Six, the Musical

Tonight, I finally went to Six, the Musical! Based around the story of the six wives of Henry VIII (very loosely), it's playing at the Vaudeville and I heard good things. Cheapest tickets from Leicester Square Box Office.

Several buses could take me within spitting distance - I took the first direct one that arrived. Along the way, passed the same protest that had passed my flat - not once, but twice during the day!

Anti-fossil fuels, apparently. I can only assume the all walked or cycled there.. When I got off the bus, had to walk up Strand - and as I did, I thought, why don't I try the Lyceum? They have a dining room upstairs. Up I went, discovered that the tables had numbers but no menus - they were in a pile on the bar, looking underused. Well, I picked a table and - as instructed - placed my order at the bar. Got a large white wine while I was at it.

I had it practically drunk before my order arrived. I mean, I'd ordered a starter as well - garlic bread - but they treated it as a side, and I literally got nothing to eat for 45 minutes. I even overheard the girl behind the bar checking with the kitchen that they hadn't forgotten my pie, as a pie had also gone out with a couple of other dishes in another order.. I was worried about making my show, until I checked the ticket and realised it wasn't until 8! First thing I did when the food arrived was to get a refill. And if they were cooking it from fresh, they needn't have bothered - I had a pie whose crust was like cardboard, and the garlic bread was tough as well. I doused the whole lot in the gravy supplied - so different from last night! The whole thing was edible - but bland. Obviously, by the time I'd finished that, I didn't have time to check whether dessert was the same. I wouldn't eat here again - service is friendly, but the food isn't worth the horrendous wait.

At the theatre, of course, I was in the highest level, up a ridiculous number of stairs - the usher who greeted me as I came off the stairs asked whether I was OK. Happily, when I went in, I didn't have far to go - I was in the second row from the back, where I entered. At the end of the row, in the interests of legroom.

So. All six wives appear simultaneously in spangly outfits, perform dance numbers - and each gets a chance to outdo the others in the misery of her story, as told in song. I was right, it's not historically accurate - but at least it distinguishes among them. The songs are catchy. And, eh, that's all I can find to say about it. I'm not into the rap style they use, you see. And, would you believe.. when they've all finished their story.. that's it! 70 minutes runtime. For goodness' sake - at least I got home early! Booking until 2 April next year. For those interested. 

Tomorrow, back with Civilised London, who are off to the opera at the Southbank Centre. The show in question is The Paradis Files. On Thursday, I'm back to Ireland for Easter - but left it so late to book, I could only get an afternoon flight - no problem getting the day off work though!

Now, the cinema listings are finally out for Ireland for the next week. Four films I might be interested in, and only one showing in the Omniplex in the afternoon. So I've booked that one for Sunday - it's The Lost City, and stars Channing Tatum, Sandra Bullock, Brad Pitt, and Daniel Radcliffe in another of those lost-city-in-the-jungle capers.

The other three only have afternoon showings in Ennis - so, it's there I'm bound. They charge for booking, so I haven't. I have six days in which to see them - watch this space as to when that'll be. In descending order of rating, they are:

The Northman, a Viking caper about a young prince whose father, the King, is murdered, so it falls to the lad to avenge him. Nicole Kidman is the Queen, and it also stars Alexander Skarsgård, Ethan Hawke, Willem Dafoe, and Björk.

Operation Mincemeat stars the ever-dependable Colin Firth, Matthew Macfadyen, and Penelope Wilton in a comedy based on the true story of how, during WWII, they put the Nazis off the scent by handcuffing a case of fake "secret" papers to a corpse, and letting it be found. They've made a play about this too, you know!

Finally, Morbius is another of those superhero things - an antihero, rather. Jared Leto is the hapless biochemist who accidentally turns himself into a vampire - with all the powers that entails. Also stars Michael Keaton.

Well, my friend got back to me - they're away in the middle of next week, back on the 21st, so the most sensible thing to do seemed to be to visit on the 22nd, which I've now arranged with her. Happily, my boss was also fine with me taking that week as holiday. Anyway, I'll fly back to London on the 24th. And on the 25th, I'm off to The Corn is Green, at the National.

Play: Groan Ups

Last night, Up in the Cheap Seats (UITCS) was back with Groan Ups, at the Vaudeville. Another of those e-tickets that just says "print at home" - nothing about showing it on your phone. And again, my connection to the work printer isn't working - and, as usual, IT couldn't be bothered. It was easier just to ask the theatre whether it was ok to have it on my phone - and, as usual, they emailed back pretty quickly to say yes, that was just fine.

It was also just close enough to the office to walk - honestly, the bus wouldn't have been much quicker! Since the rain had stopped - for the day, as it turned out - off I set. And it was so entertaining, trying to cross at the lights - which were in my favour - while a whole stream of cyclists tried to cut through the pedestrians, not only running a red light that was against them, but dinging their bells at us as well, for having the temerity to be in their way! I really do think a lot of them don't actually know that they're supposed to obey any rules.. Next, I was squeezing past a continual stream of what looked like tour groups of teenagers. I'm not surprised people choose not to walk.

Finally, a cursory bag check, and a long climb of the stairs to the Upper Circle (Grand Circle) - I felt like I'd been through the mill by the time I got to the Grand Circle bar, where we were meeting. And I got a whole pack of people exclaiming that they hadn't seen me in an age! Mmm, well, read the archive - I do get around! Been doing a lot on my own, too, of course. One of the group, I last saw on the 3rd: another on the 30th: a couple more on the 2nd of last month: another couple on the 29th of July: and true for one of those who said it to me, I haven't seen her since the 15th of July! Ah well.. I always show up eventually.

So, not too restricted a view from the end of Row C in the top level - I did have to lean to the side every now and again, which was fine as the seat beside me was empty. And although I'd stumped for an aisle seat, legroom was ok too.

So, this is by the Mischief Theatre Company, which has some great comedic theatre under its belt. None of us really knew what to expect - so here's a brief overview. It starts as if you're in school assembly - then the curtain opens to reveal a schoolroom, everything oversized, indicating that our five heroes are teeny people. We get an opening scene there, then one with smaller furniture, and now they're teens, with teenage angst and romance on their minds. After the interval, they're back and all grown up, and reconvene in the classroom for a reunion.

In short, this improves as it goes on. The assembly bit at the very start didn't work much for me at all - but it's short. The scene with them as juniors is better (watch out for the hilarious description of what they did at the weekend, with one describing what daddy did with the cleaner), but it's when they're teens that you can get into more complicated themes, and it gets more interesting. Sure enough, it's in the second act that they get up to their full potential, with an eye-wateringly funny, madcap reunion scene. Reminds you why this company is so good!

Love the attention to detail, in particular - keep an eye out on stage, there's a lot of added extras. The characters' personalities are carried well through the whole span of the show - and jeez, I think we all agreed that the star of the show isn't even human! Runs till 1st December, recommended. And no hamsters were harmed in the making of this production. I think.

Afterwards, it was a short walk to the bus stop, and a long, long wait for the bus home - eight different ones stop there, and I swear, each of them came (several times) before mine! Anyway, it ran too late to blog last night.

Tonight, Love London Theatre, Arts, Music & Stuff (LLTAMS) is at Our Lady of Kibeho, at the Theatre Royal Stratford. Ahah, I knew I'd booked something else with them! Another palaver with me having to check whether I can present the ticket on my phone - yes I can. And perhaps I've been around there enough now that I shan't get lost..!

Tomorrow, I booked for the matinee of Glass. Kill. Bluebeard. Imp. at the Royal Court. Excellent review in yesterday's paper. And then Civilised London (CL) organised an outing to see London Concertante perform the Four Seasons at Southwark Cathedral. What the hey, I figure I can make both! It's ages since I heard it, in fact.. and it'll be a nostalgic trip for me, as my very first Meetup with the Man with the Hat was to listen to Concertante in Southwark Cathedral. He's much missed.

Sunday is film. What came up top was - appropriately for the weather - something for the last day of the Raindance Festival, at the Vue Piccadilly. Booking seems to be on the Raindance website, rather than the Vue's - tickets with Eventbrite. And I'm going to Babysplitters - a comedy about two couples who can't decide whether they want a baby, so decide to have one they can split amongst them all! Since tickets are only available until tomorrow, I'd have had to book anyway - so I just went ahead and booked straight away.

On Monday, I'm back with UITCS for Ballet Preljocaj - La Fresque at Sadler's Wells.

On Tuesday, we have a slightly delayed September social for ex-employees (and current, if they want) of the company I last worked for - Ivan is away till Sunday, and of course I'm busy on Monday. So, on Tuesday we're headed to Imperial China - the new Chinese restaurant I discovered via CL. Booked for six people, it probably won't exceed that. Getting an answer out of people is predictably difficult.

On Wednesday, I'm headed to The Merry Wives of Windsor, at the Globe.

On Thursday, I'm back with CL - this should be interesting. Red Palace is an immersive cabaret experience - lots of fairytale characters, I believe - at the Vaults. And I really hope the weather is ok, because I sourced the most fantastic outfit for it..! Then I'm back to Ireland for the weekend - the start of another brief hiatus from Meetup.

On the 7th, I'm off to Shushkin's Stories, at the Barbican. Performed in Russian, with English surtitles, it's a dramatisation of the short stories of Vasily Shushkin.

On the 8th, off to Wilton's, for Lady of Jazz.

On the 9th, heading to the Turbine Theatre, for Torch Song. This is the inaugural show at the new theatre in the revamped Battersea Power Station!

On the 10th, back with Meetup - North London Friends is off to A History of Water in the Middle East, at the Royal Court. Another where I got my ticket from the organiser.

On the 11th, back with UITCS - to Southwark Playhouse this time, for Preludes. D' you know, I bought their passport a while ago, which entitles you to cheap tickets to five shows - and of the last three I booked, something else came up for every single one! Hope I make this one..

On the 12th, seeing the matinee of Solaris at the Lyric Hammersmith. Turns out that both UITCS and LLTAMS are going - so I booked with both! Why not? Each requires you to buy your own ticket. And since only the organiser and I are going from LLTAMS, what it effectively means is that I'm slipping her into the UITCS group. What harm..

On the 13th, joining the London Improvisation Community Group for the first time - they have a show called Happily Never After at the Pleasance - part of the London Horror Festival.

On the 14th, I'm seeing Mother of Him, at the Park.

On the 15th, UITCS is off to the Albert Hall for Symphonic Queen - the Royal Philharmonic is performing Queen.

Then begins a long period of non-Meetup stuff. On the 16th, I'm heading to the ballet Manon, at the Opera House.

On the 17th, the Crick Crack Club (CCC) is back at Rich Mix, with Melusine. TUUP is the headliner on this occasion, which should be terrific!

On the 18th, Helen's in town, heading to a Midge Ure concert at the Palladium - we're meeting for dinner beforehand. Now, that's the day I should be flying back to Ireland - so I'm going the next day instead. And with my mother's birthday during the week - and not having any major holidays booked - I said, why not just take the week off and spend it in Ireland? So I am.

On the 28th of next month, the CCC is back again - Ben Haggarty is in Soho Theatre with Grim Grimms - a dark take on fairytales, highlighting four lesser-known tales of the brothers Grimm. With musical accompaniment. Tickets weren't available when I noted this in my calendar - they are now, and will likely sell out.

On the 29th of next month, I'm trying to persuade the aforementioned social group from my former company to come with me to a Design My Night event - Fright Night Cinema is showing Hallowe'en in the Rivoli ballroom, with a themed cocktail bar and people dressed in spooky costumes. Now, that sounds like fun..

On the 30th of next month, back with Meetup at last - UITCS is at a mixed programme by Birmingham Royal Ballet, at Sadler's Wells. I've seen part of it before, and it's excellent.

And for Hallowe'en, The Embers Collective stepped up to the plate, with a storytelling performance called Witch, at The Jago.

Play: True West

Tonight, LDN Talks @ Night and London Speaks Sessions (both Funzing) advertised a "Winterville" talk on The Science of Santa, where you get the scientific explanation of how he does it. Taking place at The Windmill. However, seems they meant last night, when of course I was busy. So instead I went to True West, with Kit Harington, at the Vaudeville. Cheapest tickets from the venue.

There was an evening demo at work, but I just cried off. Left a bit early - but the 243 bus was delayed, so I hopped around the corner and caught the 76. I was delighted to get one a bit earlier than I was supposed to need - the more particularly so when we hit really heavy traffic on Strand, so that the driver let me off before the stop at all!

 

Well, I scurried down as fast as I could, with the crowds - got my ticket and puffed up to the Upper Circle (as booked), or Grand Circle (as advertised when you get there). I've been here before, but not usually this far forward - decent view, if high up, but I must say, awful legroom. I have had worse, but hardly ever - I had to position my feet in the gaps between the seats in front of me if I wanted to point them forward, and my legs had to be at a 90 degree angle. I had to get up if I wanted to reach my bag, pushed under my tilt seat!

Kit Harington is onstage before the start, sat at a table, poring over his writings. He's a screenwriter, you see - a prim, bespectacled chap, looking after his mother's place while she's on holiday. Enter his wild, no-good, deadbeat brother, determined to distract him, in between robberies around the neighbourhood. Exuding menace, he paints an unappealing picture. Then he bursts in on a meeting that the educated, screenwriting brother has with a film producer - arranges a meeting with him for himself, and says he has a story to pitch him. Lordy if the producer doesn't go for it, dropping the other brother's story! This, you see, is a nostalgic story of the Old West, of a sort that the producer doesn't think gets made anymore..

So, enter the second half and the roles are completely reversed! The screenwriting brother has given up, deciding to have a go at his wilder brother's life - the wild brother, in contrast, with a fat advance in his sights, is irritated at the distraction as he tries to write a screenplay! As the play comes to a close, we see these contrasting characters first swap roles, then gradually come together - seems they weren't so different from each other after all, as the walls literally open to a wider perspective. Actually, the whole second half is a laugh-riot; it's hilarious to watch the serious brother cut loose, and the scene with the toasters is just perfect slapstick.

I loved it. Delighted to have that reaction too, as I wasn't as enthused about the last play of Sam Shepard's that I saw - Buried Child didn't quite grab me as much. Runs till the 23rd of February - recommended. Of course, you can't please all of the people all of the time, and the lady behind me remarked to her companion that "good actors don't make a good play"! Ah well. Coincidentally, I was reading my paper at the interval, and just came to the article about the play.. I finished it on the bus back. And it was interesting to get another point of view. 

Tomorrow, Hazel of Walks, Talks and Treasure Hunts, London Guided Walks (and, indeed, Walking in London) has a Christmas Carol Tour. Now, the last two events I booked with her turned out to be no-shows.. the first might not have been her fault, as she was advertising someone else's event, but the second, she just missed the ball on and left three of us standing on a street corner. Whether this event happens is anyone's guess! Now, it's technically more expensive if you book on Funzing - but if you had my discount (Funzing_Fb20) ;-) it came down to the same price she charges on her own site, without the booking fee! So I did it that way. (Mind you, they finally seem to think that code has been used too much, and it no longer seems to work.) But then Henning, with the London European Club, advertised a Happy Xmaths evening at Imperial College, the same night! Festive fun for maths geeks. Plus it's free - you just have to register with Eventbrite. (I see London Social Detours is also doing it now - for a fee. Funny, I wouldn't have put her down as mathsy! Oh, also London Science and Geek Chic Socials.) Anyway, I thought it'd be great to get back with this group. And since I booked the walk with Funzing, I've cancelled and will get a full refund. And I feel no sadness at missing an evening with Hazel, after what's been happening. But gee, this evening is proving to be one of the more popular- now a colleague has booked it for his leaving do. So I'm now going to that instead. Nibbles arranged at The Enterprise.  

On Friday, back with Up in the Cheap Seats (UITCS) at the Royal Court, for The Cane. Got the very last ticket, phew! although it seems at least one person did manage it after me.

On Saturday, with them again at the Orange Tree Theatre for The Double Dealer.

On Sunday, the Crick Crack Club is back at the British Museum for I Know Not, a full afternoon of Sufi legend.

On Monday, I'm off to the Bridge Theatre for A Very, Very, Very Dark Matter, by Martin McDonagh. Starring Jim Broadbent, this is a dark take on Hans Christian Anderson! Our new starter saw it recently, and proclaimed it "weird". Well, weird is good. North London Friends are going as well - but they'll be sat down in the stalls. I hope I get to chat a bit with them - they're a lovely group, and I don't meet them enough.

On Tuesday, I was going with them to The Convert, at the Young Vic. Discounted top-price seats, it seems! And then, the Crick Crack Club sent around an advertising email - and damnit if they haven't arranged a meeting that night! The House of Nine Lives is at the British Library, and has Nell Phoenix, Tim Ralphs, and TUUP talking about pussycats. Irresistible. Just got word last night that my ticket for the play has been sold on, so I'll get a refund - good stuff.

Next Wednesday is our office Christmas party, but Let's Do This has advertised a Christmas dinner- which sounds a more attractive prospect. So I'm doing that instead. Places filled up quickly with regulars. The boss has asked me to drop by if we finish early, and it's not far away, so I'll try to do that.

On the 13th, I'm thrilled to be going to Matthew Bourne's Swan Lake, at Sadler's Wells, with UITCS. He's a fantastic choreographer, but I've never before gotten around to seeing this all-male version. Then I'm back to Ireland for the weekend again. 

And on the 17th, the Crick Crack Club is performing Gilgamesh, at Soho Theatre. With Ben Haggerty in the spotlight, this will be a treat! Sold out, of course - you have to book these things early. Meeting Helen for a meal beforehand.

Play: An Ideal Husband

The next two days, back again with Up in the Cheap Seats: tonight was for An Ideal Husband - part of the Oscar Wilde Season, at the Vaudeville. Stars father and son, Edward and Freddie Fox. And Susan Hampshire.

I really thought I wasn't going to make this. The madness at work continues, and it was only today that many teams found out they're unexpectedly completely without documentation - well, unless you count me. I do hate to let people down, so I stayed long after I'd meant to, trying to get things in a decent state - finally, when mercifully I found out that a release was delayed again and wouldn't be happening tonight, I raced out the door. Google Maps said my bus would be delayed - it was early, as it happened, and hallelujah, I just made it! despite the driver nearly closing the door on my arm as I was getting on. He nearly closed the door on someone getting off, later - I wonder whether he was quite with it.

Praise be, he made great time, at least - and even stopped a bit past the stop, because of traffic congestion: which was great for me, because that was the way I was headed. I had to queue for ages at the box office - another place where I had to pick up the ticket. Confusingly, "Upper Circle", as booked, is actually "Grand Circle" - oh, whatever, it's the top level and you have to go mountain climbing to get there. So I was a bit breathless, understandably, by the time I panted all the way up to the top level bar, with its bare wood doors. Just had time to say hi and nip to the loo, and it was time to go in. It was nice that the usher at the entrance said I could sit a row forward from where I'd booked (the back rows were pretty empty).. well, once I'd inched my way down the steep stairs, it was!

The show opens beautifully, a violin player whenever the security curtain is lowered, and an opening scene of graceful waltzing in long, swishy gowns. Kudos to the waiter carrying a tray of drinks, who whirls around the stage without dropping them. Again, what a rarity to see a play in period costume. As it happens, most of the cast only appear in this opening scene, then vanish into the London night, ne'er to be seen again - till the final bow.

The story concerns a respected society couple - the wife idolises her "ideal husband". Unfortunately, a lady of shady reputation soon reveals a sordid secret he's kept hidden for years - will his wife's stubborn morality prevent a happy ending? You'd be surprised at the role that the "most idle man in London", who normally spends all his time living the highlife, plays, and how he becomes the champion of common sense. Played by Freddie Fox, he spends much of his time being bothered by his interfering father (also his father in real life, Edward Fox) - we did wonder, afterwards, how much fun they had with that!

Of course, watching something like this brings to mind Wilde's real-life story - at the time that this was released, he was being charged with "gross indecency", and you have to imagine that he was putting himself in the role of the husband that must be forgiven. I also saw something of him in the man-about-town, the social dandy. By and large, this is a lovely production - the only time it lagged, for me, was in the drawing room scene in the first act, where the ladies are making small talk. But then, perhaps the play is making a point, here, about the senseless small talk of upper class society ladies. And I must say, if that's what you want to do, you couldn't do better than Susan Hampshire, who is in her element here.

Recommended for fans of plays of the period. Booking until the 14th of July.

It was raining when we came out to make our separate ways home. Tomorrow is for Mood Music, at the Old Vic, with Ben Chaplin - and I hope to goodness I don't have a repeat of this evening at work; I can't take much more of this.

On Thursday, the London European Club is attending a lecture at the LSE, on Euroscepticism and the Future of European Integration. Then I'm back to the highly non-Eurosceptic Ireland again, for the weekend.

On Monday, back with Up in the Cheap Seats, for A Gym Thing - got a fright when I saw that, but no, it's a play - in the Pleasaunce.

Next Tuesday, I'm back with North London Friends - to the Theatre Royal, Stratford East for Our Country's Good.

On the 2nd, Up in the Cheap Seats is off to The Writer, at the Almeida.

On the 3rd, London Literary Walks is doing - ahem - Stalin's Doss House. Meeting at Starbucks, naturally!

Then we're into the Early May Bank Holiday - and I saw an interesting trip, advertised by Carpe Diem, for a long weekend in Bulgaria. So I applied for a place - only to be told that there'd only been six, which were now gone. When I pointed out that the Meetup page advertised 12 places, and that some were shown as still available, they removed the event entirely. Instead, on the 4th I'm headed - with the £3.60 club - to Music Hall Monster: The Insatiable Mr. Fred Barnes, at Wilton's. Could be good.

And on the 5th, as of now, I'm signed up to an overnight trip to Newquay in Cornwall with Eddie's Excursions. This time, I got in the first six - ironically, they're not guaranteeing it'll go ahead unless they can fill a minibus! Watch this space..

Play: Lady Windermere's Fan

Tonight, back at last with Meetup, with Up in the Cheap Seats - my first Meetup in a week was Lady Windermere's Fan, at the Vaudeville Theatre. Stars Jennifer Saunders, as the Duchess of Berwick.

Now, this is another that makes you print out your Print at Home tickets. And wouldn't you know it, my blasted office printer connection played up again! This time, the IT guy was at least helpful, and it's now sorted - hopefully permanently. "What's the problem?" "It's not printing!" caused some laughter from the guy at the adjacent desk. Well, I mean, what did he expect me to say?! Ticket duly printed, I set out in good time, catching the #243 to Somerset House, where the bus lurched to a stop and I made my way up the road in a biting wind.

Inside, I made my way upstairs - we were to meet at the Dress Circle Bar. Well, it's not called that - but I figured, since it was the bar beside the Dress Circle, this was the one! By the time the others arrived, I was dining on Bitsa Wispas - very moreish! - and a pinot grigio: not as good value as last night. Lovely bar, though - much nicer than the Upper Circle one, upstairs.

Excuse me - Upper Circle is what it says on my ticket, Grand Circle in the theatre. Anyway, it's quite high - from this vantage point, the actors and set all looked like they belonged in a dolls' house! I saved all of 50p by climbing all the way up there, instead of taking a discounted seat in the stalls, like everyone else in the group - never mind, it was fine, and my seat was comfy, with legroom not too bad.

Indeed, those seats in front of me stayed empty for the entire show, thus greatly improving the view. The people beside me lowered a heavy bag they were carrying down to those seats, to give themselves more room. On the safety curtain - just visible in this photo - are depicted five drawings of different fan positions, to represent different meanings in the language of the fan!

The fan in this story has just as exciting a tale to tell. The story is set in polite London society, where the young and idealistic Lady Windermere comes to hear of her husband's friendship with a woman of dubious reputation, and fears the worst. However, is there more to this woman than meets the eye..?

This Oscar Wilde play contains many quotes that people will recognise: "I can resist everything but temptation", anyone? Indeed, one scene set in a gentleman's salon late at night, involving a group of male friends, contains many lines that made the audience gasp with recognition. Of course, Wilde uses the play to make some keen observations about the people he sees around him - and this is more serious than some of his other work. I have to say, I enjoyed it very much - and it was a nice change, actually, to see period drama performed in period costume! An enjoyable musical interlude too, featuring Jennifer Saunders, while they're doing a scene change behind the curtain. Currently booking until the 7th of April - part of a whole season of Oscar Wilde that they're doing. Booking recommended - it seemed nearly full, tonight.

Afterwards, whisked home again by the #4 - and wouldn't you know it, two of the group were back on the bus with me! I hated to be unsociable, but they went upstairs and I just didn't fancy it. Honestly, I'm quite tired after the week I've had, and didn't fancy climbing the stairs - get a bit travel sick on the top level anyway. One got off two stops before mine, one at the self-same stop - gee, well, I guess we'll be seeing something of each other in future, then!

Finally, I have something for tomorrow! Jeez, that took a while - well, with Meetup resolutely providing practically nothing that day, I'm with one of my groups whose names I can't mention. I hadn't checked for a while, and when I did, over the weekend, the "£3.60" club had tickets for Bunny, at the Tristan Bates Theatre. So I'm going to that.

On Saturday, Happy New Year to Helen and her husband! We're all off to see Agatha Christie's Witness for the Prosecution, which is showing in County Hall - should be fun.

On Sunday, I'm going to the matinée of Barnum, in the Menier Chocolate Factory. And then, wouldn't you know it, Up in the Cheap Seats advertised a trip to the Lumiere Festival that evening! It's the last day. So I said I'd tag along, after my show - as the organiser said, it could be a problem finding each other, but what the hey! I see London Social Detours is doing the same thing - and charging £3. So I'll stick to Up in the Cheap Seats.

On Monday, I'm finally off to see Everybody's Talking About Jamie, at the Apollo - I rescheduled from the date I'd booked for last year.

On Tuesday, I'm going to Yous Two, at Hampstead Theatre - my first Meetup with North London Friends, finally! I think they might have been the only outlet for tickets, when I booked - I haven't tended to book with them, as they charge a fee.

On Wednesday, I'm finally going to Rita, Sue, and Bob Too! at the Royal Court, with Up in the Cheap Seats. Interesting one, this - we'd booked before, but then the whole run was cancelled after the co-director thought that the subject matter, about the exploitation of teenage girls, was too controversial in the wake of the Weinstein controversy. The artistic director subsequently reversed the decision.

Next Thursday, I'm going to The Birthday Party, in the Harold Pinter Theatre. Then I'm back to Ireland for the weekend.

On the 29th, back to the Orange Tree in Richmond for Out of Love, with Up in the Cheap Seats. Have to rush for that one - it's another evening I have a late meeting! Should make it, though.

On the 30th, finally back with Funzing! LDN Talks @ Night and London Speaks Sessions are talking about the Seven Wonders of the Solar System, at Cafe 1001. Yeuch - can't stand the place: hipster central. Still, at least I can walk there from work..

On the 31st, I had RSVPed with London Science Talks and Museums Meetup, for a Science Museum late. But hey, it's free - so I had no problem cancelling when Let's Do This advertised a meal the same evening. Turkish, I believe, with a drink at the George Inn beforehand.

And I start February with two from Up in the Cheap Seats. On the 1st, I'm at John in the National. And on the 2nd, my now-nearby venue, finally - I'm at Sadler's Wells Sampled.

Play: The Mentor

Tonight, London Dramatic Arts was off to see The Mentor, at the Vaudeville Theatre. Expensively, as usual - but a bargain if you want to sit in the front stalls, which they got for £35. I went as well - for less than £20, courtesy of Amazon Tickets. Sat in the Grand Circle, I figured I should be able to avoid them - well, they don't approve of members buying separate tickets!

Google Maps predicted I'd need all of 11 minutes to walk there from the office. I left a little extra time, of course, but was still rushing - oh, my poor ankles! And oh, how I cursed the school groups, and the tourists, and the crowds clustered outside pubs, as I wended my way around them and through the maze of streets of the West End. It didn't help that Google Maps was sending me down a non-existent alley - never mind, I made the theatre pretty much on the dot, and of course they always do start late.

Obligatory bag check outside, even though I'd only brought a teeny weeny evening bag - "Oh, what a lovely little bag!", she exclaimed, taking a cursory look inside. Still had to go through the palaver, of course. A quick stop at the box office to get my ticket - they don't mind too much about id checks when you're pushing the limit of punctuality - and up the stairs. Was just looking for the way up to the Grand Circle when an usher hailed me, and told me to come over to him. I was hoping for an upgrade.. yep! One level lower, so fewer steps, yay.. I ended up in the Dress Circle - an aisle seat, although legroom was fine anyway - and I don't know what the official price was on this last night of previews, but as of tomorrow, that seat costs £52. And that level was only half full..

I had time enough to settle myself nicely before we began - no need for applause, it was provided for us! The show opens with a young(-ish) writer receiving an award, named for an older mentor; most of the rest of the story is told as a flashback to when they stayed at the same villa, as part of a mentoring programme, the older writer (F. Murray Abraham) giving guidance to the younger. But in a play about writers (written, of course, by another writer), how can we be sure how much to believe of the story we're being spun..?

Fabulously witty, frequently hilarious. I loved this. A lovely couple of scenes illustrate how both youth and age can be obnoxious, demanding and throwing hissy fits, and a hapless employee is made to dance attendance to the side, patently not part of the great circle of Artists. And as the story progresses, we become unsure what the purpose of the story even is. The twist in the tale..? Absolutely delicious. Yes, definitely recommended - runs until 2 September: but do shop around for tickets.

No interval - love that, although I bet the theatres don't, with less chance to sell us things. Nice and swiftly out, and didn't run into anyone I knew. Some bemusement on the way back, as Google Maps was sending me down non-existent alleys again - but despite still having to steer around crowds of people, it was a more relaxed trip. Still nice and warm out, too.

Tomorrow, I cancelled more free comedy in Hammersmith (Free Comedy Nights in Hammersmith, Wimbledon and Greenwich, Random London, Hammersmith & Fulham Friends, London Live Comedy, and Discover LDN.UK) for another Funzing talk - The Psychology of Dreams. As advertised by London Speaks Sessions and LDN Talks @ Night. (As ever, WELLBEING30 was still giving 30% off most talks, last I looked.)

On Wednesday, back with the London European Club, for a concert of Greek music at Sands Films. Looking forward to that - I love the venue, but haven't fancied the last couple of concerts they've had there.

On Thursday, I was booked for free comedy in Hammersmith (!) with Free Comedy Nights in Hammersmith, Wimbledon and Greenwich, Random London, London Live Comedy, Hammersmith & Fulham Friends, and Discover LDN.UK. Did you think I'd actually go? ;-) Well, I'm not - but the reason is an unusual one. My new company is very nice indeed - and they have an annual volunteering day: gardening. I hate gardening. And it's that day. For the whole day, they're at it. And last Monday, the office manager kindly informed us that it was compulsory unless we were on holiday. Huh! Well now, I hate being told what to do. So I've suddenly decided to be on holiday that day - and as it's a Thursday, the next too. Helen has suggested we get last-minute, half-price, day tickets for Death of a Salesman at the Yvonne Arnaud Theatre on Friday - sounds like a plan!

Then comes a weekend I've been looking forward to for a while. Long-anticipated, the European leg of U2's 30th anniversary tour of The Joshua Tree kicks off in Twickenham on Saturday and Sunday. 'Mare of a place to see them - after I saw them there in 2005, I swore - never again. Happily, I now know someone living down that direction! :-) Helen is also coming with me to the first concert, and I'm staying with her for the weekend (now starting on Thursday, as she kindly offered). Which sorts transport for the first night - she'll drive. The second night, I'll head back by bus - the train is an absolute nightmare. Anyway, this would have been a weekend in Ireland - hence the trips back two weekends in a row, preceding it.

Next Monday, nothing had been appealing - until I tried the app again, and came across a Meetup group called, attractively, Let's Do This! Quite new - anyway, they have organised a trip to see La Voix Humaine, a 40-minute solo opera, performed in English by Opera Up Close. It's in King's Place, which I love. I'd already found it by the time the Man with the Hat took us there, but it was with him I went the last two times: so this'll be bittersweet. Lordy if I didn't then discover that it's co-run by a couple of the Man with the Hat's old members! So of course I'm going. Great to see the Man with the Hat has left a classical legacy - there are very few Meetup groups doing this sort of thing. And at a discount, yet!

The 11th started out with yet more free comedy in Hammersmith - the same five groups. But then Funzing (the same two groups) rocked up and saved me, with a talk on Blitzed - Drugs in Nazi Germany. Has to be better, frankly.

The 12th, I'm currently still looking at free comedy in Greenwich, with London Live Comedy, Free Comedy Nights in Hammersmith, Wimbledon and Greenwich, and Random London.

The 13th, more of the same - in Hammersmith - with the Famous Five (aforementioned) groups - Discover LDN.UK twice, as before. At least the headliner that night is John Hastings, who's guaranteed to be good - and it's a lovely, small venue to see him in. Then it's back to Ireland for the weekend.

On the 17th, more comedy - for £3.60, this time. Tez Ilyas is performing at the Pleasaunce, and I know he's good - saw him in Top Secret once, for free..

The 18th, the U2 tour continues - I fly to Barcelona that day, to see them that night! One of their crazy, one-night-only appearances, on what is a very limited tour. Turns out I'm seeing them at half of all their European concerts for the year!

I fly back on the 19th, and that night am - provisionally - booked for more free comedy (quelle surprise). Greenwich, the above three groups. There are some interesting Funzing talks that night, but I've already seen them.

The 20th, I booked another Funzing talk (the above two groups). This is a talk about serial killers, as given by a forensic psychologist that works with the police, and who also gives terrific talks about psychopaths. Highly recommended! She's a terrifically engaging speaker, and looks far too young to be working in such a murky area. Unfortunately, now I've had to cancel - turns out that the much-anticipated first Meetup of the Man with the Hat's other ex-members' group, Love London for Less, is happening that night, so of course I'm headed to that - we're going to the Icebar, where I've never been. Should be interesting. Just a pity the only other instance of that talk I'm missing is sold out - I've added myself to the watchlist.

Then I'm back to Ireland for a long weekend - first to Dublin (from London City airport, a first for me), for U2's (one-and-only!) concert there.. then down to see my mother for a couple of days, flying back on Tuesday. On the Wednesday.. and Thursday.. free comedy!! First Greenwich, then Hammersmith - the usual groups, on both occasions.

So, that brings us to Friday 28th July, and it's off to Amsterdam, for my final two U2 concerts of the year (sniff). On Saturday and Sunday. Really, you have no idea of the organisation that went into all of this, back in January..!

A Festive Post - Play: Dead Funny & Christmas in Clerkenwell: Guided Walk for Shelter!

Yes, I'm now back in Ireland for Christmas - after what's been a helluva year. No, I haven't been avoiding you.. I really have been that busy! Read on.

So, last Man with the Hat Meetup of the year was on Tuesday, when he took Let's Do London - for less! to the West End. Dead Funny, the show was. Well, West End comedies and I don't always agree, but I said I'd give it a shot - so did lots of other people, it seems; I believe he sold all his tickets in half an hour. I did mention to him that he might sit me in the second row, just in case I made some involuntary and unfortunate facial expressions, and put the cast off..

Well, Tuesday turned out to be quite a busy day for me, what with my contract finally coming through to be signed. Excuse me - printed out, signed, scanned, and emailed back. Lucky my flatmate was in, because it turned out I also needed a witness. Also because, when I was trying to scan the thing back in and getting a separate file for each page, she was the one to tell me about the free pdf merge software.. but it took time to download and install that, and then combine all these files, and upload the thing. And, by the way, wrap a couple of presents. So I was a bit frazzled when the time came to head out.

A couple of buses got me to just past the Vaudeville Theatre - well, I could just have got the 87, but Google Maps suggested I could speed things up a bit by taking the 344 to Vauxhall and catching  up with the 87 there. Which all went fine, but I was still a bit distracted by the time I got to the theatre, and plain forgot where the Man with the Hat had said he'd be. To be fair, I'm generally so familiar with the venues that I don't need to check! So as I wandered into the lobby, I thought I heard this voice calling my name.. oops, there he was, outside (where he'd said he'd be). Mea culpa, completely forgot!

Wandered back in again, ticket in hand - it was nearly time - and got a drink from the teeny cloakroom/bar in the corner of the lobby. At £9 for a large wine, it wasn't exactly cheap, but hey, I was in the mood. We had the front two rows of the stalls - well now! And whee, I was in the second row..

Now, it helps - for this show - if you like old-fashioned English comedy. This is quickly impressed upon the audience by the clips from old tv shows, displayed on the stage curtain:

(Spot the stars..) Specifically, as we soon see, a liking for Benny Hill is a real help. Handy, then, that I always liked him.. Anyway, the title refers to a local comedy appreciation club, of whom we meet five members: a doctor (hence the skeletons and other anatomical doo-dahs scattered about), played by Rufus Jones: his neglected and broody wife - who doesn't really feel the comedy as the others do (the excellent Katherine Parkinson): their married friends (Ralf Little and Emily Berrington): and the comedy nerd of the group (Steve Pemberton), who bursts in near the start to announce (sadly) the death of Benny Hill.

So I hunkered in to try and find it funny. You know what, I needn't have worried. I have often found West End comedy.. perplexing, i.e. what are they all laughing at? But this has a good, clever script, quite a dark story, and the cast is fantastic. It follows the lead of many good plays before it in completely changing our view of the characters as the plot progresses. The first half sees sparks fly during the rows between the doctor and his wife, as he plans an evening of remembrance for Benny, and they babysit for their friends (and wow, is she annoying). But just you wait for the second half, when the story flips, the characters are turned on their heads, and things go so bonkers that the best thing they can do is recreate old comedy sketches. Oh, and we get some (pretty much full-frontal) male nudity. Eh, yeah, whoopee. I'm not going to score him - but I did feel for his wife when she had to, em, touch him..

I'm not one for slapstick, so didn't really appreciate the food fight near the end as much as some others. And do beware if you're in the front two rows - that food really goes flying. I ended up with a sausage roll under my feet, Mary got sprayed with soda water, I believe. Ach, all in an evening's entertainment. Recommended - booking until 4 February. Afterwards, our Hero with the Hat had booked us tables in The Port House, just down the road - and for all of us that stayed, there was room. And as it says on the website, it is cellar-like, and candlit:

Very atmospheric. They do tapas, and so did most of us. Not the Man with the Hat though, who escaped rather early. Have to start tying him to a chair. Well, anyway, I had croquetas and brochetas (both of chicken) - wouldn't really recommend the brochetas, but the croquetas were ok. Pity they were out of the ham ones, though. And you know, it's becoming a habit for Mary and me to share a bottle of wine - so we did. And that was rather tasty, so we had another. What the hey, I was celebrating the signing of my contract! And so it came to pass that we were the last two to leave - and I rather gave the game away to my mother, whom I called on the bus home. Gee, she thought I was already at home until I said I'd have to have a chocolate when I got there.. And the bus trip ended with an entertaining and inquisitive puppy, whose long-suffering human let him play with a small boy, who was absolutely thrilled!

When I did eventually get home, it was straight to bed - Helen was coming up next day, and had suggested a couple of trains she could get at different times; I bravely suggested she surprise me. Happily, when I woke next morning, it was to a text that she was getting the later one. Good - I could get ready very slowly, which I needed to, feeling a bit fragile. I always meet her at Waterloo, and was going to get the bus - but when it was taking forever to arrive, I caught a train instead, reasoning that if I got there early I could get a drink to rehydrate. Which turned out to be a Very Good Idea, especially as I hadn't had breakfast - I woke so late, and we were going to have lunch first.

I fancied Chinese, so we were back to New Loon Fung - as I explained, they're consistently good. Another shared bottle of wine, I had my usual, and she had duck - and special fried rice, which, as she later remarked, could have been a meal on its own. The standard practice of waiters automatically refilling our glasses when they were empty ensured that we were well supplied with wine, and we toddled downstairs afterwards and outside, ready to shop till we dropped. Only a pity we had to carry it afterwards..

An afternoon's trailing around markets left us in need of a sit-down, and heading randomly through town, we spotted a Caffe Nero that didn't look too busy. And my, what a good choice.. the hot chocolate was good enough that I didn't have to add sugar (!) and they had a little basket of gianduja by the till. :-) 35p each. Ooh yeah. And we both had the rather excellent chocolate fudge cake, with the chocolatey bits through the middle, and the golden crispy pieces on top. Now, that could be construed a most satisfying chocolate fix..

Somerset House, next door (open late on Wednesdays through Saturdays), provided some distraction while we waited for it to be late enough to head to Farringdon Station for our guided walk. Skirting the ice rink..

(more photos here) ..we headed indoors to the Fortnum & Mason's Christmas Arcade:

Highly decadent, very pretty - and some things were even affordable. We purchased.

One of the fun things about bus travel - in London, anyway - is that as you move around town, the best route to your destination can change, with Google Maps suggesting different stops, or even different buses. So, another quick check of the app, and off we went to Aldwych for a bus to Holborn.

Farringdon Station was soon located.. much too early, so we wandered up the road to find somewhere to sit. Most places were really busy, and we ended up having mango & passion fruit drinks in Starbucks. And a welcome sit-down. And in due course, we moseyed over to the station, and there they were, brandishing signs - not many, which is a shame, especially as this was in aid of Shelter, but as our organiser said, so many people were away for Christmas already. Hey, I would've been away too, except that I booked my flights in September, when I didn't yet plan to quit my job! But I was glad to have the extra time in London.

This was my first time with London Social Detours - meant to come with them before, but - as I recall - set out without my Oyster card, and by the time I discovered it, it was too late to go back for it and still make the walk. We chatted for a bit, then set off - two guides, taking turns at the stops. The theme was Christmas in Clerkenwell, and our organiser carried a little bag, with Christmassy factoids on strips of paper, reaching in like a Lucky Dip to read one every time we stopped.

Well I have to say, it was fascinating! Definitely one of the better walks I've been on. We went around all sorts of dark alleys and side roads that I'm not familiar with, and the factoids were varied and informative. Did you know that, back when turkeys fist became popular, they were raised out of town and walked in for slaughter? And because of the distances involved, they wore little booties!

Another stop had us outside where Marx used to live - where we heard that Lenin spoke English with an Irish accent, because he learned it from an Irishman in London. And may have drunk in the pub on the corner - sadly, I didn't get around to getting a photo of it, although it was singularly the most glittery, sparkly pub I've ever seen.

One of the roads we were supposed to go down had police tape across it - an intrepid member of our group nipped across to ask them what was going down, and it turned out they were filming an episode of Fearless. And on we went, hearing about the Knights Hospitaller, whose priory today only exists in the form of the atmospheric St. John's Gate:

And so on through Clerkenwell, for stories of Christmases past, and the obligatory nod to Dickens. An hour and a half, roughly, and time well spent - sadly, we couldn't stay for a drink with the others, as Helen had hurt her foot and was still recovering - I was impressed she made it through the walk at all! Anyway, I'll definitely keep an eye out for these walks in future.

Now, I had all intentions of starting this blog that night - but got tired. And then got an unexpected email from Ebay, thanking me for my purchase. (?) Logged in, discovered a (hidden) record of a purchase for £250. Checked my bank account - unfortunately, yes, my balance had gone down by about that much. So what with cancelling my bank card.. and the Ebay purchase.. and trying to contact PayPal, through whom the payment had been made, from a fake account with my bank details.. the blog got put on the long finger. As it stands, as I say, the purchase has been cancelled and the money refunded - unfortunately, to a Paypal account to which I have no access. PayPal aren't being very helpful, and the bank say there's nothing they can do until the transaction is explicitly shown. I can't even check my account online now that my card is cancelled, and the new one is being delivered to my London address - whereas I'm back in Ireland for Christmas. They did estimate that, what with the holidays n all, it won't be shown online now until maybe Wednesday. Watch this space.. I swear, after this, I'm dealing with neither Ebay nor PayPal, ever again!

Well, met my erstwhile boss yesterday just before I flew back, in the local Caffe Nero - whose hot chocolate and gianduja, I'm delighted to report, are every bit as good as the branch beside Somerset House. And after one of those hectic journeys, back I find myself. Watching telly, which will be my occupation for a while now.


I fly back to London on Monday 2 January. On Tuesday 3rd, I had my trusty placeholder of Free Comedy in Hammersmith - gee, it's been a while now since I actually went to one of those! Anyway, I 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). And then what happened? Pretty much all the Free Comedy in Hammersmith Meetups were cancelled for the first two weeks of the New Year, whyever that was. Friday's as well. So, forced to find something else for the 3rd, I've signed up - for the first time - with TNT Comedy, with Dave's Stand-Up Comedy. Same deal, only further away, in Kentish Town.

And on Wednesday 4 January, yay, 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. It'll be great to see the folks again - I'll miss them over Christmas.

And Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all! Not sure whether I'll be blogging again before the 3rd.. but you never know. Keep reading!