Dance: Body and Soul

Just starting three days of Meetup. Tonight, back with Up in the Cheap Seats (UITCS) for the opening night of Body and Soul at Sadler's Wells (SW), eating at The Wilmington beforehand as usual.

I could walk from work, which seemed the uncomplicated option - it was a nice evening for it anyway, and as Google Maps said, "almost flat". Arrived at the pub 20 minutes early - stood at the entrance to the dining room, caught the attention of a waiter, and waited while he went back and forth to a table who, as he explained, were paying - they must have been splitting the bill, he was over and back so many times. He finally sat me at the table I was standing beside, and gave me a menu - I was intrigued by the desserts, thought I might have time for one, unusually for here.

It was 15 minutes before he came to take my order - they don't have a huge range of dishes here that I like, so I had the steak, as usual - they have a variety, so I had to specify the onglet, and I asked for it medium. It comes with peppercorn sauce (on the side) and fries. And I asked for a glass of wine.

Minutes passed - I seriously thought about getting my own wine from the adjacent bar. It wasn't until another waiter popped in that things started to move - he asked whether I was having food, I said I'd ordered, he checked.. and upon seeing that I still hadn't got my wine, he got it for me.

That was no indicator of my food arriving - it took another 20 minutes. The steak was undercooked and tasteless - needed the sauce, which was nice, as were the chips. By the time I'd eaten it - and considering the slow service and the time it'd take to get to the theatre - it was time to go. I did get the bill pretty quickly. I'm due to eat here twice more in the next couple of weeks - can't help the service, but I might go back to fish n chips.

I was first to the theatre bar where we were to meet - and lo, there was a third attendee, signed up today! She was known to us, happily. And when our organiser arrived, we stood at a high table (all I could get when I came) and chatted until it was time to go in. Now, as it happened, I was in the office today - and as I explained, I wear my glasses for distance, generally only put them on when I'm leaving the house. But when I was leaving today, it was sunny, and I wore my sunglasses.. completely forgot to bring my regular ones! So it was with some relief that I remembered that, for once, I wasn't stuck up in the Gods, but was in the side slips. Still, it was an awkward high stool - the view was ok, but it was too awkward to take a photo.

On the whole, the performance was visually stunning - one scene had dancers representing waves, and was a beautiful effect. However, the narrator, speaking French over the dancers for the first half, was just irritating, mouthing the dancers' actions. Boring, distracting, unnecessary.

I was irritated enough that I might have left at the interval, but met the others, and as we talked, it transpired that the one sitting a level down, in the First Circle, had plenty of free seats around her - so we decided to move for the second half.

Much better view, of course.. probably for £55 or more, compared with the £15 I'd paid. The second half was also visually striking - and happily, without the monotonous narrative of the first. For what I'd paid, I considered it worthwhile - I wouldn't have, for the higher price. Anyway, it runs to the 28th. 

Tomorrow, back with The Hideout at last, to see Dead Lover - the trailer is so ridiculously OTT, I can only hope the film is worth it! About a gravedigger, finally finds the man of her dreams, and he goes and dies! Naturally, what can she do but resurrect him..? Showing in the Prince Charles, and we're meeting in Victory House beforehand. Now, I'd normally book at my favourite restaurant for this - but would you believe, by the time I decided what I was doing, they were fully booked for early evening! Eating at the Bear and Staff instead, I know they're good.

And on Saturday, finally back with LoMAZ for their bi-monthly birthday bash - meeting at Benugo in Waterloo, then having a self-guided history tour (ahem) within the station, and repairing to the Union Jack.. Surprisingly few birthdays at this event, in comparison with the last two..

On Sunday, I'm provisionally thinking of a film - what's coming up is Everybody to Kenmure Street, a documentary (Emma Thompson takes part) about a movement of Glasgow locals when a couple of their neighbours face deportation in a dawn raid! Only showing in the Lexi, all the way up in Kensal Green.. which I discover I can get to in under an hour, with a combination of Tube and Overground..

The next two days are courtesy of my cheap ticket groups! On Monday, I'm with TAC for a Beethoven concert at the Milton Court Concert Hall. Eating beforehand at Cote Barbican.

And on Tuesday, with CT, I found a live podcast - You're Dead to Me is history with a comedic twist! Playing at The Adelphi. My dinner companion of Monday is coming too.

Then it's five Meetups in a row.. on Wednesday, back with UITCS for Oh! Mary, a musical and comedic look at the life of Mary Lincoln, playing at Trafalgar Theatre. I paid a little over the odds for it at late notice, but decided I'm interested enough to get another perspective, after seeing last month's show about her, Mrs. President.

Next Thursday, back with LoMAZ, unusually for a midweek event, a talk on Johnson, Crime and Punishment, in Four Cases, at Dr. Johnson's House. Includes a welcome drink and a chance to peek around the house. Tickets are cheaper if bought in pairs, so I paired with someone from the group.

On the 27th, finally back with Over 40: Living the Life, for Cleopatra: The Experience, at the ExCel Centre. She's found a place nearby to eat beforehand, apparently Italian, details TBA.

On the 28th, back with Laurence Summers and the 45+ Not Grumpies - this walk is It's Only Rock 'n' Roll but I Like It! Unfortunately, the event page seems to be set up differently, not allowing people to sign up without paying through PayPal, and incurring the fee. He's having to take people's names offline..this wasn't his intention, and I'm not sure what has happened.

On the 29th, back with The Hideout again for They Will Kill You, a comedy horror about a girl who takes a job at a Manhattan mansion, only to discover it's a temple to Satan, and she's tonight's sacrifice. However, they didn't know about the martial arts she picked up in prison.. not a spoiler, that's all in the trailer. Location and time TBA.

On the 30th, heading to something advertised to me by someone I met on the last LoMAZ event I was on - he organises a WhatsApp community called London Fun, and had a spare prebooked ticket to Lifeline, a musical based around the medical profession and starring real medical professionals. So I said I'd go - in Southwark Playhouse again.

On the 31st, back with Movie Roadhouse London, who are dipping their toe in horror as well.. we're seeing Brain Damage, an 80s body horror about a guy infected with an alien parasite..  hmm. Showing in The Nickel Cinema - which turns out to be around the corner from The Wilmington, so I've booked there again. 

On the 1st, back with TAC for another Kirckman concert for young classical musicians at King's Place- this time it's Sherri Lun.

On the 2nd, back at storytelling with Orpheus Dismembered, featuring Ben Haggarty, of the Crick Crack Club. Happening at Hoxton Hall, and I'm eating in Schnitzel Heaven beforehand.

And on the 3rd, back with UITCS at SW, for Solera - flamenco with Paco Peña. ¡Olé! Eating at The Wilmington again- and can go a little earlier, it being a bank holiday.