Pretty last-minute, London Speaks Sessions advertised a talk by a man who's well along the way to visiting every country in the world - with just the proverbial backpack and laptop. Ah well now, with my wandering bent, that was exactly the kind of thing to appeal. Turned out to be a Funzing event - actually, I think all this group's events are; it's a good way to publicise them. I booked.
Curious thing - two Meetups were scheduled for this: different names, one address specified, one not. Same theme, and both linked to the same Funzing page. Ah - right. I went with the Funzing directions, such as they were.. "AlphaBeta, ask for Huckletree". Eh.. 18 Finsbury Square was more comprehensible. The Meetup group, however, said it was at #12. What the hey, it was probably just a big building, encompassing both - I wasn't familiar with the area.
Next problem I had was with Google Maps. The simplest way to get there was by Overground, but a combination of train or bus and Tube would be faster. The train would be going in the other direction and doubling back on myself - I decided to take the bus and then the Northern Line. Thing is.. they said to get the bus to Clapham North. And that it'd be three stops from where I got on.
I'm not that familiar with the Northern Line. I didn't realise that Clapham Common, which we passed long before Clapham North, is also on the Northern Line, so it'd have been faster to take the Tube from there. And even that is 10 stops away! Just imagine my confusion as I waited for the Clapham North stop to appear.. oh, and they also wanted me to get off at the stop after that and walk back. Dunno, gremlins must've hacked the site - I see it's been corrected since.
I did make it to Clapham North, with its famously narrow platform, and to Moorgate, which helpfully had a sign indicating which exit to take for Finsbury Square. I didn't recognise much from Streetview, but (correctly) turned left, and there I was. And behold and lo, on the other side of the square was a huge building with "AlphaBeta" over the entrance. Wish I could've taken a photo, but my phone was dead, as usual. Upon passing through the imposing entrance, I found myself in a modern, wood-panelled lobby, with an enormous reception desk, but couldn't see Huckletree. No worries - the guy at reception spotted me and directed me downstairs..
The only obvious entrance had a desk just inside, with two ladies and a laptop. I gave my name, she checked it off - no tickets in advance for this. She was good enough to give me a 10% discount voucher for Funzing, and said to go to the auditorium. Auditorium? Oh, those steps over there with folks sitting on them.
From then on, things got easier. Massively helped by generous quantities of free wine - help yourself, several bottles of red and white, and plastic containers, just over there! Great idea - may we see more of it. I helped myself liberally - be a shame to let it spoil - and made my way over. The prime spots were gone by now, and seating was slightly complicated by the two massive concrete pillars holding the roof up, which kind of spoiled the view of the screen. I discovered that the view was better from the side - the conscientious speaker actually came over before starting, to check that we could all see ok!
Both laptop and backpack were present on stage - apparently though, he lost his camera when he was mugged, just recently. Awful shame - one of the best parts of this talk was the photography, and he displayed some amazing shots. Check them out on his Facebook page, or his website. I do hope he gets another camera.. and soon, because his travels go on and on.
This wasn't the first time he's given this talk, and it's quite polished. His mother and girlfriend were in the audience - I guess it's tricky enough to grab time with him otherwise! He's currently through 68 (I think) of 196 countries - well, as he said, that's the total on Google, and that's what he's taking as official.
We got the details of how he persuaded work to let him work remotely, so all he needs - to quote him - are WiFi and pizza. He uses Uber, he uses AirBnB. In fact, he's got to be one of the world's greatest authorities on independent travel - I'll definitely make a note of his websites in future, especially if I'm travelling anywhere tricky. And I have to say I found the entire thing fascinating - he has a passion for travel, and as he says, the best thing about it is meeting people. Not even being mugged put him off - well, me either, when I was pickpocketed on Las Ramblas. What the hey, the good always outweighs the bad..
The Q+A afterwards was interesting. He's from Tel Aviv, and people wondered how he managed in Arab countries (just fine, apparently, as displayed in a photo of him posing with some Arabs). When does he find time to sleep? Not often. And when someone asked him where home was, he answered, "It's not a place, it's a person". Which drew a big "ahh" from the audience.. Terrific event, in an interesting and flexible space. Delighted I went!
Afterwards, my mission was to walk to the Overground station - well, it had looked easy on Google Maps, but I was pretty lost by the time I got to Spitalfields, where a map put me right again. Having to be up early again for Guildford today, I didn't have time to cook - stopped in to the local chipper for a bag of chips, which did me just fine.
Tonight, I'd booked to go to another talk - and then the World Music Meetup stepped up with a free Spanish guitar concert! Aw man - you couldn't get better for me! Travel and Spanish guitar - two of my absolute passions. About two seconds' hesitation - what the hey, it is free. And although it's in Shoreditch again, it's on late, so I should be ok. Working from home tomorrow, so a late finish shouldn't be an issue. And I see the 344 goes to within walking distance, so if I start out early enough I can take that for its whole route.
Tomorrow, I'm back with the Man with the Hat, who's taking Let's Do London - for less! - swiftly becoming another of my passions - to (ahem) The Toxic Avenger, in Southwark Playhouse. I predict another interesting night - no crystal ball required.
On Thursday, I'm back with London Dramatic Arts, for The Flick, at the Dorfman (in the National). Oh, and on Friday, they're off to Lawrence After Arabia, in Hampstead Theatre - I got cheaper from the theatre itself, so I'm going separately. They don't like that, but I have a seat upstairs, so it should be possible to avoid them - and, of course, having banned me from linking to this blog on their website, they're less likely to read the blog and find out what I'm doing. Shh!
Tuesday, 26 April 2016
Thursday, 21 April 2016
Concert: Orchestral Masterworks
Today was one of those TBD days. I had RSVPed in the affirmative for a comedy show with London Live Comedy - but I don't know anyone in it, and it was all the way over in King's Cross. Well, I hadn't had to pay - so that was changeable. I thought I might go to a film, but nothing was jumping out at me. And then Kensington Classical Music advertised a concert in the Royal College of Music - not only was it close, but they were playing Prokofiev and - more importantly - Finlandia, which I love. Right then..
Now, I say they advertised it - that doesn't mean I went with them. For this event, they charged £2.50 over and above the more expensive ticket price - they were open about it, explaining that there was a £2.50 Meetup fee. Well, they are, of course, entitled to charge what they like - but frankly, it wasn't worth it to me. So I booked direct with the college, and determined to avoid them - got a Print at Home ticket so I wouldn't have to go to the box office.
Last time I did this, I ran right into the organiser after the concert. I hoped to have better luck this time.. Now, I knew I'd be getting a bus, but the funny thing about Google Maps - although they're very useful - is that the bus directions aren't always perfect. They told me I could get the 345 from the stop just up the road, or the 49 from further up.. rubbish, they both stop at the same stop. And as for having to get off the 49 at South Kensington.. I could get off closer to the college, at Queen's Gate Terrace.
As it happened, the first along was the 345, which I took. It was a lovely, sunny evening as we crossed into what I always call leafy West London, and travelled along streets that used to be more familiar to me than they are now. We were supposed to travel as far as the Natural History Museum - but sometimes buses terminate early, and this one did so at South Kensington. Never mind - I could see the museum over the rooftops, so knew where I was going, and had in mind that the later I arrived, the better - so that organiser wouldn't see me.
It was an easy walk - the college is around the back of the museum though, and it takes a while to walk around its bulk. Turn right onto Prince Consort Road, and it's on the right - the red building. By the time I got there, the audience had already gone in - an usher took me to the remaining open door, and I hurried to my seat as the orchestra was tuning up. We could hear the odd strain of piano playing in the distance - occupational hazard of a music college. Took me a while to spot the organiser, who was sat near the front, pretty much straight ahead of me. From the free programme I'd been given on the way in, I saw there was no interval - perfect! No extra chances to meet the group - and being in the very last row, near the door, I could make a fast getaway.
My view was fine, by the way - it's not a huge hall. And what excellent value these concerts are, for £5 (most seats). The running order was different to what was on the concert website - we started with the modern, award-winning piece - sorry, but unsurprisingly, I hated it. A 10-minute jangle of noise - I noticed one woman with her fingers in her ears. Why, oh why, are the modern pieces always so horrible..? It did occur to me to marvel that I'll accept one piece I don't like in a classical concert, but not one comedian I don't like in a comedy line-up.. but it is more annoying to be pissed off and have people laughing around you. If there was anyone there tonight who enjoyed the first piece, they kept it to themselves.
Prokofiev's First Violin Concerto was played by a soloist in a striking, scarlet evening dress, and was such a lovely change from the first piece. But Finlandia was, of course, my highlight - I love a bit of drama, and this piece nearly blew the roof off! It was over all too soon, and I beat a hasty retreat, and was one of the first to leave. The group were headed to a hotel - I didn't know which, but I figured it was in the opposite direction I was headed in, to catch the 49 - that stop was closer.
I had my phone on in case I needed directions, but it was quite easy - back along Prince Consort Road, left, first right onto Queen's Gate Terrace, left at the end. It wasn't long before a bus appeared - whose driver seemed to be in a hurry; it was positively dangerous to get up to leave the bus. But in due course I was deposited, safe and sound, at home.
Back to Ireland tomorrow.. but next week is all about Meetups! I was a bit lost for something to do on Monday - and then, pretty last-minute, London Speaks Sessions announced a talk - Where's Dean? 1 Man, 196 Countries, His Mission. Eh - and another, at the same time, in the same square, if not quite the same address: Life Without Rent: The Secrets of a Digital Nomad. They both link to the same Funzing page, so I figure it's the same thing - what the hey, the story of a man whose mission is to travel to all these countries is a story I wanna hear. I'm already loving his Facebook page.. So I've booked, and I'll believe Funzing's version of the address. I'm probably not going to make it much in advance anyway, so may not meet the group at all - I'll be in Guildford that day. Hey, Monday is becoming something of a day for talks, eh?!
On Tuesday, I'd booked to go to a talk again - and then the World Music Meetup stepped up with a free Spanish guitar concert! Aw man - you couldn't get better for me! There are some things that I love with a passion, and Spanish guitar is on that list. About two seconds' hesitation - what the hey, it is free. And although I'll be in Guildford again.. and it's in Shoreditch again.. it's on late, so I should be ok.
On Wednesday, I'm back with the Man with the Hat, who's taking Let's Do London - for less! to (ahem) The Toxic Avenger, in Southwark Playhouse. I predict another interesting night - no crystal ball required for that.
On Thursday, I'm back with London Dramatic Arts, for The Flick, at the Dorfman (in the National). Oh, and on Friday, they're off to Lawrence After Arabia, in Hampstead Theatre - I got cheaper from the theatre itself, so I'm going separately. They don't like that, but I have a seat upstairs, so it should be possible to avoid them - and, of course, having banned me from linking to this blog on their website, they're less likely to read the blog and find out what I'm doing..
Now, I say they advertised it - that doesn't mean I went with them. For this event, they charged £2.50 over and above the more expensive ticket price - they were open about it, explaining that there was a £2.50 Meetup fee. Well, they are, of course, entitled to charge what they like - but frankly, it wasn't worth it to me. So I booked direct with the college, and determined to avoid them - got a Print at Home ticket so I wouldn't have to go to the box office.
Last time I did this, I ran right into the organiser after the concert. I hoped to have better luck this time.. Now, I knew I'd be getting a bus, but the funny thing about Google Maps - although they're very useful - is that the bus directions aren't always perfect. They told me I could get the 345 from the stop just up the road, or the 49 from further up.. rubbish, they both stop at the same stop. And as for having to get off the 49 at South Kensington.. I could get off closer to the college, at Queen's Gate Terrace.
As it happened, the first along was the 345, which I took. It was a lovely, sunny evening as we crossed into what I always call leafy West London, and travelled along streets that used to be more familiar to me than they are now. We were supposed to travel as far as the Natural History Museum - but sometimes buses terminate early, and this one did so at South Kensington. Never mind - I could see the museum over the rooftops, so knew where I was going, and had in mind that the later I arrived, the better - so that organiser wouldn't see me.
It was an easy walk - the college is around the back of the museum though, and it takes a while to walk around its bulk. Turn right onto Prince Consort Road, and it's on the right - the red building. By the time I got there, the audience had already gone in - an usher took me to the remaining open door, and I hurried to my seat as the orchestra was tuning up. We could hear the odd strain of piano playing in the distance - occupational hazard of a music college. Took me a while to spot the organiser, who was sat near the front, pretty much straight ahead of me. From the free programme I'd been given on the way in, I saw there was no interval - perfect! No extra chances to meet the group - and being in the very last row, near the door, I could make a fast getaway.
My view was fine, by the way - it's not a huge hall. And what excellent value these concerts are, for £5 (most seats). The running order was different to what was on the concert website - we started with the modern, award-winning piece - sorry, but unsurprisingly, I hated it. A 10-minute jangle of noise - I noticed one woman with her fingers in her ears. Why, oh why, are the modern pieces always so horrible..? It did occur to me to marvel that I'll accept one piece I don't like in a classical concert, but not one comedian I don't like in a comedy line-up.. but it is more annoying to be pissed off and have people laughing around you. If there was anyone there tonight who enjoyed the first piece, they kept it to themselves.
Prokofiev's First Violin Concerto was played by a soloist in a striking, scarlet evening dress, and was such a lovely change from the first piece. But Finlandia was, of course, my highlight - I love a bit of drama, and this piece nearly blew the roof off! It was over all too soon, and I beat a hasty retreat, and was one of the first to leave. The group were headed to a hotel - I didn't know which, but I figured it was in the opposite direction I was headed in, to catch the 49 - that stop was closer.
I had my phone on in case I needed directions, but it was quite easy - back along Prince Consort Road, left, first right onto Queen's Gate Terrace, left at the end. It wasn't long before a bus appeared - whose driver seemed to be in a hurry; it was positively dangerous to get up to leave the bus. But in due course I was deposited, safe and sound, at home.
Back to Ireland tomorrow.. but next week is all about Meetups! I was a bit lost for something to do on Monday - and then, pretty last-minute, London Speaks Sessions announced a talk - Where's Dean? 1 Man, 196 Countries, His Mission. Eh - and another, at the same time, in the same square, if not quite the same address: Life Without Rent: The Secrets of a Digital Nomad. They both link to the same Funzing page, so I figure it's the same thing - what the hey, the story of a man whose mission is to travel to all these countries is a story I wanna hear. I'm already loving his Facebook page.. So I've booked, and I'll believe Funzing's version of the address. I'm probably not going to make it much in advance anyway, so may not meet the group at all - I'll be in Guildford that day. Hey, Monday is becoming something of a day for talks, eh?!
On Tuesday, I'd booked to go to a talk again - and then the World Music Meetup stepped up with a free Spanish guitar concert! Aw man - you couldn't get better for me! There are some things that I love with a passion, and Spanish guitar is on that list. About two seconds' hesitation - what the hey, it is free. And although I'll be in Guildford again.. and it's in Shoreditch again.. it's on late, so I should be ok.
On Wednesday, I'm back with the Man with the Hat, who's taking Let's Do London - for less! to (ahem) The Toxic Avenger, in Southwark Playhouse. I predict another interesting night - no crystal ball required for that.
On Thursday, I'm back with London Dramatic Arts, for The Flick, at the Dorfman (in the National). Oh, and on Friday, they're off to Lawrence After Arabia, in Hampstead Theatre - I got cheaper from the theatre itself, so I'm going separately. They don't like that, but I have a seat upstairs, so it should be possible to avoid them - and, of course, having banned me from linking to this blog on their website, they're less likely to read the blog and find out what I'm doing..
Wednesday, 20 April 2016
Performance: The Passion of Lady Vendredi
Right.. as mentioned previously, I was supposed to go to something else entirely this evening. London Dramatic Arts (LDAM) was headed to Dr. Faustus, which I'd booked with them, and I was really disappointed when the Man with the Hat announced that both of his groups (Let's Do London - for less! and London for Less than a Tenner) were headed to The Passion of Lady Vendredi at the Soho Theatre, on the same evening. I really wanted to go to both..
And then, all of a sudden, I could! The mother-in-law of the organiser of LDAM died, as it happened, and the funeral was today, of all days. Last weekend, I found out about this. So the trip to Dr. Faustus was rescheduled, and for cheaper, even! I got a refund of the difference, which more than paid for The Passion of Lady Vendredi. (Oh, and I went for the cheaper London for Less than a Tenner - why not? I'm unashamedly cheap.) All good, and may the good lady rest in peace.
Of all evenings, one of my passengers needed to stay late at work. He kept apologising as he passed my desk.. he had to deal with a stroppy customer, what can I say? We did eventually get away, but the whole way back I was afraid I'd be late. In the event, by the time I rocked up to the theatre, everyone was still in the bar, and I could've relaxed. Slightly., it wasn't more than a few minutes before the house opened.
We were downstairs. We entered a smoky room, with people cavorting through it.. we'd been told this would be a "promenade" performance, with performers moving among the audience. I took what I considered an inconspicuous place - mind you, you're required to move around a bit during the show, so it doesn't really matter where you put yourself. And in this weirdest of performances - rest assured, they will find you..
Ah now here's the fun part. I'm not the first to think this is hard to describe. As soon as I heard the name "Lady Vendredi", I thought of Baron Samedi - hence, voodoo. Gee, seems I was right.. the whole performance had a terrific undertone of voodoo drums, of which I'm a great fan. So far, so good - I was bopping away for most of the night.
I really liked the music - and, indeed, the band carried on onstage for the duration. But mostly, we were distracted by the cavortings of the lead singer and her companions.. now, I've mentioned that it was a promenade performance. Well, for one thing, as they moved through the crowd, they fed us - I got a piece of (salty) popcorn, but missed out on the lollipops - for which you had to kiss the guy on the cheek. (What can I say, he didn't saunter in my direction.)
We had the whole priestess vibe. Not only Lady Vendredi - we got a woman in what looked like a wedding dress (with a veil), and most eerily, a woman in bra and crinoline, strings of pearls draped around her person, and completely enveloping her eyes (at first, when she was led around).
But the costumes got more fantastic, the music more manic, and the whole experience crazier as the evening continued. Every shadow that moved behind me.. every brush of my shoulder.. made me apprehensive about what was about to happen behind me. But, while there was a constant element of audience interaction, none of it was anything much to worry about. And, as the evening drew to a close, we got to meet Baron Samedi himself..!
Terrific stuff. Runs until 30th (not Mondays) - and booking advised, they can't fit so many in that space, with all this other activity. Jeez, I have to hand it to them - this is the most unusual experience I've had in a while, or am likely to have for another while! Afterwards, we went back to the Nellie Dean, where no-one was quite sure what to make of what they'd seen - still, I didn't meet anyone who hadn't enjoyed it.
Ah man. You know what? I think the Man with the Hat (which he'd now taken off) was right - I'd have sat through it again. You don't often see the like. Well, sadly I'm not with him (or either of his groups) again until next week.. and there's a change of plans for tomorrow. I was supposed to go to a comedy show.. instead, when I saw (only this afternoon) that Kensington Classical Music were off to a concert in the Royal College of Music, I decided I'd prefer that. It's closer, for one thing. This, of course, is the group that charges you £2.50 extra just to go along and chat to them.. so I bought my own ticket, and will be looking to avoid them. It's a bigger venue than last time this happened, and I'm sat right down the back, whereas I know they got the more expensive seats. Think I might be luckier this time than last..?
And then it's back to Ireland for the weekend, again. For a break, like..
And then, all of a sudden, I could! The mother-in-law of the organiser of LDAM died, as it happened, and the funeral was today, of all days. Last weekend, I found out about this. So the trip to Dr. Faustus was rescheduled, and for cheaper, even! I got a refund of the difference, which more than paid for The Passion of Lady Vendredi. (Oh, and I went for the cheaper London for Less than a Tenner - why not? I'm unashamedly cheap.) All good, and may the good lady rest in peace.
Of all evenings, one of my passengers needed to stay late at work. He kept apologising as he passed my desk.. he had to deal with a stroppy customer, what can I say? We did eventually get away, but the whole way back I was afraid I'd be late. In the event, by the time I rocked up to the theatre, everyone was still in the bar, and I could've relaxed. Slightly., it wasn't more than a few minutes before the house opened.
We were downstairs. We entered a smoky room, with people cavorting through it.. we'd been told this would be a "promenade" performance, with performers moving among the audience. I took what I considered an inconspicuous place - mind you, you're required to move around a bit during the show, so it doesn't really matter where you put yourself. And in this weirdest of performances - rest assured, they will find you..
Ah now here's the fun part. I'm not the first to think this is hard to describe. As soon as I heard the name "Lady Vendredi", I thought of Baron Samedi - hence, voodoo. Gee, seems I was right.. the whole performance had a terrific undertone of voodoo drums, of which I'm a great fan. So far, so good - I was bopping away for most of the night.
I really liked the music - and, indeed, the band carried on onstage for the duration. But mostly, we were distracted by the cavortings of the lead singer and her companions.. now, I've mentioned that it was a promenade performance. Well, for one thing, as they moved through the crowd, they fed us - I got a piece of (salty) popcorn, but missed out on the lollipops - for which you had to kiss the guy on the cheek. (What can I say, he didn't saunter in my direction.)
We had the whole priestess vibe. Not only Lady Vendredi - we got a woman in what looked like a wedding dress (with a veil), and most eerily, a woman in bra and crinoline, strings of pearls draped around her person, and completely enveloping her eyes (at first, when she was led around).
But the costumes got more fantastic, the music more manic, and the whole experience crazier as the evening continued. Every shadow that moved behind me.. every brush of my shoulder.. made me apprehensive about what was about to happen behind me. But, while there was a constant element of audience interaction, none of it was anything much to worry about. And, as the evening drew to a close, we got to meet Baron Samedi himself..!
Terrific stuff. Runs until 30th (not Mondays) - and booking advised, they can't fit so many in that space, with all this other activity. Jeez, I have to hand it to them - this is the most unusual experience I've had in a while, or am likely to have for another while! Afterwards, we went back to the Nellie Dean, where no-one was quite sure what to make of what they'd seen - still, I didn't meet anyone who hadn't enjoyed it.
Ah man. You know what? I think the Man with the Hat (which he'd now taken off) was right - I'd have sat through it again. You don't often see the like. Well, sadly I'm not with him (or either of his groups) again until next week.. and there's a change of plans for tomorrow. I was supposed to go to a comedy show.. instead, when I saw (only this afternoon) that Kensington Classical Music were off to a concert in the Royal College of Music, I decided I'd prefer that. It's closer, for one thing. This, of course, is the group that charges you £2.50 extra just to go along and chat to them.. so I bought my own ticket, and will be looking to avoid them. It's a bigger venue than last time this happened, and I'm sat right down the back, whereas I know they got the more expensive seats. Think I might be luckier this time than last..?
And then it's back to Ireland for the weekend, again. For a break, like..
Play: Darknet
Well, last night was another of those no-brainers.. the Man with the Hat was taking Let's Do London - for less! to Southwark Playhouse, to a play called Darknet. Check, check, check. Booked.
A decently late start time meant I was quite relaxed about getting there - got the 344, like on Sunday, and got off at Elephant & Castle. And was there before the Man with the Hat. Dinner was a glass of wine (about half the price of The Bolton) and a bag of steak-flavoured crisps. He'd booked the entire back section, and when he arrived, just before 7:30, he shooed non-members out of it and we occupied our space. Not that we had that long - doors opened at 7:45 for an 8:00 start, and he warned us that it was a sell-out and we should probably take our seats straight away, to get decent ones. So off we trotted, obediently.
They have an unusual set for this show. To get to our seats, we walked across a floor covering that looked like transparent plastic - never fear, it isn't slippy. We dispersed ourselves throughout the seating, and examined a set that was obviously designed to reflect internet-type stuff.. the whole backdrop was covered in rectangles of different sizes (monitors / tablets), while the lighting was blue - a techie kind of colour, as I remarked.
Now, the darknet itself is a shadowy part of the internet, populated by sites that aren't searchable (you have to know where you're going) and accessible only using a special browser. Used for untraceable communications, and often - of course - for illegal transactions. But this play isn't really about any of that - although the darknet is accessed in the course of the play, the theme is mainly a more general argument for / against privacy and data security. Reminded me more of Edward Snowden than anything else.
I work for a software company. I've been around computers for almost all my adult life, coding for most of that. I've spent a lot of time with a lot of hackers, although never bothered with it myself - never mind the darknet. But I've been around a lot of conversations about data security. And I know that almost everything that happens in this play is already happening, and what isn't already happening conceivably could - which makes it highly topical.
It's quite a clever idea - we're forced to consider several aspects of data control and its implications. Big companies reward characters for giving them access to their private data - but what will the implications of that be? Are these companies' methods of accessing data always ethical? What about the people on the fringes of society, who always seem to lose out? Who else can access data, and to what end? And what really happens on the darknet?
So yes, I found it very interesting. Gotta say though, I had some reservations about the production - maybe they were trying to appeal to non-computer-literate people, but it seemed as though a lot of it was exaggerated for effect.. seriously, there were so many people waving frames around, and every time we dived into the darknet, freakish images were projected onto the backdrop. Well, I guess they were trying to externalise a virtual world, which isn't easy. To be fair, it'd be hard to reproduce something like the Royal Court did with The Nether, with their electronic touch-table, projected onto a screen..
On balance, it is a very interesting play - recommended. I love what they do with the electronic PA - not exactly like the one voiced by Scarlett Johanssen in Her! Runs until 7 May - booking advisable.
Afterwards, a hardcore of us repaired to our reserved spot at the back, which we occupied as long as we were let. And had a roaring time! And just as we were nicely sozzled, along came.. a friggin' film crew, wanting vox-pops about the show. Uhh.. Well, we held it together to give reasonably coherent reports. I think. Most of us. ;-) And then we moseyed off into the night, already past my bedtime. At least the bus wasn't long in coming..
I'm feeling slightly fragile today - which should be interesting tonight. Both of the Man with the Hat's groups (Let's Do London - for less! and London for Less Than a Tenner) are off to a show called The Passion of Lady Vendredi, at Soho Theatre - and so am I. This was a recent development - I was originally supposed to be going to Doctor Faustus, with London Dramatic Arts Meetup, but sadly, the organiser's mother-in-law just died (as I found out last weekend) and the funeral is today. Works out well for me though - the event has been rescheduled, at a cheaper price, the difference has been refunded to me, and I can now go to both shows! (So I'm going for Less Than a Tenner - 'coz I'm cheap.) The Passion of Lady Vendredi is, apparently, musical theatre, and designed to promote the music of the Lady Vendredi band. And should be interesting.
Tomorrow, I'm off to a comedy show in King's Cross, with London Live Comedy. Then it's back to Ireland for the weekend, again..
A decently late start time meant I was quite relaxed about getting there - got the 344, like on Sunday, and got off at Elephant & Castle. And was there before the Man with the Hat. Dinner was a glass of wine (about half the price of The Bolton) and a bag of steak-flavoured crisps. He'd booked the entire back section, and when he arrived, just before 7:30, he shooed non-members out of it and we occupied our space. Not that we had that long - doors opened at 7:45 for an 8:00 start, and he warned us that it was a sell-out and we should probably take our seats straight away, to get decent ones. So off we trotted, obediently.
They have an unusual set for this show. To get to our seats, we walked across a floor covering that looked like transparent plastic - never fear, it isn't slippy. We dispersed ourselves throughout the seating, and examined a set that was obviously designed to reflect internet-type stuff.. the whole backdrop was covered in rectangles of different sizes (monitors / tablets), while the lighting was blue - a techie kind of colour, as I remarked.
Now, the darknet itself is a shadowy part of the internet, populated by sites that aren't searchable (you have to know where you're going) and accessible only using a special browser. Used for untraceable communications, and often - of course - for illegal transactions. But this play isn't really about any of that - although the darknet is accessed in the course of the play, the theme is mainly a more general argument for / against privacy and data security. Reminded me more of Edward Snowden than anything else.
I work for a software company. I've been around computers for almost all my adult life, coding for most of that. I've spent a lot of time with a lot of hackers, although never bothered with it myself - never mind the darknet. But I've been around a lot of conversations about data security. And I know that almost everything that happens in this play is already happening, and what isn't already happening conceivably could - which makes it highly topical.
It's quite a clever idea - we're forced to consider several aspects of data control and its implications. Big companies reward characters for giving them access to their private data - but what will the implications of that be? Are these companies' methods of accessing data always ethical? What about the people on the fringes of society, who always seem to lose out? Who else can access data, and to what end? And what really happens on the darknet?
So yes, I found it very interesting. Gotta say though, I had some reservations about the production - maybe they were trying to appeal to non-computer-literate people, but it seemed as though a lot of it was exaggerated for effect.. seriously, there were so many people waving frames around, and every time we dived into the darknet, freakish images were projected onto the backdrop. Well, I guess they were trying to externalise a virtual world, which isn't easy. To be fair, it'd be hard to reproduce something like the Royal Court did with The Nether, with their electronic touch-table, projected onto a screen..
On balance, it is a very interesting play - recommended. I love what they do with the electronic PA - not exactly like the one voiced by Scarlett Johanssen in Her! Runs until 7 May - booking advisable.
Afterwards, a hardcore of us repaired to our reserved spot at the back, which we occupied as long as we were let. And had a roaring time! And just as we were nicely sozzled, along came.. a friggin' film crew, wanting vox-pops about the show. Uhh.. Well, we held it together to give reasonably coherent reports. I think. Most of us. ;-) And then we moseyed off into the night, already past my bedtime. At least the bus wasn't long in coming..
I'm feeling slightly fragile today - which should be interesting tonight. Both of the Man with the Hat's groups (Let's Do London - for less! and London for Less Than a Tenner) are off to a show called The Passion of Lady Vendredi, at Soho Theatre - and so am I. This was a recent development - I was originally supposed to be going to Doctor Faustus, with London Dramatic Arts Meetup, but sadly, the organiser's mother-in-law just died (as I found out last weekend) and the funeral is today. Works out well for me though - the event has been rescheduled, at a cheaper price, the difference has been refunded to me, and I can now go to both shows! (So I'm going for Less Than a Tenner - 'coz I'm cheap.) The Passion of Lady Vendredi is, apparently, musical theatre, and designed to promote the music of the Lady Vendredi band. And should be interesting.
Tomorrow, I'm off to a comedy show in King's Cross, with London Live Comedy. Then it's back to Ireland for the weekend, again..
Tuesday, 19 April 2016
Talk: Banged Up Abroad with Shaun Attwood
The most interesting thing that came up on Meetup for yesterday was "Banged Up Abroad with Shaun Attwood" - a talk with Interesting Talks London. I wasn't a member - now I am, and I booked for this. An early start, but even though I was in Guildford, I figured I'd make it - it was in The Bolton, which turns out to be a few minutes' walk down the road from West Brompton, which used to be my local station. An Irish pub, I must've passed it a dozen times or more when I lived around there. So all I had to do was to catch an Overground from Clapham Junction.
I had to nip in home first, so didn't make the 6:15.. I watched the 6:30 pull in as I approached the station, and then had to shove my way up the stairs, past a sea of people disembarking. Actually, had I thought of it, I should've gone up the stairs to the other platform - these two are contiguous. Well, the train was still there when I made it up - in fact, we were so long in departing that I wondered whether there was a problem! Nope, we set off in due course. Probably a bit late.
Turn right from West Brompton station - The Bolton is on the other side of the road, at the corner of the second major road junction. When I went in, I had a quick scan of the place - I knew that the talk was to take place in the upstairs function room, so I made for the only staircase I could see. Followed my nose, came to the function room - easy, and handy toilets just beside. The organiser said I should get a drink downstairs if I wanted, and bring it up. So I did.
By the time I returned, the place was nearly full.. I saw someone I knew, just inside the door, who grabbed me and asked whether I knew Shaun. Er - no.. so she ushered me towards the raised area at the far end of the room, where he was waiting to give his talk. And indeed, he turned out to be a lovely, mild-mannered chap: friendly, happy to chat. I left him after a bit and grabbed a seat, while there were still seats to be had.
I was to be glad I'd got a large wine. Not only was it an excellent Pinot Grigio.. but what this man went through would turn your hair grey. In short: an Englishman, he moved to the States, where he made it rich and - in perhaps not the cleverest of moves - got involved with the emerging rave scene, and became a dealer of Ecstasy. Had it all - the house on the hill, bodyguards, girlfriend.. and then, one day, a SWAT team broke down his door.
Arrested and charged, he found himself in high security.. but when an appeal failed, his bail was doubled and came to $1.5 million. Not only had all his assets been seized, so he couldn't pay it - but now that it was over $1 million, he was moved to maximum security - in the prison with the highest rate of death in the United States, run by Sherriff Joe Arpaio. The inhumane conditions he described there.. the attitude of the guards.. the infestation of pests.. He also described some of his fellow inmates, and horrific as their crimes were, and scary as they sounded, their descriptions scared us less than the thought of what we'd be given to eat, and where we'd be sleeping, in his place. Really, if your choice were to sleep wrapped in a sheet, in Phoenix - the hottest large city in the US, apparently - or just let the 'roaches spend the night scuttling over you.. which would you choose?
Concerns have been raised before about treatment of prisoners in the United States. He mentioned his parents, who managed to raise $100,000 to get him a lawyer - he got a sentence of 9.5 years eventually, of which he served six. He had a horrible time - but he got off lucky. After all, he came out alive.. These days, he writes books, the proceeds from the sale of which go to providing books for prisoners. And, of course, he gives talks - to schools, as well as to groups like ours. Check out his website for further details - also his very interesting blog. Oh, and the talk title refers to an episode of Locked Up Abroad that featured his story..
He's not trying to defend what he did. However, what he is doing - apart from warning young people about heading down the same path - is trying to let people know what the prison system is like in the US, which they're trying to bring to the UK. His is a story that deserves to be told, and he's given this talk a few times, apparently - which must've come in handy as sirens screamed past outside; he carried on undisturbed. For my first event with Interesting Talks London.. they lived up to their name!
I didn't hang around for a drink afterwards - went home (unusually early) and had some dinner instead (also unusually!). Today and tomorrow are Man with the Hat days - this evening, Let's Do London - for less! is headed to Southwark Playhouse, for a play called Darknet. Now, I have more sense than to have anything to do with the real Darknet - the closest I've come to it are short horror films on YouTube. (In the course of my regular surfing for short horror films, of which I'm a big fan.) But I'll find this interesting.
Tomorrow, both of the Man with the Hat's groups (Let's Do London - for less! and London for Less Than a Tenner) are off to a show called The Passion of Lady Vendredi, at Soho Theatre - and so am I. This was a recent development - I was originally supposed to be going to Doctor Faustus, with London Dramatic Arts Meetup, but sadly, the organiser's mother-in-law just died (as I found out last weekend) and the funeral is that very day. Works out well for me though - the event has been rescheduled, at a cheaper price, the difference has been refunded to me, and I can now go to both shows! (So I'm going for Less Than a Tenner - 'coz I'm cheap.) The Passion of Lady Vendredi is, apparently, musical theatre, and designed to promote the music of the Lady Vendredi band. And should be interesting.
Thursday, I'm off to a comedy show in King's Cross, with London Live Comedy. Then it's back to Ireland for the weekend, again..
Tomorrow, both of the Man with the Hat's groups (Let's Do London - for less! and London for Less Than a Tenner) are off to a show called The Passion of Lady Vendredi, at Soho Theatre - and so am I. This was a recent development - I was originally supposed to be going to Doctor Faustus, with London Dramatic Arts Meetup, but sadly, the organiser's mother-in-law just died (as I found out last weekend) and the funeral is that very day. Works out well for me though - the event has been rescheduled, at a cheaper price, the difference has been refunded to me, and I can now go to both shows! (So I'm going for Less Than a Tenner - 'coz I'm cheap.) The Passion of Lady Vendredi is, apparently, musical theatre, and designed to promote the music of the Lady Vendredi band. And should be interesting.
Thursday, I'm off to a comedy show in King's Cross, with London Live Comedy. Then it's back to Ireland for the weekend, again..
Monday, 18 April 2016
Play: Pericles
What a Shakespearian weekend I had.. first, the ballet of The Winter's Tale on Saturday, then Pericles yesterday! Well, I wasn't going to argue about going to the Wanamaker Playhouse - and I managed to get the last, non-restricted seat. I got no deals, so it wasn't cheap.. but oh, I love this venue!
Was I ever glad it wasn't on until evening, and I could relax all day.. I really needed it. When I looked up how to get there (of course, I've been several times before, but never from Clapham Junction), I was delighted to find a direct bus - the 344, which I've taken to Southwark Playhouse before, keeps going to within a short walk of the Globe (the Wanamaker Playhouse is in the same complex).
Google Maps said I should leave at 6:05 to arrive by 7 - mind you, that would get me there (at their estimate) at 6:53, which I considered a bit tight - never mind potential traffic delays. So I left the house at 5:40 and was delighted when a bus happened along at about 5:50. It was a beautifully sunny evening for a bus ride, and it deposited me (at the Southwark Bridge Road stop) about 6:30 - just nice, and I had time to run to the loo beforehand (downstairs as you go in).
And then I trotted all the way upstairs (I was in the Upper Gallery) to discover the doors weren't even open yet. When they opened, I was to discover that I was in the back row, with a decently central view. I've been here before, but always previously in the pit (ground level). A little stuffy up top, I thought - this building is completely enclosed, unlike the Globe. Wooden seating on benches with cushions - very straight backs weren't terribly comfortable to lean against, and I found it better to lean on the safety rail in front. Nice, wide, handy ledge at the back to store your stuff - a good idea, as there isn't anywhere else. I was glad not to be sat in the musicians' gallery, with the musicians banging away right behind those who had sat there. But it is a gorgeous building - and I managed to snap an illicit photo while they weren't looking; unlike the Globe, which allows photography when performances are not in progress, the Playhouse forbids all photography inside:
It's completely wooden, and beautifully decorated - and unlike other venues, a "candlelit" performance really is that - it's the only lighting, and fabulously atmospheric.
The performers came onstage slightly before time, and the production revealed itself to be in the style of the Globe - plenty of music, traditional-sounding instruments, music and dance to start and end the show. And what a hilarious show it turned out to be, beginning with the narrator, a little old lady who appeared at the start of each act, and had us in stitches with her comical delivery.
It was really intimate, especially the very beginning, when the only lighting was provided by candles the actors themselves held. The main candelabras were lit after that. And gee, you know, the story sounded rather familiar.. methinks this was a favourite plot of Shakespeare's. After all, he did use it for both this and The Winter's Tale - a king believes his wife dead, abandons his baby daughter, then believes her dead, too. And he's left a miserable wreck. BUT the fellow charged with the princess' murder doesn't do it, she's thought to be poor, falls in love with a rich chap - and is reunited with both her parents in the last act, around the time she marries the rich guy. Whee!
And it was great - special praise to Pericles himself, who acted a storm throughout, but had the whole house rolling in the aisles with his reaction, at the end, to discovering his long-lost wife and daughter are alive, and with him again! I had a great time - and it's so great to be back in this venue again. In this year of the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare's death. This shan't be the last I hear of Shakespeare this year, forsooth..
No time to blog last night, as I'm in Guildford today. Tonight, I'm off to my first Meetup with Interesting Talks London - Banged Up Abroad is the subject. Topical, what with the recent parole of an Irish girl convicted of drug trafficking in Peru.. early start, but it's near, so should be ok. A short walk from my old flat, in fact, in The Bolton - an Irish pub I've often passed, but never before entered.
The next two days are Man with the Hat days - tomorrow, Let's Do London - for less! is headed to Southwark Playhouse, for a play called Darknet. Now, I have more sense than to have anything to do with the real Darknet - the closest I've come to it are short horror films on YouTube. (In the course of my regular surfing for short horror films, of which I'm a big fan.) But I'll find this interesting.
On Wednesday, both of the Man with the Hat's groups (Let's Do London - for less! and London for Less Than a Tenner) are off to a show called The Passion of Lady Vendredi, at Soho Theatre - and so am I. This was a recent development - I was originally supposed to be going to Doctor Faustus, with London Dramatic Arts Meetup, but sadly, the organiser's mother-in-law just died (as I found out last weekend) and the funeral is that very day. Works out well for me though - the event has been rescheduled, at a cheaper price, the difference has been refunded to me, and I can now go to both shows! (So I'm going for Less Than a Tenner - 'coz I'm cheap.) The Passion of Lady Vendredi is, apparently, musical theatre, and designed to promote the music of the Lady Vendredi band. And should be interesting.
Thursday, I'm off to a comedy show in King's Cross, with London Live Comedy - unless I change my mind and go to a film - we'll see. Then it's back to Ireland for the weekend, again..
Was I ever glad it wasn't on until evening, and I could relax all day.. I really needed it. When I looked up how to get there (of course, I've been several times before, but never from Clapham Junction), I was delighted to find a direct bus - the 344, which I've taken to Southwark Playhouse before, keeps going to within a short walk of the Globe (the Wanamaker Playhouse is in the same complex).
Google Maps said I should leave at 6:05 to arrive by 7 - mind you, that would get me there (at their estimate) at 6:53, which I considered a bit tight - never mind potential traffic delays. So I left the house at 5:40 and was delighted when a bus happened along at about 5:50. It was a beautifully sunny evening for a bus ride, and it deposited me (at the Southwark Bridge Road stop) about 6:30 - just nice, and I had time to run to the loo beforehand (downstairs as you go in).
And then I trotted all the way upstairs (I was in the Upper Gallery) to discover the doors weren't even open yet. When they opened, I was to discover that I was in the back row, with a decently central view. I've been here before, but always previously in the pit (ground level). A little stuffy up top, I thought - this building is completely enclosed, unlike the Globe. Wooden seating on benches with cushions - very straight backs weren't terribly comfortable to lean against, and I found it better to lean on the safety rail in front. Nice, wide, handy ledge at the back to store your stuff - a good idea, as there isn't anywhere else. I was glad not to be sat in the musicians' gallery, with the musicians banging away right behind those who had sat there. But it is a gorgeous building - and I managed to snap an illicit photo while they weren't looking; unlike the Globe, which allows photography when performances are not in progress, the Playhouse forbids all photography inside:
It's completely wooden, and beautifully decorated - and unlike other venues, a "candlelit" performance really is that - it's the only lighting, and fabulously atmospheric.
The performers came onstage slightly before time, and the production revealed itself to be in the style of the Globe - plenty of music, traditional-sounding instruments, music and dance to start and end the show. And what a hilarious show it turned out to be, beginning with the narrator, a little old lady who appeared at the start of each act, and had us in stitches with her comical delivery.
It was really intimate, especially the very beginning, when the only lighting was provided by candles the actors themselves held. The main candelabras were lit after that. And gee, you know, the story sounded rather familiar.. methinks this was a favourite plot of Shakespeare's. After all, he did use it for both this and The Winter's Tale - a king believes his wife dead, abandons his baby daughter, then believes her dead, too. And he's left a miserable wreck. BUT the fellow charged with the princess' murder doesn't do it, she's thought to be poor, falls in love with a rich chap - and is reunited with both her parents in the last act, around the time she marries the rich guy. Whee!
And it was great - special praise to Pericles himself, who acted a storm throughout, but had the whole house rolling in the aisles with his reaction, at the end, to discovering his long-lost wife and daughter are alive, and with him again! I had a great time - and it's so great to be back in this venue again. In this year of the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare's death. This shan't be the last I hear of Shakespeare this year, forsooth..
No time to blog last night, as I'm in Guildford today. Tonight, I'm off to my first Meetup with Interesting Talks London - Banged Up Abroad is the subject. Topical, what with the recent parole of an Irish girl convicted of drug trafficking in Peru.. early start, but it's near, so should be ok. A short walk from my old flat, in fact, in The Bolton - an Irish pub I've often passed, but never before entered.
The next two days are Man with the Hat days - tomorrow, Let's Do London - for less! is headed to Southwark Playhouse, for a play called Darknet. Now, I have more sense than to have anything to do with the real Darknet - the closest I've come to it are short horror films on YouTube. (In the course of my regular surfing for short horror films, of which I'm a big fan.) But I'll find this interesting.
On Wednesday, both of the Man with the Hat's groups (Let's Do London - for less! and London for Less Than a Tenner) are off to a show called The Passion of Lady Vendredi, at Soho Theatre - and so am I. This was a recent development - I was originally supposed to be going to Doctor Faustus, with London Dramatic Arts Meetup, but sadly, the organiser's mother-in-law just died (as I found out last weekend) and the funeral is that very day. Works out well for me though - the event has been rescheduled, at a cheaper price, the difference has been refunded to me, and I can now go to both shows! (So I'm going for Less Than a Tenner - 'coz I'm cheap.) The Passion of Lady Vendredi is, apparently, musical theatre, and designed to promote the music of the Lady Vendredi band. And should be interesting.
Thursday, I'm off to a comedy show in King's Cross, with London Live Comedy - unless I change my mind and go to a film - we'll see. Then it's back to Ireland for the weekend, again..
Saturday, 16 April 2016
Ballet: The Winter's Tale
Well, I don't generally like having my plans made too far in advance, but - this being London (and venues such as the Opera House being so popular) - booking in advance can be advisable. For things you really want to do. And here we had Let's Do London - for less! advertising the ballet of The Winter's Tale for today - in the Opera House. There was no way I didn't want to do that. I booked.
Now, I was up very late last night doing that last double-post. Hence, I was not best pleased to see that today's performance was a matinee. Uhh... Well, I researched my route last night, and dragged myself out of bed this morning. No breakfast, of course - well, if it's a choice between that and sleep.. anyway, train to Waterloo, and with only light rain for the moment, I chose to walk from there. It's a straight run from Waterloo Bridge - never mind that I got slightly lost getting to Waterloo Bridge! Just keep going till you see the Opera House - then hang a left on Russell Street, to enter via the Piazza - they're doing renovations, and the Bow Street entrance is closed.
The Man With the Hat was merrily dispensing tickets at the far end of the corridor, as usual. Got mine, made my way upstairs.. Amphiteatre proper, for a change (I'm usually in the Slips) and a great view:
The Winter's Tale. The very name conjures up something mythical. And from the very start, this production held us spellbound.. The first act was ominous, with Leontes deciding that his wife, Hermione, was having an affair with Polixenes, and ordering the daughter she gave birth to abandoned, as surely the product of this affair. The second act saw her grow up abroad, in a pastoral setting, and had for backdrop the most fantastical tree, festooned with golden streamers. Finally, the third act brought resolution (and a tear to the eye) - and the most devastating ending; in an homage to those who had no happy ending, Paulina, the widow of the character tasked with disposing of the baby, prostrated herself at the foot of the statue to Mamillius, the son of Leontes and Hermione, who dropped dead when she was accused. The curtains closed as the music died, and she sank to the ground, silent and alone.
For me, the single most effective element was the most incredible, haunting, spine-tingling score. Beautiful choreography - graceful and descriptive - contributed to the fairytale quality. Fantastic visual tricks, to represent the ocean and storms. Two intervals in this long show, during both of which I joined the group, and no-one had anything but the highest of praise. On a practical level, with so many different characters, it was helpful to have the characters in varying outfits of the same colour - Leontes in variations on green, Polixenes (and his son) in variations on red, Hermione (and her daughter) in variations on purple
Winter doesn't always feel as though it's quite left yet. Go and see this, bid winter a proper farewell. Very highly recommended. Runs until 10 June.
Afterwards, we headed once more to The Sun Tavern. Upstairs again, managed to find a table.. and another, when the Man with the Hat had rounded up some strays. I was - of course - starving, and ordered a cottage pie to go with my pinot grigio. And I must say, that was an excellent choice - on both counts. Despite the slightly inefficient service - not enough staff, methinks - and the slightly unclean glass. What the hey, the company was first class.. as always!
The rain had cleared off by the time I headed back to Waterloo:
Man, that was a good day.. tomorrow, I'm back to The Globe for the first time this year! (Well, the Wanamaker Playhouse.) Got the last, non-restricted view seat for Pericles. God, I love this venue.. and hallelujah, it's an evening performance! Give me time to do the Wikipedia plot catch-up..
On Monday, I'm off to my first Meetup with Interesting Talks London - Banged Up Abroad is the subject. Topical, what with the recent parole of an Irish girl convicted of drug trafficking in Peru.. early start, but it's near, so should be ok.
Tuesday and Wednesday are Man with the Hat days - Tuesday, Let's Do London - for less! is headed to Southwark Playhouse, for a play called Darknet. Now, I have more sense than to have anything to do with the real Darknet - the closest I've come to it are short horror films on YouTube. (In the course of my regular surfing for short horror films, of which I'm a big fan.) But I'll find this interesting.
On Wednesday, both of the Man with the Hat's groups (Let's Do London - for less! and London for Less Than a Tenner) are off to a show called The Passion of Lady Vendredi, at Soho Theatre - and so am I. This was a recent development - I was originally supposed to be going to Doctor Faustus, with London Dramatic Arts Meetup, but sadly, the organiser's mother-in-law just died (as I found out last weekend) and the funeral is that very day. Works out well for me though - the event has been rescheduled, at a cheaper price, the difference has been refunded to me, and I can now go to both shows! (So I'm going for Less Than a Tenner - 'coz I'm cheap.) The Passion of Lady Vendredi is, apparently, musical theatre, and designed to promote the music of the Lady Vendredi band. And should be interesting.
Thursday, I'm off to a comedy show in King's Cross, with London Live Comedy - unless I change my mind and go to a film - we'll see. Then it's back to Ireland for the weekend, again..
Now, I was up very late last night doing that last double-post. Hence, I was not best pleased to see that today's performance was a matinee. Uhh... Well, I researched my route last night, and dragged myself out of bed this morning. No breakfast, of course - well, if it's a choice between that and sleep.. anyway, train to Waterloo, and with only light rain for the moment, I chose to walk from there. It's a straight run from Waterloo Bridge - never mind that I got slightly lost getting to Waterloo Bridge! Just keep going till you see the Opera House - then hang a left on Russell Street, to enter via the Piazza - they're doing renovations, and the Bow Street entrance is closed.
The Man With the Hat was merrily dispensing tickets at the far end of the corridor, as usual. Got mine, made my way upstairs.. Amphiteatre proper, for a change (I'm usually in the Slips) and a great view:
The Winter's Tale. The very name conjures up something mythical. And from the very start, this production held us spellbound.. The first act was ominous, with Leontes deciding that his wife, Hermione, was having an affair with Polixenes, and ordering the daughter she gave birth to abandoned, as surely the product of this affair. The second act saw her grow up abroad, in a pastoral setting, and had for backdrop the most fantastical tree, festooned with golden streamers. Finally, the third act brought resolution (and a tear to the eye) - and the most devastating ending; in an homage to those who had no happy ending, Paulina, the widow of the character tasked with disposing of the baby, prostrated herself at the foot of the statue to Mamillius, the son of Leontes and Hermione, who dropped dead when she was accused. The curtains closed as the music died, and she sank to the ground, silent and alone.
For me, the single most effective element was the most incredible, haunting, spine-tingling score. Beautiful choreography - graceful and descriptive - contributed to the fairytale quality. Fantastic visual tricks, to represent the ocean and storms. Two intervals in this long show, during both of which I joined the group, and no-one had anything but the highest of praise. On a practical level, with so many different characters, it was helpful to have the characters in varying outfits of the same colour - Leontes in variations on green, Polixenes (and his son) in variations on red, Hermione (and her daughter) in variations on purple
Winter doesn't always feel as though it's quite left yet. Go and see this, bid winter a proper farewell. Very highly recommended. Runs until 10 June.
Afterwards, we headed once more to The Sun Tavern. Upstairs again, managed to find a table.. and another, when the Man with the Hat had rounded up some strays. I was - of course - starving, and ordered a cottage pie to go with my pinot grigio. And I must say, that was an excellent choice - on both counts. Despite the slightly inefficient service - not enough staff, methinks - and the slightly unclean glass. What the hey, the company was first class.. as always!
The rain had cleared off by the time I headed back to Waterloo:
Man, that was a good day.. tomorrow, I'm back to The Globe for the first time this year! (Well, the Wanamaker Playhouse.) Got the last, non-restricted view seat for Pericles. God, I love this venue.. and hallelujah, it's an evening performance! Give me time to do the Wikipedia plot catch-up..
On Monday, I'm off to my first Meetup with Interesting Talks London - Banged Up Abroad is the subject. Topical, what with the recent parole of an Irish girl convicted of drug trafficking in Peru.. early start, but it's near, so should be ok.
Tuesday and Wednesday are Man with the Hat days - Tuesday, Let's Do London - for less! is headed to Southwark Playhouse, for a play called Darknet. Now, I have more sense than to have anything to do with the real Darknet - the closest I've come to it are short horror films on YouTube. (In the course of my regular surfing for short horror films, of which I'm a big fan.) But I'll find this interesting.
On Wednesday, both of the Man with the Hat's groups (Let's Do London - for less! and London for Less Than a Tenner) are off to a show called The Passion of Lady Vendredi, at Soho Theatre - and so am I. This was a recent development - I was originally supposed to be going to Doctor Faustus, with London Dramatic Arts Meetup, but sadly, the organiser's mother-in-law just died (as I found out last weekend) and the funeral is that very day. Works out well for me though - the event has been rescheduled, at a cheaper price, the difference has been refunded to me, and I can now go to both shows! (So I'm going for Less Than a Tenner - 'coz I'm cheap.) The Passion of Lady Vendredi is, apparently, musical theatre, and designed to promote the music of the Lady Vendredi band. And should be interesting.
Thursday, I'm off to a comedy show in King's Cross, with London Live Comedy - unless I change my mind and go to a film - we'll see. Then it's back to Ireland for the weekend, again..
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