Play: Macbeth
Yesterday, I signed with London Socials again - I didn't count on me going, mind. They were off to listen to some music in the Archway Tavern. And sure enough, I came up with something better - during my long session with Ivan last week, he mentioned a fascination with Shakespeare's Globe, so I asked whether he'd like to go to a play there. And so it came about that we went to see Macbeth there, yesterday.
The day started with him mentioning how much work he had on - so, having already sent him his ticket, just in case, I proceeded to send him details on how to get there, as comprehensive as I could manage. To the extent that he thought we weren't sitting together! :-) I should have been clearer - as I explained to him, all I was doing was making sure he could find his way, in case he was late enough that I was already inside.
I headed off early - walked, it being one of the few places I go that I can now walk to - and boy, was that a hot walk! Mercifully, mostly in shade. I couldn't think of anywhere around that I really wanted to eat - except Pizza Express, and I thought it was too hot for Italian. So I ended up trying out the Globe cafe. Didn't fancy any of their sandwiches, so I had a (lovely) chocolate muffin - well, chocolate chip - and a conveniently sized bottle of Chardonnay, at 330ml. I also had the paper - messaged him to let him know where I'd be, and that's where he found me, in due course - sure enough, nice and early! I noticed their cute hand sanitising stations:
He fancied a beer, though, which they didn't have - so I popped the last of my wine in my bag, and led him to The Anchor - the nearest decent pub to the Globe (The Swan, next door, is too fancy, although we did try it, only to discover they were seating people these days - and it looked full). We took a riverside seat - where he updated me on the progress of my application to his company. Turns out I know that Irish person he mentioned who works there - well, we'll see how it goes, I know they already have strong candidates, so it's not a given. I also noticed a Nando's beside the pub - darn, I'd forgotten that was there, it would have been a good choice for food! or, indeed, the pub itself. Next time..
He had to finish his beer while walking back - and funnily enough, the guy doing the bag check seemed to have no objection to me bringing in that bottle I'd had, with wine left over from before! Perhaps because I'd obviously bought it there. Anyway, we headed straight up to our elevated seats:
And so to the play. Well, it had its moments - I loved the suitably ominous background music, and there was a nice touch in the (more action-packed) second half, where the "weird sisters" (brothers, here) used a blender instead of a cauldron to mix the potion. It's also a nice touch to make Duncan female - I actually think it works better, potentially leading the audience to have more sympathy for her. However, where it fell down was in its treatment of tragedy - which just wasn't - tragic enough! They were so concerned with hyping the comedic moments that the drama seemed flat - particularly the scene where Macduff's family is slaughtered (spoiler); they just didn't seem the right amount of scared.. Anyway, this runs to the 28th of next month. Which seems an appropriate time for a scary play..
Happily, although not too impressed with the production, Ivan was delighted with the venue: would like to do a tour, would like, perhaps, to see a comedy next time. Also impressed with the fantastic view. On this occasion, however, he didn't fancy continuing drinking - he was really tired after his day, and had an early start. So I was left to wend my way home:
I was too tired myself to blog last night. Tonight, I've finally booked to see Dr. Semmelweiss, at the Harold Pinter. Cheapest tickets I found were with What's on Stage, who sent me off to Love Theatre..
Tomorrow, back with Up in the Cheap Seats (UITCS) for Sara and Cariad's Weirdo's Book Club - a live version of the podcast by Sara Pascoe and Cariad Lloyd - at 21 Soho. Tickets from Ticket Text.
On Thursday, I was to be back for the first time in months to Watkin's Bookshop, for an author talk: this is Pagans by Ethan Doyle White. However turns out The Hideout has a new group - London Hot 100 Socials, Music & More. So I'm heading off with them for a game of mini golf! At Westfield, where I haven't been in almost 10 years.. Well, I like The Hideout, so..
On Friday, back with UITCS for The Shatter Box, at the Lion and Unicorn.
On Saturday, back with Laurence Summers and the 45+ Not Grumpy Old Londoners - this walk is Barnet- Royalty, Boozers & a Civil War . Up around his area!
On Sunday, I'm with Cultureseekers - it's Open House, and we're off to the London Scottish House and the Banqueting House.
On Monday, I'm off to The Effect at the National.
Then - for the first time in a long time - there's a run of Meetup events! Next Tuesday, back with UITCS to see Russell Howard for the last night of his run at the Palladium - terrible trouble finding a decent seat in the Grand Circle, which was all that was left!
On the 13th, back with Laurence and the 45+s - assuming I can make it, with potential interview commitments - for The Long and Winding Road, a walk about, of course, The Beatles!
On the 14th, back with UITCS for Anthropology, at Hampstead Theatre. Cheap tickets from TodayTix. Then I'm back to Ireland for the weekend.
The next two days are with UITCS again - on the 18th, it's Crazy for You, at the Gillian Lynne Theatre.
On the 19th, it's Octopolis, at Hampstead Theatre again!
And on the 20th, I'm with CT for a classical concert - a Chamber Recital at St. Mark's, Hamilton Terrace. Regular tickets from TicketSource.
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