Cart Marking Ceremony, Play: 9 Circles, & Concert: Double Bill - Silvia Balducci & Adam Beattie

Last Saturday, I had booked with Discover London (DL) for a trip to see a cart marking ceremony. The bus made excellent time - which was just as well, as I checked the event page en route, only to discover that I needed cash! Had forgotten that. Well, when I got off, I had some time, and consulted Google Maps for the nearest ATMs.

HAH! The three nearest locations it sent me to - no sign of an ATM. Banks, banks everywhere, and nary a sign of cash. I finally gave up and joined the group, outside the Royal Exchange. Upon hearing my predicament, the guide directed me to the Natwest on the adjacent junction - and lo, I had cash at last! Honestly..

Now, this cart marking ceremony goes on for a bit, and how it works is that all the vehicles to be marked (an early form of licensing) are introduced to a delegation of grandees in a marquee in front of the Guildhall. Each is accompanied by a little blurb from the announcer - because each has something unique about it. Then each returns for a kind of lap of honour. So, as long as you arrive during the initial lap, where the vehicles are marked, you're guaranteed at least to see everything, even if you miss some of the descriptions. And so, our guide had wisely decided not to keep us there for the whole thing - particularly considering the likelihood that we wouldn't get a seat.

Instead, we had a brief history tour of the area! Talked about the buildings to be found, spoke a bit about the history of the guilds - and then off we went to the Guildhall, where we found a shady spot to stand near the entrance, from which to observe proceedings.

Some of the older vehicles seemed a bit small for purpose!

Not all the vehicles were motorised:

But wow, of all the horses pulling carriages of various sorts, this pair completely stole the show: breathtaking..

Another striking note was set by the vehicles used to bring aid to Ukraine:

Afterwards, the guide took us up to the viewing gallery on One New Change - where some people ate sandwiches they'd brought. Me, I needed to eat, imminently - the rooftop restaurant requires reservations, which are checked at ground level before you take the lift. Not to mention the price. So I just went downstairs with another of the group, and we pretty much ate in the first place we came to. Which happened to be Zizzi's! I know, I said never again, after the last time.. but actually, it was quite nice! The garlic bread was too salty, as usual, and there was too much, but the chicken escalope had a lovely, lemony zing. So I finally found something I like there! Must just remember to stay away from anything with tomato sauce - for this dish, it came on the side. And the wine helped everything down! Had a lovely chat with my companion too - sadly, no time for dessert.

Just last week, I saw a new ad from Up in the Cheap Seats (UITCS) - sounded good, 9 Circles - a psychological thriller that examines the ethics of war - at the Park Theatre, with lunch beforehand in Palmyra's Kitchen, around the corner. I'd originally agreed to lunch, but the way things panned out, of course I cancelled. Hightailed it over there after Zizzi's - Tube was the only way to get there fast enough. This was my first look at what they've done to the environs of Finsbury Park Tube Station - very impressive approach now! And I joined the group just as the house opened - so, just enough time to say hi. Seating was unassigned - I got a drink, and joined them.

A circular stage - kind of like a (small) circus ring. At the beginning of each new scene, a narrator explains to us what number circle (of hell) we're on, gives it a name - there are, of course, nine altogether. The protagonist, we discover, is an American "grunt" - as he says himself - stationed in Iraq during the war. We first meet him being (honourably) discharged - and none too happy about it. There's a lot of "SIR, YESSIR!" - now, and throughout. Quite loud then, in what is a small space - the smaller of the theatres here. Only four actors in all, and this "grunt" is onstage constantly, changing clothes when necessary, as the story jumps back and forth through the last year or so of his life.

His whole story slowly unfolds - and it's not a pretty picture. Something happened in Iraq that led to him being discharged, and has ongoing repercussions - it's not too much of a spoiler to mention that one of our group objected to both war crimes and the death penalty being highlighted in the same play - felt, with some justification, I think, that it was too much to hang the play on both. The group also felt, afterwards, that the play is mis-advertised - that it isn't a thriller. I suppose the "thriller" element comes in trying to figure out what really happened, as well as what this guy's fate will be.

Certainly, it's very intense, and very well-acted - the lead actor is compelling. This isn't an easy watch, but is very well-staged, with plenty of eye contact with the audience, and some clever manipulation of the space. It's based on a true story - in which the play's lead character comes across much more unfavourably than here - and much is explained in an interview that the lead actor conducted in advance of the play's run in Edinburgh. My opinion? Well, the death penalty element doesn't appear in the true story, and is an addition. And I think it does confuse the issue, given the emphasis that is also put on the crime that was committed. True, in this case the writer seems to be conducting two arguments - which is one too many. Definitely an interesting production though - only runs until Saturday, so run if you want to see it.

And of course Eleanor, organiser of TunedIn London, advertised a concert through the World Music Meetup, for last Saturday evening, at City Hope Church. It was still a little early - wondering what to do before I headed out there, I was ethused by someone's suggestion of ice cream. Had some trouble finding any, though - although the theatre had them upstairs, there was no service there, and the fridge didn't even look to be on. No ice cream downstairs - and few enough places outside. It wasn't until I consulted Google Maps again that I was alerted to Creams Cafe, which I hadn't even noticed!

Perfect - I went in. My God, how understaffed they were, though! I was waiting so long to order that I took a seat intended for people waiting for takeaways - it was several minutes before the unsmiling woman behind the till took my order. First, she had to make three milkshakes - or some such - and take them to a table. I don't know what the other people working behind the counter were doing during this time. Anyway, she finally did give me what I wanted - and in this large cafe, I took one of only two tables that were actually empty of the remains of other people's food. The ice cream itself was perfect, just what I needed - but I was halfway through before the woman came out from behind the till and started to clear the tables. I don't know whether that was on account of the sudden apparition of someone else behind the till, or the arriving customers' complaints. But it was past time.

Picked up a bottle of lemonade before I headed to the concert - it was already getting hot enough to need something, and I had to take the Tube again, it's so far. First time I've taken the Tube to Bermondsey - crikey, the station is the size of the one at the O2, or Canary Wharf! Anyway, I strolled down to the church, said hi to Eleanor, who was taking names. Gosh, it's years since I've seen her! Had a drink in the bar, which was cash only - just as well I had it, from that morning. And while I was drinking it, I was accompanied by a fellow who turned out to be something to do with the evening.

You see, this was in memory of Ada Salter, a well-to-do woman who moved to what was then the slum area of Bermondsey, and was a great social pioneer, working to improve the lot of those who lived there. The chap who'd sat with me in the bar had written her biography. Anyway, so first up we had Silvia Balducci, singing Latin American protest songs - including the first I'd heard by Víctor Jara, whom I first heard of in a U2 song.

Unfortunately, she couldn't play everything she wanted to play, as they started late. Anyway, after the break, we had Adam Beattie and friends, for - as they said - a complete change of tempo; this was a relaxed, jazzy set, during which he eventually unplugged his guitar and wandered through the audience as he sang! Nearly tripped over someone en route, but hey. It wasn't me.

A lovely evening, as ever with the events this group schedules! Sadly, again, time got the better of them - I guess they were conscious of the neighbours, in this residential area. I managed to get buses back, what with not having to go quite as far, and the lighter traffic - and to memorise my route before my phone battery gave out! After all, it was nearly as busy that day as I was.. Again, no time to blog, as I had to be up early.

Yesterday, back with Bucket List London (BLL) - this time, it was a trip to Sandown Antiques Market. Well, I'd never been to Sandown, so decided this could be interesting. Crikey though, with the temperatures forecast for this weekend, I'd have to be careful in the great outdoors..

(This event is described in today's post Part III - simply because I ran out of space for all the labels I wanted to add!)

Tonight, back with North London Friends! for the first time since before lockdown. This is for an Edinburgh Comedy Festival preview, at the King's Head in Crouch End, featuring Lucy Porter and Rachel Fairburn.

Tomorrow.. I took a punt that I wouldn't actually be employed that day, and signed up again - at last - for a walk with Laurence and the 45+ Not Grumpy Old Londoners. This is The Magic of Midtown - and as I said to him, it finishes very near my new home! I also promised to let him know if I couldn't actually make it. Another day predicted to be scorching.. shade recommended! And wouldn't you know it - he postponed it, as a result. So now, instead, I'm headed with London Baroque Music Lovers to a late-night gig at the Albert Hall - Prom 7 is Dido and Aeneas. Can hide indoors until evening.

On Wednesday, I finish my Meetup run with a trip with UITCS to Leicester Square Theatre to see Frankie Boyle, who has a work in progress show.

On Thursday, I'm heading - at last - to Summer by the River at More London. This is for a free evening of music, curated by Soho Radio. Meeting someone for this, we are getting food beforehand at Wawa - she's keen on ramen. Then I'm back to Ireland for the weekend. Unlikely to get to a film that weekend, as I need to get my car serviced for its NCT - sooner the better, and I couldn't last weekend.

On the 25th, I'm headed to see The Throne, a comedy about to open at Charing Cross Theatre, in which the Queen gets locked in a portaloo with a staunch republican. Time Out has an offer of £10 tickets for the cheapest seats for this - a saving of more than 50%!

On the 26th - tan-ta-ra! I finally managed to get a decently priced ticket to Jerusalem, at the Apollo. I have heard so much about this, and it's always at the top of the Time Out listings - nearly as hard as Hamilton to get a reasonably priced ticket for, so I'm delighted to get one, if only not to have to look any more.

On the 27th, back to Summer by the River again.. for Bumper Blyton: Improvised Adventures for Grown-Ups! Improvised comedy in the style of Enid Blyton books.. sounds jolly good!

On the 28th - another UITCS event that Meetup finally decided to flag to me. So I've booked to go with them to see Briefs Factory's show, Bite Club! at Queen Elizabeth Hall. Drag, burlesque.. should be fun!

On the 29th, I was thinking about the National Theatre's River Stage 2022. This will be the first night of the Hackney Empire's Young Producers Weekend, and there'll be some dance and some music. But now, Civilised London has organised an Ecuadorian meal at El Inca Plebeyo - so I'm going to that instead. His choices are always good. Meeting beforehand at The Canonbury Tavern.

On the 30th, back in Greenwich with BLL - we're starting with the Old Royal Naval College and National Maritime Museum. Was originally supposed to be the Queen's House to finish, but turns out they're booked out all day for a wedding, despite not having clarified that on the website! Then in the afternoon, we're headed to Eltham Palace and Gardens. Quite the packed day..

On the 31st, back with TAC for the opening night of I'm Not Myself Today: A Villainous Cabaret at the Bread and Roses in Clapham. An hour in which someone discusses with us why we all love the villain!

On the 1st, I'm going to the Kiln Theatre for The Darkest Part of the Night. Another troublesome website - I tried for days to get it to work..!

And on the 2nd, thinking vaguely about the Camden Fringe, which runs all next month - there's, for example, an interesting audio event called A Little Drape of Heaven, where you hold a precious item of clothing to your heart, then press play to access a YouTube link that you've paid for. Hmm.. Meantime, Laurence has postponed that walk to this day. Which I can go on as well, assuming I'm not gainfully employed yet..!

Restaurant: Zizzi & Pub: The Lord Raglan

Tonight, also with one of my cheap ticket Clubs (TAC), was supposed to be Fritz & Matlock, at the Pleasance - they caught my eye by advertising it as a reworking of Waiting for Godot. But as it happens, someone at work was having his leaving drinks tonight, so I cancelled my booking - certainly, I wasn't pushed about plays with this club after Saturday's fiasco! We were also going for lunch.. at Zizzi's. Lordy, and I swore I'd never eat there again. Oh well, I'd try to steer clear of what I described last time as "chicken and pasta in tomato sauce"..

I have to say, Zizzi's app is cool. And for once, the QR code worked for me! We could all order separately, and all came up on the same bill. And when it came time to pay, we could split the bill and pay a tip if we fancied. And wouldn't you know it, it worked fine! Pity I still don't like the food much, and probably never shall. I had still lemonade, which was very refreshing. The garlic bread that I ordered as a starter came late - but, to be fair, it's also available as a side. Mind you, it's huge for either - far too much, considering that it was a bit tough and a bit too salty. And for main, I had spag bol - well, the spaghetti was delicious, I have to say that. But the sauce was completely tomato, no meat, and I'm intolerant to tomato.. I ate as little sauce as possible, and it still repeated on me all afternoon. Nope, I'll never be a fan of this benighted restaurant.

This evening, we repaired to the Lord Raglan, and blast it, stayed outside in what became quite a cold evening. As they removed first chairs, then the tables from around us. But the conversation was good (as was the networking).. Gosh, it's frankly amazing to see people again! (some for the first time). Very glad I changed my plans. And hey, it was on my way home.

Tomorrow, I've signed up for a Free 3 Mile City of London on Screen - Guided Walk & Post Event Social, with Invigorate. It's a tour of film locations, most of which I might know already, but hey. This is a newly minted group, made from one that I used to be a member of, before. And it'll be my first guided walk, post-lockdown! The organiser of this group also organised one of the last events I went to, pre-lockdown..

Thursday, more leaving drinks, it turns out- this guy is just changing office, though. 

Friday, back with TAC for Lately, at the Lion & Unicorn. Then I'm back to Ireland again - on Saturday again, as I was unable to get a Friday flight! Working from home on Monday, and flying back to London that evening.

Next Tuesday, I found a curious thing on Meetup - it seems that Watkins Bookshop has its own Meetup group, where it advertises events, and that day there's a talk by Stephen Skinner, about Aleister Crowley's Four Books of Magick. Ok, sounds interesting to me - I signed up.

On the 13th, back at last with Civilised London! We're off for what promises to be another excellent meal, this time at the Korean restaurant, The Petite Corée. Meeting beforehand in The Railway pub.

On the 14th, 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 London European Club decide to come..

On the 15th, woo! A couple of weeks ago, Up in the Cheap Seats 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 the 16th, 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 the 17th, 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 the 18th, 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!

On the 19th, 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.

On the 20th, I booked another walk with Invigorate - this one is a tour of (the outside of) Christopher Wren's churches.

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?

On the 22nd, back with the LEC for a concert - Balkan Music, courtesy of Raka & Balamuc, in The Post Bar, Tottenham. Sounds like fun. Then I'm back to Ireland - another Saturday flight - and with a few days off, I'm not flying back until the 28th.

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 Scared to Death in the Woods! 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! 

Play: Antony and Cleopatra

It was deliciously cool this morning - only about 21 degrees. Google Maps advised me that it would take 36 minutes to get to The Globe - in the event, it took me about 40. Tube to Mansion House and walk across Southwark Bridge. Clever of them to suggest that - I had Blackfriars in mind, but you can see from the map that Mansion House is closer. Their directions are really improving!

The only problem with Mansion House is the last time I was there, I got hopelessly lost looking for a bus stop. It's a complicated junction. So I spent ages poring over Streetview until I was sure I had a fair chance of finding the bridge, which you can't see from the station. In the end, I found my way quite easily. You get your first view of the Globe as you cross the bridge..

Yes, it's that little white building, snuggled in amongst all the bigger ones. Takes no time to get to once you're across. I queued for my ticket, noting that both of today's performances were sold out, as were all the tours - I overheard someone inquiring. Of course, as it was pointed out to her, the tours are more restricted in theatre season. Yes, this is a venue you need to plan ahead for! As I mentioned before, the official website was sold out when I looked, and I got my ticket from lovetheatre.

I really arrived too early.. the doors from the ticket office to the theatre don't open until nearer half an hour before showtime. Today, for a 1pm start, they opened at 12.20. At the same time, the ornate iron gates leading directly to the waterfront open - that's for people who already have their tickets. Or, if you want to make a grander entrance, you could go round that way after you collect your tickets. Otherwise, while you're waiting, there's a bar and giftshop, toilets, and somewhere to sit.

When you're let through into the "piazza" - the area right in front of the theatre - there are bars, an usher going around with a tray of goodies, and a cushion-hire kiosk. Cushions are strongly recommended, by the way, although you can bring your own if you'd prefer - seating is all on wooden benches. I asked about seat backs, but she asked to see my ticket, and said that I probably wouldn't need one - I was in the front row of my section (yay!) and could lean on the balcony. Also, there was a kind of railing behind me, that I could lean against. So I just took a cushion, for £1.

As I waited for the theatre doors to open, I noted the names on all the plaques on the ground - sponsors, I take it. I see Prince Edward has one, over by the theatre wall - good man! Lots of people with the Shakespeare name as well - they probably felt somewhat obliged! Finally, we were let in, and the nice lady told those of us with Upper Gallery tickets to keep going all the way to the top. I was actually the very first in my section. As we passed the Middle Gallery, on our way up, an usher dashed out to us, calling frantically, "Hold on! Hold on!" We assured her that we were headed further up.. It wasn't a difficult climb, anyway. The stairs are wide, and flights short - there are just a lot of them. But not a problem for people with fear of heights.

There were only two rows in my bay, and yes, I was in the front. Second from the end, before the divider from the next section. I had a feeling that no-one would come to the seat inside me, and so it proved - I guessed that lovetheatre had a pair of seats, of which I'd bought one, and they couldn't sell the other. Good job! the legroom is snug in this front row, and in the Upper Gallery, the railings are bunched tighter together than in the Middle Gallery, so you can't stick your legs through them as you can there. So, like last night, I spent the show twisted to the side. It is great to have the balcony to lean on though, and yes, in the Upper Gallery there are safety railings in front of each of the rows behind the front, so that gives you something to lean on. I noticed that, in the Middle Gallery sections to the side, there were benches with backs. I also noticed a wheelchair there, so the Middle Gallery is wheelchair-accessible.

Well, I do love lovetheatre, they gave me a great seat..

Not dead centre, but almost, with a great view of  the stage. Note, in this shot, the side doors for the actors' entrances and exits, and the musicians' gallery. Below it is a pair of large double doors, for the entrance of larger set pieces - closed at the moment. You can take photos only until the actors come on stage. Standing tickets, in the "yard", are just £5, if you have the stamina. Note also that if it rains, umbrellas are not permitted in the yard, but they do sell rain macs. The stage and seating are covered. As the afternoon progressed, it heated up considerably, to the point where it became uncomfortable to lean on the balcony - the wood was too hot. But we did get some welcome cooling breezes.

Well, this is the place to see Shakespeare! The acoustics are terrific, although the actors did stop wryly from time to time to let a plane or helicopter pass overhead, until they could be heard again. Still, they have an easier time of it than in The Scoop, where they don't have such great acoustics! As the show progressed, the odd bird swooped in to sit above the stage, or on the roof above the galleries. Don't forget - this venue, and ones like it, are where his plays were designed to be performed. Certainly, the way Antony and Cleopatra was played today was perfect, with plenty of musical diversion, actresses flirting with men in the audience around the stage, stage effects including very realistic blood bags, and some dramatic stunts with men swooping in on ropes. The interval finishes with a soothsayer gutting, and reading the entrails of, a goat - and I cannot say that it wasn't a real goat, it certainly looked it! So, something to watch if you haven't gone for a drink. All good fun, just as intended.

Although a tragedy, much of this is played as a comedy, and all the better for it. Cleopatra, in particular, is great fun, flouncing around the stage, making the most of being Queen of Egypt. The musical accompaniment is fantastic, and despite the long running time, it's an experience that never drags. I highly recommend seeing anything here, of course - as I left, I looked around, and recognised sights I'd seen on the tour I took, years ago: and I remembered how jealous I'd been that this was a place you were supposed to come to see a play! and they were sold out that day, too. Do try to get to see this - see the website for details of dates of pre- and post-show discussions. Runs until 24th August.

I thought about visiting the toilet before I left, but the queue was too long and it wasn't urgent. I hadn't had time to eat much before I left, so food was next on the agenda. Stay well away from The Swan, adjoining the theatre, for food, unless you have very deep pockets! However, there are three restaurants on the way to Southwark Bridge. I've eaten in the Pizza Express before, and it's good, with a great view of St. Paul's - but I ate in Pizza Express yesterday, so fancied a change. There's also a Greek place - but I've seen Zizzi's restaurants so many times and never tried them, I thought I'd try that. What a mistake, and what a pity, after such a great day! I was quite quickly seated, facing the river - although the view isn't as nice as at Pizza Express, it's ok; you can watch the boats, you get a good view of a fine old river-facing building across the way. The pinot grigio I had was lovely, the garlic bread was excellent. But for my main course, I had, essentially, chicken and pasta in a tomato sauce. Frankly, I'd have expected better from a supermarket microwaveable meal. It was pretty tasteless. And what little chicken there was, was obviously dark meat. As for the mushrooms I was supposed to have - I think I spied one. Well, half of one. And when I wanted the bill, there wasn't a hope of grabbing anyone! When I did, it took her so long to get it that I asked someone else - finally ended up with two bills! No, I won't be back - as I told them in the survey they invited me to complete.

Never mind.. tomorrow, what's coming up is a play called Holes, at the Arcola Tent (ooh, they have a tent!) It's about survivors of a plane crash - topical. I do hope the weather is cool enough not to put me off..!