Drinks & Play: May 35th

Last night, met an old acquaintance for drinks - he had to come to Waterloo anyway, so I said that location would be perfect, and suggested the BFI. I booked to eat beforehand in Black & Blue. Alighted from the bus into something like a gale - thank goodness I recently had a haircut, and my hair was a lot shorter! It was bad enough as it was..

Again, I had steak frites and an ice cream sundae - which were lovely. Service, I have to say, was flawless - it did help that I was sat right beside, and facing, the serving station! And I had a carafe of wine - as I poured the last of it into my glass, I suddenly noticed brown specks in it. Looked at the carafe, they were there as well. Sipped a little more wine, and it tasted fine - but I didn't want to risk ingesting the specks, and called the waiter over. He promptly removed glass and carafe, eventually returning with a clean glass of wine - and it was slightly fuller than the one I'd poured! Lovely..

Made my way over to the BFI then - the wind seemed to have died down a bit. My companion called me as I was nearly there (causing me to miss my turn, actually) - he wasn't familiar with the place at all, and the way I'd told him to go in was blocked. I met him outside, and showed him the side entrance to the Riverfront Bar - seems you can't access it from the other side of the building either, awkwardly! Anyway, we stayed up there (where it's quieter) until we were kicked out, around 10, and had to go downstairs - where they stay open till midnight, which we duly availed of. At which point I called it a night - I was still too tired to blog, though.

Today, back with Up in the Cheap Seats (UITCS) for the matinee of May 35th at Southwark Playhouse's new venue! Now, this promised to be interesting.. basically referencing the Tiananmen Square massacre (35 years ago), and supported by Amnesty, there were different speakers every day. Today's matinee saw the Public Affairs and Advocacy Manager for the Committee for Freedom in Hong Kong Foundation as host, with the Chief Executive of Hong Kong Watch as speaker.. We were meeting for brunch/lunch at Mercato Metropolitano beforehand.

First event of the day, as I waited for the bus, was the sound of approaching music - my local Palestinian supporter was off to the protest on his bike, music blaring and a huge Palestinian flag displayed on the back. Not as windy as yesterday evening - but man, was that a cold breeze! Three of us met at the Mercato, and it was a bitter wait until we could all go in together. One of the group hadn't been before - and we others wondered where she'd got to, she was taking so long about her food! Seems there'd been a mistake with it. Anyway, looking for somewhere to buy wine, I came across an actual wine bar I'd never noticed, just off the central square! Really, there's a proper bar behind the stall, with proper tables and chairs, and a good range of wine - their Pinot Grigio was certainly excellent. Somewhere to remember.. as for my regular pasta, it hit the spot, but there was too much, and I couldn't finish it.

Walked to the Elephant venue of Southwark Playhouse then, my first time there - so we entrusted ourselves to the organiser, who kind of remembered the way. And then we had to figure out which was the front door! Tickets were scanned there, and there were plenty of people around to direct us to the Hong Kong democracy movement exhibition on the ground (upper) floor:

Amnesty also had a stand, which was attracting some interest:

And, as depicted in the above picture, a QR code provided a link to a post-show survey, which they needed completed for funding.

Most of us were in the stalls ("basement"), which is, indeed, in the basement: one in the balcony (ground level). We took ourselves first to the bar, in the basement, where we managed to find a table - seating is even more limited than in the theatre's Borough venue. And I had another glass of wine - very nice too, I must say! We filed in, in due course - the play seemed mostly sold out, I could only spot a handful of unoccupied seats from where I was:

We started quite late - and the show was 90 minutes straight through. We were sternly instructed, several times, not under any circumstances to photograph or film the performance, and to turn off our phones - had any such activity been detected, we were told, the performance would have been stopped immediately. It's that dangerous for any of the participants who come from China, or particularly Hong Kong, which the government is coming down so hard on - and particularly for any family they might have left behind. Perhaps why a few stage crew members were wearing masks.

The story concerns an elderly couple whose only son was killed in the Tiananmen Square massacre. They want to light a candle in the square, to commemorate him - a highly illegal act. Plus, neither is getting any younger - and their health is failing. All action takes place inside their tiny flat.

And it is devastating. As we watch their health gradually deteriorate, we realise that they literally have lost everything - their son's room, which they hardly enter, is almost a shrine to him, full of his things. His mother, now dying, takes to giving away his stuff, her only criteria being that the buyer be a student, and sit and listen for 15 minutes, as she tells them about her son, and his death. And quietly, she and her husband plot their brave scheme..

None of us were expecting the end, where a group of people representing the victims of the massacre come on and re-enact the events, singing one of the songs - someone near me in the audience was singing along. And if you hadn't been moved by that point, this scene, which brings the events to life so effectively, is bound to move you. Stunning.

The Q+A afterwards was interesting - the Chief Executive of Hong Kong Watch mentioned that he recognised some people in that final scene. He also mentioned how far China's reach extended - they'd even contacted him about his activities, and actually tracked down his mother, and asked her to "get [him] to shut up"! As he explained, she has a sense of humour, and remarked that she'd given up on trying to do that years ago.. Also interesting was when someone asked whether the playwright had suffered any repercussions as a result of the play's release. The people answering questions weren't sure - but the director was on hand (complete with glass of wine), and more than happy to clarify that no, the playwright (anonymous, like so many others) had signed away all rights to the play, so couldn't be held responsible for anything that happened with it.. and having cleared that up again, she dashed off to finish her wine..

Absolutely fascinating afternoon, all in all - and we hung around in the bar for a bit afterwards, discussing democracy, protests, free speech.. all made sure to get the survey link as we were leaving, which was necessary for their funding. Well, I'd love to recommend this play, but unfortunately this was the last day of its run! Catch it if it resurfaces, though.

Afterwards, it occurred to me that I'd get hungry at some point, if I didn't eat again - didn't fancy anything around there, so headed back home, deciding to eat in Cote at Hay's Galleria. I knew I'd be there by 6, but the first available time they gave me to book was at 6.15, so I booked that. Arrived at 5.50 - by the time they processed the people who all walked in just before me, it was 5.55. Of course, they had no problem seating me.

Unfortunately, the dinner itself wasn't terribly successful. There was no wine menu - I had to nick one from the adjoining table. I decided just to have a baguette to start - it was plonked in front of me with no butter. I checked the menu - I was supposed to get a choice of things to put on the bread, actually! It took me fully 15 minutes to catch anyone's eye to ask them for butter - and his English wasn't great, I had to ask twice. The bread itself wasn't warm, either - just as well, under the circumstances. Then my steak was fatty - 1/4 of it was inedible and I had to leave it. For dessert, I spotted mini desserts that looked attractive - they came with a cup of coffee, but I don't drink it, and asked for them without. They were lovely, I must say. I noticed I didn't get a discount on the price for not having the coffee, mind..

Tomorrow, I'm back with Discover London - History Walks and Events for a walk all about Crime and Punishment: 16th to 19th Century.. afternoon, so I get a rest in the morning. And it's supposed to be warm again!

On Monday - now that the film list is done - I know I'm going to Non-Aligned. It's a documentary with footage of Tito travelling the world during the Cold War, trying to find a "third way", non-aligned to either of the major powers! Honestly, this is something I never heard of.. Narrated by the cameraman who took the original footage, who describes what it was like. Showing, of course, in the Curzon Bloomsbury - and I had initial trouble booking it on the app, but it's working now.

On Tuesday, back with Buddies on a Budget (BoB) in London for The White Mouse, a play based on the true story of Nancy Wake, a spy for the SOE during the Second World War. Showing at The Theatre on Barnes Pond, who've given us a discount code, lovely! I also accidentally booked with her other group, London Herstory Walks - no harm. Anyway, the theatre turns out to be right next door to Cote, so I've booked that as well.

On Wednesday, I was supposed to be back with London Literary Walks for The Camden Walk. Booked for dinner beforehand in The Blues Kitchen Camden, just down the road - well, the Shoreditch branch is excellent, thought I'd try this one! The walking group, however, was to meet in The World's End. Unfortunately, I have to be in the office that day.. meaning I'd be dragging the laptop on a walk! However, now the walk's been cancelled - and much as I enjoy his walks, I'm delighted. Not only do I now not have to drag the laptop on a walk, I get to attend The Horror Book Club's event of the month, where they're discussing Cujo - a book I've always loved. So I've just bought the Kindle edition, and am enjoying a re-read! I'm surprised to find how short it is..

On Thursday, back in Southwark Playhouse - original venue, this time - with UITCS, for The Bleeding Tree, a drama involving a murder and a conspiracy of silence. Both tickets booked on their excellent PAYG system, where a prepaid amount counts for five shows, no time limit. Can represent a good saving! Probably eat in Mercato Metropolitano again, perhaps not pasta. And then I'm back to Ireland for the weekend.

On the 10th, back with UITCS again for Kathy & Stella Solve a Murder - a musical comedy about the presenters of a murder podcast, finding themselves in the position of sleuths! Showing at the Ambassadors Theatre, cheapest tickets from the official source, with a promo code! Stupidly, when I was booking it though, I forgot all seats would be the same price - could have got a better one, never mind. And I've booked Bella Italia St. Martin's Lane again.

On the 11th, BoB is off to the Yamato Drummers at the Peacock Theatre. Their tickets were sold out by the time I came to booking this, but it's the best thing on Meetup for the day - so I booked my own ticket. Eating in Cote Covent Garden.

On the 12th, back with UITCS for The Finellis, a musical in Wonderville. I remember the food not being great there - will see what my options are nearby.

And on the 13th, back with CT for a talk on The Peasants' Revolt, at Southwark Cathedral.