Film: Article 370, Ballet: Danses Concertantes / Different Drummer / Requiem, & Concert: Guildhall School Big Band

Oh hellfire, what a week.. I don't know when I've had such a busy one! Read on..

On Tuesday, I went to Article 370, a Hindi film about a young woman in the NIA (National Investigation Agency) Indian counter-terrorism unit. And I had to go all the way to Cineworld Wembley to see it..

My, it's a long, long journey - at least the Jubilee Line goes straight from where I start to Wembley. I had fun trying to find my way from the station - had to retrace my steps slightly, but I was early. Basically, you do head towards - and then around - the stadium:

I had visions of having the same trouble finding the cinema as I did in Stratford - not at all! Ah, here it's much easier, once you find the shopping centre - for one thing, you can see the cinema as soon as you go in; just look up. For another, the helpful signs tell you what floor everything is on - so it took me no time at all, although the escalator only goes to the first floor. After that, it's stairs. I said I'd risk eating in Nando's - I was a little tight for time, but they're quick. Not to mention that the entrance to the cinema is right outside the door! There was no-one to greet customers, but as I dithered at the entrance, near the counter, someone behind it spotted me and led me to a table. For some reason, the app wasn't working, so I had to go back to her to order - but after that, everything ran smoothly, and I was well-fed in good time. No dessert, as usual - ah well.

Up I went - quite a lot of escalators in the cinema! Now, this is a typically long Indian film - they're in the habit of having intervals, and indeed, the word "interval" even flashed on screen halfway through! whereupon a few people headed for the exit. One of them paused upon seeing that the film was continuing regardless.. hallelujah, I thought, given that it was going to be late enough for me going home anyway.

I'm always a bit dubious about Indian film - they're often overrated, from my perspective, and I've walked out of some of them before. But wow, this was excellent.. quite exciting, and in more than one respect reminded me of the excellent Sicario. Both have a female protagonist, among a predominantly male armed force, fighting the bad guys. (Actually, I have to give due credit to the film for its prominent female roles - her immediate boss, after the beginning, is female too.) The action is fast-paced, the background music adds to the sense of suspense, and the story is massively complicated - as with the other film, however, you don't have to follow it too closely in order to follow the basic plot.

Based on the real-life repeal of Article 370 a few years back, this film follows the story of a young military official based in her native Jammu & Kashmir. Article 370 allowed for the state to have a special status, which, according to the film, itself allowed a lot of terrorist activity there. And so we see her fighting terrorists, then doing something wrong and finding herself transferred to Delhi - only to find herself involved in the much bigger story of the repeal of Article 370.

Now, this very clearly comes across as supportive of the Indian government, which we have to take with a pinch of salt, considering how right-wing the current administration is. So, the film shows us an Indian government that's quite loving and caring towards this state, as opposed to the local government arising from its special status, which is composed of crooked characters doing shady deals with terrorists. Well hey, I'm not in a position to say how accurate that is - I'll just say that it is laid on a bit thick. Having said that, having black and white heroes and villains does make life easier, and it's a fun ride. And you do learn a lot about the history, considering they give you a potted history lesson! Yeah, I have to say I enjoyed it - not least the gorgeous mountain scenery of Jammu & Kashmir. And they did mention, at the end, that the repeal of Article 370 had done wonders for tourism. I hope so - I'd love to visit, I'm just not sure I'd like to risk it!

The outside escalator is shut after a certain time, BTW - possibly 11pm. It ran too late to blog on Tuesday night - and there are a lot of releases at work (probably trying to get them in before the end of the tax year). Which makes it hard to blog during the day!

On Wednesday, I was back at last with London Classical Music and Theatre Group! We were off to the Opera House for a ballet.. three in fact: Danses Concertantes, Different Drummer, and Requiem. All by Kenneth MacMillan. No shortage of places to eat around there - I decided I fancied Bella Italia on Wellington Street; Bella Italia has always given me a good experience!

I just booked that afternoon - figured it was safer. Arrived a bit before the booking - and waited, and waited.. honestly, I've never been kept waiting so long at one of their branches. When the maitre d' finally did approach, would you believe, he stared straight past me, and started to speak to the people who'd come in after me! They were just looking for a table on spec - eh, hello, sez I, I had a booking for 6pm (which it was now). Wow. he could hardly have looked less enthusiastic as he gestured to the two tables beside me and indicated I could have either. He didn't even have a menu for me - I had to wait for several minutes for my waiter to appear with one, but, worried I'd be late, I'd already checked what I usually have at this chain, just to save time. So when he came, I said I could order straight away - he had to run to get his pad.

I had my usual, which came in decent time, to be fair - two tables after me got sat on spec, the rest were sent away; I was glad I'd booked. And the food was lovely. When I'd finished, I ran to the loo - and when I came back, a dessert menu was sitting cheekily on the table! Honestly, I can't fault my waiter - it's just that uninspired maitre d'. As I explained to the waiter when he came, I'd have loved a dessert, I just didn't have time.. I paid, and legged it up to the Opera House, where I met some of the others. And we had a lovely chat.. including about horror films! Well, I guess you just can't take me anywhere..

Not enthusiastic about travelling upstairs floor by gradual floor (I was on Level 4), I took the lift all evening, which was terribly convenient. And for once, I wasn't in the Slips - which meant I had a more straight-on view, rather than having to keep my head twisted all the time! Granted, I had to pay a bit more, but oh, the luxury.. I think the Slips must have been sold out by the time I booked, mind, for me to have done that:

With three short ballets, there was an interval between each pair - we met at each interval, rather than at the end. And I have to say, for me, the show just improved steadily as it went on! Danses Concertantes, which started us off, was lovely - very colourful, lovely to look at, lovely music - by Stravinsky. Different Drummer is based on the story of Woyzeck, the hapless soldier, and with a deliberate storyline, well told, was most engaging. But oh, for me, it was Requiem that stole the show.. an announcement beforehand warned us not to clap until the absolute end, so as not to break the mood - and how right they were! Set to the glorious music of Fauré's Requiem (complete with live choir), the whole set seemed to evoke religious paintings - the lighting, the postures: scene after scene, we were presented with a different canvas, and it was stunning. Really, I can't recommend it highly enough - runs for four more dates, between now and the 13th.

And on Thursday, I was to be back in the office, so couldn't blog on Wednesday night, I had to be up early. And again, Thursday was too busy for it.. despite the fact that I woke on Thursday morning and said sod it, I'm not up to a personal appearance! So I didn't go in at all last week. Not sure anyone even noticed - my predecessor hardly ever made it in, living in the north of the country as she does! That evening, I was back with London Social Detours at last.. she usually runs daytime events that I can't make. Anyway, we were off to a free concert by the Guildhall School Big Band, at the Barbican.. I confirmed with our organiser that we were to meet at the Tube Station - it can be confusing around there.

We were to head somewhere afterwards where we could get food - which was just as well, it starting early! And I had such trouble with buses delayed, and traffic like treacle, that I had to give up and take the Tube.. which did, at least, drop me exactly where I needed to be. Just in time. And after some minutes of waiting, we set off, passing a Banksy on the way, protectively covered in perspex:

At the venue, we had to wait outside the hall, and lo! there was a shop selling food - and wine - which we could take in. And I found the loveliest subs, with the softest bread.. got mine eaten as we queued, waiting for the doors to open! Seating was unassigned, and I joined some others on the front row:

The back wall was used for projections - and looking at this, I was put in mind of a song, Heart Attack & Vine, by Screamin' Jay Hawkins, which I haven't heard for years.. have to wonder whether it wasn't based on this real location in Kansas City?! For sure, we got an education on the jazz scene from there - hadn't known anything about it myself, but the conductor of the orchestra is obviously a fan! and they played a swingin' repertoire, complete with a couple of jazz dancers and some singers from the vocal school. Really, a find, these free concerts from students!

Afterwards, we repaired to The Masque Haunt - a Wetherspoon's, where it was Curry Night - and I just fancied a curry! (They do a special on one kind of food every night, i.e. you get a discount on their already cheap menu.) My katsu curry is highly recommended, and I had a second glass of wine - but I wouldn't recommend the naan I had with it, which was crisp, more like a poppadum. Still, I'd happily go back there for curry - and it was a good night's conversation too!

And then I was back to Ireland for the weekend again! And again, Friday was manic and I was too busy to blog.. but for more updates, see the next instalment.. which it's gone too late for me to do right now! Watch this space..