Film: Big Banana Feet

Today, also film - this time on my own, and I headed to Big Banana Feet, a documentary about Billy Connolly in action in Ireland in 1975. I love Billy Connolly.. knew I'd adore this. Closest showing was in Picturehouse Central. And the film was mid-afternoon, so I grabbed the time beforehand for a much-needed haircut! At last.. it's just been so hectic, I haven't had the time.

The closest branch of Rush to me now - which is a chain I keep returning to, as I have points, and they're good - is around the back of Liverpool Street. Should be an easy bus, from where I live. But of course, it chose today to be delayed.. as I waited, a blast of music, which I've heard on other Saturdays in London - greeted us from the other side of the road - the protestors were on the move early:

My bus was going to take too long, so I took another, on which I'd have to change. I then completely forgot to change, and ended up having to retrace my steps to where I should be. Happily, I got a second bus without delay, and made good time. The new part, for me, was tracing my way from Liverpool Street - and speaking of the ongoing discussion about London roads being dug up, wow, the street with the salon on is so dug up, I couldn't at first see a way across to the salon! Made it in the end though, with 10 minutes to spare. The appointment took a little longer than predicted, but he was good, he was friendly - and, interestingly, bald. I've often noticed how hairdressers tend to give me a variation of their own haircut - didn't apply, in this case! I did have to keep telling him to go shorter, though - really, he had no idea how much I hated how long my hair had gotten. I'm still not accustomed to the new, shorter length - but I will enjoy it! Oh, and the lady washing my hair asked whether I'd like a head massage..! Lovely..

Well, finished there, I had plenty of time to head to the cinema, if not to eat beforehand. I had to get two buses - and on the first, entertained myself listening to the American-sounding family, one of whom was mispronouncing St. Giles' Circus, where they were also getting off.. it was only when I did get off to wait for another, and was checking the details, that I noticed the service alteration - nuts, all buses in the area were cancelled for most of the day because of the protests! Happily, it turned out to be only a 15-minute walk from where I was to the cinema. And, as I say, I had plenty of time. And lo, my walk took me past TK Maxx.. and I needed some things. And lo, of the three things I needed - I got two of them, and at an excellent price! Go TK Maxx..

On my way again, I could see why the buses were cancelled - at least one lane was closed on every road around! And as I approached Piccadilly Circus, I caught a glimpse of protest central:

Well, after all that, I still arrived early at the cinema. Grabbed a snack, and noticed - ooh, Spy Valley in the fridge! So I had a glass. And another, as the cinema wasn't ready yet. Got a senior discount on the ticket - I'm not actually eligible, but hey, if it's cheaper, I ain't arguing! He forgot to inform me when the screen was ready, so with five minutes to go, I checked - and it was. As with most screens in this cinema, it's right up on the top floor - and lo, an elderly couple were sat in my seat. Well, one of them was. I was hardly going to move them, so I sat further down. Actually, they must have been from Glasgow, they were laughing so pointedly at Billy Connolly's references!

The title of the film, BTW, comes from a pair of specially commissioned banana boots that he wore for the shows on this tour. We are shown him trying them on for the first time - as someone remarks, they're not identical, but then, neither are bananas! And it was lovely, hearing his act again.. it's been a while, and he no longer performs. As I say, this is the Irish leg of his tour - he arrives in a windswept Dublin Airport, where you'd be forgiven for thinking they rounded up all the Connollys they could find.. he keeps being introduced to them! Also notable, at a reception, was Fr. Brian D' Arcy, asking him how religious his show was..

Apart from the snippets of his show, what's interesting is the mere fact that he also performed in Belfast - and this at the height of the Troubles. In fact, someone at a reception in his honour in Dublin remarks how brave he is, considering the recent murder of members of the Miami Showband, who had decided to tour in the North, that same year. Later, he's shown on a plane to Belfast (!) - they no longer do such short hops, the most sensible way to travel there from Dublin is by train, but I guess that wasn't so safe, in those days. As they're coming in to land, he looks out the window and remarks that it looks lovely, for a war zone.. he's then shown signing autographs for soldiers who've come to meet him at the airport..

Surreal. What different times those were. Anyway, very interesting.. and entertaining, from a giant of comedy.

Afterwards, unfortunately, I'd have liked to eat in Bella Italia again, but it was booked out. New Loon Fung, however, never is - and I have to say, over this past couple of visits, I've noticed a real improvement in their cooking! The chicken used to be tough - it no longer is, and the coating is lovely and crispy. And all delicious. I gobbled it down, and left truly stuffed. No bus problems on the return leg-  all the protestors had clocked off.

Tomorrow, back with Discover London - History Walks and Events for a walk about The Great Fire of London. I love these walks - it'll be nice to get back to one. Especially as it doesn't start till afternoon.

On Monday, last film of the week - I'm off to see Made in England: The Films of Powell and Pressburger, closest showing in The Curzon Bloomsbury. As usual, much easier to book on the app - but even that isn't without its problems, constantly telling me there's a problem with my payment method right before sending me a purchase receipt! Freaky..

On Tuesday, back for the first time since St. Patrick's Day with Buddies on a Budget (BoB) in London - we're off to The Globe for Richard III. With a woman in the title role.. could be interesting. Ah, The Globe - must be summer! And I can walk there - I've booked a table in The Anchor for dinner beforehand.

On Wednesday, for once, I'm staying in - I have a Zoom talk given by the writers of a book called Seven Myths that Changed England. Turns out it's an LSE event.. and blast it, I saw it on cheap ticket sites, but it turns out to be completely free.. actually, I might head to the in-person event instead, I'll see how I feel.

On Thursday, I'm with London Social and Cultural Meetups, first time in months - we're going to a photo exhibition at Estorick. Then I'm back to Ireland for the next bank holiday.

On the 28th, another of those cheap ticket talks - this one is by Asne Seierstad, and is at The Conduit, on the subject of Afghanistan under Taliban rule.

On the 29th, back with London Literary Walks at last - my Wednesdays are just so busy! This is a walk about Island Records - U2's old label, so of course I have an interest.. We're meeting in The Elgin.

And on the 30th, back with London Hot 100 - we're at the New Wimbledon Theatre for Jimmy Carr Laughs Funny.