Play: Leopoldstadt

Tonight, I had film in mind at first. But top of the film list - when I had time to look at it - was Outside the City, a documentary about trappist monks, whose numbers are dwindling, and whose members are ageing, so they can no longer run the farm, and have taken to brewing beer instead. Yeah.. I'm sure it's very good, very interesting - but I'm not that enthused. I'm not even a beer drinker.

Instead, I noted that Up in the Cheap Seats (UITCS) were off to see Leopoldstadt, which I found much more interesting. 'Tis the season for Holocaust memorials, indeed.. well, it's the 75th anniversary of the liberation of the majority of the camps. Anyway, it seems to be popular - when I checked the official website for Wyndham's, only three premium tickets remained in the whole theatre! However, checking the event page, I noted that someone was trying to sell a ticket, as he could no longer go, and didn't seem to be having any luck. Well, I got in touch - and it worked out well for both of us, as I ended up going in his place! for a much lower price. The ticket arrived on Monday morning. Oh, and they extricated that unexploded bomb, so it was ok to head to the area.

I was just in perfect time for the bus, and spent my journey sat beside a man (with very bad breath) who seemed a little crazy. In the nicest way - he kept bursting into laughter! Anyway, got to the theatre just after the time we were to meet. Clambered my way up all those stairs, and once I got my breath back, asked for a large glass of wine. Explaining that they didn't have wine glasses large enough, she asked whether I'd like it in a tumbler - ok! Suits me.. and as someone remarked, how much larger the drink looked, in that tumbler.

A large group tonight, we took up most of the bar, and indeed a lot of the balcony - most of the back row, certainly, where I was! Seats are comfortable enough, and the overhang isn't a problem - but I bemoaned the lack of a bar to rest my feet on, and was glad to have a free seat beside me, unexpectedly; it might have belonged to one of the seven(!) people who cancelled just today! Well, another of our group was sat just the other side.. Oh, and the steep rake meant that nobody's head obstructed the view.

Before the show, old black and white photos are displayed on the screen - I was soon to start wishing that I had sat just a little closer, to get a better look. Because this is a rather epic tale, of a wealthy Jewish family living in Vienna - Leopoldstadt is the traditionally Jewish district of the city. And the story takes us through several decades..

You think you know what's coming as a result, and you're right. But the story starts in 1899, with the prosperous family enjoying Christmas (there's assimilation for you - they have Christian in-laws anyway) in a well-appointed room, complete with sumptuous furnishings, and a lovely Christmas tree in the corner. Things move quite slowly as we have explained to us what it's like to be Jewish and ambitious in this society, where discrimination has been removed from the lawbooks, but not from people's attitudes - casual antisemitism is to be found everywhere. This message isn't delivered in a hectoring way - the genius of it is to base everything around actual events in the life of a family that is quite realistic, and entertaining. And I must say, this part of the play looks beautiful - just like a period drama on the telly.

1900 rolls around, the Christmas tree is missing, and the story has moved on a bit - but since the interval comes at the end of this time period, we were left wondering how much further the play would be able to advance! Fear not - it goes into overdrive in the second half. We jump to 1924, 1938, 1955.. and in each scene, we get a decent idea of what's happening on the national stage, as well as a graphic description of what's happening to the family. There's a huge cast, by the way - not only do they play several different family members, but at different ages too. Again, I wished I'd been able to see the family tree better, when it had been projected onto the big screen! But it doesn't actually matter much who's who - you pick up on the family dynamics anyway.

As the years advance, what the family must endure becomes gradually more awful. In sympathy, the stage becomes barer and barer.. and the action ramps up to a truly dreadful climax, visually striking and emotionally devastating, as past characters are brought back on stage in old-fashioned costumes, and we're told what happened to them. A very powerful play that highlights the suffering of one family.. and through that, tells the history of a country. The playwright has Czech roots himself, it seems - and his own family's experiences informed some of the events of this play. Very informative, for most of us - very highly recommended. Runs till the 16th of May - booking essential. It was packed tonight, and availability for the rest of the month is poor.

Afterwards, we spent some time outside discussing it - and it was great to see folks, and to have such a wide range of people to catch up with - some of whom I hadn't seen in an age. Taking the bus home, more drama as the driver got a message during the journey that caused him to drop us at the next stop! Cue me busily researching on my phone - firstly, the Buses Due app told me that the next one would be there in 12 minutes. Hmm. On to Google Maps - who told me that I could now walk home in 16 minutes. Or it'd take 10 minutes, on the #8 bus.. which left from just around the corner, diverted owing to perpetual roadworks. And of course, was free for me, since I'd tapped in well within the past hour, and the Hopper fare applied.. so that's exactly what I did.

Tomorrow, Helen is coming to town and we're having lunch - in Byron Burger again. Earliest time available, since I have a lunchtime meeting! And that evening, I'm off to see Faustus: That Damned Woman, at the Lyric Hammersmith.

On Saturday - why, I finally get to a UITCS social! They have them every now and again, but they're generally sometime I can't make. I go to so much with them, I'm delighted finally to be able to go to a social as well. This is on in the Phoenix Arts Club - ah, memories of happier days, when I worked in the next building over..

And on Sunday, well, initially I was thinking of film again. But wouldn't you know it, that damn film is still showing - that day only, next week! Never mind, UITCS again came to the rescue - and I'm now going with them to an operatic treatment of Alice's Adventures in the Underground, at the Opera House! With a lot wanting lunch beforehand, we're meeting at Wagamama - they have large, communal tables. And I'll be more careful what I order, this time!

Plays: The Man in the White Suit & The Antipodes

On Tuesday, I went to the comedy The Man in the White Suit, at Wyndham's. Stars Stephen Mangan as the chemist who develops a material that never gets dirty! and finds himself suddenly in huge demand. Went on my own, so could rest my voice a bit again - it's a lot better now. Ticket slightly cheaper from See Tickets.

Left in decent time - which was a good thing, as I was to discover that there was a reason that Google Maps was sending me to the bus stop one before my usual. Sure enough, blasted roadworks again meant my regular stop was closed! As it turned out, I was just in time for the bus - and arrived a few minutes early to the theatre. Where I collected my ticket at the box office - and lo, it said "upgrade"! I had a pleasantly low number of steps to climb - wow, I'd been upgraded two levels, down to the Royal Circle, just above the Stalls! I actually don't think that either of the two highest levels were open, and there were plenty of empty seats in the Royal Circle, even with the upgrades. Turns out that ticket sales have been poor for this - originally supposed to run to the 11th of January, it's now finishing on the 7th of next month..

I was very happy with my £50 seat for £15.82! As someone behind me remarked - wow, you can see their faces! Helps that it was a Tuesday, I guess - and yet another reason to buy cheap tickets: you never can tell.

The show is an Ealing comedy, so made in the post-war period - and it feels it. It is very dated. But I don't think it would really play in any other era - after all, how many people nowadays make their living taking in washing? (one of the lines of work threatened by this cloth that never gets dirty). And the idea of the factory owner's daughter marrying a man who wants her for her money - very old-fashioned. Speaking of whom, she deserves special mention - easily recognisable as the only woman in the play who dresses up, Kara Tointon plays her as so terribly plummy that it's an obvious effort to speak, never mind walk. Oh, that awful accent..

I wasn't sure about this, as the slapstick progressed and the plummy accent grated. Mainly, what kept me there for the second half was the music - catchily played by the onstage band, who happily don't bother with setting the tunes in the period. And indeed, I found the second half much funnier, when he's figured out how to make this suit, and a variety of people are chasing him through town, trying to make sure that the suit sinks without trace. Yes, I enjoyed it - but beware, it is dated, and I can see why it mightn't appeal. Of course, I was also persuaded to stay by that lovely seat I'd scored.. never been so close in this theatre before!

No, I haven't developed a habit of clumping posts together - I was busy doing a film list! plus I was distracted by the sad news of the death of Ireland's greatest broadcaster, Gay Byrne. Tributes pouring in meant there was no time for blogging that night. Yesterday, back with Up in the Cheap Seats (UITCS) for The Antipodes, at the National - a play about stories and storytelling, sounded irresistible. Mixed reviews, but I could hardly miss it.

I walked to the theatre, which was a good de-stresser after my day, and arrived early - although not the first of the group, quite. Queued for my ticket, then got a glass of wine, and we all stood and chatted as people gradually arrived - there wasn't really room for all of us to sit. One newcomer, but I knew everyone else - and one had snazzy, captioned eyewear that the usher had provided him with! We were all intrigued.

The setting is a boardroom - probably in California somewhere - where a group of people are brainstorming, the object of the exercise being to come up with a story idea. Directed by a slightly smarmy boss, and with an absolutely hilarious receptionist coming in and out (mainly to take food orders), they're closeted in this room for ages - including most of one weekend, when they'd much rather go home, because of the predicted storm. The show itself is two hours straight through - to be fair, I don't think it felt like it.

There were bits I didn't like - mainly the, as one member of our group described it, Kafka-esque atmosphere that develops in the office. Honestly, that was too realistic for my taste - and with the awful day I'd had at work, it struck a bit close to home. It's also a whole series of different scenes, merged seamlessly together so that you hardly notice the time has changed - slightly confusing, at least at first.

But the point of the exercise is to come up with stories - and in hindsight, it's quite a brilliant exploration of that. They are made to tell stories personal to them, to begin with - this is actually a type of storytelling, and there are shows like that in London, where you can go and hear people bare their souls - indeed, participate yourself if so moved. Not my thing - but never fear, they don't spend the whole play doing it. And they do ultimately come up with something rather clever - if, as people remarked afterwards, not exactly original. Ah what the hey, as the guy says, are there actually any original stories left?

Runs till the 23rd. Completely unstructured, but a very interesting piece, which led to much conversation after, until we were all thrown into the night - and the others probably continued with it for a while, but I was headed the other way. One of the more interesting pieces I've seen in a while. Oh, and I was still catching up with myself last night, and indeed until now - hence the delayed blog.

Tonight, back with Spooky London for their monthly drinks - Ivan, who has business in the City today, expressed an interest in coming, but now he can't, sadly. This month, it's in the Prospect of Whitby. Then I'm back to Ireland for the weekend.

And on Monday, I'm back with UITCS (as always!) for a night of comedy with Sara Pascoe, at the Backyard Comedy Club.

Play: The Starry Messenger

Last night and tonight, I booked with Up in the Cheap Seats (UITCS). Last night, it was for The Starry Messenger, at Wyndham's, starring Matthew Broderick. I waited the longest time to book this, because I had theatre tokens, earned from posting photos to Seatplan, and every time I thought of booking it, I was either away from where my tokens were, or it was out of office hours - and they have to be booked by phone, or in person. Well, I was to be glad I waited - they finally released really cheap front row seats in the stalls! (Restricted view, it's a tall stage.) And I was within arms' reach of my tokens, mid-afternoon. After being kept forever on hold, I was put through to someone who had to have everything spelled out for her, and emitted a big sigh when I told her I had a theatre token. So she had to log into that site. But it was all worth it, to get a ticket for that price..

Of course, I knew something would go wrong: and then the office social was scheduled for last night. Ah well - curry night it was then, venue TBD. Anyway, I sold my ticket to another of the group. And then I found out that there were leaving drinks on last night that most people were going to (honestly, they couldn't organise an escape from a paper bag) - so I ended up booking another seat to The Starry Messenger! in the same row. Just as well - I could pick them both up myself, and they are supposed to be collected by the person that made the booking. Technically. Some of us are arranged to meet for food in the Bear and Staff, across the road, beforehand.

I headed off in good time, in brilliant sunshine. My bus arrived as I waited to cross the road - never mind. Another arrived as I approached the stop - to be followed by yet another! So I hopped in the back door of that one, and didn't have to run at all. Four of us arrived at the allotted time, one a little later. Which did make a difference.. anyway, it was really lovely, sat in the upstairs dining room, with a view of the theatre:

And the food was lovely, too! Well, when it arrived.. at least you know it's cooked from fresh, and the chicken was indeed done to a turn. They have a range of pies and burgers too, and I think we were all well fed. Caveat - it did take 45 minutes for our food to arrive (we only had mains). Happily, when we headed across to queue for the box office, we spied two of our group near the head of the queue - which saved us a lot of time. Not enough to meet the group beforehand, unfortunately. And when I'd collected the tickets, I soon found the person who'd bought one, and we made our way down to the stalls.

Hard to tell what you're looking at, here. Well, the "starry messenger" of the title is a middle-aged astronomy professor, played by Matthew Broderick. Calling him a "starry messenger" is pushing it a bit, but anyway. What you see here - and periodically through the play - is his classroom, where he teaches an introductory course. Interestingly - I have a background in this - the maths on the blackboard, which is based on real-life material, is an awful lot more advanced than the easy-peasy stuff he's feeding his class.

I liked the classroom scenes - for a variety of reasons. Firstly, they rang very true, with the annoying students - the middle-aged lady who can't understand the simplest concepts, and complains loudly about it, is hilarious. Oh, I'm so glad I'm out of that. Secondly.. for the classroom, they lower a wall, on which the blackboard and screen are hung. This is positioned very close to the front of the stage. It makes it a bit cramped for them, but it does mean that the action is all close to the edge of the stage - which means that the front two rows of the stalls can actually see what's going on! Seriously, for the rest of the performance, we could only see people from the waist up if they were standing - if they sat, we could see the tops of their heads only. I took to hoiking myself up on my elbows at the start of each scene, to see what the set looked like.. Well, we were warned. This is a very high stage, and a very restricted view.

When I was asked, at the interval, what Matthew Broderick had been in, I could honestly only remember him as Ferris Bueller. Someone later reminded me he'd been Inspector Gadget too - true, although I didn't see that. Anyway, not so much - but for what I've seen him in, I wasn't surprised at last night's performance. He's always seemed wooden to me - it's just that, in other things, it suited. Lordy, he's WEIRD in this! Now, I was as close as anyone in the theatre, and I can testify that he's just as wooden up close. Heavens, he raised his eyebrows in one scene near the end of the first half, and gave me an awful shock! It was like he had to remind himself to have human expressions.. His expression doesn't generally change throughout, he seems very stiff in his movements, and his delivery of lines has absolutely no emotion behind it, seeming as though he is working through a logical script of what intonation is appropriate for any given sentence. Seriously, he's like a robot - it was fascinating to watch.

The rest of the cast seemed perfectly human, and played their parts excellently. When we could see them. As someone remarked later, it was weird to have Elizabeth McGovern have second billing (as his wife), when she wasn't on stage as much as Rosalind Eleazar, the (much younger) single mother for whom he develops feelings. Well, assuming he's capable of feelings, which I doubt. She's a trainee nurse, and we get some hospital scenes with her which are the best in the play - the elderly guy she's caring for is played by the terrific Jim Norton; for all that he's supposed to be dying, he has more life than anyone else in this. He must also suffer the ministrations of his fussy, bossy daughter (Sinead Matthews) - terrific, as are the rest of the cast.

Just as well they are, or this would be utterly unwatchable. Not to mention there seems to be no point to the story, in which very little happens and there's no real conclusion - oddly, for an award-winning writer. The best part of the production, we all agreed, is the projected star display at the end, which spills over the whole ceiling of the auditorium - worth staying for, all on its own. Indeed, an interesting, astronomical background lies behind the set throughout, and provided very pleasant gazing, for those of us who could hardly see anything else. Runs till the 10th August - you'd be better off staying home and watching an astronomical documentary though. Ah well, it was good to see everyone - Facebook is alive today with group members slating the production.

Tonight, I'm off, with UITCS, to Jude, at Hampstead Theatre. Fifth day in a row I'll have seen the organiser, who also came along on Wednesday.

And tomorrow, back - for the first time in a ridiculously long time - with London Dramatic Arts! We're at King Hedley II, with Lenny Henry, at the Theatre Royal, Stratford East. As usual, she closed RSVPs too early, but I asked, and she reopened them. Be good to see them again!

Play: The Price

On Thursday, I was booked for Aspects of Love, at Southwark Playhouse, with Up in the Cheap Seats. Based on an Andrew Lloyd Webber musical. And on the event organiser's recommendation, I bought a subscription to the theatre, which entitles me to five tickets, and has no time limit - used the first for that. Of course.. predictably.. I ended up drinking in the office instead. Well, it was the date of the monthly work social - we just had our own, more exclusive, social.

Then I was back to Ireland for the weekend. Tonight, I was with the same group, for another Arthur Miller play - this time, it was The Price, at Wyndham's, starring David Suchet. A few people from last Wednesday going to that as well. Oh, and for both of these, I could have used my Seatplan vouchers, which arrived recently. If I'd had them with me. Never mind - I hadn't been expecting to book so much so soon, but they don't expire anyway.

Well, da boss is away this week - which means I'm actually likely to make the things I've booked! That's reassuring. I also made an early bus - saw it coming as I was waiting to cross the road, but wouldn't you know it, the traffic lights then turned red! So I legged it, and just made it. Without (quite) having a cardiac arrest.

I knew my way, walking the last bit - used to work just around the corner, after all! Arriving at the theatre nice and early, I managed to slip in without a bag check (well, my bag was suitably small anyway). There was some fun trying to collect my ticket, as the website had - despite my best efforts - retained my old address. Well, I remembered enough of it to satisfy them - and as I turned from the desk, there were a couple of the group, sat waiting in the lobby. They hadn't been letting people upstairs yet, it seemed. Mind you, then another arrived and was upgraded - and when one of the others heard this, she asked, and got the same! Jealous, me.. apparently they were choosing people at random. And (knowing what a large group she was with) he told her she was to be the last. So that was that, then!

Soon after, we asked again and were let upstairs to the Balcony bar, where we were to meet officially. Handy for those several of us who had seats up there - not so much for people who'd been upgraded, and had to head down again at showtime. Never mind. In due course, more of our group arrived, and fairly filled the end of the bar! Much of the chat, mind you, was about last night's BAFTAs - personally, I think the big surprise was the choice of Roma for best picture. Certainly a good film, a memorable film - but the best of the lot? Well, it was an interesting choice. I did approve of the rest of the winners - most of which I've seen by now!

In the midst of all this, I was sat opposite a couple of boxes of Maltesers - it was inevitable that I'd eventually buy one to go with my reasonably priced wine. After all, I'd neglected to eat coming out - we had an early start, as it was press night. My seat was decently placed - the security rail wasn't as intrusive as it looks in the picture, since the seat to my right was free, so I could lean that way. Also very handy for leaving my things on. Mind you, at this level, you do tend to feel as though you're leaning over the stage..

Brendan Coyle is actually the first on stage. He plays a cop, about to retire - the house he grew up in is about to be demolished, and he wants the junk cleared. So he's arranged for an antiques dealer (David Suchet) to come and appraise the stuff, hopefully take it off his hands. Honestly, the only bit of the show that dragged for me was the opening half hour or so, where it's just him reminiscing with his wife, waiting for the dealer's arrival. Dear me, I was beginning to wonder whether I was wise to come! Things developed nicely though once the dealer arrived, with a comical turn of phrase that was very entertaining.

At the interval, the group's opinions were - again - mixed. The second half is less comical, as David Suchet takes a back seat, and we learn the intricacies of the family relationships of these characters, with an explosive climax. As someone remarked at the end, it is very nuanced, our sympathies switching back and forth as characters reveal themselves to be alternately heroes or villains. And we're left at the end with a number of points to ponder - about the price of decisions, and the true value of what's gone before. Rather excellent, I decided - booking till the 27th of April.

Afterwards, we stood on the pavement and - dithered - for a full half hour about whether to cross the road to the Hippodrome for drinks. With many concluding that it was too early in the week - what with all they had booked in the next few days - nobody at all ended up going. Ah well.

Tomorrow, Let's Do This is off to Tango Fire at the Peacock. They booked a box, so had a very limited number of seats, and I wasn't in time for theirs - but I got my own ticket, and will meet them for a drink afterwards in the Princess Louise.

And a double irony - I have less booked for this week than many of those I was speaking to, tonight! And it's a week when, as I say, I have fewer distractions than recently. Never fear, watch this space..

Play: The Height of the Storm

Went to bed last night to the sound of a newly humming air vent. I actually put on a coat and went out to investigate - it turned out to be a couple of vents near the lifts. It was still humming this morning, when I was rudely awakened by housekeeping tapping on my door. I told her I was still getting up, and rolled over to go back to sleep. That was successful - and I needed the extra with the lack of sleep caused by that humming! Anyway, I re-awoke with half an hour to go to check-out.. cue a hurried departure. I told the guy on reception about the air vent - he made a note.

It was a beautiful day in Amsterdam, as I walked back to Centraal Station.

I remember having more trouble once before, with the train to the airport - no such this time, I had change for the machine, I found the platform, and took a seat way before it departed. A 17-minute journey, and I was making my way through security - where I had a couple of issues. Firstly, I needed to get a new bag for my liquids - my old one had torn. Well gee, they're about 20% smaller here - I checked against the old one! Well, I had to do it - the roll-on deodorant had to be sacrificed; of the bulky items, it is the easiest to replace.

Pretty much straight through to the gate - airports never do give you much time to mess around. And gee, Easyjet were much less petty on the return journey about that "one-bag" policy - which I was very glad of, as I'd have hated to try to squish both handbag and duty free into my already bulging case. Had my passport checked heading to the gate. Had it checked at the gate. 40 minutes or so later, I was having it checked at Stansted - I ask you, is this not all a bit excessive? As for the signs saying "100% of passengers' passports checked" - eh, no, they still don't check them on flights from Ireland! And with me typically getting in after midnight, am I glad of that..

Speaking of which, I was able to use the unused portion of an old Stansted Express ticket on my trip into town. And as I checked my plans, I realised that I'd have to make a pit-stop at the office and leave my things there.This evening I was back with Up in the Cheap Seats (UITCS) for The Height of the Storm, at Wyndham's. Booked through What's on Stage. Thing is, it was press night, with an early start..!

Oh Lordy. Well, I dumped my stuff and raced out to the Co-Op to grab something to microwave, raced back and ate it. And by that stage, if I were to get to the theatre in time to socialise, Tube it'd have to be - I went Northern Line all the way, changing branch at Euston to get me down to Leicester Square, which is right next door to the theatre. Goodness, I passed a photo shoot on the way in - but yes, I was entitled to shuffle past it, feeling even scruffier than usual! Grabbed my ticket in the hubbub of the lobby, passing folks in evening dress, and panted my way up all those stairs to the balcony bar, where sure enough, my group were at the back and we passed some convivial minutes in chat. Ordering a white wine, I saw a bottle of chablis on the bar and said that'd do - and it did, very nicely!

Nothing at all wrong with my seat, apart from the lady in front with the big head. "Restricted view" - no, not really! Just high up.

That lady leaned to the left for much of the play, which was handy for me - it was when she moved more to the centre that I had problems.

The play is 80 minutes, straight through - started unusually late, probably because of all the photo-taking! A translation from the French, as you might guess from several French-sounding names, and references to having to travel to Paris for work. We meet an elderly man, Andre (played by Jonathan Pryce), who used to be a great writer. We meet his wife (played by Eileen Atkins) - who may or may not actually be dead. We meet their daughters, and the younger daughter (Elise)'s partner Paul, an estate agent who may, or may not, be about to sell the house from under Andre.

Beautifully acted, beautiful set. The first scene sees an apparently senile old man, being cared for by his wife and daughters, the latter having come for the weekend. Honestly, I found this scene quite slow. Typical stuff, busy daughter with her own life wants to suggest "remedies" for her father's wellbeing that he's not at all happy with. And I was losing patience entirely when whatever we were being set up for at the end was completely contradicted in the next scene! Until.. after some more twists and turns, it seemed to become apparent that what we were watching were actually the twists and turns of the mind of this intelligent man who's losing his faculties. The confusion endemic to someone who's developing dementia, and hardly knows what's real and what isn't, mixing things up in his mind.

Well, that's my take on it, and a few different ones were revealed in the post-show discussion. Anyway, once I latched onto that idea, I decided it was a very clever play - and one that probably merits a second viewing. Not that I'll probably manage that, mind. But - recommended. Most thought-provoking. Runs till 1 December.

Afterwards, many of us repaired to The Hippodrome, where sadly they'd closed our side lounge for renovations, but we made do with the main bar. And as we debriefed, we shared a lovely bottle of fruit pastilles that someone had bought in the theatre - well done, that man! Great to see everyone, and a nice re-introduction to London life, after a few days away.

Tomorrow, I'm with Let's Do This for another Turkish meal - this time at Sofra. It'll also be the first time since June I'll have met Mary! 


On Thursday, film again - already booked though, because they were already selling out. It's part of the London Film Festival at the BFI - Be Natural is the story of Alice Guy - Blaché, the first female filmmaker, and is narrated by Jodie Foster. Then I'm back to Ireland for the weekend, again.

On Monday, back with North London Friends for The Wild Duck, by Ibsen, at the Almeida. I wasn't in time to get one of their tickets, so booked my own - what the hey.

Next Tuesday, comedy with Ahir Shah at Soho Theatre.

On the 17th, a real dose of nostalgia - Mayerling ballet, at the Opera House. My favourite ballet, this was also the last event we attended here with the Man with the Hat. And the second last event ever. At least it'll be less evocative since, for once, I'm sitting facing full-on! He always had us in the slips, so I haven't faced the Opera House stage since I started with his groups! I'd watch it blindfolded just to have him back again, though. We miss you, MwtH.

On the 18th - why, I'm off to Manchester. For U2, unsurprisingly. Yes, I get busier around now as they come around these parts. Taking the train that evening - it was the cheapest, and so much handier than having to make my way to and from airports and watch what I pack! I should arrive walking distance from my hotel, Roomzzz Corn Exchange, which itself is walking distance from the venue, the Manchester Arena. And right beside the shopping centre, apparently! That could be handy.. if only to buy provisions, as this is an aparthotel, so I can cater for myself.

The concerts themselves are on the 19th and 20th, and I'm expecting a more enthusiastic audience than my section last night! Ironically, the English concerts are the only ones whose tickets are being posted to me - and would you believe it, what with booking them in January and moving in June, I completely forgot to make the connection. So I forgot to update my address with Ticketmaster (TM). Just remembered recently, by which time it seems they'd already been posted. I've contacted my old flatmates, but the only response I got was from one who's also moved out - happily, TM says, if I contact them next week, they'll void the old tickets and issue new ones that I can pick up at the box office. There's always some palaver on a U2 tour, and this isn't the first time I've had to pick up my tickets in Manchester!! Outside of England, they're all e-tickets..

I take the train back on the 21st. Better not leave it too late, as I've actually booked for the Smithfield & Clerkenwell Walk: Guts & Glory, with Walking in London - but more specifically, with Katie of Look Up London! Excellent - I was booked for this in July, but she had to cancel. She's one of the best around. Should be close enough to me, too, and it doesn't start too early. And it being a Funzing event (like all of Walking in London's) I scoured my old Funzing discount codes, and discovered that Funzing_Fb20 seems to be working again - for all of them I've recently booked! So, a 20% discount - better than any recently offered on their Facebook page.

On the 22nd, I'm back with the Crick Crack Club for Buddha Babies, again at Soho Theatre. Naturally, not advertised on their Meetup group.

On the 23rd & 24th, I don't have to travel so far to see U2 - they're playing the O2 in London. These tickets, I got my address changed in time for, it seems - they're also being posted. Helen is going on the 23rd.. sat in the corporate box, poshly! Nah, I'd rather be closer and sweatier, thanks! I wonder how many of them stand during the show..

The 25th is my colleague's last day before he quits for a new life in Stockholm - we're headed out that night. Amazing that I still had that day free when we arranged it!

On the 26th, I fly to Belfast. Yep, U2 again. Told ya. Staying in the Crescent Townhouse, walking distance from the SSE Arena, where the concerts take place on the 27th and 28th. On the 29th, I'm taking the train down to my mother for a week - makes more sense than jetting back and forth to her!

On the 5th, I'm back up to Dublin. U2 again, dont'cha know? Staying in the Clayton again, which is a hop, skip and jump from the 3Arena, where there are concerts on the 5th and 6th. Would you believe, not even I could swing a ticket for the 5th - well, I'll just rock up on the day, and hopefully I can get something at the box office. I have heard of such things happening. I've had stranger things happen!

On the 7th, I fly back to London (BA) - purely so I can work on the 8th, before flying back to Dublin that night! Was supposed to be Cityjet, but they've now ended their flight schedule after this month - so now I'm going Ryanair. Same hotel, same venue, same band - on the 9th and 10th of next month. I fly back on the 11th, exhausted, and finished with U2 concerts for the year!

On the 12th, I've decided to treat myself to a performance of Macbeth, at the Wanamaker Playhouse.

On the 13th, we have our monthly team outing - our colleague from Mexico might be joining us!

On the 14th, back with UITCS at last for Love Lies Bleeding, at the Print Room at the Coronet. Got my ticket from London Theatre Direct.

On the 15th, I'm going to try the Seven Deadly Sins Pub Naughty History Tour. Walking in London again, so discounted again! Then I'm back to Ireland again for the weekend.

On the 19th, News of the Strange, from the Crick Crack Club, at Soho Theatre. Not advertised on their Meetup group, of course.

On the 20th, back with UITCS for Pinter at the Pinter - Pinter plays at the Pinter Theatre. Two long ones on this occasion - this is Programme Four: Moonlight & Night School.

On the 21st, back at last with The London Jazz Meetup, who are off to the London Jazz Festival for a concert by the Faraj Suleiman Quartet at King's Place. UK premiere, apparently!

On the 22nd, with UITCS at the Garrick for Don Quixote. The only cheap tickets left for this were terrible, so I went a bit upmarket. A bit - I'm still behind a pillar!

On the 23rd, I'm on a Paranormal Activity Tour - ooh! Now, for this one, we get ghost-hunting equipment, which could make it interesting - I don't fancy the dowsing rods, myself, but we'll see. Walking in London, again. Discounted, again. And this was after my loyalty discount - so I got it at better than half price! which is good, considering the price.

On the 24th, I'm off on my own to see A Small Place, at the Gate.

On the 25th, back at last to Winter Wonderland! That evening, I'm off to Cirque Berserk - an annual tradition for me. The latest show is the cheapest, so that's the one I booked.

On the 26th, I'm back with UITCS for Programme Three of Pinter at the Pinter - Landscape / A Kind of Alaska / Monologue.

On the 27th, I'm going to see Company, by Sondheim, at the Gielgud. No tickets available for the upper levels on the official site - they must all have been bought up by resellers! Cheapest I found was with OfficialLondonTheatre, run by See Tickets.

On the 28th, I'm with Walking in London again (and the same discount) for the Haunted London Pub Tour.

On the 29th, I'm back with UITCS at the National for Hadestown. Then back to Ireland again for the weekend.

On the 3rd of December, I'm back to the National for I'm Not Running.

On the 4th, I'm off to the Bush, for Drip.

On the 5th, LDN Talks @ Night and London Speaks Sessions (both Funzing). This is a "Winterville" talk on The Science of Santa, where we get the scientific explanation of how he does it. Taking place at The Windmill.

The 6th could be interesting - 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. We shall see whether this happens, I guess! Now, it's technically more expensive if you book on Funzing - but if you have my discount ;-) it comes down to the same price she charges on her own site, without the booking fee! So I did it that way.

On the 7th, back with UITCS at the Royal Court, for The Cane. Got the very last ticket, phew!

On the 8th, with them again at the Orange Tree Theatre for The Double Dealer.

On the 9th, the Crick Crack Club is back at the British Museum for I Know Not, an afternoon of Sufi legend. Not that their Meetup group seems to know anything about it.

On the 10th, 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!

And on the 11th of December, I'm going with North London Friends to The Convert, at the Young Vic. Discounted top-price seats, it seems!

Play: Red

Tonight, back with Up in the Cheap Seats, for Red, at Wyndham's. Terrible time I had, booking this - I accidentally let my old billing address (I've moved since my last booking with them) go through on the form, the payment was rejected, and I couldn't get back into the page to edit my address! Neither could I start a new booking - everything I tried gave me an error message. Dreadful site. I finally e-mailed them, and they said to ring back during working hours and they'd amend my booking, or if they hadn't heard from me after one working day, they'd cancel it. Not fancying paying for a premium-rate call, I let them cancel, and rebooked myself. Carefully replacing my address with the correct one!

..Well, the correct one for the time being; I'm moving again next month, paid a holding deposit today. You'd think I actually enjoy it! No, I just have the most horrible, noisy, dirty, flatmates - and I'm easygoing, so you know they must be bad. Well, I lucked out on the new place - much nicer, with fitted wardrobes, half the distance to work, and substantially cheaper to boot! Anyway, with all of that angst, and having to schlep out to Stepney Green to make the arrangements, I was a bit exhausted by evening.

Well, I made my way to Wyndham's without having to check my route - I should know this area well enough! I was glad I'd brought a fairly heavy coat, which I closed against a stiff breeze. Ran into the evening's organiser outside, where she was taking a photo of the entrance. We were to meet in the Royal Circle Bar - which is just a mite confusing, as it's actually between the Royal Circle and the Grand Circle, serving both. It got a bit cramped too, as it filled up before the performance - lovely space, though, where we chatted beforehand. Plenty of old friends to catch up with! 

When we went in, I was glad to be in the lower part of the Grand Circle - Row D is the last row in this section, before you start having to climb more stairs. I was right at the edge of the row, and I have to say, it's a good seat - decent view (just a corner of the stage obscured), swing your legs to the side if you need more legroom: and there's space for your stuff, although careful with that, because there are steps up to the seat:

It's about 90 minutes, straight through, and is based on the true story of Mark Rothko, a contemporary artist based in New York, who's been commissioned to produce a series of paintings for the Four Seasons Restaurant. The only other character on stage is his assistant, apparently an amalgam of several in his lifetime, to whom Rothko becomes a teacher and mentor. The title refers to his obsessive, you might say, use of the colour red in his paintings - I don't know that he was as particular about that colour in real life, but apparently he did experiment with colour.

It's brilliantly written - eloquent and impassioned, as the two artists bicker on stage, and Rothko defends his art. The audience is used as, literally, a fourth wall, which they stare at while contemplating a painting we can't see - an effect that I daresay works best from the stalls. A variety of Rothko's paintings (in red) are faithfully reproduced, and one after another is brought out and mounted, for our inspection - I came to the conclusion that they were, in themselves, telling part of the story. It's just a pity that contemporary art is something that leaves me completely cold, because otherwise I think this would have been a terrific experience.

Afterwards, we headed down to the stalls for a Q+A:

..which, I must say, was one of the better Q+As I've been to, with the actors and director giving a highly entertaining turn as they took questions from the audience. The show is currently booking until the 28th of July, and will probably prove popular.

Afterwards, I was glad to get in from the bitter night air to the the Hippodrome, across the road, where, as before, we headed to the first-floor bar. Those who were staying gathered chairs in a circle in the lounge, and a couple of us ordered food from the waitress - me, I had "chicken tenders", which even she called "nuggets", and came with a dip that was way too spicy for me. The nuggets were nice, though. And we had another convivial chat, about things related to theatre, and film, and associated matters. My chair was a bit hard, mind.. but it was a good night. Despite the shivery wait for a bus to get home, having missed one by seconds.

Tomorrow, I'm headed with London Social Detours to a talk on Shakespeare and the Wandering Mind, at the Wanamaker Playhouse - my first trip there in over a year, goodee! They were sold out when I tried, which is why I'm willing to go with her and pay her booking fee.. Payable on the day, so I'd better get some more cash out. And then I'm back to Ireland for the weekend.

Comedy: Sara Pascoe - LadsLadsLads

Tonight was comedy - Sara Pascoe, at Wyndham's. This proved be a lot easier to get to than last night's - even though I was depending on the #55 again! Anyway, I didn't have to change buses, and left in good time - and my, was it more comfortable than last night's Tube! So much less crowded - and I even got a seat.

Got off at Tottenham Court Road, and walked down the so-familiar Charing Cross Road - this used to be my walk to work. I see the beggar at the corner occupies the same space - it's probably the same one, but it's hard to tell, as the person adopts a praying posture, head down. Anyway, I didn't have to check my route to Wyndham's, I've been here so often! or passed it.

For this one, I had to queue at the box office - but not for long. And she asked me for my postcode, so it's handy I remember it! (Booked this in October, when I was still at my last place.) Paid a trip to the very genteel loo - quite snug, with steps down from the door and up to the cubicles! Nice, hotel-type, heavy wooden cubicle doors, I must say. Afterwards, lacking dinner, I bought myself a box of Maltesers and a wine - at £8.50 in total, quite good value!

Now, for this show, I was in the stalls! Dead unusual, that, for me here - they must all have been the same price. It's not that they only had stalls seats, as for some shows - no, I saw people in all three tiers tonight! Anyway, it's a beautiful theatre, and it certainly made a change to be so close:

I hadn't seen Sara Pascoe before - checked her out on YouTube and decided to give her a shot. And I'm glad I did! She has a very relaxed style - very conversational - and I wasn't sure, at first. But you know, she has some good routines, and she won me over. The theme of the show, basically, is her break-up with her boyfriend, and her lack of romantic luck since. Unlike her, I wouldn't go on a yoga retreat in a fit - but I have to empathise with her about the men of Morocco, whom she found very sleazy. She had to wear a wedding ring to try to fend them off. As she said - "not very feminist!". Welcome to the patriarchy, indeed..

Other keen observations included her incredulity at women wanting the man to pay for dinner - again, hardly a feminist attitude - and her, eh, incest fantasy. Hey, as she says, if you're stuck at home bored, and there's nothing on telly.. Some of the punchlines of the first half, I read in a newspaper review yesterday - the second half was newer to me. As she explained, she doesn't do audience interaction - well, except for that impression of her friend, Aisling Bea, who turned out to be sat a few rows back from me, and gave her the only heckle of the night! Very entertaining evening - recommended, as long as sex doesn't offend you. Runs until Saturday, but online booking is closed.

Afterwards, the #4 whisked me home again, in light drizzle. Tomorrow, back at last with Meetup, with Up in the Cheap Seats - my first Meetup in a week will be Lady Windermere's Fan, at the Vaudeville Theatre. Stars Jennifer Saunders.

Finally, I have something for Friday! 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.

Next 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.

On the 25th, 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.