Shake It Up - The Improvised Shakespeare Show

Tonight, off with CT to Shake It Up - The Improvised Shakespeare Show, at the Hen & Chickens.. My sometime travel companion was coming too, and we agreed to eat at La Pasta beforehand.

She'd thought she wouldn't make it till at least 6.30 - in the event, she said she'd get there for 6.20, which left me scrambling to get out - and as I was en route, she announced she'd made it already, at 6.05. Well, my buses made good time, and I got there at about 6.20 - I'd asked her to order the pinot grigio, the only real choice from a limited wine list. Ay me, it was unpleasant outside - cold, windy, and wet.. it was a delight to get into the warm restaurant!

Unfortunately, that was the last thing that was a delight. The pasta she'd already ordered - being hungry - was a bit dry for her taste, so she asked for an extra bowl of sauce. I ordered the chicken in creamy mushroom sauce, as usual. The sauce was lovely, the carrots were al dente, the fries were delicious. But the chicken.. was inedible, as tough as old boots. I have had this dish several times with no problem - I don't think I ever dare to have it again. I probably won't eat in this restaurant ever again. It didn't help that, as she was clearing away our things, she finally asked how our food was - and when I told her, she seemed not in the slightest interested, saying she'd "tell the chef". No offer of replacement or refund. Watery wine too. Nah, they can keep it - the local Wetherspoon's is better quality. Naturally, we didn't tip.

We made the pub in decent time - although I don't know where I got the impression that the show was on later: my companion perhaps, who was convinced of it. She got some nuts at the bar, but was told she couldn't take them up, food wasn't allowed - he held them for her behind the bar, and we did take up drinks, in plastic. And were just in time for me to write a suggestion on a strip of paper, which they use in the show.. and yes, mine did get used! which was nice.

The front row was pretty full, so we went in the second. The upshot of audience suggestions on this occasion was for a tragedy set in Cardiff, featuring Mark - named for a work associate of one of the audience members, who enforces a draconian work dress code. The one who suggested Cardiff, when asked what it's known for, did point out that Doctor Who was filmed there - and so that ended up featuring too. But you know, these people are good at what they do, and armed with a set of stock phrases and quick thinking, deftly manage to weave audience suggestions into the plot, even expanding on them. It was clever, and it was hilarious! Highly recommended - and they perform monthly. 

And yay, I didn't fall asleep on the way home..

Tomorrow, thinking film - finally thinking of The Mastermind again! A 70s art heist film starring Josh O' Connor, it's now showing in the Curzon Bloomsbury.

Wednesday is our work Christmas party, this year in Brasserie Blanc, pretty convenient to me, but which I've never tried.

And on Thursday - well, looks like I'm finally going to get to see Frankenstein, as per Guillermo del Toro! Looks to be a supremely gothic epic, with Jacob Elordi as the monster, Christoph Waltz, and Charles Dance as the father of the scientist, Oscar Isaac, who brings the creature to life. Well, I've seen the exhibition, it's about time I saw the finished product! Showing in Hackney Picturehouse - and since everywhere was full the last time I was there, I've made sure to book for Pizza Express beforehand.

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