I actually had something else booked for last night - but I wasn't that pushed about it, and when the Crick Crack Club advertised a event, I was there! Booked my ticket - they tend to sell out, plus I knew I'd definitely want to go. And Soho Theatre doesn't charge booking fees.
Of the two passengers I usually give a lift to work, one wasn't coming yesterday. The other's been on holiday for the past two weeks - well, yesterday he came back with a vengeance! Typically, upon his return to London he has to be somewhere for a certain time; well, to be fair, so do I, generally. I was to be glad I'd picked yesterday to come to Guildford - specifically because my event had a late start (I can work from home two days a week). We were delayed leaving the office (his meeting overran) and as we approached London, he asked whether I could run him all the way home.. it's a bit out of my way, but I had time. And as we drove further and further away from my home, I was very glad I was early for the event! Mercifully, on the return journey, my phone battery stayed active just long enough to get me home - I got lost twice, but corrected myself using a maps app.
And so, straight into town - train to Victoria, Tube to Oxford Circus and walk. I made the theatre with five minutes to spare - at the box office, they didn't even bother asking me what show I was there for: just my surname and postcode. After the long, long climb to the Upstairs theatre, there were plenty of ushers to show us to available seats, and I ended up with one in the front row. Found myself beside someone who took thorough notes all through the first half, but didn't seem to return for the second - maybe she had all the material she needed!
The show was Kali. Now, I've heard a lot of Celtic stories, a lot of Sufi stories - not a lot of Hindu ones, though - this made a lovely change. There was a small shrine in the corner, a platform, a long bench. And two ladies who stepped out from the backdrop - an Indian lady, Sheema Mukherjee, in Indian garb and with a third eye painted on her forehead: and an Englishwoman called Emily Hennessy. Now, a couple of times with this group, I've seen a storyteller called Nick Hennessy, and wondered at the coincidence - sure enough, as we were told at the end, she's his wife! Gosh, that must make for interesting evenings over their place! :-)
Sheema took up a perch on the bench, and positioned an enormous sitar on her lap. Emily Hennessy took the foreground, ankles jingling as she walked, from the bells strapped to them. And with her words and movement, and the ethereal music coming from the bench, tales were woven - of Brahma (creator), Vishnu (protector), and Shiva (destroyer). And of others - Sati, Parvati.. and Kali. And more.
It's a a fantastically rich tale. But Emily took us effortlessly through it, explaining step by step how the world came to be, and where these deities came from. She also made it so visual, her story accentuated by Sheema. And we were enthralled.. as I say, I haven't heard much of this folklore before, but with these expert storytellers, I'd be happy to learn everything there is to be learned. Apparently, this show has been in preparation for years.. it was evidently time well spent. I hear they're planning something in the British Museum, towards the end of the year - definitely one to look out for. At the interval, those who hadn't stepped out for a drink - including water, which was kindly provided outside the door - were given flowers; at the end, we could leave these on the shrine, either in honour of Kali, goddess of power, or of Ganesh, god of new beginnings..
Despite all I have to do these days, this was a rare treat, and I would happily spend every evening like it. Home too late to blog - up early, as I was in Guildford again today, and - unusually - too busy to blog. Tonight? Well, Carpe Diem advertised a play called Abominations. All the way up in Camden. And were charging a £1 Meetup fee - well, I wasn't going to book with them, then. And since it wasn't selling out, I didn't bother to book at all. Just as well, considering I was delayed at the office again, and wouldn't have made it. Oh, but it's great to have a night at home, just to catch up with things!
..and then I'm back into the swing of it tomorrow, with the Man with the Hat, who's taking both his groups to a classical concert in King's Place - the other side of town, which is why I elected to work from home tomorrow. On Thursday, I'm headed to yet another classical concert, in St. James' Church Piccadilly, with Kensington Classical Music - who aren't charging an extra fee, for once!
On Friday, I'm with London Dramatic Arts to see Giving, at Hampstead Theatre (and given how hard it was to avoid them there the last time, I'm glad I bought my ticket with them this time! Still, now I know where the back door is..) Avoiding them should be easier on Saturday, when they're going to Blue / Orange, at the notoriously chaotic Young Vic. And so am I - on a ticket bought independently. I'm seated upstairs, they're probably not - should be ok.
On Sunday, I'm on my first walk of the year (finally) - Free London Events and Talks has a walk entitled Fire, Pestilence and Plague. I'll cry off if it rains.
On Monday, Henning from the London European Club is running a topical talk on UK and the EU - A Troubled Relationship, at the Devereux - deja vu, my very first Meetup with him was a talk at the same place. Should be interesting, what with the referendum coming up next month.
On Tuesday, the Man with the Hat is taking Let's Do London - for less! to see Last of the Boys, at Southwark Playhouse - indeed, he's also got a bunch of them going to the other show there, The Toxic Avenger, the same night! I've already seen that one, of course. And I can guarantee attendees a great night..
On Wednesday of next week, I'm back with the Crick Crack Club, at The Forge this time, for a storytelling evening entitled The Howken Field, by Nick Hennessy.
On Thursday of next week, I'm with Henning again, who's headed to a mixed bill by Nederlands Dans Theater, at Sadler's Wells. And then it's back to Ireland for the weekend.
Tuesday, 10 May 2016
Sunday, 8 May 2016
Concert: A Night in Vienna
Back to Ireland for the weekend - with a mishap that wasn't of my doing; someone ended up under a Tube train on the westbound line towards Heathrow. It had just happened, and happened a few stops ahead of us - which means that I might, or might not, have missed it, had I not forgotten the Print at Home tickets for the concert we were going to last night, and had to go back for them. Well, that kind of thing closes lines for hours, so there was no hope of getting to the airport that night - I flew yesterday morning instead. Having bad luck these days with flights..
My flight was early enough that we had time to eat before heading to Mass, and then to the concert. We chose the Sherwood Inn, for its convenience, close to the cathedral and to Glór - goodness knows, it's good value too. We got one of the few spaces outside the shopping centre, and queued for a short while in the restaurant, being seated by the window near the bar, for once. I fancied soup, which is delicious here, and chicken kiev, with onion rings - I've had them before here, and know they're tasty. Skipped the garlic bread, after the last time, though. My mother, of course, had salmon. With wine, the bill came to under €30 for us both! No dessert, of course - we didn't have time, and anyway, you pay in advance here, and I've never yet had anyone come back to ask us whether we want a dessert..
The soup was divine, as ever. My chicken came absolutely drowned in garlic sauce - but tasty, as were the onion rings. My mother had asked for a half portion - huge half portion it was, and we were stuffed as we waddled out of there. Found parking at the cathedral, and - our devotions done - got a nice parking space close to Glór as well. Yes, I could walk between them all - but my mother couldn't, so some moving and reparking of the car was required. Anyway, it poured rain all day Saturday.. it was good not to have to walk far.
We were early to Glór, and took a sofa at the bar, where I had another wine, and my mother some very watery tea - which she hardly touched. I'm not a tea drinker, but from the appearance of it, I couldn't blame her. And we waited - and waited - for the doors to open, spending our time assessing the fashions of fellow audience members. It didn't say on the tickets which door we were to go to, so it did save us some time - and walking - when I remembered which it was - they're picky about that, here. Inside, we had seats on Row F - the one with the aisle directly in front, so plenty of legroom: and not too far from the stage.
This was a violin concert - primarily - by Vladimir Jablokov, whom we've seen here before, and who always gives a show to my mother's taste. In fact, it was part of the Bealtaine / Voltage festival; Bealtaine, the Irish for May, is an annual festival for the aged - so my mother wasn't the only elderly person in the crowd. And it was just perfect for them - lots of Strauss, lots of familiar pieces, with Vladimir hopping merrily about the stage, eyes twinkling. He even hopped off stage and into the crowd for the last number, playing his violin as he walked up the aisle.
He has a habit of including his family in his concerts, and last night had his father on violin, and his sister on piano (in a much-remarked-upon, dark red, flouncy evening gown). His father - not a Strauss fan really, it seems - was indulged for one classical number: Meditation, by Thais. Cue an enraptured audience - and a slightly embarrassed one, when several people started clapping during the quiet bit before the end. There were also two singers - a soprano whom I haven't heard of, and the rather excellent tenor Sean Costello, who was indulged, near the end, with a solo performance of Nessun Dorma.
A very enjoyable evening. Enhanced by the old lady behind us, who tra-la-la-ed along to pretty much everything. And the lady who came around at the interval, with ice cream, did a roaring trade. Still lashing rain on the way home.. Funnily enough, checking my mail when I got home, I found a brochure from the University Concert Hall, where Sean Costello will be performing Mario Lanza around my mother's birthday, in October - accompanied by the Slovak Festival Musicians - conducted by Vladimir Jablokov. Must book that, tomorrow..
Way too tired to blog last night, and only just now made the time. It's been a busy day - now that Aer Lingus has switched to the later, summer schedule, we have time to go out to eat on Sunday as well, and chose the Abbey Tavern. Where we were most excellently fed, with me having a rare occasion to have turkey - they serve it on the Sunday lunch menu. Saves me cooking when I get over here, anyhow.
After a day in Guildford tomorrow - which I'm not looking forward to, what with a work conflict looming - I'm back with the Crick Crack Club, for Kali - in Soho Theatre again.
My flight was early enough that we had time to eat before heading to Mass, and then to the concert. We chose the Sherwood Inn, for its convenience, close to the cathedral and to Glór - goodness knows, it's good value too. We got one of the few spaces outside the shopping centre, and queued for a short while in the restaurant, being seated by the window near the bar, for once. I fancied soup, which is delicious here, and chicken kiev, with onion rings - I've had them before here, and know they're tasty. Skipped the garlic bread, after the last time, though. My mother, of course, had salmon. With wine, the bill came to under €30 for us both! No dessert, of course - we didn't have time, and anyway, you pay in advance here, and I've never yet had anyone come back to ask us whether we want a dessert..
The soup was divine, as ever. My chicken came absolutely drowned in garlic sauce - but tasty, as were the onion rings. My mother had asked for a half portion - huge half portion it was, and we were stuffed as we waddled out of there. Found parking at the cathedral, and - our devotions done - got a nice parking space close to Glór as well. Yes, I could walk between them all - but my mother couldn't, so some moving and reparking of the car was required. Anyway, it poured rain all day Saturday.. it was good not to have to walk far.
We were early to Glór, and took a sofa at the bar, where I had another wine, and my mother some very watery tea - which she hardly touched. I'm not a tea drinker, but from the appearance of it, I couldn't blame her. And we waited - and waited - for the doors to open, spending our time assessing the fashions of fellow audience members. It didn't say on the tickets which door we were to go to, so it did save us some time - and walking - when I remembered which it was - they're picky about that, here. Inside, we had seats on Row F - the one with the aisle directly in front, so plenty of legroom: and not too far from the stage.
This was a violin concert - primarily - by Vladimir Jablokov, whom we've seen here before, and who always gives a show to my mother's taste. In fact, it was part of the Bealtaine / Voltage festival; Bealtaine, the Irish for May, is an annual festival for the aged - so my mother wasn't the only elderly person in the crowd. And it was just perfect for them - lots of Strauss, lots of familiar pieces, with Vladimir hopping merrily about the stage, eyes twinkling. He even hopped off stage and into the crowd for the last number, playing his violin as he walked up the aisle.
He has a habit of including his family in his concerts, and last night had his father on violin, and his sister on piano (in a much-remarked-upon, dark red, flouncy evening gown). His father - not a Strauss fan really, it seems - was indulged for one classical number: Meditation, by Thais. Cue an enraptured audience - and a slightly embarrassed one, when several people started clapping during the quiet bit before the end. There were also two singers - a soprano whom I haven't heard of, and the rather excellent tenor Sean Costello, who was indulged, near the end, with a solo performance of Nessun Dorma.
A very enjoyable evening. Enhanced by the old lady behind us, who tra-la-la-ed along to pretty much everything. And the lady who came around at the interval, with ice cream, did a roaring trade. Still lashing rain on the way home.. Funnily enough, checking my mail when I got home, I found a brochure from the University Concert Hall, where Sean Costello will be performing Mario Lanza around my mother's birthday, in October - accompanied by the Slovak Festival Musicians - conducted by Vladimir Jablokov. Must book that, tomorrow..
Way too tired to blog last night, and only just now made the time. It's been a busy day - now that Aer Lingus has switched to the later, summer schedule, we have time to go out to eat on Sunday as well, and chose the Abbey Tavern. Where we were most excellently fed, with me having a rare occasion to have turkey - they serve it on the Sunday lunch menu. Saves me cooking when I get over here, anyhow.
After a day in Guildford tomorrow - which I'm not looking forward to, what with a work conflict looming - I'm back with the Crick Crack Club, for Kali - in Soho Theatre again.
Friday, 6 May 2016
Play: A Midsummer Night's Dream
Aw gee, the first signs of summer! Lighter clothes.. sunnier days.. and back to The Globe! A favourite venue of the Man with the Hat, who always has a comprehensive offering of events there.. last night was the first of the season, with a trip (for both his groups) to see A Midsummer Night's Dream. As usual, I'd love to stand - but I'm a terrible stander, and these are long plays, and so I sat. Therefore with Let's Do London - for less! Those who wished to stand could do so courtesy of London for Less Than a Tenner.
I wasn't best pleased to find I'd be working in Guildford that day - I've been late for just the one thing so far, coming back from Guildford, but it's always a risk - and always stressful. And I really, really, didn't want to be late for this - even though our diligent organiser promised to wait outside for latecomers. So I started nagging my boss the day before, saying that heads would roll if I were late. And then - the night before, there was a fire in Vauxhall.. which is on the train line between Clapham Junction and Waterloo.. which is my fastest way to the Globe!
Cue mild panic, and worried updates to my boss about the current status - lines closed, services delayed or cancelled. As I remarked to him, I could take the bus, if I were back in time! Instead, I formulated a Plan B whereby I could take the Overground to Canada Water, then the Tube back to Southwark and walk from there. To top it all, I called my mother from the office at the end of the day, and explained to her how I really wanted to go, how I'd booked it as soon as I saw it.. now, that might have been the clincher for my boss, or maybe he just didn't fancy the drive home otherwise, but.. he suggested we leave early! :-)
Dire warnings on the radio on the way back, advising against any non-essential train travel to Waterloo. But hey, you know what? We were back early enough for me to take the bus, after all! Mind you, I was lucky in where I got on - it didn't take long for the bus to fill completely, and I was glad of my seat. Of course, the buses were crammed because of the trouble with the trains - something of a Blitz spirit prevailed, people in better humour than normal. One little girl begged her mother to sit upstairs, but her mother wasn't keen - when she finally realised they'd have to do that if they wanted a seat, her daughter shrieked "At last! My dream has come true!" The whole bus laughed.
Most only wanted to travel to Vauxhall, and got off there - so it was more comfortable after that. And despite terrible traffic as we turned onto Lambeth Road, we arrived at my stop before 7. The Man with the Tickets had asked us to aim to pick them up by 7:15, so I was relaxed during my five-minute stroll to The Globe. He's moved his stance - used to wait by the river, but now has moved around the corner, to the entrance to the ticket office. Even posted a picture of where he'd be standing, on the Meetup page, just so we'd know!
I know the spot well - I've come to The Globe independently several times, when I always come in this way. As I approached, I couldn't yet see the Hat.. and then I noticed this huge crowd of people, apparently clustered around a single point. Yep, there was the Hat, with the Man underneath, and I joined the fray. These groups are growing to mammoth proportions - he had over 100 people at last night's event, between both groups - and thick wads of tickets stashed on his person. In case you didn't realise - and there would have been a lot of first-timers, last night - he had a Meetup sign posted to the wall behind him. Someone remarked that all he needed now was a table with three cups on it.. Anyway, the consummate organiser, he was his usual, genial self with absolutely everyone. Which is why it took a while for me to get my ticket.. never mind, I was in plenty of time!
It was nice to be in the back row for once, with the wall as support - I didn't need it so much, but it's nice to have the option of leaning back. And OH! It was great to be back in The Globe! That's the real start of summer for me. You know, the Man with the Hat was saying afterwards that he had a spare seat, and sat for the second half - and that it gave a great view of the groundlings. Well, yes - he's absolutely right, and I find exactly the same thing for U2 concerts, where I also always take a seat; the atmosphere is better on the floor, but in the seats, you can see the crowd reaction. So you're not missing out so much!
I was surrounded by fellow group members - some new, some of long-standing. As always, someone whose first time it was at The Globe - I do love to see people's reactions. Our immediate, joint reaction was - yup, this is a rather different production. The stage was strewn with large, round tables, laid out as though for a banquet - there were a couple in the crowd, as well. Indian-style beading decorated the entrance to the backstage area. And.. the open, roofless centre of The Globe was filled with.. enormous, round white balloons. Long, green, gauzy tubes hung from somewhere above us, and the whole effect was rather unearthly. Can't say I've seen The Globe decked out like this before - but I believe they have a new artistic director.
Nobody could have predicted what was to happen next. To sum up - I've always thought this play was bonkers. Star-crossed lovers escape to the woods, where they stumble into the realm of the fairies, and end up being given love potions. A hapless troupe of players stumbles across the fairies too, and the daftest one of them - called Bottom - becomes even weirder when he's turned into an ass (well, his head at least) - and the fairy queen falls in love with him (one of those potions, again). It eventually resolves itself, with just a trace of fairy dust left behind to tweak circumstances a bit.
Aw man, this is freakin' fantastic! As I explained to someone on the way out - The Globe always mixes the productions up a bit, but not usually this much. It's got a bit of everything.. We start with Globe "ushers", explaining to us the rules of the house. (They play a more prominent role later on.) We continue with Bollywood. There's a good smattering of well chosen modern songs. Some nifty dance moves, and some impressive acrobatics. But oh.. where it really shines is in the fairy realm, where they've really created an otherworldly scene, weird music from behind, moody lighting. And - spoiler - the fairy queen, who makes her first entrance from above, suspended on cables, in the most fantastic garb..
I've seen some terrible comments about this on The Globe website. And when I realised it was a new and different production - well, that explained much. So I decided to see for myself - because, you know, some people don't like other people tinkering with what they consider classics. We had this discussion afterwards, where someone made the point - with which I wholeheartedly agree - that if you can understand something well enough to distill it to its essence.. and present it to people anew.. it can make an audience understand it in a different way, and perhaps see something new in it. For me, last night was the first time this play made sense.. it never did, played straight.
The play is bonkers, and so - appropriately - is the production. Someone remarked that their favourite was Bottom - mine had to be Puck (Katy Owen), the capricious sprite who meddles in everything and is responsible for much mischief. This one is a hyperactive lass, who bounces about the place in an Elizabethan ruff and spectacularly sparkly, flashing shoes. Runs on the spot frequently - I think it helps the magic.
It is hilarious - it is the most fantastic fun. The end came as something of a relief, just because this is a long play, and the benches, while comfortable enough, are wooden, and this was my first time back this year. But what the end also brought was a standing ovation - from me, among others - and the most thunderous, seat-rumbling applause and cheering from all of those at The Globe. I loved it. They loved it. Anyone with an open mind and a sense of fun will love it. Runs on selected dates until 11 September - some sold out, and booking essential. Go see.
Afterwards, the 100+ people had vapourised, leaving about nine of us (+ our Fearless Leader) to wend our way to The Anchor. Off he scooted, to find us a suitable nook to chat in, and we ended up in a corner all to ourselves, in this complicated warren of a pub. Where we just about had time for one, but at least they didn't chuck us out until 11:30, so we had time for a decent chat as well. Great group(s) - I'll usually try and get to the Man with the Hat's events, but it just isn't always possible.. I am away every second weekend, and sometimes they do clash with stuff that I really don't want to miss. What the hey, looking forward to the next one!
Tonight, it's back to Ireland for the weekend, and my mother and I are off tomorrow to a violin concert called One Night in Vienna, in Glór. And back in London, on Monday I'm back with the Crick Crack Club, for Kali - in Soho Theatre again.
I wasn't best pleased to find I'd be working in Guildford that day - I've been late for just the one thing so far, coming back from Guildford, but it's always a risk - and always stressful. And I really, really, didn't want to be late for this - even though our diligent organiser promised to wait outside for latecomers. So I started nagging my boss the day before, saying that heads would roll if I were late. And then - the night before, there was a fire in Vauxhall.. which is on the train line between Clapham Junction and Waterloo.. which is my fastest way to the Globe!
Cue mild panic, and worried updates to my boss about the current status - lines closed, services delayed or cancelled. As I remarked to him, I could take the bus, if I were back in time! Instead, I formulated a Plan B whereby I could take the Overground to Canada Water, then the Tube back to Southwark and walk from there. To top it all, I called my mother from the office at the end of the day, and explained to her how I really wanted to go, how I'd booked it as soon as I saw it.. now, that might have been the clincher for my boss, or maybe he just didn't fancy the drive home otherwise, but.. he suggested we leave early! :-)
Dire warnings on the radio on the way back, advising against any non-essential train travel to Waterloo. But hey, you know what? We were back early enough for me to take the bus, after all! Mind you, I was lucky in where I got on - it didn't take long for the bus to fill completely, and I was glad of my seat. Of course, the buses were crammed because of the trouble with the trains - something of a Blitz spirit prevailed, people in better humour than normal. One little girl begged her mother to sit upstairs, but her mother wasn't keen - when she finally realised they'd have to do that if they wanted a seat, her daughter shrieked "At last! My dream has come true!" The whole bus laughed.
Most only wanted to travel to Vauxhall, and got off there - so it was more comfortable after that. And despite terrible traffic as we turned onto Lambeth Road, we arrived at my stop before 7. The Man with the Tickets had asked us to aim to pick them up by 7:15, so I was relaxed during my five-minute stroll to The Globe. He's moved his stance - used to wait by the river, but now has moved around the corner, to the entrance to the ticket office. Even posted a picture of where he'd be standing, on the Meetup page, just so we'd know!
I know the spot well - I've come to The Globe independently several times, when I always come in this way. As I approached, I couldn't yet see the Hat.. and then I noticed this huge crowd of people, apparently clustered around a single point. Yep, there was the Hat, with the Man underneath, and I joined the fray. These groups are growing to mammoth proportions - he had over 100 people at last night's event, between both groups - and thick wads of tickets stashed on his person. In case you didn't realise - and there would have been a lot of first-timers, last night - he had a Meetup sign posted to the wall behind him. Someone remarked that all he needed now was a table with three cups on it.. Anyway, the consummate organiser, he was his usual, genial self with absolutely everyone. Which is why it took a while for me to get my ticket.. never mind, I was in plenty of time!
It was nice to be in the back row for once, with the wall as support - I didn't need it so much, but it's nice to have the option of leaning back. And OH! It was great to be back in The Globe! That's the real start of summer for me. You know, the Man with the Hat was saying afterwards that he had a spare seat, and sat for the second half - and that it gave a great view of the groundlings. Well, yes - he's absolutely right, and I find exactly the same thing for U2 concerts, where I also always take a seat; the atmosphere is better on the floor, but in the seats, you can see the crowd reaction. So you're not missing out so much!
I was surrounded by fellow group members - some new, some of long-standing. As always, someone whose first time it was at The Globe - I do love to see people's reactions. Our immediate, joint reaction was - yup, this is a rather different production. The stage was strewn with large, round tables, laid out as though for a banquet - there were a couple in the crowd, as well. Indian-style beading decorated the entrance to the backstage area. And.. the open, roofless centre of The Globe was filled with.. enormous, round white balloons. Long, green, gauzy tubes hung from somewhere above us, and the whole effect was rather unearthly. Can't say I've seen The Globe decked out like this before - but I believe they have a new artistic director.
Nobody could have predicted what was to happen next. To sum up - I've always thought this play was bonkers. Star-crossed lovers escape to the woods, where they stumble into the realm of the fairies, and end up being given love potions. A hapless troupe of players stumbles across the fairies too, and the daftest one of them - called Bottom - becomes even weirder when he's turned into an ass (well, his head at least) - and the fairy queen falls in love with him (one of those potions, again). It eventually resolves itself, with just a trace of fairy dust left behind to tweak circumstances a bit.
Aw man, this is freakin' fantastic! As I explained to someone on the way out - The Globe always mixes the productions up a bit, but not usually this much. It's got a bit of everything.. We start with Globe "ushers", explaining to us the rules of the house. (They play a more prominent role later on.) We continue with Bollywood. There's a good smattering of well chosen modern songs. Some nifty dance moves, and some impressive acrobatics. But oh.. where it really shines is in the fairy realm, where they've really created an otherworldly scene, weird music from behind, moody lighting. And - spoiler - the fairy queen, who makes her first entrance from above, suspended on cables, in the most fantastic garb..
I've seen some terrible comments about this on The Globe website. And when I realised it was a new and different production - well, that explained much. So I decided to see for myself - because, you know, some people don't like other people tinkering with what they consider classics. We had this discussion afterwards, where someone made the point - with which I wholeheartedly agree - that if you can understand something well enough to distill it to its essence.. and present it to people anew.. it can make an audience understand it in a different way, and perhaps see something new in it. For me, last night was the first time this play made sense.. it never did, played straight.
The play is bonkers, and so - appropriately - is the production. Someone remarked that their favourite was Bottom - mine had to be Puck (Katy Owen), the capricious sprite who meddles in everything and is responsible for much mischief. This one is a hyperactive lass, who bounces about the place in an Elizabethan ruff and spectacularly sparkly, flashing shoes. Runs on the spot frequently - I think it helps the magic.
It is hilarious - it is the most fantastic fun. The end came as something of a relief, just because this is a long play, and the benches, while comfortable enough, are wooden, and this was my first time back this year. But what the end also brought was a standing ovation - from me, among others - and the most thunderous, seat-rumbling applause and cheering from all of those at The Globe. I loved it. They loved it. Anyone with an open mind and a sense of fun will love it. Runs on selected dates until 11 September - some sold out, and booking essential. Go see.
Afterwards, the 100+ people had vapourised, leaving about nine of us (+ our Fearless Leader) to wend our way to The Anchor. Off he scooted, to find us a suitable nook to chat in, and we ended up in a corner all to ourselves, in this complicated warren of a pub. Where we just about had time for one, but at least they didn't chuck us out until 11:30, so we had time for a decent chat as well. Great group(s) - I'll usually try and get to the Man with the Hat's events, but it just isn't always possible.. I am away every second weekend, and sometimes they do clash with stuff that I really don't want to miss. What the hey, looking forward to the next one!
Tonight, it's back to Ireland for the weekend, and my mother and I are off tomorrow to a violin concert called One Night in Vienna, in Glór. And back in London, on Monday I'm back with the Crick Crack Club, for Kali - in Soho Theatre again.
Thursday, 5 May 2016
Comedy: Nikolaugh Teslaugh
Well gee, comedy again last night! I couldn't get many details about the performers in Nikolaugh Teslaugh, but when I checked out the headliner (Amir Khoshsokhan) on YouTube, I was so impressed by the style of his delivery that there was just no question. So I told London Live Comedy that I'd go. First time for me, but not for want of trying on the part of this group - they always have a ton of stuff on, it's just that it usually clashes with something else I'd rather do..
It was up in the Rose and Crown in Kentish Town - excuse enough not to go, especially as I was in Guildford, but I did make it back in time and said What the Hey. I elected to take the Overground (cheaper), and printed out a street map for walking directions from Kentish Town West. On the way, I'd be passing Kentish Town station - which was handy, because I'd have to get the Tube back from there - the Overground wasn't an option by the time I figured I'd be leaving, about 10:30pm. Not for that distance.
The organiser had said he'd have a table ready from 7, but the show didn't start till 8, and I figured I was ok arriving by then, as I didn't know anyone going. After sleeping badly the night before, I was slightly exhausted, and kept dozing off on the long Overground ride - but I came to in time to get off, and set off from the station. It was a beautiful, sunny evening, should have been a lovely walk (about 20 mins) - sadly, Kentish Town is the most polluted place I've been in for a long time, and I could actually feel my throat burning from traffic exhaust fumes as I walked. Gosh, I'm lucky I don't live there! I was glad when I finally came across the pub.
I knew the show was in the cellar bar - I couldn't see an exterior entrance to the cellar from the street, so I went in. After a brief look around what's a very poky pub, I passed a narrow stairway, leading down from an open door. Well, it looked like it led to the cellar - I followed a group of other folks, who looked as though they might be on the same mission. Thankfully, the edge of the steps was painted yellow - there isn't nearly enough light, and as I got to the bottom, I was really reminded of The Vaults! Yes, this was it, and the organiser was prominent downstairs - he couldn't help but be, he's quite tall and came quite close to the ceiling. And, as promised, he wore a blue shirt.
Strobe lighting illuminated a pretty small space, lots of chairs set out. As usual, there was a bar down here, and as usual, it wasn't serving - so I had to schlep upstairs again for a drink, which I carried gingerly back down with me. Worth it though - a decent house white, large, for £5.90 - West End, please take note! The organiser did a decent job of introducing us Meetup people to each other, and I recognised one - although, not seeing her on the Meetup page, I wonder whether she was there with a different group! She started up a geeky conversation with a couple of others down the back, and I left her to it.
Geeky, mind you, was the theme of the night - plenty of Star Wars references, what with yesterday being May the 4th ("May the fourth be with you!"). First time I've heard of Star Wars Day (which someone on the radio on my way home had got wrong and called Star Trek Day!).. anyway, fine by me, I have that background. Three acts before the interval, three after, and generally they were excellent. Plenty of jokes about science, some about Star Wars. Some ill-advised charts. Joke of the night, for us science nerds, has to go to the one about Schrodinger's Cat.. not gonna give it away, but if you know about the cat, you'd really appreciate this!
One of the performers in the second half spent the first half sitting near me, and we got chatting. I mentioned I'd been at a comedy gig the night before as well, and earned his eternal disapproval by admitting that I couldn't remember any of the names! Well sorry, but there were several, none of whom I'd ever heard of before, or am likely to again, and I didn't take notes! Maybe if I were into comedy in a serious way - but it's not the main thing I do. If I can link to the event website, I'll look up those I remember and give them a mention. Otherwise, sorry, but they'll have to vanish into the mist..
At the interval, I needed the toilet - there's only one, and hardly any room to queue for it. Oh, and the floor was all wet. The interval was longer than stated - luckily, considering I spent most of it queueing for the loo, and it took ages to get served afterwards.
The acts did get better as the night continued - sorry to any other comedians out there, but I don't remember the name of the Scottish guy. But I do remember Khoshsokhan (pronounced "Course you can"), famous for his slow and quiet delivery. He was an absolute delight, and I wouldn't have missed him for the world. Tube and train home afterwards (just after 10:30) and home just after bedtime, given that I'm all the way down in Guildford again today.
Looking forward to tonight - back with the Man with the Hat, for the first outing of the year to The Globe! A Midsummer Night's Dream, to be precise. As usual, being too decrepit to stand for the duration, I'm being a wuss and going for a seat - so, Let's Do London - for less! it is. Atmosphere's still great. Somewhat anxious about making it on time, especially as there was a fire in Vauxhall last night, which has severely disrupted train services to Waterloo, which I was planning to use! - bless, the Man with the Hat says he'll wait outside for latecomers. Now, there's a service.. Hopefully, I shan't need it. And then he's mixing it up by heading to the Anchor afterwards.. New one for me. What the hey, variety is the spice of life, as they say.
Then it's back to Ireland for the weekend, and my mother and I are off on Saturday to a violin concert called One Night in Vienna, in Glór. And back in London, on Monday I'm back with the Crick Crack Club, for Kali - in Soho Theatre again.
It was up in the Rose and Crown in Kentish Town - excuse enough not to go, especially as I was in Guildford, but I did make it back in time and said What the Hey. I elected to take the Overground (cheaper), and printed out a street map for walking directions from Kentish Town West. On the way, I'd be passing Kentish Town station - which was handy, because I'd have to get the Tube back from there - the Overground wasn't an option by the time I figured I'd be leaving, about 10:30pm. Not for that distance.
The organiser had said he'd have a table ready from 7, but the show didn't start till 8, and I figured I was ok arriving by then, as I didn't know anyone going. After sleeping badly the night before, I was slightly exhausted, and kept dozing off on the long Overground ride - but I came to in time to get off, and set off from the station. It was a beautiful, sunny evening, should have been a lovely walk (about 20 mins) - sadly, Kentish Town is the most polluted place I've been in for a long time, and I could actually feel my throat burning from traffic exhaust fumes as I walked. Gosh, I'm lucky I don't live there! I was glad when I finally came across the pub.
I knew the show was in the cellar bar - I couldn't see an exterior entrance to the cellar from the street, so I went in. After a brief look around what's a very poky pub, I passed a narrow stairway, leading down from an open door. Well, it looked like it led to the cellar - I followed a group of other folks, who looked as though they might be on the same mission. Thankfully, the edge of the steps was painted yellow - there isn't nearly enough light, and as I got to the bottom, I was really reminded of The Vaults! Yes, this was it, and the organiser was prominent downstairs - he couldn't help but be, he's quite tall and came quite close to the ceiling. And, as promised, he wore a blue shirt.
Strobe lighting illuminated a pretty small space, lots of chairs set out. As usual, there was a bar down here, and as usual, it wasn't serving - so I had to schlep upstairs again for a drink, which I carried gingerly back down with me. Worth it though - a decent house white, large, for £5.90 - West End, please take note! The organiser did a decent job of introducing us Meetup people to each other, and I recognised one - although, not seeing her on the Meetup page, I wonder whether she was there with a different group! She started up a geeky conversation with a couple of others down the back, and I left her to it.
Geeky, mind you, was the theme of the night - plenty of Star Wars references, what with yesterday being May the 4th ("May the fourth be with you!"). First time I've heard of Star Wars Day (which someone on the radio on my way home had got wrong and called Star Trek Day!).. anyway, fine by me, I have that background. Three acts before the interval, three after, and generally they were excellent. Plenty of jokes about science, some about Star Wars. Some ill-advised charts. Joke of the night, for us science nerds, has to go to the one about Schrodinger's Cat.. not gonna give it away, but if you know about the cat, you'd really appreciate this!
One of the performers in the second half spent the first half sitting near me, and we got chatting. I mentioned I'd been at a comedy gig the night before as well, and earned his eternal disapproval by admitting that I couldn't remember any of the names! Well sorry, but there were several, none of whom I'd ever heard of before, or am likely to again, and I didn't take notes! Maybe if I were into comedy in a serious way - but it's not the main thing I do. If I can link to the event website, I'll look up those I remember and give them a mention. Otherwise, sorry, but they'll have to vanish into the mist..
At the interval, I needed the toilet - there's only one, and hardly any room to queue for it. Oh, and the floor was all wet. The interval was longer than stated - luckily, considering I spent most of it queueing for the loo, and it took ages to get served afterwards.
The acts did get better as the night continued - sorry to any other comedians out there, but I don't remember the name of the Scottish guy. But I do remember Khoshsokhan (pronounced "Course you can"), famous for his slow and quiet delivery. He was an absolute delight, and I wouldn't have missed him for the world. Tube and train home afterwards (just after 10:30) and home just after bedtime, given that I'm all the way down in Guildford again today.
Looking forward to tonight - back with the Man with the Hat, for the first outing of the year to The Globe! A Midsummer Night's Dream, to be precise. As usual, being too decrepit to stand for the duration, I'm being a wuss and going for a seat - so, Let's Do London - for less! it is. Atmosphere's still great. Somewhat anxious about making it on time, especially as there was a fire in Vauxhall last night, which has severely disrupted train services to Waterloo, which I was planning to use! - bless, the Man with the Hat says he'll wait outside for latecomers. Now, there's a service.. Hopefully, I shan't need it. And then he's mixing it up by heading to the Anchor afterwards.. New one for me. What the hey, variety is the spice of life, as they say.
Then it's back to Ireland for the weekend, and my mother and I are off on Saturday to a violin concert called One Night in Vienna, in Glór. And back in London, on Monday I'm back with the Crick Crack Club, for Kali - in Soho Theatre again.
Wednesday, 4 May 2016
Comedy: We Are Funny Putney
Comedy, comedy.. last night was all about comedy on Meetup. After due consideration of all the acts I could find on YouTube, the best event seemed to be We Are Funny Putney, as advertised by Free London Events and Talks. With the caveat that I couldn't actually find most of those acts on YouTube..
It was also the closest - and being close makes such a nice change! They didn't bother, on the Meetup page, even to give the address, but I Googled it, found the We Are Funny site, and learned from there that it was in the Star & Garter, on Lower Richmond Road - lovely, I've been along there a couple of times (once unintentionally!) and figured I'd be able to get parking as well. A quick check of Streetview (once I could get it working on my internet connection) showed me that I'd probably be better off looking for parking around the other side, on the less busy road by the river. Which I believe floods occasionally.
A quick revision of the driving route, and I got there without incident - sure enough, parking was much easier by the river, and I easily found a space. Not so easily the pub itself, though - Google Maps, asked for the Star & Garter, displays another pub - the Duke's Head. I'd thought perhaps the pub had changed its name since the Streetview photo had been taken, but no - there was the Duke's Head, just where I'd parked. I decided to have a look around Lower Richmond Road - when I discovered which direction I should be going in for #4 (left), I came across a very scruffy building. This was the Star & Garter (had I zoomed right in on Google Maps, I might have seen it - they have listed it, they just point to the wrong place, at time of writing).
Reassuringly, it's much nicer inside, and I believe they cater for weddings. (They might want to spend some money on the exterior.) Again from the We Are Funny site, I knew to head for the Cellar Bar - I was surprised at how empty it was, mind! The mc actually apologised to me at the end of the night for the poor turnout, blaming it on the bank holiday. As it happened, almost the entire audience consisted of people waiting to perform. The mc guessed I was with Meetup, and introduced me to the (three) other Meetup members there, who sat with me for the first half. They weren't my Meetup group, though - the older couple kept asking me whether I'd actually signed up, and it turned out they were with Putney Social..! No sign of a single person from Free London Events and Talks - but that's exactly the experience I had with them before, they're really only any good for advertising events. I've now signed up to Putney Social - the Meetup page search is rubbish, I had to Google them - and a couple of other Putney-based groups as well; really, I'm just down the road. 10-20 minutes to drive to the Star and Garter, traffic-dependent.
The Italian mc was a laugh-riot - and with so few non-performers in the audience, we all got a ribbing! Still, it was good-natured, and the acts (certainly in the first half) were obviously either completely, or relatively, new to the stage, and were treated gently. And you know, each and every one was quite watchable - of course, it helped that they were limited to five minutes per person. Just before the interval, we had a longer act, who was absolutely hilarious..
Of the three members of Putney social, one was performing, another was her partner, and the group organiser - and the third person made a run for it at the interval! I don't think she really liked it. As usual with these things, the bar we were sitting beside wasn't serving drinks, and we had to go back upstairs to order, which is where I got chatting with the organiser. And.. that was it! He and his partner also left before the second half, making their apologies - she had to be up early. And that left me as almost the only non-performing audience member for the second half. Which, I have to say, was - sadly - dire. At the end, as the mc apologised to me, he also apologised for the poor quality. Really, they were dreadful - but that won't stop me going back, potentially - great atmosphere, great host! And the advertised headliner would probably have been good - unfortunately, her car broke down.
They aim to be out by 10:30, and so we were, and I had a fairly quick run home. In Guildford today though, so there wasn't time to blog last night. For tonight, I've arranged to go to another free comedy gig - Nikolaugh Teslaugh is advertised by London Live Comedy, and sounds decent. Mind you, it's all the way up in Kentish Town, so we'll see how I feel. I have printed the map..
Looking forward to tomorrow - back with the Man with the Hat, for the first outing of the year to The Globe! A Midsummer Night's Dream, to be precise. As usual, being too decrepit to stand for the duration, I'm being a wuss and going for a seat - so, Let's Do London - for less! it is. Atmosphere's still great. I'll be in Guildford again, so somewhat anxious about making it on time - bless, the Man with the Hat says he'll wait outside for latecomers! Now, there's a service.. Hopefully, I shan't need it. And then he's mixing it up by heading to the Anchor afterwards.. New one for me. What the hey, variety is the spice of life, as they say.
Then it's back to Ireland for the weekend, and my mother and I are off on Saturday to a violin concert called One Night in Vienna, in Glór. And back in London, on Monday I'm back with the Crick Crack Club, for Kali - in Soho Theatre again.
It was also the closest - and being close makes such a nice change! They didn't bother, on the Meetup page, even to give the address, but I Googled it, found the We Are Funny site, and learned from there that it was in the Star & Garter, on Lower Richmond Road - lovely, I've been along there a couple of times (once unintentionally!) and figured I'd be able to get parking as well. A quick check of Streetview (once I could get it working on my internet connection) showed me that I'd probably be better off looking for parking around the other side, on the less busy road by the river. Which I believe floods occasionally.
A quick revision of the driving route, and I got there without incident - sure enough, parking was much easier by the river, and I easily found a space. Not so easily the pub itself, though - Google Maps, asked for the Star & Garter, displays another pub - the Duke's Head. I'd thought perhaps the pub had changed its name since the Streetview photo had been taken, but no - there was the Duke's Head, just where I'd parked. I decided to have a look around Lower Richmond Road - when I discovered which direction I should be going in for #4 (left), I came across a very scruffy building. This was the Star & Garter (had I zoomed right in on Google Maps, I might have seen it - they have listed it, they just point to the wrong place, at time of writing).
Reassuringly, it's much nicer inside, and I believe they cater for weddings. (They might want to spend some money on the exterior.) Again from the We Are Funny site, I knew to head for the Cellar Bar - I was surprised at how empty it was, mind! The mc actually apologised to me at the end of the night for the poor turnout, blaming it on the bank holiday. As it happened, almost the entire audience consisted of people waiting to perform. The mc guessed I was with Meetup, and introduced me to the (three) other Meetup members there, who sat with me for the first half. They weren't my Meetup group, though - the older couple kept asking me whether I'd actually signed up, and it turned out they were with Putney Social..! No sign of a single person from Free London Events and Talks - but that's exactly the experience I had with them before, they're really only any good for advertising events. I've now signed up to Putney Social - the Meetup page search is rubbish, I had to Google them - and a couple of other Putney-based groups as well; really, I'm just down the road. 10-20 minutes to drive to the Star and Garter, traffic-dependent.
The Italian mc was a laugh-riot - and with so few non-performers in the audience, we all got a ribbing! Still, it was good-natured, and the acts (certainly in the first half) were obviously either completely, or relatively, new to the stage, and were treated gently. And you know, each and every one was quite watchable - of course, it helped that they were limited to five minutes per person. Just before the interval, we had a longer act, who was absolutely hilarious..
Of the three members of Putney social, one was performing, another was her partner, and the group organiser - and the third person made a run for it at the interval! I don't think she really liked it. As usual with these things, the bar we were sitting beside wasn't serving drinks, and we had to go back upstairs to order, which is where I got chatting with the organiser. And.. that was it! He and his partner also left before the second half, making their apologies - she had to be up early. And that left me as almost the only non-performing audience member for the second half. Which, I have to say, was - sadly - dire. At the end, as the mc apologised to me, he also apologised for the poor quality. Really, they were dreadful - but that won't stop me going back, potentially - great atmosphere, great host! And the advertised headliner would probably have been good - unfortunately, her car broke down.
They aim to be out by 10:30, and so we were, and I had a fairly quick run home. In Guildford today though, so there wasn't time to blog last night. For tonight, I've arranged to go to another free comedy gig - Nikolaugh Teslaugh is advertised by London Live Comedy, and sounds decent. Mind you, it's all the way up in Kentish Town, so we'll see how I feel. I have printed the map..
Looking forward to tomorrow - back with the Man with the Hat, for the first outing of the year to The Globe! A Midsummer Night's Dream, to be precise. As usual, being too decrepit to stand for the duration, I'm being a wuss and going for a seat - so, Let's Do London - for less! it is. Atmosphere's still great. I'll be in Guildford again, so somewhat anxious about making it on time - bless, the Man with the Hat says he'll wait outside for latecomers! Now, there's a service.. Hopefully, I shan't need it. And then he's mixing it up by heading to the Anchor afterwards.. New one for me. What the hey, variety is the spice of life, as they say.
Then it's back to Ireland for the weekend, and my mother and I are off on Saturday to a violin concert called One Night in Vienna, in Glór. And back in London, on Monday I'm back with the Crick Crack Club, for Kali - in Soho Theatre again.
Monday, 2 May 2016
Play: Dr. Faustus
London Dramatic Arts was originally supposed to go to Dr. Faustus on the 16th April - the trip had to be rescheduled, and I'm very glad it was, because it gave me a chance to go with the Man with the Hat, who was taking his groups to The Passion of Lady Vendredi the same night. Not only that, but we got a discount on the tickets for the rescheduled date, which more than paid for the extra show.
So, this evening, off I schlepped to the Duke of York's Theatre, rather glad to be going with a group again - first time since Thursday. Google Maps wanted me to take a train to Waterloo, then the Tube; I figured I could walk from Waterloo, and that's what I did. The weather wasn't great - grey skies, blustery wind, and light rain; but it wasn't too bad: and I was early, so had time to kill. We were to meet at Brown's beforehand - just up the road from the theatre, and a lovely refuge from the weather, all dark wood and brass.
The organiser wasn't there yet, of course - but I was early. They hadn't any record of her booking, either. Didn't see anyone else I knew, and my phone chose that precise moment to die - so I took a seat at the bar and waited, in view of the door. Time ticked by. I waited. Time ticked by. I waited. Time to meet arrived. No sign. Five minutes passed. No sign. Well, she's always late.. I trotted into the brasserie to see whether I could see anyone I knew. Nope. Ordered a drink - perfect timing, when I turned around there she was, looking frazzled. Twenty minutes late - about standard for her. Really, if she can't even be on time on a bank holiday.. (and no, she hadn't messaged me to let me know, as I discovered when I got my phone to charge).
We took a booth further in, and gathered together all the menus - I was starving, so was she. The others who'd arrived so far (they'd been there while I was waiting, but I hadn't known them) weren't so hungry, and stuck to drinks. There was a bar snacks menu, an a la carte, a specials menu. I chose the chicken, and went to the bar to order - there is a separate brasserie, but you can eat in the bar too. The guy taking my order was unsure which chicken I wanted, and called over - I think it was one of the brasserie staff, to check. She asked where we were sitting, and was adamant that we couldn't eat there, we'd have to be reseated. When I went back and told our organiser, she fetched a maitre-d', who assured me that we could eat anywhere in the establishment, and chaperoned me back to the bar to order and pay.
Others in the group arrived in spurts, and ordered different dishes - but I was to be glad for what I'd ordered, firstly because they'd run out of so many dishes, and secondly because the staff had no idea which those were. Not to mention they had no apparent retention - give them a drinks order containing three items, and they will literally bring them one at a time, and have to be reminded each time that there's something else. At least the food was good, as was the conversation - I had two glasses of wine while I was there (choices B & C - they were out of my preferred choice), and would recommend neither. Insipid, is how I would describe them.
We left in good time for the theatre - I'd had a choice, as she had spare tickets, of either the very, very front row, or a bit further back. What the hey, I told her it didn't matter, and sat right up front with a couple more. She reassured us that a review had said the front row wasn't a disadvantage for this production - although you miss some views of the actors' feet, you don't miss anything of note. As we waited for the production to start, we noted the modern set, and a couple of actors came on to do innocuous things - a lady busied herself with cleaning, and Kit Harington (famous from Game of Thrones, which I don't watch) sat himself on the bed, drooling. Visibly.
You knew it had started when beings started to appear from the walls. Now, Dr. Faustus is a chap who sells his soul to the Devil, and from this production it appears as though he didn't have much of a choice - they were all around him before ever he signed a blood pact. And an eerier bunch of demonic figures I have not seen. Pale, intense - some looked morose, some grinned manically. All had dark eye makeup, making their eyes look hollow. None wore very much, and at the start, two (a man and a woman) were completely naked.
I did notice that after that scene, they slipped into some flimsy underwear - but all the demons' underwear was either white or nude, and barely-there, with something of a habit of slipping off. Or to the side. And yes, we did get a flash of Kit Harington's ass - eventually. For the moment, we contented ourselves with demons, who groped each other as occasion demanded.
They were always there, lending the play a discomfiting air. I found the fellow who played Lucifer particularly disturbing, possibly because of his near-constant grin, smeared with - ink, or treacle, or whatever they were using. They greatly outnumbered the human characters at each point, and were there to demonstrate what Hell was like, and what the hapless Dr. Faustus could expect. Frankly, had they been there to convince me, I'd never have signed the thing..
And what does Dr. Faustus want from all this? To be a magician, it seems, with the cachet of a rock star. Funnily enough, at the interval, the music was all along demonic lines - Sympathy for the Devil played as I queued at the bar for a severely overpriced drink. Dunno where the group vanished to - I searched for them, with the person I was sat beside, but to no avail. Hey-ho, we returned to our seats - and were entertained by the Mephistopheles character, who led us in a sing-song of more demonic songs before the second act (Bat out of Hell, anyone?).
I loved this. I've heard it's had some terrible reviews - I've also heard it described as being aimed at a younger audience - lots of nudity, simulated sex, in-your-face stuff. Plenty of modern references, e.g. politics. Yep, you definitely need an open mind. Also contains strobe lighting. In fact, the warning list posted as you enter the theatre is so long, I wished my phone was working so I could take a photo. But you know something? The man signs a deal with the Devil. What happens to him is supposed to be horrifying - frankly, I think they're just being realistic. What, do you want your demons polite..? And as for accusations of having lost the story - I think we get the gist. Deals with the Devil - not a good idea.
Worked for me. But you do need a strong stomach. Currently booking till 25 June.
Right then! Tomorrow is just filled with comedy shows - and for once, I found one that didn't turn me off. We Are Funny Putney has some acts that look quite good - mind you, most of them were acts I couldn't find on YouTube. Free London Events and Talks are off there - and as a plus, it's decently close to me. Although I had to Google it to find out it's in the Star and Garter.. would help if they put that on the Meetup page! Can probably drive..
So, this evening, off I schlepped to the Duke of York's Theatre, rather glad to be going with a group again - first time since Thursday. Google Maps wanted me to take a train to Waterloo, then the Tube; I figured I could walk from Waterloo, and that's what I did. The weather wasn't great - grey skies, blustery wind, and light rain; but it wasn't too bad: and I was early, so had time to kill. We were to meet at Brown's beforehand - just up the road from the theatre, and a lovely refuge from the weather, all dark wood and brass.
The organiser wasn't there yet, of course - but I was early. They hadn't any record of her booking, either. Didn't see anyone else I knew, and my phone chose that precise moment to die - so I took a seat at the bar and waited, in view of the door. Time ticked by. I waited. Time ticked by. I waited. Time to meet arrived. No sign. Five minutes passed. No sign. Well, she's always late.. I trotted into the brasserie to see whether I could see anyone I knew. Nope. Ordered a drink - perfect timing, when I turned around there she was, looking frazzled. Twenty minutes late - about standard for her. Really, if she can't even be on time on a bank holiday.. (and no, she hadn't messaged me to let me know, as I discovered when I got my phone to charge).
We took a booth further in, and gathered together all the menus - I was starving, so was she. The others who'd arrived so far (they'd been there while I was waiting, but I hadn't known them) weren't so hungry, and stuck to drinks. There was a bar snacks menu, an a la carte, a specials menu. I chose the chicken, and went to the bar to order - there is a separate brasserie, but you can eat in the bar too. The guy taking my order was unsure which chicken I wanted, and called over - I think it was one of the brasserie staff, to check. She asked where we were sitting, and was adamant that we couldn't eat there, we'd have to be reseated. When I went back and told our organiser, she fetched a maitre-d', who assured me that we could eat anywhere in the establishment, and chaperoned me back to the bar to order and pay.
Others in the group arrived in spurts, and ordered different dishes - but I was to be glad for what I'd ordered, firstly because they'd run out of so many dishes, and secondly because the staff had no idea which those were. Not to mention they had no apparent retention - give them a drinks order containing three items, and they will literally bring them one at a time, and have to be reminded each time that there's something else. At least the food was good, as was the conversation - I had two glasses of wine while I was there (choices B & C - they were out of my preferred choice), and would recommend neither. Insipid, is how I would describe them.
We left in good time for the theatre - I'd had a choice, as she had spare tickets, of either the very, very front row, or a bit further back. What the hey, I told her it didn't matter, and sat right up front with a couple more. She reassured us that a review had said the front row wasn't a disadvantage for this production - although you miss some views of the actors' feet, you don't miss anything of note. As we waited for the production to start, we noted the modern set, and a couple of actors came on to do innocuous things - a lady busied herself with cleaning, and Kit Harington (famous from Game of Thrones, which I don't watch) sat himself on the bed, drooling. Visibly.
You knew it had started when beings started to appear from the walls. Now, Dr. Faustus is a chap who sells his soul to the Devil, and from this production it appears as though he didn't have much of a choice - they were all around him before ever he signed a blood pact. And an eerier bunch of demonic figures I have not seen. Pale, intense - some looked morose, some grinned manically. All had dark eye makeup, making their eyes look hollow. None wore very much, and at the start, two (a man and a woman) were completely naked.
I did notice that after that scene, they slipped into some flimsy underwear - but all the demons' underwear was either white or nude, and barely-there, with something of a habit of slipping off. Or to the side. And yes, we did get a flash of Kit Harington's ass - eventually. For the moment, we contented ourselves with demons, who groped each other as occasion demanded.
They were always there, lending the play a discomfiting air. I found the fellow who played Lucifer particularly disturbing, possibly because of his near-constant grin, smeared with - ink, or treacle, or whatever they were using. They greatly outnumbered the human characters at each point, and were there to demonstrate what Hell was like, and what the hapless Dr. Faustus could expect. Frankly, had they been there to convince me, I'd never have signed the thing..
And what does Dr. Faustus want from all this? To be a magician, it seems, with the cachet of a rock star. Funnily enough, at the interval, the music was all along demonic lines - Sympathy for the Devil played as I queued at the bar for a severely overpriced drink. Dunno where the group vanished to - I searched for them, with the person I was sat beside, but to no avail. Hey-ho, we returned to our seats - and were entertained by the Mephistopheles character, who led us in a sing-song of more demonic songs before the second act (Bat out of Hell, anyone?).
I loved this. I've heard it's had some terrible reviews - I've also heard it described as being aimed at a younger audience - lots of nudity, simulated sex, in-your-face stuff. Plenty of modern references, e.g. politics. Yep, you definitely need an open mind. Also contains strobe lighting. In fact, the warning list posted as you enter the theatre is so long, I wished my phone was working so I could take a photo. But you know something? The man signs a deal with the Devil. What happens to him is supposed to be horrifying - frankly, I think they're just being realistic. What, do you want your demons polite..? And as for accusations of having lost the story - I think we get the gist. Deals with the Devil - not a good idea.
Worked for me. But you do need a strong stomach. Currently booking till 25 June.
Right then! Tomorrow is just filled with comedy shows - and for once, I found one that didn't turn me off. We Are Funny Putney has some acts that look quite good - mind you, most of them were acts I couldn't find on YouTube. Free London Events and Talks are off there - and as a plus, it's decently close to me. Although I had to Google it to find out it's in the Star and Garter.. would help if they put that on the Meetup page! Can probably drive..
Sunday, 1 May 2016
Film: The Midnight Orchestra (L' Orchestre de Minuit)
Ah, that film list.. never more problematic than when shorts are showing. See, I need to check the IMDB ratings of every film showing in town - well, the ones that I might be interested in seeing. And when shorts are showing.. so instead of one title, you might have seven, say.. Oy ve!
It's happened to me before that, by the time the list is done, I've missed whatever was on top of it! Well, at least that didn't happen today - but, ironically, for all those shorts, none of those at the top of the list were showing today. Or, indeed, on any day I could manage. So off they came. Which left a film called The Midnight Orchestra (L' Orchestre de Minuit), about a Moroccan Jew who fled the country because of anti-Jewish feeling following the Yom Kippur war, and returns, years later, as a successful musician when his father asks him. His father duly dies, and the son has the job of burying him - Gad Elmaleh pops up as one of the local rabbis, advising him. I didn't actually know it before, but he's Moroccan himself - I did know the name though; he has a son with Charlotte Casiraghi, the elder daughter of Princess Caroline of Monaco. The title refers to the band that the dead man used to lead, which one of the former members - now hospitalised in a mental institution - hallucinates, calling it "The Midnight Orchestra". So, in short, the son decides to recreate this orchestra in honour of his father.
It was all the way up in JW3 - I've never been before, but it turns out to be on Finchley Road, just up from where I was on Friday. Luckily, they had two showings - by the time I was done with this list, I'd just have had time to scurry out the door if I'd gone to the early showing, and I hadn't eaten yet! So I decided to go to the later showing - the early one was mostly booked out when I looked, so I decided I'd better book.
I planned to go by Overground to Finchley Road & Frognal, practically next door to the venue (the cheaper, but slightly longer, option) and return by Jubilee line from Finchley Road (slightly further away) and train, anticipating a late finish - the Overground doesn't run as late as the Tube. Funnily enough, it happened exactly the opposite way - Google Maps predicted I'd get a train from Clapham Junction at 7:31, but when I got there - at 7:24 - the next scheduled Overground was at 7:46! So I took Plan B - train to Waterloo, and Jubilee Line. The film turned out not to be accompanied by any trailers, or ads at all, apart from one for the centre, so ended promptly, and I got the Overground back!
I was in good time. JW3 is a Jewish cultural centre, and I was somewhat taken aback to find a security bag check at the gate. Well hey, if they have to, I guess.. Inside, there was a library, and once I'd picked up my ticket, I headed downstairs to the cinema. There was also a café, but as I say, I'd just eaten, and wasn't too early to head in. I'd booked myself a central seat - as it happened, I was one of three in that row, with everyone else further back..
This is a very French film. It's very stylish, and the leading man is an absolute delight to look at. Suave, sophisticated, sensitive - the epitome of a French leading man. All he needed was a woman to swoon over him - well, at least that didn't happen. However, that was as good as the film got for me - I do have a couple of problems with French cinema, both of which cropped up here.
Firstly, the damn thing was too introspective. I'm all for a bit of introspection, but for goodness' sake, we knew why he was there, we'd had the tearful shots as he came to terms with his father's death and the realities of his life. Did they have to labour he point? They could easily have chopped off half an hour. Secondly, oh gawd I just don't get French comedy. This is obviously not an opinion shared by everyone - the people behind me, in particular, were falling over themselves for most of the film, snorting away merrily in hilarity. I do hate being in an audience that gets the joke when I don't. Sorry, but I don't find it at all funny to have a suave, sophisticated leading man playing deadpan to a manic, taxi-driving sidekick for the duration, whom he initially dismisses but finally comes to respect as his friend. Yawn. Seen that one before.
But as I say, it was stylish, and that feller is real eye-candy.
Afterwards, the main door was already locked, and a friendly doorperson let us out - individually. There was still a guard on the gate, too. No hanging around here, after hours.. I was decently in time for both the train from down the road, and the one I had to change to in Willesden Junction; just as well, because it was quite chilly.
Tomorrow, as I say, is London Dramatic Arts Meetup, for the rescheduled trip to see Dr. Faustus, at the Duke of York's Theatre. And the organiser was in touch today, to say we'd grab some food and/or drinks beforehand, in Brown's. Which will make a nice change to my routine!
It's happened to me before that, by the time the list is done, I've missed whatever was on top of it! Well, at least that didn't happen today - but, ironically, for all those shorts, none of those at the top of the list were showing today. Or, indeed, on any day I could manage. So off they came. Which left a film called The Midnight Orchestra (L' Orchestre de Minuit), about a Moroccan Jew who fled the country because of anti-Jewish feeling following the Yom Kippur war, and returns, years later, as a successful musician when his father asks him. His father duly dies, and the son has the job of burying him - Gad Elmaleh pops up as one of the local rabbis, advising him. I didn't actually know it before, but he's Moroccan himself - I did know the name though; he has a son with Charlotte Casiraghi, the elder daughter of Princess Caroline of Monaco. The title refers to the band that the dead man used to lead, which one of the former members - now hospitalised in a mental institution - hallucinates, calling it "The Midnight Orchestra". So, in short, the son decides to recreate this orchestra in honour of his father.
It was all the way up in JW3 - I've never been before, but it turns out to be on Finchley Road, just up from where I was on Friday. Luckily, they had two showings - by the time I was done with this list, I'd just have had time to scurry out the door if I'd gone to the early showing, and I hadn't eaten yet! So I decided to go to the later showing - the early one was mostly booked out when I looked, so I decided I'd better book.
I planned to go by Overground to Finchley Road & Frognal, practically next door to the venue (the cheaper, but slightly longer, option) and return by Jubilee line from Finchley Road (slightly further away) and train, anticipating a late finish - the Overground doesn't run as late as the Tube. Funnily enough, it happened exactly the opposite way - Google Maps predicted I'd get a train from Clapham Junction at 7:31, but when I got there - at 7:24 - the next scheduled Overground was at 7:46! So I took Plan B - train to Waterloo, and Jubilee Line. The film turned out not to be accompanied by any trailers, or ads at all, apart from one for the centre, so ended promptly, and I got the Overground back!
I was in good time. JW3 is a Jewish cultural centre, and I was somewhat taken aback to find a security bag check at the gate. Well hey, if they have to, I guess.. Inside, there was a library, and once I'd picked up my ticket, I headed downstairs to the cinema. There was also a café, but as I say, I'd just eaten, and wasn't too early to head in. I'd booked myself a central seat - as it happened, I was one of three in that row, with everyone else further back..
This is a very French film. It's very stylish, and the leading man is an absolute delight to look at. Suave, sophisticated, sensitive - the epitome of a French leading man. All he needed was a woman to swoon over him - well, at least that didn't happen. However, that was as good as the film got for me - I do have a couple of problems with French cinema, both of which cropped up here.
Firstly, the damn thing was too introspective. I'm all for a bit of introspection, but for goodness' sake, we knew why he was there, we'd had the tearful shots as he came to terms with his father's death and the realities of his life. Did they have to labour he point? They could easily have chopped off half an hour. Secondly, oh gawd I just don't get French comedy. This is obviously not an opinion shared by everyone - the people behind me, in particular, were falling over themselves for most of the film, snorting away merrily in hilarity. I do hate being in an audience that gets the joke when I don't. Sorry, but I don't find it at all funny to have a suave, sophisticated leading man playing deadpan to a manic, taxi-driving sidekick for the duration, whom he initially dismisses but finally comes to respect as his friend. Yawn. Seen that one before.
But as I say, it was stylish, and that feller is real eye-candy.
Afterwards, the main door was already locked, and a friendly doorperson let us out - individually. There was still a guard on the gate, too. No hanging around here, after hours.. I was decently in time for both the train from down the road, and the one I had to change to in Willesden Junction; just as well, because it was quite chilly.
Tomorrow, as I say, is London Dramatic Arts Meetup, for the rescheduled trip to see Dr. Faustus, at the Duke of York's Theatre. And the organiser was in touch today, to say we'd grab some food and/or drinks beforehand, in Brown's. Which will make a nice change to my routine!
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