Play: Baghdaddy & Talk: Colin Stanley on Colin Wilson's Introducing the Occult

Yesterday, I was back with Up in the Cheap Seats for Baghdaddy at the Royal Court. About a little girl, realising she's half Iraqi, just as the Gulf War is raging. I see CT now has tickets for this.. unusually for this venue!

I made sure to leave on time - I wanted to eat beforehand, and wasn't risking it, after Monday! So off I went - I was lucky with the bus, the driver was doing something with a ledger, so hadn't pulled away by the time I got to him. Still, it was just as well the only other person going to the play messaged me to say she'd be a bit late, because so was I! Handily, although the bus was terminating early, it was going as far as I was..

I was eating at Cote Sloane Square, of course. And it. Was. Manic. But, true to their nature, one of the people in charge asked me to give her a minute, and dashed off to find me space - then despatched me with another person, who deposited me at a small table in the back, which I could have for an hour. Which was perfect, as I had to be elsewhere by then!

It did take a while for them to take my order, and again to arrive with my soup. I ask you, what is the delay with soup?! Surely they're not making it fresh - unless, perhaps, nobody usually orders this one and they didn't have any in stock? I was also left waiting for the wine, despite being right beside the bar - and as the minutes ticked by, it was a relief when each individual item came. To be fair, they couldn't have been busier - and it was entertaining to watch them dashing to and fro. Funniest moment of the evening came when a waitress, a tray in each hand, stopped dead in the middle of the floor, pulled a face, and sighed.. she had no idea where the order was headed. A beat later, a manager scooted by, and without breaking stride, lifted one of the trays from her hand and continued, at speed, to the back of the room - the hapless waitress in tow..

I started with French onion soup: as my companion later remarked, just the thing for cold weather! I'd have to agree - it was a little salty, mind, and quite stringy. Steak frites for main, as usual - just the thing if you're in a hurry, and a lot lighter than your average steak. The waiter actually took a moment to check that I was ok with it being medium rare - well yes, isn't it always? Perhaps someone had objected. Delish.. and I was nearly finished when my companion messaged to say she'd just arrived. So I finished, put my plate aside, and produced my card, which I casually displayed prominently. A manager passed - might have been the tray woman - scooped up the remains, took them to the bar, returned straightaway with a card machine. Now, that's what I call efficiency..

And so I schlepped over to the theatre bar, where I joined my companion.

When we went in, I was to discover that the Slips operate by a slightly different rule (did I know this before? Possibly..) Although the RHS (as you enter) is numbered up to 11, the Slips on that side only go up to 8 - at #9, I was on the other side!

Now, the place was half empty, so my companion suggested I sit near her, closer to the centre - shortly afterwards, people came in at both sides of her, but the row in front of her was completely empty! So I sat there:

Now, this is captioned - which we agreed, at the interval, is a good thing. For one thing, they do break into Arabic, and it's handy to know that's what's happened. Because it frequently isn't easy to hear what they're saying - one actor, for instance, has a pronounced lisp that makes it very difficult sometimes! Having said that, her diction is generally better than the others'..

Oh dearie me, I hated it. Now, I left at the interval, and sure, it might have improved - my companion did stay, but as I said, it wasn't improving fast enough for me.. The beginning, certainly, is more a therapy session for a nine-year-old than an actual play. She's obviously working through her issues, as the whole thing is presented as a garish children's tv show, characters in luridly coloured suits yelling at everyone. Having said that, it is possible to piece together a story - it's just that I hated seeing everything in this cartoonish perspective, and I couldn't have taken any more of it. Ah well, it was good to get home early, last night was - again - like being in a fridge! This runs till the 17th.

These days, I generally have to be up early for meetings - and this post ran over time, what with having to do the film list! So I didn't have time, last night or during today, to post..

Tonight, I signed up for another Watkin's Bookshop talk! This was Colin Stanley on Colin Wilson's Introducing the Occult. Well, the last talk I was at here was interesting, so.. Now, I also intended to eat before this. But it was on very early, and I was running late, so I didn't - I could have eaten en route, but I'd have been rushing. No, instead, I got there in time to give a couple of Irish ladies directions on which buses to take to where they were going! I tell you, every tourist should be given a crash course in Google Maps..

Also had time to browse Watkins, which is a very interesting, occult bookshop! And when it was time, I schlepped downstairs for the talk. Now, this didn't fill up as fast as the last - I had no trouble getting a seat. The speaker was in situ long before - his wife was sat in front of me, and some of his friends came, and they mused that perhaps the cold was stopping people from coming out. He also, as he remarked, took comfort from the fact that Margaret Atwood apparently recently did a book launch - which nobody attended! Well never mind - people were just late, and it did fill up eventually. Although many of the folks creeping down the stairs, trying unsuccessfully to be quiet, were actually in search of books. One lady, in fact, retreated back upstairs with an armful of them! and, of course, dropped one..

So, it turns out that Colin Wilson - of whom I'd never heard - was a prolific writer, who, despite professing not to be interested in the occult, amassed a library of some 500 works on it. And this book, Introducing the Occult, that the speaker has put together is a collection of some of the highlights of Colin Wilson's writing. Have to say, I wasn't inspired to get a copy. Actually, I found the speaker's voice most soporific - and having been up so early, I was tired.. and my eyes kept closing.. I did make an attempt to keep them open, when I noticed the speaker had started staring in my direction!

And so home.. which took me near the Brunswick Centre. So I stopped in to GBK. Which was, again, packed - but they found me a table, right in the far corner. Asked me to order at the till - and just as I went up to do so, there was a huge group of people, apparently looking for a table, without a booking. Such optimists. They had to leave, I'm afraid. Anyway, as for me, I was anticipating they wouldn't have onion rings, as usual, and sure enough.. although she did ask whether I'd like them to chuck one into the burger, as they didn't have enough to give them to me as a side..! Eh, no thanks. Instead, I had French fries.. and had to have the house white, as they were out of sauvignon blanc. And it was as moreish as ever - the fries were delicious, and were a good idea; I find the burger isn't enough on its own. I ended up eating the second half with a knife and fork, for once - they'd doused it in so much sauce!

Tomorrow, I'm heading to Lightopia, at Crystal Palace Park. As suggested by Over 40 Living the Life, who are not actually hosting a trip themselves, but just wanted to advertise it. 15% discount if you subscribe to Lightopia's mailing list, 20% discount for purchases of 10 or more tickets. And durnit if Groupon hasn't just advertised cheap tickets.. And after tonight's temperatures, I'm going to have to increase the amount of padding I wear, yet again!

On Saturday - well hallelujah, Bucket List London has finally scheduled something I want to go to, at a time I can make! He's off to see the Wallace Collection that morning - and so am I.

In the afternoon - London Social & Cultural Meetups (LSCM) has a bevy of Christmassy stuff! They're off for afternoon tea first - we're headed to the Garden at the Lane (at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane). And she's discovered that she's got a clash for lunch, so, mercifully, I get a bit of a break in between events to have my own lunch!

So, then we're off to King's College Maughan Library, for an exhibition of old manuscripts. Followed by a trip to the Knights Templar pub, time permitting.

And finally, we're hitting the Christmas markets! All part of the Southbank Winter Festival. First is the Southbank Christmas Market, where I hear rumours of white mulled wine.. then I'm not sure whether I'll have time, but we're off to the Christmas by the River Market.

I might have to duck out early because that evening - I've bravely scheduled another meeting of Those who Do Not Come. It's my last weekend in London before Christmas, you see. Well, so far Ivan and my first boss in London are actually coming! while the one person who came the last two times probably not, for once. We shall see - I've booked The Lucas Arms - O' Neill's isn't taking bookings for that day. Deposit payable, refundable with cancellation up to 72 hours beforehand.

On Sunday, I was vaguely thinking of heading to see Carnaby Street's Christmas lights.. but now LSCM is off to the Museum of the Home, followed by carols by candlelight at Westminster Chapel.

And for that evening, CT advertised tickets for Love Factually - a kind of rewriting of one of the relationships in that classic Christmas romcom, Love Actually. Sadly, all their tickets were gone - but I got a full-price ticket from the venue. It sounds good. Showing at 2Northdown.

On Monday, I'm thinking film (hence the film list needed redoing). Top of the list - that I can make, and looks like I might actually enjoy it - is The Sparring Partner, a Hong Kong film based on the true story of a young man who conspired with his friend to murder, and dismember, his parents. Closest showing is in the Odeon Luxe Haymarket - unfortunately, I can neither confirm the times, book a ticket, nor see how it's booking, because the website wouldn't let me in! Even when I got access on my phone, it didn't work right - I always have trouble with Odeon.

On Tuesday - hellfire, if the best thing on Meetup isn't Free Stuff and Free Events, with another online singalong. Uhh.. we shall see.

On Wednesday, again, thinking of film - at least the same list does for both days! So, at the moment (with the caveat that the list isn't completely up to date), it's looking like Ingmar Bergman's film, Fanny and Alexander, which is showing at the BFI. Which has a tendency to sell out - I'll have to keep an eye on it.

Next Thursday, back with the Crick Crack Club, yay! for The Winner Takes It All at Rich Mix. This, the club's last performance of the year, is performed by a congregation of souls known as Pandvani 108, comprising Ben Haggarty, Emily Hennessy, and Sheema Mukherjee, among others.

And then I'm back to Ireland for the weekend - just worked out that way - coinciding perfectly with a train strike! So I've booked a ticket on the bus - will just have to take that evening's meeting on my phone!

Concert: Anniversaries, Talk: Smoke Hole, & Free, 3 Mile Christopher Wren's Churches Tour & Post Event Social

Yesterday, I booked another walk with Invigorate - this one was a tour of (the outside of) Christopher Wren's churches. Starting even closer to the office than the last one, handily. Rain was forecast - I hoped it wouldn't get too bad. Well it seems that the guide had the same thoughts, because checking what turned out to be a dreadful forecast for yesterday, he postponed it to today! Instead, for yesterday, he took us to a free "Anniversaries" concert by the band of the Royal Yeomanry, at the Guards' Chapel. Tickets also available from Eventbrite. And funnily enough, this is where he took us, for another military concert, on what was my last Meetup before my long lockdown.. and as on that occasion, we were meeting in the Old Star. I hoped it wouldn't be as crowded as it was that day - not least because, with pretty much nobody following precautions, the UK now has the highest number of Covid cases in the world..

This time - unlike the last time - I had time to take the bus. I was the first to the pub, being shortly joined by the others - and happily, it wasn't too crowded. After a while, we even got a table! Oh my word, was it good to see everyone.. and we had a lovely chat before walking to the venue. Where we took a pew as near as you could get. Eh, maybe not the best idea, with the orchestra right on the other side of the pews.. our poor organiser was deafened, although it wasn't as bad for us on the end, at the French horn section..

A popular programme saw us entertained by a Fiddler on the Roof medley in the first half, as well as some lively tunes I didn't recognise - although we'd been given programmes on the way in. And in the second half, we were treated to an Indiana Jones soundtrack - both massively nostalgic. Towards the end of the second half, they moved to more militaristic music, with some regimental marches - and lo, if a couple behind us didn't stand to attention for these. Fair play to them for maintaining their stance - no-one else joined them! The concert finished with the National Anthem.

Now, when I'd strolled outside at the interval, it was a fine and balmy evening - but when we were leaving at the end, the heavens had opened! We agreed to head back to the pub - it was early - and were suitably drenched on the way. A few of the group ordered food - and everyone who did seemed delighted with it. And so ended an excellent evening, with me the only one heading back to the bus. And praise be that it actually stopped at my stop, which is never listed on the schedule any more - certainly, I didn't fancy walking more than necessary in that downpour.

Today, I thought I couldn't go on the rescheduled walk, because I had an online storytelling double-bill. First, I'd booked Universe, a Crick Crack Club (CCC) show happening in Oxford and live-streamed. Clare Murphy - and I've seen it before, and it was the best show ever! And then I saw that Martin Shaw from the CCC was doing an online show, earlier in the evening.. this one, in association with Watkins Bookshop, was called The Smoke Hole, and it was free. So I said, hey, why not?

And then, yesterday, I got an email to say that the recording of Universe would be made available to me for a week afterwards! Well hey, that left me free for the walk, so I signed up. Had lots else to do, but I did manage to sign into Smoke Hole beforehand, which had him touting his new book of that name. It's a kind of examination of how we need a dose of fantasy in our lives, how we need stories - and I did love the phrase he used, "we are heavily defended from seeing our own beauty". I'd happily have stayed to the end, but I needed to get going.. perhaps they'll put that on their YouTube channel, as they do other talks. Not that I can see the other talk I signed up for yet, mind!

Off I scurried to the City Thameslink Station, where we were to meet. Got there just in time, to find the group occupying one side of a triangular bench arrangement at the entrance. (I'd never been in here before.) Our guide was running a bit late - arrived just after we'd done the introductions. He'd brought quite the sheaf of notes with him - well, there are a lot of churches in London..

And so, off we set, and started with St. Bride's:

One of the group had brought his tripod, and spent a lot of time setting up shots - he frequently brought up the end of the group, but did manage to keep up! Anyway, then we were up Ludgate Hill, and of course had to stop in front of the much-photographed St. Paul's. I swear, every time I pass here there are people taking photos - and I can't blame them:

We popped in to St. Andrew by the Wardrobe, where a Coptic service was about to start - on;y church we could enter. As we passed One New Change, he had the inspired idea to take in the view from the roof:

He'd been a bit over-optimistic with his itinerary, mind, and we didn't get to all the churches on his list. But the decision, as our allotted time came to an end, to take a shortcut to the nearest pub received unanimous approval! Sadly, it was closed - but we headed (handily enough, in the direction of my flat) around the backstreets, and ended up at the Jamaica Wine House. We initially took our drinks outside - they have a large outside area - but had to repair indoors for 9pm. Finding it noisy in the main bar, we headed downstairs to Todd's Wine Bar - a cosy nook, all the better when we got seats around a barrel that served as a table. And a lovely chat was had, over a couple of drinks. One of the friendliest Meetup groups around - and to be honest, they're a little thin on the ground, these days.. And I had a short walk home, afterwards.

Tomorrow, back with the London European Club for a concert - Balkan Music, courtesy of Raka & Balamuc, in The Post Bar, Tottenham. Sounds like fun. We won't have access to our desks by tomorrow night, though, what with moving office soon - so I have to empty mine: and to save taking loads of unnecessary stuff to the concert, I might have to leave work a bit early, to get it back to the flat. Then I'm back to Ireland - another Saturday flight - and with a few days off, I'm not flying back until next Thursday. At least I'm not working from home this time, so don't have to bring the laptop on the flight!

But on the 29th, back with that group again, for Carmen - contemporary flamenco at The Place. (Might work from home that day, as we won't be in our new office yet, and I'd have to carry my laptop around with me.) Funnily enough, someone in the group said there were no individual seats left, and asked whether anyone wanted to double up with her. I offered, if there were no other takers - but she never got back to me. So, since I was now up to that date in my schedule, I decided to check for myself - and got an individual seat! So I've booked it.

And on the 30th, I'm doing something nice and Halloweeny - a ghost story event entitled Night Owl - changed from Scared to Death in the Woods, which they're now doing on Hallowe'en itself, and which has sold out. Tickets from Design My Night. So, an organisation called London Dreamtime is leading us off into a undisclosed location, somewhere around Hampstead Heath.. we're to dress warmly, and bring a blanket to sit on, and a "candle in a jar" - I actually went out and bought an LED flickering candle in a lantern-style holder. Well, thought it was the most practical! Now I just need batteries..

Talk: Aleister Crowley's Four Books of Magick

For tonight, I found a curious thing on Meetup - it seems that Watkins Bookshop has its own Meetup group, where it advertises events, and today there was a talk by Stephen Skinner, about Aleister Crowley's Four Books of Magick. Ok, sounded interesting to me - I signed up. It was a bit early, so I said I'd see how we went. Especially since the office advertised they were bringing in cake today, in honour of World Mental Health Day. They're making active efforts to bribe us to come in - and indeed, when nothing in particular is happening, it's like a graveyard! So, if that attracted a crowd, you never know - we might head for drinks again.

Cake, we had - cupcakes and doughnuts. And I scoffed the two chocolate doughnuts that were there, and was then sugar-sated for the day. Sadly, I was the only one to show for the mental health talk, apart from one of the receptionists, who said she'd have to do it anyway. They're trying to recruit mental health first-aiders, which passers-by agreed was a great idea - no-one was interested in participating in any way, though! and wouldn't even go for the cakes and doughnuts until she'd left, in a grump. Ah well. Predictable.

No drinks were suggested, but I still didn't go to the talk - the number that signed up for it was twice the stated capacity of the venue! First-come, first-served, and I didn't fancy waiting for hours in a queue. Anyway, my extended time in the office not only allowed me to get some work done, but also to start flat-hunting.. I'm sick of this shoebox that I'm currently sitting in, and for once, I saw some decent places, slightly closer to the office, much bigger, and not too expensive. Sent out a couple of messages - we shall see. Oh, and I also got some stuff moved - we have to clear out our desks by the end of next week, in preparation for our office move (just downstairs). Anyway, that talk should be posted soon, on their YouTube channel.

Tomorrow, we were supposed to be with Civilised London. We were booked for what promised to be another excellent meal, this time at the Korean restaurant, The Petite Corée. Meeting beforehand in The Railway pub. Sadly, got word last week that it's been cancelled - the organiser has personal business. So, instead I'm with Up in the Cheap Seats (UITCS) for a double bill at the Royal Court - What If If Only (15 minutes long) and Is God Is, later that evening. The short play is only £5 if booked with the other.

On Thursday, back at last with London European Club (LEC)! Happily, they're going to what I'd be going to anyway.. the Crick Crack Club is performing The Women Who Gave No F*cks, at Rich Mix. Fantastic when the LEC decide to come..

On Friday, woo! A couple of weeks ago, UITCS was off to 2:22 - A Ghost Story, but I was meeting an ex-colleague for drinks that night and couldn't go. Well, I got a ticket for the 15th - second-last night of the run! Unfortunately, cheapest available were £65, and no availability with cheap ticket sellers - ah well, I decided I really wanted to see it (great reviews helped), so I booked. Had great fun trying to decide which of the few remaining seats at that price was the best.. Showing at the Noel Coward Theatre. And with all the cheap shows I'm going to, I can afford it!

On Saturday, my first outing with another new group - Bucket List London is off to Kenwood House, and I said I'd join them. You don't have to book, but it guarantees availability- tickets for free from English Heritage, via See Tickets.

On Sunday, I found something interesting with London Walks, Art & Culture Explorers! Yet another new one for me. This is an "Uncomfortable Statues Walk" - statues commemorating controversial people. I can think of a few, and it'll be interesting to see which come up on this!

On Monday, I'm with London Classical Music & Theatre Group, for a choral performance (annual, apparently) by The Sixteen in Temple Church. Fantastic, and I've never actually been inside!

Next Tuesday, I'm with Guided Walking Tours in Brighton and Sussex (!). They have an online talk entitled Hallowe'en Penny Dreadful Online Show - The Art of Victorian Horror. I have to say, online has become much more of an option since lockdown. And that'll be another night I can move stuff from my desk!

On the 20th, I booked another walk with Invigorate - this one is a tour of (the outside of) Christopher Wren's churches. Starting even closer to the office than the last one, handily.

On the 21st, an online storytelling double-bill - I'll have to see how that pans out. First, I'd booked Universe, a Crick Crack show happening in Oxford and live-streamed. Clare Murphy - and I've seen it before, and it was the best show ever! And then I saw that Martin Shaw, another member of Crick Crack, was doing an online show, earlier in the evening.. this one, in association with Watkins again, is called The Smoke Hole, and it's free. So I said, hey, why not? (And this is realistically the last night I can move stuff from my desk.)

On the 22nd, back with the LEC for a concert - Balkan Music, courtesy of Raka & Balamuc, in The Post Bar, Tottenham. Sounds like fun. Even if I have to bring my work laptop, as we won't have access to our desks by that night. Then I'm back to Ireland - another Saturday flight - and with a few days off, I'm not flying back until the 28th. At least I'm not working from home this time, so don't have to bring the laptop on the flight!

But on the 29th, back with that group again, for Carmen - contemporary flamenco at The Place. Funnily enough, someone in the group said there were no individual seats left, and asked whether anyone wanted to double up with her. I offered, if there were no other takers - but she never got back to me. So, since I was now up to that date in my schedule, I decided to check for myself - and got an individual seat! So I've booked it.

And on the 30th, I'm doing something nice and Halloweeny - a ghost story event entitled Night Owl - changed from Scared to Death in the Woods, which they're now doing on Hallowe'en itself, and which has sold out. Tickets from Design My Night. So, an organisation called London Dreamtime is leading us off into a undisclosed location, somewhere around Hampstead Heath.. we're to dress warmly, and bring a blanket to sit on, and a "candle in a jar" - I actually went out and bought an LED flickering candle in a lantern-style holder. Well, thought it was the most practical!