Play: When You Pass Over My Tomb

I now have five (!) days of Meetup: these three with Up in the Cheap Seats (UITCS). Last night, we were at When You Pass Over My Tomb, at the Arcola. A "story of love and lust beyond the grave", as described, it sounded like an interesting way to spend Valentine's Day.

Just made the first bus - perfect timing. Most satisfying, therefore worth mentioning. The second was really crowded.. I was glad to get off. Except that took forever, whatever was up with the traffic.. Anyway, I hadn't booked anywhere to eat, and thought I'd just go to the nearby Pret. Not my best idea ever.. not only were they out of the salmon sandwiches I love (had ham & cheese, which is ok), but - having found a lovely, comfy seat - I was about 75% through said sandwich when she popped around the corner to say they were now closed. So I had to, eh, leave! I was still eating it as I walked out the door, passing her, waiting pointedly with her hand on it. Finished it - and my drink - on the street. Jeez, would it have killed her to mention, when she apologised for cleaning around me, that they were closing soon..?

I took the chocolate bar with me to the theatre - was early, got a very nice glass of Sauvignon Blanc. Sadly, they don't actually do large glasses here, just medium, but hey, I had time for two! Had to finish before I went in for the show, though - we all had Balcony seats, and you can't take drinks up there. As to seating, it was tricky until the other show went in - although I did manage to secure a decently big table. But by the time the others arrived, the other show had started, and we repaired to the bar, where there was more space, and chatted until it was time to go in.

..whereupon we were all told we could sit in the Stalls if we liked! Well, we did, although I think the best photo opp was from upstairs:

Right. This needs some explanation. You see that cow? Remember the principle of Chekhov's gun? (If a gun is displayed on stage, it must be fired at some point.) Mmm, well, the cow does have her moment in the sun. And the use she's put to is valid, according to the Uruguayan lady we discovered was sitting in the front row. (The playwright is also Uruguayan - as he says during the play.. or has the character who represents him say.. he includes some facts that are true, and some that aren't. But we at least know that much about him.)

Speaking of the character that plays him - that's him in the football shirt. He's a ghost. All three of the actors are - he's on stage before we come in, though, the others sit in the front row and comment for a bit first. The fourth wall might really as well not exist here - the audience is pulled in a few times. But I digress - as, indeed, he does himself. This is a rather funny play about, em, necrophilia. Oh, and it's very meta - the play is constantly referenced from within itself, the playwright (well, his character) commenting on the quality of the play, the references, and building a story about himself around it. Which, as usual, might or might not be true. In the common understanding of the word.

I won't give away the plot, but there is one, you'll be glad to hear. And despite the dark subject matter, the frequent breaking off onto other trains of thought regularly lightens the mood, so it's a handy device - the whole thing ends up being quite funny! It does help if you appreciate the surreal.. a couple of people did leave, although no-one from our group.

The whole thing put me in mind of something I once heard at a Crick Crack Club (CCC) event - the storyteller, Jan Blake, told us a story about death, prefaced by an explanation of how much more comfortable they are, talking about death in the culture that she, and her stories, come from. True, our culture really isn't.. which isn't the only reason that this will be a tricky play for some. But honestly, keep an open mind.. As I say, it's really funny, quite surreal, quite brave. And I liked it very much! Runs to the 2nd of next month.

Tonight, we're at Double Feature, at Hampstead Theatre.

And tomorrow, we're at Hir, a transgender comedy at Park Theatre. My companion of a while ago is coming to that as well, and we, at least, will probably head to My Cottage Restaurant afterwards.

On Saturday, I'm back (whee! at last!) with Laurence Summers and the 45+ Not Grumpy Old Londoners.. I've been persuaded to redo his Dickens walk. Well, it's months since I was on one of his - and he now only does one Saturday a month, says there's no real demand! And since I can no longer go on the midweek ones, in general.. well.. it'll be great to be back with them anyway.

On Sunday, back with Discover London - History Walks and Events: it was a while before I thought to check that website to see whether there was another walk, and there is, that day! So we're off to Discover London's Oldest Market and Original "High Street"..

 

On Monday, I'm headed to film - hence the slight delay with this post; I was, of course, doing the film list. So, the verdict is in - I'm finally seeing The Zone of Interest, a recreation of the story of the Höss family, living a normal family life in the shadow of Auschwitz (Rudolf Höss was the commandant). Showing in my local cinema - not that the film listings tend to include the Curzons, generally.. but, as usual, I know to check separately..

On Tuesday and Wednesday, back with UITCS. On Tuesday, we're at The Merchant of Venice 1936, in the Criterion Theatre. This production, in association with the RSC, is based around the Cable Street riots. Got the very last ticket, as I recall.. Funnily enough, on Monday, a couple of Meetup groups are going to a musical about the same thing - I'd have loved to have gone, but it was completely sold out by the time I came to think about it!

On Wednesday, we're at Nachtland, at the Young Vic. Three days on roughly the same theme.. and it seems appropriate these days.. this is about a family who find a painting, stashed in the attic. It's by, as described, a failed artist who abandoned his original vocation for Nazism.. The thorny question here is, what exactly to do with it..

Next Thursday, there's a concert at King's Place that sounds rather good. Worksongs is part of their Scotland Unwrapped series, and has the Maxwell Quartet playing a mixture of classical music and Scottish traditional. Then I'm back to Ireland for the weekend.

On the 26th, I'm back with CT for Magic Monday at Americana! This is a magic show, which I can't even see advertised on their website - but anyway, the booking fee is discounted from dinner, so this sounds good!

On the 27th, back with UITCS for An Enemy of the People, at the Duke of York's Theatre - got the very last cheap ticket for this from London Box Office!

On the 28th, back with CT again - and back to Backyard Comedy at last! This is for Joke Thieves, where people tell each others' jokes.. Gee, it's weeks since I've been there, it'll be good to be back.

And on the 29th, I have a CCC event.. this is online from the Oxford Story Museum, and is Dark Tales from the Wood. As told by the excellent Daniel Morden.