Back with Let's Do London - for less! last night, at the Globe, for As You Like It. Working late at the office is becoming a disturbingly regular occurrence for me.. went straight from there again. Mind you, I was glad not to have to walk home first, in the lashing rain.
The closest station to the office is actually West Kensington, and since I was taking the District Line, that's where I headed. It's ages since I've been there, and I'd forgotten that there's no train indicator on the platform - there's a screen before you go down the stairs, instead, which I didn't think to check. So it was a long and impatient wait for the train - sure enough, as I'd suspected it would, the train arrived just as I pulled out my phone to see whether I could get internet reception to check where it was - the station is something of a blackspot for internet on my phone. Street outside - no problem. Station - iffy.
Crowded train - I got a seat at Victoria, where there's always a big interchange of passengers. Arrived at the Globe to find our fearless leader, in his stylish and somewhat sodden cap, sitting forlornly on his own under a tree. I'm guessing people just didn't want to stand around and chat in that weather. Never mind, he was soon busy with three of us that arrived at the same time, and whom he gave tickets together.
Our seats were in the same section as last time - a few rows back - and the place gradually filled completely; this is a popular production:
As someone later remarked, those of us sitting under cover didn't realise until afterwards just how heavily it was raining - although we could see the side ramps of the stage getting wetter and wetter, and at the heaviest points, hear the rain pattering off the rain smocks people were wearing. You can rent these - umbrellas aren't allowed, so as not to block others' view.
I've got to say, this was a terrific production! Starring Michelle Terry, it uses all the Globe productions' characteristic song, dance, audience interaction and general tomfoolery. One of Shakespeare's more complicated plot structures is rendered hilarious - Shakespeare was written to be performed, not read, and during the show it frequently occurred to me how dry these words might have seemed on paper. Only quibbles were that, where we were sat, the action was sometimes obscured by a pillar - more often at the beginning: and sometimes the audio was inaudible, particularly most of the jokes offered by Touchstone, the jester. However, we enjoyed it thoroughly - including the person sat by me, whose very first time it was seeing Shakespeare, and who hadn't realised it'd be so funny! Well, as I said, it was written for this venue - and it was written to please the crowd..
Highly recommended. Runs on selected dates until the 5th - availability on the website for the 3rd, 4th & 5th only - limited on the 5th. Booking necessary, as ever with the Globe. But it's worth it.
Afterwards, we congregated under the shelter of that tree again, where our fearlessly soggy-hatted leader (who'd been standing in the pit, in the rain) suggested I take those that were already there to our regular haunt, the Founders' Arms, while he waited for the rest. I had just ordered a glass of chardonnay, when this fellow pops up beside me, checks that I'm in the group, and suggests we get a bottle instead! and he'll pay for it. Eh - cool! He asked for three glasses - one for me, one for him, one for Antony (the leader).
Looking for somewhere to sit, the very back of the room looked promising, given that there were a number of us. So we sat there, and waited for Antony to arrive. And when he did, he didn't see us.. and we with a large glass (1/3 of the bottle, carefully measured) poured for him! He sat somewhere, then decided it wasn't spacious enough and sat closer to us. And after some frantic waving on our part, he came up and joined us, his followers following close behind. Naw, I didn't run off with his group.. honest..we just found a cosy corner, to go with our cosy bottle of wine! B-) Granted, the seating was along the wall, which isn't as nice as having a round table - but there were too many of us all to fit around a single table anyway. And my, but the chat motored on, until we were chucked out by management.
Yep, after midnight by the time I got home again. Really, this group.. so, too late to blog. Tonight, I'm off to the Spiegeltent to see House of Burlesque. Cheap Time Out offer. Tomorrow, I'm back to Ireland for the weekend, and we're headed to the Irish Youth Wind Ensemble, at the University Concert Hall.
On Monday, I'm finally going to see Memphis: the Musical, at the Shaftesbury Theatre.
And the next two days, I'm headed to the Guildford office - first for a
meeting, then the Sports Day. Coincides nicely with the next Tube strikes, assuming the current talks don't help.. despite the article in yesterday's Evening Standard, they don't actually start till Tuesday. Next Thursday, I've booked a ticket to see the comedian Iliza Schlesinger at the Soho Theatre - she was sold out for Monday, so I said maybe I'd better. And that Friday, I'm headed to the Boat Show. Those should both be interesting to get to and from, if the strikes go ahead!
The following Saturday, I'm back with the London Dramatic Arts group, for Oresteia at Trafalgar Studios - its West End transfer. (I see it's at the Globe as well - bummer, that'd have been good.) On the Sunday, I'm headed to the Scoop, for their double bill of classical plays. Technically, I'm accompanying the Free London Events and Talks group, but with 100 of us going, I doubt I'll be much bothered with actually meeting anyone. Unless I see someone I know.
I'm finishing off the month by going to the Proms, and on the 1st September I'm going to What's It All About? Bacharach, at the Menier Chocolate Factory. And yes, there is more planned..
I got the recommendation for Operation Crucible from Time Out - and it was so handy that it's showing in the Finborough, within walking distance of both home and office. I checked, and it's a 50-seater venue.. they let you select up to 25 seats at a time (!), so when the site wouldn't process a booking for that many, I knew it was already over half full. So I booked. For 1. For tonight.
I got stuck into what I was doing in the office, and ended up going straight from there - my time was tighter because, for some reason, they needed to start half an hour earlier tonight. My goodness though, they made sure we knew! I got an email, I got a phone call.. both said that if I needed to cancel or reschedule, I just had to let them know. That's excellent customer service.
I arrived not long before showtime, collected my ticket, and made straight for upstairs, since they said the house was open. When I first came here, there was a wine bar downstairs - then it closed. It's been a while since I was here last, and now it seems to be a thriving bar (with a big screen over the door, showing the footie), advertising "The best beer in the royal borough".
I also noted that they seem to have new doors. Still the same complicated arrangement though, where you have to hold the one behind you while you open the next. The theatre was mostly full when I got there, but it's small and no seat is a bad one. Seating is unassigned, and I got one, not too far to the side, in the middle row. Seating is on comfortably upholstered benches, and before the start, someone informed us that it was sold out (again) and we'd have to squeeze up. I've experienced that here before - someone mustn't have been able to make it though, because this time I actually had room to move.
Operation Crucible - apparently the writer's first play - is set in Sheffield during the Blitz, and is based on Hitler's name for the bombing campaign. I've said I love pared-down productions - you can't get more pared-down than this, four men on a stage, who have no more props than four stools - which are hardly used - and lighting and sound effects. Tells the story of four steel workers, trapped - but alive - in the basement of a luxury hotel in the city centre that was destroyed in the bombing. I can't vouch for the men's stories, but the hotel really was destroyed.
You WILL not see a more powerful play in London at the moment. The intensity can't be described - it has to be experienced. It's amazing how vividly they convey their everyday lives, with absolutely no props: getting ready in the morning, the walk to work, the steel works themselves. Frequently, the story is peppered with anecdotes. And then.. the bombing starts. You can hear it on the sound effects, see it in the fear on their faces. And when the bomb hits, with thundering noise.. complete darkness, and we're right there in the basement with them.
Of course, it runs without an interval - you couldn't disturb the mood like that. Astounding, profoundly moving stuff. There aren't words, and there weren't gestures we could make at the end to express our appreciation. Runs until Saturday, booking strongly advised. Best thing I've seen in - I don't know how long.
Tomorrow, I'm with the Let's Do London - for less! Meetup group yet again, when they're off to the Globe to see As You Like It. On Thursday, I'm off to the Spiegeltent to see House of Burlesque. Time Out offer. Then I'm back to Ireland for the weekend, and we're headed to the Irish Youth Wind Ensemble, at the University Concert Hall.
On Monday, I'm finally going to see Memphis: the Musical, at the Shaftesbury Theatre. And the next two days, I'm headed to the Guildford office - first for a meeting, then the Sports Day. Coincides nicely with the next Tube strikes, assuming the current talks don't help.. that Thursday, I've booked a ticket to see the comedian Iliza Schlesinger at the Soho Theatre - she was sold out for Monday, so I said maybe I'd better. And that Friday, I'm headed to the Boat Show. Those should both be interesting to get to and from, if the strikes go ahead!The following Saturday, I'm back with the London Dramatic Arts group, for Oresteia at Trafalgar Studios - its West End transfer. On the Sunday, I'm headed to the Scoop, for their double bill of classical plays. Technically, I'm accompanying the Free London Events and Talks group, but with 100 of us going, I doubt I'll be much bothered with actually meeting anyone. Unless I see someone I know.I'm finishing off the month by going to the Proms, and on the 1st September I'm going to What's It All About? Bacharach, at the Menier Chocolate Factory. For more.. watch this space!
The organiser of Film Nite advertised a couple of plays - directed (not written) by his drama teacher, and showing in the King's Head. I couldn't make the first one on the night he was going, but trotted along tonight to see Frank Sent Me, a gay gangster comedy.
It's ages since I've been up that way - first thing to remember is that there's more than one King's Head in London! (Islington is the one you want, when looking for directions.) I did realise in time, and decided to leave straight from the office - it'd be too much of a rush to go home first. I stayed quite late at the office, as it happens - but even at that, the Overground would have been a nightmare, so I took the Tube - which, by that time (around 6.30) had quietened down a bit.
Exiting the station and turning right, I noticed a lady consulting directions. Wondered whether she was headed to the same place I was - indeed, she walked in the same direction as me for most of my trip. But she wasn't. So just as well I didn't freak her out by asking. Our group were meeting beforehand at the Slug & Lettuce, down the road from the King's Head. You order downstairs, but seating - and larger tables - are available upstairs, and there we sat.. pleasant décor, good food, a screen and projector for those sporting occasions. I only had breaded mushrooms - time was tight and I didn't want to rush - but I can recommend them.
When it was about that time, we headed to the King's Head pub and made our way to the back, where they had a list of the names of those who'd booked. Through to the theatre, which is a room at the back. We'd all booked separately, so were sat separately; I was at the end of a row, which was handy for leaving my things, as was the fact that I had a spare seat beside me; there weren't many of those. Seating is on upholstered benches.
Interestingly, we'd all got email warnings beforehand about how hot the theatre could get. I don't know what's happened to it, because I've been to things here before and never experienced this kind of heat - it was sweltering! something not reflected in the outside temperature. Even the bar itself was cooler. Three oscillating fans attached to the ceiling and one static fan on the floor did nothing to help, and I'm afraid it really detracted from my enjoyment of the play. People who'd been to the previous production said that had been even hotter.. glad now that I didn't go!
This was a shame, because the play was really good. A very simple piece, it focuses on two men - one a gangster type, the other probably his lover, although it's never made explicit. They're preparing for the arrival of a third character - the person that "Frank" sent. They're not looking forward to his arrival, for reasons that become clear. And when the third fellow arrives, the tension of the first two characters is nicely juxtaposed with the comedy he brings to the situation; obviously out of his depth, this guy whose arrival they've dreaded ends up depending on them to look after him!
Excellently cast, excellently directed. I do love a simple idea, and found this very enjoyable to watch (well, apart from the heat..) Runs until Saturday. I don't know where I got the impression that it lasted for 80 minutes - this was about 60 (no interval, of course). And my, but I was glad to get outta there! as fast as the slow-moving ladies chatting together in front of me would allow. Having already donated when I booked, I ignored their collection bucket on the way out. Oh, the relief to be outside in the cool.. we stood and chatted for quite a while, waiting for the director to make an appearance. A couple of the actors happened by, too - that's the great thing about informal venues, I think it's so interesting to have the cast mingle with the public.
I took the Overground home - it's that bit cheaper, and the timing worked out perfectly. Tomorrow, I'm headed to a play set in Sheffield during the Blitz. Operation Crucible is showing in the Finborough, nice and close to me. Must remember their earlier start time. On Wednesday, I'm with the Let's Do London - for less! Meetup group yet again, when they're off to the Globe to see As You Like It. On Thursday, I'm off to the Spiegeltent to see House of Burlesque. Time Out offer. Then I'm back to Ireland for the weekend, and we're headed to the Irish Youth Wind Ensemble, at the University Concert Hall.
The following Monday, I'm finally going to see Memphis: the Musical, at the Shaftesbury Theatre. And the next two days, I'm headed to the Guildford office - first for a meeting, then the Sports Day. Coincides nicely with the next Tube strikes, assuming the current talks don't help.. that Thursday, I've booked a ticket to see the comedian Iliza Schlesinger at the Soho Theatre - she was sold out for Monday, so I said maybe I'd better. And that Friday, I'm headed to the Boat Show. Those should both be interesting to get to and from, if the strikes go ahead!
The following Saturday, I'm back with the London Dramatic Arts group, for Oresteia at Trafalgar Studios - its West End transfer. On the Sunday, I'm headed to the Scoop, for their double bill of classical plays. Technically, I'm accompanying the Free London Events and Talks group, but with 100 of us going, I doubt I'll be much bothered with actually meeting anyone. Unless I see someone I know.
I'm finishing off the month by going to the Proms, and on the 1st September I'm going to What's It All About? Bacharach, at the Menier Chocolate Factory. Which is quite enough to be doing with for now!
It's been quite a day of Meetups! There were a couple of walks on, but I decided to go with Walk About London's 800th Year of Magna Carta - I know the guide is a good one. And, like yesterday, it turned out to be a gorgeous day! So I dragged myself out of bed - unusually early for me, on a Sunday - and got myself into town. Despite the indication board at West Brompton telling me that the next train was headed my way, sure enough, when it came, it wasn't, and I had to change at Earl's Court. Which would have been easier, if not for the elderly couple who couldn't decide whether to get on, and held the doors twice..
After that, it was a straight run through to Blackfriars, where I exited the station to find the guide standing right in front of the entrance, a circle of people around him. We waited until 5 past for stragglers, then the tour began. He promised to finish around 1, but really this free tour lasted until about 1.30, as he led us up steps and down passageways, through the City. I still haven't gotten around to getting a new camera charger, but did shoot a few photos with my phone until the battery died.
We started with Temple, a district I love. This secluded part of town is home to the legal fraternity, and is a real haven amidst the hustle and bustle. We stopped periodically for him to talk to us, and after the first time, in the blazing sunshine (where it was quite hot), we stopped in the shade. Where, interestingly, it could be quite cold, especially when the breeze blew. Really, the day didn't know what it was doing.
It's tricky to talk about Magna Carta - you either say too much or too little. On the one hand, it's a charter of rights signed by King John, which he was forced into, and which formed the basis for later declarations of human rights. Story told. On the other hand, there's a real soap opera behind the king's life, which you can use to embellish the story - and it was interesting to see our guide pick his way through a maze of facts, focussing on the gossip-worthy bits.
We passed by Temple Church, where there's an exhibition on Magna Carta, but it wasn't open, so he just talked to us outside. Sometime after, as I was taking a picture with my phone, I noticed I had a new email - and, on checking it, discovered that it was the organiser of Film Nite, offering me a free ticket this evening to a documentary on Orson Welles! If he could source one. I thought about it, and replied in the affirmative, asking him to let me know if he got one.
Well, the walk wound on, through Magpie Alley, decorated with tiles depicting the development of printing in England, and past a highly decorated Youth Hostel that used to be the school for choirboys of St. Paul's. Wouldn't you know it, it was just as we reached St. Paul's that my battery died, and that was it for photos for today. We had a bit of time in St. Paul's churchyard, then wound our way to the Guildhall (with a slight detour to see some Roman ruins). Our tour finished in the museum under the Guildhall, where we saw a copy of Magna Carta, as well as a view of London's only Roman amphitheatre. This museum is free, and somewhere I'd like to come back to - there was more to be seen.
Afterwards, we searched for somewhere to have something to eat and drink and a chat, but this being the City on a Sunday, that wasn't easy. We fancied a pub, but the first was closed and the second didn't really have room. Instead, we ended up in the Pret a Manger at Cannon Street Station, where the five of us that remained spent a deal of time sitting, chatting, and reviving ourselves. I had an excellent brownie. Someone else had a cucumber seltzer that she wasn't keen on - altogether too much cucumber, it seems. The guide was never entirely off duty; upon hearing that the adjoining street concealed one of London's subterranean rivers, the American who'd lasted that long exclaimed, "Is there any part of London that's not cool?!" Quite. Another excellent tour by this guide - I'd love to go on more, he just has to schedule them at times and on days I can manage!
Well, with my battery dead, my only way of finding out whether I had a ticket for this film was to go home, which I did. Put my phone on to charge and booted up my laptop, to discover yes! he'd got me a ticket, and could I be at Soho House's new address by 4.30? Eh, yes, roughly.. I'd had a busy day already and it was now nearly four! I did my best, cramming myself onto a packed Piccadilly Line, and made it just 10 minutes late.
I knew the address, and had also looked it up on Streetview - the organiser had said to ring the bell and say I was his guest. Sure enough, I rang, was immediately buzzed in, and told the smiling lady on reception whose guest I was - whereupon she directed me downstairs to the basement cinema, and to turn right. It's newly refurbished, and noticeably less scruffy than the old place. I joined my fellow group members in a plush sitting room, where the widescreen tv was showing the football. I'd been considering going to the bar to order a drink, but didn't have to, because a waiter came around after a while. Just as well I hadn't - you have to be a member to buy anything, of course! Our organiser turned out to have a membership card, so the bill for two of us went to him, and he graciously paid it.
The cinema itself was though another door, and after having a look, I remarked to him on its similarity to the Electric Cinema - he explained that they were run by the same company. Ah, the luxury - plush armchair seats, with a side table (you can take in your drink), and an ottoman you can put your feet on. All cinema should, indeed, be like this!
The documentary - whose name I missed - turned out to be excellent. You think you know someone, but this highlighted many aspects of his life I hadn't been aware of. It was utterly fascinating. Also interesting was the roll call of so many of his films whose names I recognised - A Touch of Evil, The Magnificent Ambersons, and many others - which are currently showing in London: obviously to celebrate the centenary of his birth. This is a man it's worth getting to know more about.
On our way back, he advised us to pop our heads round the door of the Criterion restaurant, just to see the décor. Just a tad expensive, but wow! the décor is indeed worth a look - you'd never guess, from the street. A cover story about being supposed to meet someone there got us inside, and after confusing the waiter, we agreed to wait for our companion outside. The companion who'd already gone home, of course.
Tomorrow, we're going to a play - Frank Sent Me - that his old drama teacher wrote, and which is performing at the King's Head. On Tuesday, I'm headed to a play set in Sheffield during the Blitz. Operation Crucible is showing in the Finborough, nice and close to me. They bumped the time to half an hour earlier, but were good enough to both email and phone me, just to make sure I knew, and to let me know to contact them if I needed to cancel. On Wednesday, I'm with Let's Do London - for less! yet again, when they're off to the Globe to see As You Like It. Next Thursday, I'm off to the Spiegeltent - on my own - to see House of Burlesque. Time Out offer. Then I'm back to Ireland for the weekend, and we're headed to the Irish Youth Wind Ensemble, at the University Concert Hall.The following Monday, I'm finally going to see Memphis: the Musical, at the Shaftesbury Theatre. And the next two days, I'm headed to the Guildford office - first for a meeting, then the Sports Day. Coincides nicely with the next Tube strikes, assuming the current talks don't help.. that Thursday, I've bitten the bullet and booked a ticket to see the comedian Iliza Schlesinger at the Soho Theatre - she was sold out for Monday, so I said maybe I'd better. And that Friday, I'm headed to the Boat Show. Those should both be interesting to get to and from, if the strikes go ahead!
The following Saturday, I'm back with the London Dramatic Arts group, for Oresteia at Trafalgar Studios - its West End transfer. On the Sunday, I'm headed to the Scoop, for their double bill of classical plays. Technically, I'm accompanying the Free London Events and Talks group, but with 100 of us going, I doubt I'll be much bothered with actually meeting anyone. Unless I see someone I know.
That Monday, I'm finishing off the month by going to the Proms, and on the 1st September I'm going to What's It All About? Bacharach, at the Menier Chocolate Factory. And then I'm planning on collapsing with exhaustion..
Let's Do London - for less! + opera = unbeatable combination. So I booked it. Mind you, I've been misrepresenting them for the last few days - this wasn't the Pop-Up Opera, which does abbreviated operatic versions in venues that never likely saw an opera before, or even live performance. Although this group has been to those productions before: no, this was Opera Up Close, which is more conventional. Somewhat. They do more standard versions of operas, in English, in somewhat more conventional venues. I believe performers do appear in productions for both companies, though.
So off I went today, to see their production of Carmen, in the Soho Theatre. A typically crowded and sweaty Piccadilly Line saw the usual influx of people at Knightsbridge, and a corresponding outflux at Piccadilly Circus. It was a lovely walk in the sunshine though, round the side of Chinatown, and when a gorgeous whiff caught my attention, I decided I'd have a Chinese afterwards. It's so long since I was in Soho on a sunny weekend afternoon..
We were more organised this time, with two tables booked in the lobby bar. As usual, our leader was behatted - more a flat cap than a baseball cap this time: very fetching, and equally effective. Chatted for a bit, went upstairs when the call came. I was fourth row from the front, which was plenty close.. up-close opera can be an intense experience. But when you compare this with a more usual production - my, it's amazing how much they can do without! Four musicians over the side did as well as a full orchestra, the pianist also acting as the conductor. No milling cast of characters necessary in the background - indeed, there wouldn't have been anywhere for them to mill about in anyway! No fancy costumes required.
The production was edited down a bit, but that didn't detract from it. The smaller cast enabled us to concentrate better on the story. And as I say, the sheer force of someone belting out an aria, practically in your face, has to be experienced. Really, I'll never look at a conventional production the same way again. Interestingly, this company gave the story a slightly different slant; Carmen is usually portrayed as a man-eater, ruthless and heartless, with José the poor, well-intentioned boy led astray. Here, for a change, Carmen is portrayed as just a flirt, a bit out of control and making bad choices: while José, once she stirs him from his obedient journey along the straight and narrow path, turns volatile and abusive. The last scene is actually quite chilling. Very interesting to see this completely different slant on the same story - and very believable. Also interesting how the abusive José got the loudest applause at the end. (To be fair, he was superb!) Runs till the 19th September. Recommended. Probably wise to book - today's matinee was pretty much sold out.
Afterwards, we had booked the same two tables. I got a drink and sat down, somewhat surprised to see some people there whom I didn't recognise from the group. They asked how we knew Antony (the organiser), introducing themselves as Antony's mother and sister. They didn't look much like him. I smelled a rat when they didn't recognise the term "Meetup".. turned out the performer who sang the part of José so well was also called Antony! We put the final pieces together when he finally came downstairs and they erupted in applause. Actually, it was nice, how all the performers came down after and hung out in the bar for a bit. The guys from Bears in Space (also still running) were also over the side (sans bears..)
When we broke up, I headed for New Loon Fung, for another of their delicious chicken in honey and lemon dishes. And it was as gorgeous as I remembered. The pinot grigio here is rosé, but perfectly drinkable. Toilets are upstairs from the main restaurant, where it turns out they have a whole other floor! No lack of space, then.. I shopped in Tesco on the way back, and had such heavy bags that the Tube was a nightmare. Thank goodness for the kind lady who made sure that I got, first a space to lean, then a seat, when they became available. Unfortunately, I just missed my train in Earl's Court, and ended up walking the rest of the way.
Tomorrow, I'm with Walk About London for a walk based on the Magna Carta - weather permitting. If it's like today, it'll be lovely! On Monday, the organiser of Film Nite informed us that his old drama teacher had written a play - Frank Sent Me - that's performing at the King's Head. Some of us are going.
On Tuesday, I'm headed to a play set in Sheffield during the Blitz. Operation Crucible is showing in the Finborough, nice and close to me. On Wednesday, I'm with Let's Do London - for less! yet again, when they're off to the Globe to see As You Like It. Next Thursday, I'm off to the Spiegeltent - on my own - to see House of Burlesque. Time Out offer. Then I'm back to Ireland for the weekend, and we're headed to the Irish Youth Wind Ensemble, at the University Concert Hall.
The following Monday, I'm finally going to see Memphis: the Musical, at the Shaftesbury Theatre. And the next two days, I'm headed to the Guildford office - first for a meeting, then the Sports Day. Coincides nicely with the next Tube strikes, assuming the current talks don't help..
Film it was tonight, and one of the more interesting stories of what was chosen. Working from my list of IMDB ratings, the highest was - rather surprisingly, but indisputably, Absolutely Anything (at 8.6), a Simon Pegg comedy in which he's given supernatural powers by the Monty Python crew, and uses them to seduce Kate Beckinsale and make his dog (Robin Williams) talk.
I thought it was too good to be true. Sure enough, the rating fell from 8.6 yesterday morning, to 8.2 yesterday evening, to 8 this morning. By the time it had reached 7.3 this evening, it had been surpassed (it's at 7 at time of writing). Something of a meteoric descent, then. Which left The Man From U.N.C.L.E. The Yplan ticket I'd bought (they have a cheap ticket deal for Vue) was good for any film, and good at my local cinema, which was handier than Shepherd's Bush, where I'd have had to see the other. Especially handy on a grey and drizzly evening.
I got the Tube down there - I could walk home afterwards, but it would've been a trek from the office. Queued for a bit, got my ticket, and arrived in the screen just after the trailers had started. Lots of spy/thriller type trailers - including, oddly, one for the very film we were seeing! I wasn't surprised to hear someone near me ask his companion - this is the one we've come to see, right?
Yes, it was. Co-written and directed by Guy Ritchie, it stars Henry Cavill as Napoleon Solo, the old Robert Vaughn role. Mind you, both he and his co-star, playing Ilya Kuryakin, are much better looking than the original actors. Also stars Alicia Vikander, as watchable as ever, and Hugh Grant. But I can't tell you who their characters are, for fear of giving the plot away.
Oh my goodness, it's very good! Guy Ritchie has set a spy film in the early 60s. And, not that I would wish a return to the Cold War - but it did make for some fantastic thrillers. Sexy, sinister - complicated backstory, great costumes, terrific scenery. Stylish, pacy, sassy. I loved it. Henry Cavill attempting the old Napoleon Solo accent grates at first, but becomes more natural. And Ilya is much less robotic in this than in the original. I do believe I remember one of the scenes from the original series. Oh yes, go see.. and I look forward to the inevitable sequel.
Inspired by the setting of most of the film in Rome, I fancied something Italian for dinner. Specifically, I would've liked chicken in a creamy sauce. Unfortunately, the nearby supermarket was Sainsbury's, and their woeful selection provided neither a decent ready meal, nor any kind of bottled Italian sauce at all! I picked up some garlic bread and chicken kiev..
Tomorrow, I'm back with Let's Do London - for less! for Pop-Up Opera's Carmen (in English), again at the Soho Theatre. On Sunday, I'm with Walk About London for a walk based on the Magna Carta - weather permitting. On Monday, the organiser of Film Nite informed us that his old drama teacher had written a play - Frank Sent Me - that's performing at the King's Head. Actually, he wrote two, and this chap was at the other last Monday, but I flew back that day and couldn't make that. Some of us are going to this.
On Tuesday, I'm headed to a play set in Sheffield during the Blitz. Operation Crucible is showing in the Finborough, nice and close to me. On Wednesday, I'm with Let's Do London - for less! yet again, when they're off to the Globe to see As You Like It. Next Thursday, I'm off to the Spiegeltent - on my own - to see House of Burlesque. Time Out offer. Then I'm back to Ireland for the weekend, and we're headed to the Irish Youth Wind Ensemble, at the University Concert Hall.
The following Monday, I'm finally going to see Memphis: the Musical, at the Shaftesbury Theatre. And the next TWO days, I'm headed to the Guildford office - first for a meeting, then the Sports Day. Coincides nicely with the next Tube strikes..
Ah yes, Bears in Space.. honestly, I wouldn't have given it a second thought, had it not been a Let's Do London - for less! Meetup. Not to say that I automatically go to all theirs - but they are always worth considering. So, without a specific reason not to go, I booked.
Just as well I did - not only did all their tickets for last night sell out, so did all Soho Theatre's, I think! A hot and sweaty Tube ride into town - not helped by the influx of people at Knightsbridge - was followed by one of those frustrating walks, crawling through crowds of people outside the station, crawling through crowds standing outside the pubs on Dean Street. It was a relief to get to the theatre at last, and weave my way through the crowds in the ground floor bar (crawling not required). A quick look around, and I spotted the Man with the Baseball Cap, and his wad of tickets. It was too late to be bothered with a drink, so I stood and chatted with other folks from the group for a while, waiting for the house to open.
There was a muffled announcement - not about our show, apparently, but we decided to move anyway and join the queue waiting to go upstairs. I was delighted to see two members of the London Dramatic Arts group there, who I know were there on my recommendation! I hoped they'd enjoy it. Meantime, we joined a cramped queue, and were let upstairs eventually. And, as I remarked to them, if this group has done anything for me, it's gotten me to this theatre a bit early, so I'm not rushing for shows. Lordy, the number of times I've dashed into the theatre panting and they've had to radio upstairs to hold the door while I give myself a coronary clambering up all those stairs..
After a relaxed climb, we arrived at the "Soho Upstairs" theatre on the top floor. Our organiser had advised us to sit in the central section, facing the stage, and this we did, as the house gradually filled up around us. Mind you, you could say the play had already started - certainly, the stage was set, three rather dopey-looking characters standing behind a sterner-looking chap, glaring at people who crossed the stage in front of him. No bears in sight, yet.
Comedy is subjective. Having said that, I would expect anyone booking a show called "Bears in Space" to have what I commonly call a highly developed sense of the ridiculous, which is what was required for this show last night. I won't give away who the four characters in the middle of the stage were, but it was a promising start. And over the next 80 minutes (without interval - the seats weren't quite comfortable enough for that, but never mind), we vaulted from WTF moments to moments of sheer genius. They know what they're doing - this is a professionally silly production.
Seriously - crack up your funny bone, dust off your sense of the ridiculous and take yourself along to this, if you get a chance. Let's Do London - for less! have four tickets left, at time of writing, for the same show on the 22nd. The theatre website is showing availability for tonight, tomorrow, and the 22nd. Recommended.
Afterwards, the theatre bar was still crowded, so our fearless leader popped off to find us somewhere else to congregate. We ultimately ended up around the corner, at The Ship, where we found we'd get served if we stood at the end of the bar, and we few hardcore members still remaining stayed for a drink and a natter. We had a convenient table to the side.. and the chat was good. When you could hear it - the soundtrack was excellent, but the thumping rock rapidly got louder and drove us away. Really, it's hard work screaming at each other all evening.. While we were there though, the man (who'd now dispensed with the Baseball Cap) shared some of his thoughts about the group, and it was obvious to see why these Meetups work so well, with an organiser who has such a passion for them.
Tonight is a film, and Absolutely Anything was at the top of my film list. Mind you, I was dubious of its initial high rating on IMDB. Sure enough, I watched as it plummeted from 8.6 yesterday morning, to 8.2 yesterday evening, to 8 this morning, and finally to 7.3 this evening. Nope, instead I'll be heading to The Man From U.N.C.L.E. My, that brings back memories of the tv series.. stars Henry Cavill (whom I last saw playing Charles Brandon in The Tudors) - in Robert Vaughn's role, I suppose - and the talented Alicia Vikander. Co-written and directed by Guy Ritchie. Handily, the Yplan ticket I bought is good at my local Vue just as well as the one I'd been intending to go to, in Shepherd's Bush - and my local is closer, on this grey and drizzly evening.
Tomorrow, I'm back with Let's Do London - for less! for Pop-Up Opera's Carmen (in English), again at the Soho Theatre. On Sunday, I'm with Walk About London for a walk based on the Magna Carta - weather permitting. On Monday, the organiser of Film Nite informed us that his old drama teacher had written a play - Frank Sent Me - that's performing at the King's Head.
Actually, he wrote two, and this chap was at the other last Monday, but
I flew back that day and couldn't make that. Some of us are going to
this.
On Tuesday, I'm headed to a play set in Sheffield during the Blitz. Operation Crucible is showing in the Finborough, nice and close to me. On Wednesday, I'm with Let's Do London - for less! yet again, when they're off to the Globe to see As You Like It. Next Thursday, I'm off to the Spiegeltent - on my own, for a change - to see House of Burlesque. Then I'm back to Ireland for the weekend, and we're headed to the Irish Youth Wind Ensemble, at the University Concert Hall.
The following Monday, I'm finally going to see Memphis: the Musical, at the Shaftesbury Theatre.
And the next TWO days, I'm headed to the Guildford office - first for a
meeting, then the Sports Day. Coincides nicely with the next Tube strikes..
