Drinks, Musical: The Time Traveller's Wife, & Film: Godzilla Minus 1

On Wednesday, well, there wasn't a lot advertised on Meetup - I thought about heading to the Winter Light Festival at the Southbank Centre that day. But then, yay, the London Horror Film Group advertised informal drinks at the Imperial for that day! So I said I'd trot along to that - they were starting at midday, which I couldn't, with work, but I was sure they'd still be there when I was free!

Now, I was working from home that day - but we have to work core hours, so I said I'd set off after that. Thought the core hours lasted until 4.30 - but there's one guy on one of my teams who keeps clocking off just after 4, so I figured I must be wrong! 4pm came, I left. Got to the pub a bit earlier than anticipated, then - ironically, it's only a short distance from the office, so I got the exact same bus that I get to work..

They were down the back - naturally. And one of the organisers said he'd have his Frightfest t-shirt on - v handy. (I did like someone's question about how the group would identify itself, though - would there be ominous music? a cloud hanging over the table?) Once the couple beside us left, we shoved the tables together - and as it happened, that gave us plenty of space for everyone who showed.

It's a Greene King pub, so I got food.. not having been in this one before, I decided to try their BBQ chicken (their pies, while lovely, are really always too big for me). Someone at the table remarked, when they brought it, that it was the smallest chicken he'd ever seen. Nope, I've seen smaller - always at Greene King pubs, although the Museum Tavern is a notable exception. This was a small one all right, though - and a bit tough; I didn't finish it.

We were positioned right beside the toilets, which provided some entertainment - I didn't end up taking any photos at the pub, but had fully intended to snap a shot of the sign for the toilets, with an arrow pointing up for Ladies, and one pointing down for Gents. Sure enough, there was a staircase leading up, and one leading down, and equally surely, tons of people somehow misread - or didn't see - the sign, and ended up going the wrong way, before returning sheepishly. Truly entertaining. Another curious feature of the pub - which I didn't mention to my companions, not seeing a way to inject it into the conversation - was the line of portraits of Queen Victoria that line the wall opposite the bar. One way to depict "Empire", I guess..

Conversation ranged far and wide, as ever - it's a friendly group, and I do like to catch up with them. Very little talk about horror films, interestingly - although plenty of SciFi and action heroes featured. And the Carry On films. And politics. And - Lord knows what. Anyway, the last of us were there till closing. A lovely way to remind myself what it's like, talking to someone other than my mother and the cat, as I was all Christmas.. Had to be up early the next day for work, though, and anyway, was too tired to blog. And yesterday (Thursday) turned out to be such a busy day, there wasn't any time to do it then, either..

Yesterday, I went 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. I just hoped, from that high up, I could see something..! Shame this was the day the boss was back from holiday, so I made this my office day - awkward to take my laptop to this, particularly in the Gods! The theatre had me "check in" last week - and there was a link where I could preorder my drink, for a 10% discount. Which, of course, I forgot to use.

After a panic deadline in the morning, and a couple of meetings, I took a long lunch in Pret. The rain started in the afternoon, and was heavy by evening. I could walk to the theatre - laptop bag on my back, its rainproof qualities being tested - but needed to eat. And I hadn't had time to book anywhere - by the time I looked, everywhere was full! I thought I'd search for somewhere en route - found a place called the Royal George, where there was a table, lovely! The app wasn't working - interestingly, neither was the WiFi, which required me to enter my details, but didn't think my name was correct! Nothing personal - I tried several names, but it didn't like any. Maybe I should have tried Rumpelstiltskin..?

Anyway, I ended up going to the bar, where I discovered there was a delay in the kitchen. Fine - if I hadn't somewhere to be. Ah well - off I trudged again, having dampened their sofa. Every single road crossing involved treading water - as someone remarked, with some crossings, you really didn't know how deep it was! Well, I was nearly at the theatre when I came across another Pret - so my dinner was there as well. Just squeezed in before they closed the place, in fact.

When I got to the theatre in the end, the bag checker really didn't want to be bothered with the laptop bag.. or even with the side pockets of my handbag. I then discovered that the house wasn't open yet - the usher explained that, as I was in the Balcony, I'd be entering via the side door - but I could wait in the lobby. Which was quite crowded. Boy though, when I heard there was a cloakroom.. well, that was the last I saw of the laptop bag for a few hours.. It's downstairs, near the bar: but given that I'd have to go outside again to get to my seat, I wasn't getting a drink yet. Or, sadly, depositing my coat.. which I happily would have, even given the £1 per item charge, if I could have..

Soon after, the house did open, and out I went. Happily, they have a canopy over the front, so it wasn't too bad to be outside. The stairs I had to climb to the Balcony, however.. a sign near the bottom warns that there are 92 steps - so "take your time". Huh. (Thank goodness for that cloakroom.) I tell you though, my main problem with the stairs was actually dizziness - the flights are short, four or five steps each, and curve sharply around so that it's nearly spiral. Which was why I had to take a pitstop along the way. At the top - yes, as I'd figured, there was a bar, where I got a drink. And some chocolate. And the usher there helpfully asked where my seat was - C15 - and told me that would be three rows from the front. Ah jeez, thanks.. no mention that it was right in the middle though, or that there was a flight of steps in the middle that would have been much handier, or that it was on the other side of those steps.. and that there was a railing down the middle..

Never mind, either, that I had to climb over a whole row of people to get to the middle. Murphy's Law of getting to a theatre seat.. Well, upon reaching the centre flight of steps, I discovered that the railing was high enough to squeeze under. So that's what I did. Railings, in fact, are a feature of the Balcony:

In the picture, you can see the railing in front of me. You can also see a bit of the railing down the middle of the flight of steps beside me - v handy for sticking my leg out, which was why I chose that seat. You can also see the railing at the bottom of the flight of steps, to prevent patrons plunging over and into the Stalls, thus disturbing persons with more expensive tickets.. Oh, and you can see the head of the person in front of me, who leaned for almost the whole performance, thus obstructing my view as shown. Which I don't blame her for at all - the view from up here is, frankly, s***e.

I had a very nice Scottish lady in the seat beside me - in town for a brief visit, to see her friend, who lives outside London. And who sometimes heads up to see her instead! Nice arrangement. Anyway, this lady was going to as many shows as she could - this was her second of the day. And we chatted merrily before the show, and in the interval - she remarked that everyone back home thought she was bonkers. I remarked that I recognised the feeling..

And so to the show. Now, this wasn't the best I've seen, and I doubt I'll be adding it to any Top 10 lists. Mind you, I had a hard time, always having to peer around the lady in front, or over (or under) railings. But aside from that - well, I was underwhelmed. Certainly in the first half, I found the songs trite, the singing unprepossessing.

Having said that - the effects were excellent. The Scottish lady had been wondering how they'd achieve them - there are a lot of flashing lights, some action takes place behind screens. The actor playing the time traveller himself spends a lot of time in the nip - seems he can't take his clothes when he time travels. Inconvenient, for sure. I suspect, mind, that it doesn't do much good to delve too deeply into the logic of this story - such as how, even though he can't control where he goes, or to what year, he keeps showing up in his wife's life.. (the time travel is probably a metaphor for a "tuning out" at times of stress.. but anyway..)

The second half, however, was a sea change. The songs are more meaningful, the effects that open the second half are spectacular - achieved with a projection onto a screen, mostly, but cleverly done, and most effective. And the standout performance of the show, for me, was the time traveller's father - Ross Dawes has an awesome voice. It's a great shame he only has one number. Mind you, Joanna Woodward, as the title character, isn't bad - particularly, again, in the second half. So, worth hanging around after the interval, then - and yes, a sucker punch ending left me in tears. As so often happens. So, recommended - with reservations. Just maybe fork out for a more expensive seat.. Currently booking to the 30th of March.

And for today - well, I was thinking film, but I was chatting to my ex-colleagues about meeting this month, and Ivan has a problem with Saturdays, when he rehearses with his band. So he kind of suggested today - but then he decided that'd have to be a short session, and he'd prefer to try and reschedule one of his rehearsals.. So I spent last night redoing the neglected film list. Which, to be fair, was a quicker job than usual - a combination of a lack of releases, a lot of films showing in multiple screens, and a lot of films I'd already seen! Top of the list (in terms of IMDB ratings) was actually a Beyoncé concert film - no thanks. No, but second on the list was Godzilla Minus One.. now, The Hideout is actually going to this (next weekend, when I'm not here), so I was curious. And with it being so highly rated - I said I'd give it a shot! Nearest showings for today were in the Vue Piccadilly and Picturehouse Central - the Vue is a lot cheaper (and cheaper still if you book online), so that's what I did.

Eating proved slightly problematic again - again, everywhere was booked out. Except Masala Zone, just around the corner from the cinema - so I booked there, and headed out, again just after 4. Buses promised to get me there in time - although I'd have to change. Well, along came my "work bus" - the #188. Unfortunately, that wasn't going far enough - so I changed to a #1 to take me another bit. And then to another #188 - which stopped at the Old Vic for a change of drivers - they always do. And then, as originally planned, I was to change to a #139 - except, when it arrived, the driver delayed in opening the door while he got on the phone. I had visions of missing my dinner reservation - they keep the table for 15 minutes, but if you don't show, they charge £10 to your card.. Happily, when he did let us on, he explained he'd been checking, because there was some problem on the bridge.. Sure enough, some police vehicles, lights flashing, were parked on the other side.

I ended up about five minutes late. I wasn't actually sure where the restaurant was - but, not seeing anything on Regent Street, where I alighted, I headed onto Piccadilly Circus - and sure enough, there it was, right beside the Criterion Theatre. And when I went in - well, wow!

A massive space, gold ceiling.. I was seated quite quickly - it wasn't very full. As it happened, I was at a small table, right between two others - now, there was a sofa on one side, complete with several scatter cushions. All of which the people on ether side of my table had dumped into my space! I decided it was less complicated, as I explained to the waiter, to take the chair on the outside..

They have carafes of wine, which I love! The perfect amount for me, for a meal, without having to put in a separate order for a second glass. And I had my perennial favourite - butter chicken. They don't seem to have a huge variety of rice, here - and with an extra cost for everything, I skipped it; as I explained to my server, I can rarely manage that as well as the peshawari naan I also have, when available. As it is here. 

I had brought the paper, but had literally no time to read it until I was nearly finished, and read it while I was finishing the naan. Five minutes, it took them to take my order after I sat down - and they apologised for the delay! Perhaps two minutes for the wine to arrive - and I only had time to sip it before my food arrived as well! What's more, it was all gorgeous - succulent chicken, tasty sauce, gorgeous naan. Service was unfailingly prompt and friendly, and my glass was no sooner empty than someone popped up to refill it from the carafe. Now, it's not cheap - but wow, is it nice.. not a terrific dessert menu though, and I didn't really have time anyway, so I passed.

And so to the cinema, where I nicely had time to run to the toilet, then grab another glass of wine at the till. My row - again - was almost completely full, and of course I'd managed to book the inside seat. Hubba. Gosh, I'd forgotten how comfy the seats are, though - or perhaps they've improved since I was last here!

Now, this is a long film. But oh my golly, what they've done with Godzilla - now, there's a warning at the start that the film contains strobing. I didn't notice it, but apparently it's an effect that adds to the watching of action sequences. Whatever they've done, it works.. and my, the roaring sound he makes! The closest I can describe my reaction to the scenes where he's wreaking havoc is when I saw the Sphere, back in October - particularly for the first time. Frankly, this film produced something of the same jaw-dropping reaction in me. There's also a nice side story - it's set at the end of the Second World War, and our protagonist is a kamikaze pilot who was too chicken to go through with his mission: so he has something to prove.. but you should really go see this for the scenes where they're trying to combat this incredibly powerful monster.. Highly recommended!

Interestingly, The Hideout was at a different film tonight, not a million miles away.. Night Swim was on at the Odeon Luxe Haymarket, just a five-minute walk from me! A film about a haunted pool, terrorising a family - Irish actress Kerry Condon, recently Oscar-nominated for The Banshees of Inisherin, plays the mother. Seems I had a much better time.. they subsequently shared this hilarious review..!

Well now! At least I get a lie-in tomorrow.. the next two days are film as well, making that film list good value. Tomorrow's is My Best Fiend - they seem to be doing a Werner Herzog season, and this is about his friendship with the - frankly, crazy-looking - Klaus Kinski. Showing at the BFI. Plenty of eateries around - I just have to settle on one!

And on Sunday, I was delighted to see that Poor Things is previewing - the trailer looks excellent. Looks deliciously odd: Willem Dafoe plays the mad scientist - think Frankenstein - who brings Emma Stone, unrecognisable with long, black hair, back to life. She then has to, eh, learn how to fit into society. Also stars Mark Ruffalo. I'm seeing it in my nearest cinema - the Curzon Aldgate. Interestingly, it'd only let me book once I was signed in - perhaps it's a members-only preview..

On Monday, I finally get to see The Motive and the Cue, now showing at the Noel Coward Theatre. A National Theatre production, it's now moved home - I never did get to see it during its initial run. It depicts Richard Burton rehearsing to play Hamlet, under the direction of John Gielgud.. I hear great things, and I'm delighted to be seeing it at last. Cheapest tickets I found with Official London Theatre - which isn't official at all..

On Tuesday, I'm off to The Enfield Haunting (woohoo!). Starring Catherine Tate and David Threlfall, it's based on real events.. showing in the Ambassadors Theatre. 

On Wednesday - Wednesdays seem to be becoming my Meetup days - I'm back with Up in the Cheap Seats (UITCS) for the Matthew Bourne production of Edward Scissorhands, at Sadler's Wells. Love Matthew Bourne - but by the time I got around to booking this, it was nearly sold out! so, for once, I'm in the First Circle - a level lower than normal. Which should be just fine..

On Thursday, back with the Backyard Comedy Club - tickets from CT again. Then I'm back to Ireland for the weekend.

On the 15th, finally getting to see the RSC production of Hamnet, the story of Shakespeare's short-lived son. Playing at the Garrick.

On the 16th, seeing Rock 'n' Roll by Tom Stoppard, at Hampstead Theatre.

On the 17th - which is a Wednesday - yes, back with Meetup! This time, it's the New Year Social co-hosted by the London Movie Club (LMC), the Hideout, and London Hot 100! all of which are run by the same people. I've just booked with the LMC myself, which was the first to advertise it. Back at the BFI.

On the 18th, Helen is in town - and has just suggested we have dinner, and head to the Canary Wharf Winter Lights! Excellent idea - I was thinking of seeing them, but didn't have a specific date in mind. Must try not to be in the office that day - I hate the idea of lugging a laptop around!

On the 19th, back with CT - for a show called The Gods, The Gods, The Gods, at Underbelly Boulevard. New venue, it seems!

The 20th is when I'm trying to catch up with all those ex-colleagues.. who never get back to me..

On the 21st, I'm back with London Walking Tours, Art & Culture Explorers for Jane Austen's London Walk..

On the 22nd, back with North London Friends for the first time in ages! They had one remaining ticket for Cold War, at the Almeida - otherwise completely sold out! So I bit the bullet and bought theirs - albeit above my normal price range, including a Paypal fee, and with a Meetup fee on top.. it was that or not see it at all! It'll be good to see them again, too..

On the 23rd, back with UITCS for Blood on Your Hands, at Southwark Playhouse - for which I used the second of my theatre vouchers, bought under their Pay as you Go scheme, where you get them at a discount.

And on the 24th, another CT ticket - this is for The Gorgeous Diva & Katie Norris Double Bill, at the Pen Theatre. Somewhere else I've never been, hmm..