Film: The Lost King

This weekend, I was back to Ireland again, because of the dates I have weekend things in London this month, and the date of my mother's birthday, which I want to be back in Ireland for. It all works out - but only if I switch weekends, which I did by going back to Ireland again this weekend. Film for the weekend? The Lost King, a comedy co-written by, and starring, Steve Coogan as the supportive ex-husband of the woman who found the remains of Richard III. Under a car park.. Only showing in the Omniplex, and a little late. Ah well.

It was nice, not having to rush off straight away - mind you, it meant I got caught up in doing things, and was actually slightly late! At the cinema, I decided I wanted some chocolate - now, these days, at the Omniplex, you have to order at the kiosk and take a collection receipt to get your stuff. A couple of young girls were ahead of me at the machine - and when I got to it, they'd left a whole heap of paper in the slot. To be fair, it does produce a lot, what with sales receipts and such - anyway, I took what I needed and threw the rest in the bin. Behold, as I was queueing to collect my order, one of the girls came up to me and asked whether I'd seen paper in the machine.. Lordy, well, I suppose that should be a lesson to them. Hopefully, they rescued it. Oh, and I was queueing in the wrong place, bah humbug. Turns out the queues on the left are for folks who haven't been to the machines first..

Anyway, I made it in eventually - and it had already started, tarnation. I don't think I missed any major plot points - we meet the woman in question, in her kitchen with the (we soon discover) ex-husband and their sons. She's thinking of quitting her job - which we soon discover she hates - and he's advising her not to, as they can't afford only to have his income. Well, it's not too much of a spoiler that she goes ahead and quits anyway - and at around the same time, she starts thinking about Richard III. She's saddened to hear that his remains have just disappeared - well, now she has the time to go looking for him!

It turns out that all the information is there - it's just that no-one has put it together: especially given the lazy adherence to the villanous picture that Shakespeare painted of him. As she gets closer and closer, she gets more and more determined - and is egged on by, em, Richard's apparition, remarkably un-hunchbacked, and clad in crown and cloak. Seems a nice chap - I don't blame her for wanting to help him.

It's a subtle comedy - and honestly, I don't know whether anyone without a particular interest in royalty (or, perhaps, archaeology) would find much to interest them. I, of course, was fascinated. Kudos to that woman! and wow, Leicester University is treated scathingly - according to this, they grudgingly contributed a small amount of money to the project, then had nothing to do with it - until the skeleton was found, whereupon the university jumped in and claimed ownership of the whole project! completely sidelining the person who actually deserved the credit. They are portrayed as heartless corporate types - as the head of the archeology team explains to her, the university isn't a venerable seat of higher learning, it's a business. And from my personal experience of working in universities, I'd have to say it rings true..

The blog was delayed by my updating the film list - and the complete incapacity of my mother's computer, which was so slow that I fell asleep in the middle of the process. Back to London this evening. And with Ryanair actually going out almost on time - for once - I got a fantastic view of London as we passed over, given that it was still daylight:

Not to mention a most welcome meal at O' Neill's, which I'm hardly ever in time for! Had to eat in the dining section, upstairs though - the downstairs bar was crammed with NFL fans!

Tomorrow. Well. 👿 Anyone who knows me well, knows that I love horror. And am really excited that Darkfield is doing onsite shows this month. Mwa-ha-haa.. Five of them, in fact. I've booked the first of them for tomorrow, the first day I was free - the first they're showing, it's Intravene, nearby the BFI (actually, outside the National Theatre, as I confirmed on Thursday). These are all held in shipping containers, and the unifying idea for all Darkfield shows is that they're aural - you have headphones, which are your main sensory input. The shows all take place in complete darkness. This one is about drug abuse, and focuses on the drug problem in Vancouver. And wow, seeing the container in person finally, last week, has just stoked my anticipation..

On Tuesday, signed up for another of The Garden Talks' free online talks - this one is Does Dark Matter Really Matter? I did consider going to a film instead, but what with films I wasn't interested in - and some Film Festival offerings that were sold out - what was left at the top of the list didn't appeal as much as this.

On Wednesday.. heehee. Back with Darkfield. (Cue scary music.) They're also doing shows in Canary Wharf this year - three, in fact. This is the first night for those.. and yes, I'm doing all three, that night. In fact, they allow for that when you're booking. So, I'm doing them in the following order: first is Eulogy, an unusual Darkfield concept in that it's somewhat interactive, at various points you have to say "yes" or "no"..

Second up, I chose Coma (they all have multiple showings, so you can decide exactly what you want to go to, and when. They just ask that you leave at least 15 minutes between, which I have.) For this one, we get to lie down, I think - which is nice - and get an option to take a pill. :-)

Final for the night is the one I've heard the best reviews of - Flight is a reconstruction of an aircraft cabin, and the show is based around - well, a plane crash! Booked all of these while waiting for my eternally delayed flight last Sunday - as I say, every cloud has a silver lining..

Thursday is the next of my busy days. See, first I booked with Civilised London (CL) for Tango After Dark, at the Peacock. All good, no-brainer. Then I was messaged by an ex-colleague - another ex-colleague is having leaving drinks that same night, in the Pelt Trader! Hellfire.. so, what I'm going to do is skip drinks with CL after the show and leg it over to the Pelt Trader - I've ordered her not to stop drinking till I get there!

On Friday, something advertised with the Crick Crack Club (CCC) - they're celebrating all things Mexican in Kew Gardens, with Mexico After Hours! With something about the Day of the Dead, no doubt..

Saturday is another of those busy days. So.. first I'm headed on a walk with Laurence Summers and the 45+ Not Grumpy Old Londoners - this one is Paddington - Proud, Perky & Picturesque.

But, for nearly a year now, I've had tickets booked, for me and Helen, for Dara O' Briain in the Hammersmith Apollo that night! Crikey, I'd never even have thought of it if it hadn't been noted in my calendar. So anyway, she can't come to the walk, but we'll meet for dinner beforehand in Bill's of Hammersmith. I can only hope for better service than I got in Bill's of Clink Street..

Next Sunday, back with the CCC for Inisfáil, Irish storytelling courtesy of the wonderful Clare Murphy, in the British Museum.

On the 17th, I originally booked a free online talk about Railways of Surrey, from the Surrey History Meetup. But I just recently saw (despite the fact that it was evidently posted months ago) an event from Up in the Cheap Seats (UITCS) - Samsara is inspired by the Chinese novel, Journey to the West, and contains partial nudity, we're told. Tickets for this are quite cheap, and we're all in the Stalls, for once - they haven't even opened the Second Circle, where we normally are! So, no stairs, for a change!

On the 18th, I've booked for Iphigenia in Splott, in the Lyric Hammersmith.

On the 19th, supposed to have drinks with Ivan! Might go to O' Neill's, we could do worse.

On the 20th, back with CL for dinner at Le Sacré Coeur. Always good.

On the 21st, back to Ireland again - and the following Monday, it's my mother's birthday, so I'm staying in Ireland for that and flying back on Tuesday 25th. I've already cleared it with work.

And on the 26th, I've booked with UITCS again - for Mary, at Hampstead Theatre again. Political machinations in the court of Mary, Queen of Scots. Funny thing - there were two seats in the main seating section at the cheapest price, but the site objected to me just booking one of them. No problem booking an equivalent seat in a higher price bracket, though! So I booked one of the high seats, at the back, instead. At the lower price.

Play: Ravenscourt

Today, I was thinking film - but what was coming up wasn't as interesting as what Up in the Cheap Seats (UITCS) was advertising in Hampstead Theatre. So I booked to go and see Ravenscourt with them - a medical drama, centred on the failings of the mental healthcare system. And yay, for this I finally used my Theatre Token! Well, that's a weight off..

I'd eaten in Ye Olde Swiss Cottage before, so decided to travel up there first and do that again. And I could do that with a combination of buses. Unfortunately, the second bus - the #31 - was on diversion. And what a whopping diversion it turned out to be.. one poor elderly man, on crutches and appearing quite feeble, was promised by the driver that we'd be going near Belsize Park, as per the original route: well, I always follow our route on Google Maps when we're on diversion, and all I can say is, he could have let this guy off a lot closer to where he wanted to be! Happily, I fared better, and got off just up from Ye Olde Swiss Cottage.

Got the same table as last time! This place is going to be very nice, coming towards winter - very cosy interior. Anyway, I fancied the chicken, but was told they had none - so I had a steak and ale pie instead, which was very moreish. Mash could have been tastier, but otherwise I was well pleased.

In the theatre, my wine was a lot pricier - I met the others in the downstairs lobby, and we had a nice chat until it was time to go in. Unallocated seating.

(I would have put a picture in here, but the site is playing up!)

Well, this is quite an intense drama, set in a mental health facility. A young psychiatrist has just started there, having come from private practice, and finds it hard to square her previous experience with the reality of her new job - the limited time, limited number of sessions. Neither does she really gel with her work colleagues, who have something of a different outlook from hers. But when she takes on a difficult patient, we begin to see the cracks in her careful demeanour..

Very well-acted, and an interesting story. Also interesting was the discussion we had afterwards, people raising points such as how nice it was to see a mental health patient who was so articulate. And, indeed, the point was raised that this is NOT how a mental health facility operates! But hey, it is a good play, and worth a look - as in general, here. Runs till the 29th.

Tomorrow, I'm back to Ireland again, because of the dates I have weekend things in London this month, and the date of my mother's birthday, which I want to be back in Ireland for. It all works out - but only if I switch weekends, which I'm doing by coming back to Ireland again this weekend. Film for the weekend? Currently looking like The Lost King, a comedy co-written by, and starring, Steve Coogan as the husband of the woman who found the remains of Richard III. Under a car park.. Only showing in the Omniplex, and a little late. Ah well.

Monday. Well. 👿 Anyone who knows me well, knows that I love horror. And am really excited that Darkfield is doing onsite shows this month. Mwa-ha-haa.. Five of them, in fact. I've booked the first of them for Monday, the first day I was free - the first they're showing, it's Intravene, nearby the BFI (actually, outside the National Theatre, as I confirmed yesterday). These are all held in shipping containers, and the unifying idea for all Darkfield shows is that they're aural - you have headphones, which are your main sensory input. The shows all take place in complete darkness. This one is about drug abuse, and focuses on the drug problem in Vancouver. And wow, seeing the container in person finally, last night, has just stoked my anticipation..

On Tuesday, signed up for another of The Garden Talks' free online talks - this one is Does Dark Matter Really Matter?

On Wednesday.. heehee. Back with Darkfield. (Cue scary music.) They're also doing shows in Canary Wharf this year - three, in fact. This is the first night for those.. and yes, I'm doing all three, that night. In fact, they allow for that when you're booking. So, I'm doing them in the following order: first is Eulogy, an unusual Darkfield concept in that it's somewhat interactive, at various points you have to say "yes" or "no"..

Second up, I chose Coma (they all have multiple showings, so you can decide exactly what you want to go to, and when. They just ask that you leave at least 15 minutes between, which I have.) For this one, we get to lie down, I think - which is nice - and get an option to take a pill. :-)

Final for the night is the one I've heard the best reviews of - Flight is a reconstruction of an aircraft cabin, and the show is based around - well, a plane crash! Booked all of these while waiting for my eternally delayed flight on Sunday - as I say, every cloud has a silver lining..

Next Thursday is the next of my busy days. See, first I booked with Civilised London (CL) for Tango After Dark, at the Peacock. All good, no-brainer. Then I was messaged by an ex-colleague - another ex-colleague is having leaving drinks that same night, in the Pelt Trader! Hellfire.. so, what I'm going to do is skip drinks with CL after the show and leg it over to the Pelt Trader - I've ordered her not to stop drinking till I get there!

On the 14th, something advertised with the Crick Crack Club (CCC) - they're celebrating all things Mexican in Kew Gardens, with Mexico After Hours! With something about the Day of the Dead, no doubt..

The 15th is another of those busy days. So.. first I'm headed on a walk with Laurence Summers and the 45+ Not Grumpy Old Londoners - this one is Paddington - Proud, Perky & Picturesque.

But, for nearly a year now, I've had tickets booked, for me and Helen, for Dara O' Briain in the Hammersmith Apollo that night! Crikey, I'd never even have thought of it if it hadn't been noted in my calendar. So anyway, she can't come to the walk, but we'll meet for dinner beforehand in Bill's of Hammersmith. I can only hope for better service than I got in Bill's of Clink Street..

On the 16th, back with the CCC for Inisfáil, Irish storytelling courtesy of the wonderful Clare Murphy, in the British Museum.

On the 17th, I originally booked a free online talk about Railways of Surrey, from the Surrey History Meetup. But I just recently saw (despite the fact that it was evidently posted months ago) an event from UITCS - Samsara is inspired by the Chinese novel, Journey to the West, and contains partial nudity, we're told. Tickets for this are quite cheap, and we're all in the Stalls, for once - they haven't even opened the Second Circle, where we normally are! So, no stairs, for a change!

On the 18th, I've booked for Iphigenia in Splott, in the Lyric Hammersmith.

On the 19th, supposed to have drinks with Ivan! Might go to O' Neill's, we could do worse.

On the 20th, back with CL for dinner at Le Sacré Coeur. Always good.

On the 21st, back to Ireland again - and the following Monday, it's my mother's birthday, so I'm staying in Ireland for that and flying back on Tuesday 25th. I've already cleared it with work.

And on the 26th, I've booked with UITCS again - for Mary, at Hampstead Theatre again. Political machinations in the court of Mary, Queen of Scots. Funny thing - there were two seats in the main seating section at the cheapest price, but the site objected to me just booking one of them. No problem booking an equivalent seat in a higher price bracket, though! So I booked one of the high seats, at the back, instead. At the lower price.

Play: The Boy with Two Hearts

Yesterday, I "provisionally" booked for the Soho Comedy Factory again.. but lo, was saved from having to make another of those difficult decisions, when Up in the Cheap Seats (UITCS) posted a trip to see The Boy with Two Hearts, at the National! Based on a true story, of a refugee family from Afghanistan, with a little boy with heart problems. Interestingly, I thought to use my Theatre Token for this - since I was finally booking something during box office hours, and could ring them up; few theatres take them online. But with them, phone booking incurs a £3 fee that other booking methods don't! So I left it, and just booked a ticket online for full price. Was perplexed when it wouldn't accept my card - until somehow I was logged into my National Theatre account, and noticed I had an old billing address. When I changed it, I had no further problems. There's a moral there. (Interestingly again, I couldn't even cancel my attendance at the comedy club - they now close RSVPs very early!)

See now, I do know somewhere good to eat nearby - The Archduke, a steak restaurant, does a cracking roast chicken. Ironically, when I tried their steak, I wasn't mad about it.. Anyway, it's a bit expensive, and frankly, I prefer O' Neill's. So I ate there. The waiter I got hadn't noticed me the last few times I was in, it seems, and welcomed me back! and I was well fed, and quickly. I hadn't such luck with the buses - I started out waiting for the #91, but my Buses Due app disagreed with Google Maps, and said it wasn't due for half an hour! With no sign of the bus that Google Maps said was imminent, I gave up on it and schlepped around the corner, to Upper Woburn Place, where I could get a variety of buses. And.. which had a great big "closed" sign on it, for this week, it seems. Hmm.

Well, I could see no good reason for it to be closed - and with one of my buses approaching, and knowing I couldn't get to the next stop in time, I said I'd see whether it stopped - they sometimes do. Another guy had the same idea. When the bus happened along, the driver gesticulated wildly to indicate that the stop was closed, and drove on.. we schlepped in the direction of the next stop. But then - he was stopped at the lights, and opened the door for us! So we got on - with just a small lecture from him about how the stop was closed. Nyeh, we were on, that was the main thing..

And we got off on Waterloo Bridge, where I walked back to the steps to get down to the theatre. And guess what I saw:

They were just closing up as I passed.. and as I walked past the length of it, a very interesting rumbling emananted from inside.. more anon.

At the theatre, I met the others and we chatted briefly - we hadn't long before showtime. We'd all been upgraded, which was nice! And this was press night, so some were in hopes of seeing some celebs - no such luck, though. Although I did see a couple of journos taking notes, in front of me.

Rows of shirts hang from the ceiling, more clothes are scattered at the foot of the stage - I guess this represents the refugees that, at the start, this family is on the point of joining. And soon into the production, we're introduced to the most beautiful singer, who, throughout, provides a stunning and, at times, heart-rending soundtrack to the action on stage, as she moves around the stage, always just at the edge.

This is a fabulously directed production - five actors do the entire thing, representing mostly the parents and three sons of the family, but also swapping, when necessary, to represent a Taliban soldier, neighbours, border guards, or doctors. It's as simple as donning a jacket, or swapping it with another person. And it really works! Some imagination is required to remember that there are always supposed to be five family members, but otherwise, it's flawlessly done. Searchlights are used when required - otherwise, props are minimal. There's a section above the stage, that acts to depict the family being squashed into compartments as they are smuggled to the UK - a harrowing story in itself, which takes up most of the running time. And oh, the animations on the front of that section over the stage are fantastic.. to depict rain, the letters "r a i n" drop and scatter, like raindrops. To depict a heartbeat, the word "heartbeat" scrolls across the screen, with a pattern that looks like a cardiogram. And that's not the half of it..

This play is based on a book, written by the younger brothers about their older brother, the one with the heart condition. And with minimal staging - but terrific animations, beautiful singing, and very clever direction - they have crafted a wonderfully moving story. It's an absolute credit to them, and the standing ovation at the end was no surprise. Highly recommended - runs till the 12th of next month. Includes flashing lights at one point, and a gunshot early on.

With an early start, it also finished nice n early, allowing me to shop on the way home - but I couldn't blog, having to be up early for the presale for Bono's book tour! Have been completely unsuccessful so far, BTW - tickets seem to have sold out in seconds for where I was looking for, London and Dublin. Still trying, in the vain hope of a ticket drop - the presale is technically on till 5.

Today, I was thinking film - but what was coming up wasn't as interesting as what the same group is advertising in Hampstead Theatre. So I booked to go and see Ravenscourt with them - a medical drama, centred on the failings of the mental healthcare system. And yay, for this I finally used my Theatre Token! (No phone booking fee, here.) Well, that's a weight off..

Then I'm back to Ireland again, because of the dates I have weekend things in London this month, and the date of my mother's birthday, which I want to be back in Ireland for. It all works out - but only if I switch weekends, which I'm doing by coming back to Ireland again this weekend. Film for the weekend? Currently looking like The Lost King, a comedy co-written by, and starring, Steve Coogan as the husband of the woman who found the remains of Richard III. Under a car park.. Only showing in the Omniplex, and a little late. Ah well.

Monday. Well. 👿 Anyone who knows me well, knows that I love horror. And am really excited that Darkfield is doing onsite shows this month. Mwa-ha-haa.. Five of them, in fact. I've booked the first of them for Monday, the first day I was free - the first they're showing, it's Intravene, nearby the BFI (actually, outside the National Theatre - see above). These are all held in shipping containers, and the unifying idea for all Darkfield shows is that they're aural - you have headphones, which are your main sensory input. The shows all take place in complete darkness. This one is about drug abuse, and focuses on the drug problem in Vancouver. And wow, seeing the container in person finally, last night, has just stoked my anticipation..

On Tuesday, signed up for another of The Garden Talks' free online talks - this one is Does Dark Matter Really Matter?

On Wednesday.. heehee. Back with Darkfield. (Cue scary music.) They're also doing shows in Canary Wharf this year - three, in fact. This is the first night for those.. and yes, I'm doing all three, that night. In fact, they allow for that when you're booking. So, I'm doing them in the following order: first is Eulogy, an unusual Darkfield concept in that it's somewhat interactive, at various points you have to say "yes" or "no"..

Second up, I chose Coma (they all have multiple showings, so you can decide exactly what you want to go to, and when. They just ask that you leave at least 15 minutes between, which I have.) For this one, we get to lie down, I think - which is nice - and get an option to take a pill. :-)

Final for the night is the one I've heard the best reviews of - Flight is a reconstruction of an aircraft cabin, and the show is based around - well, a plane crash! Booked all of these while waiting for my eternally delayed flight on Sunday - as I say, every cloud has a silver lining..

Next Thursday is the next of my busy days. See, first I booked with Civilised London (CL) for Tango After Dark, at the Peacock. All good, no-brainer. Then I was messaged by an ex-colleague - another ex-colleague is having leaving drinks that same night, in the Pelt Trader! Hellfire.. so, what I'm going to do is skip drinks with CL after the show and leg it over to the Pelt Trader - I've ordered her not to stop drinking till I get there!

On the 14th, something advertised with the Crick Crack Club (CCC) - they're celebrating all things Mexican in Kew Gardens, with Mexico After Hours! With something about the Day of the Dead, no doubt..

The 15th is another of those busy days. So.. first I'm headed on a walk with Laurence Summers and the 45+ Not Grumpy Old Londoners - this one is Paddington - Proud, Perky & Picturesque.

But, for nearly a year now, I've had tickets booked, for me and Helen, for Dara O' Briain in the Hammersmith Apollo that night! Crikey, I'd never even have thought of it if it hadn't been noted in my calendar. So anyway, she can't come to the walk, but we'll meet for dinner beforehand in Bill's of Hammersmith. I can only hope for better service than I got in Bill's of Clink Street..

On the 16th, back with the CCC for Inisfáil, Irish storytelling courtesy of the wonderful Clare Murphy, in the British Museum.

On the 17th, I originally booked a free online talk about Railways of Surrey, from the Surrey History Meetup. But now I've finally seen (despite the fact that it was evidently posted months ago) an event from UITCS - Samsara is inspired by the Chinese novel, Journey to the West, and contains partial nudity, we're told. Tickets for this are quite cheap, and we're all in the Stalls, for once - they haven't even opened the Second Circle, where we normally are! So, no stairs, for a change!

On the 18th, I've booked for Iphigenia in Splott, in the Lyric Hammersmith.

On the 19th, supposed to have drinks with Ivan! Might go to O' Neill's, we could do worse.

On the 20th, back with CL for dinner at Le Sacré Coeur. Always good.

On the 21st, back to Ireland again - and the following Monday, it's my mother's birthday, so I'm staying in Ireland for that and flying back on Tuesday 25th. I've already cleared it with work.

And on the 26th, I've booked with UITCS again - for Mary, at Hampstead Theatre again. Political machinations in the court of Mary, Queen of Scots. Funny thing - there were two seats in the main seating section at the cheapest price, but the site objected to me just booking one of them. No problem booking an equivalent seat in a higher price bracket, though! So I booked one of the high seats, at the back, instead. At the lower price.

Walk: Down and Out in Clerkenwell & Concert: Les Concerts du Lac

Today, I "provisionally" booked with Laurence Summers and the 45+ Not Grumpy Old Londoners again - this time, for Down and Out in Clerkenwell, ironically very near to where I live. Again, I had to cancel this because, as he said, I've gone from "provisional" to "professional"! He kindly offered me the chance to come to lunch with them at least, if I could manage it, at the Bowler. But.. lo.. the job doesn't start until tomorrow now! (Perils of managing an IT system.) So.. sadly, I shan't be paid for a couple of days this week. Happily, I got to go on the walk! Every cloud..

Naturally, with it starting so close to home for me, I wasn't quite on time. :-) Happily, I wasn't too late either, and joined the group as they congregated outside Barbican.

Ah, the nostalgia of living closer to here.. funny how that kicks in, even though the room I had then was so small! I always used to want to live in Barbican, until I found out how much the service fees are..!

And then we passed by the office of my last permanent job:

I loved that we went to the church of St. Bartholomew the Great - stunning building, I always love coming here. The first time, of course, was my first ever event with TAC - a performance of Richard II, played down the nave, the audience sat in the pews on either side! What a setting..

Used in so many films, and you can see why:

On another note, glad to see they've installed handrails on the steps leading up to the graveyard!

On Cloth Fair, we saw London's oldest inhabited building:

It's so rich in history, all this area - we visited the Charterhouse as well; I hadn't realised that the name comes from the Carthusians!

Later, we visited the beautiful St. John's Gate:

Now, this is associated with the Knights Hospitaller, under their Grand Prior at the time, Thomas Docwra. And there was some discussion about the origin of the name - seems it's of Norse Viking origin, although the 1st Baron Docwra was a soldier in Ireland, and credited with founding the city of Derry! 

And so to our long-awaited lunch, at the Bowler - we had a few more than anticipated, which tends to happen, but managed to squeeze everyone around a few tables that had been put together. And although the menu isn't extensive, I had some very tasty chicken. No extras included, mind you, but an egg I didn't eat, and a container of chili sauce that was too spicy for me. You have been warned. V friendly service, though! and the person beside me, who had the mushrooms on toast, raved about her dish.

We went for drinks after at the Betsey Trotwood - where Laurence had apparently tried to book lunch, but no-one had answered the phone! Anyway, it was great to catch up with everyone - I was very glad to have had the chance to come along to this, the last daytime event I'll probably be able to do for a while.

Home then briefly, and this evening, I was with the 45+s again - this time for a classical concert, at St. John's, Smith Square. OMG it's years since I was last there - and they had discounted tickets! Apparently they got them for free, and the proceeds from what we paid are going to charity. Lovely that a couple of people from the afternoon's event were also going - as well as, it so happened, a couple of folks that I know from Up in the Cheap Seats (UITCS)! Not that I really got a chance to talk to the latter, although I did run into one in the loo.

We got free programmes with our tickets, and ah, what a lovely programme - some Beethoven, two Schumann pieces, and after the interval, some Brahms. And not one, but two encores! Nice way to round off the day, and a very well-organised event.

Tomorrow, I "provisionally" booked for the Soho Comedy Factory again.. but lo, was saved from having to make another of those difficult decisions, when UITCS posted a trip to see The Boy with Two Hearts, at the National! Based on another true story, of a refugee family from Afghanistan, with a little boy who needs heart surgery. Interestingly, I thought to use my Theatre Token for this - since I was finally booking something during box office hours, and could ring them up; few theatres take them online. But with them, phone booking incurs a £3 fee that other booking methods don't! So I left it, and just booked a ticket online for full price. Was perplexed when it wouldn't accept my card - until somehow I was logged into my National Theatre account, and noticed I had an old billing address. When I changed it, I had no further problems. There's a moral there. (Interestingly again, I couldn't even cancel my attendance at the comedy club - they now close RSVPs very early!)

On Thursday, I was thinking film - but what was coming up wasn't as interesting as what the same group is advertising in Hampstead Theatre. So I booked to go and see Ravenscourt with them - a medical drama, centred on the failings of the mental healthcare system. And yay, for this I finally used my Theatre Token! (No phone booking fee, here.) Well, that's a weight off..

Then I'm back to Ireland again, because of the dates I have weekend things in London this month, and the date of my mother's birthday, which I want to be back in Ireland for. It all works out - but only if I switch weekends, which I'm doing by coming back to Ireland again this weekend. Film for the weekend? Currently looking like The Lost King, a comedy co-written by, and starring, Steve Coogan as the husband of the woman who found the remains of Richard III. Under a car park.. Only showing in the Omniplex, and a little late. Ah well.

Monday. Well. 👿 Anyone who knows me well, knows that I love horror. And am really excited that Darkfield is doing onsite shows this month. Mwa-ha-haa.. Five of them, in fact. I've booked the first of them for Monday, the first day I was free - the first they're showing, it's Intravene, nearby the BFI (actually, I think it's outside the National Theatre, but I'll figure it out - they're next door to each other). These are all held in shipping containers, and the unifying idea for all Darkfield shows is that they're aural - you have headphones, which are your main sensory input. The shows all take place in complete darkness. This one is about drug abuse, and focuses on the drug problem in Vancouver.

Next Tuesday, signed up for another of The Garden Talks' free online talks - this one is Does Dark Matter Really Matter?

On the 12th.. heehee. Back with Darkfield. (Cue scary music.) They're also doing shows in Canary Wharf this year - three, in fact. This is the first night for those.. and yes, I'm doing all three, that night. In fact, they allow for that when you're booking. So, I'm doing them in the following order: first is Eulogy, an unusual Darkfield concept in that it's somewhat interactive, at various points you have to say "yes" or "no"..

Second up, I chose Coma (they all have multiple showings, so you can decide exactly what you want to go to, and when. They just ask that you leave at least 15 minutes between, which I have.) For this one, we get to lie down, I think - which is nice - and get an option to take a pill. :-)

Final for the night is the one I've heard the best reviews of - Flight is a reconstruction of an aircraft cabin, and the show is based around - well, a plane crash! Booked all of these while waiting for my eternally delayed flight on Sunday - as I say, every cloud has a silver lining..

The 13th is the next of my busy days. See, first I booked with Civilised London (CL) for Tango After Dark, at the Peacock. All good, no-brainer. Then I was messaged by an ex-colleague - another ex-colleague is having leaving drinks that same night, in the Pelt Trader! Hellfire.. so, what I'm going to do is skip drinks with CL after the show and leg it over to the Pelt Trader - I've ordered her not to stop drinking till I get there!

On the 14th, something advertised with the Crick Crack Club (CCC) - they're celebrating all things Mexican in Kew Gardens, with Mexico After Hours! With something about the Day of the Dead, no doubt..

The 15th is another of those busy days. So.. first I'm headed on another of Laurence's walks - this one is Paddington - Proud, Perky & Picturesque.

But, for over a year now, I've had tickets booked, for me and Helen, for Dara O' Briain in the Hammersmith Apollo that night! Crikey, I'd never even have thought of it if it hadn't been noted in my calendar. So anyway, she can't come to the walk, but we'll meet for dinner beforehand in Bill's of Hammersmith. I can only hope for better service than I got in Bill's of Clink Street..

On the 16th, back with the CCC for Inisfáil, Irish storytelling courtesy of the wonderful Clare Murphy, in the British Museum.

On the 17th, I originally booked a free online talk about Railways of Surrey, from the Surrey History Meetup. But now I've finally seen (despite the fact that it was evidently posted months ago) an event from UITCS - Samsara is inspired by the Chinese novel, Journey to the West, and contains partial nudity, we're told. Tickets for this are quite cheap, and we're all in the Stalls, for once - they haven't even opened the Second Circle, where we normally are! So, no stairs, for a change!

On the 18th, I've booked for Iphigenia in Splott, in the Lyric Hammersmith.

On the 19th, supposed to have drinks with Ivan! Might go to O' Neill's, we could do worse.

On the 20th, back with CL for dinner at Le Sacré Coeur. Always good.

On the 21st, back to Ireland again - and the following Monday, it's my mother's birthday, so I'm staying in Ireland for that and flying back on Tuesday 25th. I've already cleared it with the job I haven't started yet!

And on the 26th, I've booked with UITCS again - for Mary, at Hampstead Theatre again. Political machinations in the court of Mary, Queen of Scots. Funny thing - there were two seats in the main seating section at the cheapest price, but the site objected to me just booking one of them. No problem booking an equivalent seat in a higher price bracket, though! So I booked one of the high seats, at the back, instead. At the lower price.

50-50 Trivia Quiz

Back to London at last. I swear, I thought I'd never get here - the flight delayed by two hours (no explanation), the boarding computer system not working properly, the flight then unable to take off for half an hour (all of us sitting on board) because we were waiting for passengers! We eventually arrived three hours late - no compensation of course, just a survey today, which I gleefully filled out. Too late to get anything proper to eat, I was saved by Delice de France in Liverpool Street - never has molten brown sludge in pastry been so welcome!

Today, I'd booked with 50-50 Trivia again for the afternoon - and then cancelled, because of the job, which is supposed to start this week! The quiz was rescheduled from the day of the Queen's funeral. However, I subsequently told them I was coming again, because I just found out the job wouldn't be ready to start me today, it'd be tomorrow at least.

So, glad to be headed off to the Rugby Tavern again. I got a drink, headed upstairs - didn't really fancy Thai food today, which they do here - maybe some other time. Lots of others did, mind. We chatted, we broke into roughly equal-numbered groups. Three teams, in the end - ours tied for the lead, which was cool! We lost in the tiebreaker though, sadly.. still, I always enjoy a quiz, hope I can join them again! After, I shopped, then headed to O' Neill's (as usual) for food - which turned out to be an inspired choice (not the first time) because they now have live music there on Mondays! Honestly, I love it..

Ivan is back, and suggested going for a drink in the evening - but when I checked with him, of course he was too busy.

Tomorrow, I "provisionally" booked with Laurence Summers and the 45+ Not Grumpy Old Londoners again - this time, for Down and Out in Clerkenwell, ironically very near to where I live. Again, I had to cancel this because, as he said, I've gone from "provisional" to "professional"! He kindly offered me the chance to come to lunch with them at least, if I could manage it, at the Bowler. But.. lo.. the job won't start until Wednesday/Thursday now! (Perils of managing an IT system.) So.. sadly, I won't be paid for a couple more days. Happily, I get to go on the walk! Every cloud..

That evening, I'm with the 45+s again - this time for a classical concert, at St. John's, Smith Square. OMG it's years since I was last there - and they have discounted tickets!

On Wednesday, I "provisionally" booked for the Soho Comedy Factory again.. but lo, was saved from having to make another of those difficult decisions, when Up in the Cheap Seats (UITCS) posted a trip to see The Boy with Two Hearts, at the National! Based on another true story, of a refugee family from Afghanistan, with a little boy who needs heart surgery. Interestingly, I thought to use my Theatre Token for this - since I was finally booking something during box office hours, and could ring them up; few theatres take them online. But I had to book by phone for that - which incurs a £3 fee that other booking methods don't! So I left it, and just booked a ticket online for full price. Was perplexed when it wouldn't accept my card - until somehow I was logged into my National Theatre account, and noticed I had an old billing address. When I changed it, I had no further problems. There's a moral there. (Interestingly again, I couldn't even cancel my attendance at the comedy club - they now close RSVPs very early!)

On Thursday, I was thinking film - but what was coming up wasn't as interesting as what the same group is advertising in Hampstead Theatre. So I booked to go and see Ravenscourt with them - a medical drama, centred on the failings of the mental healthcare system. And yay, for this I finally used my Theatre Token! (No phone booking fee, here.) Well, that's a weight off..

Then I'm back to Ireland again, because of the dates I have weekend things in London this month, and the date of my mother's birthday, which I want to be back in Ireland for. It all works out - but only if I switch weekends, which I'm doing by coming back to Ireland again next weekend. Film for the weekend? Currently looking like The Lost King, a comedy co-written by, and starring, Steve Coogan as the husband of the woman who found the remains of Richard III. Under a car park.. Only showing in the Omniplex, and a little late. Ah well.

Next Monday. Well. 👿 Anyone who knows me well, knows that I love horror. And am really excited that Darkfield is doing onsite shows this month. Mwa-ha-haa.. Five of them, in fact. I've booked the first of them next Monday, the first day I was free - the first they're showing, it's Intravene, nearby the BFI (actually, I think it's outside the National Theatre, but I'll figure it out - they're next door to each other). These are all held in shipping containers, and the unifying idea for all Darkfield shows is that they're aural - you have headphones, which are your main sensory input. The shows all take place in complete darkness. This one is about drug abuse, and focuses on the drug problem in Vancouver.

On the 11th, signed up for another of The Garden Talks' free online talks - this one is Does Dark Matter Really Matter?

On the 12th.. heehee. Back with Darkfield. (Cue scary music.) They're also doing shows in Canary Wharf this year - three, in fact. This is the first night for those.. and yes, I'm doing all three, that night. In fact, they allow for that when you're booking. So, I'm doing them in the following order: first is Eulogy, an unusual Darkfield concept in that it's somewhat interactive, at various points you have to say "yes" or "no"..

Second up, I chose Coma (they all have multiple showings, so you can decide exactly what you want to go to, and when. They just ask that you leave at least 15 minutes between, which I have.) For this one, we get to lie down, I think - which is nice - and get an option to take a pill. :-)

Final for the night is the one I've heard the best reviews of - Flight is a reconstruction of an aircraft cabin, and the show is based around - well, a plane crash! Booked all of these while waiting for my eternally delayed flight - as I say, every cloud has a silver lining..

The 13th is the first of my busy days. See, first I booked with Civilised London (CL) for Tango After Dark, at the Peacock. All good, no-brainer. Then I was messaged by an ex-colleague - another ex-colleague is having leaving drinks that same night, in the Pelt Trader! Hellfire.. so, what I'm going to do is skip drinks with CL after the show and leg it over to the Pelt Trader - I've ordered her not to stop drinking till I get there!

On the 14th, something advertised with the Crick Crack Club (CCC) - they're celebrating all things Mexican in Kew Gardens, with Mexico After Hours! With something about the Day of the Dead, no doubt..

The 15th is another of those busy days. So.. first I'm headed on another of Laurence's walks - this one is Paddington - Proud, Perky & Picturesque.

But, for over a year now, I've had tickets booked, for me and Helen, for Dara O' Briain in the Hammersmith Apollo that night! Crikey, I'd never even have thought of it if it hadn't been noted in my calendar. So anyway, she can't come to the wallk, but we'll meet for dinner beforehand in Bill's of Hammersmith. I can only hope for better service than I got in Bill's of Clink Street..

On the 16th, back with the CCC for Inisfáil, Irish storytelling courtesy of the wonderful Clare Murphy, in the British Museum.

On the 17th, best I've been able to find so far is an online talk about Railways of Surrey, from the Surrey History Meetup.

On the 18th, I've booked for Iphigenia in Splott, in the Lyric Hammersmith.

On the 19th, a rescheduled Ivan! Might go to O' Neill's, we could do worse.

On the 20th, back with CL for dinner at Le Sacré Coeur. Always good.

On the 21st, back to Ireland again - and the following Monday, it's my mother's birthday, so I'm staying in Ireland that day and flying back on Tuesday 25th. I've already cleared it with the job I haven't started yet!

And on the 26th, I've booked with UITCS again - for Mary, at Hampstead Theatre again. Political machinations in the court of Mary, Queen of Scots. Funny thing - there were two seats in the main seating section at the cheapest price, but the site objected to me just booking one of them. No problem booking an equivalent seat in a higher price bracket, though! So I booked one of the high seats, at the back, instead. At the lower price.

Film: Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris

The weekend's film was one I'd never even heard of until recently, when someone was talking about it! Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris is a comedy about a 1950s cleaning lady (Lesley Manville), who dreams of owning a Dior dress - so, off she goes to Paris for it! Based on a book, it seems - and from the trailer, it looked like the absolutely charming story of a middle-aged lady who finally gets the chance to fulfil a few of her dreams! Showing in Ennis, again.

Set off early - and I was to be glad of it, the difficulty I had parking! (There was a match in town.) Heading into the cinema, I passed a group of teenagers, congregated outside. Bought my ticket and settled into my seat, in an empty screen. Some time into the film, a group of teenagers came in, sat at the back (they were probably the same I'd seen outside). This was all fine, I didn't care - until their loud conversation started to disrupt my enjoyment of the film. I tried asking them politely, I tried yelling at them to shut up. Finally, I went and got an usher - a middle-aged man came with me, and stayed standing at the back of the screen through the rest of the film. I was chatting to him as I'd left - seems he'd already ejected them and they came back. Well, his presence quietened them, and they weren't having much fun at the film, so were all gone well before the end of it. Hallelujah!

Meanwhile.. with this set in the 1950s, I was interested to see the differences. Well, the cars were more stylish - wow, that red convertible that the Dior model zips around in is the business! And, of course, there's the fact that Mrs. Harris flies to Paris, whereas these days she'd probably take the train. Not everyone had their own phone line, never mind mobile.. Battersea Town Hall (now the Battersea Arts Centre) is a lot scruffier, with peeling plaster.. and these days, I wouldn't fancy your chances, approaching a group of homeless people in the station, as she does. I certainly think she'd at least have been robbed.

Which brings us to the similarities - some things never change, it seems, such as the cyclist that nearly runs her down in London. And these days, they don't even have smog as an excuse! The streets are covered in litter - in Paris, in the film, it's because of a binmen's strike; in London, that's certainly standard where I live, despite recent complimentary comments in the media about how clean London was for the funeral.

But anyway, although this film does touch on social issues, it's primarily a complete fairytale, where an ordinary woman has an extraordinary run of good luck, and follows her dreams. And because of her kind and helpful nature, she finds people to help her at every turn. Well.. it sometimes happens - just not often. But this is a flight of fantasy - with some gorgeous couture, to be fair; much classier than today's haute couture, most of which I wouldn't touch with a bargepole. And the beginning - where she has reversals, and doubts her plans - and end, with a lovely twist - are quite moving. Yep, I enjoyed this! Recommended, for people who love swishy dresses.

Back to London tomorrow, and on Monday, I'd booked with 50-50 Trivia again for the afternoon - and then cancelled, because of the job, which starts next week! Rescheduled from the day of the Queen's funeral. However, I've now told them I'm coming again, because I just found out they won't be ready to start me on Monday, it'll be Tuesday.. Then Ivan is supposed to be back, and has suggested going for a drink in the evening - I have to check with him tomorrow night, when I'm back from Ireland, though.

On Tuesday, I "provisionally" booked with  Laurence Summers and the 45+ Not Grumpy Old Londoners again - this time, for Down and Out in Clerkenwell, ironically very near to where I live. Again, I had to cancel this because, as he says, I'll have gone from "provisional" to "professional"! He's kindly offered me the chance to come to lunch with them at least, if I can manage it, at the Bowler - well, we'll see, but I'd be lucky.

That evening, at any rate, I'm with the 45+s again - this time for a classical concert, at St. John's, Smith Square. OMG it's years since I was last there - and they have discounted tickets!

On Wednesday, I "provisionally" booked for the Soho Comedy Factory again.. but lo, was saved from having to make another of those difficult decisions, when Up in the Cheap Seats posted a trip to see The Boy with Two Hearts, at the National! Based on another true story, of a refugee family from Afghanistan, with a little boy who needs heart surgery. Interestingly, I thought to use my Theatre Token for this - since I was finally booking something during box office hours, and could ring them up; few theatres take them online. But I had to book by phone for that - which incurs a £3 fee that other booking methods don't! So I left it, and just booked a ticket online for full price. Was perplexed when it wouldn't accept my card - until somehow I was logged into my National Theatre account, and noticed I had an old billing address. When I changed it, I had no further problems. There's a moral there. (Interestingly again, I couldn't even my attendance at the comedy club - they now close RSVPs very early!)

On Thursday, I was thinking film - but what was coming up wasn't as interesting as what the same group is advertising in Hampstead Theatre. So I booked to go and see Ravenscourt with them - a medical drama, centred on the failings of the mental healthcare system. And yay, for this I finally used my Theatre Token! (No phone booking fee, here.) Well, that's a weight off..

Then I'm back to Ireland again, because of the dates I have weekend things in London this month, and the date of my mother's birthday, which I want to be back in Ireland for. It all works out - but only if I switch weekends, which I'm doing by coming back to Ireland again next weekend.