Magic: Influence - The Magician's Story

Tonight, I was with Over 40 Living the Life, for the first time in months. We were headed to a magic show - Influence: The Magician's Story, at the Collective Theatre, a new venue in London! Promised to be less controversial than last night. Although, who can ever be sure..

We were meeting early enough that I didn't have much time to eat - and TBH, there isn't a lot near this theatre that enthused me. They don't do food themselves. I took the Thameslink to Finsbury Park, what with everything else taking too long (no WiFi whatsoever, despite their advertising it) - fabulous views of the Shard en route, which has gone all Christmassy:

..and went to the Pret at Finsbury Park. Which was good as ever - but I thought it ironic that they advertised their "comfy seats". Which I read as I stood to eat mine - there is no indoor seating, but the indoor heating trumps the cold, outdoor seats!

And so to the theatre, where someone asked me whether I was here for the show, and I told him that someone else had my ticket. I beat our organiser to it, but not a couple of others, one of whom is in a few of my groups, and recognised me. In fact, it was a great night for meeting people from other groups - there was another in our gathering tonight, and I swear I saw someone at the show who was at the Christmas social I was at on Saturday. The one who was asked to add some numbers, during the show. But I might be wrong about that - I only glimpsed her.

There is a general toilet, downstairs - a couple of us went for the disabled one, in the bar itself. Which seems to have a sensitive light switch - if temperamental; our organiser went in first, and the light stayed off until she was nearly finished.. I went in after her, and it promptly turned itself off! Bring a torch, you have been warned..

We had a convivial chat until it was time to go in. They have an interestingly angled staircase.. we were in pretty much the back row:

He's a consummate performer - silky voice, suave demeanour. The act is down pat - by the end, it's obvious that some things have been staged, but it's no less impressive for that. And all of his tricks are inventively presented - as usual, I was at a loss to explain some of them; regardless, even for those where I thought I knew the method, it was superbly arranged. And all part of an overall theme.. which I won't give away. Beware, if you go.. he chooses "volunteers" from as high as halfway up the seats. Be sat towards the edge away from the aisle for maximum avoidability. Only runs till Saturday - hurry, tomorrow (Friday)'s performance is already sold out..

The theatre bar is friendly, but I'm not mad about their Sauvignon Blanc. Having said that, they do have a good range of snacks. But afterwards, with the show over early, we headed to the nearest pub for a nightcap: which turned out to be The Eaglet.

Where we had a lovely chat, and some excellent beverages - oh, and the lights stay on in the loo.. A delightful evening all told, and I hope to be back with this group again before too long.

Another light show on the way home - by bus, at this time of night, with less traffic:

Tomorrow, I'm back to Ireland for the weekend. Film for Saturday is, of course, Napoleon - it's the highest rated that I want to see, haven't seen, and is showing at a time I can make. Showing, conveniently, everywhere - handiest for me is the Omniplex. Directed by Ridley Scott, but has mixed reviews. Whatever I think of the film, I'll be fascinated to see what Joaquin Phoenix does with the role - he can turn his hand to anything.

On Monday, back with London Social Detours - let's see whether this one will be as much fun as my last outing with them! We're headed to a Christie's Late on Old Masters, pub after..

On Tuesday, back for the first time in months with London Social & Cultural Meetups! This is for a talk entitled City of Angels - about the angels visible in the architecture of the City. My last chance for a daytime event before I restart work..

On Wednesday (at the end of my first day at the office), there's a joint Christmas party, in the BFI bar, for the London Movie Club, the Hideout Horror SciFi Club, and London Hot 100 - all of which are run by the same people. I'm in all of them, so just RSVPed to the first to advertise it!

Next Thursday, I'm squeezing in a pre-Christmas meeting with Ivan, at the Lamb & Flag - he can't do weekends before Christmas, they're all taken up either with trips to Scotland to see the family, or rehearsals with his band. He won't get there before the kitchen closes, knowing him, so I've told him to let me know what he wants, and I can order it. Long as it's ok cold..

On the 8th, I'm with CT - going to see The Dirty Thirty, Best of 2023, at the Rosemary Branch Theatre. Honestly, I didn't even know what it was when I booked it - turns out to be a potted version of the best 30 plays of the year! Crikey.. and now my erstwhile companion from Up in the Cheap Seats (UITCS) is coming too..

On the 9th, meeting James at The Anchor - probably with Martin joining us later..

On the 10th, back with The London Horror Film Group - for the Satanic Christmas Market! Yay, always wanted to go to this - and we're off to the Fox on the Green afterwards.

The next two days, I'm back with UITCS again - on the 11th, it's for Infinite Life, at the Dorfman Theatre.

On the 12th, it's for Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York) at the Kiln.

On the 13th, I have the Christmas party with my new company - now, there's timing! It's at Haché, and I've already put in my food order!

On the 14th, got another CT ticket - this time, for the Backyard Comedy Club. Always good, Then I'm back to Ireland for the weekend again.

On the 18th, making my annual pilgrimage to Winter Wonderland - as usual, seeing the Ice Palace (Norse mythology this year, it seems!) and Cirque Berserk. My goodness though, my bank isn't a fan - this booking caused problems with online payments with my card.. now sorted.

On the 19th, heading to a free carol concert at St. Stephen Walbrook. Free, and as advertised by Cultureseekers - who apparently have 74 signed up, as of my last peek. So they shouldn't miss me..

On the 20th, at yet another carol concert - this with Buddies on a Budget. And my last Meetup of the year! This is at the Actor's Church - St. Paul's, Covent Garden. Tickets from ShowFilmFirst.

On the 21st, back with CT to Backyard Comedy - then back to Ireland for Christmas on the 22nd. Happy Christmas to all, and a Happy New Year!

I fly back to London on the 2nd of January, and on the 3rd, well, there isn't a lot advertised on Meetup - at the moment, I'm thinking of heading to the Winter Light Festival at the Southbank Centre that day.

And on the 4th of January, I'm off to see The Time Traveller's Wife, at the Apollo. Handily enough, Seatplan was one of the sites with the cheapest tickets to this - and I was eligible for a Seatplan voucher. So I used it, and got my ticket for £5. Let's just hope, from that high up, I can see something..!