Play: Sunsets

Today's schedule was greatly delayed by the fact that I couldn't decide whether I could be bothered with anything on Meetup. I finally decided I couldn't be bothered, and booked with CT instead, for a play called Sunsets, at the Seven Dials playhouse - mainly, to be honest, because it was the closest on offer cheaply. It sounded interesting, though - a woman, obsessed with rom-coms, decides to create one from her own life..

This, I could get a single bus to - had the misfortune to be sharing it with a number of second-level students, complete with uniforms. One was making herself truly objectionable, sat on a front window seat, her feet on the one beside. On the pair of seats behind her, her friend also occupied the window seat, her books or whatever on the seat beside. And the one in front must necessarily yell her conversation with her friend, sat right behind her, and whom she was turned to face - I was glad when they got off.

Well, the theatre is a short walk from Seven Dials Market, so I ate there again. Last time, I'd tried a Truffle Burger - which was all right, but heavy. This time, I browsed, and settled on El Pollote - Latin American fried chicken. I didn't want anything complicated, so settled on basic fried chicken, with regular skinny fries - they have two choices, one of which is "picante" (spicy), so I went for the other. By the time I'd got a glass of wine and a spot at a table, my dinner was ready. And wow, it was gorgeous - very moreish! Have to say though, again, there was a lot in it - I managed it, but only just, and by the end, the high salt content was getting to me. Still, have to say, great flavour..

I'd arrived early, so when I checked out the theatre after that, it still wasn't open - I headed back to the Caffe Nero I'd passed, and had another luxury hot chocolate. Regular size, this time! It was crowded when I went in - deserted when I left, and they were to be open for another two hours.. Anyway, by now the theatre was open, and I checked in at the desk and headed down to the bar, for a glass of wine that, yes, was more expensive than the one I got at the market. When the house opened, we filed in - with our drinks - seating was assigned, and gee, I got the front row. Fine by me..

Well, this is just over an hour long, a one-woman show - takes some guts to do that, and she accomplishes it very cleverly. The premise is, she has a podcast about her "tru-life rom-com"! We're supposed to be the audience for the live, last episode, and she begins by explaining the set to us - the obligatory bench, of course, and the flash cards propped up against the table are inspired by Love Actually - that gorgeous scene where the guy who's been hopelessly in love with his best friend's wife since he met her rings their doorbell just after their marriage, around Christmas, and when she answers, tells her the story on flash cards. Starting with "Say it's carol singers"..

Yes, we're all suckers for a good rom-com. And several are namechecked here. She plays a blinder as she interacts with people offstage that we don't see, and paints a picture of her romantic journey. Only thing is - the ending she chose, while very cleverly done, jarred for me, and I'd have preferred another. But, her decision - and this is a lovely piece of writing, beautifully performed. Runs till Saturday - highly recommended.

Tomorrow, I booked with Barrie again, for his Mile End walk - with TAC, to save a few quid. I'll have to bring enough cash though - he does require a top-up, if booked that way. Anyway, I'll have to rush back - have an interview in the evening! for a job I think I want..

On Thursday, back with Up in the Cheap Seats, for The Little Big Things, at Soho Place. Damnit, of course, if they didn't then start advertising on cheap ticket sites..

Then I'm back to Ireland for the weekend. At the moment.. what's coming up is Saw X, with an incredibly high rating for a horror film! Daytime showings too.. we shall see.. it's a good franchise.