Play: The Ballad of Maria Marten

Ooh wow. Last day at that hell I called work, today. Following an interview with one other company - which didn't work out - I went with the offer I got last night. So. That. Is. That. Hallelujah. I'd have gone for a celebratory meal, but didn't have time - it'll keep.

Tonight, I was back with Civilised London for a play called The Ballad of Maria Marten, based on a real-life murder mystery, at Wilton's. Now, I'm rather tired of craning my neck here, so I went for a slightly more expensive seat, with a more direct view - albeit still in the balcony. Brought my stuff home from the hell-hole that was my office, so went from home - and I could have walked, but with the howling wind, I didn't fancy it - give the trouble I'd had walking in it all day - and opted for the bus. Mercifully, didn't have to wait long in the freezing cold. Sadly, a couple of people in the group couldn't make it - there were a lot of transport cancellations.

Man, was I glad I went for the slightly more expensive seat - that railing isn't really an obstacle, you can look under it if you need to. Mind you, plenty of people shifted seat at the interval. Anyway, set in Suffolk in the early 19th century, this is performed in authentic costume, and in a rather thick rural accent. I didn't catch every word.

But my God, this is good! So atmospheric, so strongly played. We get a real sense of the characters, the environment.. it's not a musical, but music is played: modern, but fits the story well. Clever use of minimal props. And - of course - it turns into a feminist chorus at the end, as the abusive boyfriend is (spoiler) finally found guilty of murder. Best thing I've seen in a while - really engaging, in a way a lot of plays aren't. Highly recommended, it finishes tomorrow. Really, run to see it! I am so glad I did.

Afterwards, we repaired to our favourite local hostelry, The White Swan. Which was blissfully under-patronised, still with the excellent house white, and whose jukebox obliged me by playing Blinded by the Light - not once, but twice! Oh, bliss.. and so start a few days of sheer hedonism, as I wait for my new job to start..

Tomorrow, I was headed off with 45+ Not Grumpy Old Londoners again, for Laurence Summers' Elementary Sherlock Walking Tour. But wouldn't you know it, he recently cancelled it! Personal reasons. Well, it's been rescheduled, but I think the new date is one of my weekends in Ireland. Never mind, it's giving me the chance to meet up with an ex-colleague again - we're meeting for an early dinner (his suggestion) in Frankie & Benny's (my suggestion - I haven't been there in years). I invited Ivan, but that job of his is wrecking him - he says he needs to sleep for a month. Anyway, I can catch my other ex-colleague up on all the news!

Play: The Child in the Snow

Tonight, what's looking like my only outing of the year with Civilised London! It'd be great to get back with them, though. This was The Child in the Snow, a Christmas ghost story playing at Wilton's - also the first time I'd have been there, post-lockdown!

An easy bus from right outside the office - mind you, I nearly froze to death waiting for it! See, the terminus is just down the road - and as luck would have it, my Buses Due app was unavailable, due to a "problem connecting to the server". So I stood there and froze - but to be fair, it didn't take too long to arrive.

I alighted near the venue, and made my way in to meet the group. And immediately noticed changes.. new lanterns, for instance!

I also see they seem to have moved the piano upstairs, and have much more seating there. For my part, I was in a cheap seat again..

Although the friendly usher, obviously delighted to have crowds back, was happy to tell me I could move forwards at the interval, if I wanted. Which I did.

Woo, I could now see all the stage!

This is a classic, talky, ghost story - which I love. What I particularly noticed were the scene changes - quite professional, being rather more subtle, than - for instance - 2:22: A Ghost Story. In that, scene changes are marked by an horrific shriek, amounting to a jump scare - in this, however, although something of the same device is used, it's that much subtler, and sounds more professional.

A young girl is orphaned and sent to live in a ruined old Hall in the middle of nowhere - which houses terrible secrets. What is particularly commendable about the play is that there are only two performers - one for the girl, while the other plays no fewer than three parts: the cousin who owns the Hall to which she's sent, the housekeeper, and the medium that she contacts in later years, to try to relive what she experienced then. And they're excellent. I found it very atmospheric, the sound and lighting used to great effect. I wish I'd paid better attention to the scene where the doll moved! That's gonna bug me. All in all, an excellent production - runs until the end of the year. Go see. And I look forward to returning here - I see they've moved the piano upstairs, and have much more seating there.. 

Afterwards, we repaired to The White Swan, which started me off in fine form with two favourites of mine - American Pie, which I sang while waiting (and waiting) to be served, followed by Paradise City. Ooh yeah.. nice cozy pub, festive atmosphere, great chat.

Nice antidote to the horror that is work. And an easy walk home.

Tomorrow afternoon, we have our office Christmas Party. Literally in the office, which they're apparently transforming into a casino. Hmm. Assuming we pass the lateral flow test they're now telling us all we have to take.

Anyway, that evening, the Crick Crack Club has what is apparently their first Christmas show ever! In Rich Mix. Wow, should be epic. But.. wouldn't you know it, a spot has been reserved in a pub near the office, and some drinks pre-ordered. So we'll see how it goes - tarnation, why does everything have to happen on the same night?!

On Friday, I'm meeting Ivan and another ex-colleague for drinks (I don't expect the other ex-colleague to last the night, but anyway.) He suggested Soho, I suddenly remembered where the Man with the Hat used to take us! The Nellie Dean will do very well indeed - I have so many good memories. I also remember the Man with the Hat once asking us whether we'd miss him..

Yes, we do. Very much.

On Saturday, I'll drag myself into wakefulness to meet Helen! London Transport Museum it is, and brunch will be welcome, I daresay.

And on Sunday, I'm booked with Guided Walking Tours in Brighton & Sussex again, for Victorian Ghost Stories at Christmas (via Zoom)..