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Thursday, 27 October 2022

Comedians Telling Spooky Stories

I hadn't anything booked for tonight - was thinking film - and then Ticket Text (one of hundreds of ticket organisations I seem to have signed up for) sent me an advertising email. So, tonight the comedy venue, 21Soho, held an event of Comedians Telling Spooky Stories. Which sounded the business, for the week that's in it. So I booked. Hallowe'en fancy dress, they said - well, wasn't too pushed about that.

There aren't many decent places to eat around there - but I saw it was within walking distance, and I saw the route took me past Gourmet Burger Kitchen. So I popped in there, en route - and wouldn't you know it, they not only had WiFi of their own (which worked, for a change), but I picked up the Brunswick Centre's WiFi! Mind you, I was sat at the front of the place. Anyway, it was really busy - I got a table all right, but by the time I was finished, people were having to queue. I have to say though, despite the crowd, this was the best service I've had - anywhere - in an age! You kind of forget what good service looks like..

I had my usual - the classic chicken burger, with panko (breadcrumbed) chicken. And chunky fries. I asked for onion rings, but would you believe it, they were out of them! Never mind.. apart from my chicken being too large for the bun, so I had to eat the extra bits separately, it was only gorgeous. Truly. Excellent chips, too. V glad I dropped by - I skipped dessert though, after my last experience. Did have time for a second glass of wine!

And so I schlepped down to 21Soho - my first time there, as it happens. On the same street as the new @SohoPlace Theatre! Went to show the bouncer my ticket - I opened the QR code, he wasn't much bothered and waved me in. Drinks are expensive.. just as well I had that second one at GBK. Got a seat near the back - it was under half full.

I was glad I hadn't bothered with fancy dress - hardly anyone else did either, although I think someone in the front row had. And the MC, who wore Maleficent horns, which she described as very hot and uncomfortable. Yes, even those of us not wearing latex were hot and uncomfortable by the end..

Yeah, the acts weren't the spookiest, as you might expect. Each was supposed to come armed with a spooky story - the MC's was probably the best-written. One guy told a story, apparently from real life, which I actually thought was the best of the lot. But of course, they were still trying to be funny, rather than spooky - he was the only one who pulled it off. During the last act, the noise from the bar was so intrusive that an audience member had to go and ask them to keep it down! So, not a good venue, by any means. Not a great show, either - I won't be hurrying back, and was delighted when it ended.

Tomorrow, I kept free for an all-night drinking session with Ivan. However, predictably, he cancelled - probably still recovering from his bout of Covid. I've only met him once so far this year - hope I get to see him again before the end of it! What annoys me, though, is how I always have to chase people to let me know when they have to cancel - he's not the only one, but he wouldn't have thought to tell me if I hadn't asked. Honestly, how is a person supposed to plan? Anyway, instead, I booked with TAC for By the Light of the Moon at the Old Red Lion. Part of their Grimfest Festival.

So I should find it easier to get up on Saturday - I'm on another walk with Laurence Summers and the 45+ Not Grumpy Old Londoners! This one is the Edgy London Walking Tour, and is one of his new ones.

And yes, I have something to do that evening! (This month is far too busy.) I'm back with the Crick Crack Club (CCC), for the Game of Candles - their Hallowe'en offering, where they extinguish a candle for every spooky story told. Tim Ralphs and Sarah-Liisa Wilkinson - in King's Place, lovely! I can walk home..

On Sunday, I dug out something interesting on Meetup, from a new group to me - London Social & Cultural Meetups is headed to evensong at the church of St. Bartholomew the Great. Gorgeous church, sounds great - unfortunately, their event is full, but I can head along on my own.

Ahh.. and then, 'tis Hallowe'en.. yes, of course I have something for that. Do you remember me mentioning I was going to five Darkfield events this month? Eagle-eyed readers will have noticed I've reviewed four.. which leaves one. For Hallowe'en - the only one they're running that night. Séance, appropriately, which, it seems, was their first ever show - I do have to go all the way up to Watford for it, but it should be worth it. I've booked the first showing of the evening, which is at 7.

Deliberately booked early, to try and squeeze something else in. Now, that only lasts 20 minutes - and it seems I can get down to Leicester Square within an hour. Which gives me time to get to Prey for the Devil, showing at Cineworld Leicester Square at 9pm. Another exorcism story, this one unusually seems to have the exorcism performed by a nun! (Very egalitarian.) She gets around the Church's rules about women not doing such a thing by claiming that the same demon that possessed her own mother is now inhabiting a patient at the facility where she works. So this nun is probably a target. Well, it's probably not high art, but it should do the trick..

On Tuesday, the horror continues - I've booked with TAC again for The Drought, a short horror play at Grimfest at the Old Red Lion again.

On Wednesday, back with the CCC for their annual Day of the Dead event - this one is at Rich Mix. Stars Daniel Morden, Clare Murphy, Lucy Lill, and TUUP - and all but Clare Murphy, I haven't seen in an age! In fact, I've never heard of Lucy Lill before..

Next Thursday, I was back with Up in the Cheap Seats - for Noor, at Southwark Playhouse. The true story of a WWII spy - and bought, as usual, on my PAYG subscription - which gives you cheap tickets to five shows, and never expires. Suggestion of eating beforehand at Mercato Metropolitano. But wouldn't you know it, that night's performance was cancelled.. Instead, I'm off to a talk at Watkin's Bookshop (which also has a Meetup presence!). Theme is The First Ghosts, by Irving Finkel - ghost stories have been around for a long time..! He's written a book about the first evidence of tales of the supernatural.. Then I'm back to Ireland for the weekend.

On the 7th, with nothing on Meetup, I'm currently thinking of heading to see the Carnaby Street Christmas lights, which will be up by then.

On the 8th, headed to see John Gabriel Borkman, by Ibsen, at the Bridge Theatre.

On the 9th - originally, nothing better coming up than Soho Comedy Factory, upstairs at The Blue Posts. Now, instead, I've changed my booking for Noor to this night. Sadly, not with the group, who rearranged for a night I can't go.

On the 10th, back - at last! - with London Classical Music and Theatre Group (LCMTG), for Alcina at the Royal Opera House. More Handel..

On the 11th, I was heading to The Horror Show at Somerset House - a horror-based art exhibition - with The Horror Book Club. But then Civilised London popped up with another meal - so I booked that, and we were headed to Champor Champor, a Thai / Malay restaurant. Meeting beforehand at The Rose, nearby. Until he decided, today, to cancel it! I supposed he hadn't wanted to do it with only two of us, since I was - unusually - the only one to sign up. But to my further surprise - he kicked me out of the group later tonight! Jeez, I suppose he's had enough of me. Killer is, he was such a good reference for good eateries - and the group is private, so without being a member, I won't be able to see where he's going. Ah well, TBH, I was beginning to feel out of place with the people who were attending the meals.. which was pretty much all I was doing with the group, lately. Meantime, I'm back at The Horror Show - at least the ticket won't go to waste!

On the 12th, planning another meal with the people that are harder to herd than cats! As of now, of the four people I've invited, one is a pretty certain "no" and two more are iffy, as they might have to be abroad. Jeez.. If it's just the same person that was the only one to make it last time, I think we'll head somewhere different. For variety. On the other hand, Imad's Syrian Kitchen is right off Carnaby Street.. and the lights are probably going to be cool.. Of course, there is the small issue of the irregularity of the wine measures!

On the 13th, back with the CCC at the British Museum, where Daniel Morden and Hugh Lupton are performing The Iliad.

And on the 14th, not having been with LCMTG for ages, I'm with them for the second time in a week! Heading to Wigmore Hall this time, for the Takács Quartet, who are playing Beethoven. Now sold out - and I'm not surprised, given that when I booked, I got one of the last three (top price) seats! Ah well, it wasn't astronomical - and I do love Beethoven.

Play: Mary

Back to London at last - and another on-time Ryanair flight! Wow, the luxury of travelling midweek.. pity that the plane was filthy, but what can you do? Anyway, yesterday, I booked with Up in the Cheap Seats (UITCS) - for Mary, at Hampstead Theatre. 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. Just yesterday, I got a mysterious email from the theatre - they sent it before informing me that I had an upgrade, so I had to guess that's what it was about! Anyway, I was now in a very good seat - lovely.

Up that direction, I know Ye Olde Swiss Cottage is a decent place to eat - so I headed there beforehand. And although the bus was diverted again, it seemed a lot quicker than last time.. Perhaps this is a better route to choose. Anyway, one of the entrances to the pub was closed, confusingly - but I made my way in. Unusually busy - I couldn't get my usual table, but headed for the slightly dim area past the room you enter by. Ordered at the bar. I fancied pie. Nope, I was told, no pie. And the girl from the side - they both sounded American - chimed in, saying I couldn't have the half chicken either. Or the (beef) burger. Ehh.. good job I'd brought the menu with me to check. I don't normally have fish and chips, but I had last night. Oh, and I'd forgotten they don't do sauvignon blanc - I had chenin blanc instead, while one server remarked to the other that they really need a better selection of white wines!

It was lovely, as before. And my food arrived in no time, impressively - I'd asked for it without the mushy peas, and so it came. Accompanied by a slice of lemon, and ramekins of tartare sauce and ketchup. All on a sheet of newspaper, on the plate. And it was delish! The chips weren't spectacular, but that's a minor quibble - I was very well fed. A little boy at the table opposite - who also sounded American - remarked, as they were leaving, that fish n chips seems to be the national dish! Arguably, yes. Mind you, while I was eating, someone went to the bar from another table - they'd apparently been waiting ages for their food, including fish n chips.. I have to wonder whether I got theirs! Kitchen obviously forgot. Anyway, I finished, and had another glass of wine - which is cheaper than at the theatre, although the theatre isn't as expensive as I remember..

And then I moseyed over, spotted the group (quite large, this time) and joined them. A lot of us had upgrades.. and in due course, we made our way in.

By the simple trick of moving that wall back, they allow us to experience action in two apparently separate rooms - the second much larger than the first. And apart from chairs - and a desk, in the larger room - there isn't any other furniture. Well, in those days, furniture was a luxury! which is why, when you visit older palaces, it tends to be in short supply. Plebs in those days tended to stand..

Now, this 90-minute (no interval) play concerns Lord Melville, who was around the court at the time of Mary's downfall. Her husband, Lord Darnley, has just been murdered, and to everyone's shock and horror, she's married the man suspected of the murder, Lord Bothwell! However, we only get three characters - Lord Melville, and a couple violently opposed to the Catholic Mary, being on the Protestant side themselves, and determined to depose her. In the first scene, Lord Melville has the upper hand, defending her against people obviously ready to believe the worst. However, in the second scene, he's the one in trouble - being forced to sign the document calling for her abdication.

It's a fabulously powerful piece, firing facts at us about this most obscure episode in history. It's generally accepted that Darnley was murdered, but whether Mary was complicit, and in love with Bothwell, conspiring to murder her husband and marry him, as her enemies claimed - or whether he took matters into his own hands (he was an adventurer, after all) and murdered Darnley, then abducted and raped Mary, forcing her into marriage - is a matter of speculation. This play goes one further, claiming that she was also abused at the hands of her captors once she was imprisoned. Makes for an uncomfortable experience as an audience member.

The play's structure is terrific though, with three strong characters bandying ideas and switching sides, just as the audience does. As opinions shift, so do the power players - makes you realise how little we really know about what goes on behind the major events of world history. We see the consequences - but so much is kept hidden, today as it always was.

The one thing I could really have done without was the rushing of the stage, right at the end, by the #MeToo movement - gangs of women yelling and gesticulating. Isn't anything to do with history - this plays to modern sensibilities, and given the obvious bias that it indicates towards a certain version of the events, it does call into question whether what's described ever even happened. Just silly, frankly - and how they all got to take a bow with the three actors who actually deserved applause is beyond me. Apart from this, it's a terrific play - runs till the 26th, definitely recommended. Just maybe leave when the crowds of women in black file into the seats on either side of the stage..

It ran too late last night for me to blog - felt I should make an effort to turn on the computer reasonably early for work! I hadn't anything booked for tonight - was thinking film - and then Ticket Text (one of hundreds of ticket organisations I seem to have signed up for) sent me an advertising email. So, it seems tonight the comedy venue, 21Soho, is holding an event of Comedians Telling Spooky Stories. Which sounds the business, for the week that's in it. So I booked. Hallowe'en fancy dress, apparently - well, not too pushed about that.

On Tuesday, the horror continues - I've booked with TAC again for The Drought, a short horror play at Grimfest at the Old Red Lion again.

Next Thursday, I was back with UITCS - for Noor, at Southwark Playhouse. The true story of a WWII spy - and bought, as usual, on my PAYG subscription - which gives you cheap tickets to five shows, and never expires. Suggestion of eating beforehand at Mercato Metropolitano. But wouldn't you know it, that night's performance was cancelled.. Instead, I'm off to a talk at Watkin's Bookshop (which also has a Meetup presence!). Theme is The First Ghosts, by Irving Finkel - ghost stories have been around for a long time..! He's written a book about the first evidence of tales of the supernatural.. Then I'm back to Ireland for the weekend.

On the 7th, with nothing on Meetup, I'm currently thinking of heading to see the Carnaby Street Christmas lights, which will be up by then.

On the 8th, headed to see John Gabriel Borkman, by Ibsen, at the Bridge Theatre.

On the 10th, back - at last! - with London Classical Music and Theatre Group (LCMTG), for Alcina at the Royal Opera House. More Handel..

On the 13th, back with the CCC at the British Museum, where Daniel Morden and Hugh Lupton are performing The Iliad.

Sunday, 23 October 2022

Film: The Banshees of Inisherin

Back in Ireland again, courtesy of Ryanair: who finally managed to get the flight out on time - by boarding priority and non-priority passengers together. Well jeez, if it works..! Pity there was little aircon, and the flight was stifling - but you can't have everything.

Film for yesterday looked like The Banshees of Inisherin! Another written and directed by Martin McDonagh, starring Brendan Gleeson and Colin Farrell as lifelong friends who live together on a remote island off the West coast of Ireland: except Brendan is finally sick of Colin. Also starring both Jon Kenny and Pat Shortt (as the publican) (both past constituent members of d' Unbelievables), as well as Barry Keoghan. Showing in Ennis.

Well, my mother warned me of a big match in Cusack Park - near which I'd be parking. Duly warned, I headed out early.. despite this, and despite driving around and around for half an hour, I could get parking nowhere. Streams of cars doing the same thing - I finally gave up on the film entirely (just as well I hadn't booked) and said, well, I might as well derive some use from my day - I headed to Limerick. Got my shopping there, although I didn't get to the cinema. Cheaper petrol in Limerick, too.

For today - would you believe it, she warned me of another match in Cusack Park! So I gave up on Ennis entirely and headed straight to the Omniplex - booked my ticket, as it was already over half full (they're showing this film in two screens, and my screening was in the smallest of the whole cinema). Despite heavy traffic in the city - and avoiding O' Connell Street as usual because of horrendous, never-ending roadworks - I managed to get there, and get settled, just in time..

Wow. Well, my first impression was - this is a real recreation of life in old Ireland. It's set in 1923, on a remote island off the West Coast - people live in little cottages. And the feeling is pretty authentic, from what I can tell - I've never lived in one, but have been in them, and the light from the little windows is right, the construction seems right - Colin Farrell's character brings farm animals into the house, old women wander around in black shawls, the pub looks authentic. Far as I can tell, this is Ireland in 1923 - in a remote community.

He's not set it in that year accidentally - the Civil War was raging. A direct result of the treaty that gave Ireland independence, the war was fought between the pro-treaty faction (who believed Ireland could expect no better - the Free Staters) and the anti-treaty faction (who thought the others had sold out). It's glimpsed in this film - we can see the odd explosion on the mainland, the locals sometimes discuss it. As one says, he hardly knows which side is winning - it was all easier when they were just all killing the English (in the War of Independence, which had finished a couple of years before).

Meantime, on the island, these two old friends are at loggerheads. You might see it as an allegory of the Civil War, a disagreement blown out of proportion, neither side willing to back down - a conflict that tears the whole community apart. And it does become quite gruesome - it's not a secret, having been revealed in the trailer, that Brendan threatens to cut off one of his fingers with a pair of shears he has, if Colin says another word to him! Other grievances come to light too. It's no wonder that Colin's sister never has a good word to say about the place, which she finds insular and mean-spirited.

Oh, and yes, it is a comedy! A very, very black comedy. The animals have as much star quality as the humans - and do look out for the small moments of levity. Like the benighted publican, trying to keep things normal. Or the idiocy of Colin's character. Or the sheer surreal nature of the whole thing! McDonagh's parents were from the West of Ireland, apparently - and I think he's got it down pat.

The scenery is stunning - and it was filmed during the blistering summer that Ireland got last year, during lockdown! (They managed one day of rain, which might be artificial.) It was, indeed, filmed on a couple of West coast islands - I can see tourism to the West coast soaring. The little cottages are as claustrophobic as the society of the island on which they're built. Lovers of traditional Irish music, rejoice - Brendan Gleeson's character is a musician, and there's trad aplenty - the title of the film comes from a tune he composes.

The story ends up being quite shocking - and won't be for everyone. But it's beautifully shot, marvellously acted - apparently got a 15-minute standing ovation at the Venice Film Festival. Yes, this is making waves.

Tomorrow is my mother's birthday, so I'm staying in Ireland for that - I don't think I'll manage a film, what with the guy coming to fix the boiler (at an unspecified time) and me having to be here to meet him, and also having to be here in the evening. Next film up is Emily, but the earliest showing is 5.55pm. Anway, flying back on Tuesday. I've cleared it with work.

On Wednesday, I've booked with Up in the Cheap Seats (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.

I hadn't anything booked for Thursday - was thinking film - and then Ticket Text (one of hundreds of ticket organisations I seem to have signed up for) sent me an advertising email. So, it seems that night the comedy venue, 21Soho, is holding an event of Comedians Telling Spooky Stories. Which sounds the business, for the week that's in it. So I booked. Hallowe'en fancy dress, apparently - well, I'll have a think. I do have some duds that might do.. 😜

Friday, I've kept free for an all-night drinking session with Ivan. Man, I've missed these! In vino veritas, as they say, and these are wonderful chances to get stuff off your chest. He fancied doing it earlier, but I didn't want to have to take time off work - this was the first overnighter I could fit in. And with him taking ill, it seems it was just as well! I hope he can make this one.

Which should make Saturday interesting - I'm on another walk with Laurence Summers and the 45+ Not Grumpy Old Londoners! Might not actually get to bed in between.. this one is the Edgy London Walking Tour, and is one of his new ones.

Next Sunday, I dug out something interesting on Meetup, from a new group to me - London Social & Cultural Meetups is headed to evensong at the church of St. Bartholomew the Great. Gorgeous church, sounds great - unfortunately, their event is full, but I can head along on my own.

On the 1st, the horror continues - I've booked with TAC for The Drought, a short horror play at The Old Red Lion. Part of their Grimfest Festival!

On the 2nd, back with the CCC for their annual Day of the Dead event - this one is at Rich Mix. Stars Daniel Morden, Clare Murphy, Lucy Lill, and TUUP - and all but Clare Murphy, I haven't seen in an age! In fact, I've never heard of Lucy Lill before..

On the 3rd, back with UITCS - for Noor, at Southwark Playhouse. The true story of a WWII spy - and bought, as usual, on my PAYG subscription - which gives you cheap tickets to five shows, and never expires. Suggestion of eating beforehand at Mercato Metropolitano. Then back to Ireland again, for the weekend.

On the 7th, with nothing on Meetup, I'm currently thinking of heading to see the Carnaby Street Christmas lights, which will be up by then.

On the 8th, headed to see John Gabriel Borkman, by Ibsen, at the Bridge Theatre.

On the 9th - oh dear, nothing better coming up than Soho Comedy Factory, upstairs at The Blue Posts. Well, watch this space - and remember, no tickets actually required!

On the 10th, back - at last! - with London Classical Music and Theatre Group (LCMTG), for Alcina at the Royal Opera House. More Handel..

On the 11th, heading to The Horror Show at Somerset House - a horror-based art exhibition - with The Horror Book Club.

On the 13th, back with the CCC at the British Museum, where Daniel Morden and Hugh Lupton are performing The Iliad.

Friday, 21 October 2022

Restaurant: Le Sacré Coeur

Last night, back with Civilised London for dinner at Le Sacré Coeur. Always good. It had lashed rain earlier - and was still raining a bit when I was getting ready to go out. So I decided that, if it was raining when I left, I'd get a bus - it's far enough, and something of a trek, that I didn't fancy doing it in the rain. As it happened though, it had stopped completely by that time - so I walked. Remembered most of the route, I've trodden it so often!

As usual, we were meeting beforehand at The Crown - also a good place to eat in itself, friendly staff, good food, good wine. I was the first of us there - had a trip to the loo first, but actually had to ask where it is! The doors were in darness, you see, and I'd never been to the loo here before. They're in a corner to the left of the kitchen, FYI. Then I got a drink - mind you, I think I had the house wine before; this time, I ordered sauvignon blanc specifically, and I'm not quite sure I liked it as much. But it was fine. The place was unexpectedly busy - most of the tables are reserved for dining, but a helpful staff member said we could use the end of one. After all, we'd be gone in an hour!

So, the others weren't far behind, and we sat and talked and drank before heading to the restaurant. Where we got the table at the back again - I'm almost always there! I had forgotten they had carafes of wine - lovely, perfect size for me for dinner. Chose the Chilean sauvignon blanc, and turned to the food. I remembered the mushroom starter being good, so decided on that - and I fancied steak. They have a choice of rib eye or lamb.. now, after my last time with rib eye, I'm never having that again! Lamb it was.

The mushrooms were fine - although I thought the sauce was more liquid, before. The steak was good.. but the sauce it was in was pure heaven! Oh lordy. I was exceedingly well fed. As someone else was having a drink after dinner, and I saw Muscat de Beaumes de Venise - always a favourite of mine - on the menu, I had a small glass of that, having finished my carafe. And yes, it was as good as I remembered.

Back to the pub for a nightcap - where a live singer was performing American Pie. Yes, all in all, a very good night! Roll on the next - I was too tired to blog last night, though.

Tonight, back to Ireland again. Film for tomorrow is looking like The Banshees of Inisherin! Another written and directed by Martin McDonagh, starring Brendan Gleeson and Colin Farrell as lifelong friends who live together on a remote island off the West coast of Ireland: except Brendan is finally sick of Colin. Also starring both Jon Kenny and Pat Shortt (past constituent members of d' Unbelievables), as well as Barry Keoghan, this is looking like comedy gold!

Monday is my mother's birthday, so I'm staying in Ireland for that - looking at films for Sunday, I think I can get away with seeing Emily - a film that imagines Emily Brontë as a rebellious lass. I'll be interested in this - Wuthering Heights has always been one of my favourites, and the trailer looks good. It's on a bit late, but I should be ok. Stars Adrian Dunbar as her father. Both films showing in Ennis.

I don't think I'll manage a film on Monday - if I can, all that's on in the afternoon is Halloween Ends. Looks like a real reprise of the original, with the "final" confrontation between Jamie Lee Curtis and her maniacal brother. Anway, flying back on Tuesday. I've already cleared it with work.

On Wednesday, I've booked with Up in the Cheap Seats 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.

Next Friday, I've kept free for an all-night drinking session with Ivan. Man, I've missed these! In vino veritas, as they say, and these are wonderful chances to get stuff off your chest. He fancied doing it earlier, but I didn't want to have to take time off work - this was the first overnighter I could fit in. And with him taking ill, it seems it was just as well! I hope he can make this one.

Which should make the 29th interesting - I'm on another walk with Laurence Summers and the 45+ Not Grumpy Old Londoners! Might not actually get to bed in between.. this one is the Edgy London Walking Tour, and is one of his new ones.

And yes, I have something to do that evening! (This month is far too busy.) I'm back with the Crick Crack Club, for the Game of Candles - their Hallowe'en offering, where they extinguish a candle for every spooky story told. Tim Ralphs and Sarah-Liisa Wilkinson - in King's Place, lovely! I can walk (or stagger) home..

Wednesday, 19 October 2022

Concert: At Their Majesties' Pleasure

Tonight, was supposed to have drinks with Ivan. But now it turns out he has Covid, so that was off the menu. Instead, I headed to hear the London Handel Players perform At Their Majesties' Pleasure, a programme of Baroque dance music, at St. John's Smith Square. Courtesy of TAC.

Unable to think of anywhere decent to eat around there, I ate in O' Neill's again. Which, you see, is close to where I'd have to catch a bus. And I'm happy to report that the spell of Greene King's pies seems to have worn off - I found my dinner exceedingly yummy. Could have done without the exceedingly loud group of guys beside me, mind - but then, I frequently did, they nipped out for a smoke so often! and duly left me in peace to finish my dinner.

I took a couple of buses - had a cold wait in between - and arrived quite early. Somehow, the guy who gave me my ticket neglected to accompany it with a programme. Never mind, I headed to the cafe, and had a very nice glass of wine. I see I could actually have eaten here - they also do steak and ale pies. Must bear that in mind, next time! Terribly polite staff, too.

Wine drunk, I headed up the stone spiral staircase. Seating was unassigned.

A lovely programme, even if I didn't know exactly what was being played. But wow, I hadn't expected dancers! Baroque dancers, at that - and in costume. They were mentioned in the show description, but I hadn't read it carefully enough.

Ah, it was gorgeous - we started with 16th century music, including Purcell (I gleaned by a glance at someone's programme). And the dancers danced appropriately for the time, including the Courante, apparently Louis XIV's favourite! Also the minuet, which I've danced myself. Interesting to think that the French court had such a huge effect on Charles II of England - he lived there, in exile, for about 10 years, after all!

We were told how Baroque music lasted a very long time - Handel flourished under the reign of George II, nearly 100 years after Charles II! And lo, we got a more modern outfit from the dancing lady:

The concert finished with a Sarabande - considered rather licentious for its time, and banned by the Catholic Church in Spain, where it originated! Cue much laughter from the audience - crikey, I didn't find it surprising, knowing the Catholic Church as I do..

And before we were let leave, they dragged (most of) the audience up in a chain dance! Great night, and not at all what I expected. I was sorry not to meet Ivan - but delighted not to miss this!

And on the way home, seeing my bus wasn't coming any time soon, I recalculated my directions and made my way home quicker, if in a more convoluted way..! Ah, the joys of the Hopper.

Tomorrow, back with Civilised London for dinner at Le Sacré Coeur. Always good.

On Friday, back to Ireland again. Film for Saturday is looking like The Banshees of Inisherin! Another written and directed by Martin McDonagh, starring Brendan Gleeson and Colin Farrell as lifelong friends who live together on a remote island off the West coast of Ireland: except Brendan is finally sick of Colin. Also starring both Jon Kenny and Pat Shortt (past constituent members of d' Unbelievables), as well as Barry Keoghan, this is looking like comedy gold!

Next Wednesday, I've booked with Up in the Cheap Seats 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.

I hadn't anything booked for the 27th - was thinking film - and then Ticket Text (one of hundreds of ticket organisations I seem to have signed up for) sent me an advertising email. So, it seems that night the comedy venue, 21Soho, is holding an event of Comedians Telling Spooky Stories. Which sounds the business, for the week that's in it. So I booked. Hallowe'en fancy dress, apparently - well, I'll have a think. I do have some duds that might do.. 😜

The 28th, I've kept free for an all-night drinking session with Ivan. Man, I've missed these! In vino veritas, as they say, and these are wonderful chances to get stuff off your chest. He fancied doing it earlier, but I didn't want to have to take time off work - this was the first overnighter I could fit in. And with him taking ill, it seems it was just as well! I hope he can make this one.

Tuesday, 18 October 2022

Play: Iphigenia in Splott

Tonight, I booked for Iphigenia in Splott, in the Lyric Hammersmith. Having had no really good eating experiences in Hammersmith, I headed back to O' Neills - for the first time in a week! And yes, the friendly waiter with the topknot recognised me, which was nice. I have to say - after a couple of days of Greene King pies, the O' Neill's chicken katsu curry didn't quite compare: but I still prefer the atmosphere here. Great to have the choice, so close to home!

It was always going to be Tube to get there, of course. Now, if you take the Circle, or Hammersmith and City, lines, it's a separate station - across the road, actually - from Hammersmith Broadway, where the Piccadilly Line station is. And if you take the Circle or Hammersmith and City - as I did - you come out right across from the theatre - just hang a right and you'll see it, across another road. So in I went - and was most impressed with the decor in the ground-floor cafe!

And so upstairs, and to the first-floor cafe - where, shock horror, they had no cake! Damnit, I'd been looking forward to that. I do see, however, that they've developed their food offering, now offering main meals up to 9pm, five days a week! Must check that out, in future. Meantime, I had a glass of sauvignon blanc - which, I must say, was sharper than I am used to. I was early enough to get a decent seat at a table for four. By 6.45 - 45 minutes before start time - the place was overflowing. I ended up sharing my table with two elderly ladies, one of whom explained that her daughter had urged her to see this, said it was amazing. She was unsure about how to pronounce it, though.. They were appalled to hear that they had to go upstairs again for the theatre, but relieved to be told there are lifts.

Me, I went up when I'd finished my wine:

That rear wall is composed of flourescent strips - some askew, doubtless a reflection of the squalid world in which our Iphigenia - "Iffy", as she calls herself - lives. Cardiff, she's from. And there are many who will not warm to her upon meeting her - loud-mouthed as she is, clad in trackies all day, sculling vodka and weed.

But oh, just you wait until she starts to tell her story. I have not seen a performance like this since Jodie Comer in Prima Facie. The blurb describes it as "shattering", and it is that - an amazing piece of writing, a stunning piece of acting, and a scathing indictment of modern Britain. By the end, having lived through her experience with her, I guarantee you will have changed your opinion of her diametrically. The standing ovation was well-deserved. Run and get a ticket - this is only on till Saturday!

Tomorrow, was supposed to have drinks with Ivan. But now it turns out he has Covid, so that's off the menu. Instead, I'm headed to hear the London Handel Players perform At Their Majesties' Pleasure, a programme of Baroque dance music, at St. John's Smith Square. Courtesy of TAC.

On Thursday, back with Civilised London for dinner at Le Sacré Coeur. Always good.

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.