Film: Queen Rock Montréal

Today, I booked with London Walking Tours, Art & Culture Explorers for Jane Austen's London Walk.. and it was great to have a lie-in, for once! Although it should still have been over by the time the storm hit. My, temperatures have really improved! What a relief.. Now, the group  cancelled the event because of wind warnings - but apparently the actual walk (organised through Eventbrite) was still going ahead, so I said I'd risk it. I could always pull out if it seemed too risky.. and what was nice is that she offered me another free walk some other time if I didn't finish the walk. Very generous!

Well, I got there in good time - and yay, Buses Due was working again! Now, we were to meet at Green Park - which is always a nightmare, having so many exits. This is where Helen and I missed a walk before! I checked where exactly we were to meet, and the ticket said "North exit". So I crossed the road, and waited. In the wind. Nobody came. When I checked my watch after a while, it was five minutes after the start time - I messaged the group organiser, but got no response. I said I'd give them 10 minutes more - and after that, I left. In high dudgeon. Repaired to the nearby Henry's for a glass of wine, while I checked what to do next.

Of course, it ended up being film - and when I checked the listings, and chopped the dross off the top, what was left was interesting. Queen Rock Montréal is a concert film, and had showings this evening - the nearest to home was in the Odeon Greenwich. They say it's always cheaper to book online - so I did, and took the (crowded) Tube out there. now, when I alighted at the O2, I figured I'd eat there - and lo, I came across a food court. So, in I went.

It's a kind of plastic bubble - not exceptionally warm, with the open doors, and the wind whistling through. But I have to give credit where it's due to the band, playing cover versions of rock classics. I was particularly taken with Thunderstruck. Well, there were signposts for the different kinds of food - I said I'd try the Chinese. They didn't have a great selection, but I chose the honey BBQ chicken with noodles. Found a table to eat it at.

Never have I had such tasteless Chinese, and it's been a long time since I had anything as tasteless from anywhere. Never, ever had such bland noodles. AVOID LIKE THE PLAGUE! I finished the chicken, dumped the remains, and headed for the cinema, which was a walkable distance away. Except - oh dear, the wind was now picking up, and the rain was driving. By the time I sighted the cinema, I was soaked, and struggling to stay upright, and to avoid being blown across the road. At least there wasn't much traffic.

And lo, I discovered a few places at the cinema to eat as well. Should have waited.. I ended up going to Nando's, as I hadn't had much of that Chinese. Well, my woes weren't over yet - I usually have the thighs, but although they were on the printed menu, they weren't on the app. And they were out of my Plan B. Well, they have other chicken, which I ordered. And a can of Sauvignon Blanc.

There was no cutlery. When I asked the lady who brought my wine, she said it'd be out soon - happily, it arrived before the food did. Not dried properly - but that's why they have napkins. The can of wine, BTW, came without a glass, which I had to ask for. The chicken, when it arrived, was burnt on one side. And nobody came during the meal to see whether my meal was ok - which they're supposed to. Lordy, I enjoyed writing that bad review, later..

But I was fed, and a hop, skip and jump away from the cinema entrance. Where the lady scanned my ticket, and warned me that the IMAX was a bit chilly - I guess their heating was broken. She said they'd refund me if I didn't want to stay - but I said I'd try it, at least. And indeed, it was ok if you left your coat on.. mine was still soaked, but what can you do..

So glad I stayed. Love a bit of Queen - and this is beautifully shot! It's not actually that long, coming in at around an hour - but wow, what a concert. Who doesn't love Queen? Their songs are still iconic, and so many in this film are familiar. In general, they're a rock juggernaut, coming at the audience with an irresistible sound. And at their best, they're simply sublime. I found myself singing along a couple of times, of course, and kept having to resist the urge to applaud after songs. And as for Freddie Mercury - oh Lordy, he just oozes sex appeal as he prances about the stage, gradually losing clothes as the show goes on. What a loss he was..

One thing about the crowd caught my attention. I saw U2 in Montréal once - blasted teenagers behind me made me sit for most of the show! They "couldn't see". I was reminded of that in tonight's film, when someone tried to raise a banner along the lines of "Montréal Loves Queen", and the immaculately made-up young lady behind her immediately grabbed it and pulled it down, pulling a shrug when the owner of the banner turned around to see what was going on. A "well, what do you expect?" kind of a shrug. Plus ca change..

I was to be glad it wasn't longer, and that I got out earlier than expected - and also that I had picked the cinema closer to home! Coming downstairs, I could see it was still windy outside - and wow, as I tried to get out the doors, they were mostly locked - and the automatic ones barely opened against the wind, I had to shove them. Anyway, my way to the bus led across the main road - and I discovered that that involved a high bridge! Uh-oh..

I tried. I put my glasses in my pocket, lest they be blown off. I got about halfway up, a gust came that made me hang onto the railing for dear life. I looked at what was ahead - and said no thanks! I made my way down again, checked the map to see where the last stop was before that. And off I went - gingerly, holding onto walls, fences, whatever, whenever I heard the wind rising. And lo, I made it to the stop! which, mercifully, was covered. It wasn't too long till the bus came, either. It was packed - but they all got off shortly after. And it dropped me very close to home. Phew, to get in..

Meantime, that group had been in touch to apologise vociferously, and offer me a refund, as well as credit on that walk, and another of my choice. And a free book by the author, on royalty! It seems, you see, that they changed the start location, but neglected to advertise this. Well, to err is human. I have to give them credit for a great refund policy..

Tomorrow, 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.. and the weather's supposed to have calmed down by then, too. Also supposed to get colder again, damnit.

On Tuesday, back with Up in the Cheap Seats 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.

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

Helen is in town on Thursday - and 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. We're heading to Amerigo Vespucci for food. And hopefully, we'll have decent weather.. Funnily enough, 45+ Not Grumpy Old Londoners are also heading there that day - for the princely sum of £6, for a free event and a trip to the pub. Drinks not included. Think we'll avoid that. Then I'm back to Ireland for the weekend again.

And on the 29th, I'm headed to The Hills of California, at the Harold Pinter. Another of those great value Seatplan vouchers..