Today, Helen and her husband were supposed be in town, but couldn't make it in the end. Never mind, when I checked, Up in the Cheap Seats (UITCS) had posted a new event; Wife is on in the Kiln (which used to be the Tricycle), and - possibly just for today - all tickets bought by yesterday were £10! So I joined them for that - we, of course, picked top price seats, and took up pretty much the whole of the front row of the Circle.
I left work later than intended - felt bad leaving before the boss, you know! Damnit, he would be working late - well, he did come in later than usual. Turned out that the bus journey would take too long, so I went by Tube - damn, it's uncomfortable in this hot weather! Mind you, the Central Line has the reputation as the worst on the network - there was much more space on the Jubilee Line. Still, I was relieved to get off - I was hot, sticky, sweaty, and had one of those coughing fits just as I neared the end of the journey. Dirty looks from the guy down the corridor were not appreciated!
It rained, ever so slightly, as I made my way to the theatre - indeed, I nearly missed the entrance, which I always remember as being discreet. Still, the last time I was there was over three years ago! So it's only natural that I got lost looking for the box office - it's in the same place as before, past the bar. Had an interesting problem collecting my ticket, as the guy asked for my postcode, and recognised neither of the last two - as it happened, the website hadn't let me update my address, which was, of course, that from three years ago. Never mind, I had a screenshot of my order email to show him.
There's some fetching new decor - sadly, I didn't have much time to snap photos. It was remarked, though, that for a multi-million-pound refurbishment, they could have spent something on aircon! It was sweltering in the bar. Mercifully, the aircon was fully functional in the theatre itself.
My cough did flare up a bit, as usual - but I sat on it pretty quickly with those sweets I bought yesterday. Now, this play is an unusual beast - I really don't think the website's description depicts accurately what actually happens. The whole thing revolves around Ibsen's A Doll's House, and yes, starts in 1959, with an unhappily married young woman who falls in love with another woman, starring in a production of it.
However, this is no preparation for what ensues, as we hop through decades and generations, and examine the nature of relationships, and the restrictive nature of marriage through the ages (just like Nora, in A Doll's House). The scenes are played in completely different styles, some of them utterly outrageous. We get some truly odd characters - but always a connection back to the past.
I liked it - I'd thought the first scene was OTT until I realised that it was meant to represent the entire story from that era. And I liked how it returned, at the end, to where it had started. It's a bumpy ride - but an interesting production. Runs till the 6th. Afterwards, back to catch the Tube again - less crowded now, at least - in light rain, which was very refreshing.
Tomorrow, back with UITCS for a performance at Sadler's Wells by the Birmingham Royal Ballet.
On Wednesday, Helen and her husband are joining me for lunch, as they're going on a guided walk that finishes near the office. We considered Byron Burger, but they were completely booked till 2pm - instead, we're headed to Pizza Express, which is more off the beaten track. That evening - not with UITCS!! Instead, I'm back with London Literary Walks - this is The Third Westminster Walk, and on past experience, should be fascinating.
On Thursday - yes of course, back with UITCS.. for On Your Feet at the Coliseum: the musical about Emilio and Gloria Estefan. A couple of people from tonight going. Then I'm back to Ireland for the weekend.
..and then we're into next month! Next Monday, nothing much on Meetup - instead, I got a cheap ticket to some quite local comedy - Catch 22 Years is a WIP by Katie O' Brien, at The Glory.
On the 2nd, I'm headed to a Summer Science Exhibition Late at the Royal Society - adults only. London European Club (LEC) organised an outing - then London Science Events did, too. I decided I'd rather go with the LEC, so haven't RSVPed to London Science Events - they'd only be looking for me if I did. Free, no registration required.
On the 3rd, London Literary Walks is taking us all the way out west - for Strand on the Green.
On the 4th, back with Spooky London - this time, we're off to the Rising Sun. A fascinating part of town, with a ton of history - I've been there a lot, but never been in the actual pub. And with these two events being free as well (not counting drinks!), it'll be a cheap week.
And on the 5th, Helen's in town for a training course. The LEC is taking a group to a flamenco (music only, no dance) concert at Rich Mix, and we're going.
Back with London Dramatic Arts (LDAM) again tonight - well, they did have the cheapest tickets for The Mother, starring Gina McKee and Richard Clothier, and showing at The Tricycle. Actually, they may well have had the only tickets - it's completely sold out now, apart from a fundraiser on Thursday: for which tickets are £100. So mine was a bargain!
The venue website said parking was limited, so I decided not to drive - frankly, a relief after yesterday's exertions! Anyway, it'd be quicker by Overground - which I could get to Brondesbury, just up the road. She'd suggested meeting an hour beforehand for food in the theatre café. Working from home, I had plenty of time to get ready.. so naturally, I ended up rushing. Although I did manage to pick up a Mother's Day card in the shop down the road, en route to Clapham Junction station.
The 6 o'clock train got me to Brondesbury just after 6.30 - and I got a seat fairly soon, all the seated men being guilt-tripped into giving their seats to the standing ladies. Arriving at the station, I turned right and just kept going.. it's not obvious, but is just past Brondesbury Medical Centre. I found my people in the cafe - they'd already ordered food, so I went to the bar and did the same. Once I discovered that food orders had to be given to the person who came out of the kitchen, and drink orders to one of the bar staff.. the food has a Jamaican theme, and I must say that the lamb steak I had was quite excellent. Wine wasn't bad either, although "large" here is only 175ml.
So I ordered another before going in, and had it in a plastic container so I could take it in with me, and not have to rush. And I managed to secure the second-last slice of chocolate cake.. inside, I found myself in the stalls for once, which may be the first time I've managed that! In fact, I was at the end of the row to the side of the stage - practically sitting on the stage. That meant I had a handy railing to lean on.. and having to twist somewhat to see properly wasn't too onerous.
Well, Gina McKee was never really known for playing cheery characters, and this production does nothing to dispel the stereotype. Frankly, the mother she plays is bonkers, which soon becomes obvious, as she harangues her hard-working husband. She's a stay-at-home housewife, now lacking purpose since the kids grew up and left, and her husband is always too busy to pay her attention. She misses her son, who was always her favourite, and who now never returns her messages.
She keeps repeating herself in the first scene.. and repetition soon becomes a feature of the play, as we suddenly see similar events replayed over and over, with a slightly different perspective each time. But which one represents "reality".. and from whose point of view? I found the play very interesting - and I believe The Father, by the same writer, uses a similar style. Runs till the 12th - as I say, sold out apart from the fundraiser.
Afterwards, we again repaired to the café, for drinks - once we finally attracted the attention of the bar staff! And as we gathered around the same table as before, and started to chat about the play, it occurred to me - once again - how fascinating it is that I seem to disagree so completely with the members of this group, on almost everything. I hated The End of Longing - they were perplexed at my reaction. Plays that I love, they tend to disparage. So, had you been there tonight, you'd have heard opinions very different to mine.
And when they were done with that, they carried on to politics (whoopee!). Mercifully, as everyone tonight seemed to share the same opinion on the matter, there was no repeat of the ridiculous tiff over the Brexit that characterised my last trip out with them - a tiff that seems to have passed into group folklore. I bet people haven't heard how childish they were, mind.. No, since they were all in agreement, they moved onto party politics instead.. boy, was I glad when we left!
I'd just missed a train, so had to wait for some minutes - but on the plus side, the train I caught only left me with a five-minute wait for the connecting train to Clapham Junction. And it wasn't quite as cold as it often has been, lately. Tomorrow, I'm headed with them again - for my sins - to Ma Rainey's Black Bottom, at the National. I didn't get my ticket with them - but that's acceptable to her, since her tickets were sold out at the time. So I'm semi-officially going with them. Ironically, they do now have a ticket available, and a better - and cheaper - one than I have. Ah well. I can tell you this much, I've had enough of uncomfortable post-show discussions with them, and if real estate or politics come up again tomorrow night, I'm walking.
On Sunday, none of my Meetup groups had anything interesting, so I'm piggybacking on an event of the Russians in London group - I don't really want to join the group, but the balalaika concert at Rossotrudnichestvo in Kensington sounds interesting, so I'm going to that solo. On Monday, I'm back with LDAM, for a performance of Uncle Vanya, at the Almeida - their second trip, and a Q&A after. (And, of course, I must remember not to post my blog link on the page for any of this group's Meetups.. they have banned me from doing so, after all.)
On Tuesday, I'm back with the Man with the Hat and London for Less Than a Tenner (what a relief, a group that's fun to be around!), for a comedy night for a change, at the Star of Kings. Wednesday, I'm headed to a Trans-Siberian March Band concert at Rich Mix, with the London European Club - again, I was interested in going with LDAM that night, but they're going to the St. James Theatre, whose legroom is a bit tight for me; I did ask whether she had any aisle seats, but by the time she got back to me, I'd found this other event. What the hey, Miss Atomic Bomb didn't sound great anyway.
On Thursday, I'm back at Rich Mix for a concert by Iness Mezel. - I've signed up for that jointly with London European Club and the World Music Meetup. Then it's back to Ireland for the weekend again.. we're off to the final night of the Clare Drama Festival on the Saturday, in my old school - followed by the Crick Crack Club on the 14th, who are back at Soho Theatre for an evening of storytelling entitled UniVerse - as ever with these, booking essential; they always sell out. On the 15th, I'm with Let's Do London - for Less! (the Man with the Hat's other group) again, as they head to Cyrano de Bergerac at Southwark Playhouse - another of the Man with the Hat's preferred venues, and another good one.
On the 16th, I got a cheap ticket to a concert by the Coppell High School Band, at the Central Hall, Westminster. A new venue for me! Cool, I do like to keep discovering them. On the 17th, Kensington Classical Music is off to a concert by the Trio Isimsiz - you had to get your own ticket, though, then pay extra to join the group at the concert. Huh. I'll avoid them, and the extra charge - have to be discreet though, I believe it's a small room! It's at the 1901 Arts Club - another first for me.
On the 18th, I'm joining Spooky London for their monthly spooky pub night! Wherever it is. If I actually go. And on the 19th, I'm back with the Crick Crack Club, for an event entitled Seven Princesses - at Rich Mix, which will be my first event there with them.
So, when I was looking for something for tonight, I first checked Meetup. The most interesting things on were a couple of plays - but both were with groups that charge membership fees, with no obvious benefits. So, instead, I bought myself a ticket to the one that sounded more interesting - After Electra, at the Tricycle.
It's a while since I've been there, so I had to check the route - Overground to Brondesbury, then turn right and it's a very short walk. I checked what time I'd have to set out, and did indeed set out at about that time - hurrying, in case the train was early. I'd left it a bit tight, so getting stuck behind a large group of old age pensioners on the narrow pavement leading to West Brompton wasn't ideal - and I couldn't even go around them, because protective barriers line the path, surrounding a large hole that they've dug! When we got to the station, the path widened, I got past, and mercifully the Overground entrance was open for once, which made my way a bit less stressful, as it saved me several seconds of going around. Indeed, the train was pulling in as I descended the stairs. And that was lucky, because it was the last one that would have got me there in time!
The train was unusually uncrowded, and I got a seat straight away, sat and read the paper I'd picked up, in brilliant sunshine. I'd forgotten how quick it is - we were at Brondesbury within 20 minutes. Turn right upon exit and keep walking - you'll see a building ahead with "Brondesbury Medical Centre" on the side; it's just past that.
Once inside, I was a bit disorientated, as they've redecorated. For instance, I might be wrong, but I don't remember the colourful carpet from before:
More to the point, it's confusing to find the box office. I knew it was to the left as you enter from that side, but I don't remember the "Cinema" sign that points that way. (I was at the cinema here once, mind, so I should have remembered it's beside the box office.) Anyway, I collected my ticket, giving my postcode as identification, then proceeded to the auditorium, where I was told to proceed up the stairs. Rather uninformative, as the stairs lead first to the stalls, then to the balcony, where I was. But I've been here before, and soon found my seat - nice, plush velveteen bench seating. My seat was pretty much dead centre. I was also to discover that there was practically nobody else in my row, so I could spread out comfortably on either side.
The reviews of this play agree that it's hilarious, if contrived. "Contrived" has never been a problem for me - actually, thinking back, I think it's an unfair description of this play anyway. "Hilarious", though, is spot-on. It's basically the story of a fiesty old woman who decides she's going to commit suicide, regardless of the objections of her family. It turns a bit darker in the second half, but there's plenty of humour here, albeit much of it black!
The script absolutely sparkles. And, as that review remarked, it's great to see such great roles for older women. But don't go to see it because of that - go to see it because it is damn funny. Runs until 2 May. Highly recommended, and a good choice on my part. Mind you, it was freezing coming back, and the train that was scheduled for 9.58 downstairs at the station was scheduled for 10.03 upstairs, and finally arrived at 10.09. Brr! Mercifully, we didn't have to wait more than a few minutes when changing at Willesden Junction, although in the cold, it felt like an eternity.
Well, tomorrow night is that talk on Palestinian cinema, hosted at Soho House by the Film Nite Meetup group. This is the event with the £35 wine and canapé reception afterwards! But you know what? I guess I wasn't the only one who didn't think that was worth it, because last night, the organiser sent an email to members saying that because it was his birthday, the first 10 people to pay for the meeting (including those who'd already paid) could go to the reception for free. Methinks he hasn't seen much cash yet! So anyway, I was the first to pay, as it happens - which means I get to go to the reception. Which is nice, because this is a private venue and I haven't been before - it'll be nice to see more of it. (I suspect the birthday boy will make quite a loss on this event - I'm sure hire of the venue didn't come cheap.) Meanwhile, on Wednesday, I'm signed up for a walk with a horsey theme, in the City, with the Central London Outdoor Group.
I'm always worried about highly rated Indian films - they're generally overrated. Same goes for films about worthy causes, good projects and so on - the rating tends to reflect the worthiness of the subject matter, not the quality of the film. But I tend to give them the benefit of the doubt, which is why I went to see Lakshmi today - the opening gala film of the London Asian Film Festival, showing at the Tricycle. Subject matter: based on real-life stories, this film tells the story of a 13-year-old girl, kidnapped from her village and sold to a brothel in Hyderabad.
I've been to the Tricycle a couple of times before, and took the Overground straight there. Unfortunately, it was closed today - planned engineering works. As my flatmate remarked when I complained to him, it's always the Overground or the District Line! Well, my alternative route was to trek to Earl's Court again and take the Piccadilly Line - again - to Green Park, then change to the Jubilee Line, and take that to Kilburn. Which is just up the road from the Overground station I would normally have gone to. So, not that much extra trouble, except for the change of trains, and the extra charge for going through Zone 1. Mind you, I was lucky - the Jubilee Line was out of action until 11 o'clock this morning!
Again, I had time for a banana before I left. And thus began a long journey - nearly an hour. Kilburn, when I got there, was bathed in sunlight - temperatures seem to be recovering again. The closer entrance to the Tricycle is the rear entrance, so I missed coming in on the red carpet they'd laid down! There were also posters, information leaflets, and some women who'd made a real effort, wearing elaborate saris and shalwar kameez. And they'd laid on free snacks and wine! Now, that's what I call a film festival! So I had a bhaji and a small glass of wine - figured I'd better not have too much, given that my food of the day so far had consisted of a banana and a bhaji!
When the screen opened, I took my seat, which was lovely and comfy. It occurred to me that the only previous time I've been in the cinema part of this complex was for a Jewish film festival. Well, I suppose it would take a festival to get me up here for a film! Anyhow, after some brief speechifying, the lights darkened. And after protracted advertising for Oxfam, the film finally began.
In short, it's overrated. It's an ok film, but not a great film. The acting is pretty ho-hum in general, the direction is lacking. Which is a real pity, because the story is gripping, and the film does pick up as the tension ratchets up towards the end. You can see where they were going with this - they just didn't quite get there. It deserves its 18 rating all right, for the abuse scenes, and it's almost a good film. Just, as I say, not quite. And I didn't bother to stay for the director's Q+A.
I ate in Nando's on the way back, as I usually do when I'm in Kilburn. I love the fact that, no matter how often you use your points to get free food, they never take them away! They just keep increasing. So that was a cheap meal then - just pay for a drink and sides. Mind you, this branch is primarily for takeaways, which is what the staff focus on - I was left waiting more than half an hour for my food, and when it arrived, the mash was almost cold. Meantime, with my phone battery dead and not having thought to bring reading material, I was left with nothing more to do than stare at all the tables that hadn't been cleared yet. And weren't, while I was waiting. Neither did anyone come to me while I was eating, to ask me how it was - as they're supposed to. You're supposed to order dessert at your table, and I would have - but didn't fancy my chances of anyone ever coming near me, so I just left.
Guildford tomorrow, an early start and a late return, so I won't be going to anything tomorrow night. Top of my film list for Tuesday is a sci-fi, unusually - nice to see a good one released. Edge of Tomorrow is rating consistently highly, and showing in my local cinema, goodee. The ones with an unusual plot tend to rate highly, and to be good - this one has Tom Cruise fighting the alien invaders, but apparently there's some facility whereby he can go back and do it again and again till he gets it right, a la Groundhog Day. Emily Blunt is his trainer, or something, who keeps making him do it over until it works out. In order to repeat, however, he has to die. So she has the job of shooting him in the head, if something else doesn't get him first. What fun! We can all vicariously live out our kill-Tom-Cruise fantasies! And apparently he takes it all in good humour. There is, apparently, as one reviewer described it, a completely unnecessary sexual frisson between them, but it doesn't distract too much. We also have Bill Paxton as his master sergeant, and Brendan Gleeson as the general. Sounds like fun..
There were a couple of other things I might have gone to yesterday, but they were sold out, so I ended up reducing my film list again. Calais: the Last Border, this time. Showing with a short film by the same director, Lift. In the Tricycle cinema, which is in the same building as the theatre - I've been to the theatre before, not the cinema, here.
You can get there straight on the Overground. Well, when I say straight.. you'd better have a copy of the timetable. Fortunately, I do, having learned the value of it the hard way. So I could see that the direct trains had stopped running for the day (the Overground timetable isn't nearly as frequent or convenient as the Tube). In fact, my flatmate hates the Overground for that reason, and I must say he has a point. And so I could see that, although Google Maps promised I could make the journey in 24 minutes, in order to get there for 8.45 I'd have to leave in time to catch the Overground at 8.08. So I'd really need to leave around 8.05 - 40 minutes beforehand. Good to know these things.
After a delicious meal at home - Tesco Finest range does a terrific beef wellington - it was a rush to catch the Overground. Just as well I hurried along, the train was pulling in as I was crossing the footbridge. I panted my way onboard and made it in time to the cinema.
It's the same box office as for the theatres, and I could see the cinema sign pointing down a flight of stairs just past the box office. Where I queued, while a couple of ladies tried to buy tickets for Philomena, which they swore the website said was showing that night. Tsk if it did, that's not good! Can't vouch for it myself, I was here to see something else. Anyway, I eventually bought my ticket and went downstairs.
'Tis a lovely cinema. Quite large, and on this occasion, quite empty. Turned out I was attending the UK Jewish Film Festival. Ooh. Some people were handing out questionnaires about the festival, but resolutely ignored me. Hmph. And so the films duly started.
Lift came first. It's a half-hour film where the director stands in a lift, in a block of flats in London, and films people that travel in the lift. Apparently, it was his first film. And it's really good! Starts weirdly, with people looking at him most suspiciously and some refusing to travel, most who do enter the lift not looking at or speaking to him. But he seems to have spent some time there, and it's really interesting to see the same people eventually open up to him and start to chat. And they're interesting folks. I do recommend this, if you come across it.
Calais: the Last Border follows the same idea of interviewing strangers. Not in a lift this time, but around Calais. Filmed 10 years ago, people interviewed include refugees trying to get to England, and Brits trying to make a life for themselves in Calais. It's about an hour long, this one, and again, interesting. I like this guy's interviewing style, he really gets you involved in these people's stories. I'd love to know what happened to them afterwards. Like his subjects in Lift, they were all in transit, and this was a snapshot of their lives. The Afghan whose entire family was killed, and nowhere would do him for asylum but the UK. The Jamaican who had a Eurolines ticket to London, but they stopped him at the border and now there was no bus back to Brussels, where he lived. The Lithuanian who couldn't get to the UK, and now didn't have enough money to get home, so a fellow passenger made up the difference. The Brits, trollies laden with crates of cheap booze, complaining about foreigners making things harder for them. Steve, who'd tried opening a bar in Calais but it wasn't working for him and he finally packed the family into the campervan and headed for an uncertain future in Spain. The elderly couple with a failing tourism business, who were in terrible financial trouble and talking about taking an overdose. It's all here.
Afterwards, there was a Q+A. Now, this was the third Q+A I've been to recently. What I'm used to with these is audience members asking questions. Hmm. What we had in this case was the director (a Jewish chap, which is how he got into the festival) being asked questions by the presenter. Long, academic-style questions. I figured, after a couple, he'd turn to the audience. There was a lady in the front who had her hand up nearly from the start. Well, after half an hour of this interview, just this guy asking questions, the director pointed to the lady in front and remarked that he thought this lady was dying to ask a question. "O yes, of course!" exclaimed the presenter. "I did mean to ask for other questions, I wasn't just going to blabber on.." Yeah. Right. Anyway, her question and the director's answer took another ten minutes. I was beginning to wonder how long this was going to go on for - these things usually have a limit. And then, with no more audience questions forthcoming, the presenter launched into another speech. And he was going off the topic of the film, going into the director's Jewish background and trying to relate that to the film. Scraping the bottom of the barrel, I'd call it. BORING! With an eye on the clock for the last train, I left as soon as he started again. Made the next-to-last train to Willesden Junction, and had a 20-minute wait for the train to West Brompton. Which gave me time to go to the toilet, which I might add was not the cleanest. At least there was toilet paper, I suppose. And then I got home, called my mother, and by that stage it was too late to blog - hence the delay.
Tonight, it's my turn to go to Philomena! (Would have gone to The Geographer Drank His Globe Away, but it sold out again.) Apparently, Philomena is causing a terrible ruckus in Ireland, due, doubtless, to its subject matter of an unmarried woman who has a baby boy that the nuns sell to an American couple for adoption. Fifty years later, she tells someone about it and they suggest she go looking for her son. Based on a true story, and starring Dame Judi Dench as the woman in question, and Steve Coogan as the journalist who takes on the story. Well, we'll soon see what all the fuss is about. Heading to my new nearest cinema, Cineworld Fulham, which I can walk to, or get the bus if the weather is grotty. Tomorrow, I'm going to Blam! - a Sadler's Wells production. About time - it's ages since I was at a dance production. Looking forward to it. And on Thursday, the plan is to go on another guided walk - not sure which yet. I'm taking Friday off, so might get to something in the afternoon before I fly back to Ireland for the weekend - we'll see!
As I thought, the Tricycle is the theatre that's confusing on Google Maps Streetview, because there's a huge sign advertising it, with what looks like an entrance underneath - but the actual entrance is a couple of doors down. Not an issue when you're actually there, since you can't see the sign!
I was in less of a hurry this time than the last time I was here, and had a little chance to look around. There seem to be two stages, and there's a cinema. A large bar area that serves food - which I could have done with, I hadn't had time to eat before coming. Not enough time for that though, so I just took my seat. I was in the second row from the back, on the balcony - the seating is erected on scaffolding, and a bar did cross my line of vision to the rear of the stage, but didn't impede my view of the front, or my enjoyment of the show. From their accents, I noticed a lot of Americans in the audience, as people took their seats.
Handbagged is a comedy about the relationship between the sovereign and the Iron Lady. The cast consists of six actors - two for each of the ladies, and two gents. Each of the Queen and Maggie is depicted by two people - an older and younger version, dressed in similar colours (Maggie, appropriately, in shades of blue), with the actions carried out by the younger versions and the older women providing commentary. Each male actor plays a variety of characters.
Well, it's hilarious! It's also a history lesson - Maggie was PM for 11 years, and oversaw some dramatic political developments - but it's history lite. The fourth wall is frequently breached, and the youngest actor keeps reminding the others that the younger audience members don't necessarily know these things, and are not necessarily interested in the longwinded version. It's laugh-out-loud funny, all the big historical events are given a nod, and my! but the voices are terrific. Maggie's, in particular, is so realistic it's chilling. Literally chilling - I remember hearing her on telly when I was growing up, and knowing what she was responsible for, and how much hatred was directed at her, that voice always sent a shiver down my spine. Tonight, we could laugh at it. It's safe to, now.
I like the Metro's review - A clever, mischievous little pleasure with the sharp teeth of a kicked corgi. Extended until November 16. Go on, take yourself up to Kilburn and give yourself a treat, if you get the chance!
Didn't fancy a big meal on the way out, but then I saw a Chicken Cottage just past the station, so I popped in there and had one of their excellent grilled 1/2 chickens. It's been an age since I ate there! Meant I had a chilly wait between trains on the way home, but it was worth it. And now I know where the waiting room is at Willesden Junction.
So, I'm back to Ireland for the weekend. Looking at a film called Ida for next Monday, then it's Black Jesus on Tuesday. Back to Ireland for the ballet of Cinderella, and two operas, Aida and Nabucco. And the London Dungeon on the 29th. And our office Christmas party is on the 20th December. We're having Christmas Dinner at the Greenhills hotel, Limerick. And that's all I've booked for this year. So far!
So, last night I went to see The Match Box, at the Tricycle Theatre in Kilburn. About time I finally got here, it's appeared in listings for ages. Also, conveniently, accessible on the Overground, thus avoiding the expense of Zone 1. Leave Brondesbury Station, turn right, it's a short walk. Fortunately, I left time, given the warning email (!) I received from the box office manager after I booked, reminding me of the start time and emphasising that, because of the intimate nature of the performenace, latecomers would NOT be admitted. So I wasn't late.
Confusing entrance on this side. Apparently there's another entrance, handier if you're coming from the Tube; I think this is the entrance pictured on the website, and it looks easier to spot. Coming from the Overground, you see a big sign for the Tricycle, and a porch underneath. No, this is NOT the entrance! Not to the theatre, anyway, but to a private estate. Hmm. so I carried on another bit, and spotted a much less conspicuous entrance a couple of doors down. Hmm. They could work on that. Then, there is a box office on that side, but there was a sign on the shutter saying it was closed, and to go to the box office at the other entrance. Which I had to ask directions to. Easy when you know how, just turn left down the corridor - but still, a confusing start.
Flirty guy at the box office asked me what I was a doctor of. "Statistics" is a real conversation killer, let me tell you. The seating in this theatre is constructed from scaffolding with seats on it. Nonetheless, the seats are the comfiest I've sat on. Legroom not the best tho, but not too bad. The show itself is a one-woman show. As someone remarked on the way out, "I don't know how they can make anyone do that." 1hr 45mins, no interval. Irish playwright. Other comments on the way out were mostly one-word. "Amazing." "Intense." "Astonishing." "Mesmerising." I can add another - "Stunning". She's a one-woman tour de force. I don't know which to praise more highly - her or the writing. I have said before that Mies Julie is the best show in town currently - I can now say it has a rival. Go see - and book, it was full last night. Runs until 1 June. And make sure to arrive on time! although they did start a bit late.
With no interval (I love that, it gives you more time to do other things with your night) I was finished early, and hungry, and there are many eateries on the short walk between the Tricycle and the Overground station, but Nando's caught my eye. I love Nando's - the food is good, the vibe is good, and it's a bit quicker because you take your initial order to the till and pay on the spot. And it's reasonably priced. And they have the most to-die-for chocolate (choc-a-lot) cake. Which I had last night, and finally realised the value of cream with your meal, the chocolate was so dark. The garlic bread was a bit tough, but otherwise an excellent meal, and hence the reason I didn't have time to write this last night. It was late when I got home, what with having to wait 20mins for a train at Willesden Junction, which, I must admit, is a trainspotter's paradise, you can see so many different platforms.
Off to Travels With my Aunt, by Graham Greene, tonight at the Menier Chocolate Factory (no, they don't give you a free chocolate), of which the review points out that the first remarkable thing about it is the absence of an aunt. Finally got a ticket for Merrily We Roll Along for tomorrow night, booking must be slowing. It was completely sold out all last month. Harold Pinter theatre again, yuck. Worst legroom of anywhere I've been. Will not go upstairs at this theatre because of this, it has to be stalls. The rear stalls are blighted by a pair of pillars in the way, so I spent ages trying to decide whether to go for the best, cheapest option, an end seat in the very last row - or go up to a higher price band for a seat further forward. Plumped for the last row in the end. Deciding on a film for Thursday, Star Trek Into Darkness is the highest rated, at 8.4/10 on IMDB. So that was a cert. Booked, as it's in the Odeon and I have membership, so cheaper if I book. Aren't I the organised one?
