Storytelling: Clever Else

Last night, back to Winter's Night Wonder Tales, at The Palmerston. Tickets from Eventbrite.

It's a long, long bus ride to East Dulwich - I had a couple of options, and just made one of them. And OMG, such rain.. sadly, not really bringing milder weather with it. I had to change buses in it, and just before I got off the first bus, I had the privilege of gaining a companion in the seat beside me. Not so happily, I hadn't a clue what he was trying to say to me. At least I managed to glean that he was asking me whether I didn't understand what he was saying - I said no, and he gave up trying. Honestly, that's what you get for going to Peckham, an incomprehensible accent.. really, Only Fools and Horses gives you no clue! So I was rather happy to get off in the rain. Happily, for a long stretch either side of the stop, the building side of the pavement is covered by a long awning, so everyone stood under that. I did have a wet trudge to the pub, though.

No problem getting a table, it wasn't busy - however, I noticed they've changed the menu since I was last there! Gone is the lovely steak and Guinness pie they used to do - so I said I'd try the bavette steak. Now, as I was ordering it, he asked whether I was OK with it medium-rare - I asked for it medium, but had my doubts how it'd come. Had a look at the wine list while we were sorting that out - saw the Sauvignon Blanc was French. Now, sorry, but that's not where I like my Sauvignon Blanc from - so I went for the Rioja Blanco instead.

The wine was lovely. The steak was served in a slab, whereas bavette is best served sliced - and sure enough, it came medium-rare, which, to be fair, is how it's recommended to be cooked. A bit too red for me though - and in particular, one corner had some very tough tendrils running through it. I left that bit. The rest was tasty though, the chips were lovely, and the peppercorn sauce that comes with it was amazing.. but I won't be having the bavette here again.

Now, the scheduled time for this show is 7pm, but I'm used to the storyteller, Alys Torrance, starting after that, doors opening at 7. To be fair, I'd arrived a little later than I'd have liked, so it was just after 7 when I was gathering my things to go upstairs, when she came downstairs to muster people.. Up I went, took a table by the wall. Other storytellers were there too - in particular, Laura Sampson was at the table beside me, taking notes.

I'd heard the story of Clever Else before - when she told it at Torriano Avenue, in fact. Never realised it was one of Grimm's Fairytales.. although she seems to have added an extra element, with Else's prospective husband going to find three others stupider than she, after which he agrees to marry her. For some reason, I liked it better this time - perhaps it was the more comfortable setting. Anyway, she recognised me, as before, and came over to thank me for my repeated attendance (although I had a clash for the last one, and didn't come). As I told her, I love the atmosphere..

Love the wine too, and stayed for some more of that and a packet of crisps before braving the rain again. At home at last, I crashed again - and with an early start today to go to the office, I skipped the blog till now.

Tonight, a Meetup group called LGBTQ Culture Lovers is headed to a performance of Bruckner's 8th symphony by the Philharmonia at the Royal Festival Hall. Now, I don't want to go with them - I don't swing that way - but hey, nothing to stop me going on my own! Heading to The Archduke for food beforehand. Just getting nicely peckish, too.

Tomorrow, heading with a friend to the Menier Chocolate Factory to see Fallen Angels, by Noel Coward.

Now, Saturday is our ex-colleagues' monthly get-together. There was talk that it might clash, but now it looks as though it won't. Phew. Sadly, Martin is, as usual, too busy to make it.

Then, four nights of Meetup. On Sunday, I start two nights of horror, with The Hideout again for the first time in over two weeks.. was supposed to be Psycho Killer (stars Malcolm McDowell), but its UK release seems to have been delayed. Hope to see it at a later date, it looks good, some Satanic elements - from the writers of Se7en. Instead, we're headed to Cineworld to see Good Luck, Have Fun, Don't Die - an apocalyptic thing, the trailer looks funny. Directed by Gore Verbinski, stars an unrecognisable Sam Rockwell as a visitor from the future, here to save us from the hell of AI. Meeting in Victory House beforehand - and yay, that means I can eat in my fave Bella Italia! Ah, I've missed them..

And on Monday, when I saw Up in the Cheap Seats (UITCS) were going to Dracula, well.. showing in the Noel Coward Theatre, by the time I came to book, "cheap" seats were in short supply. There was one left in the Balcony - £50, and predictably, no legroom. There was one left in the Grand Circle - decent seat. £85. I got that one. Eating beforehand in The Salisbury, nearby.

On Tuesday, I'm trying out a new Meetup group; London Music Showcase - Gigs & Drinks specifically exists to promote the Piano Smithfield bar. So I'm trying out the gig there that night - cheap tickets on TAC, as apparently with all theirs. I'm eating in The Old Red Cow beforehand - gee, seems you know there's a place for you if they respond immediately to your booking enquiry; if you don't hear, it's a no.

And on Wednesday, back with UITCS for I'm Sorry, Prime Minister in the Apollo Shaftesbury Avenue. Eating in Bella Italia Strand for that one.

Next Thursday, going to see Dara O' Briain, yay! Booked ages ago - he's in the Hammersmith Apollo.

And I'm finishing off the month with two more Meetups - on the 27th, back with La Isla Flamenco Club, ole! Back in the gold Bar in the Colab Tower for a show called Identidades.

And on the 28th, back at last with Laurence Summers and the 45+ Not Grumpies for his rescheduled Southwark: Seedy and Sublime walking tour.