Show: An Act(Or?)

Well, I had nothing on Saturday night.. I often do after Laurence's walks, which - even with their long post-walk lunches - tend to be finished by 4pm, but on this occasion I had nothing booked. So, when my friend who got married last year got in touch, on behalf of another friend of hers, whom I'd met at the wedding, with a request from him to come see this show he was putting on.. I checked it was starting late enough, and said ok. Tickets were on Eventbrite. Mind you now, it was in Notting Hill, so even though I was already in the centre, it was a Tube journey..

I found the address ok - it was happening in his flat - then realised I didn't know the flat number! Now, I did have his phone number if it came to that - there were another couple of people outside with the same problem. But then, with impeccable timing, someone came along who knew exactly where she was going, and we all trooped along behind her.. right up to the top of the house! I must say, the last set of stairs was rather momentous - reminded me of nothing so much than an old house I stayed in, in Amsterdam (the last time I did that), with a flight of stairs so steep, I flung my bag to the top and clambered up them on all fours, feeling like I needed a grappling hook. Not quite as bad here, but still required concentration..

Inside, we made our way to the living room, all set up with cushions and chairs scattered about, a sofa with a table set up with all sorts of electronic accoutrements, including the kind of lamp that they use in filmmaking, to light a performer's face (there must have been a camera as well, because this was filmed, but I didn't notice it).

Our performer, Andreas Robichaux, came on from the side, taking his place on the couch for what was almost entirely a one-man show. What followed, over the next half hour or so, was something of a tour de force, starting with some easygoing music (he played the guitar and sang). And then we were off on something of a wild ride, with a robot, a bee-sting, an accident, and a troupe of Shakespearian characters, culminating with Pinocchio and Taylor Swift.

Now, if that sounds like a fever dream.. it wasn't. It was an assault of ideas, in such a small time, but the thread that connected them all was the idea of knowing yourself, finding a purpose, if you like. Our guide through this thought-maze is an actor, and started by comparing himself to a robot. It wasn't all internal - for much of the show, he carried on a conversation with the electronic speaker, the person on the other end both allowing him to explain in more depth what he meant, and also providing a comic foil for when things got too heavy.

Is he a robot? Is he a Shakespearian character? He likened himself to Autolycus, the comic character from The Winter's Tale - or perhaps to the identity-shifting Iago. Anyone for Pinocchio? But of course, what it all comes down to is the wonderful, ever-changing role of the actor, always entertaining to watch, perhaps not so easy to live.

Oh, we met the disembodied voice at the end.. as he said, he came for the party! And that's what happened next - much hospitality, no wine on offer, but I was perfectly happy with margaritas. And they have access to a roof terrace, where they have a firepit..

I wasn't familiar with the light beams I could see from there.. turns out they're a Grenfell memorial!

It was a very interesting evening - much alcohol was consumed, and they laid on food.. when I finally got too cold to sit on the terrace, I took myself off home - and he solicitously checked I got down that vertiginous staircase ok!

It ran too late to blog before the next event - keep tuned for the next post..