Concert: The Definitive Rat Pack

Last night, I saw The Definitive Rat Pack tribute act, at Boisdale of Canary Wharf. The second of two nights with TAC. Now, this is a restaurant, so I didn't have to organise food elsewhere, which is always handy. With the show starting at 8.30, they recommended arriving between 6.30 and 7, which was pretty fine by me - I took the Jubilee Line (still massively crowded at this hour) just two stops to Canary Wharf, came out the wrong side, promptly got lost, and after some wandering around in the freezing cold (why is it always so much colder in Canary Wharf?), rocked up at Cabot Place just after 7.

Boisdale has a couple of signs at ground level, but not an obvious entrance - it's on the second floor, you see, so you have to take the lift; there are apparently stairs, but I didn't notice them. Off the lift, it's pretty obvious - just head in the direction of the plush furnishings. The free cloakroom was handy, and the cloakroom attendant showed me to my table - a little back from the VIP tables right by the stage, but honestly, once the show started, the music was so loud I was glad I wasn't closer! I was, in fact, in the middle of the room:

Nice view from the window - and yes, I checked, and apparently you do have to pay more for a window seat. Screens around the room (you can see one in the shot in the direction of the window) show what's happening on stage, if you can't see from where you're sitting.

I was on my own, and as such had been told I might be sharing - nope, not a chance. In fact, the act, when it came on, made a snide remark about all the "invisible people" in the room. They made another one about the lack of enthusiasm of the crowd. They weren't wrong, but I didn't think that was the way to start a show.

Curiously, over the course of the evening, I spotted signs of a very different kind of music, to the side:

The restaurant actually advertises itself as Scottish:

I was very near the bar, but that didn't mean I got my drinks any faster:

They go through a great ceremony, BTW, of handing you a massive wine list (doesn't come with the menu you're handed as you arrive). Don't bother with it - the small booklet has exactly the same information, and is easier to read! 

I located not one, but two New Zealand Sauvignon Blancs - and nearly choked when I saw the price of the cheaper one! And so it was that I ended up with a carafe of one of the two cheapest wines on the menu - a Sauvignon Blanc from South Africa, which was fine. I didn't fancy a starter, but chose the chicken I'd identified online, with a side of "thrice"-cooked chips, which are extra.

Hmm. The chicken was beautifully cooked, but - tasteless. It did come with some sort of green pesto, not specified on the menu, which looked unappetising, and which I didn't use. The chips are massive - took me longer to eat one of them than to eat a bite of chicken! Wedges would be a more appropriate term. They were fine. Now, service was extremely attentive.. until I had my main, after which, despite my central location, I was completely forgotten about. Certainly by the girl who was supposed to be waiting on me, who delivered me the dessert menu when I asked for it as she was clearing away the dishes from my main course. 25 minutes I was waiting, and finally managed to catch someone else's eye and ask for the chocolate cake. Which was.. tasteless. I was beginning wonder whether something had happened to my taste buds..

I was eating that as the show started. We get "Dean Martin" (Mark Adams) first, then "Sinatra" (Stephen Triffit), with "Sammy Davis Jr." (Darren Charles) appearing later. Terrific singers, terrific act.

We got several old classics, not one of which I didn't recognise, and which had me swaying, humming, singing along.. a little sign on each table asks you to stay at your table if you want to dance, and please not obstruct others' view.

 And the drinks list is extensive - after I finished my wine, I decided to have a margarita.. you can have several variations, but I took the regular. And oh my, it tasted good - it's been a while.

A lovely evening, overall. I let out a little squeak when I saw the bill of over £100 though (including service). Just as well I didn't have a starter.. just as well I didn't go crazy with drink.. On balance, it's a lovely place to come - but with those prices, especially as they don't match the quality of the food - I'd have to advise against eating here. Anyway, at least I managed to get the bus home - the show finishes about 10, reasonably.

And tonight, the last of three musical evenings in a row, I'm with Over 40 Living the Life, for The Magic of Motown tribute show, at the New Wimbledon Theatre.

Tomorrow, I was to be back at Watkin's Occult Bookshop, first time in ages - this was for a talk from the author of a new book - on Book Curses! Eating afterwards at Bella Italia Cranbourn Street again. But I subsequently decided to check out the film list - and top of the list was No Other Land, a documentary formed from a young Palestinian boy filming every eviction from his village by Israeli forces. Teams up with a sympathetic Israeli to do it. Sounded more interesting to me. Closest showing to me is in the BFI - and with it mostly sold out, I said I'd better book. Eating in The Archduke beforehand.

Then, a couple more days with Meetup. On Friday, back with Up in the Cheap Seats (UITCS) for The Glorious French Revolution at the New Diorama Theatre! Eating beforehand at the nearby Greene Man, which is a Greene King pub, so good food should be had. Most of the group is actually eating at Ravishankar - but with it being vegetarian, I'm not keen.

On Saturday, back with Laurence Summers and the 45+ Not Grumpies, yay! This walk is Baker Street and its Quirky Surrounds.

As is becoming something of a habit, afterwards I'm joining Movie Roadhouse London (MRL) for a film! This time, it's Gladiator II, at Picturehouse Central, with Paul Mescal replacing Russell Crowe as the gladiator who shows Rome the error of its ways, and a return by Connie Nielsen.. seems I mistook who was whom, and her son is actually the aforementioned Paul Mescal, by Russell Crowe! So yes, he IS his son.. Denzel Washington also shows up as a slave that wants to overthrow Rome. Directed by the very bankable Ridley Scott.

On Sunday, I'm back with the Crick Crack Club (CCC)! This time, it's Queen of Between, with Sarah Liisa Wilkinson, and it's at the British Museum again - which means I'd better leave a huge chunk of time for queueing!

On Monday, I'm headed to Reykjavik, in Hampstead Theatre.. which, ironically, UITCS went to a while back..

Tuesday is looking like film - and as usual, the blog was delayed by me looking up the film list. So, what I've come up with is Soundtrack to a Coup d' État, a fascinating-looking documentary about events in the UN in 1960, with the entry of a host of newly independent African nations, shifting the balance of power. We get Khrushchev banging his fist, we get Eisenhower - and we get a political assassination. Lots of shenangigans - and all to a rocking jazz soundtrack. Showing in the ICA.

Next Wednesday, another social with The Hideout and their sister group, MRL, at the BFI - this one is fetchingly called Frost Descent. Easting beforehand at The Archduke, as usual.

On the 21st, the CCC has an event in The Cube, Bristol - which has the advantage of having streaming tickets, one of which I've bought. I'll probably be in the office that day, and for once yes, heading home afterwards! The event is The Three Snake Leaves - and ironically, is happening in King's Place in January, which I'd have preferred - I always prefer to go to things in person, and especially storytelling. But never mind..

Then I'm back to Ireland for the weekend. And on the 25th, unless something better crops up, I'm thinking of just heading around the Southbank Winter Market..