Musical: Oh, Mary!

Just started five Meetups in a row.. tonight, back with Up in the Cheap Seats (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 was interested enough to get another perspective, after seeing last month's show about her, Mrs. President.

Such weather.. we had a couple of hail showers this afternoon, and I ended up dragging out my warmest clothes again, which I'd thought I could leave behind! except the snowboots, which I did leave behind - in Ireland, figuring they'd not be needed again for some months. By and large though, I was well wrapped up to venture out of the house.

Oh! the traffic. Unplanned roadworks on Tooley Street, apparently, traffic being diverted down our way. If I thought yesterday's traffic was bad.. today's was worse, to the extent that it really didn't look as though there'd be any buses at all. Someone was saying the #47 had been completely cancelled. After more than half an hour of this, I cut my losses and walked to the station - and despite people's dire mutterings about "train problems" as well, I managed to catch the Jubilee Line to Westminster - someone even gave me a seat. Again, I'd not have time to eat properly - I knew there was a Gregg's in Embankment Station (ironically, from that trip to see Mrs. President), so took the Circle Line one stop between them (once I figured out where to go, having automatically turned the wrong way, being so used to taking it westwards..).

They didn't have the lovely southern chicken baguette I'd had on the previous occasion, but I had a ham & cheese one (toasted), which hit the spot. Headed straight to the theatre, being the first of the group to arrive - there are bars in the foyer and the Stalls (downstairs), but the foyer has no seats, and the Stalls bar's seats were all taken. Not a great place for socialising. We were meeting in the foyer, so I went back up and ordered a drink (despite only having menus for beer and cider, they do serve wine) and some Minstrels, always a good hunger quencher. Leant against the bar, and watched a woman with an American accent buy half the catalogue of merchandise - she must have been shopping for others; she ordered three posters, two pens, and two different sizes of t-shirt.. also a pin and a tote bag. They were out of fridge magnets. No programme, I noticed - she must have got one already.

The bar was decorated in suitable fashion:

And there was a photo op:

The others arrived, we chatted - hopes were expressed that this would be better than the previous show, which most hadn't liked. For myself, I didn't hate that one, though it definitely had its flaws - I thought it improved towards the end. Anyway, when it was nearly time, we took our seats - and wow, was that complicated. We were all in the Dress Circle - there are three separate staircases, numbered 1, 2, and 3, corresponding to different rows. Very badly designed.. it turns out they all only have doors to one side of the auditorium. My row was accessed via staircase 1 - but it turns out that comes in at the seats that start at 1. Mine was 23, and the usher advised me to go to the other side. I had to figure out which staircase goes to the other side.. turns out to be #3. I tried them all. When in heavens did they bring in this inane system..? Granted, I haven't been here in over six years..!

By the time I took my seat, the usher was out with his "no cameras" sign - happily, he didn't bother me.

Well now, with two such differing views of the woman, you'd have to wonder what she was really like. In this, she's a frustrated cabaret star, married to an uninterested husband, both indifferent to their kids.. her one consolation is whiskey, which she secretes all over the White House. So, you know, he has to find something to distract her with (non-alcoholic), not least so he can follow his own pursuits in peace..

OMG I so did not know what to make of this at first. She's played by Mason Alexander Park.. who is completely OTT. As the show progresses, though, you begin to realise that they're a brilliant comic actor, very physical, with perfect comic timing. Almost unhinged, this version of Mary is foul-mouthed and uncontrollable.. until she falls for her teacher.. when we see a new, vulnerable side. It's really quite touching, and shows a fantastic range to a very charismatic performer.

Her husband is perfectly cast, really looks the part - and John Wilkes Booth makes an appearance, looking suitably dapper. But this ain't no history lesson - not the history you'll have heard of anyway. This is an alternative telling.. and wow, it's entertaining. Really, I can't give the game away, but I have to recommend it. Wooh! Had a great time, was delighted to join in the standing ovation at the end. Contains flashing lights, and is not for prudes. Runs to the 18th of July, with Catherine Tate taking the title role from the 27th of next month. 

The buses managed to get me home, and in time to shop - albeit we had to change, the first #188 finishing unexpectedly early..

Tomorrow, in the office - if I can manage it, with the buses. In the evening, back with London Museums A-Z (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 - I'll have my rucksack with me, but hope to be able to leave it at reception. Tickets were cheaper if bought in pairs, so I paired with someone from the group. Now sold out. We have a table booked in Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese for afterwards.

On Friday, finally back with Over 40: Living the Life, for Cleopatra: The Experience, at the ExCel Centre. We're eating at Tapa Tapa beforehand.

On Saturday, 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.

And that evening, I've been invited to attend a performance called An Act(Or?) by a friend of a friend in Notting Hill, optional firepit dinner afterwards (weather permitting), with payment of a supplement. Sounds interesting, and I've said I'll go - tickets from Eventbrite. Anyway, I should be able to make it across town in time.

On Sunday, 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. At last the venue and time have been announced - we're headed to the Vue West End, and hallelujah again, I managed to get a booking at Bella Italia! And I have a voucher.. Lordy, it's over a month since I was last there! The organiser is joining me for that.

On Monday, heading to something advertised to me by someone I met on the last regular 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 Tuesday, back with Movie Roadhouse London, who are dipping their toe in horror as well.. also now advertised with The Hideout.. 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. 

Next Wednesday, 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 Sadler's Wells, for Solera - flamenco with Paco Peña. ¡Olé! Eating at The Wilmington again- and can go a little earlier, it being a bank holiday.