Play: Rock 'n' Roll

Tonight, I saw Rock 'n' Roll by Tom Stoppard, at Hampstead Theatre. I always go to Ye Olde Swiss Cottage, just across from it - and right beside Exit 3, if you're coming by Tube! Which I was - at least it wasn't too crowded, and I got a seat after a couple of stops. (And hallelujah for the cancellation of that major Tube strike!) The food is decent, service tends to be friendly, and it's a nice atmosphere. And the price is right. And so it was tonight - what a nice cosy retreat from the cold, and I got a table right by the bar. And was well-fed, with wine cheaper than the theatre (albeit they only have Chenin Blanc). It was a wrench to leave..

It's rather unfortunate that I had another glass upon arrival at the theatre, because I spent most of the first half with a desperate need to wee. And, of course, I was not only dead centre of the row - but on the side of the stage that had to be accessed by crossing the stage! So, not a hope of getting out during the performance:

I tell you, I deserve a medal for the superhuman performance I, well, performed to hold it in. But anyway, I digress.. basically, this is the story of Communism in Eastern Europe, specifically Prague, told via music, in a sense - it isn't the main facet of the play, but we do keep hearing snatches. Coming in at the start of the play, there's a lovely 60s soundtrack.. after the interval, I came in to the strains of ISHFWILF (U2) - sorry, so many of their song titles are so long, the fans abbreviate them..

So, before the break, we have hippies, free love, idealism.. including Communist idealism.. by the second half, the dream is tarnished, we have seen the dark side, and people have embraced Capitalism. It's a fantastic way to describe the journey, through music.. in real life, I kind of joined it right at the beginning of the second half. With the politics, we also get a snapshot of human relationships, and their endurance through the years, way past faded ideologies.. For anyone who lived through it, I daresay this will prove a nostalgic show. Tells it like it was, far as I can say..

I really enjoyed it. Especially after I got to the loo at the interval! Runs till the 27th - highly recommended, for anyone with an interest in the times.

Tomorrow - 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 Thursday, Helen was supposed to be in town - 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 were heading to Amerigo Vespucci for food.. but her schedule has changed. So it's back to the Backyard Comedy Club, , with CT as usual, for me and my laptop!

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

Saturday is when I'm trying to catch up with all those ex-colleagues.. Ivan can't move his rehearsal from that day, so three of us are meeting for lunch in Cambridge Heath, so he doesn't have to lug his equipment too far. The Approach Tavern, to be precise. Then he's off to play music, while the other two of us will head down to Victoria and see what pubs look good around there - James is headed home from there. As for Martin - who knows? He might schlep out to Victoria - it's handier for him than is Cambridge Heath..

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

On Monday, 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..

Next 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 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..

Helen is now coming on the 25th, so we're doing the planned programme that day.. 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..