Play: The Score

Well, back to London - on a very stuffy flight. Ryanair, if I pay you extra, will you give me something to breathe..? Anyway, tonight, back with Up in the Cheap Seats for The Score, starring Brian Cox as Johann Sebastian Bach, in a play about his explosive relationship with Frederick II of Prussia. Showing at the Theatre Royal Haymarket (e-tickets only, I notice) - but I got my ticket from Seatplan, thereby not only saving 75p on the ticket price, but another £4.25 on the restoration levy and booking fee that the theatre charges! (Plus, I get Seatplan points..)

Gorgeous sunshine greeted me on my way:

Determined to eat beforehand, I made my way to the Angus Steakhouse - just one course. Ordered, was fed - I knew, after last time, that what I'd had was too much for me - this time, I left out the least tasty element (the chips), and was able for it. Only issue was that a section of the steak was tough and inedible. Occupational hazard, I guess. Otherwise, v nice. I left it, finished the rest, moved on.

Most of us were in the Upper Circle - I made my way up there, once informed that yes, there was an open door to there on the other side of the entrance. Bare boards on the staircase - until, interestingly, we were about at the top, where it was carpeted! As someone remarked, could it be because this was visible from the bar..? Got to the bar, discovered they had a very nice wine (whatever it was - we had choice of "white", "red", or "rose"..). I caught up with the organiser, whom I last saw in Zurich! And we reminisced about that, and swapped stories, until it was time to go in..


Better view than I was expecting, I have to say - and I was on the aisle, which afforded extra space. Not to mention, I was on my own on that side - the seats inside me were empty. One of the group was actually looking for a spare seat in the interval, not liking hers in the Gallery - I offered her one beside me, which she gratefully accepted, and I think appreciated - certainly, there was a better view, and decent legroom.

Ah me, to be honest, I was expecting more from this. What a lacklustre play.. stuff happens, but with little sense of drama; any there is, is snuffed out quite quickly. Classical music fans will find that there are snippets of music, but not enough - anyone hoping for a big blow-up between these two egos will be disappointed.. although the obvious parallels were drawn, in our post-play discussion, between this expansionist King and Putin. Issues are raised, but of course, with everyone afraid of offending the King, nobody says anything too reactionary. Yawn. Sorry- this is the most pointless play I've seen in a while. Nice costumes, though. Currently booking to the 26th of next month - but I really wouldn't bother, there's better on.

Tomorrow, I'm back with Movie Roadhouse London for Last Breath, starring Woody Harrelson in the true story of the rescue of a deep-sea diver. We're heading to the Odeon Luxe West End. So I've booked Bella Italia on Cranbourn Street again for beforehand.

And on Thursday, I've got a streaming ticket for the Crick Crack Club - they're doing Dionysus in the Story Museum Oxford. But you know, they always provide these as a recording too, available for a week afterwards - so I've also booked one of the last tickets to a free performance of Beethoven's Septet, by the Philharmonia Chamber Players, at the Royal Festival Hall. Where I'll doubtless get more classical music than tonight. Heading to The Archduke again afterwards.

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