the road to Oxford Street, alighting for Primark, which one of my guests had a particular interest in visiting. We other two made for Selfridges, just up the road, where we had less interest in shopping and more in just having a drink in the cafe and relaxing. We were on our way to the toilets when we passed the new cinema! They only opened it about a week ago - I'd forgotten all about it. They seem to be showing mainly classics - we were browsing the listings when an usher emerged and asked whether we were going to a film. "No," we said - but she invited us in for a look around anyway. The interior is dark, the walls decorated in dark grey and hung with film photos. The bar is small and intimate, lined with comfortable seating, and staffed by people who looked quite bored, kitted out in 50s-style usher uniforms. So we decided to have another drink there, occupying the plush sofa. On our way out, we had a peek at the cinema, which had comfy-looking double seats. Definitely a welcome addition to a busy store on a busy street, this cinema will provide welcome respite after a hard day's shopping. Or indeed, somewhere to plonk the less enthusiastic shoppers in your group!
Mind you, our trip to the toilets was less successful. Oh, we made it to the toilets all right, and did what we needed to - but the queue was horrendous, and the state of the cubicle floors was woeful, filthy and splashed: despite the lady going around with a mop. Ugh. Proceed with caution.
Our bus stop to head southwards was conveniently located just outside. We texted our companion to meet us there when she was done. Now, I had method in directing us southwards - unbeknownst to my guests, I had booked tickets for all of us to an all-male burlesque show - Briefs, the Second Coming - at the Spiegeltent in London Wonderground. Thing was, the show was at 7.30, I still had to pick up the tickets, and we weren't going to be able to get a bus all the way there. From the convenient map on the bus stop, I could see that three of the four buses that stopped there went to Trafalgar Square, which was the best we could do. As she kept texting us to say she was delayed, I began to get a little worried..
Well, she showed up just past 6.30, with stories of unbelieveable queues, and how she ended up just pulling clothes on over what she was wearing, in front of a mirror, to save queueing time. She was delighted though - apparently, the range is much better here than in Ireland. And off we went to Trafalgar Square, on the #6, which happened to be the next bus along, and passed some interesting sights on the way. And when we alighted, I had to balance my understandable desire to race down the road with the knowledge that the longer I kept this a surprise, the better the surprise would be - so I couldn't seem to be in too much of a hurry. We took a route down Villers Street, so I could show them some restaurants where we might eat later - L' Ulivo appealed. (I was just worried someone was going to suggest we eat now..!)
We trekked the steps up to the bridge - I think I'm more accustomed to them; it's a bit of a hike! We took the right side up, so they could have a view of the London Eye and the Houses of Parliament. Well, it's a beautiful view - but I could've cursed their photo-taking as I tried to hurry them along (gently), the box office now in sight! Finally, I asked the one to go find the other, as I had a bit of business to conduct yonder. "Ok," she said, and off I dashed. By the time I had the tickets, my other guest had reappeared, and both were staring at me curiously. "C'mon, ladies," I said, "we have a queue to join!"
Well, they were delighted! Firstly, by the fantasy-land that is the Wonderground. I pointed out the foodstalls and the carousel that doubles as a bar, but we really didn't have any time to explore as I hurried them towards the spiegeltent. Anyway, we made it with five minutes to spare, and were lucky to get three seats together. And I still hadn't told them what they had come to see! Finally, I gave them the title.
I don't really think a more detailed explanation would've done this show justice. Spangly costumes gave way to barely-there costumes, held on with a lick and a prayer. It was raucous, it was irreverent. Bananas featured prominently. The show also incorporated some circus, and the opening act, gymnastics on a suspended ring, was stupendous - my stand-out moment. I've never seen a gymnastics act performed so gracefully and fluidly. And all to a thumping soundtrack.
Mind you, we were to be glad to be in the back row. Banana peels flew everywhere, whizzing past our heads. The guy with the flaming ring got quite close to the front row - and the last act featured water so prominently (and enthusiastic splashing) that the front row was given plastic sheeting to hold over themselves: but even in the back row, we got splashed. Still, all in a night's fun, eh? The show is fantastic fun, and was a sell-out, from what I could see. Booking definitely recommended - runs until the 28th. (BTW, what is it about Aussies and circus acts? Do they have an enormous circus school in Australia or something that keeps churning them out, so they keep streaming over here? Well, keep 'em coming!)
We were well ready to eat afterwards. I took them back via the other side of the bridge, to show them the gorgeous view of the City, St Paul's, and the South Bank, and we took the overhead passageway back to Villiers Street because of the construction work at Embankment. The meal was excellent, with warm and friendly Italian service, and we got a window seat to watch the passers by.. I'll be back.
On the way back for the night, we took a small detour to see the buzz of Leicester Square and Theatreland, and wandered past Chinatown and down Shaftesbury Avenue to Piccadilly Circus. The city that never sleeps entertained us properly, before we took the Tube home. I sent my charges on their way at Green Park, to change to the Victoria line - the reverse of the journey we'd taken in the morning. Well, apparently they made it to Victoria all right. Unfortunately, they got lost in the train station, having taken the wrong exit. Ah well, all's well that ends well, and they did get to their beds eventually!
Right, lunch beckons! Just one more blog to do for the weekend.. Sunday brought a wee bit more sightseeing.
Cirque du Cabaret was a last-minute decision, but not a difficult one. Circus, burlesque, the Spiegeltent.. how can you lose? When I checked the website for London Wonderground, of which the Spiegeltent is part, availability seemed to be limited - and when I checked the Cirque's own website, they said as much: so I booked. Indeed, this was their last show in London this year.
It was raining when I left - the first lashings of Tropical Storm Bertha, I suppose. Well, the platform indicator at West Brompton was wrong again, telling me the train was headed to town when it wasn't. So I changed at Earl's Court, where the platform indicator also thought that train was headed to town! When a train finally arrived that was headed to town, it was delayed on the platform for ages, first waiting for the train I'd come on to leave, then apparently waiting for the next train to arrive.. Just as well I left in time.
It rained on me as I crossed the bridge, but the bright lights of the Wonderground called to me from across the river. I made my way straight to the box office.. where people were queueing, and had started to do so from the wrong side. Guess it doesn't matter. What mattered more was that it was pouring on us as we waited. Could they have been any slower..? Once I'd collected my ticket, the Spiegeltent wasn't hard to find; it must be the best advertised venue in the place. On my way, I passed a curious sight - a slow-moving carousel, crammed with people holding drinks, with music playing. A revolving bar. Well, they were out of the rain, I guess..
When I got to the Spiegeltent, I discovered that they hadn't opened yet. And there was a queue. A very long queue, that snaked down the road and under the bridge. So, with the end of the queue under the bridge, at least there was cover! Not perfect - it did drip on my paper - but better than nothing. After a while, someone made her way along the line, tearing tickets and muttering at us where to sit. I caught something about "red" and "not in the first three rows" and she was off again. Finally, the doors were opened and in we went.
Initial confusion about where to sit - given that no-one on the door was giving directions - cleared when I saw that many of the seats had red cushions. Ok, so just don't sit in the front three rows. Actually, there's hardly a bad seat in the place, so I picked one and sat, trying to find somewhere for my wet coat. And waited for the show to start. And waited, and waited. It must have been 15 minutes late.
When it finally got underway, the producer came onstage. Turned out she was Irish. Asked whether there were any more Irish in the room - a bunch of us yelled from the side. "Well, we are certainly used to the rain!" she exclaimed. Can't argue there. She soon turned the stage over to Mr. Louche, the MC, who entertained us with witty banter and introduced the acts.
Now, this is, of course, a mixture of circus and burlesque. There's another show running at the moment, in the same venue, called Limbo - runs until the 17th. I saw it last year, and it's spectacular. They have a high quality of circus acts, around which they build a framework of sauciness. Cirque du Cabaret, on the other hand, also does circus acts, but not of such high quality - their emphasis is on the sauce. All the performers are female, and it's more a burlesque show with circus tricks added.
It looks fantastic, though - and I have to imagine that the adhesive required to hold the teeny bits of covering in place that preserve their modesty must be really, really uncomfortable when you're taking them off afterwards! It deserves its over-18 rating; by the end, even I was shocked. Slightly. There's a short interval, during which they sell raffle tickets, and which seems mainly designed to give them time to clean up the stage after the fire-eater. And what a spectacular act that was - the most memorable of the night, and truly messy as she flung props left and right. Entertainment was to be had at the interval, simply from watching an usherette, in stilettos and fishnets, a teeny jacket and a little top hat with a feather in, unroll pretty much all of an industrial-sized roll of kitchen paper with which to mop up the floor. Lordy, they earn their wage!
Standout acts of the night were the fire-eater, just for her flamboyance, and the musical act - the Four Femmes on the Thames (Femmes rhyming with Thames). One of them limped on with a crutch, bless her. Their parodies of popular songs chime well with originals to provide a comprehensive volume of love songs to London. I'd happily listen to them again.
This show is finished, as I say, but for more circus talent and a show a little less risqué, check out Limbo - you won't be disappointed.
Tomorrow, at the moment, is coming up as a show akin to Marry Me a Little - along the same lines, a show of roughly one hour's duration with no interval, and no plot, only songs. Just with less famous writers. Edges is running in the Tabard pub theatre in Chiswick - I was there just once before, when I lived close to there. And on Sunday, I'm back to The Globe, to see an interesting-sounding play called Holy Warriors, which chronicles the relationship between the West and the Middle East from the Crusades to the present day. I made sure to book, considering how popular the venue is - and given that premium seats for this show are available for £10! I just hope Bertha doesn't cause havoc..
