Play: Between Riverside and Crazy

Tonight, I was at Hampstead Theatre for Between Riverside and Crazy, about which I heard good things. Cheap tickets available from CT, who emailed mine to me this afternoon. Pissed rain all day - just the day for something indoorsy. This far away, as usual, it was Tube - and straight into Ye Olde Swiss Cottage for me. Ah, I love it in here.. it's dark, it's cosy - particularly on a miserable day. And my chicken schnitzel - with fries - was just lovely. I have to say, it was also lovely not to have to rush over to the theatre straight afterwards to meet anyone - had a second glass of wine there instead: it's cheaper, quieter, and - as I say - cosier.

I made it just in time to head to my seat:


Yes, that's a Christmas tree in the corner - the old codger in the play obviously couldn't be bothered taking it down. The story centres around him - he's a retired NYPD officer, living in a terrific, rent-controlled (how lovely would that be!) apartment with his son, and his son's girlfriend. The son is recently released from prison, the girlfriend isn't that bright. His wife died a while ago.

I have to say, what I loved about this was its sheer unpredictability. Not one person in the play ultimately acts as you might expect - and we all know standard plot points that this could take. The girlfriend could get pregnant, the son could get involved in drug-running and get shot dead, the old man could get sicker and sicker, lying in bed, having arguments with everyone around him. And that could be the play.

Heh. Except it isn't - this play takes you to places you never expected to go. That's the joy of it - just let back and let it happen, I'm telling you nothing more. Nothing too OTT - there are no ghosts or aliens, or natural disasters.. but some plot points that will just make you chuckle. Recommended! Runs till the 15th of next month.

Tomorrow, back to film - and this time, it's a German film - The Teachers' Lounge is a drama, centred on a young, female teacher, who has some money go missing from the teachers' lounge. Woe betide her when she decides to investigate, however - she has no idea of the trouble she's unleashing.

On Wednesday, our occasional work social is taking us to the funfair - Fairgame recreates funfair-style games! So, that'll see me back in the office, first time in a while, although that evening, we'll be heading for Canary Wharf. Well, back home-ish for me, then.

On Thursday, last film of the week - and finally, The Zone of Interest, which I originally booked for months ago. This is a recreation of the story of the Höss family, living a normal family life in the shadow of Auschwitz (Rudolf Höss was the commandant) - stars Sandra Huller. And then I'm back in Ireland for the weekend.

Next Monday, back with Up in the Cheap Seats for Cutting the Tightrope: The Divorce of Politics from Art at the Arcola - a timely topic, with funding being cut all over. It's a collection of short plays about the question of whether artists should be political.

On the 14th.. ooh, looking forward to this one: I'm back with CT, who have cheap tickets for an exhibition called The Art of Banksy! Runs till 8pm, entry any time.

On the 15th, The London Movie Club has their May social - back in the BFI Riverfront Bar again.

And on the 16th, with CT again - and back with the Backyard Comedy Club! About time..

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