Today, well, initially I was thinking of film again. But wouldn't you know it, that damn film, Outside the City, was still showing - today only, this week! It's a documentary about trappist monks, whose numbers are dwindling, and whose members are ageing, so they can no longer run the farm, and have taken to brewing beer instead. Yeah.. I'm sure it's very good, very interesting - but I'm not that enthused. I'm not even a beer drinker. Never mind, Up in the Cheap Seats (UITCS) again came to the rescue - and so I went with them to an operatic treatment of Alice's Adventures Under Ground, at the Opera House! With a lot wanting lunch beforehand, we arranged to meet at Wagamama - they have large, communal tables.
I had no inkling of the effect of Storm Ciara until I went outside, heading to Wagamama - and heard the wind whistling through the skyscrapers. Felt the effect as I was crossing the road - I had to make a real effort to get to the middle, where I had to wait to let traffic pass, and in the meantime cling to the traffic light for stability. Damn cold wind too - it was a relief when the bus finally came; for some reason, Google Maps was recommending a combination of buses, but I knew the #11 would take me straight there. We were slightly delayed, mind, when our driver stopped to help another bus driver - the ad had half blown off his bus! He was asking our driver whether he'd seen the bit that had come loose, on his travels.. and now a section remained half attached, flapping around - and he couldn't drive along like that! Our driver spent some time unsuccessfully trying to pull it off, then gave up when the TFL emergency van arrived.
Alighting at Bedford Street, I was a two-minute walk from the restaurant, with half an hour to spare. Google Maps helpfully informed me that there was a Caffe Nero en route - so I headed in there. Was sorely tempted by the chocolate fudge cake - which I passed on, given that I was shortly to eat. Ordered my usual chocolate Milano, and was lucky enough to get a table by the window. And when I'd finished the chocolate Milano, I headed the short distance to the restaurant - to find that a couple of people had beaten me to it, and we had taken a table near the kitchen. Handy for watching the cooking, if you sat facing it as I did. Most of the people who'd fancied lunch didn't make it - sore throats, travel disruptions.. seven of us ate in the end.
I had chicken katsu curry, which was an improvement on last time - still, the lamb teriyaki that the person opposite me had looked very tempting, and I might try that if I'm back again. More complaints from today's group about the changed menu.. but by and large, we were decently fed. Now, for dessert, our Italian organiser had a couple of places in mind - but we'd have had to eat outside, and in this weather, that wasn't an option. So instead, we headed to the Opera House, and took a seat in the Paul Hamlyn Hall - it's a long time since I arrived here early enough before a show to be able to have a drink! which I did.
The theatre was packed for this final performance - lots of kids present. And I hope they enjoyed it as much as I did! The general consensus after the 55-minute show (without interval) was that we didn't like the discordant music, but yes, it was visually stunning. Completely anarchic, quite surreal (dancing cake, anyone?) - perfect for the subject matter, I thought. Sung in a mixture of languages - some real, some made-up - it belted along at a manic pace. Most of the action took place to the left of the stage, which was handy for me, as my view of the right was cut off. Yes, glad I came.
Afterwards, we headed out in search of dessert - but the lack of options and the awful weather defeated some, and only four of us were left - a convenient number! - to get a table at Paul. We took a table in the restaurant section - where I decided that this was as good a place as any to get an evening meal, so I had a moreish steak, with chips that had been sprinkled with something like cinnamon. Delish! Cake and coffees for the others, and we had a lovely chat before deciding it was time to depart.
Now, last night I was checking with The Embers Collective - and they had only just advertised some more shows. They'd said they were holding another performance of stories of Love, Lust and Betrayal tonight (for the week that's in it) but had only just advertised it. With the earlier show being a matinee - I decided I could make this! Tickets from Design My Night, as usual. It was this evening, in Dona: and I was doubly delighted this was on - I just heard about it at my last storytelling event - because it's showing again later on a date I'm already booked up for, and in Cafe Cairo: which, as mentioned before, is a terrible venue for storytelling. Happy to skip that.
So I headed off again - in lashing rain, now - and caught a bus up to Stoke Newington. Nearly fell asleep on the way. It dropped me across the road. Dona is easy to miss.. I'd walked past it, and turned to realise that it was just a doorway, decorated in red streamers. However, the doorman wouldn't let me in - said they were still rehearsing, and wouldn't be open till 7; I was 20 minutes too early. He directed me to the chipper next door.. hmm. Instead, I headed a few doors down, to Cafe Babel - where I ordered a hot chocolate and took the last free table. 10 minutes went by before I got it - by going back up and reminding the server, who'd completely forgotten me! Anyway, it was decent.
By the time I'd finished, it was about time to head back to Dona - and the doorman decided to let me in. A bag check was followed by a climb down a steep flight of stairs, and Lonan Jenkins scanned my ticket.
Ah now, this was an improvement on Cafe Cairo! More space, decent seating.. a very funky vibe, of course, as typical for The Embers Collective. I ordered a glass of wine at the bar - and the other server, who'd been dealing with another customer, jumped in with suggestions of what I could have. Laconically - I hardly guessed she was addressing me. Especially since I didn't recognise a word of what she was saying! The only one I had a hope of remembering was her last suggestion of pinot blanc - and since she said they were all the same price (before drifting off again, without making eye contact), that's what I had. And it was watery.
Well, I was one of the first there, so had a good choice of seats - mind you, most were hard wood, which was a little uncomfortable by the end of the night. Dotted around the walls were little round tables, each with two stools - which turned out to be bolted to the tables! So when someone tried to move a stool - the whole contraption came too. There were a couple of armchairs, some loose stools - reminding me of Sands Films, with its eclectic seating. Or you could sit on the floor - there were a few cushions. And the place was pretty full by the time the performance started, some time after 7.30..
This was also to be an improvement on the last show. Well, for a start, we didn't have nearly as much noise creeping in from outside. And there was guitar accompaniment throughout, which greatly added to the atmosphere. Lonan started us off, with a story of a lonely fisherman who snagged a strange catch, then ended up falling in love with it.. we had a storyteller I hadn't seen before, and whose name I hadn't a hope of catching amid the applause at the end - she told us a tale of a Welsh princess with a sad experience of love. And Sarah Liisa Wilkinson took us through to the interval, and finished her story after it - it was a long one, of the youngest son's quest for love and adventure. The guy who rounded off the night - with a Greek myth, followed by a tuneless rendition of a folk song - is someone I've seen before, but again, have no idea of the name. And try getting it during the applause!
An excellent show, and a soothing way to end the day. Highly recommended - this show is running again on the 20th - but as I say, it's in Cafe Cairo; you have been warned! Freezing cold wind when I went back outside - and on the way to catch my bus, I came across a free WiFi terminal! Now there's something I haven't seen before. That bus couldn't have come soon enough either - and I was glad to be home at last. The wind is still whistling outside, as I write.. Not looking forward to the walk to work tomorrow.
Yet again, I was to be glad I hadn't anything booked for tomorrow - Civilised London left it late enough, but I'm now going with them to another of those Monday jazz nights at Wilton's! This time, it's the Jim Hammond Duo.
On Tuesday, I tried to get the first meeting of the year going with that group from my last company. Had the idea while I was eating at the Amarcord Museum - I love to advertise good places to people, and this is one! But apart from a couple of people who made their excuses because they're on holiday abroad - and despite the invite having gone out before Christmas - the only taker is Ivan, with no-one else even bothering to respond. Dead in the water, that group, it seems. Well, their loss. We'll have a lovely meal, and then he's booked that recording studio again for later that night. And as they do a special deal for 10 hours.. it'll be an all-nighter! So I'm taking the next day off work.
On Wednesday evening, I signed up for my first ever event with The Roads Less Travelled: Ekzotic Adventures Travel Club. Not actually travelling, mind - this is a talk about Myanmar. Specifically about the rubies you can get there, but with plenty of other information about the country as well. Takes place in a room above The Iron Duke pub. Ah, but then.. (and I should have remembered this event, because I knew about it) London European Club (and the World Music Meetup) advertised a concert by a Kurdish artist (from the Turkish side) at the Finnish Church. So I'm going to that instead. Tickets from Tuned In London, as usual.
On Thursday, I'm back at Soho Theatre for Jen Brister's show, Under Privilege. Then I'm back to Ireland for the weekend - where I have to sneak a look at my mother's Eir contract. She just changed to a new package, I just got her first bill for it (we've gone paperless, so it gets emailed to me as she doesn't use her email account), and I swear they've overcharged her on the monthly package price. They messed up the email address when I was ordering over the phone, so I never got the confirmation email - will have to check the paper version she got to ensure that what she got was what I agreed on in the first place. No point in asking her to check - she won't know what to look for, and she'll only get hysterical.
And assuming I survive all of that (they are AWFUL to deal with, and I thought her previous internet provider, 3, was bad!), on the 17th I'm back with UITCS for The Haystack at Hampstead Theatre. Another group of them went on Friday night, and I'm hearing excellent reports..
I hadn't anything definite booked for tonight - which turned out to be for the best, as The Embers Collective finally published their New Year's schedule! Very late notice - I swear this wasn't up till last Thursday. They had a show tonight, called Wild Beasts, in Cafe Cairo - and I booked. Tickets, as usual, from Design My Night. I just hoped I wouldn't have a repeat of the last time I tried to get there, when the Tubes were down..
Left a little bit late - but then, they always start late. I had planned to walk to Bank, given the busyness of the Central Line (even at 6.30pm), but since I was a little late I decided to risk taking the Central Line there. And it actually wasn't that bad - I squeezed onto the second train, which was literally 1 minute behind the first. Couldn't actually breathe very well, it was so crowded, but never mind - I was only on for one stop. And the Northern Line, which came immediately, was much less crowded - I even got a seat, after one stop!
I only made one wrong turn, walking to the pub - to be fair, all I had to do was pick the right road and walk straight along it! So, after picking the wrong road - I realised my mistake pretty quickly - I was ok. I arrived at about 7.15 - my ticket said 7pm, but I know they never start the performance for at least half an hour after the scheduled time anyway. Turned out we were downstairs - with no bar down there, I could've brought a drink down with me, but those steep stairs were off-putting. Besides, I got one of the last two of four actual chairs in the place, and it being a high one, I had enough trouble getting onto it and staying there. I kept feeling as though the thing was lurching forwards, and trying to secure myself - it was ages before I felt like I wasn't going to fall off!
Sarah Liisa Wilkinson was on the door, checking us off the list - I don't think they were selling tickets on the door. The place eventually filled to bursting anyway. As she said, she didn't have a real stamp, so she'd give me a virtual one - making the motion, and a kind of thonking sound. The stage itself is where that enormous half-mask is.. and the pictures you can just see, arranged around the base, belong to the act of the first person to appear - Sarah Randall, I think her name was, was actually the person who offered me the last of the high seats! Started late, even assuming they wouldn't get going till 7.30 - but anyway.
It was enjoyable enough, her bit - although I did get the feeling that it was also used for schoolkids. She used the drawings - which were interesting in themselves - to illustrate her story, which was a Japanese legend - as she explained to us, Japanese mythology has two mischievous characters: fox and badger (well, not really a badger, but that's what she'd call it), the latter being better at shapeshifting. So they were the "wild beasts" in her story. She was followed by the excellent Jordan Campbell, who gave us one I already knew, about the princess who disguises herself in bearskin. But he's always a pleasure to listen to, with a lovely, gentle voice.
Mind you, it's an awful venue. The gentler voiced performers were difficult to hear, what with all the noise from upstairs - the ceiling was quite close to my head, and I could hear music, talking, and a loud thud every time someone dropped a glass. Sound also carried quite well down both sets of stairs, front and back - I was right beside the back ones. Seating, as I say, was less than comfortable - the alternatives to the high chairs were very low squat stools, and large cushions scattered about. The last to arrive ended up sitting on the stairs.
Two booths - one at either end - housed a number of people, how many depending on how they chose to arrange themselves. Some chose to kind of lie on top of each other. A very touchy feely audience in general - there was more than one couple, and the guy in front of me was completely incapable of keeping his hands off his girlfriend. Indeed, one hand was pretty permanently stuck down the back of her trousers - where I could get the best view of it. I think he was getting more of a thrill out of doing that in public than she was - she stuck on an overcoat for the second half. His hand was still in position, of course.
With no food on site, a lot of people went across the road for food at the interval - the pub had no problem with them bringing it back. The Red Spice takeaway, it was, and they proclaimed it excellent.
The second half was less successful - Sarah Liisa gave us a Baba Yaga story I'd heard before (and I wasn't quite sure what it had to do with beasts!), and Sarah Randall was back with yet more pictures, and yet another tale of shapeshifting Japanese creatures. It was cute the first time - but by the second round, I'd been on that seat for long enough, and was praying for the end. Which came right after - and boy, was I stiff. I'd hesitate to go back there again. Happily, the buses would now run fast enough to be an option to get home - and wouldn't you know it, it rained on me again as I was making my way. Again, not predicted. But the buses were nice and relaxing - much better than the Tube, any day.
Tomorrow, I've booked for the Troy: Myth and Reality exhibition at the British Museum. Should be interesting.
For Hallowe'en, The Embers Collective stepped up to the plate, with a storytelling performance called Witch, at The Jago. I needed some distraction, with the ongoing techie problems on my mother's side, her trying to manage her new tablet n all. Turns out it's mostly 3's fault - what a surprise!
I finished something at work (finally!), and dashed out the door - trotting when I saw the bus stopped at the lights, then spent ages waiting, wondering where on earth it had gotten to. It arrived eventually - I caught it five minutes earlier than Google Maps said I should. Which was a good thing, or I'd have arrived late - well, technically, because of course they didn't start on time. Getting off the bus, I saw two groups of kids trick r treating - which was lovely! It's not every area they do it in - obviously, Dalston has that welcoming feel.
Arriving at the pub, I was lucky to run into someone who worked there - yes, the "poetry", as he called it, was upstairs, a band downstairs. I made my way carefully upstairs - without lighting - running into Sarah Liisa Wilkinson at the door! And as I perused the place, looking in vain for a free seat, I ran into Nell Phoenix as well - in fact, Lonan Jenkins checked my ticket. He wasn't actually performing, for once. (Ladies' night, I guess.) It was quickly apparent that they'd sold more tickets than they had seats - I was very lucky to get one in the front, when Sarah Liisa, who was MCing, pointed it out. It wasn't that comfy, but hey - I mean, there were people sitting on the floor, and some standing. To be fair, the seating was eclectic, a mix of sofas, chairs et al, so it would've been hard to estimate capacity. And it was sold out, BTW.
The music downstairs was audible - but unlike all those Funzing talks I've been to, in rooms over pubs, it wasn't really an issue here. The atmosphere was cosy, with rugs on the ceiling and cobwebs along the windows. And we started with Nell..
...who had a most excellent story about useful witchcraft. This was followed by that excellent pair whose names I can never remember, but they are so good..
..with a dystopian tale of a future where mindfulness and recycling are to the fore of human society. More a story of a woman that breaks the mould, this one. And the night was finished by a classical tale from Sarah Liisa. Gee, I never knew that Hecate was involved in the story of Demeter and Persephone!
The musical accompaniment, BTW, was terrific. A great way to spend Hallowe'en - one of the best I've had! (Despite the uncomfortable seat). I left straight afterwards - just in time for a bus. And wow, it was fun on the way home, with all the people who'd dressed up for Hallowe'en parties - there was a guy with a skull face, accompanied by a guy in 17th-century costume; there was a trio of ladies en route to a party, sat by me, who'd gone to terrible pains about their outfits. D' you know, it was worth going out on Hallowe'en, just to see them all! (Dressing up isn't my thing, but I do appreciate it when others make the effort.)
Tomorrow, meeting Ivan, at a friend's house. It'll be a late one. Good chance to blow off steam.
And on Saturday, I booked with Best Authentic Walking Tours in London, for a Royal Maritime Greenwich Ghost Tour. Now, this is - as with all their walks - with Funzing, so I can get a refund up to 48 hours beforehand. Which I knew I'd probably do (have, in fact, done for this twice already), as I might have gone to a film that day - depending what was on - or, if I didn't like the offerings, Love London Theatre, Arts, Music & Stuff is off to Blood Wedding, a new adaptation of the Lorca play, at the Young Vic. But that since sold out - was bound to happen. Well, I finally did come up with an alternative that made me cancel the ghost tour - another ghost tour! specifically, of the British Museum, with Spooky London. I mean, technically I could probably go to both - I just couldn't be bothered rushing the first to traipse all the way out to Greenwich, for an event that wouldn't be at all sociable! Might get on that walk some day.
Tonight, back with The Embers Collective - they took a while to reveal the venue for Mischief on the Marshes! despite initially saying they'd tell me when I booked. They did say, when I asked, that they'd tell me midweek. In the event, they told me on Friday morning. And then on Friday evening, they changed their minds. Anyway, final decision was we were meeting at 6.30 sharp (!) outside the Princess of Wales pub in Clapton, for a short walk to our destination. Heh, true for the man that said we'd be on Hackney marshes! Bus is the best transport option. We were told to bring whatever we wanted to eat and drink, and musicians were to bring instruments for a jamming session after. Again, glad they weren't starting early.
KFC again beforehand, which was basically as good as yesterday (with even faster service) - apart from not being offered a dip. And the aircon was freezing! but I enjoyed my meal. It turns out that the #48 goes straight from around the corner from me, to across the road from the pub - and gee, one was waiting as I crossed the road from KFC! So I ended up arriving 40 minutes early. FYI, there's a small off-licence and grocery, just down the road, where you can buy supplies if you're heading out into the marshes.
The pub itself - which I didn't spend any money in (I'd brought my own wine) - backs onto the river, and was thronged outside on this sunny, mild evening; to have a chance of a seat, you needed to go inside. Me, I mooched around on the river path - dodging any number of cyclists from both directions - and ate the chocolate I'd bought in the shop. About 10 minutes before the scheduled time, I heard a yell from further down the path - sure enough, there was Lonan Jenkins in a much-decorated top hat. After greeting lots of colourfully dressed people he knew (I felt positively dowdy in comparison!), he explained that there'd been some confusion about the location (huh!), that some people had only just been informed where it was, and that the other storytellers - Sarah Liisa Wilkinson and Carol Bevan, who turns out to be one of the duo that so entertained us last time - would lead us down, while he waited there for latecomers.
And so it transpired, with the ladies leading a large crowd into the marshes.. where we were headed for was, would you believe, a stone circle! It didn't look terribly ancient, but is still very atmospheric, and they'd thoughtfully put down a groundsheet. Which most of us fitted on. It turns out to be an art installation, called Nature's Throne - more details available here. Anyway, they'd covered the "throne" in the middle with a blanket, and it provided a wonderful stage for the storytellers, with musicians sat in front. Location roughly marked by the cross on this map:
So, comfortably ensconced (well, except my legs kept complaining), we settled down for some storytelling. Lonan and Sarah Liisa gave us two renditions each - his were all about the Norse trickster god, Loki:
..which seem to have been influenced, to an extent, by the recent Thor films. Which, given their jokey nature, is not at all a bad thing, I think!
Sarah Liisa, on the other hand, gave us two very different offerings - I have to say, I think her first was the winner of the night, the tale of a poor Finnish chap in love with a rich man's daughter (she's half-Finnish herself, it seems). Turned away from the man's door when he comes a-courting, on his desolate way home, he rescues a witch from trouble. In thanks, she gives him a magic stone with the power to.. make people fart. You wouldn't believe how useful such a thing can be..
Carol Bevan gave us a musical number, where she acted the part of a tree, complaining about the way we were treating it. A nice end to the first half.
As Lonan remarked, he'd forgotten how quickly the nights are drawing in now - plus, he had an idea they lock the gates at 9pm. So, there was a short interval. At the end of which, nobody could see much! Never mind, mobile phones are handy for that, and some were volunteered to provide lighting:
After the storytelling, they wanted to stay for a jam - but well, I hadn't brought anything, we wouldn't be able to stay long, I didn't know anyone - so I just left, my phone providing me with a handy torchlight. And wow, today I didn't drop it anywhere! well, until I got home..
Tomorrow, finally going to see Waitress, which I had to cancel earlier in the year. It's at the Adelphi.
On Tuesday, some comedy, with Shappi Khorsandi, at Soho Theatre.
On Wednesday, back with Civilised London (CL) for a Lebanese meal at Al Waha, meeting beforehand at the Prince Alfred. Then I'm back to Ireland for a long weekend.
On the 23rd, back with Up in the Cheap Seats (UITCS) - again, it'll have been nearly three weeks since I was last with them! The occasion is a production of Giselle, by the English National Ballet, at Sadler's Wells.
On the 24th, back with North London Friends, to Donmar Warehouse, for Appropriate.
On the 25th, the Crick Crack Club is back! Tricksters & Fools is at Rich Mix - it's another in Crick Crack's Archetypes series, and stars Sarah Liisa Wilkinson (hello again!), Tim Ralphs, TUUP, and Nell Phoenix.
On the 26th, UITCS is back with Groan Ups, at the Vaudeville.
On the 27th, Love London Theatre, Arts, Music & Stuff is at Our Lady of Kibeho, at the Theatre Royal Stratford. Ahah, I knew I'd booked something else with them!
And on the 28th, I booked for the matinee of Glass. Kill. Bluebeard. Imp. at the Royal Court. And then CL organised an outing to see London Concertante perform the Four Seasons at Southwark Cathedral. What the hey, I figure I can make both! It's ages since I heard it, in fact.. and it'll be a nostalgic trip for me, as my very first Meetup with the Man with the Hat was to listen to Concertante in Southwark Cathedral. He's much missed.
Made it to Ireland for the bank holiday weekend - with Ryanair drafting in pilots to cover those who were striking, my flight not only went ahead, but was more punctual than ever. If this is the effect of a strike, bring it on!
On Tuesday, The Embers Collective was back - at Dalston Eastern Curve Garden this time. Tickets from Eventbrite. There was to be storytelling, there was to be music - and food. And we made that the occasion of this month's social from my last company! It'd be great to see everyone again. And at least I didn't have to depend on the Tube this time - unlike Thursday of last week!
Ah man, it was hot that day! The one day I could go out without a coat. A huge difference from what I'd had at the weekend. I made it first of the group - the garden is open to the public till 7, and was ticket-only after that: but we could go in early, and a stamp on our wrists allowed us to go in and out. Which was handy, as the pizza - available from 7, and for the whole evening! was cash-only. The nearest cash machine turned out to be in the Co-op across the road, just inside the entrance beside the station. Once I'd done that, I queued for a bottle of wine - I'd have shared it with the others, but nobody seemed to want any - and secured a seat near the stage, down at the children's play area at the back, and with a few free seats around for the others.
Well, they arrived eventually - by the time the last of us came, there wasn't a seat left; the place was quite full. But nobody minded in the slightest if you wanted to sit on the ground. Or, indeed, the two kids that decided their best view would be got by sitting on the stage! Deliciously informal, as you'd expect from the venue, as much as from the Embers Collective themselves. And as usual, first up was Lonan Jenkins, with the most traditional tale of the night - the full tale of the Minotaur.
Sarah Liisa Wilkinson also made an appearance, with her tale of Sun, Moon, Sky.. and we got that mad tale again, of how the North Star came to be. The one with the cannibal mother. For my money though, the stars of the night were the pair of young ladies - I didn't get their names - who regaled us with more modern, original stories, and a great dash of humour.
Woodburner provided musical accompaniment throughout (and pointed out how appropriate that they work with the Embers Collective!), and we were well fed, with pizza (kindly brought down by another of the group) and a bag of sandwiches that Ivan had brought. Oh, and a gorgeous, kindly kitty pointed the way to the loos!
Everyone remarked what a lovely venue it was - they hadn't been there before. Perfect in the sunshine, and nicely shaded. But by the end of the event, it was getting really dark, and they chucked us out. We had one final round in the Speakeasy, down the road - and then most went home, and Ivan and I went in search of a hostelry that opened later. After a couple of misdirections by Google Maps - don't believe them on opening hours! - we ended up having one more in Old Street Records: but the music was so loud that we ended up chatting on the street, before calling it a night. Pity we couldn't have found a decent all-night venue, but it was terrific to see everyone - and it's months since I saw Ivan. Roll on the next occasion.. And I had an interesting walk home.
Too late to blog that night, of course. On Wednesday, London Science Events was off to a Science Museum Late. Just remembered last week to book a ticket - although they're free, you do need to book. Ironically, it was the same day that London Literary Walks finally advertised another walk - for that day! Much more interesting, so I went on that instead. It was The Hampstead Walk. I was rather relieved - it took him ages to arrange this, and I was afraid he'd given up!
A short walk from the office got me to a bus that took me all the way there - "there" being The Garden Gate, a most attractive pub in Hampstead. Which - like so much of Hampstead - turned out to be dog-friendly. Well, I approve!
I was the first to arrive - by a nose - apart from the organiser. This was to be one of the better attended walks - it's just as well there was plenty of space in the pub! Plenty of newcomers too, which is always nice. One of the group ordered nibbles, and we had a convivial time until it was (just past) time to leave. The literary references started early..
We climbed lots of hills - yes Mary, hills! - and visited houses where famous people had lived. Like Keats, for example, and Constable. More controversially, we passed the house where Marie Stopes lived, as the organiser remarked that there wasn't so much to joke about in her case. And we agreed how obliging it was of people to leave their curtains and blinds open, so we could admire their interior decor! Including of the house designed by the real-life Goldfinger - strenuously objected to by Ian Fleming, who is said to have named the famous Bond villain after him!
A few of us finished off the night (up some steep steps) in the (again, dog-friendly) Holly Bush - which was very crowded and stuffy, but they were kind enough to let us take our drinks to the dining section, which was more more spacious and cool. And there we bade Mary farewell - she leaves town over the weekend, and who knows when we shall see her more..?
We were there till closing, creeping out quietly, for fear of vicious residents. Gawped at the local estate agents' prices on the way back. And two buses got me all the way home - again, too late to blog, of course.
Now in the middle of a three-day-run with Up in the Cheap Seats (UITCS) - first time in three weeks! Last night, it was HMS Pinafore at Wilton's. As usual, I got tied up at the office, and left a little later than intended - but in time to meet the group, who avoided the crowds by standing outside. Seems they were serving food, for once! but I wasn't hungry anyway. I had one of the high seats on the balcony - literally up in the cheap seats. Gave me a good view of the decor, anyway.
My seat wasn't for everybody, but it's all right - you do have to keep looking to the side, is the main problem. The guy to my right spotted an empty, ground-level seat and made a dive for it - lucky for him there were no ushers near, they're quite officious here! Indeed, a couple of women in the stalls who decided to move from their end seats to equivalent ones a couple of rows in front - it being close to time, the doors closed, and the seats still empty - were immediately instructed, by a nearby usher, to head back where they'd come from! The guys to my left didn't return after the interval, either - they seemed to have been enjoying it, so maybe they just found better seats as well.
Wow, this is a rarity - a completely traditional production! Not only do they wear perfect period costume - rare in itself - but they sing it (most professionally) in operatic style. Which, unfortunately, means that I missed a lot of the lyrics - never been able to get my ear around that style. Someone remarked, at the interval, that he'd seen a production where the audience clapped along to the songs. This production, however, didn't really lend itself to that - it felt a little prim. Still, most professionally done - but not the most enjoyable show I've been to. Lovely to look at, though. Run finishes tomorrow.
Tonight, we're at Treemonisha, by Scott Joplin, at the Arcola. Part of the Grimeborn Opera Festival. So, back to Dalston again! Right around the corner from the garden. Sold out now.
Now, fair enough, I had late nights this week - but mainly, the reason I haven't been able to blog till now is that I was doing my film list! Was thinking about a film for tomorrow, you see. And after all that effort - I didn't like what came top of the list: at least, not more than I liked the idea of a new event posted by UITCS, to see Actually, at Trafalgar Studios. A play about sexual politics sounds like it could be interesting, if done right. So I booked it. Special offer - great value - from Today Tix. Mind you, I just heard there's to be a huge demo outside, with road closures.. should be interesting too! Protesting against the prorogation of Parliament.
On Sunday, I'm off to the Kubrick Exhibition! Taking place at the Design Museum, this should be fascinating - I've seen so many of his films, and I believe some sets have been reconstructed.
On Monday, back to Wilton's - Civilised London is at another jazz night. This time, it's the Hot Club of Jupiter!
On Tuesday, UITCS is at A Very Expensive Poison, at the Old Vic. Still in preview, this is based on a book inspired by recent Russian poisonings.
On Wednesday, my first Meetup with Love London Theatre, Arts, Music & Stuff - we're off to Secret River, at the National. And there should be a couple of people there from other groups of mine - nothing like cross-pollination! This one is about the tensions caused by Europeans' arrival in Australia.
On Thursday, back at last with Spooky London! It's ironic, he'd only just said that I'd been to all the pub socials - and I stopped going! Not deliberate, I can assure you.. this time, we're at The George. Then I'm back to Ireland for the weekend again.
On the 9th, back with London European Club for a night at the Proms - this is Prom 68: Wagner Night. At the Royal Albert Hall, natch.
On the 10th, back at Trafalgar Studios - this time with North London Friends, for The Fishermen.
And on the 11th, I'm back to the Proms, on my own.. Prom 71: Bach Night.
Two days of storytelling in progress! Yesterday, I was back with the London European Club, who were off to see The Embers Collective perform. Now, I hadn't been to one of their events before, but a couple of their performers have also performed at the Crick Crack Club events. It was a bit out of town, at Balabam - never mind, promised to be good. And Ivan said he'd come. Name of the show? F*cked Up Fairytales.. tickets courtesy of Design My Night.
Well, Ivan asked me to buy him a ticket, but I hadn't heard from him by the middle of yesterday. WhatsApping him was no good - he wasn't picking up his messages. It was about 5pm by the time I texted him, deciding that, if he were to get any kind of message, it'd be text - sure enough, that got a reply, and sure enough, he had family commitments in Edinburgh and had completely forgotten about this. Sorry. And had I bought him a ticket..? Yeah man, I told you about it at the time.
Imagine forgetting about it, tsk - I even sent him a reminder, last week. Well, I won't depend on him for weekends again - and he can buy his own tickets in future. Anyway, with a free afternoon, I took the time to pack up some more of the remaining stuff in my old flat - it's on the way. Left the stuff packed there, for collection on my way back. I also needed to eat, but didn't fancy the look of anything near the venue - finally plumped for KFC, where I was very well fed (and got fries with my boneless banquet, this time!).
It's a moderate, but doable, walk from there to the venue - and I found it interesting, as I hadn't been up that way before. Stamford Hill is quite a ways out of town - you can tell, what with the broad streets and pavements, and houses with actual gardens in front!
Turns out it's also the largest concentration of Charedi Hasidic Jews in Europe! which would explain the high number of Jewish outfits I saw as I walked. An ultra-othodox group, apparently..
I arrived at the venue early - but the website had said the bar was open from 6, and indeed, no-one stopped me from passing through the heavy black curtains to the bar at the back, where I eavesdropped on rehearsals. I got a drink and took a seat on a bench to the side, and messaged the group where I was - fat lot of good that did, as they all came and sat on the other side! I only spotted them at 7.15, and made my way over, figuring they were all seated already and wouldn't be interested in joining me - although my side had tables, and would've been comfy. Never mind. The seats were laid out in tidy rows - that soon disintegrated, as the mc decided there was too much of a gap in front of the stage, and we just all scooted closer, in glorious disorder - some sat, or lay, on the floor, and all was good.
First up was a guy I'd seen before - Lonan Jenkins had that same mad hair and the same patchwork coat as before. Everybody did two turns - one before, one after, the interval; his first story was pretty gory. Joining him on stage was another Irishman, new to the collective, whose name unfortunately escapes me. Excellent musical accompaniment was to be had at the side:
The lady sang a song in the first half which, for me, was the highlight of that half - Miss Madley was an absolute delight!
The queue at the bar at the interval was off-putting.. we just chatted. The second half saw a reprise of the alternative Sleeping Beauty tale - where (spoiler!) the king that comes across her has his wicked way with the somnolent beauty, and later gets his come-uppins! A nice touch there was the lady to the side, who tra-la'ed the theme to the Disney version throughout. ;-) Oh, I do love the original version of fairytales.. They're planning a Part II (same event name, different content) next week - I think I might attend.
We stayed for a drink after, and were almost the last people to leave the bar - early as it was! And it only took a short time to detour via the old flat to pick up the stuff I'd left earlier. Speaking of the Crick Crack Club, tonight I'm headed to what will probably be their last show before autumn. This is a Fairytales for Grown-Ups double bill at Soho Theatre - one of the performers is Ben Haggarty, always worth seeing.
Tomorrow, back with Up in the Cheap Seats, to the King's Head, for what should be another manic show. Vulvarine - ahem - is a sort of superhero story. With a female superhero, natch. We might meet for a meal beforehand - if we can decide on a venue that suits everyone! Gee, it's not as though there's a shortage in the area..
And on Wednesday, back with London Literary Walks. He had to change his original plan - seems the pub we were to meet in is closed for refitting, and with no good alternatives, he had to come up with another walk at the last minute. So now, we're doing a Walk by a Canal.
