Play: Playfight

Today, with no job, I signed up for A Summer's Day in Hyde Park, with Paul and Tim's Greater London Talks and Walks. But I looked last night, and it was promised to rain, and frankly I couldn't really be bothered. Instead, I looked on TAC, and booked a play called Playfight, at the Seven Dials Playhouse (used to be the Tristan Bates Theatre).

First, went to see whether my new glasses were ready - naturally not. They've given me a new delivery date of Thursday for them. Anyway, I was hungry by the time I came out - so went to Nando's, remembering my excellent meal last time! And so it proved again - for once, I was sat down the back..


After my actual meal, I had time to spare - it was an easy walk to the theatre. So I had another glass of wine. And then the waiter cajoled me into a third! Well, it was cheaper than I'd get elsewhere - so I had a third, and set off.


And had another at the theatre, once I confirmed that we could take them in..


Well, I was rather sorry I came to this. It's a coming-of-age drama - which I never take to - and I swear, there isn't a thing new in it. The acting is good, but - well, haven't we seen the thing about teen friends drifting apart, teen ambitions changing, and (spoiler) suicide of someone who can't cope with what's going on, all before? I'm sorry, but even in real life we've seen this - I don't see the point of this play. I was glad when it ended. At least I got to see what they've done to the theatre.. Runs till Saturday, if you're interested.

Tomorrow, back with TAC for a play called The Grain Store, set in Stalinist Russia, and showing in the Mack@Mountview - yay, for once, something closer to my new place!

On Wednesday, back at last with The Horror Book Club. It's been a while since they were doing anything I was interested in - but I can hardly miss this, a meeting about The Fog by James Herbert. He remains my favourite horror writer overall, and the best descriptive writer I've ever read - to the extent that he literally changed the way I look at the world. And would you believe it, the club has, apparently, never done anything by him! This is, actually, the book that got me back into horror after an absence of years, during which I was traumatised by my reading of another of his, The Rats.. So, well, I can't miss this, can I? And I've just come across a reading of The Fog by Christopher Lee.. listened to the first part already. As someone in the group pointed out, mind you, this version is censored.. Must get back to listening to it.

And on Thursday, I've booked with CT to see Skin, a play showing at Brockley Jack Studio Theatre - specifically chosen because it was the closest cheap show to my new place.

I'm then back to Ireland again - yes, two weekends in a row - because I need to reschedule my weekends for what's coming up.. watch this space.

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