Film: Rye Lane

This evening, I booked with The London Palestinian Rights Meetup Group for Taking Sides – A Conversation about Love, War, and Changing the World. Happening at Amnesty International UK. But you know, I thought I might just go to a film instead.. When the listings came out, top of the list was Rye Lane, a romcom set in South London. The trailer looked hilarious - this looked like much more fun than that talk, and since it was free, I had no problem in cancelling my attendance. Nearest place to me showing the film today was the Vue Islington (which, ironically, I passed yesterday evening) - which now has theatre-style pricing, with different seats at different prices. So I booked, to get a decent seat at the cheapest price possible..

No rain this evening - and it's a bit closer than the Almeida, so I had no excuse not to walk. Which meant I passed The Lucas Arms - so went in there to eat. I thought it'd be a disaster though - there was a crowd at the bar, and then the barman lost track of who was next. It was fully five minutes before I was served - and then, with a continuing crowd, no sign of him coming down with my cutlery. Which was fine, except that I had left it a bit tight.. I had a ticket for the early evening showing. Bless though, the kitchens here work speedily, and I had my dinner in no time - cutlery delivered at the same time. I gobbled it down a bit quicker than I'd have liked, and was glad of the excuse to walk it off!

At the cinema, where I arrived five minutes after the scheduled time, I figured I'd have time to grab some chocolate, which I fancied. The ads would still be showing. I picked up a bag of Maltesers, and queued. And queued and queued. A great, long queue, and only one person on the tills. As if they were listening to me, they belatedly opened another till. And another. It was still another five minutes before I got served, what with all those people wanting complicated foodstuffs that needed sauce pouring on them, or popcorn to be scooped from a machine..

Never mind, I still arrived in time for the trailers. Nice seat I had as well, at the front of the raised section, no-one in front of me - this was, mind you, as far back as I could get for the cheap price. I did notice that some cheap seats were still available - so, not everyone wants the cheapest price!

And so to the film. Well, it's as much a love letter to London as a romance between the two main characters. Mostly set in South London, it also has a brief foray to the centre, on a lovely sunny day. The South London bit is full of characters, OTT outfits, cool venues, lovingly portrayed as our characters weave their way through them on their business. Central London, when we see it, is about tourist boats and the lovely Thames-side vistas that I'm so familiar with.

The love story has its hilarious moments, as per the trailer - the main characters are adorable, and the chemistry between them really works. The writers and director - as well as the actors - are absolute stars at bringing out the comedy, which is perfectly timed. It's not quite a laugh-a-minute, but it is very funny, and very sweet. And I'm sure that was Colin Firth I saw, selling burritos.. Yep, I enjoyed it - go see for yourselves, if you get the chance.

Back with Up in the Cheap Seats (UITCS) for the next two days - tomorrow, it's for comedian Rosie Holt at the Leicester Square Theatre.

On Thursday, I'm at Further Than the Furthest Thing, at the Young Vic. Then back to Ireland for the weekend again. Might get to see Scream VI at last, if it's not gone already..? Full listings not out yet, but what is there isn't encouraging..

On Monday, I booked with the Happy Positive Group! For their weekly Monday trivia night! They seem to be completely online. But wow, looking at it lately, they seemed to have switched that week to the next day! Although, having cancelled my attendance, I then noticed that all Meetups were displaying in the wrong time zone, so were shown as starting five hours later than they actually were.. I complained, and they did fix it. Well, I probably wouldn't have gone anyway. The best Meetup left for that day is with the Shanty Singers Colliers Wood. This is another of those things I once booked and ended up cancelling, so I'll hold off on booking that till nearer the time. As is becoming usual.

Next Tuesday, I've booked for Phaedra, at the National.

On the 29th, I'm going with UITCS to Sadler's Wells - first time in an age - for Creature, by Akram Khan! I absolutely love his work. Handily enough, I used my latest Theatre Token for this - would have used it for Phaedra, but while neither theatre takes them online (you have to phone if you want to use a token), the National charges extra for phone bookings. So I used it for this instead.

On the 30th, back with the London European Club, at somewhere called the Ugly Duck, for Synchrony, a female 12-piece string ensemble. Tickets from Eventbrite. As hosted by Eleanor Salter Thorn again! So glad to see her hosting events in more central locations..

I was keeping the 31st free because Ivan is feeling thirsty again. :-) And for once, he seems to be sticking to the date, having booked us a table at The Lucas Arms (which, as he pointed out, has a smoker's area). We're hoping to have Martin - my other friendly ex-boss - join us, but he has more family commitments, which he's trying to juggle - we've told him to join us whenever. And this looks like turning into the first zapoi in a while - Ivan is talking about booking a studio, where we can drink overnight. Oy ve, watch this space.. So, not pushed about doing anything extra on the 1st.

And on the 2nd, 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..

Play: Women, Beware the Devil

Tonight, back with Up in the Cheap Seats (UITCS) for a play called Women, Beware the Devil, set in the year 1640 - showing in the Almeida.

Islington, where the theatre is, has many restaurants - so I said I'd eat up there. Saw Sichuan House, just around the corner, and said - gee, I don't eat much Chinese these days - so I decided to go there. Could have walked, but I was glad I got the bus - that uphill walk in persistent drizzle would have been miserable! Mind you, as it was pulling in, we were waiting for another to pull out - and for all it had a "low emissions" sticker on its rear, such emissions as it had sure were stinky!

In the restaurant, I sat facing the road - and it's interesting to note that I could see two restaurants across the road from me. And there was one next door. Yes, they are well served in Islington! (This is it - note the theatre-style booths for seating!)

Anyway - my (house) wine was a bit insipid, but the food was excellent. Once I picked all the chilli peppers from my forkfuls of kung po (yes, I use a fork - otherwise, my food would decorate the walls and ceiling). Good service too. At one point, a lady at a nearby table asked for salt, and was shocked to hear they didn't have any! So she complained tetchily to her companions about how "people have different tastes, you know". Yes, and I'm guessing she's more used to over-salted Chinese takeaways. Ah well..

At the theatre, I queued for a wine - again, I had the house white - from a barrel, this time!

Blast if it wasn't insipid again! Anyway, I located the others, near the back of the lobby - and gee, guess who showed up unexpectedly (hadn't booked with us, but had been in the area and came on a whim) but one of the organisers of the London Classical Music and Theatre Group! who hung out with us until it was time to go in. Nice to see him - and rare, just at the moment - his events keep clashing with others!

I was in Row B of the Stalls, as it happens - I always book in the Stalls here, so as to be able to take in a drink. Anyway. This pentacle was an encouraging start - I do love my witchcraft, and the 17th Century is just the period for it! The first - and, I think, longer - part of the play is a pretty straightforward witchy play, the poor stablemaid whose mother was a witch is accused of the same, but is taken into the great house because the noble lady who lives there has a plot of her own.. there's a witchfinder, there's blood sacrifice.. you know, a standard evening down the local stately home..

At the interval, I queued for another wine, and this time plumped for the most expensive - the chardonnay. Damned if it wasn't as insipid as the others! Is it me? Have I suddenly lost my sense of taste? Anyway, as I remarked to people, I'd read a review of this as being rather confusing. We couldn't see why, on the basis of what we'd seen so far..

It becomes clear in the second act why the reviewer was confused. So, we're ok with whom the witch is by now. In the second act, she seems to have sold her soul, so to be free to spout whatever she likes. Such as modernist, feminist, free-thinking, "live your best life", republican ideas - heavens, who knew that a stablegirl from 1640 (presumably lacking a formal education) could even imagine such notions? Maybe the Devil was instructing her.. So I'm guessing that this is the culmination of her demonic reincarnation. Heaven forbid that a woman should harbour notions of equality - or that a servant to a great house should have republican ideals. Well, the times were surely a-changing..

Whatever you might think about the switch in emphasis in the second act, this is undeniably beautifully staged. The Devil - an attractive demon, to be sure - appears in an assortment of different guises, almost always in the background somewhere. The set is made to look like a reception room in a stately home, with wood-panelled walls, leaded windows, and a chequered floor. A four-poster bed pops up and down through a trapdoor - rather like a periscope, as the review describes - whenever the action is required to take place in a bedroom. And for mealtimes, two halves of a table are pushed in, one from each side, to form one enormous dining table - decorated sumptuously, but slightly differently, each time, and really setting a scene of decadence.

I'm not too sure about her modernist makeover, but otherwise, this is an excellent watch. Runs till Saturday, if you're interested - and I do love the simple drama of the theatre's webpage for this play, which just has the witch turning her head to look at you..

I walked home. It wasn't raining as much, plus it's downhill!

Tomorrow, I booked with The London Palestinian Rights Meetup Group for Taking Sides – A Conversation about Love, War, and Changing the World. Happening at Amnesty International UK. But you know, I thought I might just go to a film instead.. When the listings came out, top of the list was Rye Lane, a romcom set in South London. The trailer looks hilarious - this looks like much more fun than that talk, and since it is free, I have no problem in cancelling my attendance. Nearest place to me showing the film that day is the Vue Islington (which, ironically, I passed this evening) - which now has theatre-style pricing, with different seats at different prices. So I booked, to get a decent seat at the cheapest price possible..

Back with UITCS for the next two days - on Wednesday, it's for comedian Rosie Holt at the Leicester Square Theatre.

On Thursday, I'm at Further Than the Furthest Thing, at the Young Vic. Then back to Ireland for the weekend again. Might get to see Scream VI at last, if it's not gone already..? Full listings not out yet, but what is there isn't encouraging..

Next Monday, I booked with the Happy Positive Group! For their weekly Monday trivia night! They seem to be completely online. But wow, looking at it lately, they seemed to have switched that week to the next day! Although, having cancelled my attendance, I then noticed that all Meetups were displaying in the wrong time zone, so were shown as starting five hours later than they actually were.. I complained, and they did fix it. Well, I probably wouldn't have gone anyway. The best Meetup left for that day is with the Shanty Singers Colliers Wood. This is another of those things I once booked and ended up cancelling, so I'll hold off on booking that till nearer the time. As is becoming usual.

On the 28th, I've booked for Phaedra, at the National.

On the 29th, I'm going with UITCS to Sadler's Wells - first time in an age - for Creature, by Akram Khan! I absolutely love his work. Handily enough, I used my latest Theatre Token for this - would have used it for Phaedra, but while neither theatre takes them online (you have to phone if you want to use a token), the National charges extra for phone bookings. So I used it for this instead.

On the 30th, back with the London European Club, at somewhere called the Ugly Duck, for Synchrony, a female 12-piece string ensemble. Tickets from Eventbrite. As hosted by Eleanor Salter Thorn again! So glad to see her hosting events in more central locations..

I was keeping the 31st free because Ivan is feeling thirsty again. :-) And for once, he seems to be sticking to the date, having booked us a table at The Lucas Arms (which, as he pointed out, has a smoker's area). We're hoping to have Martin - my other friendly ex-boss - join us, but he has more family commitments, which he's trying to juggle - we've told him to join us whenever. And this looks like turning into the first zapoi in a while - Ivan is talking about booking a studio, where we can drink overnight. Oy ve, watch this space.. So, not pushed about doing anything extra on the 1st.

And on the 2nd, 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..

Walk: Quirky London

Today, London Walks, Art & Culture Explorers went on a Quirky London walk. And so did I. Mercifully, it wasn't on till afternoon, so I kind of had time to catch up with myself!

I left in decent time, and arrived early enough to grab a hot chocolate at the Blues & Royals, a coffee stand beside Embankment Station, where we were to meet. Quite a queue, and as the guy served me, he remarked that they didn't know where the crowds were coming from! Much busier than normal, apparently. Well, there are worse complaints.. The hot chocolate wasn't the best I've had, BTW, but it was decent.

The guide happened along just as I was starting to drink it, and we chatted away while the others arrived. He's a friendly chap - albeit not one to hang out afterwards. But I have to hand it to him, he managed to pack a walk full, mostly, of things I didn't know! which is an accomplishment, given the number of guided walks I've been on.

We started on the Victoria Embankment, where there are a couple of interesting statues. First, I spotted a rather attractive one of Robbie Burns:

But what we were there to see was London's only statue of a camel! commemorating the camel corps, based in the Middle East during the First World War:

Off then to what used to be the watergate of York House, when the water came up that far - which I knew already. What I didn't know was that the last private owner, George Villiers, Duke of Buckingham, sold it to a property developer on condition that five streets be named after him. So - 1. George Street, 2. Villiers Street, 3. Duke Street, 4. Of Alley, 5. Buckingham Street!

Now, possibly the nicest discovery for me all day was the statue of Oscar Wilde, behind the church of St. Martin-in-the-Field, which I've been in so often. It's designed like a coffin, with his head poking out of one end, and a hand that grasps a cigarette - and the idea is that you can sit on the flat bit in the middle, and have a chat with him! I must say, the closer I got to the head, the more friendly it looked - I'd be happy to come back here one day and have a chat with him!

In Trafalgar Square, we were intrigued to see that the fourth plinth is again occupied! The current sculpture is called "Antelope", and depicts a photo prior to the independence of Malawi - the larger figure is a Malawian preacher, who would later become a freedom fighter, the smaller figure a British missionary. Note how much bigger the Malawian is - that's not a trick of perspective - and also how he refuses to doff his hat in the presence of the white man, which was actually the law at the time!

This used to be the German Embassy, up to its closure upon the outbreak of the Second World War:

and this is the only Nazi grave in London, you could say - that of the ambassador's dog!

We finished up at the oldest wine merchant in London:

above which, would you believe, the short-lived Republic of Texas had its legation! They apparently left owing £160 in back-rent - this was finally paid back in 1980 or so (not accounting for inflation!).

Gotta say, this was definitely one of the most interesting walks I've done. By now though, I was hungry - a quick query on Google Maps revealed a Greene King pub right around the corner! So I repaired to The Golden Lion - which has a tiny downstairs, which was full: but the upstairs, when I arrived, was empty! So I ordered food, and sat up there to wait for it. I was lucky I squeezed in just in time - they close at 6 on a Sunday, and the kitchen closes at 5 - I ordered at 4.45! Handily, they have a dumb waiter, so the barman didn't have to carry the food all the way up to me - and, of course, I had my usual pie & chips! which was as delicious as ever. They did over-salt the chips a bit, mind - but I survived.

On the bus home, a friendly old man was making conversation - I'd have been more receptive, but his Glaswegian accent was a bit beyond me!

Tomorrow, back with Up in the Cheap Seats (UITCS) for a play called Women, Beware the Devil, set in the year 1640 - showing in the Almeida.

On Tuesday, I booked with The London Palestinian Rights Meetup Group for Taking Sides – A Conversation about Love, War, and Changing the World. Happening at Amnesty International UK. But you know, I thought I might just go to a film instead.. When the listings came out, top of the list was Rye Lane, a romcom set in South London. The trailer looks hilarious - this looks like much more fun than that talk, and since it is free, I have no problem in cancelling my attendance. Nearest place to me showing the film that day is the Vue Islington - which now has theatre-style pricing, with different seats at different prices. So I booked, to get a decent seat at the cheapest price possible..

Back with UITCS for the next two days - on Wednesday, it's for comedian Rosie Holt at the Leicester Square Theatre.

On Thursday, I'm at Further Than the Furthest Thing, at the Young Vic. Then back to Ireland for the weekend again. Might get to see Scream VI at last..?

On the 27th, I booked with the Happy Positive Group! For their weekly Monday trivia night! They seem to be completely online. But wow, looking at it lately, they seemed to have switched that week to the next day! Although, having cancelled my attendance, I then noticed that all Meetups were displaying in the wrong time zone, so were shown as starting five hours later than they actually were.. I complained, and they did fix it. Well, I probably wouldn't have gone anyway. The best Meetup left for that day is with the Shanty Singers Colliers Wood. This is another of those things I once booked and ended up cancelling, so I'll hold off on booking that till nearer the time. As is becoming usual.

On the 28th, I've booked for Phaedra, at the National.

On the 29th, I'm going with UITCS to Sadler's Wells - first time in an age - for Creature, by Akram Khan! I absolutely love his work. Handily enough, I used my latest Theatre Token for this - would have used it for Phaedra, but while neither theatre takes them online (you have to phone if you want to use a token), the National charges extra for phone bookings. So I used it for this instead.

On the 30th, back with the London European Club, at somewhere called the Ugly Duck, for Synchrony, a female 12-piece string ensemble. Tickets from Eventbrite. As hosted by Eleanor Salter Thorn again! So glad to see her hosting events in more central locations..

I was keeping the 31st free because Ivan is feeling thirsty again. :-) And for once, he seems to be sticking to the date, having booked us a table at The Lucas Arms (which, as he pointed out, has a smoker's area). We're hoping to have Martin - my other friendly ex-boss - join us, but he has more family commitments, which he's trying to juggle - we've told him to join us whenever. And this looks like turning into the first zapoi in a while - Ivan is talking about booking a studio, where we can drink overnight. Oy ve, watch this space.. So, not pushed about doing anything extra on the 1st.

And on the 2nd, 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..

Walk: Clubland - Secrets of the Gentleman's Clubs & Book Launch: Stone Blind

Today - awesome! Laurence Summers and the 45+ Not Grumpy Old Londoners had a walk I hadn't done, and which was scheduled for a day I could make it. May this be the start of many.. This was Clubland: Secrets of the Gentleman's Clubs. Unfortunately, it turned out that this is one of the many days affected by rail strikes.. and the poor chap also had terrible trouble getting people to confirm whether they were coming for lunch after. I know that feeling..

I had a late night - when don't I?! So it was a bit of a trial dragging myself out of bed this morning. But I did wake in decent time, and got buses - as usual. Plenty of protests around, as well as people preaching the Good News..

Of course, this walk was to meet at Bond Street Tube Station - which has multiple exits. And it's not much help when you're on a bus.. I arrived slightly before 11, the appointed meeting time. But could I figure out where the Marylebone Lane exit was? Heh. So I had to message him. Now, the last time this happened was a nightmare, because we were on Parliament Square, it was packed, it was noisy.. at least this time, when he rang back, I could hear him! Took a minute to orient myself correctly, but we did find each other in the end. I ask you though, this exit is way up Oxford Street from where I was, and from where you'd assume the exits to be, roughly. Not obvious at all..

Well, I had doubled the number of attendees, as he said - there were only two of us to accompany him! Now, I know there was a train strike - and to be fair, it was raining in the morning, although it had pretty much cleared up by then, and only spat on us slightly throughout. By lunchtime, we even had a blast of sunshine! But really, could people not let him know? By the start time, we still had eight attendees on the list.. Anyway, we waited an unnecessary 15 minutes for anybody else that might show, and off we went.

What I liked best about this tour was finding out about some of the many central buildings you pass, which seem to have a purpose that they don't advertise. You know, the great blocks of buildings, many with chandeliers visible through the windows, or large paintings.. so, not offices then, or banks. But obviously something significant. Well, gee, some of them are clubs! We were right beside the Oriental Club (known to cabbies, apparently, as the 'Orizontal Club), originally for East India Company employees:

Nothing to do with the walk, per se, but we just had to stop when we saw this display:

The Lansdowne Club was apparently the most egalitarian of those we came across, with a more relaxed dress code, and more relaxed rules about who could come in, apparently! Dress code smart casual:

White's - apparently the oldest gentleman's club in London - used to be a haunt of the King's! Might still be, as I hear he's still a member - and the Prince of Wales was, apparently, entered as a member just after his birth. No women allowed, though..

Our walk was to take us past a most exclusive club - St. James' Palace!

The Oxford and Cambridge Club occupies a lovely building; this was originally strictly for graduates of those two universities, although apparently now admits graduates from others. The friezes at the top depict sundry scientific and literary figures:

The Royal Automobile Club. Well now, I didn't know they actually had a clubhouse! And one of the few I've checked (purely out of curiosity) that doesn't require new members to be proposed by existing members. Edward VII was apparently a member:

The Reform Club, next door to the RAC. Again, they don't seem to require existing members to propose new applicants:

The Athenauem, next door to the Reform Club. Took women right from the start, unusually - also, unusually considering its traditional clientele of writers and actors, apparently stultifyingly boring! God forbid they should talk to each other:

And finally, the Garrick. As the name implies, this club welcomes men with an interest in the theatre. Doesn't take women, though:

And so to lunch! at last.. at the Lamb and Flag again. Jeez, I must remember this place when I'm in the area, and hungry - it really is excellent! The downstairs was packed with people watching the rugby, but happily, they have an upstairs dining area. Where an entire section was blocked off for our (non-existent) group. We took a table by the window instead. And, I have to say, were most excellently fed - seeing steak on the specials, I said it's a long time since I had it; I'll have it now. And it was a spectacularly good steak - so good, I didn't need the accompanying sauce. With spectacularly good, triple-cooked chips. Ooh yes. And I made sure the wine kept coming - it was a most convivial lunch, and terrific to be with the group again. Well, a select subgroup!

Home then, for a while - and I grabbed an hour's sleep. Then I was out again - because this evening was a Crick Crack Club (CCC) production, about Medusa, again at King's Place! An unusual take on it, from the evidence of last week's storytelling.. This, however, was not storytelling. Rather, it was to promote the book Stone Blind, by Natalie Haynes. In Hall One, for the first time I remember for the CCC! And wouldn't you know it, I was sat beside someone who knew me. What are the odds.. she had seen me at last night's storytelling, and is also one of Laurence's attendees! Well, well. And it was from her I learned that Natalie Haynes is in the habit of making radio appearances.

She's a classical academic, with a brief to put women at the centre of Greek myth. Honestly, if you're a history buff, it's fascinating - and she is a very entertaining speaker. Really, she enthralled us with her take on Hollywood's versions of Medusa, also speaking compellingky of how she has been demonised. I'm not sure I'm interested enough to buy the book, but I'm delighted someone is addressing sexism in mythology!

Ben Haggarty was MC, and at the end muttered something about upcoming events in the British Museum. Huh? I didn't remember more than one - I checked later, and sure enough, although they're not listed on the CCC website, they are on the BM website! So I've booked another - of which more anon. Tsk, someone in the CCC is not keeping up with advertising.. I walked back to the Tube with the lady I'd run into - sure is a small city, sometimes..

Tomorrow, London Walks, Art & Culture Explorers are going on a Quirky London walk. And so am I. Mercifully, it's not on till afternoon, so I kind of have time to catch up with myself!

On Monday, back with Up in the Cheap Seats (UITCS) for a play called Women, Beware the Devil, set in the year 1640 - showing in the Almeida.

On Tuesday, I booked with The London Palestinian Rights Meetup Group for Taking Sides – A Conversation about Love, War, and Changing the World. Happening at Amnesty International UK. But you know, I thought I might just go to a film instead.. When the listings came out, top of the list was Rye Lane, a romcom set in South London. The trailer looks hilarious - this looks like much more fun than that talk, and since it is free, I have no problem in cancelling my attendance. Nearest place to me showing the film that day is the Vue Islington - which now has theatre-style pricing, with different seats at different prices. So I booked, to get a decent seat at the cheapest price possible..

Back with UITCS for the next two days - on Wednesday, it's for comedian Rosie Holt at the Leicester Square Theatre.

On Thursday, I'm at Further Than the Furthest Thing, at the Young Vic. Then back to Ireland for the weekend again. Might get to see Scream VI at last..?

On the 27th, I booked with the Happy Positive Group! For their weekly Monday trivia night! They seem to be completely online. But wow, looking at it lately, they seemed to have switched that week to the next day! Although, having cancelled my attendance, I then noticed that all Meetups were displaying in the wrong time zone, so were shown as starting five hours later than they actually were.. I complained, and they did fix it. Well, I probably wouldn't have gone anyway. The best Meetup left for that day is with the Shanty Singers Colliers Wood. This is another of those things I once booked and ended up cancelling, so I'll hold off on booking that till nearer the time. As is becoming usual.

On the 28th, I've booked for Phaedra, at the National.

On the 29th, I'm going with UITCS to Sadler's Wells - first time in an age - for Creature, by Akram Khan! I absolutely love his work. Handily enough, I used my latest Theatre Token for this - would have used it for Phaedra, but while neither theatre takes them online (you have to phone if you want to use a token), the National charges extra for phone bookings. So I used it for this instead.

On the 30th, back with the London European Club, at somewhere called the Ugly Duck, for Synchrony, a female 12-piece string ensemble. Tickets from Eventbrite. As hosted by Eleanor Salter Thorn again! So glad to see her hosting events in more central locations..

I was keeping the 31st free because Ivan is feeling thirsty again. :-) And for once, he seems to be sticking to the date, having booked us a table at The Lucas Arms (which, as he pointed out, has a smoker's area). We're hoping to have Martin - my other friendly ex-boss - join us, but he has more family commitments, which he's trying to juggle - we've told him to join us whenever. And this looks like turning into the first zapoi in a while - Ivan is talking about booking a studio, where we can drink overnight. Oy ve, watch this space.. So, not pushed about doing anything extra on the 1st.

And on the 2nd, I'm back with the CCC, for Orpheus Dismembered, at the British Museum, courtesy of Ben Haggarty. The event there that I'd already heard of..

Storytelling: Beowulf

Now, today is Paddy's Day. But for once, I didn't do anything related - I was back with the Crick Crack Club (CCC) for a performance of Beowulf, at King's Place. Mind you, when I mentioned it to my boss today, he did point out that Seamus Heaney wrote a well-received translation of the same work - there's my connection! Two Danish storytellers for this.

I don't like eating at King's Place - the service is dreadful. I might have gone to O' Neill's - but, given the day that's in it, and the number of times I haven't been able to get a table, I thought it'd be a waste of time. Then I thought of Nando's, which is on the way - so I went there. Now, I had to queue - but it wasn't for too long, and I got seated down the back, away from the door, which kept being left open. And wow, they've finally graduated to taking orders online - so much handier, not to queue at the till! And aww, they remembered I had a reward coming to me, despite it being so long since I was last at a Nando's - a red reward, yet! which basically meant I got my food for free, and just paid for the wine.

Service was quick - and wow, the food was delicious. I caught myself wondering why I hadn't been to a Nando's in so long - oh yes, they kept burning the chicken! Well, you know what? Not here.. I had no complaints whatsoever. I do believe this is the very first Nando's I've ever been in where the chicken wasn't burnt. Oh my goodness, I wolfed it down. Didn't really have time for their delectable chocolate dessert, but I treated myself to another wine, since it'd be cheaper than at King's Place..

Made it up there just in time, and was directed to a row - this was in the round. Ben Haggarty was MCing, as usual, and took a seat in the front row for the show. And in due course, our performers took the stage. Now, this turned out a lot funnier than I expected. Nay, hilarious is the word. A very physical performance, a very interactive performance. The two storytellers were lovely - one making very inventive use of a watering can. And it was a riotous evening, probably the most entertaining version of Beowulf I'm likely to hear. I do hope we have more of these international collaborations..

Tomorrow - awesome! Laurence Summers and the 45+ Not Grumpy Old Londoners have a walk I haven't done, and which is scheduled for a day I can make it. How unusual.. This is Clubland: Secrets of the Gentleman's Clubs. Unfortunately, it turns out that this is one of the many days affected by rail strikes.. and the poor chap also seems to be having terrible trouble getting people to confirm whether they're coming for lunch after. I know that feeling..

And what a very good job it's in the afternoon - because that evening is a performance, in conjunction with the CCC, of Medusa, again at King's Place! An unusual take on it, from the evidence of last week's storytelling..

On Sunday, London Walks, Art & Culture Explorers are going on a Quirky London walk. And so am I.

On Monday, back with Up in the Cheap Seats (UITCS) for a play called Women, Beware the Devil, set in the year 1640 - showing in the Almeida.

On Tuesday, I booked with The London Palestinian Rights Meetup Group for Taking Sides – A Conversation about Love, War, and Changing the World. Happening at Amnesty International UK. But you know, I thought I might just go to a film instead.. When the listings came out, top of the list was Rye Lane, a romcom set in South London. The trailer looks hilarious - this looks like much more fun than that talk, and since it is free, I have no problem in cancelling my attendance. Nearest place to me showing the film that day is the Vue Islington - which now has theatre-style pricing, with different seats at different prices. So I booked, to get a decent seat at the cheapest price possible..

Back with UITCS for the next two days - on Wednesday, it's for comedian Rosie Holt at the Leicester Square Theatre.

On Thursday, I'm at Further Than the Furthest Thing, at the Young Vic. Then back to Ireland for the weekend again. Might get to see Scream VI at last..?

On the 27th, I booked with the Happy Positive Group! For their weekly Monday trivia night! They seem to be completely online. But wow, looking at it lately, they seemed to have switched that week to the next day! Although, having cancelled my attendance, I then noticed that all Meetups were displaying in the wrong time zone, so were shown as starting five hours later than they actually were.. I complained, and they did fix it. Well, I probably wouldn't have gone anyway. The best Meetup left for that day is with the Shanty Singers Colliers Wood. This is another of those things I once booked and ended up cancelling, so I'll hold off on booking that till nearer the time. As is becoming usual.

On the 28th, I've booked for Phaedra, at the National.

On the 29th, I'm going with UITCS to Sadler's Wells - first time in an age - for Creature, by Akram Khan! I absolutely love his work. Handily enough, I used my latest Theatre Token for this - would have used it for Phaedra, but while neither theatre takes them online (you have to phone if you want to use a token), the National charges extra for phone bookings. So I used it for this instead.

On the 30th, back with the London European Club, at somewhere called the Ugly Duck, for Synchrony, a female 12-piece string ensemble. Tickets from Eventbrite. As hosted by Eleanor Salter Thorn again! So glad to see her hosting events in more central locations..

I was keeping the 31st free because Ivan is feeling thirsty again. :-) And for once, he seems to be sticking to the date, having booked us a table at The Lucas Arms (which, as he pointed out, has a smoker's area). We're hoping to have Martin - my other friendly ex-boss - join us, but he has more family commitments, which he's trying to juggle - we've told him to join us whenever. And this looks like turning into the first zapoi in a while - Ivan is talking about booking a studio, where we can drink overnight. Oy ve, watch this space.. So, not pushed about doing anything extra on the 1st.

And on the 2nd, I'm back with the CCC, for Orpheus Dismembered, at the British Museum, courtesy of Ben Haggarty.