Kirckman Concert: The Astatine Trio & Play: Dressing Gown
I was pretty stuck for what to do - until my cheap ticket sites - particularly TAC - came up with options at last! And for the last two nights, that's whom I went with - last night, for another Kirckman Society classical concert at King's Place, this time featuring the Astatine Trio.
What a delight to have the buses back in working order - I made it to King's Cross in time to get something to eat. My go-to around here is Nando's - there have been times the queue has stretched out the door, but happily not last night, and I was soon seated. Ordered on the app, and waited. Now, this venue is kind of notorious for their slow service - well, I watched as, of the couple beside me, he got his dinner. Another pause, and I got my dinner.. I didn't blame the young lady accompanying him for questioning where hers was, at that point! She did swiftly get it, which makes me think it was ready, and just ignored - not sure what the issue is with the staff here, but service does tend to be lacking.
I didn't really feel like dessert, and didn't have time anyway, continuing on to the concert hall. Turned out the downstairs bar, next to the concert halls, was closed - we had to go to the Rotunda for our drinks, which were served in plastic tumblers for us to take in to the show. I had a seat decently near the front:
Now, a chap sat beside me - who took massive offence when the mobile on the other side of him went off during the first half! We were discussing it as we left for the interval - he was very hardline, but as I said, it can happen, people forget, or phones misbehave.. he was absolutely uncompromising, said I was very forgiving. Well you know, been there, the phone did that.. it does help to be forgiving when you've been on the offending end, quite unintentionally.. might happen to him one day.. Anyway, by the second half, he'd spotted free seats in the front row and moved out there - I spotted him enthusiastically conversing with a lady beside him. Probably discussing the evils of mobile phone users..
Was reading over someone's shoulder - two of the trio are sisters. Anyway, they began with a couple of modern pieces - I rather liked the first, Give Me Phoenix Wings to Fly. Now, I often have trouble with modern pieces, be they discordant or just something I can't get my head around - I decided to think of this as a piece of film music, and discovered it worked very well! switching between action and horror sequences. The second piece, Piano Trio Opus 24 by Weinberg, I found less successful - it was introduced beforehand by the violinist, who described it as depression leading to misery (I'm paraphrasing, but that was the idea).
Thus, I was rather looking forward to a bit of Beethoven in the second half - it was his Archduke piano trio - I suppose they wanted a quieter contrast to the drama of the first half, but honestly, I could have done with a bit more drama in this part. It was a pleasant concert overall. When I got home, I got into a whole round of booking ahead, so no blog was possible.
And tonight, I headed to a comedy play called Dressing Gown - primarily because it was the closest location advertised. It's in the Union Theatre. And beforehand - continuing my tour of Nandos of London - I was in the one in Southwark Arches. On a blustery night, I was glad to get inside - and through their large, glass frontage, a staff member saw me coming and was ready for me, immediately showing me to a seat.
Note the large, basket-like private tables! Anyway, there couldn't have been more of a contrast between the service last night and tonight - he couldn't do enough for me, and when he asked whether I'd like anything else, as he cleared my table, I had another glass of wine.
A short walk to the theatre followed:
Was still in plenty of time for the show - I was glad I'd checked it out online first though, and knew to go in a certain gate! At the "box office" that identifies itself by a sign at the end of the bar, the man behind the counter quickly crossed my name off the list, then got me a drink.
It revealed itself to be a very entertaining farce, about a theatre director who, for the life of him, can't get the time to get himself dressed for the steady stream of people related to the play calling to see him, this particular day. Problems, both personal and professional, assail him, from the neediest bunch of theatrical persons you might hope to meet. It's an absolute delight if you enjoy theatre folk - and at 70 minutes long, without interval, it's not tiring either. Highly recommended - runs till Friday. And it was great to get home in time to do another essential shop!
Tomorrow, yet more storytelling - I'm back at Folklore Hoxton for A Dance with the Minotaur's Sister, told by Steph Brittain and presented by the Crick Crack Club, tickets with Dice, as usual - now completely sold out, as they tend to. And wouldn't you know it, I've been so busy, it completely slipped my mind to book the Blues Kitchen for beforehand! Now done, phew.
Then a couple of days more of film - on Thursday, I'm headed to see The Umbrellas of Cherbourg, a classic French musical which, would you believe, I've never yet seen! Stars Catherine Deneuve as a young girl in Cherbourg who falls in love with a local boy, who then heads off to fight in Algeria - with no word from him, and finding herself pregnant, she also finds herself forced by her mother to marry an older, local businessman. Showing in the BFI, it was booking pretty heavily, so I booked as well. Eating beforehand in The Archduke - but wow, for the evening, by the time I looked, they only had two slots left - with the film not starting till 8.45, 6pm was too early, and the only other one was at 7.45, which I took! I guess I'll probably have to restrict myself to one course..
The first of a few days of Meetup, on Friday, back with The Hideout (TH) for Return to Silent Hill. I'm not familiar with this franchise, or the video game it's based on - although, looking at the trailer, I can imagine the game must look terrific - no, the only exposure I've had to it thus far is the theme music, which I love! No details at first on venue or time - I actually begged them not to go back to the Odeon Leicester Square! Happily, we now know they're headed to Vue, meeting first in Victory House. And of course, I'm in Bella Italia before that.
On Saturday, definitely a Meetup, although not an official one - London Museums A-Z (LoMAZ) have their bimonthly birthday gathering! This one is for January & February birthdays, but everyone is welcome who's joined their WhatsApp group for people who've attended at least one event. We're meeting at The Sun Wharf (yippee, walking distance again), then heading on a self-guided walk around Borough and surrounds, with a reduced number of stops this time - I signed up to give the first spiel, as potentially the most gruesome, about Clink Street! Mind you, it's now been moved to the second spot. Repairing to The Union Jack afterwards.
And on Sunday, I'm with Movie Roadhouse London, who just this evening advertised The History of Sound, starring Paul Mescal and Josh O' Connor as two young Americans travelling around and collecting folk music. Showing at the Barbican, and the organiser has wisely suggested we meet at the cafe on Beech Street - that building is a maze!
On Monday, thinking of checking out the Winter Lights Festival in Canary Wharf - and my sometime companion says she'll come too. Interestingly, the 45+ Not Grumpies also have an outing to there that evening - but I don't see the value in paying them £6 for an exhibition I can go around for free..
Next Tuesday, back at the cinema on my own - I'm biting the bullet and seeing Stalker. I've heard this described as one of the best films ever made - certainly, I found the trailer confusing enough that I did a lot of research before I decided to see it. Made in the late Communist era, it involves a surreal journey through the Zone, where normal laws of physics do not apply, to the Room, where a person's deepest desires may be granted. If they are proven worthy. It's thought to be a metaphor for the frustrations of the failure of the Communist system. Anyway, showing in the Close-Up Cinema.
On the 28th, got another cheap ticket - this time with CT - to Our American Queen, a dramatisation of the life of Kate Chase, daughter of a powerful politician at the time of the American Civil War. She herself was very active politically on his behalf, despite not having a vote herself. Showing in the Bridewell Theatre, and I'm eating beforehand in The Old Bell Tavern.
Next, a couple of Meetups: on the 29th, back with LoMAZ (yay!), who are, unusually for them, doing something midweek - specifically, a late at the Cartoon Museum - which should be walking distance from the office, where I'll be that day. I got the second-last place in the group, phew - takes longer for the midweek ones to fill, obviously.
And on the 30th, back with TH for Primate, about your typical tropical paradise, where a group of youngsters have come to party, and there's a pet chimp. Unfortunately, he goes from sweet to savage when bitten by a rabid animal, and carnage ensues.
The 31st was the day that suited best for me, James, Mark, and Martin to meet.
And on the 1st, Over 40 Living the Life is planning a trip to the 7 Wonders of the World Immersive Exhibition, which sounds good. However, I baulk at their trip for a few reasons - firstly, the £4 per person she's charging on top: secondly, the tickets she's bought don't include VR, which you'd have to buy separately: and thirdly, it's too damn early! I've bought my own ticket (VIP - includes the VR) for later in the day.
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