Concert: Damian Lewis

Today, I had a final interview with one of the companies I'm in the running for. No drills by that stage, apart from the interviewer trying to find out what it was about the other company I've applied for that attracts me! and me determined not to tell her. Anyway, after I survived that, I was back with Up in the Cheap Seats for a concert by Damien Lewis at Omeara. Yes, the actor! Tickets were from See Tickets. I'd never actually been here before. Met Didi for dinner beforehand at Tas Borough - she came to the concert too.

I can't fault the service at Tas. Considerate at every turn, when I mentioned I was late, he said he'd saved us a table by the window :-) and brought a glass of iced water while I waited for Didi. As we ordered, he was happy to explain whatever needed explaining - and we were well fed, and sated, me looking up what I'd had before to see what was good, and ordering from the set menu. The house wine, I have to say, was very nice. And we were done in plenty of time to mosey down to the venue.

A massive queue greeted us - so handy to have people we knew in the line! so we joined about halfway. They  opened late, of course, and gave us a rather fetching stamp on our way in.

The bar in the venue proper doesn't serve wine - but she helpfully explained that there was a full bar, out the way I came in, and to the right. Which there is - quite a nice one, actually. This direction is also where the toilets are. Useful information.

Back in the hall, we snaffled some seats - until it turned out that that was where the Lewis fanily were sitting, and we were turfed out. Some seating on the other side, but basically this was a standing gig. Naturally, the time on the tickets (7pm) bore no relation to reality - doors opened at about 7.15, posters on the way in advertised the support act, Cherise, to come on from 8 to 8.30, Damian Lewis from 9 to 10. And to be fair, they stuck pretty well to those times.

Cherise, we agreed, has a lovely voice. But of course, everyone was there for the main attraction:

Although sometimes, it was easier to get a secondhand view:

There was no single style, the concert a mishmash of rock, blues, jazz.. but the atmosphere was excellent. His first ever gig, he said. And OMG, it's the closest I've come to a rock concert in nearly three years. Crikey, it felt good..!

A relief, afterwards, to get out into the air though:

Tomorrow, 9am (ouch), I have another interview with the other company - I've put a hurry on them, on account of being at the final stages with their rivals. Had to be early, because in the middle of the day, I've booked for another tour with Laurence and the 45+ Not Grumpy Old Londoners - Wonders of the National Gallery. Which I should be able to go on. Heading for lunch after to the Lamb and Flag.

Then I'm back to Ireland for the weekend - tried, once more, to get my car serviced, but for two days in a row, nobody was answering the phone. So, sod that - I'll get my taxi driver to take it for a service somewhere else. Which leaves me free to go to a film on Saturday - and what's coming up is Bullet Train, an adventure caper with a Japanese bullet train full of assassins, one of whom is Brad Pitt. Looks like fun - I've seen so many trailers for this!

On Monday - yes, I am succumbing. Finally managed to get a decently priced (seated) ticket to Abba Voyage. Hell, I love Abba, and even if they have been replaced by avatars - it's supposed to be a spectacular show. Kind of has to be done..

On Tuesday, I've booked with London Classical Music and Theatre Group - Didi, from the group, who is herself a classical guitarist, is playing a free Summer Music Festival concert in the Holy Sepulchre Church, which should be lovely.

That evening, I'm at Chasing Hares, at the Young Vic. And wouldn't you know it, CT now has ticket offers for this..

On Wednesday, I'm with a new Meetup group - Soho Comedy Factory Shows and Socials, which organises free events on Wednesdays at the aforementioned Soho Comedy Factory. Unless something better comes along - I've had bad experiences with free comedy!

Next Thursday, I've booked a free ticket with an improv group called Kid Smokers Improv! at Barons Court Theatre. (It's Pay What You Can, actually.) They're actually stepping in while Avocado Presents takes a summer holiday - they seem to have a residency here, now. Anyway, I've seen Avocado Presents before, and they're excellent - so I figure I'll give these people a shot! Avocado Presents, interestingly, have a Meetup group now - Watch Improv & Chat Comedy! which I've also just joined.

On the 12th, I've booked for the Sweeney Todd, the Demon Barber of Fleet Street Tour with Poppy's Events for 40s 50s and 60s, another new group to me. But Laurence has a walk that day as well - the Strange Tales of Old (and New) London Tour, which, you know, I'll go on if I'm free.. haven't booked it yet though.

On the 13th, I'm off to see The Ehrlich Brothers, a magic show at the Wembley Arena. This is with Friendly Frolickers 50+ Meetup Group - so I've joined them as well, making that four new groups in a row! I was - as often happens - rather frazzled when I booked though, and completely forgot that they have their own, discounted tickets! Blast - they do this specifically so that they can sit together. Well, I've booked my own - more expensively - and explained. Can't be helped.

And on the 14th, I've booked with the 45+s again - but not with Laurence this time! They do have walks guided by other people, and this one is of Brick Lane.

Play: Girl on an Altar & Dinner: Tas Bloomsbury

On Tuesday, booked for Girl on an Altar, at the Kiln Theatre. This is the story of Clytemnestra and her husband, Agamemnon, following his sacrifice of their daughter to the gods. I figured I'd get somewhere to eat around there - there are lots of places.

Takes nearly an hour to get there by bus! Ironically, even though home is slightly closer, work would have been handier, with the transport connections - like so many other places.

Anyway, I got off the bus, trawled up and down the street.. didn't have time for a proper dinner, couldn't find any fast food place that looked decent and wasn't full! I gave up in the end and headed to the theatre, which has an excellent bar space - dinner was a packet of crisps and a glass of wine. I went in as soon as they opened the house, and I'd finished the crisps and gotten a refill of the wine.. I was in the front row.

The pair beside me were having a fascinating talk about different bits of history - from snatches of the conversation that I caught, I think one (at least) was a tour guide! Anyway, the house duly filled, the play began,

Ah, that ***** Agamemnon. How dare he?! The whole thing, as you might expect, is taken from Clytemnestra's perspective - after all, it'd be quite difficult to defend human sacrifice to today's audience! To be fair, he is shown to be remorseful - it's just that his arrogance, and sense of male privilege, keep getting in the way. I deliberately didn't look up the myth in advance - so had great fun predicting how the wronged Clytemnestra would have her revenge.

This is energetically, passionately acted - for the female voices, as well as Clytemnestra, we have her slave-girl, and Cassandra, whom Agamemnon has captured from Troy and brought back as his concubine. So, Agamemnon's is the only main male voice - he's quite outnumbered. A Greek tragedy is always an engaging prospect, and this is an excellent example - the ancient characters are made to live and breathe. Highly recommended - runs till the 25th.

No time to blog - I had to be up early, headed into the office for the first time. And oh, it's lovely.. six floors, a canteen replete with free food for most of the day, so many choices.. also a cafe where you can buy more.. outdoor seating, plenty of breakout spaces.. the view from the seventh-floor cafe is cool!

So, last night, I was originally going to a concert in the City Churches Music series. This is Brilliant Brass, performed by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra Brass Quintet in the church of St. Stephen Walbrook. Yesterday, however, tied with today as the preferred day for our work dinner, and the boss decided to pick yesterday, venue Tas, just around the corner. Meantime, I wasn't sure whether I could access the blog at work - and anyway, found enough else to occupy me! Even the bathroom taps proved tricky..

We finally left the office, a little later than planned, and headed around in a circle for the boss to find a pub for a pre-dinner drink, eventually wending our merry way back to the Museum Tavern, which we could have gotten to a lot quicker by jut walking down the street! Apparently he was checking there wasn't anything closer. Never mind.. it was a bit crowded inside, so we stayed outside, had a drink, and got to know each other in the flesh.

And then decamped to Tas, where our table was ready.

We were automatically given the group menu - a subset of the full menu - in which several starters were listed, all of which were given to us to share (two portions of each). We each chose our own mains - and knowing that I was impressed with the lamb at Tas before, I sought that. Couldn't find a purely lamb dish, so I settled for a chicken and lamb grill with couscous.. the chicken was nice, the lamb was terrific, and I was well-fed! A few of us had dessert - mine, as usual these days, was the chocolate ice cream, and I have to say, it was a lovely one. And a satisfying dinner for me, with most of the conversation leaning in the direction of horror.. ;-)

Most of us finished with a nightcap at The Plough, further down Museum Street, for variety. It had the distinction of being completely empty! Anyway, we continued to enjoy the mild weather by eating outside.. by the time we'd finished our round, it was nearly closing time anyway, and we called it a night. Fantastic to meet everyone - and I seem to have fallen pretty much on my feet with this company! Long may the honeymoon last.

Again, no time to blog last night - today was another handy day to come to the office, as tonight, I'm headed to Mad House at the Ambassadors Theatre. A short walk from here!

Tomorrow, back with the Crick Crack Club! for The Nine Muses of Queen's Crescent, at Rich Mix. Courtesy of my favourite storyteller, Clare Murphy, whom I haven't seen in an age! Last storytelling event until autumn..

On Saturday, I had booked with TAC for Haydn's Creation at St. Pancras Church, Euston. And then I saw that Bucket List London (BLL) had booked something for that afternoon! specifically, a trip to Greenwich Royal Observatory and/or the Ranger's House. Ah well now, I haven't been out with this group since January! Ironically, that's where I first met Laurence, on so many of whose walks I've subsequently been - and who knows when I'll see him again?! since he seems only to run walks on weekdays, now. I seem to be swapping one for the other.. So anyway, I'm now going to all of the above. One of those busy days.

On Sunday, back with London Guided Walks (LGW) - but, armed with the information that they now advertise through TAC, I've booked through them instead! This is the Secrets of St. James Walk, and given how I booked, I must remember to bring £3 cash on the day. I have to admit, the standard of these walks is excellent.

On Monday, back with Up in the Cheap Seats for Jitney, at The Old Vic. I didn't fancy the cheapest seats - but gee, SFF had seats in all but the most expensive price bands, for very little more! So I now find myself in the central Stalls for this..

On Tuesday, I'm at the Royal Court for That Is Not Who I Am, a play about identity theft, from a mysterious writer about whom we have few details, except that he has worked most of his life in the security industry. Ooh..

On Wednesday, back with TAC for The Lark Ascending and Piano Quintet, a classical concert at St. Giles' Cripplegate, a church I've often passed but never been in! Part of the City Churches Music Festival.

Next Thursday, back at the same festival - with CT, this time, for a concert of English Song at the lovely church of St. Bartholomew the Great. It's been too long.. Then back to Ireland for the weekend again.

On the 27th, booked with TAC to hear an interview with Chris Patten, the last UK governer of Hong Kong before it was handed back to China. Happening at Conway Hall.

On the 28th, back again with Free Stuff and Free Events, for their Free Tuesday Sing-a-Long for Health and Pleasure. Online, and one where you're muted, so you don't even have anyone hear you sing! Great for the shy.

On the 29th, I'm finally succumbing to Anything Goes, at the Barbican. Now, I got my ticket for this from Time Out, which is the first place I saw the offer - but it turns out that any number of outlets have £25 tickets! If they're all for the same seats as Time Out, then I'd have to feel sorry for people that bought tickets for £38, which is cheaper than the original price of £45 for the seats on offer! Assuming anyone did. Anyway, with no bad seats here, you'd have to be crazy to pay more.

On the 30th, back with BLL - who obligingly is doing something midweek! I'll have to skip off work early - this is for vespers in Westminster Cathedral, and starts at 4.30. He is actually in Westminster all day, attending Ministerial Question Time earlier - but not only do I have a job to go to, but jeez, I do believe this would just infuriate me! So that, I'm not attending..

On the 1st, back with Civilised London for dinner at Caravel. Terrific reviews..

And that weekend, I'm back with the man with the famous name - Dr. Stephen King (not the writer) is guiding a couple of walks for LGW (courtesy of Walks, Talks and Treasure Hunts). Sadly, not as yet advertised on TAC, so I've booked them through the official site (discount of £3 with the code MEETUP3, as usual). Both topics / areas I've covered many times before, but gee, he's such a great guide! On the 2nd, it's his Southwark Walk.

And on the 3rd, it's his Royal Coronation Walk. I just bet he comes up with something I didn't already know..

Restaurant: Tas

Last night was supposed to be a show called Bare: A Pop Opera, at The Sainsbury Theatre. With Up in the Cheap Seats (UITCS) again, and the organiser was there on Monday. Ah.. but da boss was back from holiday yesterday.. and I'd ordered a case of wine for the office, which had finally arrived (late).. so that was that.

Tonight, I was back with Let's Do This for another meal at Tas, meeting at The George again beforehand. This one, I wasn't going to miss - for one thing, only two of us had signed up! Plus, these meals are always enjoyable - the host is an excellent one. So I told my boss as much - and indeed, after last night's session, he was in no mood for a repeat performance so soon! So I headed off.

By virtue of trotting a short distance, I made a bus early enough that I got to The George first of any of us. Was just queueing at the bar - and lo, in walks our host! Now there's timing. Well, he took a look at the scrum for the bar - and had an idea. He led me to the outside bar - see, there's one bar where they serve you through the window. And gee, there was hardly any queue. He very kindly bought me a drink, and we repaired back inside, grabbing one side of an under-occupied table. Which was where our companion found us. And we had a convivial chat until it was time for us to leave.

Tas is just down the road, and after a scarifying crossing, we got there slightly early. They wanted to put us in the deserted cellar - but our host had, apparently, asked specifically to be seated upstairs, and so we took a seat on the comfy sofa at reception, and they soon had one for us. I was starving after my session last night, and wolfed down the bread that was brought - and a lot of the second bowl that replaced it.

We all ate from the special price menu, all had meze to start, and indeed, they were all different! And lovely. I particularly recommend the mantar (mushrooms with various toppings). For main course, I decided on lamb "patties" - which didn't have a patty shape, but were good - ever so slightly spicy. And we all cleared our plates. The ladies had desserts - my chocolate cake finished me off nicely, with a nice salted dusting of cocoa powder. And one of my companions had gorgeous-smelling mint tea.

We'd been asked to bring cash, for convenience - unfortunately, the cash machine en route to work had been broken when I'd passed, and I'd forgotten to get any cash later. Never mind, it all worked out ok - and very reasonably priced. I also managed a couple of glasses of wine - well, at least this time it was mixed with food! A lovely evening, and lovely to see this pair again. May it not be long till the next time.

Tomorrow, I'd have loved to go with UITCS for Season 7, the last of Pinter at the Pinter. Unfortunately, when I checked, although they still had tickets - they were either standing or a minimum price of £93 for that night. Nah, don't really want to go that badly! Never mind, the London European Club is off to a concert of French Chansons: The Sparrows of Paris, at Old Mary's. That's a most acceptable choice! But now I've cancelled, as da boss is planning another drinking session. To be fair, these are stressful times at work, and after a difficult day of meetings, he'll probably need it. And while I'd be interested in the concert, I'm not familiar with the venue, and a frightful number of people have signed up for it - it could be very crowded. Plus it's all the way across town. I have no qualms about skipping it, especially as it's free.

Then I'm back to Ireland at the weekend again. And on Monday, I am back with UITCS to Sadler's Wells for Tanztheater Wuppertal Pina Bausch! This time though, it's Bon Voyage, Bob. And with cheaper tickets in the back row of each of the lower levels, I'm in the stalls for the first time in ages! Annoying overhang, but hey, they're the cheapest seats, and I get to avoid all those stairs, for once.

Meal: Tas Borough

Tonight, back with Let's Do This for another Turkish meal at TAS. The last was excellent, so they did it again! which I think is a very good idea. And the second host came, for the first time in ages..

I had a late meeting, so took the Tube, for speediness. Man, what a trek - a sluggish crowd led into Old Street Station, although it sped up after the barriers. And then I had the usual wait at the platform - a five-minute wait for the train to arrive, to begin with, and then it was too crammed and I had to wait for the next! Hey, better than the last time I took the Tube, and had to wait for the third train.. A cramped, almost airless journey ensued, and what a relief it was to get off, three stops later at London Bridge. When I saw a sign for a lift that would take me to Borough exit, which was exactly what I wanted - well, I jumped at the chance, and was whisked to the exit in no time! Recommended.

I then hung a left, and The George, where we were to meet again, was a short walk away. Our organiser had said something about being in the second space past the bar - well, I followed my nose and found him, and wouldn't you know it, despite being a bit late, I was the first of the others to arrive! The second organiser, when he arrived, was kind enough to nip off and get me a drink, and when we were all there, we had a most pleasant chat until it was time to leave.

Again, Tas is just a short walk down the road, and they soon sorted us out with a table near the door. I did find the heating a bit much, but otherwise it's a delightful space, airy, pleasantly decorated, with a fellow playing guitar just up the steps. We didn't have as many menus as last time, but really, how many do you need..? We ordered a couple of meze to share, and for my main course this time I had Tavuk Kofte: minced, marinated chicken served with couscous. What it turned out to be was kind of BBQ chicken pieces. And the whole meal was gorgeous - simple, good food, which I'd recommend to anyone. Even the foreign-food-challenged! We didn't really feel like dessert - I know the chocolate cake here is good, but it also takes more effort to eat than I was prepared to put in, this time.

Conversation was also good, flowing over a couple of bottles of wine that we shared among us. The Man with the Hat came up in conversation - to be honest, he often does, when we that knew him are gathered together! He casts a long shadow. But hey, we were so lucky to have had him while we did, and after all, he represented a side of Meetup that was less about the money, more about the getting to know people. And that's something that's worth preserving. Long may it last. The night finished earlier than I'm used to, but what a joy it'll be to get to bed early.. Roll on the next Meetup with this group, it's one of the friendlier ones.

Tomorrow, London Literary Walks is taking us for A Night in Knightsbridge - sure to be as good as ever. Another group I can heartily recommend, and often do.

And on Friday, North London Friends is going to Quiz, at the Noel Coward Theatre. This is based on the true story of an audience member who coughed at the right answers from the multiple-choice selections, in Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?, thus enabling his co-conspirator to take away the top prize. Well, the group have onstage seats, which they sold themselves - they didn't show any availability when I looked, though, so I booked my own in the rear stalls, with the benefit of a Theatre Token I'd earned with Seatplan reviews. I then let them know I was coming.. it'd be nice to meet them on the night, if they're willing.

Restaurant: Tas

Yesterday, I had RSVPed with London Science Talks and Museums Meetup, for a Science Museum late. But hey, it was free - so I had no problem cancelling when Let's Do This advertised a meal the same evening. Turkish, with a drink at the George Inn beforehand. Closer to me, too.

It was only a short bus trip, followed by a short but absolutely frigid walk. The Arctic, gale force wind seemed to have a vendetta against me, and I was completely frozen by the time I got to the pub. Our organiser had helpfully said he'd be to the left of the main bar, so in I schlepped, spotting him before long, over the side. In, as the man said, a trilby.. good choice, you don't see many of those! Hmm, so now we have a second Man with a Hat..? ;-) Anyway, he had a drink, I got one, and before long we had a table, too. Good going, for a pub so packed! The others arrived in due course, and we yelled at each other for a bit, over the hubbub, until it was about time to go.

Tas is just across the road. It's quite a wide road, so sauntering across it was slightly unnerving - but we arrived alive, and were taken to our table. It's a very pleasant room - nice and airy, bright decor. We admired the glassware - I also admired the plates. It's quite classy. We ended up right across from a teeny stage, where a guitar player played classical music for most of the evening! What a shame we could hardly hear him over the din of a very crowded restaurant - it's one of my favourite kinds of music.

A long à la carte combines with a couple of special menus - one for groups, but we couldn't all agree to use it, so we didn't: and one that we could choose from individually. So, most of us went for that - terrific value, with a choice of two meze and a main from a long list of each, and a drink, which could be alcoholic, all for £19.95. I went for meze of sucuk izgara (garlic sausage), and mantar (sautéed mushrooms topped with cheese) - also available as a main. My main was kuzu sis - marinated chunks of lamb, accompanied by couscous. None of which were available on the à la carte, as far as I know.. honestly, I mainly couldn't tell you what the others ordered, except that we all had meze and a main, and a glass of wine.

The table was well-stocked with bread, which waiters kept trying to remove after we'd finished the meze, except for the valiant efforts of one of us! The meze filled the table, and I have to say, mine were delicious - the mushrooms particularly moreish. Our organiser had warned us about portion sizes with the mains - but I found mine perfectly sized, the lamb really tender. When the guy came with the dessert menu, the others might have left - but I'd already seen the chocolate cake ("simply delicious"!). So, you know, in the interests of research.. I do love the way they suggest drinks to accompany the desserts, but I passed on those.

So - verdict? Loved the place. For a start, it's a really pleasant environment, soothing - great choice of musical entertainment, if you can hear it. My meze, as I say, were delicious, the lamb for my main really tender - I was well fed. The chocolate cake, mind you, when it arrived, was quite a huge slab - if it hadn't been mousse-like, I probably wouldn't have been able to manage it at all. Dusted with cocoa powder - alway a nice touch - and with a chocolate coating, I found it nice and tasty. But honestly, too much after a whole meal - approach with caution! Next time, I might just go for ice cream..

It was a lovely evening, and I do hope they arrange more meals! I've always thought the social element is the best part of Meetup - and a meal focuses on that. And so I bade them farewell at the Tube - I was bussing, as usual. After a frigid wait. But hey, it was a lovely, clear night:

Early to bed then, for another U2 presale - probably the last for the year - today. Which was successful! Not as optimistic about the public onsale scrum tomorrow.. I start February with two from Up in the Cheap Seats. Tonight, I'm at John in the National. And tomorrow, my now-nearby venue, finally - I'm at Sadler's Wells Sampled. Hey, I can walk there and back, again..

On Saturday, I'm finally back with Anthony's Cultural Events and Walking Activities Group (fairly trips off the tongue, that!) for a free walk - Secret Diaries and Public Spaces: the Legacy of Pepys and Wren. As run by Walk London. I had a great time with this group before - it's a shame they so frequently clash with other things I'm doing.

On Sunday, another walk, with Funzing, via Walking in London - Forgotten Old London is one I've had my eye on for a while. And that evening, someone suggested a classical concert in King's Place - well, whyever not? So I booked. Close enough to walk home after, too.

And on Monday, back with Up in the Cheap Seats, at Hampstead Theatre, for Dry Powder.