The forecast promised it wouldn't rain, and sure enough, it didn't - although it sure gave the appearance of wanting to, an ominous blanket of black cloud hovering over the city all day! It was a busy day at work, but I did manage to grab a few minutes to print out the ticket - they require that - and a map of the park, which I really didn't need. Stern warnings on ticket and website told us that that part of the park was locked at night, so likely latecomers couldn't possibly get in! And I did find it interesting that, even if the event is cancelled because of weather, you can't get a refund, just an exchange.. I guess it reflects the uncertainty over the weather.
It wasn't to start until 7:45 - but once I got finished what I had to do for the day, and faced another batch of work for Wednesday - I said sod it. It wasn't going to be that much longer to walk than to take a bus, and I had the time. I'd have had to walk through the park, anyway. Stopped off in Tesco en route - I fancied some M&Ms. Which were on sale. Which was nice. Strolled along streets that became ever posher, wider, and redder of surface, bordered by imposing white blocks of buildings, as I got nearer the park entrance - at which point I didn't need the map any more, just followed the crowd. To the box office, which is the only entrance, and where I had a momentary panic about my M&Ms when I discovered they were doing bag searches. But it's ok, handbags seemed to be exempt, and I managed to smuggle them in - and eat most of them beforehand and during the interval. Which saved a schlep back down the steps for a petite £3.50 ice cream - albeit they had interesting flavour combinations, as I overheard from the group in front of me.
I hadn't realised, but there does seem to be an abundance of facilities in this theatre! Lots of eating and drinking going on - but I was stuffed anyway; they had that delicious Sainsbury's garlic and herb chicken at the office, and I ate the whole pack (in sandwiches) before heading out. Anyway, it was now just five minutes to (advertised) showtime.. I do have a strong suspicion that they never intended to start at 7:45, given how relaxed they were about getting us in, and how late they did start. Me, I'd bought the cheapest ticket I could get - £25 for one nearly at the very edge, nearly at the very top. I was relieved to see that they have partial railings along the steps, just like at the Opera House - and here was me thinking my stadium-going was over for the year! For all that I had a cheapie ticket - and, as the people beside me remarked, the opposite side (left) did seem to be a bit more central to the stage - the view was perfect, and I'd hardly recommend anyone to go more expensive:
Pretty full, as you can see - I had a panoramic view of the whole place, and counted five empty seats.. I was impressed that the tiering is of concrete, and have to say the seats are quite comfy.
It helps if you like rock - Jesus Christ Superstar is heavy on that. Pilate, in particular, comes in in black leather, the rest in hoodies, which I think works well - the disciples don cloaks later on, in particular for the Last Supper scene, the tableau created fairly accurately - and most amusingly - on two sides, so that the whole crowd gets a look. The folks in front of me were debating, at the interval, which apostle was which.. it wasn't really easy to distinguish separate characters. Apart from Jesus (well, the focus is usually on him), Pilate, of course, Judas - never stops complaining. The pharisees tend to hang out in groups, looking sinister, and you can't miss Herod, who makes a spectacular entrance in an enormous, gold lamé cape! Mary Magdalene is the only prominent woman.
The music is the real star of the show - catchy as hell, in my opinion this is right up there in the top four musicals showing in London, along with Motown the Musical, The Book of Mormon, and Les Misérables. Something it has in common with the latter is that it's completely sung - there are no spoken bits. Voices that stood out - for me, Pilate (David Thaxton): and Caiaphas (Phillip Browne) has an amazingly deep voice, to which everyone around me went "Wow!". Herod has one of the stand-out songs, of course. For me, the show doesn't actually make enough of the material - I could have done with more of the iconic theme song, and the end is very understated, no music at all. I get that they were trying to be serious - but they could have incorporated a sombre version of the music there.. But hey, this is a terrific production! As as the sun went down, it felt quite cosy, in our little ring of trees. Runs until 23rd September - booking strongly recommended.
Tomorrow, my first talk with Scarlet Ladies UK (!). Their stated aim is to abolish the stigma of talking about sex.. so they have a load of talks. This one is about the history of slut-shaming.
On Wednesday, I was back with Jennifer Rees (and the same two Meetup Funzing groups again), for a talk about the Psychology of Serial Killers. This is at least the third instance of this talk - I was booked for one last month, but had to cancel - it clashed with the trip to the Icebar. The next was sold out - and then I saw this one and booked, at last! It's on the Battersea Barge, of all places! Just a 10% discount this time - I see the latest code for that is crazy_fun. And gee, guess what.. London Literary Walks just advertised a Regent's Park Walk for that day! Guess I'll never make this talk..!
On Thursday, back with Up in the Cheap Seats for Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill, a musical about the life of Billie Holiday. Nice and close to me, at Wyndham's. Passed it the other evening, in fact.
On Friday, back with the same group (!) for yet another Camden Fringe double bill: Boris - the Musical! at the Cockpit again (the London European Club - LEC - are also going to this), and Make Advena Great Again, at Camden People's Theatre. Goodness, that's only a short walk from home..
On Saturday, I'm back to the Proms for the first time in years! Funnily enough, it was inspired by a Meetup group - Gothic Requiem London (!). This is the "Gothic Prom", you see - all the composers are Czech (Bohemian). Now, I'm no Goth - but the Proms sound like a great idea.
On Sunday, I'm off on a day trip to Bath, with Carpe Diem: booked while I was in Barcelona, recently.
Next Monday, the organiser of Walks, Talks & Treasure Hunts promised Helen and me free tickets to a treasure hunt she was organising that day - in recompense for that treasure hunt, not run by her but advertised by her, where the organisers never showed, and instead marked us as no-shows. However, the event next Monday still hasn't been advertised, and what with severe engineering works at Waterloo for the whole month, Helen's not sure she can make it at all. We shall see.
On the 29th, I'm off to see Five Guys Named Moe, at the Marble Arch Theatre - a pop-up, it seems! From the Box Office provided the best deal on this occasion.
On the 30th, I was back with Up in the Cheap Seats, for Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, at the Apollo (although booking is with the Young Vic), with Sienna Miller, Colm Meaney, and nudity. Cheapest tickets this time were with LoveTheatre. And then, London Literary Walks advertised one. So, instead, I'm off on The Michelin Walk.
On the 31st, back with those two Funzing groups. This time, the talk is entitled "Can You Trust the Media?", and is given by Annie Machon, who gave an interesting talk last month on Russian Hacking. Another 30% discount. I just wish she'd use some visual aids.. At the Lighthouse again, terrific. :-/ Then I'm back to Ireland for the weekend again.
On the 4th September, I'm finally going to see Dreamgirls, at the Savoy, courtesy of Amazon Tickets.
On the 5th September, I was back with the Scarlet Ladies for a talk on Generation Sex. Until Let's Do This advertised a concert that sounds really good.. at the Apples & Pears Bar. Hey, I do allow myself to change if something sounds better..
On the 6th September, I'm with another new group - North London Friends - for an interview with Michael Palin, at the Knowledge Centre Theatre at the British Library. I was really torn, though - the LEC is off to an early music concert the same night, and I do love that - but had already booked this, and it is Michael Palin. Hey-ho..
On the 7th September, I was back with North London Friends, and another talk on Fake News - different speaker, mind! This is the Fulbright Commission annual lecture, at the British Library. However, much more attractively, Let's Do This are reviving what used to be a regular Man with the Hat event - we're off to St. Martin-in-the-Fields, for some Vivaldi concertos. With a discount, yet! London Concertante, as usual.
On the 8th September, until the other day I was still technically booked for free comedy in Hammersmith with DiscoverLDN.UK. But, as I say - good atmosphere, but the comedy is usually pretty bad. I was saved - again - by Up in the Cheap Seats, who are off to see Doubt, a Parable, in Southwark Playhouse. Aww.. it's so long since I was there, and I have so many good memories of it from my time with the Man with the Hat!
On the 9th September, Helen and I have our 25km sponsored walk, in aid of Haslemere's Cat Protection Society. We're going as Dick Whittington and his cat, respectively, and the route is the Thames Bridges Trek. You can donate here..
Which will tire me out nicely, just in time for my flight to Prague the next morning! I'm at a conference there, Sunday to Tuesday. (What a nice company I work for!) Gee, but I love Prague - most beautiful city I've ever seen, and I've seen a few. They're putting me up at a nice hotel too, just down the road.
So, I fly back on the 12th September, and on the 13th I'm back with Up in the Cheap Seats, at Sadler's Wells, for the Hofesh Schechter Company grand finale.
On the 14th September, I'm at another talk with Walks, Talks and Treasure Hunts - this one, at Southwark Cathedral, is about the River Effra, South London's Secret Spine. Another free Eventbrite event, this is to publicise a book about the subject, and the talk is again given by the author. Another thing that had no tickets, then it did (no notification)! I'm not going to believe any messages about door closures. Then I'm back to Ireland for the weekend again.
On the 18th September, I was off to Showstopper! at the Lyric. Ticket courtesy of From the Box Office again. I have actually seen this before - but, being an improvised musical, it literally is different every time! But you'll never guess - the Crick Crack Club finally announced their autumn schedule on Friday, and now, that night, I'm off to Eaten Father, Eaten Mother by Ben Haggerty. In Soho Theatre, first time in ages.
On the 19th September, back with the Scarlet Ladies, for a talk entitled 100 Women - Their Breasts, Their Stories.
On the 20th September, Funzing (same two groups) and Jennifer Rees again - this time, a fun talk about the Psychology of Batman Villains! The first of hers for which I managed to get a 30% discount.. and it's on nice and close to me again. Seems to be a feature of her talks!
On the 21st September, technically, free comedy in Hammersmith - with Free Comedy Nights in Hammersmith, Wimbledon and Greenwich, Random London, and DiscoverLDN.UK. And on the 22nd September, the same - with DiscoverLDN.UK. I rather doubt it though - don't you?
On the 23rd September, I was to do the same, but am now headed to the launch of Rob Luft's new album, Riser, at King's Place. As advertised by The London Jazz Meetup. I finally ended up paying their membership fee after booking an event with them the other day, for November, which someone is attending that I know. So I figured it was wiser!
I had booked the same free comedy, with the same group, on the 24th September, but was again saved - this time, by the World Music Meetup! They're off to see Kefaya, in Nell's Jazz and Blues bar, back in my old stomping ground of North End Road! Happy days, when I was working there..
On the 25th September, a group called Theatre and Stuff is off to see Prism, at Hampstead Theatre. They're charging extra to go with them, though - so I happily bought my own ticket. What the hey, odds are I won't know any of them anyway.
On the 26th September, I'm back with Up in the Cheap Seats - to see Wings, at The Young Vic. Accidentally booked standing, I think.. :-/
On the 27th September, with Up in the Cheap Seats again - for Jekyll & Hyde, presented by the National Youth Theatre, at the Ambassadors Theatre.
On the 28th September, with another new group: London, Surrey and Beyond.. for an event called "A Unique Experience. Olde Pub, Gerry's Private Club, 2 'i's Famous Fish 'n' Chips". Which says it all, really! Then it's back to Ireland for the weekend again.
On the 2nd October, I had booked at Hampstead Theatre, for No One Will Tell Me How to Start a Revolution. North London Friends are attending - and charging extra, so I was going it alone! But now it turns out I'm spending the week in the Stockholm office - back on the 8th.
On the 3rd October, it was free comedy in Hammersmith - nominally. With Free Comedy Nights in Hammersmith, Wimbledon and Greenwich. So, that was easy to cancel, for Stockholm!
On the 4th October was Up in the Cheap Seats and Labour of Love, with Martin Freeman, at the Noel Coward Theatre. Cheapest tickets from the venue, for once!
On the 5th October, same group - headed to see the Company Wayne McGregor, at Sadler's Wells.
And finally! on the 6th October, headed to see Chekhov's The Seagull, at the Lyric. Third night in a row for that group - almost as busy a group as I am a person! So, four things in all I had to cancel, without refund.. what the hey, I'll doubtless be saving money in Stockholm!
On the 9th October, I'm finally going to see the show so many people have asked me whether I'm seeing. Ink is showing at the Duke of York's Theatre.
And on the 10th October, I'm back with Up in the Cheap Seats for Ballet Boyz at Sadler's Wells.
No comments:
Post a Comment