Play: Song from Far Away

Tonight, back with Up in the Cheap Seats for Song from Far Away, at Hampstead Theatre. I suspect this is one that Meetup just declined to notify me about.. I don't remember seeing it advertised before, although it'd been up for a while.

I like Ye Olde Swiss Cottage, across the road - always seek to eat there, and tonight I had company, when another of the group joined me. Lovely! We had a nice chat, and they had what we wanted on the menu - which is not to be sneezed at; they often don't. In fact, tonight we overheard someone being told they didn't have Fanta, but could add lemonade to regular orange juice, if he'd like..

When we were finished, we schlepped across the road to the theatre. A number of us had been emailed to be told we'd been given upgrades - always a handy side-effect of buying cheap tickets! It's not guaranteed, but it does happen from time to time - so, tonight I moved from last row in the balcony to second row from the stage. An increase in seat price from £15 to £55 - which I wouldn't have paid. Nice.. Before we went in, I got a glass of wine - they didn't have sauvignon blanc, but offered me the house white, which he said was a sauvignon blend, and which I had. Interesting taste, not unpleasant..


A lot of upgrades in our row, it seems. So - the set looks like a hotel room (set me off thinking about my forthcoming holiday - it's not for a while yet, but all the talk of hotels and flights put it in mind). Our protagonist is Dutch, living in New York when he hears his brother has died suddenly. So he has to drop everything to go back for the funeral - and while he'll miss his brother, he's not looking forward to spending time with the family. Not one little bit.

At 70 minutes straight through (no interval), this is beautifully written - and, I have to say, beautifully acted in this one-man show. I can't say I was really moved - but I was definitely engaged throughout, keen to find out what the next plot twist was, told in that sardonic tone. He stays in a hotel rather than with the family, so the set design is appropriate - I don't think there's any point in the play where he isn't staying in a hotel! A few times he breaks into song - and what a voice: no wonder, because this is Will Young. He absolutely lives up to his reputation here.. an excellent watch, even if you've never heard of him. Runs till Saturday - highly recommended.

Tomorrow, I've signed up for the Epic Film Location London Tour Part 1, with London Socials, a new group to me. Interestingly, today, the guide warned us that he wouldn't be answering any "silly" questions. Err..?! Someone asked what the pace would be - he hasn't answered yet. (Is that a "silly" question?)

On Wednesday, another new group - London Circus Cabaret and Burlesque Meetup is headed to Fool's Moon, a drag circus act at Soho Theatre. Meeting beforehand at the Nellie Dean - aw man, it's ages since I was at these places! A few of us have signed up now..

On Thursday, London Baroque Music Lovers again showed an unerring instinct for hitting a day I didn't have anything booked! So I'm going with them to a concert (& social) called Handel: Abandonment Issues, at the Foundling Museum. Tickets from Eventbrite, with a discount for people booking through the group!

On Friday - the advantage of unemployment, I can go on weekday walks with Laurence Summers and the 45+ Not Grumpy Old Londoners! This one, he can't do on weekends anyway - it's The Labyrinth of the Law Courts Walking Tour, and - predictably - full up.

That evening, off with my UITCS companion to Prom 9: Mariza Sings Fado, at the Albert Hall. We're eating beforehand at the Elgar Room, in the Albert Hall - a first for me, so should be interesting!

The weekend is all about walking. On Saturday, back with London Herstory Guided Walks, Mandy taking us on a walk entitled Bow Belles! A Guided Walk through Bow Quarter.

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