Comedy: Leila Navabi

Tonight, I was supposed to be with a new group - London Smaller Theatre were headed to Soho Theatre to see the comedian Leila Navabi. So I decided to give her - and them - a shot! Funnily enough, the organiser sent a message around on Tuesday - he apparently changed everyone's RSVP to "Not Going", then messaged us to say to re-apply for the event once we'd bought a ticket! Huh!! As I mentioned on the group page, this is the first time I've come across that - he could just have said "Don't say you're coming until you've bought a ticket" in the first place..! I had a sneaking suspicion that he wouldn't get most of the respondees back.. nobody else responded again. Certainly, I'm used to buying a ticket before I respond, and had done already - I wasn't happy about having to click the Attend button twice..

Well, he duly cancelled the whole event - "Work commitments". Hmm. So I went on my own. Not a great start with that group..

Left early to get a bit to eat. Unfortunately, the bus was severely delayed in traffic at both start and end of the journey, which meant I didn't have time for a proper meal - checked where the nearest, open, Pret was, and went there. Unfortunately again, they didn't have my preferred option, the smoked salmon sandwich - I went for ham and cheese instead. I was pleasantly surprised, mind - when I had this before, I found it a bit stodgy - this was definitely lighter. As I ate, it occurred to me that I must be near my new office building - checked, and lo, it was right across the road! So I gazed at the building as I ate, wondering where exactly it was.. at least I know which bus to get to work..

Made it to the theatre a bit early. I haven't been here for a while, and was surprised to find that entrance and exit to the theatre is now through the bar. To occupy myself till the house opened, I headed to the bar - felt more like a packet of crisps than a drink, though, for once! I was still eating them when the ushers came in to announce that we could go up. Not a problem to take them in - I finished them before the show started. On my way up the stairs, I noticed an interesting plaque on the wall.. dunno whether I've seen this before:

Apparently, it's a mizrach - such as is commonly placed on the east wall of a synagogue, to determine the direction of prayer. And this used to be a synagogue! Wow, imagine..

Well, this was an interesting show. I honestly didn't know who she is, but she turns out to be very new to the comedy circuit, and achieved notoriety for calling Rishi Sunak the "brown-face [version of] Prince Charles (as was)"! We learned much about this during the hour or so she was on stage. She included newspaper headlines in her act, in fact.

There's a lot of introspection in this, which is something I honestly can't stand - why I should be interested in random people telling me their innermost feelings is something I've never understood. But let's cut her some slack for being really new - plus, she's a really clever comedy music writer, and plays piano - a neat talent to have, as a stand-up. The act is a bit rough around the edges - but will doubtless be smoothed out eventually. And she does demonstrate some real talent as a comedian. One to watch! even though I did cringe a bit at the inner soul-searching. Runs till Saturday.

Tomorrow, I'm back to Ireland again, for the weekend.. and on Saturday, going to see Saltburn, the film that's on everyone's lips. Barry Keoghan plays a kind of ingenue in Oxford, who makes a posh friend, who brings him home for the summer to Saltburn, the family estate. Richard E. Grant and Rosamund Pike seem to play the posh guy's parents, although hold that thought - I'm just guessing at this point. Carey Mulligan plays a character credited as "Poor Dear Pamela"! Sounds suitably upper-class vicious, on the part of someone.. Showing at a decent time, happily, in the Omniplex, which is so handy for shopping.

On Monday, thinking film as well - and what's coming up is Anatomy of a Fall. The trailer for this looks really good - a man's body is found in the snow under his family's ski chalet. His wife comes under suspicion, as they try to decide whether he fell.. or was pushed. And so we get into the complications of their marriage.. Showing at a few times in the Curzon Bloomsbury - this'll be my last free ticket. Not selling out, so I haven't booked yet. We'll see what suits - remembering the last time I went to a Curzon, and missed my showing!

On Tuesday, London International Meetup advertised a trip to see Thank You for the Music!, an ABBA tribute act, at the Adelphi. But then I saw cheaper tickets on CT, so booked there instead (possibly where he got tickets as well).. it'll be funny if we end up sitting together. But then, I think the only person going in that group that I know is the organiser, and last time we met, he didn't remember me.. Not a group I join often.

On Wednesday, Scottish in London are off to a trilogy of Scottish plays at the Finborough, called Knocking on the Wall. Well, I'm not Scottish, so not joining them - but I've booked my own ticket.

Next Thursday, London Social Detours is off to a talk about Chanel, at the V&A - and so am I, still being unemployed.

On the 24th, back with the Crick Crack Club for storytelling at Rich Mix - this one is The Spanking Goddess, with the inimitable Clare Murphy.

On the 25th, at The London Horror Film Group's Christmas Social - again, at The Angel on St. Giles High Street. Assuming Ivan can't make that date for a pre-Christmas social - I know another can't, but Ivan can't make the date he can! Herding cats I am again, for Christmas..

And on the 26th, back with Buddies on a Budget (BoB) in London for more Christmas lights - this time, it's a full lights walk, and she's charging, sensibly. A joint event with her London Herstory Walks group.