This evening, I was with TAC for Way Upstream, a dark comedy performed by final year students at the Court Theatre Training Company, at their onsite theatre, The Courtyard. Booked to eat beforehand in Schnitzel Heaven. I left in good time for the bus - which was doing its usual schizophrenic thing of saying it's coming later - then sooner - then later - and there I was researching my options because it wouldn't come in time, when it decided it was coming within five minutes. Happily, the driver was one of those lunatics who drive too fast whenever they can, and right up to other traffic.. I got there in record time, and was actually early for my booking.
Again, it was empty when I arrived - 6pm seems to be ideal for that - but filled up soon after. Oh, I should know not to have a starter, the portions are so large - but the trio of cheese croquettes sounded interesting, so I had that. You can choose to have both courses together, but I figured that'd be too much food, all at once, and had it as a starter. "Croquettes"? Hah! They were massive, the size of (large) hash browns, each filled with a different - and yet, to me, tasteless - cheese. Why they seemed tasteless to me, I don't know - perhaps it was the combination of the rock salt they throw on everything, and the fruit coulis that decorated the plate, overwhelming the cheese flavour. Anyway, as I say, I could taste nothing about them - liked the consistency of one, which was less runny than the others. And for all that the menu describes the filling as "molten", it wasn't that hot at all. That's all I can say.
On then to my regular, plain, chicken schnitzel, which is massive - plate-sized - and comes with garlic butter and lemon. I like the combination, and spread them both liberally over it. And I ploughed my way through it - but more than the sheer volume of food, it was the rising level of salt I was imbibing that put a halt to the meal - I simply couldn't take any more. He asked me whether I wanted the last piece boxed - no thanks. And when I asked for the bill, he just brought it to me and forgot all about me.. I had to go to the till to pay, given that I was in a hurry.
The theatre is just down the road, and I got there at about 10 to - "just in time", as he said, the house being about to open. I managed to buy a drink, quickly, and followed the crowd. There was onstage seating, so I said, "Why not?"
That delineated bit is supposed to be a boat, rented for a holiday by a couple of company execs and their wives. The swing doors lead below deck. And as the journey progresses, we see their different personalities - the guy whose idea it seems to have been is arrogant, immediately assumes the role of skipper. His wife is appalled at the cramped conditions, and at the fact that she has to help out - her idea of a holiday is just relaxing. The other couple are more mild-mannered, willing to make the best of things. Ah, but we have other people to meet along the way - and what are these people going to do to the dynamic on board..?It's hard not to see them as allegorical in some way, although the writer, Alan Ayckbourn, insists that he doesn't write political plays. It's frequently funny - and sometimes rather disturbing, as things take a violent turn. For me, I found these two men's delivery stilted and unnatural - the women's parts, however, and that of the suave young man they meet on the way, were most excellently portrayed (and they got plenty of support from the people sitting across from me, who were obviously friends). It is enjoyable - it's well-staged, entertaining, and unpredictable. As I say, there was a section I didn't enjoy - but it's interesting to consider that in the light of what happens afterwards. Well done.. runs till Saturday.
On Friday, 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.. perhaps it was an oversight.
On Saturday, The Hideout organiser was talking about heading to a cat cafe.. and that evening I signed up to go with him, and The Hideout, to a new slasher, Corporate Retreat. However, I just found out that's been pulled from release in the UK - and he's got a lot going on, so Saturday is off. Well, that's a shame..
..but it does leave me free to go to London Museums A-Z (LoMAZ)'s next Dracula-related thing! So, an idea developed during the pandemic, based on the fact that the novel, Dracula, is written as a diary. Anyway, a website was set up whereby you could have the section of the novel corresponding to a particular day emailed to you on that day! So.. LoMAZ has decided to read along. Oh, but that ain't the half of it.. We also have a couple of tie-in travel events.. because the action moves to Whitby in August, and to Transylvania in November! And I had so many ideas for the trips.. I was asked to be a co-host. This is going to be a record-breaking Meetup - and with a terrific bunch of people. And the next Dracula-inspired event is a trip to the Cutty Sark on Saturday. Because, you know, Dracula arrived in England on a boat, and this is the best we can do.. Meeting in the Hung Drawn and Quartered, and taking a Thames Clipper from there.
On Sunday, 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 next Tuesday evening - 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.
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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