And now, the end is near.. and so I face the final curtain..
Well, near but not yet quite arrived, and hopefully not the end, but just a pause. Because, of course, the Man with the Hat is taking a break, and we don't know (and neither does he, I think) when he'll be back. Moral of the story - enjoy these Meetups while they last, there's nothing else quite like them out there.
Anyway, for last night, Let's Do London - for less! was off to the Opera House, to see.. Mayerling. Ooh-er: a ballet of unparalleled passion and intensity, and my favourite, by the way. (Well, I'm a sucker for passion and intensity.) I booked just as fast as my fingers were able to. And, of course, it was nice to be able to stroll down there, just a 10-minute walk from the office. He was easy to spot, surrounded by the usual scrum as he sorted out slips tickets from amphitheatre ones, and when I had my ticket I headed upstairs, arriving just as the house opened. I didn't bother to stay for a drink - there was nowhere to sit, and I couldn't see anyone I knew.
I sat beside a charming young man, who eyed my free flier jealously. He obviously hadn't been here before, and didn't realise that these are available at the programme stands - and, as I explained to him, they're very handy for the plot summary and the timings, which include length of intervals. There's also a cast list, if you're into that sort of thing. So I lent him mine, and we got to chatting, comparing operas and ballets. His favourite ballet is Swan Lake. Uh-oh, I thought..
See, Swan Lake this isn't. What it is, is a depiction of the real-life Mayerling incident - the Crown Prince of the Austro-Hungarian empire, locked into a loveless marriage, fell madly in love with a young girl, took her to his hunting lodge at Mayerling for the weekend, and (spoiler) neither came out alive. Apparently a murder-suicide, at any rate, it was a terrible scandal, and as he was the only liberal member of the family, his early death had enormous repercussions, with the Habsburgs losing the throne less than 30 years later. Had he lived, perhaps he could have changed their fortunes - who can say?
Now, it isn't for everyone. The guy beside me - and his companion - did stay for the duration, but I overheard him remark at the interval that it was "too dramatic" for him. Indeed, someone else later said that someone near her had called it "disgusting". By the third act, the seats around me were emptying out a bit, which gave me a nice amount of space to move around in.
I adored it, just like last time (when I bought the dvd). Again, Swan Lake it isn't - although the costumes are sumptuous, they aren't the frilly tutus of many ballets. The story is a tragedy, to which we're building up all night, and the sets and score are made to match. The sets are dark and brooding, the score - of which I'm also very fond - is brooding and intense. The dancing is actually violent in parts, with him flinging her about the stage, both crawling along the stage, her crawling all over him. Visceral, I think you could say, rather than pretty. There's a moment of nudity, too. Oh, and at least one gunshot in every act.
Highly recommended, but be warned - apart from the above, it's long. Not that I minded, but the early start and late finish did put some people off, and we had some who left - some were tired, some were sick, some had to be up early. And maybe they weren't that keen on it. Still, we had a decent crowd for the pub afterwards - at The Covent Garden, the Man with the Hat directed us to the end of the bar, where a bottle of white wine was waiting in a cooler, complete with several glasses. He said he'd bring a bottle of red when he came himself, staying behind to direct stragglers. We repaired upstairs, and although he left early, I'm sure he'd be delighted to know that we spent much of the evening singing his praises.
Of course, when the white was finished, I ended up having some red as well, and it was past my bedtime when I got home. I suspect something similar will happen tonight - I'd already bought a ticket to Nell Gwynn, at the Globe, then it turned out that London Dramatic Arts (LDAM) is going on the same night! (Buy Your Own Ticket.) As the organiser said, it must be fate.. it'll certainly be nice to have company. Odd venue for them, though - I know the organiser doesn't like it. Naturally, we're meeting at The Swan both before and after.
And tomorrow, I'm joining the London European Club for a classical concert at the Royal Festival Hall. Oh joy, they're playing Beethoven's 9th. LDAM has a double-bill that day, in the Arcola, but it wouldn't be convenient, and I'm not that pushed anyway.
Showing posts with label The Covent Garden. Show all posts
Showing posts with label The Covent Garden. Show all posts
Friday, 5 May 2017
Wednesday, 5 April 2017
Opera: Madama Butterfly
Another much-anticipated Man with the Hat event, as popular as the Opera House always is - last night he took Let's Do London - for less! to Madama Butterfly. So, off I went, leaving straight from the office as usual, got my ticket for the slips (he also had Amphitheatre), accompanied inside the small group of people who'd already arrived. We were in plenty of time, so I ushered them to the Amphitheatre bar, where one kindly bought me a drink (in fact, I didn't have to buy a drink all night!).
And so to the slips, in plenty of time for the lights to go down and the curtain up. This is an opera I've seen plenty of times - the University Concert Hall, near where my mother lives, stages two operas a year, and this has featured highly. So the story was familiar to me, of the Japanese ingenue married off to an American sailor, abandoning her family and culture in a rush of teenage passion, little realising that she is the only one in the room taking it seriously. And the music was just as familiar.
No matter what my mood at the beginning of this opera, I know I'll be teary by the end. It's a fabulously sad story, watching this poor innocent's hopes dashed by a callous older man. At the interval (only one, for once), one woman remarked that, goodness, typical opera: the woman always gets it in the neck! Well, as I said, if you thought the first act was depressing, wait till you see the second bit..!
The second and third acts see the action and drama ramped up, and the lead singer's beautiful, crystal-clear voice becomes ever more apparent. I liked how - from our elevated vantage point, anyway - the leads didn't seem too old, for once; Butterfly's hair is mostly loose, in a younger style, which is the first time I've seen it worn down - and her sailor, Pinkerton, isn't as obviously middle-aged as many I've seen. But of course, what we were there for was the music - and I'm quite sure I haven't heard a better production. As I say, Butterfly's voice soared above the rest, and I quite agreed with the chap beside me when he leapt to his feet in applause after one of her arias!
Mind you (spoiler alert), it was vey bad manners of her to kill herself at our side of the stage, where we couldn't see her, and sundry people in our row were to be seen jumping to their feet in a vain attempt to see what was happening! Also, it was interesting that one of our group had downloaded the play version, which has a slightly different ending - I think he was slightly miffed about that. How and ever, a beautiful production of what is always a moving opera. Runs on selected dates until the 25th.
And so to The Covent Garden, and upstairs, where he assured us that wine was already poured! Sure enough, glasses of red and white awaited us - not enough for the horde that followed, though! I'm sure it's the improvement in the weather that's doing it - there've been a lot more staying on lately, after the shows. Which is a good thing. Never fear, the Man with the Hat reappeared after a bit, having shepherded the last from the Opera House, and armed with another couple of bottles and an armful of glasses.. It was more than a bit crowded, and I was cosily ensconced in a corner, so didn't get a chance to have a word. But, you know, watch this space..
Today - why, it must be summer! Welcome back, London Literary Walks - good to see you. We're on The Composers' Walk - apparently a repeat. And a lovely, sunny day for it. And yay, we're meeting in Caffe Nero - I can have a chocolate Milano.
Tomorrow, I'm with the World Music Meetup, for a free concert of Iranian music at the Brunei Gallery. It's been a while for me, with both group and venue..
Then it's back to Ireland for the weekend again, and a meeting with my birth and adoptive mothers on the 8th. That's assuming we can agree on a venue - we had decided on Greene's, but there's no parking, my mother can't walk any distance, and while she had agreed to take a taxi, she's now gone and changed her mind. The new suggestion is Bowes Ryan, in the same building as the multi-storey; I'll run it past her when I call her this evening.
On Monday, I'm back at the Wanamaker Playhouse - always a favourite - for The White Devil, a Jacobean tale.
On Tuesday, I got a cheap ticket to the Caine and Kane comedy show, in Brixton. However, when Funzing (courtesy of London Speaks Sessions and LDN Talks @ Night) advertised a talk on Exploring the Mind of a Psychopath, I was intrigued, cancelled the first and booked this instead. I tried a couple of Funzing codes, and EnjoyFunzing10 worked, to get me 10% off. Also, thank goodness it isn't in blasted Cafe 1001 this time! No, this one I can probably walk to.
Next Wednesday, I'm with London Dramatic Arts (LDAM) to see Don Juan in Soho, with David Tennant, in Wyndham's. Just down Charing Cross Road - nice!
Then I'm back to Ireland for Easter - on Good Friday, my (adoptive) mother and I are off to La Bohème, at the University Concert Hall.
On the 18th, back in London, and back with Funzing - London Speaks Sessions, LDN Talks @ Night, and London for a Tenner or Less, for a talk on the Science of Paranormal Activity. Unless I get a better offer, in time - it'd have to be a good one, I'm interested in this!
On the 19th, London Literary Walks is off down Brick Lane - and so am I.
On the 20th, I have my usual placeholder of free comedy in Hammersmith - courtesy of Free Comedy Nights in Hammersmith Wimbledon and Greenwich, and London Live Comedy. Of course - much like Funzing - I usually end up cancelling these, when something better comes up.
Ditto the 21st - or I may go to the cinema that day. As usual, watch this space..!
On the 22nd, I'm off to see the Naked House Cleaner! Venue to be revealed just the day before.. ooh!
On the 23rd, I'm on a walk of Hampstead Village Highlights, with Walks, Talks and Treasure Hunts. Be good exercise, leading up to my own sponsored walk in September, in aid of Cats Protection.. Helen and I are going as Dick Whittington and his cat. She's the cat.
The 24th, another summery treat! The Man with the Hat is taking both London for Less Than a Tenner and Let's Do London - for less! to the Globe (ah, it's been too long..). For one night only, the Comedy Store Players will regale us with Shakespeare-inspired improv. As usual, London for Less than a Tenner standing in the yard, Let's Do London - for less! in lower gallery seats. Which is where I go - couldn't take standing for that long.
The 25th, London European Club again - it'll have been a while! They're off to an informal evening of classical music, in Peckham.
The 26th, London Literary Walks is doing the Sloane Ranger.
The 27th, Helen and I are on an Underground treasure hunt, courtesy of Walk, Talks and Treasure Hunts. TFL goodies to be won, it seems.. Then back to Ireland for the bank holiday weekend - which I'd forgotten was a bank holiday, or I'd have stayed over an extra day!
Instead, for 1 May, I've booked The Ferryman, with LDAM, at the Royal Court.
And 2 May, those same three Funzing groups have advertised a talk called Origin of Vampires: Fact or Fiction?
And so to the slips, in plenty of time for the lights to go down and the curtain up. This is an opera I've seen plenty of times - the University Concert Hall, near where my mother lives, stages two operas a year, and this has featured highly. So the story was familiar to me, of the Japanese ingenue married off to an American sailor, abandoning her family and culture in a rush of teenage passion, little realising that she is the only one in the room taking it seriously. And the music was just as familiar.
No matter what my mood at the beginning of this opera, I know I'll be teary by the end. It's a fabulously sad story, watching this poor innocent's hopes dashed by a callous older man. At the interval (only one, for once), one woman remarked that, goodness, typical opera: the woman always gets it in the neck! Well, as I said, if you thought the first act was depressing, wait till you see the second bit..!
The second and third acts see the action and drama ramped up, and the lead singer's beautiful, crystal-clear voice becomes ever more apparent. I liked how - from our elevated vantage point, anyway - the leads didn't seem too old, for once; Butterfly's hair is mostly loose, in a younger style, which is the first time I've seen it worn down - and her sailor, Pinkerton, isn't as obviously middle-aged as many I've seen. But of course, what we were there for was the music - and I'm quite sure I haven't heard a better production. As I say, Butterfly's voice soared above the rest, and I quite agreed with the chap beside me when he leapt to his feet in applause after one of her arias!
Mind you (spoiler alert), it was vey bad manners of her to kill herself at our side of the stage, where we couldn't see her, and sundry people in our row were to be seen jumping to their feet in a vain attempt to see what was happening! Also, it was interesting that one of our group had downloaded the play version, which has a slightly different ending - I think he was slightly miffed about that. How and ever, a beautiful production of what is always a moving opera. Runs on selected dates until the 25th.
And so to The Covent Garden, and upstairs, where he assured us that wine was already poured! Sure enough, glasses of red and white awaited us - not enough for the horde that followed, though! I'm sure it's the improvement in the weather that's doing it - there've been a lot more staying on lately, after the shows. Which is a good thing. Never fear, the Man with the Hat reappeared after a bit, having shepherded the last from the Opera House, and armed with another couple of bottles and an armful of glasses.. It was more than a bit crowded, and I was cosily ensconced in a corner, so didn't get a chance to have a word. But, you know, watch this space..
Today - why, it must be summer! Welcome back, London Literary Walks - good to see you. We're on The Composers' Walk - apparently a repeat. And a lovely, sunny day for it. And yay, we're meeting in Caffe Nero - I can have a chocolate Milano.
Tomorrow, I'm with the World Music Meetup, for a free concert of Iranian music at the Brunei Gallery. It's been a while for me, with both group and venue..
Then it's back to Ireland for the weekend again, and a meeting with my birth and adoptive mothers on the 8th. That's assuming we can agree on a venue - we had decided on Greene's, but there's no parking, my mother can't walk any distance, and while she had agreed to take a taxi, she's now gone and changed her mind. The new suggestion is Bowes Ryan, in the same building as the multi-storey; I'll run it past her when I call her this evening.
On Monday, I'm back at the Wanamaker Playhouse - always a favourite - for The White Devil, a Jacobean tale.
On Tuesday, I got a cheap ticket to the Caine and Kane comedy show, in Brixton. However, when Funzing (courtesy of London Speaks Sessions and LDN Talks @ Night) advertised a talk on Exploring the Mind of a Psychopath, I was intrigued, cancelled the first and booked this instead. I tried a couple of Funzing codes, and EnjoyFunzing10 worked, to get me 10% off. Also, thank goodness it isn't in blasted Cafe 1001 this time! No, this one I can probably walk to.
Next Wednesday, I'm with London Dramatic Arts (LDAM) to see Don Juan in Soho, with David Tennant, in Wyndham's. Just down Charing Cross Road - nice!
Then I'm back to Ireland for Easter - on Good Friday, my (adoptive) mother and I are off to La Bohème, at the University Concert Hall.
On the 18th, back in London, and back with Funzing - London Speaks Sessions, LDN Talks @ Night, and London for a Tenner or Less, for a talk on the Science of Paranormal Activity. Unless I get a better offer, in time - it'd have to be a good one, I'm interested in this!
On the 19th, London Literary Walks is off down Brick Lane - and so am I.
On the 20th, I have my usual placeholder of free comedy in Hammersmith - courtesy of Free Comedy Nights in Hammersmith Wimbledon and Greenwich, and London Live Comedy. Of course - much like Funzing - I usually end up cancelling these, when something better comes up.
Ditto the 21st - or I may go to the cinema that day. As usual, watch this space..!
On the 22nd, I'm off to see the Naked House Cleaner! Venue to be revealed just the day before.. ooh!
On the 23rd, I'm on a walk of Hampstead Village Highlights, with Walks, Talks and Treasure Hunts. Be good exercise, leading up to my own sponsored walk in September, in aid of Cats Protection.. Helen and I are going as Dick Whittington and his cat. She's the cat.
The 24th, another summery treat! The Man with the Hat is taking both London for Less Than a Tenner and Let's Do London - for less! to the Globe (ah, it's been too long..). For one night only, the Comedy Store Players will regale us with Shakespeare-inspired improv. As usual, London for Less than a Tenner standing in the yard, Let's Do London - for less! in lower gallery seats. Which is where I go - couldn't take standing for that long.
The 25th, London European Club again - it'll have been a while! They're off to an informal evening of classical music, in Peckham.
The 26th, London Literary Walks is doing the Sloane Ranger.
The 27th, Helen and I are on an Underground treasure hunt, courtesy of Walk, Talks and Treasure Hunts. TFL goodies to be won, it seems.. Then back to Ireland for the bank holiday weekend - which I'd forgotten was a bank holiday, or I'd have stayed over an extra day!
Instead, for 1 May, I've booked The Ferryman, with LDAM, at the Royal Court.
And 2 May, those same three Funzing groups have advertised a talk called Origin of Vampires: Fact or Fiction?
Friday, 17 March 2017
Ballet: Mixed Bill
Ah, the last Man with the Hat event for the month (for me, anyway - he is repeating it next Friday). Yesterday, he took both London for Less Than a Tenner and Let's Do London - for less! to the Opera House, to see a mixed bill of ballet.
Had the usual dilemma beforehand of whether to take the evening bag - the fact that it fitted my keys without argument sealed the matter, and it came. And I spent the rest of the night struggling to get it closed, and keep it closed. Life is hard. But not for the coach that was turning from Endell Street into Short's Gardens just as I was doing the opposite; this one was a reasonable size, and hadn't half the trouble - nor did it provide half the entertainment - of the 60-seater I saw trying to do the same, recently..
Approaching the Opera House, I saw one Man, one Hat, one guest. Not hard to spot. Got my ticket, and when a group of newbies had arrived, off I was dispatched to lead them upstairs. The first couple, mind, took off at a gallop, and I pretty much lost them while the security guard was trying to peer into my teeny bag to see whether it contained anything of danger. Last I saw of them was when they were heading determinedly for the lifts, so I left them to it. I went up instead with a very nice lady - we got a drink and hung out on the balcony for a while before heading in. I was sat beside Mary - good to see her, she hadn't been able to make the night before.
This is a triple bill. First up, The Human Seasons apparently describes the cycle of life, and is inspired by Keats. Very pretty, very elegant - but we didn't really feel moved by it. Much more successful were the latter two. The second - After the Rain - is mesmerising, with haunting music (Spiegel im Spiegel) I've heard before.. somewhere. And finally was the world premiere of Flight Pattern - starting with sombre bass, dramatic staging sees a host of people in grey shuffling onto a dark stage, moving in unison, like flocks of birds in flight. Until two break away..
Particularly the second and third pieces are absolutely stunning - I can't recommend them highly enough. Go see - runs until next Friday (which means the Man with the Hat will have been to the first and last performances..). Were I available that day, I'd be seriously tempted to go again.
Afterwards, with The Sun apparently booked for a private function, a small group of us ended up in The Covent Garden - upstairs, which had more space. And had a most convivial chat, including about this sponsored walk I'm going on in September. Sceptics can go take a long walk off a short bridge.. and last night, predictably, the ladies outlasted the gents, whose stamina gave out long before ours.
Today? Lá le Pádraig shona daoibh! Not doing anything particularly Irish.. well, not after I leave the office, anyway!
Tonight, I got a cheap ticket to a very topical version of Twelfth Night, in the Drayton Arms. Ah, I remember when I was walking distance from there..
Tomorrow, I'm back with Walks, Talks and Treasure Hunts for an Oliver Twist walk. Back with Hazel, excellent!
Sunday.. not a Man with the Hat event, but one he's advertised. One member of his group plays Spanish guitar, and is giving a concert that night - so I've booked a ticket. Well hey, I do love Spanish music..
Monday, I'm off to a Funzing talk on The Science of Psychedelics. Courtesy of London Speaks Sessions, LDN Talks @ Night, and London for a Tenner or Less (nothing to do with the Man with the Hat). Unless I think of something better up to 48 hours beforehand.. can cancel that far in advance without penalty.
Tuesday, I'm with London European Club (LEC) for Carradine's Cockney Singalong, at Hoxton Hall. Had some fun with this a couple of weeks ago, when I noticed another group member had confused it with something at a different venue, and thought it wasn't now happening..
Wednesday, I'm headed with LEC again - with a different organiser - to see 2 Cellos in concert in the London Palladium. Cool - never seen them before, never been there before, and I can probably walk there!
Had the usual dilemma beforehand of whether to take the evening bag - the fact that it fitted my keys without argument sealed the matter, and it came. And I spent the rest of the night struggling to get it closed, and keep it closed. Life is hard. But not for the coach that was turning from Endell Street into Short's Gardens just as I was doing the opposite; this one was a reasonable size, and hadn't half the trouble - nor did it provide half the entertainment - of the 60-seater I saw trying to do the same, recently..
Approaching the Opera House, I saw one Man, one Hat, one guest. Not hard to spot. Got my ticket, and when a group of newbies had arrived, off I was dispatched to lead them upstairs. The first couple, mind, took off at a gallop, and I pretty much lost them while the security guard was trying to peer into my teeny bag to see whether it contained anything of danger. Last I saw of them was when they were heading determinedly for the lifts, so I left them to it. I went up instead with a very nice lady - we got a drink and hung out on the balcony for a while before heading in. I was sat beside Mary - good to see her, she hadn't been able to make the night before.
This is a triple bill. First up, The Human Seasons apparently describes the cycle of life, and is inspired by Keats. Very pretty, very elegant - but we didn't really feel moved by it. Much more successful were the latter two. The second - After the Rain - is mesmerising, with haunting music (Spiegel im Spiegel) I've heard before.. somewhere. And finally was the world premiere of Flight Pattern - starting with sombre bass, dramatic staging sees a host of people in grey shuffling onto a dark stage, moving in unison, like flocks of birds in flight. Until two break away..
Particularly the second and third pieces are absolutely stunning - I can't recommend them highly enough. Go see - runs until next Friday (which means the Man with the Hat will have been to the first and last performances..). Were I available that day, I'd be seriously tempted to go again.
Afterwards, with The Sun apparently booked for a private function, a small group of us ended up in The Covent Garden - upstairs, which had more space. And had a most convivial chat, including about this sponsored walk I'm going on in September. Sceptics can go take a long walk off a short bridge.. and last night, predictably, the ladies outlasted the gents, whose stamina gave out long before ours.
Today? Lá le Pádraig shona daoibh! Not doing anything particularly Irish.. well, not after I leave the office, anyway!
Tonight, I got a cheap ticket to a very topical version of Twelfth Night, in the Drayton Arms. Ah, I remember when I was walking distance from there..
Tomorrow, I'm back with Walks, Talks and Treasure Hunts for an Oliver Twist walk. Back with Hazel, excellent!
Sunday.. not a Man with the Hat event, but one he's advertised. One member of his group plays Spanish guitar, and is giving a concert that night - so I've booked a ticket. Well hey, I do love Spanish music..
Monday, I'm off to a Funzing talk on The Science of Psychedelics. Courtesy of London Speaks Sessions, LDN Talks @ Night, and London for a Tenner or Less (nothing to do with the Man with the Hat). Unless I think of something better up to 48 hours beforehand.. can cancel that far in advance without penalty.
Tuesday, I'm with London European Club (LEC) for Carradine's Cockney Singalong, at Hoxton Hall. Had some fun with this a couple of weeks ago, when I noticed another group member had confused it with something at a different venue, and thought it wasn't now happening..
Wednesday, I'm headed with LEC again - with a different organiser - to see 2 Cellos in concert in the London Palladium. Cool - never seen them before, never been there before, and I can probably walk there!
Next Thursday was another Funzing talk, with the same three groups, on The Science of Hypnosis. And then, wouldn't you know it, Henning from the LEC advertised.. Hypnosis - Altering Consciousness! With Pint of Science. (What is it about that day and hypnosis?!) Anyway, I do enjoy events with Henning, and as I say, I can cancel Funzing up to 48 hours in advance without penalty. So I did, and booked the other instead. And then it's back to Ireland for the weekend again..
Thursday, 2 February 2017
Opera: La Traviata
And so the Man With the Hat started the month with Let's Do London - for less! at La Traviata, at the Opera House. And of course, I booked. I was rather worried about this cold I suddenly contracted this week though, and the cough that started to threaten yesterday. I did think about taking a drink with me, but didn't, in the end..
Stayed late in the office, which is so handy for Covent Garden, and had a pleasant stroll down. Got my ticket and made my way upstairs - I hardly knew anyone from the group that attended last night, but was seated beside a very nice lady. It's great to see new people attending, and even better when they turn out to be sociable. Anyway, she turned out to be something of an opera buff, which made the evening more interesting.
Straight away, you have to concede that this is a lavish production! Sumptuous costumes combine with dramatic backdrops - and while there is a large cast, it's the singing of the principal characters that most impresses. Now, the first time I saw this opera was an Ellen Kent production, near where my mother lives. And it's great that they get opera there at all - they only do two productions per year, one night each. But it has to be said, although the backdrops are impressive, the performances often leave something to be desired.
Last night though was the first time I've heard this opera sung so emotively. This was the first time I believed the story of the courtesan with the heart of gold, forced to give up the only man she ever loved. And I could just imagine the Victorian ladies, feeling daring - perhaps shocked - at attending a show about a person like this.. and then sobbing into their hankies as they saw how tragic and noble a figure she was! This is a beautiful production - to look at and to listen to. Highly recommended - playing again in June and July, with a different cast.
Oh, and I felt in good company with my cough and sniffles - half the audience was at it. When my cough finally hit, in the final act, well, it just felt as though we were all just coughing along in sympathy with Violetta, on stage, dying of tuberculosis (spoiler)..
At the intervals, there was a bewildering rush for the balcony, despite the cold. Happily, although I didn't bring outerwear for the first interval, I was in time to grab one of their warm blankets.. When the show ended, there was apparently a private function in the Sun, so we made for The Covent Garden, which had plenty of seating upstairs. We were just in time to order a quick bite to eat - they serve food till 11! And wouldn't you know it, what we had just seen sparked off a fun discussion on feminism. Which lasted until we got thrown out of the upstairs, and then out of the downstairs pub, by the increasingly exasperated server. And so home, well satisfied.
Tonight, back with both that group and London for Less Than a Tenner, to Cadogan Hall for a concert involving the works of Brahms and Elgar, among others. And with my cough worse today, I really shall have to take a drink with me.
Tomorrow promises to be unusual.. it's that late-night storytelling event at the Wellcome Collection. Tickets were all free, and are now all gone. I was too late to get a ticket for Ben Haggerty's storytelling performance, but I've booked the second, as well as the first and third talks. Anyway, there's tons of non-ticketed stuff on.
And finally, on Saturday, I'm finally going to the much-advertised British Museum Tour - Ideas That Made our World. A Funzing event, as advertised by two of their Meetup groups - London Speaks Sessions and LDN Talks @ Night. So I booked with both..
Stayed late in the office, which is so handy for Covent Garden, and had a pleasant stroll down. Got my ticket and made my way upstairs - I hardly knew anyone from the group that attended last night, but was seated beside a very nice lady. It's great to see new people attending, and even better when they turn out to be sociable. Anyway, she turned out to be something of an opera buff, which made the evening more interesting.
Straight away, you have to concede that this is a lavish production! Sumptuous costumes combine with dramatic backdrops - and while there is a large cast, it's the singing of the principal characters that most impresses. Now, the first time I saw this opera was an Ellen Kent production, near where my mother lives. And it's great that they get opera there at all - they only do two productions per year, one night each. But it has to be said, although the backdrops are impressive, the performances often leave something to be desired.
Last night though was the first time I've heard this opera sung so emotively. This was the first time I believed the story of the courtesan with the heart of gold, forced to give up the only man she ever loved. And I could just imagine the Victorian ladies, feeling daring - perhaps shocked - at attending a show about a person like this.. and then sobbing into their hankies as they saw how tragic and noble a figure she was! This is a beautiful production - to look at and to listen to. Highly recommended - playing again in June and July, with a different cast.
Oh, and I felt in good company with my cough and sniffles - half the audience was at it. When my cough finally hit, in the final act, well, it just felt as though we were all just coughing along in sympathy with Violetta, on stage, dying of tuberculosis (spoiler)..
At the intervals, there was a bewildering rush for the balcony, despite the cold. Happily, although I didn't bring outerwear for the first interval, I was in time to grab one of their warm blankets.. When the show ended, there was apparently a private function in the Sun, so we made for The Covent Garden, which had plenty of seating upstairs. We were just in time to order a quick bite to eat - they serve food till 11! And wouldn't you know it, what we had just seen sparked off a fun discussion on feminism. Which lasted until we got thrown out of the upstairs, and then out of the downstairs pub, by the increasingly exasperated server. And so home, well satisfied.
Tonight, back with both that group and London for Less Than a Tenner, to Cadogan Hall for a concert involving the works of Brahms and Elgar, among others. And with my cough worse today, I really shall have to take a drink with me.
Tomorrow promises to be unusual.. it's that late-night storytelling event at the Wellcome Collection. Tickets were all free, and are now all gone. I was too late to get a ticket for Ben Haggerty's storytelling performance, but I've booked the second, as well as the first and third talks. Anyway, there's tons of non-ticketed stuff on.
And finally, on Saturday, I'm finally going to the much-advertised British Museum Tour - Ideas That Made our World. A Funzing event, as advertised by two of their Meetup groups - London Speaks Sessions and LDN Talks @ Night. So I booked with both..
Friday, 9 December 2016
Opera: Manon Lescaut
In a cultured end to the week, the Man with the Hat took Let's Do London- for less! to the opera tonight. In the Opera House, which does occasionally stage them. Surprise surprise, I booked.. slips, of course: cheaper. And a decent view.
Plenty of time to catch the bus. There was a festive atmosphere at the bus stop, what with two guys collecting for charity and jiggling their buckets as they belted out Deck the Halls, and two small children determined on demolishing the stop with sheer enthusiasm, egged on by one of their relatives and being glared at by commuters less enthused by Christmas cheer..
I ended up with the small wriggly people beside me for a while, on the bus. Things were quieter when they got off, and we made good time up to Parliament Square. Then we didn't- but I was in good time and that was ok. Collected my ticket, chatted for a bit with the others there, and then we fecked off and left the Man with the Hat forlorn and alone on the pavement. Where he was to remain until nearly showtime, just to make sure that everyone got their ticket..
Gosh, we were early though- never seen the place so empty. A lone pianist was tuning up. By showtime, that was the whole orchestra, and drowned out by the bedlam of a nearly full audience. And then Manon Lescaut started..
In the slips, you expect to miss a little of the action - but one of the few points where that was noticeable was when the people on the top balcony (on stage) were cut off from the waist up.. Someone in the group later objected to the modern dress, which he found incongruous with the music. That wasn't a problem for me - but we all tended to agree that the "impoverished student", Chevalier des Grieux, looked nothing like one. Aleksandrs Antonenko looked a bit too old, and rather like he'd had far too many Krispy Kremes - it was hilarious, when Manon ridiculed her older lover, saying how could she prefer him to des Grieux, indicating his baldness.. and his belly! Oh Lordy woman, have you looked at the man you're running away with? Twice the size! And it didn't really help that he wore a suit for the whole thing - not very studenty. As I remarked later, he'd have done better with the Man with the Hat's baseball cap.
The opera is in four acts, and after the first, a lady came on with a mic to explain how poor Mr. Antonenko had a throat infection, but would be continuing. Again, as someone remarked later, his understudy must have been infuriated at missing his shot. Well, he did a decent job - opera singing can't be easy - not that I've done it - especially with a sore throat. Someone mentioned they'd seen him sneak sips of water during the performance, which I didn't notice. It was also remarked on that his voice seemed much weaker than Manon's - that might have been the reason..
The bit that showcased Manon's obsession with luxury, and the life she led with her rich, elderly lover, was interestingly done - glass walls, an ornate chandelier, pink bedsheets, and a floorshow that was filmed. Nice touch, I thought. However, I was initially confused by the next scene - it took me most of that scene to figure out what was going on - and I'm afraid I couldn't really get into her death scene (spoiler!). Think the stage design distracted me a bit. Still, Sondra Radvanovsky was good in the role, and overall I enjoyed it. As I enjoyed the smoked almonds that were kindly shared with me at the interval, on the balcony - it was cool enough to need an overcoat, but not that vicious cold of a week or so ago.
Afterwards, the Man with the Baseball Cap had already done his research, and determined that The Sun Tavern was too packed - so we headed to The Covent Garden, where he joined us shortly. And would you believe, of the three things you're not supposed to discuss in polite conversation, we managed to cover two of them.. well, who said we were polite? ;-)
Tomorrow, I'm busily avoiding London Dramatic Arts, at a production of Art at the Old Vic. Got myself a carefully chosen, cheap ticket upstairs, y'see. And they don't like people doing that, y'see.
And on Sunday, I'm off to the British Museum, where there's some storytelling going on. The Kalevala is, apparently, the national epic of Karelia and Finland, and I've signed up with Crick Crack - but am much more likely to hang out with the London European Club, who are going too. Long time no see!
In the slips, you expect to miss a little of the action - but one of the few points where that was noticeable was when the people on the top balcony (on stage) were cut off from the waist up.. Someone in the group later objected to the modern dress, which he found incongruous with the music. That wasn't a problem for me - but we all tended to agree that the "impoverished student", Chevalier des Grieux, looked nothing like one. Aleksandrs Antonenko looked a bit too old, and rather like he'd had far too many Krispy Kremes - it was hilarious, when Manon ridiculed her older lover, saying how could she prefer him to des Grieux, indicating his baldness.. and his belly! Oh Lordy woman, have you looked at the man you're running away with? Twice the size! And it didn't really help that he wore a suit for the whole thing - not very studenty. As I remarked later, he'd have done better with the Man with the Hat's baseball cap.
The opera is in four acts, and after the first, a lady came on with a mic to explain how poor Mr. Antonenko had a throat infection, but would be continuing. Again, as someone remarked later, his understudy must have been infuriated at missing his shot. Well, he did a decent job - opera singing can't be easy - not that I've done it - especially with a sore throat. Someone mentioned they'd seen him sneak sips of water during the performance, which I didn't notice. It was also remarked on that his voice seemed much weaker than Manon's - that might have been the reason..
The bit that showcased Manon's obsession with luxury, and the life she led with her rich, elderly lover, was interestingly done - glass walls, an ornate chandelier, pink bedsheets, and a floorshow that was filmed. Nice touch, I thought. However, I was initially confused by the next scene - it took me most of that scene to figure out what was going on - and I'm afraid I couldn't really get into her death scene (spoiler!). Think the stage design distracted me a bit. Still, Sondra Radvanovsky was good in the role, and overall I enjoyed it. As I enjoyed the smoked almonds that were kindly shared with me at the interval, on the balcony - it was cool enough to need an overcoat, but not that vicious cold of a week or so ago.
Afterwards, the Man with the Baseball Cap had already done his research, and determined that The Sun Tavern was too packed - so we headed to The Covent Garden, where he joined us shortly. And would you believe, of the three things you're not supposed to discuss in polite conversation, we managed to cover two of them.. well, who said we were polite? ;-)
Tomorrow, I'm busily avoiding London Dramatic Arts, at a production of Art at the Old Vic. Got myself a carefully chosen, cheap ticket upstairs, y'see. And they don't like people doing that, y'see.
And on Sunday, I'm off to the British Museum, where there's some storytelling going on. The Kalevala is, apparently, the national epic of Karelia and Finland, and I've signed up with Crick Crack - but am much more likely to hang out with the London European Club, who are going too. Long time no see!
Thursday, 17 November 2016
Ballet: Wayne McGregor Mixed Programme
Ah, the end of my Guildford week, and a night out with the Man with the Hat to boot. Nice early birthday present! He was taking both groups to the Opera House - London for Less Than a Tenner in the slips, Let's Do London - for less! in the amphitheatre. I, being cheap, was in the slips. Hey, you are closer to the stage, and the view is generally fine.
Would you believe, I held myself up in the office this time, finishing something! And it was another of those 1.5hr treks home - still, I just about had time to turn around and change my top before heading out. Oh, and to send in a work email that had to go yesterday evening - I completely forgot about it before leaving the office, but managed to write the thing while stopped in traffic, then just had to wait to get home for an internet connection so I could click send. Ah yes, nothing boring about my life.
Carefully hobbled up to Platforms 3/4 at Clapham Junction (the closest to my entrance, which is an issue when you have a gammy leg from driving), and had a choice of two trains leaving at about the same time for Waterloo; one was nonstop, so that was mine. Mind you, sitting was an issue, after some energetic hobbling - my leg kept cramping, which was a bit worrying. Still, I made it to Waterloo, took the wrong exit for Stop C, arrived there just in time to see a 26 pulling away. Still, the 76 also stops there, and I knew that would do me as well - and along came one of those, a couple of minutes later.
Got off at Aldwych and wended my way through the West End to the Opera House, through the usual crowds. Now, as I'd driven back into London, it had rained so hard it occurred to me - goodness, the Man with the Hat will drown! (And my ticket shall be soggy.) But actually, by the time I got there it wasn't that bad. I asked whether he had many more tickets to get rid of - no, not many. Poor chap stays there past start time, you know, just to make sure everyone gets their ticket..
So anyway, I relieved him of my ticket and made my way upstairs. Wasn't too long before the show started. Now, maybe the slips weren't ideal for this, since we couldn't quite see the back or the side of the stage - but we sure saw enough, and of course the price is excellent. This was a triple bill of contemporary ballets choreographed by Wayne McGregor - and the chap beside me noted that, on the free flier, it said how many times each had been performed.
First up was Chroma - the most frequently performed of the three, and perhaps the most traditional. As I remarked to various people throughout the evening, the point of contemporary dance isn't to find the story - it's just to watch, and experience. This was a beautiful piece, which - as it says on the site, "explores the drama of the human body and its ability to communicate extremes of thought and emotion". Well yes, couldn't have put it better myself!
Each interval was half an hour long, and we repaired to the bar - and, indeed, the balcony - where good company was to be had. The second ballet - the least accessible, was the general consensus - was Multiverse. Apparently, it explores "ideas of repeating histories and possible futures". Indeed - a ballet with several subsections, the first of which incorporated an eventually irritating word being repeated on loop. The piece also involved video and still photos, displayed on a vidi-wall to the side. Interesting, but tricky. In fact, I saw a few more empty seats at the end of the second interval - although that might have been down to the lateness of the hour.
The favourite for most was the final piece, Carbon Life. A really good rock soundtrack - someone later remarked they wanted the cd - was performed live at the back of the stage, behind the dancers. (I was wondering, after the second interval, where the orchestra had got to - I guess that was why the conductor took his bows before the second interval.) There was a rapper too, who strolled around the stage. And as I said to someone after, I love this combination of two art forms that don't normally go together. This worked beautifully, and I was really sort for anyone who missed it. The kind of ballet that would change the minds of people who don't like ballet!
There weren't many of us at the pub after - we schlepped across the road, and down to The Covent Garden (formerly the Globe), where for once, we didn't have anything booked. So the helpful staff.. encouraged a couple, occupying a quiet corner, to vacate for us. I was starving, and when I saw a menu on the bar, asked whether they were still doing food. She checked the time and said "yes" - at 10.30, that's damn good! So I ordered chips. Sorry, Man with Hat, I was too hungry to share (even if I didn't end up eating them all). They came presalted, with a pot each of ketchup and garlic mayo. And I started a trend - when he saw mine, sure enough, someone else ordered a portion, upon hearing how quickly they'd come. Yummy chips too, highly recommended.
Afterwards, I walked with Mary back to the station. Thought my leg might fall off, but it didn't. Ah, good times with good folks, and a good escape from harsh reality. Roll on the next one..
Tonight, I'm with Kensington Classical Music for a performance of The Snowman, and a Christmas concert, at St. James' Church Piccadilly. The organiser is very kindly giving me a free ticket, on account of concerts I've paid for before and missed. And it has nothing to do with the fact that it's also my birthday! :-) Hope she remembers, actually.. Anyway, good job I'm working from home - it's the earliest event start of the week.
Tomorrow, I'm back to Ireland for the weekend, where - unusually, at the moment - we don't have anything scheduled. On Monday, I'm off with London Dramatic Arts to Trafalgar Studios, to see the Pulitzer-prize-winning Buried Child, with Ed Harris. Pity it clashes with the Crick Crack Club that night - I'd already booked this, but would rather have gone with them..
On Tuesday, London Dramatic Arts are off to Hampstead Theatre to see The Intelligent Homosexual's Guide to Capitalism and Socialism with a Key to the Scriptures, with Tamsin Grieg, which was rescheduled. And so am I - independently, just as I was supposed to for the original date. Better avoid them, as they're trying to flog the last couple of tickets.. This is the theatre I had to sneak out the back of, last time - which makes it interesting. Assuming I get there in time - it's on at 7, and I bloody well have to be in Guildford again.
On Wednesday, I'm signed up with the London European Club for a talk at the Frontline Club about London's Dirty Money. Unless, you know, I decide to go to a film instead.
And next Thursday, I'm back with Crick Crack, in the Arthouse Crouch End (what a good job it's a Work from Home day) for one I missed before - Little Red Riding Hood & Other Lost Girls, as told by Nell Phoenix. And yes, I do have the confirmation email for this one, unlike the one I thought I'd booked for last Sunday!
Would you believe, I held myself up in the office this time, finishing something! And it was another of those 1.5hr treks home - still, I just about had time to turn around and change my top before heading out. Oh, and to send in a work email that had to go yesterday evening - I completely forgot about it before leaving the office, but managed to write the thing while stopped in traffic, then just had to wait to get home for an internet connection so I could click send. Ah yes, nothing boring about my life.
Carefully hobbled up to Platforms 3/4 at Clapham Junction (the closest to my entrance, which is an issue when you have a gammy leg from driving), and had a choice of two trains leaving at about the same time for Waterloo; one was nonstop, so that was mine. Mind you, sitting was an issue, after some energetic hobbling - my leg kept cramping, which was a bit worrying. Still, I made it to Waterloo, took the wrong exit for Stop C, arrived there just in time to see a 26 pulling away. Still, the 76 also stops there, and I knew that would do me as well - and along came one of those, a couple of minutes later.
Got off at Aldwych and wended my way through the West End to the Opera House, through the usual crowds. Now, as I'd driven back into London, it had rained so hard it occurred to me - goodness, the Man with the Hat will drown! (And my ticket shall be soggy.) But actually, by the time I got there it wasn't that bad. I asked whether he had many more tickets to get rid of - no, not many. Poor chap stays there past start time, you know, just to make sure everyone gets their ticket..
So anyway, I relieved him of my ticket and made my way upstairs. Wasn't too long before the show started. Now, maybe the slips weren't ideal for this, since we couldn't quite see the back or the side of the stage - but we sure saw enough, and of course the price is excellent. This was a triple bill of contemporary ballets choreographed by Wayne McGregor - and the chap beside me noted that, on the free flier, it said how many times each had been performed.
First up was Chroma - the most frequently performed of the three, and perhaps the most traditional. As I remarked to various people throughout the evening, the point of contemporary dance isn't to find the story - it's just to watch, and experience. This was a beautiful piece, which - as it says on the site, "explores the drama of the human body and its ability to communicate extremes of thought and emotion". Well yes, couldn't have put it better myself!
Each interval was half an hour long, and we repaired to the bar - and, indeed, the balcony - where good company was to be had. The second ballet - the least accessible, was the general consensus - was Multiverse. Apparently, it explores "ideas of repeating histories and possible futures". Indeed - a ballet with several subsections, the first of which incorporated an eventually irritating word being repeated on loop. The piece also involved video and still photos, displayed on a vidi-wall to the side. Interesting, but tricky. In fact, I saw a few more empty seats at the end of the second interval - although that might have been down to the lateness of the hour.
The favourite for most was the final piece, Carbon Life. A really good rock soundtrack - someone later remarked they wanted the cd - was performed live at the back of the stage, behind the dancers. (I was wondering, after the second interval, where the orchestra had got to - I guess that was why the conductor took his bows before the second interval.) There was a rapper too, who strolled around the stage. And as I said to someone after, I love this combination of two art forms that don't normally go together. This worked beautifully, and I was really sort for anyone who missed it. The kind of ballet that would change the minds of people who don't like ballet!
There weren't many of us at the pub after - we schlepped across the road, and down to The Covent Garden (formerly the Globe), where for once, we didn't have anything booked. So the helpful staff.. encouraged a couple, occupying a quiet corner, to vacate for us. I was starving, and when I saw a menu on the bar, asked whether they were still doing food. She checked the time and said "yes" - at 10.30, that's damn good! So I ordered chips. Sorry, Man with Hat, I was too hungry to share (even if I didn't end up eating them all). They came presalted, with a pot each of ketchup and garlic mayo. And I started a trend - when he saw mine, sure enough, someone else ordered a portion, upon hearing how quickly they'd come. Yummy chips too, highly recommended.
Afterwards, I walked with Mary back to the station. Thought my leg might fall off, but it didn't. Ah, good times with good folks, and a good escape from harsh reality. Roll on the next one..
Tonight, I'm with Kensington Classical Music for a performance of The Snowman, and a Christmas concert, at St. James' Church Piccadilly. The organiser is very kindly giving me a free ticket, on account of concerts I've paid for before and missed. And it has nothing to do with the fact that it's also my birthday! :-) Hope she remembers, actually.. Anyway, good job I'm working from home - it's the earliest event start of the week.
Tomorrow, I'm back to Ireland for the weekend, where - unusually, at the moment - we don't have anything scheduled. On Monday, I'm off with London Dramatic Arts to Trafalgar Studios, to see the Pulitzer-prize-winning Buried Child, with Ed Harris. Pity it clashes with the Crick Crack Club that night - I'd already booked this, but would rather have gone with them..
On Tuesday, London Dramatic Arts are off to Hampstead Theatre to see The Intelligent Homosexual's Guide to Capitalism and Socialism with a Key to the Scriptures, with Tamsin Grieg, which was rescheduled. And so am I - independently, just as I was supposed to for the original date. Better avoid them, as they're trying to flog the last couple of tickets.. This is the theatre I had to sneak out the back of, last time - which makes it interesting. Assuming I get there in time - it's on at 7, and I bloody well have to be in Guildford again.
On Wednesday, I'm signed up with the London European Club for a talk at the Frontline Club about London's Dirty Money. Unless, you know, I decide to go to a film instead.
And next Thursday, I'm back with Crick Crack, in the Arthouse Crouch End (what a good job it's a Work from Home day) for one I missed before - Little Red Riding Hood & Other Lost Girls, as told by Nell Phoenix. And yes, I do have the confirmation email for this one, unlike the one I thought I'd booked for last Sunday!
Friday, 28 October 2016
Haunted Tube Tour & Opera: The Nose
Oh sweet God almighty, what a week. Well, working chronologically, I did finally get to an event on Wednesday. London for a Tenner or Less (one of the Meetup groups created to advertise Funzing) has several instances scheduled of their Haunted Tube Tour. And on Wednesday, I finally made one. It was late enough that I didn't have trouble getting there - we had to meet outside Bethnal Green Tube at 8.
Only been there once before, and didn't travel direct on that occasion; it turned out that it would take over an hour by bus alone - which is a bit much for me - but the Overground would drop me within walking distance, so that's what I took, racing up the stairs and practically collapsing onto the train, just making it in time. I'd managed to get my breathing back to a reasonable level by the time we set off, and got a seat after a few stops. Mind you, it's just as well the distance between stops isn't as long later on as for the first stops! I was really in fear of not making it to my destination in time. But it dropped me in Whitechapel in plenty of time for what was promised to be about a 15-minute walk.
Very ethnically diverse area, this - plenty to look at as I walked:
Exiting the station was a bit confusing, with the regular entrance closed for construction work, but there are plenty of maps to keep you on the right track. And with the maps app on my phone, I soon made it onto the right road, and found myself at the Tube station. Now, the Funzing page had said to meet at the Stairway to Heaven memorial in the adjacent park, erected in memory of the victims of the Bethnal Green Tube disaster: but actually, the park gates were closed, so we clustered outside them.
Now, the Funzing page also said that our guide would be a lady called Siwan, and pictured her dressed in a long, black cape. Actually, what we got was a smartly dressed chap called Nick - I believe that several different guides run this tour. He was friendly, he was knowledgeable, and he carried an instruction sheet, which I sneaked a look at, a couple of times - it included the stories he had to tell, as well as details of which Tube lines he should take, and where to go within the stations to tell the stories. You see, we tapped in at Bethnal Green, and basically travelled around various stations that were associated with grisly incidents or ghostly stories, before finally tapping out at Covent Garden. Handy for me - I was headed in the direction of home!
Good place to start, Bethnal Green, with its wartime disaster. At Bank, poor Nick had trouble being heard over the accompanying busker down the hall.. Aldgate and Liverpool Street, for me, had the most interesting stories, with the mysterious cctv ghost of Liverpool Street being a real attraction! On to Farringdon, and what Nick described as "the loudest pa announcements on the Underground", then King's Cross, finishing with a theatreland murder at Covent Garden.
It's a really interesting tour, on what is a fascinating transit system in its own right - this is the first Tube tour I've taken, and I was enthralled. Caveat - as always with the Tube, there's a fair bit of climbing up and down stairs within stations, while changing lines. We were glad of the rest, when we got a seat on the trains between stations! Also, do remember, if going on this or similar, to top up your Oyster card in advance, if that's what you're using - he gave us time to do so, but it's a nuisance. Popular around Hallowe'en, of course, and currently the next available date is the 7th - but they run right into December. Recommended.
It runs for about two hours, and I had to be up early next day, so no blogging that night. Now, the next day was Thursday - date of my second interview, and the recruiters wanted to see me first. Well, I scheduled that nice and early, and afterwards had time for one of them to take me for - what was, for me, brunch at the local Costa. And a lovely one it was - a piping hot ham and cheese toastie, with a delicious hot chocolate. Also recommended! Afterwards, it was a bit far to walk to the interview - but I had time to take the bus. The #25 is supposed to be one of the good scenic routes, and I certainly enjoyed it:
My destination was Golden Square, in Soho, where I arrived early enough to admire the sculptures:
Only been there once before, and didn't travel direct on that occasion; it turned out that it would take over an hour by bus alone - which is a bit much for me - but the Overground would drop me within walking distance, so that's what I took, racing up the stairs and practically collapsing onto the train, just making it in time. I'd managed to get my breathing back to a reasonable level by the time we set off, and got a seat after a few stops. Mind you, it's just as well the distance between stops isn't as long later on as for the first stops! I was really in fear of not making it to my destination in time. But it dropped me in Whitechapel in plenty of time for what was promised to be about a 15-minute walk.
Very ethnically diverse area, this - plenty to look at as I walked:
Exiting the station was a bit confusing, with the regular entrance closed for construction work, but there are plenty of maps to keep you on the right track. And with the maps app on my phone, I soon made it onto the right road, and found myself at the Tube station. Now, the Funzing page had said to meet at the Stairway to Heaven memorial in the adjacent park, erected in memory of the victims of the Bethnal Green Tube disaster: but actually, the park gates were closed, so we clustered outside them.
Now, the Funzing page also said that our guide would be a lady called Siwan, and pictured her dressed in a long, black cape. Actually, what we got was a smartly dressed chap called Nick - I believe that several different guides run this tour. He was friendly, he was knowledgeable, and he carried an instruction sheet, which I sneaked a look at, a couple of times - it included the stories he had to tell, as well as details of which Tube lines he should take, and where to go within the stations to tell the stories. You see, we tapped in at Bethnal Green, and basically travelled around various stations that were associated with grisly incidents or ghostly stories, before finally tapping out at Covent Garden. Handy for me - I was headed in the direction of home!
Good place to start, Bethnal Green, with its wartime disaster. At Bank, poor Nick had trouble being heard over the accompanying busker down the hall.. Aldgate and Liverpool Street, for me, had the most interesting stories, with the mysterious cctv ghost of Liverpool Street being a real attraction! On to Farringdon, and what Nick described as "the loudest pa announcements on the Underground", then King's Cross, finishing with a theatreland murder at Covent Garden.
It's a really interesting tour, on what is a fascinating transit system in its own right - this is the first Tube tour I've taken, and I was enthralled. Caveat - as always with the Tube, there's a fair bit of climbing up and down stairs within stations, while changing lines. We were glad of the rest, when we got a seat on the trains between stations! Also, do remember, if going on this or similar, to top up your Oyster card in advance, if that's what you're using - he gave us time to do so, but it's a nuisance. Popular around Hallowe'en, of course, and currently the next available date is the 7th - but they run right into December. Recommended.
It runs for about two hours, and I had to be up early next day, so no blogging that night. Now, the next day was Thursday - date of my second interview, and the recruiters wanted to see me first. Well, I scheduled that nice and early, and afterwards had time for one of them to take me for - what was, for me, brunch at the local Costa. And a lovely one it was - a piping hot ham and cheese toastie, with a delicious hot chocolate. Also recommended! Afterwards, it was a bit far to walk to the interview - but I had time to take the bus. The #25 is supposed to be one of the good scenic routes, and I certainly enjoyed it:
My destination was Golden Square, in Soho, where I arrived early enough to admire the sculptures:
..and the interview seemed to go really well - watch this space. Anyhow, it's really central, and although I was booked to go to the Opera House later, I still had time to eat after I'd finished. Chinese beckoned, and I was an easy walk from Chinatown - where I located my last favourite, New Loon Fung. Lordy, it's so long since I ate Chinese, I nearly forgot to ask for a fork! (You don't want to see me handle chopsticks - it can get messy.) And yes, their honey and lemon chicken is as delicious as ever - although a couple of pieces were very chewy.
I was dead early for the opera - the Man with the Hat was shepherding us all to see The Nose, written by Shostakovich and based on a satirical short story by Gogol. Well hey, means I got the pick of the tickets!
Two hours without interval.. and as you can imagine, a nose features prominently. Actually, in one scene, a line of tap-dancing noses, which I think everyone agreed represented the highlight of the evening. 'Tis a surreal tale of a chap that wakes up one morning.. noseless. Terrible state of affairs, and he runs from pillar to post, amidst mindless bureaucracy, getting nowhere. While his nose, on the other hand - so to speak - dresses up in a posh uniform, busily evading capture as it skips through the town.
Quite a surreal evening overall, with one actor entering via the stalls, a narrator remarking how weird this all is, and a nose with a life of its own. It's been described as being over-long not to have an interval, but if you have a liking for the absurd, you're sure to like something in this. Overall, the music isn't very tuneful, apart from one funeral scene, where the cast join in chorus and produce one of those gorgeous, loud sounds that the Opera House does so well. Recommended, for fans of the absurd. Mind you, when I checked, there were only two performances left with remaining seats: the 1 & 9 November. Hey-ho, off you go..
Afterwards, we usually repair to the Sun, but apparently they had a Hallowe'en thing on last night, so instead we went to our previous haunt, the Covent Garden, which used to be called The Globe - just across the road. They were crowded downstairs - and upstairs - but the ever-resourceful Man with the Hat had told us to ask them to open the top level, if we needed space - and that's what they did, leaving it all to us. Good chat followed - but I wish I knew what white wine I'd ordered (I didn't specify), because I'd hate to have it again..
After we watched the Man with the Hat wobble off on his bike, we walked to Waterloo, where I had a cheap train ride home, given all my travels during the day (max fare again). Again, I had to be in Guildford today, so again, the blog didn't get written. Met Helen for lunch in Heart and Soul - another one looking for a job: must be contagious! I see they've changed the menu somewhat - I had some delicious garlic bread, which was eventually followed by a quite spicy Cajun chicken burger (service hasn't improved, I notice). Good food - just don't go there if you're in a hurry.
Now, I was thinking of a film for tonight - hence the delay with the blog, although the film list was a good bit shorter than usual. However, when I finished it - top of the list was Starfish, based on the true story of a man who contracted a particularly vicious case of septicaemia, losing his hands and part of his face. Oh wonderful. Just what I didn't need, on the day I was supposed to hear whether I'd got the job, but didn't hear. Nah, I stayed in and wrote the blog instead, otherwise it'd never have got done!
The weekend is devoted to the Man with the Hat - well, the afternoons, anyway! Tomorrow, we're back at the Opera House for a production of Anastasia - must remember to get up, it's a matinee! Both groups going, as usual for here - London for Less Than a Tenner in the slips, as usual, Let's Do London - for Less! in the Amphiteatre.
And on Sunday, he's got no fewer than three instances of London for Less Than a Tenner, heading off to a guided tour of Billingsgate Roman House & Baths - one each at 12.30, 2, and 3pm. He originally advertised the 12.30 and I booked - then he advertised the 2pm one, and offered us the chance to switch if we liked. So I did, for a bit of a lie-in! He finally put one up for 3pm as well, which is now sold out, I see..
Monday is Hallowe'en (whoopee)! I was supposed to go on a guided walk - London for a Tenner or Less again, Funzing again, and wouldn't you know, I was on a walk with the same guide last month. Wasn't massively impressed - I finally cancelled it (Funzing gives a refund if you cancel at least 48 hours in advance), and since I had the film list done, decided I'd go to a film that night instead. Horror, natch. Top rated horror, as it has been for a while, is Don't Breathe, about a group of thieves that break into a blind man's home to rob him, but get more than they bargained for.. unfortunately, locally it's only showing quite late at night, but I can grab a showing at Vue West End at 6:30 or a bit later, depending what suits. Much scarier than a ghost walk, I'll bet.
Tuesday, I'm back with the Crick Crack Club, who are back in Rich Mix, with the appropriately titled Day of the Dead. Includes the excellent Nell Phoenix and - my favourite - Clare Muireann Murphy.
Wednesday, I'm at a classical concert called Goyescas: Music in the time of Goya, in St. John's Smith Square. I'm going in the company of Kensington Classical Music.
Thursday, I'm going to the much over-advertised free comedy in Hammersmith - this one's called Bonfire Special, and I've signed up to go with five different groups (just because I can): Free Comedy Nights in Hammersmith Wimbledon and Farringdon, Random London, London Art Comedy & Culture Lovers, London Live Comedy, and London for a Tenner or Less, who advertised the thing no fewer than three times themselves. So, if I get a better offer that night, I'll have a lot to cancel, eh?!
Then I'm back to Ireland for the weekend, and we're off to Aida at the University Concert Hall that Saturday. Another thing to remember to print off tickets for - website permitting!
On Monday 7th, I've booked for a talk given by a new group, Org London, whose theme is Digital Dystopias: Orwell's 1984 and the Internet Age. Or I might go to a film - we'll see.
Tuesday 8th, yippee, I'm back with free comedy in Hammersmith! (so far). Only with three groups so far - Free Comedy Nights in Hammersmith Wimbledon and Farringdon, London Live Comedy, and London for a Tenner or Less (just the once).
Wednesday 9th is back with the Man with the Hat, who's taking Let's Do London - for less! to Southwark Playhouse, to see Orca.
Thursday 10th - yes, you guessed it, free comedy in Hammersmith! Think of it as a placeholder. Funnily enough, I'd just booked with London for a Tenner or Less, and only just noticed that Free Comedy Nights in Hammersmith Wimbledon and Farringdon, and London Live Comedy, were also advertising. Again. So I've booked. Again. What the hey, it's free.
Now, on Friday 11th, London Dramatic Arts are off to see King Lear at the Barbican. Haven't seen that since I studied it in school. Well, I'm off to see it too - cheaper, and sat in the very back row! Hopefully, with the maze that the Barbican is, it'll be fairly easy to avoid them.
And I did have something to do on the 12th - or rather, the Man with the Hat did, until hardly anyone booked, so he cancelled! Bah humbug. Might go to the Lord Mayor's show, which is on that day. Or perhaps a film..
Friday, 8 July 2016
Opera: Il Trovatore
Two nights in a row with the Man with the Hat, and Let's Do London - for less! - great way to end the week. Tonight, it was Il Trovatore, in the Opera House. So I booked asap, as is necessary for some of his venues..
Working from home today - well, you know the story; I had all day to get there, so I ended up rushing. I fully intended to take the bus, but, of course, left just in time to miss the one I wanted, but be early for everything else. So instead, I took the train to Waterloo - information boards all working again - and walked from there. Nice, bracing breeze crossing the bridge.
The Man was there, the Hat was there.. what was different was the orderly queueing system! Jeez, I'm used to something like a scrum. Maybe it was the venue. Maybe it was the hat. Anyway, I queued obediently, and duly got a ticket. Turned out he had both rows of the side slips this evening - I was in the back. Also turned out that we had several newbies! New to the Opera House, new to the group.. always good to see them, and I trust they all had a good time.
We started slightly late - of course. Someone remarked at the interval - where we convened on the balcony, it being such a nice evening - that this opera had all the elements that people think of when they think of opera. Can't argue - this was an opera where Dramatic Things Happen. Typical of Verdi, actually. Mistaken identity, doomed love affairs, people giving their lives for love..
The set was persistently grey, grey screens between scenes too. Some projections were used - musical notes, birds and butterflies featured. But - as an Evening Standard review during the week pointed out - Caruso once said that all you need for this opera are the four greatest singers in the world. And what stood out for me - and others, I think - was the beautiful music, the incredible singing. Extended rounds of applause greeted them at the end, and were well deserved.
Outside, we gathered - and headed, not for our regular Sun Tavern (which our Leader with the Hat had determined was reserved for a private function), but rather for The Globe - now renamed as The Covent Garden. Where he persuaded them to let us occupy a large table in the corner, upstairs. And do you know, I didn't have to buy a drink all night! What with the generous contributions of the Man with the Hat.. and certain attendees.. the wine just kept flowing. As did the conversation. Finally, we wore out even the Man with the Hat himself, who scarpered.. A record six of us lasted until we were expelled from the pub, and ended up drinking out of plastic on the pavement, where we were co-opted into the adjacent karaoke group that shared our bit of the street. Gee, had some of us not had reasons to get home, this could still be going on.. With the lateness of the hour, I figured I'd better go for the train again, and boy am I glad they have late-night services to Clapham Junction!
Awesome evening! Thanks, Man with Hat - thanks, man with wine - thanks, several people with buzzing conversation! Looking forward to the next night..
Meantime, tomorrow the plan is to meet Helen, and go to "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum". Which we got a couple of cheap tickets for..
Working from home today - well, you know the story; I had all day to get there, so I ended up rushing. I fully intended to take the bus, but, of course, left just in time to miss the one I wanted, but be early for everything else. So instead, I took the train to Waterloo - information boards all working again - and walked from there. Nice, bracing breeze crossing the bridge.
The Man was there, the Hat was there.. what was different was the orderly queueing system! Jeez, I'm used to something like a scrum. Maybe it was the venue. Maybe it was the hat. Anyway, I queued obediently, and duly got a ticket. Turned out he had both rows of the side slips this evening - I was in the back. Also turned out that we had several newbies! New to the Opera House, new to the group.. always good to see them, and I trust they all had a good time.
We started slightly late - of course. Someone remarked at the interval - where we convened on the balcony, it being such a nice evening - that this opera had all the elements that people think of when they think of opera. Can't argue - this was an opera where Dramatic Things Happen. Typical of Verdi, actually. Mistaken identity, doomed love affairs, people giving their lives for love..
The set was persistently grey, grey screens between scenes too. Some projections were used - musical notes, birds and butterflies featured. But - as an Evening Standard review during the week pointed out - Caruso once said that all you need for this opera are the four greatest singers in the world. And what stood out for me - and others, I think - was the beautiful music, the incredible singing. Extended rounds of applause greeted them at the end, and were well deserved.
Outside, we gathered - and headed, not for our regular Sun Tavern (which our Leader with the Hat had determined was reserved for a private function), but rather for The Globe - now renamed as The Covent Garden. Where he persuaded them to let us occupy a large table in the corner, upstairs. And do you know, I didn't have to buy a drink all night! What with the generous contributions of the Man with the Hat.. and certain attendees.. the wine just kept flowing. As did the conversation. Finally, we wore out even the Man with the Hat himself, who scarpered.. A record six of us lasted until we were expelled from the pub, and ended up drinking out of plastic on the pavement, where we were co-opted into the adjacent karaoke group that shared our bit of the street. Gee, had some of us not had reasons to get home, this could still be going on.. With the lateness of the hour, I figured I'd better go for the train again, and boy am I glad they have late-night services to Clapham Junction!
Awesome evening! Thanks, Man with Hat - thanks, man with wine - thanks, several people with buzzing conversation! Looking forward to the next night..
Meantime, tomorrow the plan is to meet Helen, and go to "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum". Which we got a couple of cheap tickets for..
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