Choral Concert: Tallis Lamentations for Holy Week

Tonight, I booked for Tallis Lamentations for Holy Week by Tenebrae, at St. Martin-in-the-Fields. Got one of the last cheap tickets for the nave - no view, but I didn't care; I've been here often enough anyway, have seen the decor. It was only this afternoon that I thought to check where I was going to eat - and on the basic premise of eating on this side of the venue, I thought - why not Bella Italia Strand? I managed to book - wanted 6pm but it wasn't available, so I took 6.15; it's only a five-minute walk from the church anyway.

As it happens, I'm astonishingly un-busy this week - after a flurry of activity at work, they all seem to be cooling down for Easter. So there was no point in hanging around, and I left early. Another coughing fit on the bus, and I was nearly out of Soothers - so I walked the last bit, past a Tesco, and got another pack. Which turned out to be prescient..

Anyway, I arrived 25 minutes early and explained my plight. She sent me downstairs, as they were crammed on ground level - there's a huge area down there, and I just asked someone for a table for 1, and was seated immediately. Now, within 60 seconds, I knew what I wanted - but of course, there was no sign of a waiter - I think, at that point, there were only two for the entire basement. I tried scanning the code, but the site wouldn't load for me.. the WiFi took ages to kick in, and when it finally did, and I got the site open, after a lot of to-ing and fro-ing, it said that online ordering was not currently available. Ah well, it never is, with this chain! I then tried to enable the app, to avail of the offers advertised on the placemat - that wasn't working either..

Service was quick enough, to be fair - and of course, I was early. I had my usual - and wow, it tasted good! It's nearly a month since I was last with Bella Italia. (Interestingly, the two people at the table beside me had exactly the same!) So, all that was good.. I restricted myself to one glass of wine, not wanting to be in a rush. I tried to pay online - which seemed to be working.. until it refused to take my payment method. But someone was along with the machine in due course. And I headed off in good time - I actually arrived just before the doors opened, and was one of the first to take my seat.


(This is before they turned down the lights, and if I leaned forward a bit. Actually, once the choir arrived, I could see a few singers and a bit of the conductor..)

Well, I took a Soother just before the performance started - and it was fine. The music was soothing too, and the first half really enjoyable. I couldn't be bothered heading all the way down to the crypt for a drink at the interval, so I didn't. For the second half, I took another Soother.. didn't stop a severe attack of coughing once I'd finished it. I scrabbled for another one - sat there, furiously sucking it, tears streaming down my face from the effort - a nice lady in front of me offered me a Strepsil, but I told her I was ok for those. And it did ease, in due course.. As to the music, the second half was where they obviously brought in more contemporary work - shouting was involved. Ah well, it was mostly good..

Caveat, BTW - the pews we were sitting in have a little step down to the aisle, and a couple of women stumbled on them. You need to take care.

Tomorrow, I booked with London Literary Walks for The Fitzroy Square Walk - and wouldn't you know it, they're meeting in The Greene Man, which is my go-to for food around the area..! But then.. well, in Darkfield, the only show I haven't been to is Visitors - which, as well as being solely for couples, was completely sold out. However.. due to popular demand, they extended the run to Thursday - and a member of The Hideout agreed to be my +1 for Visitors, saying it sounded interesting! Tomorrow was the day he suggested, though.. and all the early shows were already sold out! So we're going to the 7.30 show, and I had to cancel the walk. (All Visitors shows are now completely sold out.) We're heading to The Blues Kitchen for food beforehand.

And on Thursday, I'm flying back to Ireland for a short Easter break - where I'm delighted to see, there seem to be plenty of new film offerings, so I should be busy. Only problem is, Sinners doesn't yet have a rating out of 10, so I don't know where to put it - watch this space. Back in London on Monday evening..

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