Comedy: Stage Time

Tonight, I was back with CT at Shoreditch Balls for Stage Time, the Improv Variety Show. Happily, of course, having been there before, I knew to eat in The Blues Kitchen, which is excellent - and decided I'd better book. Interestingly, I was initially only given times on the half hour - I figured I wouldn't make it for 5.30, so selected 6. Whereupon I was given times to choose from that were 5.30, or 5.45. 5.45 it was.

Had an interesting bus journey - we'd stopped at Curtain Road and a couple of people got off, then we stopped at the lights shortly after. Whereupon one of the folks who'd just got off ran up and rapped on the entrance door! I guess the driver recognised him, as I did. He explained that he'd left his phone upstairs - lucky him that we hadn't gone far! If only I'd had such luck last year.. anyway, up he went. When the lights changed, of course we had to drive on, couldn't just stop in the middle of the road. We then stopped at the next set of lights, and he started to make his way down - unfortunately, while he was doing so, we started off again suddenly, and he nearly had a nasty spill. On top of all that, as we were turning a corner shortly after, a cyclist - on a rental bike, so could have been a tourist - swerved suddenly into our lane, right in front of us! And damn near fell off his bike in fright when he saw a double-decker bearing down on him.. Ah, the interesting life of a bus driver..

Well, it took them a minute to find me a table, but to be fair, I was a few minutes early. Service was even faster than last time - but they've changed the menu! Sadly, they no longer do the moreish buttermilk chicken - instead, I had fried chicken with fries. Comes with gravy on the side - but it's chicken gravy, which I've always found insipid. And my God, they overdosed on salt on the fries.. thank goodness for the water they supplied! But the chicken was, again, lovely. I might have had time for dessert - if they'd come faster - but I didn't fancy anything anyway.

And so up to Shoreditch Balls - and again, no sign to indicate where the show was on! I knew to go downstairs, of course - although even I struggled with finding the door from the outside, and did wonder that all that was signposted downstairs were the toilets. I have to say, I got an amazing welcome from the lady on the door, who also MCs - and it nearly two months since I was last here! I did mention to her that she'd be wise to signpost better..

Seating was mostly reserved already (coats on chairs), so I ended up in the back row - but there are only a few rows anyway, it's a small room. Most of the seats were, of course, occupied by the acts themselves. Interestingly, first thing we were asked to do was turn to someone in the audience we hadn't come with, introduce ourselves, and say what our favourite tv show was as a kid! Mine, BTW, was Mr. Ed (the talking horse).. I remember literally falling off my chair with laughter at one episode.. the person I was talking to had, of course, never heard of it..

Well, the show ran for just over an hour, straight through - as she said, it's a school night! Several groups participated - and the acts were most ingenious. The first had gone through the audience beforehand, asking people to write historical events on bits of paper (no later than the start of the Second World War).. I immediately thought of the Black Death, but of the suggestions, they ended up going with the Defenestration of Prague. Mind you, I doubt the exact historical accuracy of their presentation! ;-) Having said that, the act I found most entertaining, for their sheer flights of fancy, were Pirates' Prov! Quite surreal, and one of the better uses of audience suggestions - highly recommended, if you come across them.

And, as she said, we could go home nice and early!

Tomorrow, I'm back with Over 40 Living the Life - and for the first time, joining them on their "Gastronomical Tour" of countries alphabetically. That evening, it's Azerbaijan! and we're headed to the Land of Fire restaurant. Hmm..

And on Thursday and Friday, back with CT - and the Backyard Comedy Club! Always a great atmosphere..