Wow, The Red Shoes finally rolled around! This is the one that went on sale with Let's Do London - for less! at 11am on New Year's Day and sold out in 15 minutes. Which is a record that U2 has beaten, but not often: so the Man with the Hat has more in common with Bono than he might have thought..
Anyway, I spent most of yesterday all on my lonesome in the office. Free WiFi, free food.. Pity me not, I had a great time. Researched my route to Sadler's Wells - it'd take just over half an hour to walk, so I decided to take the bus. Except when I left the building, ready to catch the bus - I suddenly realised I'd left my Oyster card at home! There wasn't time to get it - so I said sod it, and set off on foot.
A cold night, but not as cold, I think, as previous ones. A long walk - especially when I got to Rosebery Avenue, and got optimistic about reaching my destination soon: I'd forgotten how long Rosebery Avenue is. Finally, I saw something bright red ahead - and sure enough, there it was. It was now 15 minutes to showtime, and the lobby was crammed - the Man with the Hat had told us where he'd be, to the right in the lobby, and there he was - but the crowd was so large that it did take me a little time to find him. Got my ticket and he shooed me upstairs.
Seems like every time I come here, I end up breathless from climbing stairs. Took a small break at the mezzanine, where they had show-specific decoration:
I was pleasantly surprised with my seat - second circle yes (where I usually am), but further forward than I usually am. Nice view.. I've always been further back, so really appreciated this.
Well, I've been a fan of Matthew Bourne since the very first production of his I saw, Sleeping Beauty. So I knew this was going to be good. As stated by David Suchet, Matthew Bourne has redefined ballet. Not a hope of not understanding this, as with so much modern dance - he has a real appreciation of his audience, and in this adaptation of the popular film, he is deliberately cinematic - in the staging as well as the score. This story of the girl who wanted to do nothing so much as dance is told with passion and style, and moves from comic scenes to dreamlike ones as the audience watches, enthralled. An interesting sequence has the audience clapping enthusiastically along as the soundtrack of a clapping audience is also played. In common with the frequent switching, on stage, from the front of house view to the backstage view, it makes for an immersive experience.
Gorgeous dancing, an evocative score. We were suitably blown away. And I'm not at all surprised that it had sold out for its entire run by the time the Man with the Hat let us in on the secret that he had tickets. Runs until the 29th, and if you can get a ticket at all, jump at the chance!
Afterwards, when we'd managed to collect everyone from the milling crowds, we looked for a suitable pub. Funny, most group organisers I've met wait punctiliously for the green man when taking a group across the road - the Man with the Hat adopts the strategy of parting the traffic for us. Now, it takes a rare talent to make a BMW driver stop. Anyway, our journey came to an end at the Old Red Lion, where we took a couple of tables inside the door. An interesting venue, with bench seats you need to be careful not to sink into, decently priced drinks, and an inquisitive canine resident. We had a fine old time until we decamped back out into the cold, and I had that long walk home..
Tonight, I'm going to Cineworld with Mary. She won a couple of Cineworld vouchers in a raffle, you see, and has very kindly offered me one! The nearest to me are the cinemas in Leicester Square and Haymarket, and the best showing in them is La La Land, so that's what we're off to.
Tomorrow sees me at the Royal Society, for a talk on "Can our immune systems fight cancer?", a Meetup organised by the London European Club.
Wednesday, the Man with the Hat's other group, London for Less Than a Tenner, is back at Top Secret.
On Thursday, I'm back with the Crick Crack Club at last, at the Art House Crouch End. First meeting of the year, and finally today advertised on Meetup! I saw it on their flier for Crouch End, and booked ages ago. Anyway, the title is Rebranding Beelzebub, which is certainly enough to get me there! And I now live closer to it than I did the last time I was there.
Back to Ireland at the weekend, and next Monday, I'm back with Funzing UK for Eat Zagi - an immersive dining & theatre experience. I had some fun booking it, when the bank thought it was a fraud and kindly stopped my card, so I had to ring them at 2am.. in the meantime, I did find a discount code, so it wasn't all bad. Try "EnjoyFunzing5". Actually, why not try "EnjoyFunzing10"? That's a code too. Anyway, again, I'm closer to this venue in Finsbury Park than I was before..
Tuesday 31, I'm headed for Sex with Strangers at Hampstead Theatre. First Meetup of the year with London Dramatic Arts. Dunno, I think it was that she had seats at both levels of the theatre, so it would've been too hard to avoid them..
Wednesday 1, the Man with the Hat is starting the month again. Let's Do London - for less! is off to the Opera House for La Traviata.
Thursday 2, he's taking both groups to Cadogan Hall for a concert involving the works of Brahms and Elgar, among others.
Friday 3 promises to be unusual.. the Crick Crack Club is hosting a late-night storytelling event at the Wellcome Collection. Mustn't forget to book tickets for the actual storytelling - they go on sale on the 27th.
And finally, Saturday 4, I'm finally going to the much-advertised British Museum Tour - Ideas That Made our World. A Funzing event, as advertised by two of their Meetup groups - London Speaks Sessions and LDN Talks @ Night. So I booked with both..
Must have been quite a while ago that the Man with the Hat advertised Woolf Works, at the Opera House. I do notice that it's available as part of a triple deal.. and funnily enough, he has tickets to both other events in the deal as well. What the hey, it makes for a very good night out. Both London for Less than a Tenner and Let's Do London! for less were going - as usual, I booked the cheap seats in the slips, with London for Less Than a Tenner. Very much not the inferior option, as well as being cheaper, these seats are actually closer to the stage. Suits me just fine.
Well, it was a matinee, and I headed down to the office as soon as I was ready. It's on the way, and has free WiFi and food. No argument. Squeezed through the automatic doors - which aren't automatic at weekends - signed the book, and I was in. Discovered someone there actually doing work, who was surprised to see me. Did some internet stuff, killed some time, had some brunch, and left - still quite early. Ended up in Covent Garden Market, listening to the most fantastic busking opera singer. And finally went to stand in the freezing cold, at the meeting point outside the opera house. On the way, I ended up passing Souk! So here's one photo, at least -
I don't envy the Man with the Hat, who stays at the meeting point until everyone has their tickets - which can take a while. Not on a day like today, I certainly don't, with air that would freeze your face. Anyway, a whole heap of us arrived together, and - having got our pre-allocated tickets - schlepped off upstairs, leaving him to it. In plenty of time to get a drink, of course.
Woolf Works is a triptych of ballets, based on the works of Virginia Woolf. Many thanks to the person who researched her works last night - never occurred to me: occupational hazard of not being able to access the internet at will. Anyway, these ballets were based on Mrs. Dalloway, Orlando, and The Waves.
I think that most people in our group found the first piece, based on Mrs. Dalloway, the most accessible, having an apparently comprehensible storyline. The second piece, in contrast, was pretty abstract, with a dramatic light show. The third was calmer - again, more accessible, with waves crashing in slow motion on a screen behind - but over the three pieces, the common thread was the most beautiful, soothing score. Not always easy to understand, all the same these pieces were beautiful to watch, beautiful to listen to. Runs until the 14th, recommended.
Afterwards, we were off to the Sun again, same tables booked by the windows upstairs. They hadn't been vacated yet, despite the notes that had been placed on the tables to say they were booked from 4:30. Never mind - what followed was possibly the greatest movement of people since the partition of India and Pakistan. A great horde of people moved out, to be replaced by a great horde of us. Ah, the Power of the Hat, eh? So, he saw us settled, and then off he fecked. We hung on for a couple of hours - pity the only food available was crisps: nothing wrong with them, but I've had better here. And now, having fed myself from the office, I'm off home..
Tomorrow, the ever-busy Man with the Hat is headed (with Let's Do London - for less!) to a dance production - at Sadler's Wells, unusually for him. The Red Shoes, choreographed by Matthew Bourne, is completely sold out for its whole run. Our Man with the Hat has tickets, though.. but he held them back (under his hat, as you might say), with sales starting at 11am on New Year's Day. They sold out in 15 minutes - I checked. That's the speed of U2's ticket sales.. of course, being a seasoned purchaser of U2 tickets, I managed to get one. All he needs now are a stetson and some glasses.. (Mind you, I think U2 broke records this year for speed of selling out. U2 are touring, you see, and I have tickets. Purchasing still in progress. Watch this space..)
On Monday, I've provisionally agreed to go to Cineworld with Mary. She won a couple of Cineworld vouchers in a raffle, you see, and has very kindly offered me one! The nearest to me are the cinemas in Leicester Square and Haymarket, and the best showing in them is La La Land, so that's the rough plan, as it stands.
Tuesday sees me at the Royal Society, for a talk on "Can our immune systems fight cancer?", a Meetup organised by the London European Club.
Wednesday, London for Less Than a Tenner is back at Top Secret.
On Thursday, I'm back with the Crick Crack Club at last, at the Art House Crouch End. First meeting of the year, and not actually advertised on Meetup! I saw it on their flier for Crouch End, and booked. Anyway, the title is Rebranding Beelzebub, which is certainly enough to get me there! And I now live closer to it than I did the last time I was there.
Back to Ireland next weekend, and on Monday 30, I'm back with Funzing UK for Eat Zagi - an immersive dining & theatre experience. I had some fun booking it, when the bank thought it was a fraud and kindly stopped my card, so I had to ring them at 2am.. in the meantime, I did find a discount code, so it wasn't all bad. Try "EnjoyFunzing5". Actually, why not try "EnjoyFunzing10"? That's a code too. Anyway, again, I'm closer to this venue in Finsbury Park than I was before..
Tuesday 31, I'm headed for Sex with Strangers at Hampstead Theatre. First Meetup of the year with London Dramatic Arts. Dunno, I think it was that she had seats at both levels of the theatre, so it would've been too hard to avoid them..
Wednesday 1, the Man with the Hat is starting the month again. Let's Do London - for less! is off to the Opera House for La Traviata.
Thursday 2, he's taking both groups to Cadogan Hall for a concert involving the works of Brahms and Elgar, among others.
Friday 3 promises to be unusual.. the Crick Crack Club is hosting a late-night storytelling event at the Wellcome Collection. Mustn't forget to book tickets for the actual storytelling - they go on sale on the 27th.
And finally, Saturday 4, I'm finally going to the much-advertised British Museum Tour - Ideas That Made our World. A Funzing event, as advertised by two of their Meetup groups - London Speaks Sessions and LDN Talks @ Night. So I booked with both..
So - the first event of the day was lunch, when I accompanied some colleagues. They had this idea of going to a local Moroccan place - couldn't remember the name, but one guy remembered where it was. And, in a glorious example of how good a location this office has, it was only a hop skip and jump away.
The name was Souk.. not really that hard to remember, I'd have thought. And my, how I regretted not bringing my phone, to take pictures! Talk about that exotic experience - it was like walking into an opium den, the entranceway lined with upholstered benches and tables with hookah pipes. The ceiling was decorated with ornate, Moroccan-style lamps. And as we entered the main eating area, it became apparent that it was decorated in the classic Arabic style, with a mock central courtyard, overlooked by a balcony area with more seating. Lamps on the tables had fake candles inside, but looked like the real deal.
One of our number recommended the soup, and that's what most of us had to start, from the good-value set menu. To follow, I had the chicken and lamb shwarma, with couscous.. and wow, would I have that again! I've rarely had chicken so tender. As someone remarked, great value and filling food - and a pretty authentic Moroccan experience. During the meal, they lit some joss sticks near us. Terrific - it was like being on the set of Casablanca. Someone else ordered Arabic coffee to finish, saying they made really good coffee. I wouldn't know - I don't drink it - but oh, I bet they do..
And so the hours rolled by till it was time to leave for my show - at the Criterion Theatre, just 10 minutes' walk down the road from the office (so I left from there). Ah, the time rolled around at last. It's over a month ago that I booked a ticket for The Comedy About a Bank Robbery - by the same people responsible for The Play That Goes Wrong, which is hilarious, so I was looking forward to it. With the show starting at 7:30, I left the office at 7 - and boy, was it freezing! We're experiencing a real cold snap, and I was glad not to be out longer.
It wasn't long before showtime that I arrived, and the doorway was crowded with two queues - happily, I accidentally chose the right one, for the box office. There was someone there to tell us, but he was busy. Anyway, when I got to the counter, I told him my name, he got my ticket and asked for my card - now, that card has been replaced since I booked it, as I explained: but he just got me to sign as well. A quick bag check, ticket scanned, and down I went - all levels seem to be below ground here. And as someone behind me on the stairs remarked, I wonder what it was before. Well, a quick check of the website reveals that it was always a theatre, apart from a stint as a subterranean radio station during the Second World War. Despite the fact that the tiling on the stairs reminded me of a Tube station!
With a terrible queue at the bar, and not much time to go, I went straight to my seat - at the edge of a row, it had been advertised as restricted view, and indeed, a very small part of the action was cut off. Not detrimental to my enjoyment.
Right, well, I guess this is what you'd call a screwball comedy. The jokes start off - and continue throughout - so cheesy that you have to laugh at them. Or groan. Anyway, through the whole thing, they're so persistent hat you have to love it. In the second half, I have to say, my favourite scene is where they flip the law of gravity.. watch for that scene where they're crawling through the air vent above an office. Really, it's a classic. Finally, I have to conclude, although it's not quite as good as The Play That Went Wrong, it is kind of hilarious. Stick with it. Runs until 29 October, best value tickets from the theatre.
And I came back to the office to write this! (and avail of the free alcohol in the fridge, I'm no martyr). Anyway, tomorrow, I'm out with the Man with the Hat again, after an unusually long break - this time, it's Woolf Works, a Wayne McGregor triptych, inspired by the works of Virginia Woolf and showing at the Royal Opera House. Both his groups are going: London for Less Than a Tenner, and Let's Do London - for less! As usual, I have a cheap seat.
On Sunday, the ever-busy Man with the Hat is headed (with Let's Do London - for less!) to a dance production - at Sadler's Wells, unusually for him. The Red Shoes, choreographed by Matthew Bourne, is completely sold out for its whole run. Our Man with the Hat has tickets, though.. but he held them back (under his hat, as you might say), with sales starting at 11am on New Year's Day. They sold out in 15 minutes - I checked. That's the speed of U2's ticket sales.. of course, being a seasoned purchaser of U2 tickets, I managed to get one. All he needs now are a stetson and some glasses.. (Mind you, I think U2 broke records this year for speed of selling out. U2 are touring, you see, and I have tickets. Purchasing still in progress. Watch this space..)
On Monday, I've provisionally agreed to go to Cineworld with Mary. She won a couple of Cineworld vouchers in a raffle, you see, and has very kindly offered me one! The nearest to me are the cinemas in Leicester Square and Haymarket, and the best showing in them is La La Land, so that's the rough plan, as it stands.
Tuesday sees me at the Royal Society, for a talk on "Can our immune systems fight cancer?", a Meetup organised by the London European Club.
Wednesday, London for Less Than a Tenner is back at Top Secret.
On Thursday, I'm back with the Crick Crack Club at last, at the Art House Crouch End. First meeting of the year, and not actually advertised on Meetup! I saw it on their flier for Crouch End, and booked. Anyway, the title is Rebranding Beelzebub, which is certainly enough to get me there! And I now live closer to it than I did the last time I was there.
Back to Ireland next weekend, and on Monday 30, I'm back with Funzing UK for Eat Zagi - an immersive dining & theatre experience. I had some fun booking it, when the bank thought it was a fraud and kindly stopped my card, so I had to ring them at 2am.. in the meantime, I did find a discount code, so it wasn't all bad. Try "EnjoyFunzing5". Actually, why not try "EnjoyFunzing10"? That's a code too. Anyway, again, I'm closer to this venue in Finsbury Park than I was before..
Tuesday 31, I'm headed for Sex with Strangers at Hampstead Theatre. First Meetup of the year with London Dramatic Arts. Dunno, I think it was that she had seats at both levels of the theatre, so it would've been too hard to avoid them..
Wednesday 1, the Man with the Hat is starting the month again. Let's Do London - for less! is off to the Opera House for La Traviata.
Thursday 2, he's taking both groups to Cadogan Hall for a concert involving the works of Brahms and Elgar, among others.
Friday 3 promises to be unusual.. the Crick Crack Club is hosting a late-night storytelling event at the Wellcome Collection. Mustn't forget to book tickets for the actual storytelling - they go on sale on the 27th.
And finally, Saturday 4, I'm finally going to the much-advertised British Museum Tour - Ideas That Made our World. A Funzing event, as advertised by two of their Meetup groups - London Speaks Sessions and LDN Talks @ Night. So I booked with both..
Wow, it's ages since I've been to the free comedy in Hammersmith. Well, I finally made it last night. Another place not in walking distance- less trouble travelling this evening though, I took the bus!
Made the stop at a perfect time- the handy indicator board said a bus was due in 2 minutes. And there it was. Great to be taking the bus again too - I do enjoy it. Handily- with me having gone over the data allowance on my phone, so it now charges me exorbitantly - flight mode still allows GPS to find me on the maps app, so I could happily turn off internet access until I got back in the domain of free WiFi.
Which they have in Hammersmith Grove. Gosh, every time I've been here before - well, since the start - I've driven! Felt weird not to be. Anyway, in I went - the place hasn't changed much, although I don't remember them having a fence before. Ordered a drink and made my way upstairs - the different Meetup groups I'd signed up with, Free Comedy Nights in Hammersmith Wimbledon and Farringdon, and London Live Comedy, had advertised the event as starting at 7, but I knew perfectly well it doesn't start till 8 or so, although they like to get people seated by 7:30.
I walked in, and there was the group organiser - Marvin - in a very fetching hat. Suits him, he should wear it more often. And he remembered me! And so did the MC, Sonia. Now, that's lovely, considering it's been a while since I was here. So, you know, I told them all about my new job and new accommodation.. I ended up sitting behind a group from Bristol: friendly folks who had three of their number performing. And so it was a genial atmosphere.
We started at about 7:50, with a middle-aged funny man called Paul.. unfortunately, I've forgotten his surname. Marvin did a turn, performing a "magic trick", and Jon Long performed a fast-paced set with a guitar. Star of the night for me though was Luke Oliver, the quick-talking Londoner with a cheeky grin. After the interval we had the Bristolians - as that was what we were told they were termed as - and a charmingly funny doctor called Benjie, whom I've seen before. And so we decamped into the cold, cold night, Marvin holding out that hat for donations at the door. And I could hardly refuse, after trumpeting my pay rise - could I?!
Well, what with being charged for data now, and no free WiFi at home, I'm holding off on going online from home until my allowance resets. So, no blogging last night - I actually got some more sleep than usual. Tonight, I'm finally headed to The Comedy About a Bank Robbery, at the Criterion Theatre. Same team that did The Play That Goes Wrong - which is excellent - so I'm looking forward to this. Best value tickets from the venue. And now that I have access to the guest WiFi at work, I'm perfectly happy to stay late at the office, which is closer..
Tomorrow, I'm out with the Man with the Hat again, after an unusually long break - this time, it's Woolf Works, a Wayne McGregor triptych, inspired by the works of Virginia Woolf and showing at the Royal Opera House. Both his groups are going: London for Less Than a Tenner, and Let's Do London - for less! As usual, I have a cheap seat.
On Sunday, the ever-busy Man with the Hat is headed (with Let's Do London - for less!) to a dance production - at Sadler's Wells, unusually for him. The Red Shoes, choreographed by Matthew Bourne, is completely sold out for its whole run. Our Man with the Hat has tickets, though.. but he held them back (under his hat, as you might say), with sales starting at 11am on New Year's Day. They sold out in 15 minutes - I checked. That's the speed of U2's ticket sales.. of course, being a seasoned purchaser of U2 tickets, I managed to get one. All he needs now are a stetson and some glasses.. (Mind you, I think U2 broke records this year for speed of selling out. U2 are touring, you see, and I have tickets. Purchasing still in progress. Watch this space..)
On Monday, I've provisionally agreed to go to Cineworld with Mary. She won a couple of Cineworld vouchers in a raffle, you see, and has very kindly offered me one! The nearest to me are the cinemas in Leicester Square and Haymarket, and the best showing in them is La La Land, so that's the rough plan, as it stands.
Tuesday sees me at the Royal Society, for a talk on "Can our immune systems fight cancer?", a Meetup organised by the London European Club.
Wednesday, London for Less Than a Tenner is back at Top Secret.
On Thursday, I'm back with the Crick Crack Club at last, at the Art House Crouch End. First meeting of the year, and not actually advertised on Meetup! I saw it on their flier for Crouch End, and booked. Anyway, the title is Rebranding Beelzebub, which is certainly enough to get me there! And I now live closer to it than I did the last time I was there.
Back to Ireland that weekend, and on Monday 30, I'm back with Funzing UK for Eat Zagi - an immersive dining & theatre experience. I had some fun booking it, when the bank thought it was a fraud and kindly stopped my card, so I had to ring them at 2am.. in the meantime, I did find a discount code, so it wasn't all bad. Try "EnjoyFunzing5". Actually, why not try "EnjoyFunzing10"? That's a code too. Anyway, again, I'm closer to this venue in Finsbury Park than I was before..
Tuesday 31, I'm headed for Sex with Strangers at Hampstead Theatre. First Meetup of the year with London Dramatic Arts. Dunno, I think it was that she had seats at both levels of the theatre, so it would've been too hard to avoid them..
Wednesday 1, the Man with the Hat is starting the month again. Let's Do London - for less! is off to the Opera House for La Traviata.
Thursday 2, he's taking both groups to Cadogan Hall for a concert involving the works of Brahms and Elgar, among others.
Friday 3 promises to be unusual.. the Crick Crack Club is hosting a late-night storytelling event at the Wellcome Collection. Mustn't forget to book tickets for the actual storytelling - they go on sale on the 27th.
And finally, Saturday 4, I'm finally going to the much-advertised British Museum Tour - Ideas That Made our World. A Funzing event, as advertised by two of their Meetup groups - London Speaks Sessions and LDN Talks @ Night. So I booked with both..
