Play: The Real Thing

Last night, the first of three Meetups in a row. I was with Up in the Cheap Seats (UITCS) at The Old Vic for The Real Thing, by Tom Stoppard. Ate beforehand in The Duke of Sussex - which does sell out, so it's better to book.

I really wish I hadn't - and I won't be back. Yes, I was seated quickly - all the tables in the dining room had reserved signs, but I was the first to arrive. On perusing the wine list, I was to discover that they know how to charge.. happily, for once, my NZ Sauvignon Blanc was on the cheaper half of the list - which didn't make it particularly cheap, but I was happy enough with it.

As to the food.. they've gone pretty much vegetarian. If you don't want vegetarian, your choices for main course extend to the bacon cheeseburger, or two kinds of fish - I had the battered fish n chips. She asked whether I wanted fries or chunky chips - I said fries. To be fair, it all arrived quickly - that was the last thing that did happen quickly.

The chips were chunky, not fries - the second time that's happened to me recently! What, do they have a shortage of fries and figure the customer won't notice..? I might have said something - if anyone had come near me for the rest of my meal: but they didn't. Nobody to ask how things were - nobody to ask for another glass of wine from, which I would have. I guess they were busy with crowds outside - only one other table was occupied in the dining room: and similarly, they had to ask to order food, they were left for so long after their drink order was taken. (Lucky I ordered both at the same time!)

The fish, by the way, was bland - I was glad to finish. Managed to catch someone's eye as she hurried past, and asked for the bill - she'd removed my plate a while before (since I'd left it conspicuously on the far edge of the table), but hadn't thought to ask whether I wanted anything else at that stage. I got the bill - no sign of anyone taking payment, of course. Fine - I got up and put on my coat - usually a good method of getting attention - and had paid a few minutes later. I should have asked for the service charge to be removed, but honestly, I usually don't want the hassle. Yeah, with the lack of non-veggie choice, the bland food, the terrible service - I'd have been better off at the Pret down the road. Cheaper, tastier, quicker.

The group met outside the theatre, and chatted away merrily before going in. I was at the top level, in a side seat - but really, it was great! The view was hardly restricted, and if I needed to, there was no problem with my leaning - there was nobody behind me. Plus, the legroom was fine, but I was on the aisle and could swing my legs out if required.

Well, apparently this play has been around for a while - I hadn't seen it though. The play rotates around a playwright and his relationships, and asks how we can tell what's real from what's not - using a couple of plays within the play to illustrate! Almost all the other characters are actors, and with people flitting between partners, and in and out of character, and examining, particularly in the second half, what being in a relationship even means.. by the end, we've been through quite a merry-go-round.

I adored the writing - witty, clever. Many of the group found the story fragmented though - but it is wonderfully acted, and really enjoyable. Not least for the soundtrack - from near the start, he has records strewn over the floor, trying to choose one; he's been asked to appear on Desert Island Discs. And we get lots of music snippets. Yep, not the absolute best I've seen, but I really enjoyed it! Runs to the 26th of next month - and now we have sundry group members comparing it to their memories of its previous incarnation..

Last night, I had the film list to update.. for more, do read on! Anyway, it ran far too late to blog.

Tonight, back with London Literary Walks for The Magic Toyshop. Meeting in The Alexandra, Clapham, which only does pizza - so I've booked at Carmen Tapas, just up the road, beforehand.

Tomorrow, back with UITCS for a play called The Lightest Element, at Hampstead Theatre (HT) - and there's a terrific deal with Time Out!

On Friday, I'm back with CT for the Backyard Comedy Club, first time in ages!

On Saturday - yay, he's back! Laurence Summers is taking the 45+ Not Grumpies on a walk around Shoreditch & Spitalfields.. and I'd completely forgotten, but Helen said she'd come on this too! Cool.. should be a great day out!

On Sunday - well, I'm not mad about the film, but I love hanging out with the group, and it's the best option I seem to have! So I'm joining The Hideout for They Live - at the Prince Charles Cinema. Meeting beforehand at Clubhouse 5, as usual.

On Monday, I'm off with TAC to see The Band Back Together, a play with music, at the Arcola.

On Tuesday, back with London Social Detours - first time in nearly six months - for a talk about The Players' Theatre. I see tickets are now gone - just as well she pre-booked! And we have a social afterwards, of course.

Next Wednesday is another work social - darts this time (!) at Oche.. now, I've never thrown a dart, or even watched a darts match, in my life. So this should be interesting..

On the 26th - yes, The Hideout again! Now, this time they beat off some stiff competition - but the film promises to be excellent. The Substance stars Demi Moore as an ageing star who finds her roles drying up as her looks are fading. So when she comes across a miracle drug - "the substance" - on the black market, which promises to restore her to a younger, more beautiful version of herself.. she jumps at it. Of course, it doesn't work out quite as planned. Dennis Quaid plays her agent. And honestly, I can't remember when I saw a new-release horror film so highly rated.. few enough of any genre are so highly rated! We're seeing it at the BFI - and after my previous experience with Black & Blue, I'm returning to The Archduke for food. First time in a couple of months. Then I'm back to Ireland for the weekend.

Then it's Meetup for the next week! On the next two days back in London, I'm back with UITCS - on the 30th, for Bellringers, back at HT. Got a good seat from someone in the group who couldn't use it in the end.

And on the 1st, we're at Cake: The Marie Antoinette Playlist. At The Other Palace. Eating beforehand at the Bag o' Nails, where I'd booked before and had to cancel, when my event was cancelled.

The 2nd, I finally leave on my long-anticipated trip to Romania with the 45+s! That afternoon, most of us are flying Ryanair from Stansted, to be met by an English-speaking guide and transferred to the Continental Forum Hotel, in time for an evening tour of Bucharest. (I've already downloaded the Rough Guide to Romania!)

On the 3rd, we're heading straight off by coach to Transylvania.. walking tour of Sighisoara, where Vlad the Impaler was born! Staying in the Hotel Korona that night.

On the 4th, we're off to Brasov - apparently has the narrowest street in the country. Walking tour, staying in Hotel Kolping that night.

And on the 5th, we're headed to Bran - for the famous castle - and Sinaia, for Peles Castle - before heading back to Bucharest for our flights home.

Safely back - hopefully - on the 6th, I'm with Cultureseekers for the Charlie Chaplin Guided Walk. Finishing at The Jolly Gardeners Pub.

And on the 7th, back with UITCS, who are off to Southwark Playhouse for Foreverland - more biotechnology SciFi.. possibly less spooky!