Musical: Saving Mozart

Tonight, back with CT for a play called Saving Mozart at The Other Palace - was hoping for a musical accompaniment to that. Well, they only play musicals here! Thought about eating beforehand, in the area - but I was a little late arriving, what with one bus delayed and the other coming, and leaving, as I was trying to cross the road to it. (Good thing I dressed for rain, it was lashing at that point.) And wouldn't you know it, of all the eateries around there - every one was rammed! Will remember that, in future - for now, I bought a sandwich in M&S, and ate it before I went in.

I was early - got my ticket and headed for the bar. There's a small bar area - you grab seats where you can. I was on a communal table - got a second drink in plastic, going in when they said we could. The lady at the box office had apologised when giving me my ticket, saying that was the best they had - but really, I was quite close!

Honestly, it starts quite pretentiously - a highlighted quill in a bottle represents Mozart, of course, and a supporting cast of characters, almost all female, come on - ponderously - in Steampunk-type costumes, all corsets and bits and pieces of lace. One at a time, they come, and slowly claim a chair each and pose on it. Oh me.

It improves when we get into the story - there's a child actor (one of two) to represent Mozart, who, along with his older sister, is hot-housed into becoming a musical prodigy. He idolises her, suggests she's the better: but, of course, the social mores of the time mean she can't possibly continue with music as a career, and she must devote herself to marriage. Her lamentation at her fate is one of the more poignant moments of the show.

The musical essentially focuses on the women that were important to Mozart - his sister, their mother, and the woman he finally married. And cleverly, once he starts to write, the music of the show incorporates famous melodies of the composer's real works - listen and you can pick out passages. We also meet his nemesis, Salieri, who, as an Italian, was more favoured at court.

It won me around quite quickly - the singing is marvellous, the pieces, as mentioned, incorporate Mozart melodies, and the story is quite beautifully told. I joined in the standing ovation at the end - recommended, for anyone with even a passing interest in Mozart. Only runs to Saturday - catch it if you can. But try to book somewhere to eat, if you need it.. and caveat, if you follow the sign for toilets that you can see in the auditorium, you end up in quite a warren of corridors. Mind you, the queues are smaller..

Tomorrow, the start of another run of Meetups - the first monthly social in months held by The Hideout and their sister group, Movie Roadhouse London (MRL).. whee! The organiser has been busy with family matters, you see - and there's really nobody like him for organising a social. Happening in the Balcony Bar of the Riverfront Bar at the BFI, as usual, and I've booked The Archduke for beforehand.

On Friday, back with Up in the Cheap Seats (UITCS) for The Pitchfork Disney. Showing in the King's Head Islington, it promises to be a rather weird, and thought-provoking, look at the nature of fear. Goodee!

On Saturday, back with The Hideout and MRL for the 50th anniversary showing of Jaws - at the BFI Imax! Now, that should be spectacular..

On Sunday, back with The Hideout for The Toxic Avenger, at the PCC again - well, the organiser plumped for a free ticket for me, so..

On Monday, I'm headed to Every Brilliant Thing, a play about depression at Soho Place. Four different actors are taking the part in succession - I'm getting Jonny Donahoe. Eating at The Royal George, Soho beforehand.

On Tuesday, thinking film again - and top of the list, again, is the Palestinian documentary, Put Your Soul on Your Hand and Walk - the photojournalist interviewed in the film was apparently killed the day after the film was released. This is the one I didn't get to on Monday. On Tuesday, it's in the Curzon Bloomsbury - not selling out yet, mind.

And next Wednesday, back with UITCS for Good Night, Oscar, at the Barbican. Eating beforehand in Cote Barbican.