Concert: From Crete and Beyond

Tonight, I booked at the Turbine Theatre, for Torch Song. This is the inaugural show at the new theatre in the revamped Battersea Power Station! But last week, London European Club (courtesy of Henning) advertised a concert of Cretan music at Jamboree, which sounded much more fun - so I decided to go to that instead. Wow, it's years since I was last there!

Another amazingly productive day - I guess it had to happen eventually. So this evening, that meant working on a bit. Still, I wasn't too late in leaving - and when I checked to see whether I could get a quicker journey, why yes I could, if I changed buses. Which was what I did - and didn't have to run, this time. Still arrived first - just ahead of the others, and got myself a drink and secured a table at the back by the time they arrived. Not, mind, that they stuck to it as the night progressed - which was fair enough, with the hypnotic rhythms calling them forward towards the dancers at the front. I paid the cover charge at the bar, BTW, along with the price for my drink - and got my hand stamped.

 

Of course, I hadn't actually been here before.. in its previous incarnation, Jamboree was somewhere else entirely. This is certainly an improvement in terms of seating - and it's quirky, if not quite as atmospheric as the old place. As the night progressed, I went through the wine unusually quickly - but then, their "large" glass, as is common these days, is actually a medium. Meantime, our musicians were warming up..

This music might not be to everyone's taste, but I loved the mesmerising repetitiveness of it. And it was lovely to see the bare floor space at the front used for some Greek-style dancing; really, the music cried out for it. Very impressed, also, by a piece after the interval that we think was Afghan - we'd been promised something along those lines. A really lovely evening - and so good to see everyone, especially people I hadn't see in a while! PS The toilets are worth a visit:

Tomorrow, North London Friends (NLF) is off to A History of Water in the Middle East, at the Royal Court. Another where I got my ticket from the organiser.

On Friday, back with Up in the Cheap Seats (UITCS) - to Southwark Playhouse this time, for Preludes. D' you know, I bought their passport a while ago, which entitles you to cheap tickets to five shows - and of the last three I booked, something else came up for every single one! Hope I make this one.. reports of it being "weird" don't phase me in the slightest!

On Saturday, seeing the matinee of Solaris at the Lyric Hammersmith. Turns out that both UITCS and Love London Theatre, Arts, Music & Stuff (LLTAMS) are going - so I booked with both! Why not? Each requires you to buy your own ticket. And since only the organiser and I are going from LLTAMS, I hope we can merge.. Ivan was talking about possibly meeting up that evening, but then realised he had a train booked for the following morning, so we have to reschedule.

On Sunday, joining the London Improvisation Community Group for the first time - they have a show called Happily Never After at the Pleasance - part of the London Horror Festival.

On Monday, I'm seeing Mother of Him, at the Park. I see NLF is going to this a bit later, and already raving about it..

On Tuesday, UITCS is off to the Albert Hall for Symphonic Queen - the Royal Philharmonic is performing Queen.

Then begins a long period of non-Meetup stuff. Next Wednesday, I'm heading to the ballet Manon, at the Opera House.

On the 17th, the Crick Crack Club (CCC) is back at Rich Mix, with Melusine. TUUP is the headliner on this occasion, which should be terrific!

On the 18th, Helen's in town, heading to a Midge Ure concert at the Palladium - we're meeting for dinner beforehand at the Slug & Lettuce. Now, that's the day I should be flying back to Ireland - so I'm going the next day instead. And with my mother's birthday during the week - and not having any major holidays booked - I said, why not just take the week off and spend it in Ireland? So I am.

On the 28th, the CCC is back again - Ben Haggarty is in Soho Theatre with Grim Grimms - a dark take on fairytales, highlighting four lesser-known tales of the brothers Grimm. With musical accompaniment. Tickets weren't available when I noted this in my calendar - they are now, and will likely sell out - indeed, I see availability is now limited.

On the 29th, I'm trying to persuade the social group from my former company to come with me to a Design My Night event - Fright Night Cinema is showing Hallowe'en in the Rivoli ballroom, with a themed cocktail bar and people dressed in spooky costumes. Now, that sounds like fun.. I've booked, at least, and a couple of others have indicated they'll come.

On the 30th, back with Meetup at last - UITCS is at a mixed programme by Birmingham Royal Ballet, at Sadler's Wells. I've seen part of it before, and it's excellent.

For Hallowe'en, The Embers Collective stepped up to the plate, with a storytelling performance called Witch, at The Jago.

On the 1st, that rescheduled meeting with Ivan.. he's away most of the time till then, and I'm busy the rest of the time!

And on the 2nd, I've booked with Best Authentic Walking Tours in London, for a Royal Maritime Greenwich Ghost Tour. Now, this is - as with all their walks - with Funzing, so I can get a refund up to 48 hours beforehand. Which I'll probably do (have, in fact, done for this twice already), as I might go to a film that day - depending what's on - or, if I don't like the offerings, LLTAMS is off to Blood Wedding, a new adaptation of the Lorca play, at the Young Vic. By 'eck, though, I see there's already limited availability on tickets for the whole run! Hope I don't lose out..

Play: Lady of Jazz

Tonight, off to Wilton's, for Lady of Jazz. It felt unusual to be going there without a Meetup group! Anyway, I started off a bit early, having had an unusually productive day - and as I approached the stop, so did the bus! Oh lordy, and me carrying a heavy bag of shopping, which I'd taken the opportunity to get earlier, as I'd had to shop anyway.. well, off I trotted. Happily, a young chap bolted in front of me and held the door for me, letting me on first as well - I'd probably still have made it, but it was a lovely gesture. And my breath had returned by the time the bus lurched to a stop to let me off.

More exercise at the theatre, where I had to climb the stairs to the balcony - no bag check here, handily enough! I don't think I'd have been let into a West End theatre with a 2l bottle of liquid and an aerosol.. anyway, I had my usual high perch, with a sideways view. And if you go to this, it's worthwhile going in early - they have a very interesting slideshow of old b&w photographs from around the 1920s in the States:

I noticed the place was more than half empty - they obviously knew more than I did. Because, I'm afraid, the slideshow is the best of it. It's the fictional story of a jazz singer in the 1920s and 30s, mostly in New Orleans, and is told solely by one woman on stage, who sings some numbers. A pianist accompanies her to the side.

The show obviously hinges largely on her performance. What a pity, then, that her voice isn't quite up to it! Oh, she can sing - she'd better be able to, since someone told me at the interval that she's a music student (apparently the pianist is an examiner at the same college). But she just doesn't have that oomph that you expect from a show like this. Indeed, she avoids the big notes till the very end - when yes, she does screech.

It seems that most of the numbers are original, written for the show. Gee, they're underwhelming though - only the last did I find catchy enough to be humming it out the door. And forget her covers of classics - they're just dull in her voice, which has no character at all. Combine all of this with a complete non-story - for goodness' sake, the character doesn't drink, doesn't date, doesn't want for money.. I hoped for a bit of racial tension to give us a hook to hang the story on, but it's only ever on the sidelines. Nothing much really happens to her at all! I dunno, maybe a less bland actor could have made something of it.. Oh, and they might want to rethink that headdress she wears - it muffles the mic she's obviously wearing at her hairline!

I have to laugh at the theatre's show description:

"Lady of Jazz is an uplifting evocation of 1920s New Orleans and the gripping story of Honey Grey, lead singer in her Daddy’s band. She sings her own brilliant ragtime, Charleston and blues numbers, but also standards like Careless Love, Frankie & Johnnie, Ain’t Nobody’s Business and more.

But Honey is living a lie and that’s a dangerous thing to do in the 1920s in the South …"

Yeah, copied and pasted from one review site to another. Really, just do a search for this show, you'll keep coming up with exactly the same text. "Gripping" it ain't. Might have been uplifting if I hadn't kept being bored. And the "danger" they describe? Blink and you'd miss it. Anyway, finishes tomorrow, to everyone's relief, doubtless. The highlight of the show for me was when the usher - unusually for here - said that, what with all the free seats, I could swap to a more face-on one for the second half, if I wanted! Which turned out to be a good thing, because now I could at least see the piano, which switched to the other side of the stage at the interval. Imagine though, instead of £10, that seat would've cost me £18.50..

Tomorrow, I booked at the Turbine Theatre, for Torch Song. This is the inaugural show at the new theatre in the revamped Battersea Power Station! But last week, London European Club (courtesy of Henning) advertised a concert of Cretan music at Jamboree, which sounds much more fun - so I've decided to go to that instead. Wow, it's years since I was last there!

On Thursday, North London Friends is off to A History of Water in the Middle East, at the Royal Court. Another where I got my ticket from the organiser.

On Friday, back with Up in the Cheap Seats (UITCS) - to Southwark Playhouse this time, for Preludes. D' you know, I bought their passport a while ago, which entitles you to cheap tickets to five shows - and of the last three I booked, something else came up for every single one! Hope I make this one.. reports of it being "weird" don't phase me in the slightest!

On Saturday, seeing the matinee of Solaris at the Lyric Hammersmith. Turns out that both UITCS and Love London Theatre, Arts, Music & Stuff (LLTAMS) are going - so I booked with both! Why not? Each requires you to buy your own ticket. And since only the organiser and I are going from LLTAMS, I hope we can merge.. Ivan was talking about possibly meeting up that evening, but then realised he had a train booked for the following morning, so we have to reschedule.

On Sunday, joining the London Improvisation Community Group for the first time - they have a show called Happily Never After at the Pleasance - part of the London Horror Festival.

On Monday, I'm seeing Mother of Him, at the Park.

Next Tuesday, UITCS is off to the Albert Hall for Symphonic Queen - the Royal Philharmonic is performing Queen.

Then begins a long period of non-Meetup stuff. On the 16th, I'm heading to the ballet Manon, at the Opera House.

On the 17th, the Crick Crack Club (CCC) is back at Rich Mix, with Melusine. TUUP is the headliner on this occasion, which should be terrific!

On the 18th, Helen's in town, heading to a Midge Ure concert at the Palladium - we're meeting for dinner beforehand. Now, that's the day I should be flying back to Ireland - so I'm going the next day instead. And with my mother's birthday during the week - and not having any major holidays booked - I said, why not just take the week off and spend it in Ireland? So I am.

On the 28th, the CCC is back again - Ben Haggarty is in Soho Theatre with Grim Grimms - a dark take on fairytales, highlighting four lesser-known tales of the brothers Grimm. With musical accompaniment. Tickets weren't available when I noted this in my calendar - they are now, and will likely sell out.

On the 29th, I'm trying to persuade the social group from my former company to come with me to a Design My Night event - Fright Night Cinema is showing Hallowe'en in the Rivoli ballroom, with a themed cocktail bar and people dressed in spooky costumes. Now, that sounds like fun.. I've booked, at least, and a couple of others have indicated they'll come.

On the 30th, back with Meetup at last - UITCS is at a mixed programme by Birmingham Royal Ballet, at Sadler's Wells. I've seen part of it before, and it's excellent.

For Hallowe'en, The Embers Collective stepped up to the plate, with a storytelling performance called Witch, at The Jago.

On the 1st, that rescheduled meeting with Ivan.. he's away most of the time till then, and I'm busy the rest of the time!

And on the 2nd, I've booked with Best Authentic Walking Tours in London, for a Royal Maritime Greenwich Ghost Tour. Now, this is - as with all their walks - with Funzing, so I can get a refund up to 48 hours beforehand. Which I'll probably do (have, in fact, done for this twice already), as I might go to a film that day - depending what's on - or, if I don't like the offerings, LLTAMS is off to Blood Wedding, a new adaptation of the Lorca play, at the Young Vic. By 'eck, though, I see there's already limited availability on tickets for the whole run! Hope I don't lose out..

Play: Shukshin's Stories

Tonight, I was off to Shukshin's Stories, at the Barbican. Performed in Russian, with English surtitles, it's a dramatisation of the short stories of Vasily Shukshin. Delightfully, I can walk there and back home after - predictably, because it's so close, I left it quite tight. At least the rain held off for the walking.. after a brisk trot, I walked in the door (mercifully, the theatre entrance is right beside the Silk Street entrance) with 1 minute to go. To be fair, it does take a bit longer than the Google Maps estimate - because Google Maps sends you in the back door!

Gee, the minute the usher saw I was in the Gallery, he told me I'd be upgraded. (Whee! Second time recently, and both on a Monday - which makes sense, I guess, as a less popular night for going out.) Awkwardly, I still had to climb all the way to the Gallery to get my ticket, then all the way down to the Stalls. Still, what with all this confusion, it started quite late, so I was in my seat well before the lights went down. (Actually, not the seat I'd been given - there was someone in that, so I just sat two seats down, figuring it wasn't worth the grief.) When I checked afterwards, I saw that seat is selling - for this production - for £65! which is quite a good return on the £16 I paid. A ridiculous pricing system, though - the rear stalls are definitely not worth that, and what's more, the four seats on each end of the same row are selling for £25. Maybe they're targeting ogliarchs with these high prices?!

If you peer at the above photo, you might be able to see a panoramic photo of sunflowers at the rear of the stage. A feature of this production is that each story has a backdrop of one or more photos, reflecting the theme or setting of the story - these are displayed on large cards, which are moved on- and off-stage as required, the panoramic ones in sections. And before anything else gets underway, a chap comes on to explain how all the photos were taken in Shukshin's hometown, in the Altai Republic. (And in one panoramic photo, we do get to see some gorgeous scenery.)

It runs for three hours, including an interval - four stories beforehand, maybe four after; it's hard to keep track. But that's a testament to how I was lost in the stories.. all are set in a rural environment that could be anywhere, and many deal with the arrival of relatives - or alien influences - from the Big City. The same actors swap roles from story to story, and the props are, mostly, that bench you can see in the photo.

By and large, the stories are more lighthearted before the interval, and indeed quietly hilarious.. themes include the shy guy who gets the girl: the man who sees a flash pair of ladies' boots and buys them on a whim for his wife without checking they'll fit: one man's adventures with a microscope. The team's comic timing is perfection, and the themes are universal. Mind you, it wasn't to everyone's taste tonight - the guy beside me left (which gave me a seat to leave my bag on), as did the couple in front (so I got a better view). My only quibble came with the surtitles, which were occasionally misspelt and sometimes just weirdly translated. :-) And mostly, the problem with them was that they lagged a little behind the action - so the Russian-speakers in the crowd were laughing before the rest of us got the joke!

The second half is darker, and no less worthwhile for it - it makes a great contrast, and I felt for the man with the unfaithful wife whom he adored, the man with the nagging wife, and the man - close to release from prison - who just couldn't wait to see home, so he escaped. Again, all beautifully acted. And throughout, we're treated to some very atmospheric music - the whole cast come on with accordions at the end. A well-deserved standing ovation followed. Runs till Wednesday - highly recommended; I won't say it didn't feel long, but by the end I was mesmerised enough to be surprised when they did end!

Tomorrow, off to Wilton's, for Lady of Jazz. It'll feel unusual to be there without a Meetup group!

On Wednesday, I booked at the Turbine Theatre, for Torch Song. This is the inaugural show at the new theatre in the revamped Battersea Power Station! But last week, London European Club (courtesy of Henning) advertised a concert of Cretan music at Jamboree, which sounds much more fun - so I've decided to go to that instead. Wow, it's years since I was last there!

On Thursday, North London Friends is off to A History of Water in the Middle East, at the Royal Court. Another where I got my ticket from the organiser.

On Friday, back with Up in the Cheap Seats (UITCS) - to Southwark Playhouse this time, for Preludes. D' you know, I bought their passport a while ago, which entitles you to cheap tickets to five shows - and of the last three I booked, something else came up for every single one! Hope I make this one.. reports of it being "weird" don't phase me in the slightest!

On Saturday, seeing the matinee of Solaris at the Lyric Hammersmith. Turns out that both UITCS and Love London Theatre, Arts, Music & Stuff (LLTAMS) are going - so I booked with both! Why not? Each requires you to buy your own ticket. And since only the organiser and I are going from LLTAMS, I hope we can merge.. Ivan was talking about possibly meeting up that evening, but then realised he had a train booked for the following morning, so we have to reschedule.

On Sunday, joining the London Improvisation Community Group for the first time - they have a show called Happily Never After at the Pleasance - part of the London Horror Festival.

Next Monday, I'm seeing Mother of Him, at the Park.

On the 15th, UITCS is off to the Albert Hall for Symphonic Queen - the Royal Philharmonic is performing Queen.

Then begins a long period of non-Meetup stuff. On the 16th, I'm heading to the ballet Manon, at the Opera House.

On the 17th, the Crick Crack Club (CCC) is back at Rich Mix, with Melusine. TUUP is the headliner on this occasion, which should be terrific!

On the 18th, Helen's in town, heading to a Midge Ure concert at the Palladium - we're meeting for dinner beforehand. Now, that's the day I should be flying back to Ireland - so I'm going the next day instead. And with my mother's birthday during the week - and not having any major holidays booked - I said, why not just take the week off and spend it in Ireland? So I am.

On the 28th, the CCC is back again - Ben Haggarty is in Soho Theatre with Grim Grimms - a dark take on fairytales, highlighting four lesser-known tales of the brothers Grimm. With musical accompaniment. Tickets weren't available when I noted this in my calendar - they are now, and will likely sell out.

On the 29th, I'm trying to persuade the social group from my former company to come with me to a Design My Night event - Fright Night Cinema is showing Hallowe'en in the Rivoli ballroom, with a themed cocktail bar and people dressed in spooky costumes. Now, that sounds like fun.. I've booked, at least.

On the 30th, back with Meetup at last - UITCS is at a mixed programme by Birmingham Royal Ballet, at Sadler's Wells. I've seen part of it before, and it's excellent.

And for Hallowe'en, The Embers Collective stepped up to the plate, with a storytelling performance called Witch, at The Jago.

Cabaret: The Red Palace

Tonight, I was back with Civilised London - this promised to be interesting. Red Palace is an immersive cabaret experience - lots of fairytale characters - at the Vaults. And I really hoped the weather would be ok, because I sourced a great outfit for it..! Supposed to rain, but it might at least hold off till we got there. On Sunday night, someone from the group took the trouble to read the T&Cs - fair play her! - and realised that we should wear masks. Damnit, and I have one from Venice that would have done perfectly! except it's back in Ireland. Ah well, they have cheap ones for sale on the door - just hoped I wouldn't freeze.. Tooth was very sensitive, but basically behaving, and I packed the drugs.

I got ready in decent time - and there was some getting ready to do, although the outfit went on easier than the last times. Hallelujah, no rain on the outbound trip! The bus was slightly delayed.. but I got there pretty much exactly when we were meant to.. no sign of the organiser at the entrance to the Banksy Tunnel, so I went down - and met him in the middle. Banksy himself no longer has any work displayed here, apparently - it's all been overpainted. Indeed, they were hard at work doing exactly that, tonight - and there were some photoshoots in progress, too. 

 

There was some confusion over where the entrance was - it turned out to be right on the other side, down a passageway I'd never before been down! (Contrary to instructions on the website.) One of the group got the railway workers to guide her. Well, we eventually found our way, and paid a couple of quid for the cloakroom - as well as a little more for some rather nice, compact, glittery masks:

For all that I bothered to bring cash, by the way, they turn out to be completely cashless down there. Well, after that, we passed through to the ballroom, the nerve centre of operations, with a bar at the back. Drinks in hand, we found ourselves beset by all manner of weird and wonderful creatures, all delighted to make our acquaintance! There was Snow (a grown-up version of Snow White, I guess, with a fixation on the Prince). There was a fantastic character, in a bridal gown, who couldn't stop dancing.. but best of all was the slinky black cat; I'm just sorry I didn't get a photo of her, she was extraordinary.

The evening has a backdrop of well-chosen music, a medley of classical, rock, and more.. After an introductory speech from the Prince, you're led away down the hallway to a succession of rooms, to meet a parade of characters. First up for us was Snow's boudoir:

The Gingerbread House turns out to be another bar, where you can have a welcome respite, watch a bit of cabaret - courtesy of Hansel and Gretel - and have the night's story advanced a bit. Because, you see, there is a quest behind all this. This is also where you first meet the Wolf (as in big, bad..)

There's a terrifically creepy, cavernous forest room, where we meet Red Riding Hood - no photos allowed there, unfortunately. If in doubt as to what to do next, follow the cat.. she'll (eventually, in her own time!) lead you upstairs to Baba Yaga.

There are rooms we didn't get into - you couldn't possibly see everything in the time available. In due course, everyone is summoned back to the ballroom for the climactic finale..

We repaired to the main bar afterwards - where I was rather glad to remove the mask, at last. And the general consensus was that it had been fantastic, very well-organised, with plenty of enthusiastic characters to help confused punters on their way, a plot to help things along, terrific decor and creation of atmosphere. Highly recommended! Definitely different - and plenty warm inside, so you didn't need to worry about freezing in your glad rags. And yes, in the spirit of things, I think it's worth dressing up a little. Runs till the 12th of January - four nights a week, I believe.

Well, the storm turned out to be a damp squib - spitting rain as we came out, which was still light rain by the time I got home. Eventually, given that the bus that was supposed to be "due" according to the indicator board stayed "due" for 10 minutes! Typical for terminus stops. Tonight, I'm back to Ireland for the weekend.

On Monday, I'm off to Shushkin's Stories, at the Barbican. Performed in Russian, with English surtitles, it's a dramatisation of the short stories of Vasily Shushkin.

On Tuesday, off to Wilton's, for Lady of Jazz.

On Wednesday, I booked at the Turbine Theatre, for Torch Song. This is the inaugural show at the new theatre in the revamped Battersea Power Station! But today, London European Club (courtesy of Henning) advertised a concert of Cretan music at Jamboree, which sounds much more fun - so I've decided to go to that instead. Wow, it's years since I was last there!

On Thursday, North London Friends is off to A History of Water in the Middle East, at the Royal Court. Another where I got my ticket from the organiser.

Next Friday, back with Up in the Cheap Seats (UITCS) - to Southwark Playhouse this time, for Preludes. D' you know, I bought their passport a while ago, which entitles you to cheap tickets to five shows - and of the last three I booked, something else came up for every single one! Hope I make this one.. reports of it being "weird" don't phase me in the slightest!

On the 12th, seeing the matinee of Solaris at the Lyric Hammersmith. Turns out that both UITCS and Love London Theatre, Arts, Music & Stuff (LLTAMS) are going - so I booked with both! Why not? Each requires you to buy your own ticket. And since only the organiser and I are going from LLTAMS, I hope we can merge.. Ivan is talking about possibly meeting up that evening.

On the 13th, joining the London Improvisation Community Group for the first time - they have a show called Happily Never After at the Pleasance - part of the London Horror Festival.

On the 14th, I'm seeing Mother of Him, at the Park.

On the 15th, UITCS is off to the Albert Hall for Symphonic Queen - the Royal Philharmonic is performing Queen.

Then begins a long period of non-Meetup stuff. On the 16th, I'm heading to the ballet Manon, at the Opera House.

On the 17th, the Crick Crack Club (CCC) is back at Rich Mix, with Melusine. TUUP is the headliner on this occasion, which should be terrific!

On the 18th, Helen's in town, heading to a Midge Ure concert at the Palladium - we're meeting for dinner beforehand. Now, that's the day I should be flying back to Ireland - so I'm going the next day instead. And with my mother's birthday during the week - and not having any major holidays booked - I said, why not just take the week off and spend it in Ireland? So I am.

On the 28th, the CCC is back again - Ben Haggarty is in Soho Theatre with Grim Grimms - a dark take on fairytales, highlighting four lesser-known tales of the brothers Grimm. With musical accompaniment. Tickets weren't available when I noted this in my calendar - they are now, and will likely sell out.

On the 29th, I'm trying to persuade the social group from my former company to come with me to a Design My Night event - Fright Night Cinema is showing Hallowe'en in the Rivoli ballroom, with a themed cocktail bar and people dressed in spooky costumes. Now, that sounds like fun..

On the 30th, back with Meetup at last - UITCS is at a mixed programme by Birmingham Royal Ballet, at Sadler's Wells. I've seen part of it before, and it's excellent.

And for Hallowe'en, The Embers Collective stepped up to the plate, with a storytelling performance called Witch, at The Jago.

Play: The Merry Wives of Windsor

Last night, I headed to The Merry Wives of Windsor, at the Globe. And wouldn't you know it, it completely rained itself out on Tuesday, and yesterday was the first day with no rain in two weeks! Feckin' freezing, though.. it would be the day I'd be sitting outdoors.

It'd also be the day I decided the toothache that developed suddenly, and for no good reason, on Sunday night could no longer be ignored. I mean, I couldn't finish my lunch - every mouthful caused me pain. So I looked up the closest dentist - and wouldn't you know it, Vestry House is a five-minute walk from the office: ah, the convenience of working in central London. And they could see me almost immediately! Right then, off I went. And they were lovely, and the dentist was very accomplished. Turned out to be one of those complicated procedures though, where she not only had to replace a filling, but also plaster a hairline fracture, and do some cleaning. Really, there was so much work involved, I (almost) didn't mind the price tag. Which, to be fair, did include a premium for an emergency appointment.

Well, afterwards the pain was gone - as long as I didn't poke the tooth the wrong way. So, in due course, off I set to walk to the Globe.

Sure enough, it was damn cold - and as I neared the far side of the bridge, my tooth started to mutter. I navigated through what sounded like a group of foreign schoolkids, being assigned groundling tickets, and took my seat in a nearly empty section - the theatre was only half full. I'm guessing that was the cold. My tooth definitely didn't like it, and as I sat down, it developed into a full-blown pain - the kind where I was seriously considering chewing the pain relief tablets in my bag, as I didn't have anything to wash them down with! But it only lasted about five minutes, and hasn't been back since. What a difference from the early part of the week..

Someone was blowing bubbles! Now, I hadn't seen anything really good in the Globe this year so far. Delighted to say that this show bucked the trend! The madcap tale of Falstaff's shenanigans is given a 30s setting, with a terrific jazz score, and really the most terrific Falstaff - quite hilarious, especially as he picked on a poor couple in the pit. And wouldn't you know it, hardly any gender-switching - what a relief. Runs until the 12th, on selected days - this is far and away the best production they've had all year. Highly recommended. Just wrap up.. and take cash, because they're collecting. And my tooth complained again on the way home, but no actual pain this time, just throbbing. It took my phone so long to turn on though (I needed it for directions) that it ran too late to blog.

Tonight, I'm back with Civilised London - this should be interesting. Red Palace is an immersive cabaret experience - lots of fairytale characters, I believe - at the Vaults. And I really hope the weather is ok, because I sourced the most fantastic outfit for it..! Supposed to rain, but it might at least hold off till we get there. On Sunday night, someone from the group took the trouble to read the T&Cs - fair play her! - and realised that we have to wear masks. Damnit, and I have one from Venice that would have done perfectly! except it's back in Ireland. Ah well, they'll have cheap ones for sale on the door - just hope I don't freeze.. Tooth is very sensitive, but basically behaving, and I've packed the drugs. Then I'm back to Ireland for the weekend - the start of another brief hiatus from Meetup.

On Monday, I'm off to Shushkin's Stories, at the Barbican. Performed in Russian, with English surtitles, it's a dramatisation of the short stories of Vasily Shushkin.

On Tuesday, off to Wilton's, for Lady of Jazz.

On Wednesday, heading to the Turbine Theatre, for Torch Song. This is the inaugural show at the new theatre in the revamped Battersea Power Station!

Next Thursday, back with Meetup - North London Friends is off to A History of Water in the Middle East, at the Royal Court. Another where I got my ticket from the organiser.

On the 11th, back with Up in the Cheap Seats (UITCS) - to Southwark Playhouse this time, for Preludes. D' you know, I bought their passport a while ago, which entitles you to cheap tickets to five shows - and of the last three I booked, something else came up for every single one! Hope I make this one.. reports of it being "weird" don't phase me in the slightest!

On the 12th, seeing the matinee of Solaris at the Lyric Hammersmith. Turns out that both UITCS and Love London Theatre, Arts, Music & Stuff (LLTAMS) are going - so I booked with both! Why not? Each requires you to buy your own ticket. And since only the organiser and I are going from LLTAMS, I hope we can merge.. Ivan is talking about possibly meeting up that evening.

On the 13th, joining the London Improvisation Community Group for the first time - they have a show called Happily Never After at the Pleasance - part of the London Horror Festival.

On the 14th, I'm seeing Mother of Him, at the Park.

On the 15th, UITCS is off to the Albert Hall for Symphonic Queen - the Royal Philharmonic is performing Queen.

Then begins a long period of non-Meetup stuff. On the 16th, I'm heading to the ballet Manon, at the Opera House.

On the 17th, the Crick Crack Club (CCC) is back at Rich Mix, with Melusine. TUUP is the headliner on this occasion, which should be terrific!

On the 18th, Helen's in town, heading to a Midge Ure concert at the Palladium - we're meeting for dinner beforehand. Now, that's the day I should be flying back to Ireland - so I'm going the next day instead. And with my mother's birthday during the week - and not having any major holidays booked - I said, why not just take the week off and spend it in Ireland? So I am.

On the 28th, the CCC is back again - Ben Haggarty is in Soho Theatre with Grim Grimms - a dark take on fairytales, highlighting four lesser-known tales of the brothers Grimm. With musical accompaniment. Tickets weren't available when I noted this in my calendar - they are now, and will likely sell out.

On the 29th, I'm trying to persuade the social group from my former company to come with me to a Design My Night event - Fright Night Cinema is showing Hallowe'en in the Rivoli ballroom, with a themed cocktail bar and people dressed in spooky costumes. Now, that sounds like fun..

On the 30th, back with Meetup at last - UITCS is at a mixed programme by Birmingham Royal Ballet, at Sadler's Wells. I've seen part of it before, and it's excellent.

And for Hallowe'en, The Embers Collective stepped up to the plate, with a storytelling performance called Witch, at The Jago.

Restaurant: Imperial China

Last night, we had a slightly delayed September social for ex-employees (and current, if they want) of the company I last worked for - Ivan was away till Sunday, and of course I was busy on Monday. So, last night we headed to Imperial China - the new Chinese restaurant I discovered via Civilised London (CL). Booked for six people, it was pretty much guaranteed not to exceed that. Getting an answer out of people is always difficult.

The weather decided to go for a record, yesterday.. we had thunderstorms, we had pretty torrential rain. And with me getting delayed at the office, I ended up taking the Tube. A packed Central Line gave way to an amazingly deserted Piccadilly Line, where I easily got a seat! As someone said after, I should've taken a picture of such an unprecedented event..

And so out into the rain again, where I discovered one of the group had arrived slightly before me - the only one to arrive on time! He'd messaged me, so I told him I was there now, and to come on in when he actually got there. The others arrived gradually; in the end - with one cancelling at the last minute and the other just not showing up without saying anything - we had four. And it was a while before we ate, as we were waiting for everyone to arrive before we ordered mains!

We started with wine, which was conveniently placed at my elbow.. went through a couple of bottles of that, and some water, and then someone suggested starters. When I saw a dim sum platter, I thought that'd be perfect. It turns out you can have vegetarian or seafood - we chose seafood. Very tasty it was, too. The last person arrived while we were eating it, and we duly ordered mains.

Service was pretty slow throughout - and they mistook a couple of orders. But hey, it was all done in good spirits - and the food was tasty, with decent honey and lemon chicken for me. Just as well we didn't have more people - the table was groaning with what we ordered, what with a couple of portions of fried rice, a chicken fried rice, a special fried rice, another honey and lemon chicken, and another couple of mains for someone else. who was feeling hungry. One had a Coke, and it's good to know that they do spirits, too - a couple of Chivas Regal were ordered.

The toilets are a bit annoying, because you can't flush the paper, but have to bin it - yuck. But all in all, it was a good meal. When we'd finally managed to divvy up the bill to everyone's satisfaction, we repaired to Brewmaster for a couple, where we had an uproarious conversation, fuelled by the news on the tv screen near us. We had to leave all too soon - but it was great to see everyone! Roll on the next time. And at least I got to bed a bit earlier, given that I had a meeting this morning. No blogging, of course.

Tonight, I'm headed to The Merry Wives of Windsor, at the Globe. And wouldn't you know it, it completely rained itself out yesterday, and today is the first day with no rain in two weeks! Feckin' freezing, though.. it would be the day I'll be sitting outdoors.

Tomorrow, I'm back with CL - this should be interesting. Red Palace is an immersive cabaret experience - lots of fairytale characters, I believe - at the Vaults. And I really hope the weather is ok, because I sourced the most fantastic outfit for it..! On Sunday night, someone from the group took the trouble to read the T&Cs - fair play her! - and realised that we have to wear masks. Damnit, and I have one from Venice that would have done perfectly! except it's back in Ireland. Ah well, they'll have cheap ones for sale on the door - just hope I don't freeze.. Then I'm back to Ireland for the weekend - the start of another brief hiatus from Meetup.

On Monday, I'm off to Shushkin's Stories, at the Barbican. Performed in Russian, with English surtitles, it's a dramatisation of the short stories of Vasily Shushkin.

On Tuesday, off to Wilton's, for Lady of Jazz.

Next Wednesday, heading to the Turbine Theatre, for Torch Song. This is the inaugural show at the new theatre in the revamped Battersea Power Station!

On the 10th, back with Meetup - North London Friends is off to A History of Water in the Middle East, at the Royal Court. Another where I got my ticket from the organiser.

On the 11th, back with Up in the Cheap Seats (UITCS) - to Southwark Playhouse this time, for Preludes. D' you know, I bought their passport a while ago, which entitles you to cheap tickets to five shows - and of the last three I booked, something else came up for every single one! Hope I make this one.. reports of it being "weird" don't phase me in the slightest!

On the 12th, seeing the matinee of Solaris at the Lyric Hammersmith. Turns out that both UITCS and Love London Theatre, Arts, Music & Stuff (LLTAMS) are going - so I booked with both! Why not? Each requires you to buy your own ticket. And since only the organiser and I are going from LLTAMS, I hope we can merge.. Ivan is talking about possibly meeting up that evening.

On the 13th, joining the London Improvisation Community Group for the first time - they have a show called Happily Never After at the Pleasance - part of the London Horror Festival.

On the 14th, I'm seeing Mother of Him, at the Park.

On the 15th, UITCS is off to the Albert Hall for Symphonic Queen - the Royal Philharmonic is performing Queen.

Then begins a long period of non-Meetup stuff. On the 16th, I'm heading to the ballet Manon, at the Opera House.

On the 17th, the Crick Crack Club (CCC) is back at Rich Mix, with Melusine. TUUP is the headliner on this occasion, which should be terrific!

On the 18th, Helen's in town, heading to a Midge Ure concert at the Palladium - we're meeting for dinner beforehand. Now, that's the day I should be flying back to Ireland - so I'm going the next day instead. And with my mother's birthday during the week - and not having any major holidays booked - I said, why not just take the week off and spend it in Ireland? So I am.

On the 28th, the CCC is back again - Ben Haggarty is in Soho Theatre with Grim Grimms - a dark take on fairytales, highlighting four lesser-known tales of the brothers Grimm. With musical accompaniment. Tickets weren't available when I noted this in my calendar - they are now, and will likely sell out.

On the 29th, I'm trying to persuade the aforementioned social group from my former company to come with me to a Design My Night event - Fright Night Cinema is showing Hallowe'en in the Rivoli ballroom, with a themed cocktail bar and people dressed in spooky costumes. Now, that sounds like fun..

On the 30th, back with Meetup at last - UITCS is at a mixed programme by Birmingham Royal Ballet, at Sadler's Wells. I've seen part of it before, and it's excellent.

And for Hallowe'en, The Embers Collective stepped up to the plate, with a storytelling performance called Witch, at The Jago.