Play: I'm Sorry, Prime Minister

Tonight, fourth Meetup in a row, back with Up in the Cheap Seats (UITCS) for the first of two nights of comedy, with I'm Sorry, Prime Minister in the Apollo Shaftesbury Avenue. Booked to eat in Bella Italia Shaftesbury Avenue for that one.

I was so sure of my way, I didn't check until I figured I should have already come across it - and discovered I'd already passed it! Never mind, it wasn't far to walk back, and I was just in time. Got seated pretty quickly - and was about to try to order on the app (which didn't look easy) when the waiter arrived and took my order in person. I'd fully meant to order chicken fries to start, but reverted to my usual doughballs. For main, well, my new favourite in the Cranbourn Street branch is the tortellini, but as I hadn't had them here, I said I'd go back to my old favourite, chicken milanese. I don't typically have it any more in Cranbourn Street, where it's come out burnt a few times. Was pleased, however, to be able to have the pinot grigio here, which they were out of, the last time in Cranbourn Street.

Woo, the doughballs were badly burnt - the only place I've seen them worse was in the Wellington Street branch, where they were rock hard and inedible, and where I swore I'd never go back. I debated whether to finish these, but did in the end - it didn't augur well for the chicken, but that actually came out beautifully cooked. And it was lovely to have it again, after so long. I was fed well, and quickly - don't think I'll have the doughballs, if I'm here again though.

A short walk to the theatre, and up the special set of stairs that lead to the Balcony. Special, and uncarpeted - people afterwards said there was a sign that warned of 92 steps. The flights are generally no more than four steps each, so you can imagine how many twists and turns there are.. if you took them at a gallop, you'd be very dizzy, very quickly. I had to pause halfway - made it eventually, to find the group clustered outside the bar and Ladies' loo, which are near the entrance. At someone's sensible suggestion, we eventually moved to the other side, and were less in people's way. I found that, intimidating as the bar queue was, it didn't take too long - and we had a good chat before taking our seats. Mine was on the aisle again:

I think it was Row D where the rail actually impeded entry to the row.. on Row C, the rail provided a handy place to hang my coat. Legroom absolutely fine - view fine, if, as usual, a bit far away. The view of the near corner of the stage was impeded, and I found I had to lean forward continually, because the fellow in front of me, with the big head, was doing the same.

So, this takes place after the events of the Yes, Prime Minister tv series, which we all loved, and which was doubtless what brought everyone here tonight. PM Hacker is now retired from politics, has an Oxford college named after him because he persuaded a billionaire to finance it, and as part of the deal he was named its master, and given a nice apartment. In perpetuity. However, all of a sudden they want him to resign.. so, what does he do but contact his old comrade, Sir Humphrey, who was always the brains of the piece, to save the day?

I have to say, it dragged, for me, until Sir Humphrey entered the scene - he's beautifully written, and was always the star of the show. He has his own problems, with his daughter-in-law trying to shoehorn him into a nursing home. And so, the play has a lot to say about the helplessness of old age - neither of these men, once so powerful, now has the authority to decide where they'll live. Indeed, the ex-PM has to have a care worker, who is the outside character in the play, written in to provide a foil for the comedy.

It's not exactly hilarious, but did raise the odd titter. Mostly, I think, it's a nostalgia piece for fans of the tv series. It's also hard, watching from so high up, to get an appreciation for the acting, and I don't think the group as a whole was terribly impressed. Still, hey, for me it was the best thing since Sunday! (which doesn't say much). Barely found the group outside afterwards. Currently booking to the 9th of May - enjoyable, but don't expect too much.

Tomorrow, going to see Dara O' Briain, yay! Booked ages ago - he's in the Hammersmith Apollo (two Apollos in a row as well). I tell you though - my ticket is on the app, and it took me four goes today just to log in! That could be fun, tomorrow..

I'm finishing off the month with two more Meetups - on Friday, back with La Isla Flamenco Club, ole! Back in the gold Bar in the Colab Tower for a show called Identidades.

And on Saturday, back at last with Laurence Summers and the 45+ Not Grumpies for his rescheduled Southwark: Seedy and Sublime walking tour. Afterwards, I'm thinking of joining The Hideout again for Scream 7 - stars Courtney Cox as usual, and Neve Campbell, the original protagonist in the franchise; this time, the intended victim is her daughter. Time and location TBA.

On Sunday, thinking of a film - what's coming up is The President's Cake, set in Iraq when Saddam Hussein was in power, and schoolkids had to prepare a gift for his birthday.. it's that or All That's Left of You, which is Palestinian, and I might have considered, but honestly, I've seen so much Palestinian cinema lately, Iraqi will make a change! The President's Cake is showing in a couple of Curzons - I'll go for the Curzon Bloomsbury, it's handy for shopping.

On Monday, back with Shake it Up! The Improvised Shakespeare Show, at the Hen & Chickens. And my dinner companion from last Monday is coming too. We'll be trying 314 Bar and Kitchen, across from the pub, for dinner.

On Tuesday, back with UITCS for Ukraine Unbroken, a set of five short plays at the Arcola, incorporating Ukrainian music.

Next Wednesday, back with storytelling - and the Crick Crack Club has a new idea, the Story Pick + Mix - apparently rough cuts, experimental work. This one, The Bodies on the Beach, is the story of the legendary Irish hero, Fionn MacCumhaill, and is said to combine elements of 15th-century manuscripts, archaeology, and folklore. And these shows are happening at some place called Theatre Deli, right in the City. Eating in La Spezia restaurant next door beforehand.

On the 5th, back with UITCS for Blink, at The King's Head. A romcom that asks, in the digital age, when we can see everything someone is doing, what does it actually mean to know someone? And then I'm heading back to Ireland for the weekend - a little earlier than anticipated, but I'll be busy for the rest of the month, so might as well go now, before things hot up!