Film: The Pope's Exorcist

My mother is doing quite well in allowing me out in the evenings - obviously because I'm back for an extended period. Which meant I could get to the cinema this evening. Top of a short list was The Pope's Exorcist, which stars Russell Crowe as the real-life Fr. Gabriele Amorth. Looked ok - and I was rather more convinced by a review I found than by the clip on the IMDB page.. as he says, the best thing about it is Russell Crowe, whose first horror film this is! The review, BTW, is quite decent, if a little repetitive - could have done with some editing. But he sounds like he knows his stuff. Says that, apart from Russell Crowe being in it, it's quite a bog-standard horror - with good effects. Anyway.. earliest showing was in the Omniplex.

So, off I went, arriving with five minutes to spare. Turned out I was hungry, so queued for some chocolate - it went slightly past the scheduled time, but of course that doesn't make any different in mainstream cinema, there are always ads.

Now, I always book for the Omniplex - it's the same price, and saves time. My though, was I glad I'd booked this evening - when I went in, it was packed! Of course, it's in a small screen. So I made my way to my appointed seat - people really had to stick to their bookings this evening, there wasn't much room for leeway. As to the crowd - a couple of premature shrieks during the film, but what was annoying was the chatter from behind us. They had to be told several times to shut it. Personally, I was sufficiently absorbed in the film that it didn't make much difference to me - nor did the couple making out in the front row. Honestly though, you'd wonder how so many people just don't know how to behave in the cinema.. Even the lady beside me, who was one of those who complained about the noise, felt it necessary to check her phone during the film!

Basically, the aforementioned review was spot on. It is a good horror film, well-acted, good sfx, and Russell Crowe is terrific. Apart from one jump scare I thought laid it on a bit thick, I didn't see any overacting or cheap thrills. Oh, and yes, there is something of an eye-roll at the end, where they set it up for sequels. And yes, we've seen most of this before - any demonic possession would have to be pretty unusual to stand out from all the others we've seen depicted. However - I adore a good demonic possession, with the whole theatricality of Catholicism laid out as armour against the devil. And this has it in spades.. I loved the film. Like the reviewer, I'm unsure there will actually be sequels - but this is worth watching if you're into the genre. Delighted to have seen it.

Tomorrow, I'm at a concert at the University Concert Hall, Limerick - Dolans Presents Scott Bradlees Postmodern Jukebox.

On Monday, if I get to the cinema again, the very last decent thing on locally in mainstream cinema is God's Creatures, also at the Omniplex, in which Emily Watson plays Paul Mescal's mother, in an isolated fishing village - sounds Irish, by the accents - where she finds herself lying for him. Which has repercussions..

Now, I have an old friend, Vicki, in Cork, whom I usually go down to see once a year, staying the night - usually at Christmas, but she was too busy for me last Christmas. So we've arranged for me to go and stay on Tuesday, coming back on Wednesday. Now, that realistically means I can't fly to London before Thursday - but with nothing unmissable on Friday, I'm flying back that day instead. I checked on my holiday request, and it looked approved..

On Thursday, I might think of Plan 75, showing at the Belltable as part of the Japanese Film Festival - people aged 75 or older are given the option of assisted suicide, with free burial, and a $1000 grant to do with as they please.

I definitely have to be back in London for next Saturday though, when I'm booked on another walk with Laurence Summers and the 45+ Not Grumpy Old Londoners! This one is A City built by a Genius - Wren's London. And as of now, he's scheduling walks I haven't done for days I can make them! Very cool.. because I do love his walks. And lunches.

Now, my boss suggested - quite a while ago - that we might have a jaunt to the head office in Tel Aviv on the 16th! I hadn't heard anything since, though - so I finally asked him. He confirmed that it won't be until at least next month now - wants to get the latest release out. So I'll be in London that week. However, there isn't honestly much coming up on Meetup - so, for the 19th, I've booked For Black Boys Who Have Considered Suicide.. at the Apollo. I have a front-row seat in the Dress Circle - now, I seem to remember ridiculously tight legroom, here - so I'm at the end of a row, and Seatplan says it'll be OK if I lean forward..

On the 20th, I'm with TAC for a talk on Arab & Islamic Roots of Europe's Architecture, at St. Mary Magdalene Church.

Then it's back to Ireland for the weekend. On the 24th, back with Up in the Cheap Seats for The Secret Life of Bees, at the Almeida - no seats left in the stalls! Seatplan made me wary of the cheapest seats, so I'm in the next bracket up..

And on the 25th, back with Over 40 Living the Life, for dinner at the Greenwich Yacht Club again. Well, it was good last time - good food, cheap prices, good company. Three of us going so far - I'm sure there'll be more!

Play: The Examination

Well, made it back to Ireland. Aer Lingus, because I left it too late to book with Ryanair, and the evening flights were gone. And I have to say, for all that I had to pay a ridiculous amount, the experience was so much better. Heathrow is quicker to get to than Stansted if you use the Heathrow Express, and the departure lounge is so much more relaxed and comfortable - ergonomic seats are a joy, everyone is so much more relaxed, and the layout isn't half as intimidating. As for Aer Lingus - funnily enough, no-one checked my passport until customs in Ireland; electronic gates sped up boarding, and the seats are oh, so much more comfortable - leather rather than plastic. I slept most of the way - definitely needed it. Plus the aircon worked much better! and the staff were friendlier. Oh, and there was no delay - Ryanair can never match that.It was also lovely to have checked in my case (for free) and not have to drag it around with me.

For this evening, I booked a play called The Examination at the Lime Tree Theatre. Happily, they texted me a link to my ticket today.. always handy. So, off to Limerick with me - a bit early, so I could shop for a tv beforehand; the tv in my mother's kitchen broke, and the one she brought down from her bedroom is really a bit small. We needed a 24'' - I checked Argos before I left, but unfortunately they didn't have one at that branch. Well, I never anticipated such trouble finding a 24'' tv - I tried Tesco first, but they didn't have anything under 32'', which wouldn't fit. Then a few more places that I thought might do tvs, but didn't. Finally, Google Maps suggested Soundstore. I'd never been there before - took me two passes through Limerick's business parks before I found it, and then I had to go around again, because I'd passed the entrance and couldn't turn around.

At first, I thought they didn't have what I wanted - then I spied the smaller tvs, snuggled to the side, and two that fit the bill. I caught the attention of a salesman - he asked when I wanted it for, because the cheaper one, they'd have to order. (You what?!) Which meant nobody could work on it till Tuesday, Monday being a bank holiday, and so I wouldn't get it until Wednesday or Thursday. Eh, no thanks.. so I plumped for the more expensive one, in which case he was prepared to sell me the display model, as they were discontinuing the line. He discounted it slightly, it being the display model. They had to dig for the box in the back, mind - and here was I, willing them to hurry, because I was in danger of missing my play. Google Maps proved my saviour, however, finding me a really direct route there (and hallelujah, traffic was light!), and I arrived with five minutes to spare. No time for the bar, sadly - and actually, I was parched..

They don't seem to be selling the front row for this production, and I was one of a small number who sat in the second row - dead centre:

That white structure to the left is generally used as a screen, on which numerous projections are displayed over the course of the show. First on stage - is a gorilla. Who turns out to be a guy in a gorilla suit. Then we have a chap in a regular suit, who addresses us as though we are attending a lecture. The guy dressed as a gorilla gradually sheds some of his suit, which must be a relief, as I've always heard these are very hot, and indeed you'd expect it, being so thick and hairy..

In short, this is about the Irish prison system. The chap with the mic, giving the lecture, begins with a nod to phrenology, the idea that you can determine personality traits given the shape of the head. He focuses particularly on criminal tendencies, and displays a photograph - of the guy in the gorilla suit, as it turns out. Of course, it's no accident that he's in a gorilla suit - he's being portrayed as an animal, and although the guy with the mic seems friendly, and invites the "gorilla" to relate what are apparently real-life accounts of prison life, as the play progresses, it becomes more and more obvious that he's got a reactionary attitude to prisoners. And we discover the reason for this, near the end. As for the "gorilla", as he sheds more and more of his costume, he seems to become more and more vocal, defending himself as a prisoner, and defending others whose accounts he relates. 

It's consistently hard-hitting - the guy with the mic represents a common attitude among the middle classes, a dismissal of prisoners, a disparaging attitude towards their complaints, and a real rage about the perceived injustice of mollycoddling criminals while their victims are left to sink or swim. The prisoner in the gorilla suit, however, has real horror stories to tell. Apparently, a serious amount of research went into this, and it paid off. But it is hard-hitting, so be warned. Showing again tomorrow (Saturday) night. Oh, and a soundtrack of Bowie! So, something to enjoy among the grittiness. 

Now, my mother is doing quite well in allowing me out in the evenings - obviously because I'm back for an extended period. Which might mean I can get to the cinema tomorrow. Top of a short list is The Pope's Exorcist, which stars Russell Crowe as the real-life Fr. Gabriele Amorth. Looks ok - and I'm rather more convinced by a review I found than by the clip on the IMDB page.. as he says, the best thing about it is Russell Crowe, whose first horror film this is! The review, BTW, is quite decent, if a little repetitive - could have done with some editing. But he sounds like he knows his stuff. Says that, apart from Russell Crowe being in it, it's quite a bog-standard horror - with good effects. Anyway, we shall see.. earliest showing is in the Omniplex.

For Sunday, I'm at a concert at the University Concert Hall, Limerick - Dolans Presents Scott Bradlees Postmodern Jukebox.

Now, I have an old friend, Vicki, in Cork, whom I usually go down to see once a year, staying the night - usually at Christmas, but she was too busy for me last Christmas. So we've arranged for me to go and stay on Tuesday, coming back on Wednesday. Now, that realistically means I can't fly to London before Thursday - but with nothing unmissable next Friday, I'm flying back that day instead. I checked on my holiday request, and it looked approved..

On Thursday, I might think of Plan 75, showing at the Belltable as part of the Japanese Film Festival - people aged 75 or older are given the option of assisted suicide, with free burial, and a $1000 grant to do with as they please..

I definitely have to be back in London for the 15th though, when I'm booked on another walk with Laurence Summers and the 45+ Not Grumpy Old Londoners! This one is A City built by a Genius - Wren's London. And as of now, he's scheduling walks I haven't done for days I can make them! Very cool.. because I do love his walks. And lunches.

Now, my boss suggested - quite a while ago - that we might have a jaunt to the head office in Tel Aviv on the 16th! I hadn't heard anything since, though - so I finally asked him. He confirmed that it won't be until at least next month now - wants to get the latest release out. So I'll be in London that week. However, there isn't honestly much coming up on Meetup - so, for the 19th, I've booked For Black Boys Who Have Considered Suicide.. at the Apollo. I have a front-row seat in the Dress Circle - now, I seem to remember ridiculously tight legroom, here - so I'm at the end of a row, and Seatplan says it'll be OK if I lean forward..

On the 20th, I'm with TAC for a talk on Arab & Islamic Roots of Europe's Architecture, at St. Mary Magdalene Church.

Then it's back to Ireland for the weekend. On the 24th, back with Up in the Cheap Seats for The Secret Life of Bees, at the Almeida - no seats left in the stalls! Seatplan made me wary of the cheapest seats, so I'm in the next bracket up..

And on the 25th, back with Over 40 Living the Life, for dinner at the Greenwich Yacht Club again. Well, it was good last time - good food, cheap prices, good company. Three of us going so far - I'm sure there'll be more!

Book Club: House of Leaves

Tonight, back with the Horror Book Club, at the Prince of Wales in Drury Lane, as usual. And wow, this month's book was a doozy - House of Leaves is a massive tome, which I started reading years ago and never did get finished. At least I don't think so.. for some reason, practically nothing of it stayed with me. But we are talking years back. I couldn't find that copy, so ended up buying it again - but did I find the time to read it? Well, I did my best, and it is a cracking read. I finally managed 370 pages of a nearly 700-page story - which does include the index, to be fair.. Thank goodness for the unconventional publishing style, where some pages have hardly anything on them!

Thank goodness also that I had a slightly later start than lately, given that I didn't have to eat beforehand, but could eat there - my life is way too busy these days. And of the three cyclists that I saw cycling illegally on the way, well, at least none of them were in danger of running me over, for once. So anyway, when I arrived, I ordered straight away - and we had a slightly late start anyway, in case of latecomers. Of 39 people who responded on the page, 20 decided they weren't coming, and of the 19 who still said they were, we only had nine. Just as well we didn't have anything urgent on that required us to know numbers, eh?

With impeccable timing, my dinner arrived slightly before my turn to give my assessment of the book. Ah well, it did go down well in the end - I see they give you a choice of chips or mash now! And it comes with peas - which I didn't have a choice over, but which came as I'd have ordered (non-mushy).

And so to the book. I do love the central premise of a house with hidden dimensions - and if that were the main content of the book, I'd have been happy! Sadly, it isn't - the extensive footnotes include the story of the guy supposedly transcribing the story, one Johnny Truant. Who comes across as an unreliable narrator, to begin with - and indeed, an unpleasant person to be around. Or certainly, his associates are. And the problem is, just as things might be ramping up in the main story - well gee, we're deflected back to him again! I found it very irritating. And, in general, the consensus seemed to be that people were more interested in the story of the house itself. Which would have made the book an awful lot shorter, had I stuck to that! Well anyway, I think we were all pretty fascinated by that story - much less so with Johnny Truant. You have been advised.. An enjoyable evening was had discussing it, though.

Tomorrow, with a bank holiday next day, flying back to Ireland. Aer Lingus, because I left it too late to book with Ryanair, and the evening flights were gone. For Friday, I've booked a play called The Examination at the Lime Tree Theatre.

For Sunday, I'm at a concert at the University Concert Hall, Limerick - Dolans Presents Scott Bradlees Postmodern Jukebox.

On Monday, I might head to the cinema - The Pope's Exorcist stars Russell Crowe as the real-life Fr. Gabriele Amorth. Showing all over, so Ennis would be the choice.

Now, I have an old friend, Vicki, in Cork, whom I usually go down to see once a year, staying the night - usually at Christmas, but she was too busy for me last Christmas. So we've arranged for me to go and stay on Tuesday, coming back next Wednesday. Now, that realistically means I can't fly to London before the 13th - but with nothing unmissable on the 14th, I'm flying back that day instead. I finally got my holiday request in - as the boss says, let's see what we get done this week.. Well, if I am denied the holiday, I'll just have to take the laptop with me. Which could get interesting, as I'd have to have it on in the car on the road to Cork..

On the 13th, I might think of Plan 75, showing at the Belltable as part of the Japanese Film Festival - people aged 75 or older are given the option of assisted suicide, with free burial, and a $1000 grant to do with as they please..

I definitely have to be back for the 15th though, when I'm booked on another walk with Laurence Summers and the 45+ Not Grumpy Old Londoners! This one is A City built by a Genius - Wren's London. And as of now, he's scheduling walks I haven't done for days I can make them! Very cool.. because I do love his walks. And lunches.

Now, my boss suggested - quite a while ago - that we might have a jaunt to the head office in Tel Aviv on the 16th! I hadn't heard anything since, though - so I finally asked him. He confirmed that it won't be until at least next month now - wants to get the latest release out. So I'll be in London that week. However, there isn't honestly much coming up on Meetup - so, for the 19th, I've booked For Black Boys Who Have Considered Suicide.. at the Apollo. I have a front-row seat in the Dress Circle - now, I seem to remember ridiculously tight legroom, here - so I'm at the end of a row, and Seatplan says it'll be OK if I lean forward..

On the 20th, I'm with TAC for a talk on Arab & Islamic Roots of Europe's Architecture, at St. Mary Magdalene Church.

Then it's back to Ireland for the weekend. On the 24th, back with Up in the Cheap Seats for The Secret Life of Bees, at the Almeida - no seats left in the stalls! Seatplan made me wary of the cheapest seats, so I'm in the next bracket up..

And on the 25th, back with Over 40 Living the Life, for dinner at the Greenwich Yacht Club again. Well, it was good last time - good food, cheap prices, good company. Three of us going so far - I'm sure there'll be more!

Play: The Unfriend

Tonight, back with Up in the Cheap Seats (UITCS) for The Unfriend, in The Criterion Theatre. A comedy about a British family that befriend an American lady while on holiday over there, and agree to keep in touch. Now she's on a plane over to see them - and they've discovered a terrible secret about her! How to they get rid of her - politely..? Sounded excellent. My though, I had terrible trouble trying to find a decent seat - everything left that was cheap seemed to be behind a pillar! and they aren't small pillars, as I discovered thanks to Seatplan. I finally plumped for something in the back row of the Dress Circle, where the pillars are thinner. We were texted a link to our tickets, five hours before start time.. which, as well as preventing scalping, is handy for finding them at the last minute!

Wow, it's over six years since I was last here - but I hadn't forgotten that there are tons of places to eat. Having a look at what was available, I booked a table at the Angus Steakhouse for 6. Had a couple of options for buses - and as I approached, I saw, damnit, I'd just missed one. Nearly didn't make it at all, mind you - as I crossed at the zebra crossing, all the cars were stopped in a traffic jam anyway: but as I stepped onto the crossing, gazing at the bus I wasn't going to make, I heard an expletive to my right. Which was just as well, because it made me pause - at which point, a b****y cyclist sailed past me, at speed, not an inch from my face. No intention of stopping at a pedestrian crossing, of course.

Well, another bus was along in just a minute, literally. I then had to change buses, which involved me crossing both ways at a large junction. I waited for the pedestrian lights to turn green - and, sure enough, as I crossed, had to navigate a whole fleet of cyclists, cycling illegally in all directions. If I've said it once, I've said it a thousand times - BAN CYCLISTS IN CENTRAL LONDON!! They're a danger to pedestrians, too many of them not bothering with rules of the road, and absolutely no enforcement. Sick to the hind teeth of them.

In other bus news, we had fun when a tourist family, without much English, and with a pushchair, got on - at the back, because that was the closest door to them! and then had to push forward through the aisle, past people blocking the way, to where they could park the buggy. Ah well, you live and learn..

Saw my first ever Ramadan decorations!

And so to the Steakhouse, where I arrived early, and was seated immediately. Brief panic when I couldn't find my phone, which wasn't in any pocket, or in the outside pouches of my bag - I finally found it on the seat, where it must have fallen out of my coat pocket! Jeez, that was scarier than the cyclist..

But anyway, service was quick and faultless - I remember the first time I was here, when it was a very different story. For starter, I asked what the soup was - had to ask him twice, because it sounded exactly like "liquid potato"! I passed, given the "potato" part, later figuring out that it was probably "leek and potato". 

By the time of my original booking, I had ordered, and been served my starter. Poor guy didn't realise there was a drink as well, though, until I told him - at which point, he looked for guidance to the waiter who had taken the order, who pointed to the drink sitting on the bar, which the guy who'd brought the starter then fetched. Too many people doing too many disconnected tasks.. there was someone different again to bring my main, and another person to clear up. And not enough communication among them all, I think..

The starter consisted of four moreish southern fried chicken goujons, which came with a mayo dip and were gorgeous. For main - well, I just had to have steak. I actually don't that often, even in a steakhouse - but I felt like it today. The smallest is 8oz, which does me just fine - I later saw someone served a massive chunk, and I really don't know how she managed it. So, the "Angus cut" is cooked medium by default - although he did check - and I didn't bother with a sauce; I don't think a good steak needs it. I had onion rings and skinny fries with it - and polished the whole lot off, and it was all terrific.. was given the bill in good time, and took myself off to meet the others.

This theatre is completely in the basement.. and it's a beautiful building!

One quibble - there's very little signposting! I had to ask for the bar, and I'm not sure there was even a sign for the Dress Circle, where I was sitting - later, there was no signposting at all for the toilets! which turned out to be on the other side of the Dress Circle, conveniently for me. The Stalls Bar, where we met, is a poky little place too, although service is friendly and the drinks are cheaper than usual. And we chatted until it was time to go in.

So, as Seatplan indicated, the view isn't too restricted - and legroom is ok, with a large pillar just to my side, which I could lean against, as well as pop my stuff on the floor in front of.

The opening scene, as you can probably tell, takes place on the deck of a cruise ship, where we meet the English couple and their new BFF. Soon, however, the backdrop parts, and the rest of the play takes place in their home - a twin-level set, with a small kitchen and larger living room downstairs, and stairs leading up to a second level, which they enter under the roof of the painted front of the house:

Yes, it's very good! The interplay between the casual friendliness of the American, and the stilted awkwardness of the English family, is beautifully done. I also loved the "passive-agressive" neighbour who keeps dropping by to complain about things, and the gradual unravelling of the English couple is a delight to behold. Yep, a most enjoyable play - runs till the 16th.

As we made our way out, I could hear cheering - of course, I'd forgotten we were right on Piccadilly Circus! where, at that point, there was some line dancing..

Terrific atmosphere, as ever - and what a lovely, mild evening! It was great to stay and chat to people for a while.. despite everything else I have to do. And on the way home, I got to look out the window, from the safety of the bus, at a Deliveroo cyclist, speeding up the pavement in Aldwych..

Tomorrow, back with the Horror Book Club, at the Prince of Wales in Drury Lane, as usual. And wow, this month's book is a doozy - House of Leaves is a massive tome, which I started reading years ago and never did get finished. I couldn't find that copy, so ended up buying it again - but am I finding the time to read it? Well, I'm doing my best, and it is a cracking read. Here's hoping I get it finished in time, as it's quite dense.. Now up to 323 pages through a nearly 700-page story.. Thank goodness for the unconventional publishing style, where some pages have hardly anything on them!

On Thursday, with a bank holiday next day, flying back to Ireland. Aer Lingus, because I left it too late to book with Ryanair, and the evening flights were gone. Now, I have an old friend, Vicki, in Cork, whom I usually go down to see once a year, staying the night - usually at Christmas, but she was too busy for me last Christmas. So we've arranged for me to go and stay next Tuesday, coming back the next day. Now, that realistically means I can't fly to London before the 13th - but with nothing unmissable on the 14th, I'm flying back that day instead. I finally got my holiday request in - as the boss says, let's see what we get done this week.. Well, if I am denied the holiday, I'll just have to take the laptop with me. Which could get interesting, as I'd have to have it on in the car on the road to Cork..

I definitely have to be back for the 15th though, when I'm booked on another walk with Laurence Summers and the 45+ Not Grumpy Old Londoners! This one is A City built by a Genius - Wren's London. And as of now, he's scheduling walks I haven't done for days I can make them! Very cool.. because I do love his walks. And lunches.

Now, my boss suggested - quite a while ago - that we might have a jaunt to the head office in Tel Aviv on the 16th! I hadn't heard anything since, though - so I finally asked him. He confirmed that it won't be until at least next month now - wants to get the latest release out. So I'll be in London that week. However, there isn't honestly much coming up on Meetup - so, for the 19th, I've booked For Black Boys Who Have Considered Suicide.. at the Apollo. I have a front-row seat in the Dress Circle - now, I seem to remember ridiculously tight legroom, here - so I'm at the end of a row, and Seatplan says it'll be OK if I lean forward..

On the 20th, I'm with TAC for a talk on Arab & Islamic Roots of Europe's Architecture, at St. Mary Magdalene Church.

Then it's back to Ireland for the weekend. On the 24th, back with UITCS for The Secret Life of Bees, at the Almeida - no seats left in the stalls! Seatplan made me wary of the cheapest seats, so I'm in the next bracket up..

And on the 25th, back with Over 40 Living the Life, for dinner at the Greenwich Yacht Club again. Well, it was good last time - good food, cheap prices, good company. Three of us going so far - I'm sure there'll be more!

Film: Tetris

Today was film, so I was waiting for the film listings - and I was delighted with what came up. Top of the list was Tetris, would you believe! Now, this is a game I used to love - and it seems it also has an interesting backstory! The chameleon-like Taron Egerton plays the Dutch/American businessman who wants the rights, but it seems the inventor is actually a programmer in Soviet Russia. Cue lots of Cold War-style intrigue - right when the USSR was collapsing, in 1989. So, was also looking forward to sights and sounds I remember from then! Also stars Toby Jones, as the first non-Russian to get the rights. Seems the real story wasn't quite as exciting as depicted - but you know what they say about not letting the truth get in the way of a good story! Anyway, the trailer looked fantastic. Streaming on Apple TV+, if you have it.. In cinemas, it seems to be exclusively in the Everyman - not all of them though, and the closest showing to me is in the Screen on the Green. I was too damn interested not to see this.

And then its rating fell. :-( Now, top of the list is Mrs. Chatterjee Vs. Norway - based on the true story of an Indian woman, living in Norway, whose children were taken into care. Differences in perceptions of how children should be raised, apparently. Only showing in Cineworld Wood Green at a time I could manage - but do you know, I much rather fancied Tetris. Anyway, its rating had risen again..

Yeah, that was a no-brainer, wasn't it?! So, off I headed for the Screen on the Green. I'd never been there before, but it's not hard to navigate - I do believe they only have one screen! Bought a ticket when I arrived, to save the booking fee - it wasn't booking out, by any means. The nice lady showed me to my seat and gave me a menu, saying someone would be along to take my order. Now, I hadn't had dinner, so.. they have hot dogs (which I can't eat here) and pizzas (which I'm not generally keen on). I plumped for a garlic flatbread - and since they have wine by the carafe, yes, one of those too please! Ooh, and they have honeycomb bites! Love 'em. So, all of the above.

I have to say, it all arrived much quicker than at Odeon Luxe & Dine Islington! And the garlic bread was actually hot - and yummy. I had everything but the wine finished by the time the film started.

:-) Wow, this is a nostalgia-fest! People goggle-eyed over clunky graphics, cooing over the Game Boy.. never mind the huge boarding passes. (Mind you, Aer Lingus still likes those!) Moscow is as grey and forbidding as you could wish for. Some Russian heavies really look the business. And oh, the music.. Yes, The Final Countdown, which is in the trailer - but also a Russian Holding Out for a Hero, and this earworm of a Russian-sounding piece, which I'm still humming, and shall be for a while..

The story, basically, is about how there was practically a shoot-out with our protagonist, the Dutch/American guy, with Nintendo behind him, and the Maxwells for the worldwide rights, the Russians playing both sides against each other. I believe the car chase didn't really happen - but it's great theatre. The whole thing is great fun! although I can guarantee I wouldn't have been as understanding as the American's wife.. Highly recommended, certainly for anyone who remembers this stuff from the first time around.

Hadn't had time to eat beforehand, so needed to on the way home - and couldn't see anything better than The Lucas Arms. Just about got there before the kitchen closed, and just about managed to get a table. But they were out of pie! so I had the BBQ chicken - which, the guy remarked, he thought might be the last portion.. It was OK, not as nice as the one I've had in the Museum Tavern though, and I don't think I'll have it again. But I got fed. And am I stoked that I've seen this film..

Tomorrow, back with Up in the Cheap Seats (UITCS) for The Unfriend, in The Criterion Theatre. A comedy about a British family that befriend an American lady while on holiday over there, and agree to keep in touch. Now she's on a plane over to see them - and they've discovered a terrible secret about her! How to they get rid of her - politely..? Sounds excellent. My though, I had terrible trouble trying to find a decent seat - everything left that was cheap seemed to be behind a pillar! and they aren't small pillars, as I discovered thanks to Seatplan. I finally plumped for something in the back row of the Dress Circle, where the pillars are thinner. Hey, you never know, I might be upgraded..

On Wednesday, back with the Horror Book Club, at the Prince of Wales in Drury Lane, as usual. And wow, this month's book is a doozy - House of Leaves is a massive tome, which I started reading years ago and never did get finished. I couldn't find that copy, so ended up buying it again - but am I finding the time to read it? Well, I'm doing my best, and it is a cracking read. Here's hoping I get it finished in time, as it's quite dense.. I'm still only under 250 pages through a nearly 700-page story.. Thank goodness for the unconventional publishing style, where some pages have hardly anything on them!

On Thursday, with a bank holiday next day, flying back to Ireland. Aer Lingus, because I left it too late to book with Ryanair, and the evening flights were gone. Now, I have an old friend, Vicki, in Cork, whom I usually go down to see once a year, staying the night - usually at Christmas, but she was too busy for me last Christmas. So we've arranged for me to go and stay on the 11th this year, coming back the next day. Now, that realistically means I can't fly to London before the 13th - but with nothing unmissable on the 14th, I'm flying back that day instead. I finally got my holiday request in - as the boss says, let's see what we get done this week.. Well, if I am denied the holiday, I'll just have to take the laptop with me. Which could get interesting, as I'd have to have it on in the car on the road to Cork..

I definitely have to be back for the 15th though, when I'm booked on another walk with Laurence Summers and the 45+ Not Grumpy Old Londoners! This one is A City built by a Genius - Wren's London. And as of now, he's scheduling walks I haven't done for days I can make them! Very cool.. because I do love his walks. And lunches.

Now, my boss suggested - quite a while ago - that we might have a jaunt to the head office in Tel Aviv on the 16th! I hadn't heard anything since, though - so I finally asked him. He confirmed that it won't be until at least next month now - wants to get the latest release out. So I'll be in London that week. However, there isn't honestly much coming up on Meetup - so, for the 19th, I've booked For Black Boys Who Have Considered Suicide.. at the Apollo. I have a front-row seat in the Dress Circle - now, I seem to remember ridiculously tight legroom, here - so I'm at the end of a row, and Seatplan says it'll be OK if I lean forward..

On the 20th, I'm with TAC for a talk on Arab & Islamic Roots of Europe's Architecture, at St. Mary Magdalene Church.

Then it's back to Ireland for the weekend. On the 24th, back with UITCS for The Secret Life of Bees, at the Almeida - no seats left in the stalls! Seatplan made me wary of the cheapest seats, so I'm in the next bracket up..

And on the 25th, back with Over 40 Living the Life, for dinner at the Greenwich Yacht Club again. Well, it was good last time - good food, cheap prices, good company. Three of us going so far - I'm sure there'll be more!

Storytelling: Orpheus Dismembered

Today, I was back with the Crick Crack Club, for Orpheus Dismembered, at the British Museum, courtesy of Ben Haggarty. The event there that I'd already heard of. And gee, eatery of choice down there is the Museum Tavern! Hmm..

After a late night, I did manage to drag myself out of bed in time - and, despite the dire weather forecasts of earlier in the week, it was a lovely, sunny day. The queues to get into the museum weren't too bad, and I went in by the "timed entrance" queue - not that anyone checked that. A quick bag check, and off I went - I wonder whether they've implemented measures to speed this process up, because it was horrendous last time I attended storytelling here!

Ah, I love this building - it's so spectacular. And the event was well-signposted, for anyone who didn't know the way - of course, I did. Joshua Whiskey on the door, as ever, and plenty of ushers to direct us - we were informed that this was sold out, so please don't leave any gaps. Having said that, there were some free seats around me..

Dunno why there weren't more stage lights at the beginning - during the interval, Ben produced a big bag of them and proceeded to lay them at the edge of the stage. There must have been some delay in setting up. Anyway, he was accompanied on this occasion by Jonah Brody, and both used a variety of instruments, which you can see to the right of the stage.

Classified as over-16s, and I could see why - Ben began the show by reminding us that (at least on some sites) this show was advertised as "Greek Myths Unleashed". Now, as he explained, anyone familiar with Greek myth would already be aware that that, in itself, constitutes a whole heap of trigger warnings - and, as he pointed out, these were going to be "unleashed", no holds barred, on the audience. Hold onto your hats..

It was as bawdy a rendition of Greek myth as I've heard, or could want. Never vulgar, he nonetheless didn't hold back, going into sometimes graphic detail, treading a fine line with the audience. But then, of course, Zeus did have a habit of sleeping with lots and lots of characters.. and Ben injected the whole performance with his customary humour. Jonah accompanied brilliantly, his gentle sounds providing the backdrop, and creating a kind of aura, woven around the words.

I've heard most of this, at one time or another, in one form or another - although I didn't realise that Thrace covers the greater part of modern-day Bulgaria! but it's always good to hear the master do it. And Ben really surpassed himself today, weaving the story and embellishing it with such rich and powerful language - Truly, when he got to Orpheus, at the end of the show, he described the story so poetically as to make it seem completely new. I, for one, was really moved. You won't hear classical mythology told better - keep an eye out for this man!

He'd warned us that there'd probably be an announcement that the museum was closing - there always is, by the time these shows are over. Wouldn't you know it, it came just as, in the story, Apollo was making an announcement..! And so ended another successful outing with the Crick Crack Club - and as we got ready to leave, I overheard someone remark to her companion how "powerful" this was.. Well, yes!

And so to the Museum Tavern, where there were two small, free tables by the door. So I grabbed one, and ordered at the bar, which seemed quicker - it's a curious mixture here, I've always had table service before, but today, everyone seemed to be ordering from the bar. Also curious is how I tend to have chicken here, unlike in The Lucas Arms, also a Greene King pub, where it's pie or bust! Well, I think the first time I was here, I had never had the pie, so didn't know how great it is - and now it's just become a tradition. I tend to come here on Sundays, and have the Sunday roast - but today, seeing chicken kiyev on the menu, I thought, it's a long time since I had that, I'll have it for a change! Service came with a smile, but took some time - they were busy. And the chicken was very moreish - although not very garlicky. Still, I was fed. Pity they don't clean up a bit more thoroughly, though.. the busyness meant tables were left a little messy..

Tomorrow is film, so I was waiting for the film listings - and I was delighted with what came up. Top of the list was Tetris, would you believe! Now, this is a game I used to love - and it seems it also has an interesting backstory! The chameleon-like Taron Egerton plays the American businessman who wants the rights, but it seems the inventor is actually a programmer in Soviet Russia. Cue lots of Cold War-style intrigue - right when the USSR was collapsing, in 1989. So, also looking forward to sights and sounds I remember from then! Also stars Toby Jones. Seems the real story wasn't quite as exciting as depicted - but you know what they say about not letting the truth get in the way of a good story! Anyway, the trailer looks fantastic. Streaming on Apple TV+, if you have it.. In cinemas, it seems to be exclusively in the Everyman - not all of them though, and the closest showing to me is in the Screen on the Green. I'm too damn interested not to see this.

And then its rating fell. :-( Now, top of the list is Mrs. Chatterjee Vs. Norway - based on the true story of an Indian woman, living in Norway, whose children were taken into care. Differences in perceptions of how children should be raised, apparently. Only showing in Cineworld Wood Green at a time I can manage - but do you know, I'd much rather watch Tetris. Anyway, its rating is rising again. Watch this space..

Tuesday, back with Up in the Cheap Seats (UITCS) for The Unfriend, in The Criterion Theatre. A comedy about a British family that befriend an American lady while on holiday over there, and agree to keep in touch. Now she's on a plane over to see them - and they've discovered a terrible secret about her! How to they get rid of her - politely..? Sounds excellent. My though, I had terrible trouble trying to find a decent seat - everything left that was cheap seemed to be behind a pillar! and they aren't small pillars, as I discovered thanks to Seatplan. I finally plumped for something in the back row of the Dress Circle, where the pillars are thinner. Hey, you never know, I might be upgraded..

On Wednesday, back with the Horror Book Club, at the Prince of Wales in Drury Lane, as usual. And wow, this month's book is a doozy - House of Leaves is a massive tome, which I started reading years ago and never did get finished. I couldn't find that copy, so ended up buying it again - but am I finding the time to read it? Well, I'm doing my best, and it is a cracking read. Here's hoping I get it finished in time, as it's quite dense.. I'm still only under 200 pages through a nearly 700-page story..

On Thursday, with a bank holiday next day, flying back to Ireland. Aer Lingus, because I left it too late to book with Ryanair, and the evening flights were gone. Now, I have an old friend, Vicki, in Cork, whom I usually go down to see once a year, staying the night - usually at Christmas, but she was too busy for me last Christmas. So we've arranged for me to go and stay on the 11th this year, coming back the next day. Now, that realistically means I can't fly to London before the 13th - but with nothing unmissable on the 14th, I'm flying back that day instead. I finally got my holiday request in - no word yet.. Well, if I am denied the holiday, I'll just have to take the laptop with me. Which could get interesting, as I'd have to have it on in the car on the road to Cork..

I definitely have to be back for the 15th though, when I'm booked on another walk with Laurence Summers and the 45+ Not Grumpy Old Londoners! This one is A City built by a Genius - Wren's London. And as of now, he's scheduling walks I haven't done for days I can make them! Very cool.. because I do love his walks. And lunches.

Now, my boss suggested - quite a while ago - that we might have a jaunt to the head office in Tel Aviv on the 16th! I hadn't heard anything since, though - so I asked him yesterday. He did happen to be online, and confirmed that it won't be until at least next month now - wants to get the latest release out. So I'll be in London that week. However, there isn't honestly much coming up on Meetup - so, for the 19th, I've booked For Black Boys Who Have Considered Suicide.. at the Apollo. I have a front-row seat in the Dress Circle - now, I seem to remember ridiculously tight legroom, here - so I'm at the end of a row, and Seatplan says it'll be OK if I lean forward..

On the 20th, I'm with TAC for a talk on Arab & Islamic Roots of Europe's Architecture, at St. Mary Magdalene Church.

Then it's back to Ireland for the weekend. On the 24th, back with UITCS for The Secret Life of Bees, at the Almeida - no seats left in the stalls! Seatplan made me wary of the cheapest seats, so I'm in the next bracket up..

And on the 25th, back with Over 40 Living the Life, for dinner at the Greenwich Yacht Club again. Well, it was good last time - good food, cheap prices, good company. Three of us going so far - I'm sure there'll be more!

Pub: The Lucas Arms

I hadn't booked anything for today. And wouldn't you know it, Ivan cried off sick - I don't really think it was the sausages, he had a sick stomach when he arrived. Martin, however, did put in an appearance - and, as he pointed out, since I wasn't suffering from the same thing, it mustn't be contagious. Sad though, how I can never seem to get more than one of these people in the room at the same time! So, I said, let's head to The Lucas Arms again - it's the closest place to me where I can eat - which both of us needed to do.

I had a look at booking a table - earliest time available was 7.45, which was just about right, as he'd said he'd be leaving around 6.30. I arrived first, bought a bottle of wine - he was a little late, but he had to come a bit of a distance. We ordered pretty fast - I'd checked, and the kitchen closes at 9 (officially, although I did see a table near us, served after that). I had my usual - he had the bbq chicken, which I've had before at the Museum Tavern, also a Greene King pub, and know to be yummy.

And we consumed the wine - when we were finished, the nice lady removed the bottle. And, in a couple of minutes, reappeared with another bottle, which we hadn't asked for, looking a bit coy.. man, the service is good here! Well, we consumed that as well, by closing time - ah yes, we'll be back. And how interesting it is to note the difference in conversation between tonight and last night - I won't go into the gory details, but different strokes for different folks. And as I showed Martin a quicker way back to the station, the talk turned to horror. Which I can't really discuss with many people.. Nice ending to the second of two excellent evenings. Now, as I say, if I could only get everyone in the same room more often..

Tomorrow, I'm back with the Crick Crack Club, for Orpheus Dismembered, at the British Museum, courtesy of Ben Haggarty. The event there that I'd already heard of. And gee, eatery of choice down there is the Museum Tavern! Hmm..

Monday is film, so I was waiting for the film listings - and I was delighted with what came up. Top of the list was Tetris, would you believe! Now, this is a game I used to love - and it seems it also has an interesting backstory! The chameleon-like Taron Egerton plays the American businessman who wants the rights, but it seems the inventor is actually a programmer in Soviet Russia. Cue lots of Cold War-style intrigue - right when the USSR was collapsing, in 1989. So, also looking forward to sights and sounds I remember from then! Also stars Toby Jones. Seems the real story wasn't quite as exciting as depicted - but you know what they say about not letting the truth get in the way of a good story! Anyway, the trailer looks fantastic. Streaming on Apple TV+, if you have it.. In cinemas, it seems to be exclusively in the Everyman - not all of them though, and the closest showing to me is in the Screen on the Green. I'm too damn interested not to see this.

And then its rating fell. :-( Now, top of the list is Mrs. Chatterjee Vs. Norway - based on the true story of an Indian woman, living in Norway, whose children were taken into care. Differences in perceptions of how children should be raised, apparently. Only showing in Cineworld Wood Green at a time I can manage - but do you know, I'd much rather watch Tetris. Watch this space..

Tuesday, back with Up in the Cheap Seats (UITCS) for The Unfriend, in The Criterion Theatre. A comedy about a British family that befriend an American lady while on holiday over there, and agree to keep in touch. Now she's on a plane over to see them - and they've discovered a terrible secret about her! How to they get rid of her - politely..? Sounds excellent. My though, I had terrible trouble trying to find a decent seat - everything left that was cheap seemed to be behind a pillar! and they aren't small pillars, as I discovered thanks to Seatplan. I finally plumped for something in the back row of the Dress Circle, where the pillars are thinner. Hey, you never know, I might be upgraded..

On Wednesday, back with the Horror Book Club, at the Prince of Wales in Drury Lane, as usual. And wow, this month's book is a doozy - House of Leaves is a massive tome, which I started reading years ago and never did get finished. I couldn't find that copy, so ended up buying it again - but am I finding the time to read it? Well, I'm doing my best, and it is a cracking read. Here's hoping I get it finished in time, as it's quite dense.. I'm still only under 150 pages through a nearly 700-page story..

On Thursday, with a bank holiday next day, flying back to Ireland. Aer Lingus, because I left it too late to book with Ryanair, and the evening flights were gone. Now, I have an old friend, Vicki, in Cork, whom I usually go down to see once a year, staying the night - usually at Christmas, but she was too busy for me last Christmas. So we've arranged for me to go and stay on the 11th this year, coming back the next day. Now, that realistically means I can't fly to London before the 13th - but with nothing unmissable on the 14th, I'm flying back that day instead. I finally got my holiday request in - no word yet.. Well, if I am denied the holiday, I'll just have to take the laptop with me. Which could get interesting, as I'd have to have it on in the car on the road to Cork..

I definitely have to be back for the 15th though, when I'm booked on another walk with Laurence Summers and the 45+ Not Grumpy Old Londoners! This one is A City built by a Genius - Wren's London. And as of now, he's scheduling walks I haven't done for days I can make them! Very cool.. because I do love his walks. And lunches.

Now, my boss suggested - quite a while ago - that we might have a jaunt to the head office in Tel Aviv on the 16th! I hadn't heard anything since, though - so I asked him today. He did happen to be online, and confirmed that it won't be until at least next month now - wants to get the latest release out. So I'll be in London. However, there isn't honestly much coming up on Meetup - so, for the 19th, I've booked For Black Boys Who Have Considered Suicide.. at the Apollo. I have a front-row seat in the Dress Circle - now, I seem to remember ridiculously tight legroom, here - so I'm at the end of a row, and Seatplan says it'll be OK if I lean forward..

On the 20th, I'm with TAC for a talk on Arab & Islamic Roots of Europe's Architecture, at St. Mary Magdalene Church.

Then it's back to Ireland for the weekend. On the 24th, back with UITCS for The Secret Life of Bees, at the Almeida - no seats left in the stalls! Seatplan made me wary of the cheapest seats, so I'm in the next bracket up..

And on the 25th, back with Over 40 Living the Life, for dinner at the Greenwich Yacht Club again. Well, it was good last time - good food, cheap prices, good company. Three of us going so far - I'm sure there'll be more!