Musical: Coven

Tonight, I was back with Over 40 Living the Life, for the first time in a few months, to see a musical called Coven, about a famous English witchcraft trial! Showing in The Kiln - and it's nearly two years since I was last there!

Now, this is far enough away that I had to get the Jubilee Line again - goodness, I'm getting to be a frequent traveller on it! And wouldn't you know it - after all the hassle I had trying to get a bus yesterday, and today not needing one, they all appeared at once. So I took a bus to the station, and congratulated myself on saving some time. And what happened..? The Tube started behaving like a bus, first being held to "even out the gaps in the service", then stopping short - happily, it was going as far as I needed it: just. And I ended up standing the whole, long journey - by the time it started to empty out, I figured it wasn't worth moving.

I disembarked to what sounded like gunfire - they were celebrating Bonfire Night with gusto, up in Kilburn. It was a short walk to the theatre - and I'd checked, and discovered there was a Nando's en route, conveniently. so I popped in there, and was well fed - if a bit slowly - by the time I finished, the organiser had messaged to say they were in the theatre bar. Where I duly joined them, having taken the precaution of getting my drink in plastic so I could take it in to the auditorium.

We were right in the back row of the balcony - but it's not a huge theatre, and the view was fine:

It's quite a complex stage for such an out-of-the-way venue - by and large, it represents the prison where the women are being held pending trial. The only other main scene is the courtroom, which takes place on the upper part. And one of the cast members in this all-female production took ill, and was replaced temporarily by one of the ensemble band, who carried a script around (although she didn't seem to need it), and from time to time strapped on her cello and played on the move!

I was wondering how they'd manage a musical with such dark subject matter.. masterfully, I'd have to say. The music is a mix of mystical, mediaeval-sounding, of blues music, of musical-style numbers. Beautifully delivered, too. And they cover this case from every angle - the underage witnesses, the events that were twisted to suit the narrative, the bitchiness of the prisoners towards each other. I loved how they focused on the sound of the word "witch" - it sounds like a word of power, if you say it with feeling..

The main thrust of the story is the tale of the real-life Jennet Device, who testified against almost her whole family at the age of nine, then found herself accused of witchcraft as a grownup. We also have someone pregnant in prison, the prison guard taking bribes, a mother sacrificing herself so her daughter can go free.. the real-life stories are heartbreaking. And it's a testament to the director that this manages to be so entertaining, while maintaining a sombre tone. Lighting is moody throughout.. one of the cast is Irish, and sporadically breaks into Irish.

In all, it's a really moving, really engaging piece and I loved it! Runs to the 17th of January - highly recommended. Also worth a mention is the extra bar they opened at the interval - selling a reduced range, it was just so handy for people who wanted to avoid the scrum at the bar. Just a table, an ice bucket, a few bottles of different things, and a card machine. So appreciated!

Tomorrow, thinking of getting to Urchin - only reasonable showing time that day seems to be in the Picturehouse Hackney.

Then I'm heading back to Ireland for the weekend, on my last trip this year, my weekends are looking so busy! Meeting an old friend for a bite to eat at Jade Cottage, and if I can squeeze in the cinema (and why not?!), I'm thinking of Roofman, a fact-based comedy about a crook (Channing Tatum) who hides out in an unused bit of a toy store. Complications ensue when he falls for Kirsten Dunst, an employee. Peter Dinklage plays the manager. Playing in Limerick, and at the Omniplex at a more reasonable time.

On Monday, a Meetup group called London Loves Jazz is advertising a concert by Kim Cypher in Pizza Express Soho. I liked the music I heard online, and bought a ticket - but baulked at joining the group, what with the joining fee, and the intensive questionnaire, including whether I was prepared to be "an active member".. so I'm going independently. I didn't have a great experience with my last jazz group. My companion of last night has decided to come too.

On Tuesday, back with Up in the Cheap Seats (UITCS) for Kindling in the Park Theatre. It's a comedy about a group of perimenopausal women who go on a camping trip to scatter their friend's ashes. My companion is going to that too, and we'll be heading to Palmyra's Kitchen afterwards.

Next Wednesday, back with storytelling - Winter's Night Wonder Tales, with Alys Torrance, is back at The Palmerston. Tickets through Eventbrite.

Then, two Meetups in a row. On the 13th, I booked with yet another new Meetup walking group - Walks and Tours - for a Xmas Lights walk around Mayfair. Meeting in the Mercato Mayfair. And as it's a Thursday, I'd be lugging my laptop, ouch!

But just today, UITCS advertised a trip to see Precipice, a climate change drama, at the New Diorama. Sounds interesting - and crucially, this'll mean less carrying of the laptop! So I've switched, and am now doing this.

On the 14th, back with The Hideout for Keeper, directed by Osgood Perkins - details TBA, but it'll be somewhere around Leicester Square.

The 15th is another ex-colleagues meeting - or probably just another meeting with James! We haven't seen Ivan since June, and Martin since last Christmas.. Probably in The Phoenix again.

And on the 16th, back with Mandy and London Herstory Walks for Rebel Women of the South Bank.