Play: Turning the Screw

For tonight, I booked with TAC again, for Scarlet Sunday, at the Omnibus Theatre - so long since I was last there! However, they contacted me on Saturday - seems the producers made a mistake in their advertising, and the show isn't actually running today. So they've refunded me, and instead, I booked with CT to see Turning the Screw, at the King's Head. Another of these about an older professional with power seducing a younger protegé - this time, the focus is on Benjamin Britten. And lovely, I'd get to see their new venue! Plus, I didn't have to drag myself as far across town.

They might have a spanking new venue - but they no longer seem to do food, at least at the moment. How bad - it gave me the idea to go to The Bull instead! which, if I haven't mentioned before, has the best fish n chips I've had anywhere.. I ordered that this evening, and took the corner seat, right beside a piping hot radiator. Ooh yeah.. and the food didn't disappoint, as I told the guy when I was getting my second glass of wine. Stunning - and then, just a couple of minutes' walk to the theatre. Now, I didn't know what the story was with the new venue - waiting to be served, I thought I'd pop over and read the notice on the door that leads to what used to be the performance space. Sure enough, it says to head back out and turn left, and left again, around the building, into Islington Square - their new theatre is almost right inside the entrance, on the left.

I went in, got my ticket at the box office, and went downstairs to the bar and toilets. The toilets are unisex - the drinks, one size only, are served in plastic, so you can take them in. And yes, this is a major improvement on their old space! I was given a seat in the second row:


So, the story focuses on Britten's production of Turn of the Screw, based on the Henry James story of a young governess who finds malevolent ghosts controlling her charges. Or, considering that she's alone in seeing them, are they just figments of her fevered imagination..? Anyway, there's a theme of corrupted youth, which is taken through, in this play, to the young boys that Britten casts in the show. Principally, we follow the story of one David Hemmings, 12 years old - just on the cusp of manhood, he idolises the iconic Britten. How long will Britten indulge him, though..?

It's an interesting, rather ambiguous story - nothing terrible is definitely said to have happened, but, as a number of characters tell Britten, this is all very "inappropriate". The show runs for about 90 minutes, without interval, and includes a fair deal of singing - which is a real treat! They can really sing, this cast - and Gary Tushaw is absolutely charming as Britten, you could really see boys warming to him. I basically found it fascinating - runs till Sunday. Recommended.

Tomorrow, back again with Up in the Cheap Seats (UITCS), for Standing at the Sky's Edge, at the Gillian Lynne Theatre. I'm hearing great things about this musical.

On Wednesday, we have a work social! Cool.. loving the frequency of them. They're going bowling - well, I can watch.. last time I went bowling, I injured myself! In fact, this is proving so popular, they've had to move to a bigger venue.. we're now in Bloomsbury Lanes.

On Thursday, back - at last - with London Baroque Music Lovers. We're attending a concert called Lucky Charm, by Ensemble Les Ombres with Fiona McGown, at the Cine Lumiere, of all places! Hmm, I wonder where that'll be - hardly in the cinema!

Then I'm back to Ireland for the weekend. Sunday is Mother's Day, so I'm flying back a day later, taking next Monday as holiday.

On the 12th, back with CT at the Americana! This time, it's a jazz night.. which I should get more of an experience of than that magic show.. and this time, I'll know to starve myself beforehand!

On the 13th, another of those multi-Meetup socials.. I've signed up with The London Movie Club, and we're off to the BFI Riverfront Balcony Bar again! Excellent venue.

And on the 14th, back again with UITCS - this time, for Casserole, at the Arcola.

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