Ah now, it was great to be back last night with the Man with the Hat - truly, the rock on which I build my social life.. and Top Secret always turns out a good night. Shortly before the event, he contacted London for Less than a Tenner to say that there was an early, free show at 7, as well, which hadn't been previously scheduled - ah cool, as I remarked, easier to get to the bar at that time!
So off I schlepped, stopping on the way to get cash from from the handily located ATM on Short's Gardens - Top Secret charge for card payments under a certain amount. As I turned into Drury Lane, I gave a small start - with no scaffolding around the entrance any more, I hardly recognised Top Secret! Anyway, got my hand stamped - the poor guy on reception seemed new, and it took him a moment to locate the list of Meetup participants - got my drink, had a wee chat with the Man with the Hat, got a seat in the third row.
Oh my God, it was good to be with friendly faces again! I missed them, y'know.. Anyway, the place really filled up for this first show, with Luisa Omeilan - as the MC was careful to point out in his introduction, we were the placenta (!) for the embryo of her show for Edinburgh. I've never seen her for such an extended show before - and whoo, it's exhausting! Now, the girl is hilarious - and clever - but it's actually dizzying to see her in action. This new show is to be based on politics - if she can figure out a way to make it funny. Jeez, I'd love to see the finished article - and hope she manages it, that would be a great combo! She passed around a jug for donations at the end, but it didn't come my way, or I'd have given..
And so into the show proper - there wasn't much space for latecomers, and I believe they opened the area upstairs as well. Paul Sweeney was first up - an odd fish, but he grew on me. Followed by Heidi Regan, an Aussie who read us a poem. First break saw everyone around me disappear to the bar, and stay there for the duration.. I should do that in future, apparently it's much quieter back there. Not that I'm dissing the soundtrack, which is excellent - just quite loud. Louder still as they replaced one of the speakers to the side, and were trying to adjust the volume..
Second section - and Luisa was back! I guess she figured her preview stint hadn't gone so well, so she reprised it in a shorter version for us now, as high-speed as ever. George Lewis finished that bit, and we had another break. And for the final section, we had Grainne (pronounced Grawnye) Maguire - really, really nervous, and maybe trying a bit hard - whose material was good, if a bit hastily delivered. The show ended with Tom Lucy. Never seen him before - and I don't know what it is, but there is something very funny about this guy. Nothing particularly striking about his material - it's all in the delivery, and it was compelling. Would love to see him again.
Afterwards, a small group of us headed up the road to the White Hart (tricky to assemble, given that they don't allow crowds to gather outside Top Secret any more) and after the Man with the Hat had performed his shepherding duties, he joined us. Where he started singing the praises of Tom Lucy.. who turned out be sitting at the table next to us! :-) And a good old chat was had, following which I strolled home.
Tonight, the Man with the Hat is back to the Opera House for the opening night of a mixed bill of ballet. As usual, he's in the slips with London for Less Than a Tenner, and in the amphitheatre with Let's Do London - for Less! This'll be the last night for a while I can walk to the venue - last night scheduled with him this month!
Tomorrow, 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..
Saturday, 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..
Always happy to follow the Man with the Hat, and some of his best events are when he takes London for Less Than a Tenner to Top Secret. So when he announced it, I postponed the Funzing event I'd booked; you can cancel up to 48 hours beforehand, and most of their events run on several dates, so I just booked a later date for it.
How gloriously close my office is to Top Secret! No more than about 10 minutes' walk - the Man had suggested we arrive at 6:40, so I left about 6:30 and had a short stroll through Seven Dials and down Short's Gardens to Drury Lane. Arrived just after 6:40, and found myself in a whole queue of people getting their names ticked off the Meetup list! I bet they don't often see such a crowd, so early.. we were there for the free, early show before the main attraction, and I suspect we pretty much comprised the whole audience.
Got a drink - the barman recognised me - and wandered over to where the Man with the Hat was holding court, to the side. I didn't see any of the people who'd been in the queue in front of me.. anyway, we had a fine old chat there, being joined by some others as time went on, and the Man with the Hat promised some upcoming events in Southwark Playhouse. We'll hold him to that - it's been a while, and it's a great venue.
After a bit, I did start to wonder where the comedian was. Leo Kearse was to perform, and as someone said, he was sitting over the side. Was he waiting for us to sit down? As I remarked to someone when we did sit down, he'd better start - coming up to 8 o' clock, people start to arrive for the main show, and it gets very noisy, to the detriment of the performer. They should really finish the free show at 7:45 - it's almost impossible to enjoy it after that. Anyway, Leo did eventually take the stage - a funny guy, I think, although I've never seen him before. However, on this occasion he was woefully, and obviously, under-prepared, constantly stuck for something to say, starting jokes that didn't go anywhere, resorting to the lowest common denominator - I'd like to see him when he's better prepared, I suspect he can be quite good.
An interval followed, during which the place filled up so much that they sat people in the ex-restaurant upstairs. I'd never seen this done before, but apparently what they do is send comedians upstairs to entertain them, in rotation, so that they end up performing on both levels. I'd taken the precaution of buying a second drink, specifically so I wouldn't have to queue once the place got crowded. And the Man with the Hat was to be seen, prowling the venue for seats for his members who'd just arrived for the second show.
Two people started the main show - first up was Jamali Maddix, less confrontational than last time: but then, he had less opportunity than last time, when a lady in the audience started an argument with him and got thrown out. He was followed by Ian Smith, who gave a salutary lesson in what not to do when sitting in the front row at a comedy show. Pity the poor girl who was discussing with her friend a text she'd just received from a guy she fancied. Unwise, with Ian performing just in front of her at that moment! He asked to see the text. He responded to the text, texted a picture of himself, then confiscated the phone, returning it at the end of his set. No response by that time - jeez, I hope the guy on the other end of the phone had a sense of humour..
At the next interval, I made a dash for the toilet, beating the queue. Pity the tap had only a trickle of water and there was no soap.. Anyway, after the mc, Mark's tired joke about everyone having had a nice wee-wee (yes, thanks), we had Fiona Ridgewell, who complained about still living with her family, and the bonkers Olaf Falafel, who confirmed that yes, he had been performing upstairs. And then described our characters on the basis of biscuitology.
I'm afraid I did less well in identifying the comedians in the final section - predictably, they were quite different from the advertised set, which there's rarely any point in taking notice of - apart from whoever's doing the free hour at the start. First up was an American called Sean (Shaun?), who was a Scorpio (as he told us). I think he came as something of a relief to some of the several Americans sitting at the side. Then there was quite a funny guy, German, whose name sounded like Christian Short-n-low? Usefully, he told us just to Google German comedian - and now I know he's called Christian Shulte-Loh! Recommended - he came as a pleasant surprise.
Ending the night was Robert White. Now, I've seen him a few times at this stage, and on one of those occasions, he was very funny. He'll happily describe himself as autistic - he's also obviously clever, and with a talent for piano, his technique (at least the first time I saw him) was to compose little ditties on the spot, generally mocking audience members. Unfortunately, I don't know what's gone wrong, but the last couple of times I've seen him he's seemed a bit lost. Problems with setting up his piano didn't help, and he's seemed a bit stuck for material on stage. I do hope that this isn't a permanent obstacle to him, because when he's on form, he's really very good.
Mark stood by the door with a bucket again as we were leaving, and again I didn't give anything. Thought I caught a sarcastic remark, too. Well, sorry, but I'm actually still quite broke - yes, I got paid yesterday, and immediately used pretty much all my disposable income on stuff that needed paying for. Give it another few months and I should be flush, and prepared to give. Kudos to the girl I saw tipping by card, too, as he'd suggested..
Outside, it was frigid. I saw another member and went to join him - unusually, no sign of the Man with the Hat. Anyway, another couple of ladies from the group happened along, but weren't inclined to stay, and frankly, it was way too cold to be hanging around, so they left pretty quickly. The Man with the Hat eventually appeared, another lady dropped by to say goodbye, the guy I'd joined decided he needed to be up in the morning, there was no sign of anyone else from the group.. and behold, although I'd have gone for a drink, not one person wanted to accompany me! The Man with the Hat walked a bit of the way up the road with me, to where his bike was parked - and from there I made my chilly way home, stopping in to Sainsbury's on the way (nice it was still open) for a Chocolate Orange to ease my disappointment. With the London European Club never letting me know where they ended up on Tuesday, I'm not having a great week socialising with Meetups, am I?!
Hey-ho. Tonight's group isn't known for its socialising either, but I'll definitely enjoy the event. I'm back with the Crick Crack Club at last, at the Art House Crouch End. First meeting of the year, and finally, on Tuesday, advertised on Meetup! I saw it on their flier for Crouch End, and booked ages ago. Anyway, the title is Rebranding Beelzebub, which is certainly enough to get me there! And I now live closer to it than I did the last time I was there. Be interesting to see how I'm supposed to get there - it'll be a late one in the office (for the free WiFi), as they don't start till 8:30!
Back to Ireland at the weekend, and on Monday, I'm back with Funzing UK for Eat Zagi - an immersive dining & theatre experience. I had some fun booking it, when the bank thought it was a fraud and kindly stopped my card, so I had to ring them at 2am.. in the meantime, I did find a discount code, so it wasn't all bad. Try "EnjoyFunzing5". Actually, why not try "EnjoyFunzing10"? That's a code too. Anyway, again, I'm closer to this venue in Finsbury Park than I was before..
On Tuesday, I'm headed for Sex with Strangers at Hampstead Theatre. First Meetup of the year with London Dramatic Arts. Dunno, I think it was that she had seats at both levels of the theatre, so it would've been too hard to avoid them..
On Wednesday, the Man with the Hat is starting the month again. Let's Do London - for less! is off to the Opera House for La Traviata.
On Thursday, he's taking both groups to Cadogan Hall for a concert involving the works of Brahms and Elgar, among others.
Friday 3 promises to be unusual.. the Crick Crack Club is hosting a late-night storytelling event at the Wellcome Collection. Mustn't forget to book tickets for the actual storytelling - they go on sale tomorrow.
And finally, Saturday 4, 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..
Delayed post No. 2! Well, there was no way I was missing a Man with the Hat event for an evening of cleaning the room I'm leaving behind. So I took the evening off, for once, and got myself to Top Secret instead, for London for Less Than a Tenner's inaugural visit of the year. Via home, so I could Skype my mother - unfortunately, I can't do it from the office, because they don't use Skype. Probably wisely. Anyhoo, walkable home from the office, and walkable to Top Secret from home. My, what a lot of walking I'll be doing in future! Which is just as well, with all the train and Tube strikes.
Cold enough too, as I was on my way there - as cold as it had been on previous nights, I was really worried about the walk home. Anyway, took me about 20 minutes to get to Top Secret - and it's been so long since I was there, I actually looked for a box office. Imagine. After a couple of seconds, I realised where I was, headed downstairs and got my hand stamped. Now, on this occasion, they had a free show at 7, prior to the 8 o' clock main show, but as usual the place was practically deserted at this time. Which meant a gloriously small queue at the bar, and a pretty short search for a seat after.
Comprising most of the audience, we were sat near the back until someone in authority asked us please to move further forward, which would make for a better show. So we did. Why, I do believe the Man with the Hat - once his shepherding duties were done - spent most of the evening in the front row! Anyway, the free show on this occasion saw Archie Maddocks on stage. Like everyone else that night, he was taking notes on our reactions to his new material, which he was practicing for Edinburgh. Unlike everyone else, towards the end of his set, he had to contend with a much-raised noise level from the bar area, as people filed in for the second show. Terrible way to treat performers, I've always thought - but he dealt with it pretty smoothly. Smooth would be a good description for the entire set, and it was fascinating to see him decide what story to tell, and then tell it as if it had just occurred to him. Nice performance.
I do try not to go to the bar at the interval - the queue is horrendous. And I knew we'd be drinking afterwards - and anyway, this was the first time since Saturday I'd had a drink. So I took it easy. The rest of the night took the pattern of two acts followed by a break. Nathan Caton also came on with a notebook, ticking off the jokes that worked; Amy Howerska did a sharp set as the only woman of the night. And there were some other people. Sorry, not a clue who else came on! Not that they weren't good - on the whole, they were excellent, but it's hard to catch the names usually. Most impressive of the night for me was an Asian guy, who described himself as nearly 50, and shuffled on in a hoodie, delivering some killer lines. Great night, and a packed house - as usual.
Afterwards, huddled outside, we shivered at the Man with the Hat till he gave us permission to head down the road to the White Hart. With the back area quite crowded, we sat in the main bar for once - had a great night discussing urban slang, and sat enthralled as one of our number, with a natural gift for storytelling, regaled us with stories about her cracked neighbour. And so into the night, and a cold walk home, for me. Funny how the wind always blows a gale down Oxford Street, right against me - and pity the homeless guy I passed, sleeping on the street, in a sleeping bag, head turned against that gale..
Speaking of cold winds, I left the office on Thursday to a blizzard (also blowing straight against me). Seriously, I was wearing a blue coat, which soon turned white, and ended up damp - but just on the front:
Now, I couldn't go straight to the Albert Hall, where I had booked to see Amaluna: no, first I had to try and clear out my old room. Well, I checked what time I'd have to leave, then did my damnedest - whatever amount I managed to get done, however, I was determined to make this show. I did cut it pretty fine though - fastest was train to Victoria, then a bus. The departure boards at Clapham Junction were kind of confused about where the next train to Victoria was going from, and when - but by judicious running around among platforms, I got a train leaving pretty much immediately: nonstop. There was some chaos on account of delayed trains - I was lucky that one happened to arrive at a random delayed time that just suited me. I arrived at Victoria earlier than expected, which also threw Google Maps into confusion, but it sent me carefully to catch the 52, which happened along quite quickly, and deposited me at the Albert Hall with 10 minutes to spare.
Google Maps was good enough to show me where the various doors were, in this oval building, and I was glad to see how close Door 8 was to where I got off the bus. Now, this was the opening night, and we actually passed a - blue - carpet on the way in, sheltered by a covering, with one of those backings that they use for photoshoots, and lots of cold-looking people with cameras and microphones. No celebs though - by this time, I figured they were all comfily ensconced inside. I was glad to see my door, just past this, and glad too that I had a Print at Home ticket, so didn't have to carry on to find the box office. And when I was in, and the five-minute warning was being given, I felt myself quite justified in taking the lift, for once, all the way up to my cheap seat in the Circle.
Now, unless I paid a fortune, I don't think I could have got a much better seat - I was in the lower section of the Circle, to the side: which was fine, and although a handrail did impede my vision, well, not much. How much can a handrail really get in the way, anyway?!
Predictably, the show didn't actually start on time - they never do. I had a few minutes to settle myself. Now, as you might be able to take from the photo, this show is set in a jungle environment - just to highlight the fact, a guy darted around the stage and audience, flicking the tail of his costume and making a most believable lizard. I've seen a few Cirque du Soleil shows over the years, and know that you can always expect a fascinating display, with terrific attention to detail.
The basic story is that a ship is wrecked on the island of Amaluna, which seems to be populated entirely by women - the show bills itself as being all about the empowerment of women. A speech at the start explains that they're raising money for Oxfam's fight against women's poverty, and that 70% of the circus performers, and all the musicians, are female. And yes, it is fantastic - dancing girls on unicycles, aerialists, acrobats, memorable sequences involving a water bath, and all to a thumping rock track. Good enough that enthralled people keep forgetting to clap. For me, the most memorable act was when the backing track was silenced, leaving just the sound of breathing, accentuating the tension as a lone woman on stage oh, so carefully, balanced each of a large pile of what looked like long reeds on top of each other. Has to be seen to be believed, and although it continued for several minutes - in virtual silence - everyone's attention was riveted on it. As always, Cirque du Soleil comes highly recommended, and is well worth the price of admission. Cheapest tickets from the Albert Hall - never mind a view with a handrail in it, that doesn't matter at all. Runs until the 26th February. A very cold bus journey followed:
Back in Ireland now for the weekend, and had dinner this evening as usual in the Abbey Tavern, Quin. Excellent, as ever - we had lovely, soft garlic bread to start, my mother had salmon, accompanied with a most decorative lemon, and I had the sirloin, which was delicious. Have to say, though, I rarely find chips in Ireland as good as those in English pubs - it is one of the things they do best. Desserts were good - my mother praised the bread & butter pudding on the specials menu, which is rare for her, and I am a longterm fan of the chocolate cake. Unfortunately, however, they've changed their pinot grigio - and not only is it not as good as the previous one, but the tops of the small bottles are very hard to open - badly designed, and mine had to be torn open, giving me an uncomfortable scratch in the process. We'll be changing our wine in future, I think.
I have to TRY to finish cleaning the old place when I fly back tomorrow night. On Monday, I've booked for Festival of the Spoken Nerd, at Soho Theatre. Yes, it's a comedy.
On Tuesday, I had signed up for free comedy in Hammersmith (!) with Free Comedy Nights in Hammersmith Wimbledon and Farringdon, and London Live Comedy. But.. then I saw that Funzing UK had advertised Rising Stars: East England Burlesque Festival 2017. So I booked that instead - hey, I can get straight there on the Central Line! And I love burlesque. After booking, I got an email from them to point out that there are two events there that night, and that to avoid confusion, the name of mine has been changed to "Star Watch"..
On Wednesday, I've signed up with London Speaks Sessions, London for a Tenner or Less (as usual, NOT to be confused with the Man with the Hat), and LDN Talks @Night (or more particularly with Funzing) for a talk on The Science of Psychedelics.
On Thursday, free comedy in Hammersmith, with Free Comedy Nights in Hammersmith Wimbledon and Farringdon, and London Live Comedy.
On Friday, I'm finally headed to The Comedy About a Bank Robbery, at the Criterion Theatre. Same team that did The Play That Goes Wrong - which is excellent - so I'm looking forward to this. Best value tickets from the venue.
Next Saturday, I'm out with the Man with the Hat again - this time, it's Woolf Works, a Wayne McGregor triptych, inspired by the works of Virginia Woolf and showing at the Royal Opera House. Both his groups are going: London for Less Than a Tenner, and Let's Do London - for less! As usual, I have a cheap seat.
Sunday 22nd, the ever-busy Man with the Hat is headed (with Let's Do London - for less!) to a dance production - at Sadler's Wells, unusually for him. The Red Shoes, choreographed by Matthew Bourne, is completely sold out for its whole run. Our Man with the Hat has tickets, though.. but he held them back (under his hat, as you might say), with sales starting at 11am on New Year's Day. They sold out in 15 minutes - I checked. That's the speed of U2's ticket sales.. of course, being a seasoned purchaser of U2 tickets, I managed to get one. All he needs now are a stetson and some glasses.. (speaking of which, U2 are touring, and I have tickets. Purchasing still in progress. Watch this space..)
Ah, last Top Secret of the year.. wouldn't be seen anywhere else tonight! Not with London for Less Than a Tenner going.. First, though, I had an interview to attend. A massive one, which took most of the afternoon. Mary had the day off, had spent it shopping, and agreed to meet me near the venue - when I finally got out, she texted me to say she was in the Pret down the road. Funnily enough, as I walked in the door, she texted me to say where she was.. and after a quick run-down of how the day had gone, I really needed the loo. Not that they hadn't offered at the office, but frankly I just wanted out of there. At Pret it turned out to be downstairs, and needed a code - or you could do as I did, and just wait for someone to come out and hold the door for you.
Well, I needed food, and more than they have in Pret. I suggested Chinese - it's been so long, and we were so close to Chinatown, it seemed a shame not to.. and once there, I suggested New Loon Fung. Love their lemon chicken, and when Mary was assured they had a decent range of vegetarian options, we were in. A bottle of wine between us, which - naturally - was used to refill our glasses as soon as they showed signs of emptiness. Starters, mains - we were stuffed. Happily.
They were a bit slow in bringing the bill.. and it didn't help that we turned the wrong way out of there. What the hey, we made it to Top Secret eventually.. pity the first act (Danny Ward) was already underway. We took a little extra time to swing by the bar, which was gloriously queue-free. And found a couple of decent side seats to watch the show.
He was good.. comments about audience members coming and going, and to finish, a little bag of tricks, extracted from his serious-looking briefcase.. which turned out to be full of curious-looking implements he found in Lidl. And after him, over the course of the night, we had the familiar (the mc with the old jokes, and the excellent Radu Isac and Bobby Mair), and the unfamiliar - Gabriel Ebulue and a couple of musicial comedians, beginning with Faye Treacy, who played the trombone - and the squash.. Robert White finished the night on a keyboard, and had an enthusiastic young lady in a Santa costume pay him just a bit too much attention, until she was politely escorted off. There was only one I didn't get the name of, although I have seen him before.. well, he was excellent. Whoever he was. Good lineup, all in all.
Outside afterwards, we were instructed to assemble across the road - couldn't be having crowds gathering outside the club. So fair enough, and when we'd gathered all we seemed likely to, we made our short way up the road to the White Hart. And the Man with the Hat used his coat - rather than Hat - to secure us a table, up the back. And there we passed a convivial time..
In the final part of a triple bill (!), the Man with the Hat has just announced a new event for Let's Do London - for less! There I was with nothing definite organised for tomorrow, and up he and his Hat pop with a Christmas concert at Cadogan Hall. With famous people in it, such as Aled Jones, who's hosting, and Dame Penelope Wilton, who's doing a reading. Now, that'll be nice, especially as he's going to something there in Christmas week, which I'll miss. I don't suppose the red hat with the pom-pom will make a reappearance for this..
I'm back to Ireland on Friday for the weekend, as it happens.. Back in London on Monday for my last week before Christmas, and it won't
even be a full week.. on Monday, Crick Crack is doing something a bit different. They're at Soho Theatre, with The Remarkable Tale of Robert Desnos. This, apparently, was a surrealist poet incarcerated in Auschwitz - unusual fare for Crick Crack. One of the speakers is Clare Muireann Murphy - my favourite storyteller, and I'll be fascinated to see what she does with it.
On Tuesday, my last event of the year with the Man with the Hat (sniff!.. unless he surprises us) will be on a trip to the West End. He's scored tickets in the front two rows of the stalls for Dead Funny, at the Vaudeville Theatre, for Let's Do London - for less! Ooh now..
And on Wednesday, my very last thing before I fly back to Ireland for Christmas? Umm, a presentation on data collection apps, courtesy of Org London. Eh, unless I don't. Well, it just doesn't sound very Christmassy, now does it?! Helen is coming to town, so we'll see.. And then I fly back to Ireland on Thursday of next week..
Then things shall get very quiet for Christmas.
I fly back to London on Monday 2 January - still no word on what I'll
be doing after that. But hey, I have one more defnite paycheck to come in, which will cover my rent for January, and I have quite a few things booked. On Tuesday 3rd, I have my trusty placeholder of Free Comedy in Hammersmith - gee, it's been a while now since I actually went to one of those! Anyway, assuming I show up, I'm booked with Free Comedy Nights in Hammersmith Wimbledon and Farringdon, London Art Comedy & Culture Lovers, London Live Comedy, Random London, and London for a Tenner or Less and Funzing UK (both Funzing groups, and both advertising the thing twice). My, that's a lot to cancel, if I do..
On Thursday 4 January, yes, I'm back with the Man with the Hat (no, not Santa Claus) - Let's Do London - for less! is off on their annual festive trip to The Nutcracker (ahh!) at the Opera House. Sold out performance, I see. See now, even if I'm jobless, that's worth flying in for.
And on Friday 5 January, I'm (nominally)
back in Hammersmith - this time, only with London Live Comedy, Free
Comedy Nights in Hammersmith Wimbledon and Farringdon, Funzing UK. and
London for a Tenner or Less. Once only with each!
Heading out with the Man with the Hat was all that kept me going yesterday, really. Going to the office is now sheer torture. But amazingly, the traffic behaved itself, and it only took me just over an hour to get home. Besides, this was Top Secret (with London for Less Than a Tenner), and started that bit later - I was unlikely to miss it, and if I was late, I'd still get in.
After a tortuous Skype call with my mother, who couldn't quite get it working properly from her end (she wasn't broadcasting video) but - still - wouldn't - give - up, I would still pretty much have had time to get a bus all the way. But then it occurred to me that there'd be a lot of walking that way - and while my leg is much improved, it's still very sore. So, train to Waterloo and bus from there, as usual. And wouldn't you know it, I was dead lucky with train and bus - at Clapham Junction, I just arrived at the platform at the same time as a train to Waterloo (alighting at Waterloo, the first thing I heard was an announcement for a train to Guildford, yuck!), and as I rounded the corner to the bus stop, why, there was a bus, just waiting for me. Not only that, but as I was trotting towards it, someone dashed on ahead of me, so I didn't have to trot quite so fast..
Arrived at the club, and made for the stairs. Just as I turned to go down, I heard a familiar voice - looked up, and there was the Man with the Hat, on the street, unusually. I decided to go down and get my wrist stamped first - where they told me that there was another show on now, and I couldn't go in till it was finished. Shoo. So up I went again, where the Man with the Hat (who obviously heard this before I did) was huddled with a few other early-birds, waiting to be let in. Just as well the evening wasn't cold. And as we waited, more and more people accumulated..
When they finally let us in (and I zipped by, pre-stamped) I discovered a scrum at the bar. I mightn't have bothered, but after another day in Hell, I really needed a drink. And there I was, for a Very Long Time. The Man with the Hat, I think, gave up on me. For most of the time, there were only two guys serving behind the bar - slowly. Things did pick up a bit when a third appeared. And when I finally made it to the bar, and the guy serving me found lots of stuff to do rather than pour my drink.. the till wouldn't let him log in. And then, as far as I can tell, it took him forever to find change for me.
What the hey, the show still hadn't started (it did start very late). And the Man with the Hat - relieved, I daresay, to have found his lost sheep - kindly showed me to a seat over the side, with a decent view of the stage. Where I noticed they seemed to have a posher stool than on Wednesdays, when we usually show up:
A new MC - pretty much the same jokes. A good line-up started with the excellent John Hastings - I was trying to remember where I saw him last, and finally placed it as that Free Comedy in Hammersmith gig that I've cancelled so much lately. Must start going back there. His rapid-delivery set was followed by Luke Toulson, then the first break was followed by Junior Booker and some guy called Jake, whose surname I didn't quite catch. Good, clever set though, leading us into the second interval.
For all that I was desperate for that drink, I made it last. The fear of another scrum at the bar helped me with that. The final set had three comedians - Iain Stirling, Nathan Caton, and Jamali Maddix. All of whom were excellent. Jamali, mind you, had something of a confrontational attitude, which sparked off a few arguments with the crowd, including with a lawyer in the second row, who introduced herself as Irish and made a point of the fact that the Irish struggle lasted for 800 years. Ah God, she would be from Cork - the Rebel County. He asked her what kind of a lawyer she was - competition law. Heh.
A small, but select, group gathered outside again for the short trip down the road to the White Hart. Where the Man with the Hat bagged the sofas at the back while we got drinks, and I shepherded the others (apart from we two, they were new to the place) to these much-prized sofas. And we had a good old chat till chucking-out time. As I explained to one person, this was my escape from the awfulness of my days. So I didn't mind at all that it was way past my bedtime when we left (given that I'm in Guildford again today), or that I was so late in calling my mother (as I do when I get in) that she called me.. Oh, and I read a very interesting newspaper article on the way home, about how we don't have to worry about Trump, because all he wanted was to become President. He doesn't really want to do anything with the job..
Tired today, but it was worth it. Tonight, I'm with London Dramatic Arts for The Red Barn, at the National. Good - it'll be quick to get to, so I should make it as long as traffic isn't horrendous. And I see there's no interval - might get to bed at a reasonable hour!
Tomorrow, the Man with the Hat is taking both London for Less Than a Tenner and Let's Do London - for less! to a Wayne McGregor mixed ballet programme at the Royal Opera House. This, I'm guessing, is why we went to Top Secret on Monday instead of the more customary Wednesday. The cheaper seats are with London for Less Than a Tenner, and are in the Slips - where I'm going to be; the others are in the Amphitheatre.
On Thursday, 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! :-) Anyway, good job I'm working from home that day - it's the earliest event start of the week.
Friday, 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..
Next 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. 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.
Wednesday of next week, 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 Thursday of next week, 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!
Good timing for the Man with the Hat, scheduling an event for the evening of the frantic day in which I had two phone interviews! I needed some moral support, y'know? Anyway, it was Top Secret again, with Brendon Burns highlighting. Of course I booked. And although we were subsequently told he wouldn't be appearing - well hey, I wanted to meet the folks anyway!
So, off I set yesterday evening. Now, I've often thought of just getting the bus there, but it's never happened that I had time. Well, yesterday I did have time! And wouldn't you know, the 87 arrived at the stop just as I did. Fate, thought I. Fate took a funny turn down the road a bit though - traffic was heavy-ish, and just past Wandsworth Road Station, the driver got on the tannoy and told us he'd just found out there was a bad accident ahead, and he'd let us off right there if we wanted.
I'm destined never to get a bus all the way to Top Secret, eh? So, I got off, figured any kind of bus or car was out of the question - the closest station was Wandsworth Road, which I made my way back to, but that's Overground only. Which didn't take me anywhere useful except back to Clapham Junction, which is where I went. Was lucky enough to stumble on a Waterloo-bound train just as it pulled in. Getting somewhere now. The last leg was to get a bus from Waterloo - but it's only a few stops away, and several buses head that way: unfortunately, from various stops! Thus it was that I ended up scuttling in one direction after another in Waterloo, consulting Google Maps on my phone, adjusting my departure time, and desperately trying to figure out whether I could get to the bus stop in time for whatever it said was coming.
The solution was Stop F, which has three buses that stop at it, all of which head that way, and had buses due in three, and six, minutes. So I took the first one that happened along, got off at Aldwych, and walked ahead, then took the next left onto Drury Lane. Which turns out to be very long, especially when you're in a hurry! Was I ever glad to come across the club. The person checking names was at the top of the stairs this time, checked my name, and stamped my hand with something incomprehensible. Now, I was just in time for the show, pretty much, and it was quite crowded - I couldn't see anyone I knew, so when I found a seat over the side, I just took that. A scrum at the bar made me reluctant to queue for a drink, which meant that, for the first time, I was watching completely sober..
Great show, great audience! After the mc's traditional routine - which regulars will recognise - we opened with the very funny Francis Foster, who played on his Latino heritage, with a mother from Caracas.. to be followed by a clever set from Abigoliah, before the first break. Where the Man with the Hat wandered by (hello!), but there wasn't much point in my moving at that point.
Next pair up were the Malaysian Nigel Ng, who, of course, played up the Malaysian angle, and went down a treat - and Elliot Steel, son of Mark, who did a decent set, buoyed up by the remains of his pint of beer. To be followed by the second break, where the Man with the Hat wandered by again, saw me reading the property pages, and said enough was enough, rescuing me and depositing me among his flock, near the back. (Hello, all!)
A couple I knew next - Josh Robertson, who has a loyal following there, I think, and Bobby Mair, who had fun with a drunk heckler at the back of the right-hand side section. The night ended with someone whose name I can't remember at all, I'm afraid - but like Bobby Mair, he's Canadian. And apart from the drunk guy to the side, the audience proved highly entertaining - well done to all! Poor Josh was stood at the exit, brandishing branded hats, but I don't think he was doing much business..
As usual, we congregated outside afterwards, in the chilly night. Some of our number got caught downstairs, and took an age to get out - and then most didn't feel able to stay, as it had got quite late. So we were a small group, and the Man with the Hat said, well in that case, why not just cross the road, to the Sun? So we did, and got a table in the corner. Under the telly that was showing football. And yes, the men in the group were inspired to discuss that topic. While the ladies sighed pointedly, and discussed - other stuff.
Just what I needed, thanks guys! Handily, on the way home, maximum fare had kicked in (what with my shenanigans earlier), and I got a cheap bus trip, and a free train journey back from Waterloo. Still too late to blog though, being in Guildford again today.
Tonight, I'm back with the Crick Crack Club, for The Grateful and the Dead, their first event in the Arthouse, Crouch End. And the story is being told by the famous Ben Haggerty, no less!
Then I'm back to Ireland for a long weekend, it being my mother's birthday on Monday - I'm taking a couple of days off. (Still haven't got her a card yet!) Anyway, on Saturday we're off to a Mario Lanza tribute at the University Concert Hall, Limerick. Tickets wouldn't display, for some reason - I rang them and got them to print and hold them for us.
I fly back early on Tuesday, because I'm booked with London Dramatic Arts that night, to go to Amadeus, at the National.
Wednesday is something I've been looking forward to for a while - I'm off with London for a Tenner or Less (Funzing, not Man with Hat!) to Step on Board the Haunted Tube Express! Hallowe'en starts here, eh?!
And Thursday of next week is the next of the Man with the Hat's long season at the Opera House, where we're headed to see the comic opera, The Nose. I'm going cheap, as usual, of course, and sitting in the slips, with London for Less Than a Tenner. And wouldn't you know it, that's the day of my second interview..
