I'm Not Myself Today: A Villainous Cabaret

Tonight, back with TAC for the opening night of I'm Not Myself Today: A Villainous Cabaret at the Bread and Roses in Clapham. An hour in which someone discusses with us why we all love the villain!

This wasn't on until 9, but I got hungry earlier, and headed up to O' Neill's. Unfortunately, my hunger pangs coincided pretty perfectly with the Women's Euro 22 final, England v Germany.. the pub was rammed. Hell, even the pavement outside was crowded with people watching the large tv through the window:

So, no chance of a table. Checking Google Maps, I saw there was a Prezzo up the road, so went there instead. Where the waiter pasted on a smile for me, and showed me to a table at the edge of an absolutely dead restaurant. I ordered garlic bread, chicken with mushrooms in a sauce with marsala wine (comes with fries), and a glass of wine. I was to be waiting (again) for the wine - it was five minutes before they poured it, and I watched as they left it on the bar to go and do more important things. My starter was nearly finished by the time someone thought to bring it down, and my sarcastic remark was completely lost on the waiter.

The garlic bread was lovely - the chicken was quite dry and tasteless in itself, but the mushrooms with the sauce were delicious, and the fries were nice. I ordered some chocolate ice cream for dessert, and the waiter asked whether I'd like another glass of wine - I'd finished the first. Funnily enough, this one came without delay - and the ice cream was divine, really creamy. So, a mixed meal, in all - but I was, basically, fed.

This left me enough time to run home briefly - I had to get the Tube to the show, buses would have taken too long. And it was stifling - it's been a very clammy day. I could hear the pub before I saw it - a rather good r n b band was playing downstairs, and most surprised to learn they had to finish for 9 for a play upstairs! I actually asked at the bar when I got there whether the theatre was open - she said no, that they'd make an announcement. They never did - when I saw people moving upstairs, and the music had stopped, I followed them. Mind you, when we got upstairs, they still weren't ready.. it was a bit late when we finally got in, and I took a seat in the second row.

I was lucky I didn't go for the front row - it was full of the performer's pals! Now, I have to give him credit as a good singer, and a born performer - it's just the material. See, what he's done is put together about an hour's worth of songs by villains, which he performs. To his credit, he has looked outside Disney - he also does Jud Fry's solo from Oklahoma, and a terrific version of You'll Be Back from Hamilton, with one of his pals mirroring his movements tonight, in an accomplished performance. But I didn't recognise most of the material - or even most of the characters - and therefore didn't get as much from it as the thrilled front row. I also found the show very self-referential, with him constantly harping on his harsh treatment at school. I hope he has a great career ahead of him - but this is a show for students. I was too old for the intended demographic. I was so glad when it ended! Managed to get buses back - they were quicker than earlier, there being less traffic.

Tomorrow morning, another job interview.. with another company.. at least it's not at 9am! I'll see how the drilling goes - might get away with staying at home, how nice would that be! In the evening, I'm going to the Kiln Theatre for The Darkest Part of the Night. Another troublesome website - I tried for days to get it to work..!

On Tuesday, thinking vaguely about the Camden Fringe, which runs all next month - there's, for example, an interesting audio event called A Little Drape of Heaven, where you hold a precious item of clothing to your heart, then press play to access a YouTube link that you've paid for. Hmm.. Meantime, I had booked a walk with Laurence and the 45+ Not Grumpy Old Londoners for last week. This is The Magic of Midtown - and as I said to him, it finishes very near my new home! And wouldn't you know it - he postponed it, as a result of the heatwave, to this day. Not that I'm not glad he didn't run it when it was originally scheduled - I should still be able to make it..

On Wednesday, thinking of film - and v excited about what's coming up! Highest of the list is the NT Live showing of Prima Facie, the one-woman play with Jodie Comer, making her West End debut as a dynamic lawyer, whose world is turned upside down when she is raped, and I guess, gets to see the other side of the system. It's supposed to be an absolute tour de force, and is one I missed because tickets went so fast - well, now it is, as they say, coming to a cinema screen near you! In fact, it's showing in my local cinema, yay - not to mention that, as a member, I get to see it for free! And with three showings that day, even if I happen to be back working - which would be a very quick turnaround - I should still be able to make it.

On Thursday, back with Up in the Cheap Seats for a concert by Damien Lewis at Omeara. Yes, the actor! I've never actually been here before - should be interesting. Meeting Didi for dinner beforehand at Tas Borough - she's coming to the concert too.

On Friday, I've booked for another of Laurence's tours - Wonders of the National Gallery. Which I can go on, as long as I haven't started work again - Lordy, I wish he'd do something on evenings or weekends again! Then I'm back to Ireland for the weekend - and will be trying, once more, to get my car serviced. Subject to availability of mechanics! So, not sure whether I'll get to a film, as of yet.

On the 8th - 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 the 9th, 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 - assuming I'm either not working, or can get the time off! as it's at lunchtime. Close enough to the (potential) office that I might be able to risk it.

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 the 10th, 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!

On the 11th, 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.

Clapham Comedy Club

Tonight, I was back with my new cheap tickets outlet, CT - this one booked before Friday's, to make the three-month rule. Before they changed the rule, so you now only have to book once per year. Would've been nice to have been told that. Anyway, I went to the Clapham Comedy Club at the Bread & Roses. (Their ticket allocation for this duly sold out.) Crumbs, it's ages since I've been there! And this is the first of a lot of comedy gigs I've booked over the next few months..

As usual, I fancied a KFC for brunch, and had my usual. Crikey though, even in the Bishopsgate branch, I don't think I've ever seen it so busy - kudos to the serving staff for processing the orders as though they were a conveyor belt. Delivery of the order was also exceptionally quick - I just about had time to collect my drink, a straw, and napkins.

This time, the upstairs seating area was open - unfortunately, when I went up there, the only free table was absolutely littered with the bones and bits from a bucket meal. I found a fairly clean corner to sit at, and used one of my napkins to wipe the spill on the seat. I'm certainly not blaming the staff behind the counter, who were working flat-out - but couldn't they have spared one person to clean up the mess? Of course, mainly to blame were the slovenly pigs who left it that way. A group of tourists to the side glanced sympathetically in my direction as I sat - it was too disgusting for me to clear it myself, and there was a ton of it. When they left, it's worth mentioning that they took their mess with them.

Apart from that, my meal was as tasty as ever - apart from the side order of beans, which were congealed and burnt. I didn't finish them. And when I took my mess away with me - it was to find an overflowing bin. Seriously, they cannot continue like this. I've reported them to the Food Standards Agency - the place is usually a tip, but today took the biscuit.

Well, I had a relaxing afternoon, and headed off in good time. I discovered that a combination of buses would get me there in under an hour, so that's what I did - the ever-reliable #344 actually stops right outside my house! I took that to Vauxhall, then the #88 to within walking distance of the pub - and they made very good time. I was also glad that they came quite quickly - today saw a bitter breeze that convinced us all we're right back in the depths of winter.

Some confusion in the pub, where just as I arrived (early!), the guy was ringing a bell and calling out that the house was open, and the performance would begin shortly. ("Not that shortly!") I thought to myself. Anyway, he checked off my name and I said I'd just get a drink first. As I waited for the apparently exhausted barmaid to get my drink (with no customers to speak of, I have to wonder whether she was suffering the after-effects of the night before), I overheard him explain to someone that no, this was for a play, and the comedy was in the room at the back - they obviously made the same mistake I did! So I mooched around the door to the back room, which wasn't open yet. Jeez, I guess someone with the same name must've been signed up for the play - I hope she got in!

It wasn't too long before the door to the back room was opened, my name was ticked off again, and my hand stamped:

Seating was eclectic - I chose a comfy-looking armchair in the second row. It's a small room anyway.

A kind of mc was wandering around, but his main function was to keep the music playing, beforehand, during the interval, and after - his phone was hooked up to the speakers, and blasted out a decent rock playlist. The actual mc-ing was done by the comedians themselves - first up was Tom Deacon, to explain the format to us and bother the front row. After promising he wouldn't.

He introduced the other guy, Stefano Paolini, who was up first and a bit less polished. He explained that his usual stuff is a lot shorter - like all the comedians just now, of course, he's practising for Edinburgh. So he's trying to extend his material, and referred quite a lot to his notebook. Hey, we're used to that from folks practising for Edinburgh. And he focused primarily on his life story - he's of Italian descent (you don't say..), and has had a varied career. I'll say this - he's a brilliant mimic! Most enjoyable.

Tom came on again after the interval, and bothered some more people - left me alone, happily. Some very funny material, very self-deprecating, and less checking of his notes. It struck me that it's been too long since I was at a comedy gig - it's good to be back. Mind you, it overran - my mother was Skyping me before I was out of the pub! And the buses home were even quicker - although they did take a little longer to come.

Right then! Off we go with the next bunch of events. I was initially thinking of a walk, tomorrow evening - a few Meetup groups are doing them, and I could do with the exercise. On my own, as I can't make any of theirs that are on tomorrow. But gee, storm Brendan is bringing rain, all evening.. ok, Plan B is a film. The top film on the list is something called Cep Herkülü: Naim Süleymanoglu. Based on the true story of an ethnic Turkish weightlifter born in Bulgaria, who defected to Turkey during the Communist Party's rule in Bulgaria, it does look interesting. However, it's only showing in the Odeon Lee Valley, at 10pm. Which just isn't a runner on a work night.

So that leaves me with a tie between The Gentlemen and Knives Out! Man - both star-studded, both look like fun. It was a close call - but I decided I'd rather see The Gentlemen. Directed by Guy Ritchie, it's a gangster romp, where Matthew McConaughey decides to sell his cannabis empire - thus starting a scrabble for power. He's married to Michelle Dockery - but this looks a world away from her role in Downton Abbey. Colin Farrell is the Irish boxing coach who, it seems, is a heavy on the side. Hugh Grant looks like he's having great fun as the private eye (and aspiring screenwriter) who's hired, by a newspaper, to investigate this new gang war on their doorstep. And I expect to have a ball. Nearest showing is in the Curzon Aldgate.

On Tuesday, more comedy - this time, in Soho Theatre. Tarot is a sketch show based around a live tarot reading. What's not to love..?!

On Wednesday, back with Meetup at last. Civilised London (CL) is back to dinner at Little Georgia, and naturally, so am I. Meeting at The Crown beforehand.

Thursday is going to be film as well - which is where Knives Out comes in. No question I was going to see it - it was just a question of which to see first! This is a classic, drawing-room murder mystery. Daniel Craig is the detective, hired to investigate the murder of Christopher Plummer. Jamie Lee Curtis is the deceased's daughter, married to Don Johnson. Toni Collette is the deceased's daughter-in-law. Each as horrid as the last.. and I booked it, because the closest showing is in the Vue Islington, and Vue are apparently cheaper online. Then I'm back to Ireland for the weekend.

On the 20th, back with CL for another jazz night at Wilton's. This time, it's Uri Sade.

On the 21st, back for another comedy show at Soho Theatre - this time, it's Hench, by Jessica Fostekew.

And on the 22nd, I'm back with Up in the Cheap Seats for a preview of Aisha and Abhaya, at the Linbury Theatre - apparently a new venue for the Opera House. My first time there!

Play: Faith & Heresy

Last night, with nothing on Meetup that I was interested in (and hadn't done), I headed with my £3.60 club to a play called Faith & Heresy, at The Bread & Roses in Clapham. Meetup is pretty quiet this week, given that many of Up in the Cheap Seats (UITCS) are up at the Edinburgh Fringe.

It was handy that it started so late - meant I could go to the late meeting at work. And it's just as well I was there, considering how tired my boss was - he was barely sentient for much of it. Working 16-hour days will do that for you. Anyway, I headed off straight afterwards - was too late to take the bus all that way, but the Tube took me straight there. I picked up a paper on the way, since I wouldn't be meeting anyone - and at this late hour, I had no trouble getting a seat. Bloody stuffy, though - I was glad of the strong breeze blowing through Clapham Common Station. Of all the exits, I amazingly picked the right one - and had a 10-minute walk to the pub above which this play was happening. I charged along once I'd extricated myself from the gaggle of Clapham Common dog walkers..

Nice area, I'd forgotten. Anyway, I arrived at the pub with five minutes to spare, to see them drawing the rope across the entrance to the stairs up to the theatre. The guy at the bar explained that they weren't open yet, checked my name off a list, and served me a drink - in plastic, so I could take it up. He needn't have bothered - technical issues meant a severe delay, and we weren't let in until nearly 25 minutes after start time. Just as well I had the paper. And I did get my drink finished, which saved me the trouble of carrying it.

A lovely, plush stair carpet took us to the upstairs room, where we wended our way around all the equipment. No wonder they had technical issues, there's so much to go wrong.. and it wasn't finished yet, with them needing to replace one of the mic cables. The writer (who took part in the show) assured us that this had gone right loads of times before. Mind you, this was the opening night - maybe the audience jinxed it.

The story is vaguely outlined in the blurb for the show. It doesn't get much less vague in person. The free programmes they provide on the seats are just cast lists. But hey, it's only an hour long anyway.. Now, I'm all in favour of supporting up-and-coming artists, and good luck to them. It's a tough business. However - and by the groans of the guy in front of me, who seemed to have been dragged there by his girlfriend, he agreed with me - that doesn't excuse inflicting an hour of narcissistic, introspective claptrap on us. The whole thing is about how he felt, going away to university and leaving his girlfriend behind. So we get people talking to the rather superfluous camera at the side, and being projected on a rear screen. We get voiceovers from the guy himself, as well as an actor portraying him on stage. To be fair, there are some good ideas in there - but on a stage this small, it's just pretentious. On the plus side, the acting is good. Runs till Saturday - avoid, if you have any taste.

On the way to the bus stop, I admired the view of cranes:

Blasted stop was closed, of course, without warning on Google Maps - so I needs must continue to the next, where I caught the 87, which was always my bus into town when I lived here. I see the passengers are as noisy as ever. Stopped by the office on the way back, where I discovered that my overworked boss had passed some stuff on to me. So by the time I'd worked on that, it was too late to blog, really.

Tonight - sorry, London Literary Walks, you didn't advertise early enough! Instead, I'm off with North London Friends for Things of Dry Hours, at the Young Vic. At least they're not dragging me off to parts Northerly, for once! Actually, someone in the group was looking for a ticket, so I could have sold him mine - thought about it, but didn't. It sounds interesting. Hope I don't regret my decision.

Tomorrow, I'm headed to Soho Theatre for The One. Then back to Ireland for the weekend, again.

On Monday, I'm going with UITCS to the Arcola, for Elephant Steps.

On Tuesday, the £3.60 club is providing me with a ticket to see Aprile Millo perform at Cadogan Hall. Gotta say, terrific value for something whose official prices start at £35!

And next Wednesday, again, off with UITCS to the Camden Fringe. We're seeing Secondhand Stories and Whimsy, two short plays at The Lion and Unicorn. I would have been missing an evening with London Literary Walks that day, but he then moved it. And scheduled something else in its place, nuts!