Tonight, I booked with Up in the Cheap Seats (UITCS) - unusually, because lately, most of what I was seeing advertised with them was already sold out - for Stage Kiss, an acting drama, in Hampstead Theatre. But wow.. the friend I was supposed to meet yesterday got in touch; he'd mixed up the days! and wanted to meet this evening instead. And hadn't checked his messages in the meantime, of course. Now, the whole afternoon was thunderstorms and hail showers - I wasn't in the mood to traipse all the way to Hampstead. And I hadn't seen him in years - so I cancelled my poor UITCS companion, who ended up going on his own, and said I'd meet my old school friend instead.
The weather was supposed to clear by the time I went out - so I optimistically didn't wear a hood. So, of course, it rained on me.. and as I was approaching a bus stop, I decided to take shelter and see whether a bus was due. And lo, as if on command, there was one, which I promptly took. Now, we'd agreed to head for The Sun Wharf again - but I had a run around, and it was jammed, standing room only. So that wasn't really an option - I waited for him in the station entrance instead, carefully avoiding the chuggers at the entrance. And when he eventually arrived, we headed to The Old Thameside Inn, which Google Maps said wasn't that busy.
Yeah right it wasn't! The bar area was thronged. But we squeezed our way through to the dining area at the back, where there was one table free for walk-ups, and barely big enough for two people. So we had that, and - as usual here - were very well fed. Stayed for an extra round of drinks, and he generously paid (probably on expenses, to be fair). And then, as the light faded, I took him on a wee tour of Bankside! Mercifully, the rain had cleared..
He was most impressed with the view to the City, across the river:And he was excited to see Shakespeare's Globe, where they were about to come out for the interval, so he got some idea of what the experience was like.
Well, he needed the loo, so we popped into the public area - and while I waited for him, I browsed the gift shop - always fun. And wow, I'd never seen this scale model of the Globe before, cross-sectioned so you can see the interior!
I would have liked to take him to see the site of the original Globe, but roadworks had blocked our route. So, back we went - and as I told him, I could see the Shard from my estate! And I always love the juxtaposition of it with the older buildings.. such as Southwark Cathedral:
So, a lovely evening all told, with much reminiscing - mainly about college, as we both studied Science in NUIG. Hope it's not as long till we see each other again.
Then I'm finally back on an overdue trip to Ireland for the weekend - first in two months..! Have arranged to have lunch with my friend from there on Saturday, in Jade Cottage as usual.. and afterwards, I might well head to The Sheep Detectives, with Hugh Jackman as the farmer who reads detective stories to his sheep, which then use their learned skills when he is murdered! They are voiced by Patrick Stewart, Chris O' Dowd, and Bryan Cranston, among others. Showing in Ennis.
On Monday, back with UITCS in Soho Place for The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind - a musical based on the true story of a boy in Malawi who built a wind turbine from scrap materials and provided necessary power to his community. Chiwetel Ejiofor, who starred in, and directed, the film, is executive producer. I got my ticket on Seatplan, which I used a Seatplan voucher for, and which garners me extra Seatplan points! Eating in Bistro1 beforehand - and I must remember not to have the calamari..
On the 22nd, Movie Roadhouse London are finally having a social again! Ah, it's been so long.. so, back at the BFI Balcony Bar, and I've booked to eat at The Archduke beforehand. I tell you, without the main organiser in town, these things don't happen.. strange that numbers are limited, mind- never happened before.. Sadly, it isn't in conjunction with The Hideout any more, and also the cap on numbers means some were excluded..
On the 23rd, The Hideout organiser is talking about heading to a cat cafe.. watch this space. Anyway, that evening I've signed up to go with him, and The Hideout, to a new slasher, Corporate Retreat - details TBA.
On the 24th, talking about heading back to The Lanesborough for sachertorte, this time with Mark and Martin.. our monthly catch-up. Waiting on Martin to confirm a time.
Then I have two appropriately vampiric days! On the 28th, I'm back with The Hideout for Vampire's Kiss, an old comedy with Nicholas Cage, in which he thinks he's been dating a vampire, and is now turning into one himself. Showing in the Prince Charles of course, and we're meeting in Victory House beforehand. I've booked to eat in Bella Italia before that - took two goes though, the site was down the first time!
And on the 29th - well, one of the things LoMAZ were talking about doing for the series of Dracula events was going to a ballet - and sure enough, there is a Dracula ballet in town! Supposed to be good, with a classical soundtrack - and sure enough, when I checked, it was almost completely booked up. The only tickets left were on the evening of the 26th - which I couldn't manage - and the matinees of the 27th and 29th - so I'm taking the 29th off, being a Friday, and will go to it that day! Can't see I'll persuade anyone to go with me though - they'd either have to take time off work, or if not, they might not be in work, and might baulk at the price! Showing in the Palladium - I had to take the Second Circle to get the lowest price, and as legroom is reportedly tight, I made sure to get an aisle seat. Eating in the Shakespeare's Head (Soho) afterwards.
On the 30th - back with Laurence Summers and the 45+ Not Grumpies for his Nooks and Crannies of London walk - and damnit, Meetup is charging for RSVP again! (plus an extra charge, of course). And afterwards, back with The Hideout for Backrooms - the film version of Backrooms on Creepypasta, a series of liminal horror stories about featureless, unending rooms and corridors, sometimes with hostile beings in them.. stars Chiwetel Ejiofor and Renate Reinsve, as his psychiatrist, as - well, he might be expected to need one, with this kind of tale. Details TBA.
On the 2nd, back with London Fun for Churchill's Urinal, about a female Chancellor of the Exchequer wanting the urinal in No. 10 removed.. showing in the King's Head. The organiser bought the tickets - and later informed us we'd been upgraded. As he says, another reason to buy the cheap tickets!
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