Play: Skin

Tonight, I 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. First though, someone in Specsavers had advised me, last time I came hopefully looking for my glasses, to come back today. Which was, ironically in the other direction. Duh.. Well, off I went - had just missed my bus, but thankfully, when the next eventually came, it flew along.

Naturally, they didn't have my glasses - the order says they've been "delivered", but as he said, that could mean to the lab. He checked, but was occupied with other customers and not that interested. So, fair enough, I'm supposed to wait for a text from them - but texts don't always make their way through to my new phone! Well, we shall see. Anyway, this gave me the excuse to eat in Nando's again - where I was fed well, and quickly. And the waiter recognised me from last time! Gee, I'm becoming a regular somewhere else - just as I've left the area..

No extra wine today, unlike that occasion - I had to rush all the way across town! Boy, did I - two Tubes, and two trains. First, took the Tube to King's Cross, and had to change to the Victoria Line - and let me tell you, it's confusing; signage to the Victoria Line is not adequate, in King's Cross! Have to give credit to the staff helping a blind woman on and off, though - they couldn't have been more helpful.

And so to catch a train - but I'd missed the one I should have got, so had to wait around for a while and get another, then change (in Peckham Rye! Twice in Peckham in one week). It was on the train that I missed my debit card.. shock horror, and shades of my lost phone. Just as I was about to cancel it, I remembered taking it out earlier, at home, and that I didn't remember specifically putting it back. So I said I'd take a chance that it was still sitting at home.

I was following the others down the stairs when there was a pause, and people started to come back up - turned out there was a flood at the bottom! So up we all came again. Which was just as well for me, as I suddenly realised I was already on the platform to catch the next train.. Honestly, my head is all over the place these days. Funnily enough, when I was getting on the second train, it was several seconds before anyone (me included) thought to press the button to open the door - we're so used to them opening automatically on the Tube!

When I finally got to my destination, it was a short walk, including a convenient pedestrian crossing. The theatre itself had two doors that looked firmly locked - I then noticed the pub next door, which had the same name, and figured ah! I'd seen this before - it was a pub theatre, entrance through the pub. I got a drink - for which, of course, I didn't have my regular debit card: so I tried my new Monzo card, which I'm happy to say worked a treat. Sure enough, when it came time, a bell was rung and the door was opened - happily, for once, we didn't have to climb stairs; the theatre is right next door! and I got a seat in the second row.

The play is an hour long - straight through, of course - and starts with two girls, sisters, as it happens, chilling. And then we find out the younger one has to go and have a mole on her neck checked out. Well, it's not much of a spoiler to reveal that it turns out to be cancerous. The rest of the play describes her journey through treatment, and the effect it has on all aspects of her life: her family, her friends, and her work.

I'm fortunate that it didn't provide any triggers for me - it was quite moving, all the same. The characters are well-drawn, from the caring older sister to the indifferent colleagues (bar one), the twat of a boss whose only comment on her illness is that she's on the verge of losing her job, and she'd better shape up. The doctors, too clinical, too professional to be of much comfort. The nurses who can't say more than they're allowed to. And the nurse who has to heat her up after her operation - during which her body temperature drops dangerously low - who daydreams as he wafts a hairdryer over her! Surreal..

A really strong piece, highly recommended - runs till Saturday. I suspect many in the audience had some personal connection to the subject matter - to the extent that they stayed on talking about it, and I had to climb into the front row to get out! Happily, I could get buses home - although the second one jolted so much I had to hold onto the rail in front of me for most of the journey. Worst bus journey I've had since that Christmas one, years ago, following a large Christmas dinner, lots of food and wine.. and the bus driver decided to brake really hard - a lot.. yes, it wasn't pretty.. So, this was better. And yes, my debit card was at home, waiting patiently for me..

Tomorrow, I'm 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. For the weekend, I think we can assume I'll just be shopping for my mother - nothing on in the cinema over there that I want to see, and haven't already seen, and is on at a time I can manage..

On Monday, I'm also thinking film, back in London - and what's coming up is a documentary, again in the Curzon Bloomsbury, called Iraq's Invisible Beauty. Well, it's been threatening for a while, and has actually risen in ratings, so I think it's time. I had to check this cinema's own website, as well as those of the two closest to me, individually though - the cinema listings site is woeful at keeping track of them. If I am going to this, I'm going to take out membership again though - it's ridiculous how often I'm going here, but honestly, it does seem to have the best listings!

On Tuesday, back with Meetup (unusually these days) - and indeed, back with Up in the Cheap Seats, who are off to Idiots Assemble - Spitting Image the Musical, at the Phoenix.

On Wednesday, back with TAC, who are advertising an interesting show - Say You're With Me. Larkhall - Piano and Creative Coding. A combination of music, and visuals generated from associated algorithms, it seems. Sounds interesting enough that I'm heading all the way to Chelsea Theatre for it.

And next Thursday, I'm off to another of Didi's free lunchtime concerts at the Holy Sepulchre Church, in conjunction with London Classical Music and Theatre Group. Tickets from Eventbrite.

That day, a good friend of mine is coming to London - finally - for a long weekend with the family. I'm meeting them for dinner that evening in The Liberty Bounds, followed by a free Jack the Ripper Tour with Strawberry Tours, starting across the square..