Concert: Lux Aeterna

Tonight, back with TAC at last for a concert called Lux Aeterna, featuring different requiems in St. Giles Cripplegate. Part of the Summer Music in City Churches series. Eating beforehand in Cote Barbican - all happening a bit later than yesterday, thankfully!

Well, my perfect run of buses ended - the #47 took forever, and when it arrived, to the frustration of someone waiting with me, it was stopping short. Just went far enough for me, though. As I had just figured out which of the maze of streets I had to take, the restaurant texted to invite me to check in - reply "1" if I was on my way (it was now nearly five minutes past my booking time). I did so, so at least they knew to hold my table.

I eventually made it about five minutes later, and was relieved to be out of the sun at last. Few things are as unpleasant as traipsing through a concrete jungle in the heat. I had to wait behind another couple - and as I did, had a look around. Wow, was I glad I'd booked - it was rammed! The couple hadn't booked, and were being told that 6.30 was the best possible option - they were probably in a rush, so declined, asking whether there was anything else round about. Eh, that's the thing about this area.. there really isn't much. Anyway, mercifully, when I got to her, she found me on the system and led me to a table down the back.

To be fair, my order was taken quickly. I did wonder where my wine had got to - when the starter arrived, I asked the waiter about the wine, who said he'd check. It was very obvious what happened next, as I watched him go over to another waiter, who checked on the system and discovered that yes, I had ordered a drink, oops. It wasn't long in coming after that. The food was sublime - if not for the hectic pace I was running at, and the ambient noise level, it'd have been a wonderful meal. And I had eaten in reasonable time, paid in reasonable time, headed out at just after 7.05 for a 7.30pm concert start.

And.. then I had a toilet emergency. I won't go into details, but I needed a toilet desperately. I had to go through the Barbican, and know where they are there - as far from everything else as it's possible to be, really inconvenient. The only reasonable thing for it was to get back to the restaurant as quickly as possible, and go there! And that's what I had to do. Did my business, headed out again, quite late now. Got to the Barbican estate - which has the church in the middle, I could see it across the pond - and, you guessed it, there was no way across the pond (swimming was not something I intended to do).

Had to ask assistance of ushers, who (ahem) told me to go to the second floor and take the walkway. I got to the second floor - no signs for it, couldn't see the walkway. Had to ask more ushers, who were at some kind of box office. One of them walked me to where I had to turn, remarking that yes, it is a huge place. I replied that there was no doubt about that, but the actual problem was the sheer lack of any kind of navigational aids! So. Turned out I had to go through the door marked "Exhibition". Never mind that I wasn't going to the exhibition. The exhibition (whatever it was about) was to the side - I had to go straight through. Despite the lack of signage, this was the walkway.

At least now I was on the outside of the building, and could navigate better. I saw stairs down, and made for them, finally reaching the outside of the church, five minutes late. This would be the one time a London concert started on time.. I could hear the music as I gently opened the door. The person at the desk and I whispered to each other - I flashed her my ticket, she told me to sit anywhere. So I did.

I hadn't had any time to look around - I did notice that, apart from behind the altar, there seemed to be only one stained glass window:

I hadn't time to pick up a program either - but it hardly mattered, as I didn't recognise any of the music. That hardly mattered either - it was all simply amazing, voices soaring into the empty space. It was less than an hour in all - but absolutely heavenly, and so, so relaxing.

As I was coming out, what did I spy but the Barbican's very own pub:

Tarnation, if I'd known that was there, I could have eaten there and been closer! Well, I know for the future. I tell you something though, new patrons would have their work cut out finding it - it's right beside the church, so that walkway has to be found, and crossed, to get here from the outside world! As I made my way out again, someone mused how a wheelchair user would manage, as there didn't seem to be a lift on this side.. Oh, just don't ask me, as I thought to myself.. I'll have enough bother finding my way out again..

Passed through Liverpool Street Station on the way home, and stopped off at M&S - they do nice chocolate, and I'm not around here much any more. Unfortunately, my room is so hot, it's a trial to keep it from melting.. Anyway, I'll be delighted to get to sleep early, for once.

Tomorrow, I'm back with Laurence Summers and the 45+ Not Grumpies, for the rescheduled tour of the Wallace Collection, yay! And what's more, Helen is coming to town.. and I doubt not that much of our chat will be about the Hurtigruten cruise I've booked for later in the year, and which she's been on.. ;-) Not to mention the one she's going on next month.. Might just be the three of us tomorrow, but what the hey.

On Sunday, I'm finally getting to see Tutankhamen: The Immersive Exhibition, which I had previously booked and had to cancel. Now, this time, it's hosted by a group called Fun Activities to Do in London on a Weekend. But gee, they bought tickets already, and are charging extra.. so I just booked myself again. And as I booked before, I'm even getting a couple of quid off!

The next two days, I'm thinking film - on Monday, what's coming up is The Last Journey, about a couple of Swedish tv personalities who take the father of one of them on what is probably going to be his last trip, a road trip to France, which he's always loved. Showing in the Garden Cinema.

After that, I have something of a tie on my film list, with three films on the same rating - what appeals most is The Way Way Back, a coming-of-age comedy about the summer of a teenage boy. Now, I'm not usually into coming-of-age films, but this does actually look funny - Toni Collette plays his mother, Steve Carell the manager of the theme park where they're holidaying, who becomes his mentor. Excellent actors, and it doesn't look twee. I did fully intend to see it when it came out, but just never got around to it. It's now in the Prince Charles, part of their Coming-of-Age Summer season. I haven't booked for either of these films yet, as they're not selling out - and while, if I do go to this, of course I'll want to eat in Bella Italia Cranbourn Street again, well, I don't think I'll have any trouble getting a table on a Tuesday!

Very excited about Wednesday - TAC is playing a blinder, with tickets for the Gala de Danza at Central Hall Westminster! This is billed as an extravaganza of music, dance, and art. Happily, how they're doing it is providing a code, which you then use to book your own ticket - as expensive as you like, you still get it for nothing but the admin fee! Eating beforehand at The Red Lion.

Thursday is looking like film again - delving into the group of three films, I think The Ballad of Wallis Island looks like the one: another comedy, in which an eccentric lottery winner, living alone on a small offshore island, hires his favourite artists to play a private concert for him. (If only..!) Thing is, the artists used to be a couple, and have since broken up, which adds to the fun - she's played by Carey Mulligan. I suppose I had to get around to it eventually - of course, all these films are subject to change, if ratings change, or I get a better offer. Still showing in Picturehouse Central.

Next two days are something of a Meetup extravaganza. Next Friday, I'm back with Up in the Cheap Seats for Miss Myrtle's Garden, at the Bush Theatre. Eating beforehand at Shikumen Chinese restaurant.

Then on the afternoon of the 28th, I'm attending their summer social, at The Oxford Market. 

That should be finished in time to head over to the BFI, where The Hideout is seeing Videodrome, a body horror by David Cronenberg, that evening. Stars James Woods and Debbie Harry. Love a bit of Cronenberg.

On the 29th - the only day this month they could make it - I'm meeting Ivan and James (and possibly Martin) for our monthly social, and we've decided to try The Phoenix again.

And on the 30th, back with London Classical Music and Theatre Group (London Baroque Music Lovers are also going, but I had to pick one - mind you, the same guy is organising) for the opening night of Handel's opera Semele, in the Royal Opera House. Eating at Cote Covent Garden beforehand.