Play: Every Brilliant Thing

Tonight, for the first of two nights solo, I headed to Every Brilliant Thing, a play about depression at Soho Place. Four different actors are taking the part in succession - I got Jonny Donahoe. Got my ticket from Seatplan - not only did they have jointly the cheapest, but I also earned points for buying from them, which will go towards a theatre voucher. I had great fun looking for my ticket today though - was all ready to contact them to say it'd never arrived, when I thought to check my other email account.. Anyway, booked to eat at The Royal George, Soho beforehand.

Google Maps said I'd just missed the bus I should have taken - and the next wouldn't be for 15 minutes. Buses Due said there'd be one in five minutes. Buses Due was right. I had fun with kids on the buses today - on the way in, one was fascinated by my tights, and her mother explained that shoes were her big thing; sure enough, she nearly toppled her buggy trying to get at mine. Frustrated with that, she had to content herself with grabbing my knee. And on the way back, a buggy did topple - but that had more to do with the shopping on it, and the mother extracting the child from it. Well, these are the exciting things that happen when you sit beside the "wheelchair/buggy" space..

Made the pub slightly early for my booking - and there was no-one behind the bar. I waited a minute, then decided to have a quick look around the small room and see whether I could spot my name on a reservation sign. Sure enough, there it was - a table for four, for some reason, although I'd definitely booked for one. I was just ready to order when the harassed-looking barmaid arrived - seems she'd gone to get nuts. I could have ordered on the app, but somehow I got the impression that I'd get it quicker if it went in verbally. So, I had a chicken schnitzel and a Sauvignon Blanc - they advertise two kinds, but only had one. Which was fine.

Didn't take too long for my food to arrive - the waiter was punctilious about giving me enough cutlery and napkins for four people. And the chicken was very good indeed, very succulent - although I'd completely forgotten I'd eaten here before until I recognised the wall art! And then I remembered the chicken being good on that occasion, too - good thing I ordered it. I might have stayed for a second glass of wine there - but it'd got quite busy since I arrived, plus a group of hikers had arrived at the next table, and were enthusiastically, and loudly, discussing their planned hike. And even though it was going to be in Switzerland - which I love - hiking is not a thing that I love. They were exclaiming over the great quality of the map, for heavens' sake. I left.

I was just around the back of the theatre - went around to the entrance, and was immediately confronted with a crowd. Why is it that crowds of people always congregate in front of this theatre..? They weren't queueing.. Anyway, after a cursory bag check, I was in - and so glad that my screenshot of the ticket barcode scanned. They don't always, and I was dreading having to find the email. I went straight upstairs, where the Stalls are.

This is a very shiny theatre. Shiny handrails, shiny step edges - this picture was taken at the Stalls bar, and shows the shiny window ledge that serves to rest your drink on. You'll also notice the ceiling - which, like that in the lobby, displays constellations. Anyway, I got a drink - which they automatically gave me in plastic - and in no time, the house was open. My ticket said Door B, but there was nothing to indicate which side that was - happily, a lady with a clipboard pointed me the right way, which is where the camera is actually pointing in the photograph. And I was so glad I wasn't climbing any more stairs..

The lady to the right of the photo is holding a sign that says "turn off your cameras and phones". When I looked at the larger version of the photo, I suddenly wondered whether she was looking at me when I was taking the photo - upon zooming in, I don't actually think so. As to the seat - it was excellent. Advertised as a high seat, it's much comfier than they usually are - thick upholstery, individual armrests (albeit a bit short) and a footrest that unfolds as you unfold the seat: although I used that to help me climb up, I found the railing in front of me, behind the row in front, handier to rest my feet on when seated. But yes, a lovely seat - at the end of a row, so I had space to leave my bag - and with another ledge I could lean on, and  high enough to ensure a good view. Highly recommend the high seats here.

As to the play itself - I was unsure at first. All the actors in this seem to be known for comedy - and as the audience gathers, the performer and helpers move through the crowd, looking for volunteers to read a piece of text - could be short or long - with an associated number. The two girls beside me volunteered, so I figured I wouldn't bother - they later got front row seats, to help with the scenario. I was happy where I was, though. The play basically covers the story of someone whose mother suffered from depression, and who struggles with it themself. As a kid, they go to therapy, and the therapist suggests they write a list of things that make life great - hence the play's title, and the cards given to the audience represent items on the list. #1 is ice cream, for example. One of the girls beside me got "Keanu Reeves", and they couldn't come to a consensus on how to pronounce it, so asked me! Jeez, I guess he's not as popular these days, so they never heard anyone say it..

Be prepared for a lot of audience participation - he picked several audience members to do things tonight, all from the Stalls, but not exclusively from the front row - you have been warned. Depends on whom he wants for the story - and he'll just look around until he sees someone who fits the bill. I think the things on the cards (the "brilliant things") are actually chosen by the actors themselves, from something I overheard.. oh, and there's live subtitling. Mind you, tonight demonstrated that the actors don't always stick to the script - you could tell when he was ad-libbing, because the narrative screens then stuck more closely to what he was saying. Otherwise, they'd read the same in meaning, but not the literal words.

So, it's basically an autobiography, and we get to travel on the journey of his life with him, as he clings to this list of things that make life worth living. It helps that the audience is willing to participate, and much of the fun derives from seeing how people handle being made, unexpectedly, the centre of attention. It feels sincere, and can be quite moving. Some people will be more affected by it than others, of course - but at least, you can appreciate an honest story, with life-affirming sentiments. It got a standing ovation - I wasn't as moved as most seemed to be, but what the hey. Runs to the 8th of November, if you're interested. Tonight, the Second Circle (the top level) seemed to be closed - not sure whether that was deliberate, so no-one is too removed from the action, or whether it was just down to lower ticket sales. It was mostly, but not completely, full.

They recommended the lift for a quick exit - and they were probably right. Also on the bus home, I had the interesting experience of being able to eavesdrop on a couple of actors. Always interesting to hear what they're up to.. and as the play is 90 minutes straight through, it was finished early enough that I had plenty of time to shop! Handy..

Tomorrow, 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 last Monday. Tomorrow, it's in the Curzon Bloomsbury - not selling out yet, mind.

And then a few days of Meetups. On Wednesday, back with Up in the Cheap Seats for Good Night, Oscar, at the Barbican. Stars Sean Hayes. Eating beforehand in Cote Barbican.

Then a couple of days of film. Literally as I was writing this post - otherwise I'd have gotten it done quicker - Movie Roadhouse London advertised a choice of film for Thursday. You could have The Roses - an updated version of The War of the Roses, starring Michael Douglas and Kathleen Turner as a married couple whose marriage breaks up spectacularly. Danny DeVito is her divorce lawyer. The updated version has Benedict Cumberbatch and Olivia Colman.

Or you could have Caught Stealing. In the style of crime comedy films we know and love - hell, it's actually set in 90s NYC - here we have Austin Butler as the hapless interloper in an underground crime world that he is neither familiar with, nor wants to be (he reminds me so much of Brad Pitt, back in the day). Zoe Kravitz is the love interest. Liev Schreiber shows up, pretty unrecognisable, as one of the heavies.

Both in the Cineworld Empire, both finishing at around the same time, it's a combined Meetup, you just go to whichever appeals. So.. which am I going to? Watch this space. ;-)

And on Friday - well now, I was hardly going to miss The Hideout's trip to The Conjuring: Last Rites, which opens that day.. starring Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga as Ed and Lorraine Warren, it apparently covers the 1986 Smurl haunting. And they're supposed to be making this the last case. Well, I love this stuff, so that was a no-brainer. Showing in the Odeon West End.

Eating in Bella Italia both days, of course, as it's convenient for both.