Free Comedy Night

I like these free comedy nights in The Grove - the atmosphere is good, and it's my side of town (although, as I noticed today from researching my route on Google Maps, it's actually five miles away! You don't think about it, but the area of Greater London is over 600 square miles..

Third time lucky - my third time at this venue, and I finally drove. First time, I didn't think I'd get parking, this close to Hammersmith. (Not true.) Second time, I didn't think the route that Google Maps gave me was easy to follow - and I was tired that day. This time, however, I was determined - and working from home gave me all the time I needed to research the three routes that Google gave me - this time, I liked the fastest and shortest one, which took me over Battersea Bridge, up Warwick Road and left on West Cromwell Road to Hammersmith - areas I knew very well when I used to work in the area.

I had my directions printed out, with notes, and the phone on hand for emergencies, as I set out. Right on Battersea Park Road - and my goodness, but it was busy! The worst traffic I encountered, in fact - it was a relief to take the left lane for Battersea Bridge. Nice view as I crossed: then immediately left on the other side, follow the road through to Warwick Road, which I used to walk along to the office. (Did I ever imagine I'd drive the same road?!) Left on West Cromwell Road, passing the old office - by now, it was handy to be able to recognise landmarks. Hug the left lane for the Hammersmith turnoff..

Hammersmith is always fun, especially as trying to Streetview it is a pain - it keeps switching to the flyover view. Essentially, right lane coming off the main road, then take the third lane - for the A315 - rounding the Hammersmith Gyratory (because the first two veer left too soon). As soon as they do, switch to the second lane to take the next left onto King Street, where your task is to avoid shoppers. Now, the one-way system forces you to do a little circle - take the first right possible, then right again, and left onto Hammersmith Grove at the end of the road. Wouldn't you know it, every time I had to make a turn (except the very last one), the car in front of me was going the same way, which was reassuring - and I didn't make a single wrong turn! 25 minutes, it took.

Parking was easy (and free in the evenings), and I was way too early for the gig. So I strolled up to the top of the road, to check out where I'd have had to turn if I'd come via Shepherds Bush - the route I rejected last time. If it's suggested again as the quickest option, I think I'll try it.

Returning to the bar, I ordered a wine (which I intended to last all evening, as I was driving). Someone was offering free shots of something Mexican - I passed. Spilt my drink twice going upstairs, of course, and took a seat - thus filling out the second row nicely; the front row never did have takers. The mc remembered my name! which was nice. And that I worked in IT. And there were others there from Meetup - not that I got chatting to anyone on this occasion; the person beside me wasn't in the mood, it seemed.

The lineup was a varied one, of newbies who, if not polished, were endearing as they tried to last their allotted time. Nobody from the first half really did it for me, and I was beginning to get sick of keeping a rictus grin on my face. Also, the room was getting very warm - it was a relief when they put on some air-conditioning at the beginning of the second half. At the interval, I checked my phone, during which time (surprise, surprise) London for a Tenner or Less cancelled both events relating to this gig. Interesting ploy, probably to disguise just how much stuff they advertise - I see the only events they don't seem to delete after the fact are the talks. You see, although they don't charge for these comedy nights, this is one of the Meetup groups for Funzing, which is a commercial organisation - not what Meetup is supposed to be about, and I daresay they want to fly under the radar if they can.

The second half saw one rather cringeworthy guy, whose name I forget, but who managed to annoy just about everyone there in one way or another. Carmen Ali seemed to be a last-minute addition, discussing her participation with the mc beforehand. Richard Nixon (I think), a New Zealander, looked familiar - and when he told the joke about the similarity between the way ducks swim and the way Irish dancers dance, I knew I'd heard him tell that one before, at We Are Funny. And he is funny, if a bit cerebral - a lot of his jokes, while witty, require thinking about. Funny man of the night, for me, was the headliner, Adam Greene, who was practicing, apparently, for a big show on Saturday.

The journey home actually sounded more complicated, but seemed easier in practice. Travelling in that direction through the gyratory is a lot simpler, and despite a complicated lane arrangement headed eastwards on West Cromwell Road, I still made no wrong turns. Yippee, another route sorted! The view on the bridge by night was even lovelier than by day - but for obvious reasons, I couldn't take a picture!

Back to Ireland tomorrow for the weekend. On Monday, I got a cheap ticket - to a play called The League of Youth, by Ibsen, in Theatre N16. Which means I can drive again, yippee! (Let's hope this one isn't cancelled, as the last one was!) Then Tuesday and Wednesday are Man with the Hat days - on Tuesday, he's taking Let's Do London - for Less! to a production of Thérese Raquin at Southwark Playhouse: and sent out a message today to the effect that this contains strong language, scenes of a sexual nature, full frontal nudity and depictions of graphic violence, and could we let him know if that was going to be a problem. Hmm - nope. And on Wednesday he's taking London for Less than a Tenner (not to be confused with the aforementioned group, which is easily done) to Top Secret. Shh..

Free Comedy in Hammersmith - Joys of Music

As I looked for something to do last night, a free comedy night in Hammersmith featured prominently - mainly because it was another of these events that was advertised several times on Meetup. I booked with London Live Comedy - but it was also advertised with Free Comedy Nights in Hammersmith, Wimbledon and Farringdon; I'm not a member, don't live there, and didn't bother joining them. Meetup can be funny with its notifications - I also see today that, apparently, Random London had advertised it! As did London Art, Comedy & Culture Lovers. And then there's London for a Tenner or Less, one of Funzing's three Meetup groups (that I know of). Just like the gig last week at the same venue, they actually advertised it twice.. Funny thing about them, every Funzing event I've gone to via Meetup has been removed from their Meetup groups' calendars after the event. Last night, I said I'd try not signing up with them, see what happened.

I looked into driving, and was delighted to see that the route from where I live is actually quite easy! Onto the A3205, left onto Battersea Bridge, left on the other side, and straight through to Shepherds Bush. Left there, second left onto Hammersmith Grove.. ah, now there was a problem. The turn just isn't conspicuous enough - I'm unfamiliar with the area, and could easily see myself getting lost: and my phone battery is unreliable, so I wouldn't have that to help me. Ah well..

I was back early enough to take the bus. Our driver seemed in a hurry, and got us to Hammersmith nice and fast - and I arrived at The Grove about 10 minutes before start time. Ordered a drink, and ran into someone from Let's Do London - for less!, who'd said she might come - and duly did. Cool - we took our drinks upstairs.

It was a bit more crowded this time, and this time I actually met some other Meetup folks. There was a different host this time.. first up was Zahra Barri, whom I'd seen a video of on the Meetup page. She's half Muslim, and as it happened, there was a vocal, Muslim, Iraqi woman in the audience, who was also a lecturer in feminism (or some such). Talk about audience interaction - they must have spent half her set debating the role of women in Islam! (which was a lot funnier than it sounds..).

The "Music" in the title was provided by a hilarious duo called Hurt & Anderson, who came on in jeans and black t-shirts (one read "Hurt", the other "Anderson") and gave us a reworked musical medly. One on the guitar, both singing, they take popular songs and redo the lyrics. Fantastic stuff, and we gave them a rousing round of applause.

There was a wide variety on the lineup, some better than others, and culminating in the excellent Ria Lina. Effortlessly funny, she tried out some new material on us, and sent us out on a high. Some stayed for drinks after, but we two didn't really feel like it, and made our way home - Google Maps hadn't been very informative about which bus stop I needed, so I'd had to look it up. Turned out we both needed Bus Stop C. And so home - already past my bedtime, seeing as I'm in Guildford today: so too late to blog. Oh, and interestingly, today I see that London for a Tenner or Less has removed that event (both instances) from their Meetup calendar, even though I didn't book with them. Wonder whether they read my blog, and knew I was coming?!

Just back from lunch - a free one, with a team I just joined, and specifically to welcome an intern. And we were in the Bench Bar - a new venue for me, up the hill from work. A bit of a hike, but I could do with it - and we were just in time to miss the torrential rain that fell during lunch. We ordered at the bar, putting it all on the team tab, and while a couple had beer, I figured wine might be pushing it, so had a soft drink instead. And chicken and bacon linguini - since I don't have time for dinner tonight, pasta seemed a good idea.

We sat under the main bank of televisions, one of which was showing David Cameron's last PM Questions. And we could hear every word, after a couple of old gents, sat at the next table down, asked the staff to turn it up. Well, they were engrossed, I'm happy to say. And the staff did turn the volume back down when it was over. And it was something to listen to, during our interminable wait.. honestly, they take even longer than Heart and Soul! Whatever is it about eateries around here?! Well, when it finally came, it was absolutely delicious, as was the large piece of garlic bread that accompanied it. Mind you, I should have ordered the smaller portion - I couldn't finish what I had. Back to the office was downhill, thankfully, and again, we just missed some torrential rain.

Now, tonight I was supposed to go to a travel talk on Japan, hosted by The Roads Less Travelled: Ekzotic Adventures Travel Club. But wouldn't you know it, it proved so popular that they had to book a bigger venue, which wasn't available tonight. So they rescheduled, and I can't make the second date. Never mind, it was free anyway. Looking at what else was on, I checked out a World Music Meetup called The Girl with the Almond Eyes, happening in Sands Film Studios - a venue I love. Wouldn't you know it - not just a concert, this is an evening of music and poetry from the Mediterranean and Middle East. Sounds fabulous! I hadn't realised this before, or I'd have booked it straight away - well, I have now. Looking forward to that.

Tomorrow, 'tis back with the Man with the Hat - London for Less than a Tenner this time (the similarity in names to the aforementioned group has caused me some confusion). He's headed to an reputedly charming pub (well, it has booths), for yet more comedy.. A new venue for me, and (shockingly) he's wearing a.. GREEN hat! Oh I know, it must be a nod to the strong Irish community in Islington..

Back to Ireland for the weekend, and back to the Man with the Hat again on Monday, when we're off to an award-winning play called Fury, in Soho Theatre.

Comedy: John Hastings & Friends

Looking through what was available on Meetup for tonight, I came across no fewer than four events scheduled for the same occasion! Random London and London Live Comedy each had one, and London for a Tenner or Less had no fewer than two.. and all for exactly the same gig: John Hastings (& friends) at The Grove in Hammersmith. No problem in deciding to go - I've never before seen him live, but loved his stuff on YouTube. Well, with it being free, I duly signed up to all four events - why not?

Now, the first two events seem to have been organised by the same guy - I've seen that before, when people want to advertise something more widely. I know London for a Tenner or Less is a group designed to publicise Funzing; they have far too many events every day (many simultaneous) to be a regular Meetup group, and I see the same things advertised on Funzing: and, on occasion, on Funzing's other Meetup group (that I know of), London Speaks Sessions.

Here's a fun fact; of the two Funzing events that I attended in the last two days, both of which I booked as a result of seeing them on Meetup, and which I confirmed on Meetup.. as soon as they were over, they completely vanished from their respective Meetup groups' pages. Fair enough, you might think - they were over, no need to keep them there. Except.. all groups keep a record of their past events, and these are no exception. Plus, London for a Tenner or Less also advertised Wednesday's event, which I went to, and confirmed, with London Speaks Sessions. But it's no longer displayed in London Speaks Sessions.. still there in London for a Tenner or Less, though! http://www.meetup.com/London-for-a-Tenner-or-Less/events/231221773/

So, as soon as I go to a Funzing event (advertised in Meetup), it gets deleted from the Meetup group's page. Am I paranoid? Would you blame me..? And would someone tell me what on earth they think they're doing..? I'm not dreaming, BTW, they both are Funzing; I got the following Facebook notification tonight:

 

 

In future, I'll be taking screenshots of any events I book with them. Assuming they don't boot me out of the groups before I can book any more.. I can only assume they don't want the Meetup groups to be openly associated with Funzing, Meetup being (nominally) a not-for-profit organisation, and Funzing a paid events site (mostly). Ah well..

 

It was nice to be going to something fairly close to home - it was only afterwards, though, that I realised I could have driven; I've driven through Hammersmith Broadway before, I could manage again (even though it nearly gave me a heart attack). What the hey, less hassle to take public transport - and I was back early enough to take the 295 bus straight there. Got off at the bus station, followed my nose, and accidentally came out the right exit for Beadon Road (the one after King Street). First right onto Hammersmith Grove and keep walking - The Grove bar and restaurant is on the left.

 

I've been to a good few events in pubs now, and they tend to take place either upstairs or downstairs, rather than in the main seating area. I remembered something in one of the non-Funzing groups about meeting upstairs, so when I found the stairs, up I went, and found the room with no difficulty. Tiny function room they have!! They barely fitted two rows of chairs in front of the mic, with a couple of sofas and tables to the side. A Meetup sign slumped on one of the tables - I didn't really fancy joining the group there, two of whom were having a discussion about comedy, another of whom was having a nap on the sofa. (Actually, they all turned out to be comedians - I don't think there was much actual Meetup activity.) Instead, I picked a chair (second row, natch) and, finding out they'd be starting late, and with the upstairs bar stocked but unstaffed (as usual), went back down for a drink - reasonably priced, and served by a chap who assured me they'd be starting "any second".

 

Yeah, right. To be fair, they were waiting for more of an audience - I think I was only the third audience member to arrive. The place did pretty much fill, eventually. And the guy I recognised from both non-Funzing groups filled the role of mc, regaling us with jokes that left us begging for the scheduled comedians! The first half comprised five acts, none of whom I'd ever heard of. Decent enough, some definitely better than others - notable for me during this section was a Welsh-Iranian guy called Darius, whose surname I didn't get - the mc could have done with saying their names more clearly.

 

An interval before John Hastings came on - he'd hung around with the others for a while before the start. I got myself another glass of wine, and settled in. And he entertained us royally for another 45 minutes or so, all on his own - practicing new material for the Edinburgh Festival, you see. He explained to us at the beginning that he was going to tell us a long story. And while it might not be funny, he could at least guarantee that it would be long..

 

It was very, very funny. He's as good live as online. And it occurred to me that it didn't matter at all whether you paid attention - or whether you came in to the story late; you'd still find it funny. No context required. He's a brilliant storyteller - highly recommended, check him out if you get a chance.

 

On the way home, I noted all the parking spaces - not a bad road for parking, this one. And arriving back at the bus station, I searched in vain for Stop M, which Google Maps had told me to get the bus back from, but whose location I hadn't checked. Well, I followed the route back, and found it on Fulham Palace Road. Which was funny, as I'd have expected a stop in the station, which would have been closer. Sure enough, what I should have been looking for was Stop C..

 

Back to Ireland tomorrow for the weekend, and next week is all mapped out - first time in a while that's happened. On Monday, I'm finally gong to Kinky Boots, in the Adelphi. Got my ticket on an Amazon offer - always, always shop around for the big shows. On Tuesday, similarly, I'm headed (finally) to Motown, the Musical, at the Shaftesbury Theatre. Best value in that case was from the venue itself. And I've already had a couple of emails from them, reminding me to print my tickets.

Speaking of value, on Wednesday I'm headed to the National, to see a reading of Stuff Happens, with Bill Nighy. Also in the room will be London Dramatic Arts, who are charging £2.50 more than the standard £10 for this production. It's been a while since I went with them - and at this rate, it'll be a while longer! Anyway, I've booked a seat upstairs, where hopefully I'll avoid them. (Pure badness of me to book at all, I know, but it sounds good.)

In complete contrast, I'm with the Man with the Hat on Thursday and Friday. Thursday is back to the Globe (whoopee!) for a performance of Macbeth that didn't get a great review in the Metro. What the hey, I don't pay much attention to those - and it'll be a great night anyway - great venue, great group. And on Friday, he's taking us back to the Royal Opera House, for Il Trovatore.