Musical: The Harder They Come

Tonight, I was with Up in the Cheap Seats (UITCS) for a reggae musical called The Harder They Come at the Theatre Royal Stratford East - the story of a young musician trying to make it in the business. Should have been easy to get to - if not by bus, then straight there by the Jubilee Line.. if I were travelling from home. Even with today's Tube strike, which didn't affect that line. Except, of course, I wasn't coming from home, but from the office..

Never fear, Google Maps reassured me that I could get the Elizabeth Line (which isn't a Tube line) from Tottenham Court Road, straight there. Really easy, really quick - less than 30 minutes altogether. Now, I've been on that line when it was really crowded, so I was a bit dubious.. but I went down there after work, only to find all but one entrance to the station closed, and a flashing "Do Not Enter" sign overhead, accompanied by a repeating announcement saying the same thing, and citing overcrowding in the station. Both of which were being blithely ignored by the sea of people squeezing through the bit of the entrance that was left open. I thought about it for a minute, but decided there wouldn't be one pleasant thing about the experience, and it wasn't worth it.

Plan B involved a bus to St. Pancras, and a train from there. It'd take twice as long, but couldn't be helped. Checking the route maps at the stop, I discovered there were two buses I could take, so since the one that Google Maps favoured wasn't nearby, I took the other one, when it came. I squeezed on, and even got a seat after a couple of stops - but you couldn't call that pleasant either. Mercifully, once people started to get off, it became more bearable - but the woman across from me, taking up an extra seat with all her luggage, and playing a game on her phone almost the whole way, complete with very repetitive sound effects (sounded like a match 3 game), got dirty looks from not just me. Oblivious to us, of course - and the only time she stopped was to take a call.

Well, Google Maps helpfully told me not only where I could find an entrance to St. Pancras, but also which platform the train was going from. So I headed up there, cursing that London train stations are all so huge.. how handy, though, that since I was travelling within London, I could just use my Oyster card, and didn't have to get a ticket. Managed to catch a train minutes before it was supposed to leave.. as it turned out, we were there for several minutes more.. and I found myself at the end of the train, along with a group of ladies with substantial luggage, also going to Stratford. Which was the next stop. Of course, I hadn't been to Stratford Train Station before, and turned the wrong way.. so I had a helluva trudge to the theatre, on what was another very windy evening.

Dinner was a packet of sweet chilli crisps and a glass of wine in the theatre bar - by the time I got there, I had no time for anything else. On my second scan of the bar, I managed to spot people I knew, at the edge - well done on finding us to the new person who came later! We chatted until it was time to go in - and luckily, a friend of the organiser's was one of the people who hadn't made it (indeed, she was late herself), and so she informed me I could have that seat if I wanted. As it was an aisle seat, and I'd find it easier with my rucksack, I grabbed the chance!

It's lovely and mellow, as I'd hoped.. as I said to the nice person behind the bar at the interval, just the antidote to my terrible journey. It opens straight into a colourful - and musical - street scene in Kingston, Jamaica. Into this scene comes our young hopeful, straight from the countryside and with dreams of stardom.. unfortunately, it isn't going to be so easy.. and as money becomes a problem, things go from bad to worse. 

It's jam-packed with songs, most of which we knew - the one I knew best, mind, was I Can See Clearly Now, from its cover by the Irish band, Hothouse Flowers. But I was vaguely familiar with several. Struck me for the first time how many references there are in reggae to Israel..

At the interval, I switched to cheese n onion crisps - which were gorgeously cheesy. The second half of the show is darker, as he takes the wrong path.. but the music remains terrific, and they get the audience up dancing at the end. Recommended - runs to the 4th of next month.

And for all that TFL issued dire warnings to complete travel by 9pm, we got the Jubilee Line home without issue.

Tomorrow, I was supposed to be back with The Hideout for the latest Scary Movie! The trailer looks hilarious, with its references to horror films and popular culture.. and as usual, it'll be interesting to try and spot them all. Only thing is, it was run by the Southeast London branch.. and while I'm in the Southeast, this was far, far southeast.. they were headed to Vue Bromley. I'd have to get another train.. But wouldn't you know it, they switched to Saturday, which I can't do. Never mind, sez I, I'm looking forward to it too much, I'll go see it on my own tomorrow. Closer to me. Turns out it's showing in The Arzner, which I've never yet been to, but which is walking distance from me! It's an LGBTQ+ cinema, and tomorrow's showing apparently has a drag intro.. well, fine.. And now, to top it all off, The Hideout have cancelled the Saturday event, and someone from the group has advertised the same film for tomorrow, in Greenwich. Ugh, too far I think..

Then, starting three days in a row of Meetup, it's a London Museums from A-Z (LoMAZ) weekend - Saturday is their bimonthly birthday bash, in the Union Jack as usual.

And on Sunday, I'm headed with them to see an exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery, of Marilyn Monroe's life in pictures. Off to the Brewmaster afterwards.

Finally, on Monday, I'm back with London Social & Cultural Meetups (also advertised, again, with the London European Club) for a talk at the London School of Economics - this one is Ten Years On: Brexit and Britain's Political Future. Rumours of drinks afterwards.

The next two days, I'm thinking of film - and what's coming up for Tuesday is Quo Vadis, Aida?, the Bosnia & Herzegovina entry for Best International Feature at the 2021 Oscars. It's the true story of a UN translator trying to save herself, her husband, and their son during the Bosnian genocide. Showing in the Lexi, Kensal Rise only.

Then, on Wednesday, the best looks like Tuner, about a piano tuner turned safe cracker. Closest evening showing to me is in the Everyman Broadgate.

Next Thursday, back with CT for Magic Showcase, a magic variety show at The Magic Circle! Ooh, first time there..

Three days of Meetup follow - on the 12th, I'm back with UITCS for A Fine Idea at the Arcola. A play that looks into the motivation behind the global causes that inspire us.

On the 13th, back with Laurence Summers and the 45+ Not Grumpies - very glad to see that the issue with Meetup that required payment on signing up to an event has been fixed.. The tour is Wonders of the National Gallery.

And on the 14th, back with LoMAZ for the Quentin Blake Centre for Illustration, due to open on Friday! Optional trip to the George and Monkey afterwards.

On the 15th, off with CT again to a play called Before I'm Dead at The Glitch. The story of a teenager with a terminal brain tumour, determined to record a eulogy while she has the chance.

On the 16th, back with UITCS for a flamenco show called UnYdos at Sadler's Wells. Eating at The Wilmington beforehand.

Next, two cheap ticket days. On the 17th, back with CT - which is playing a blinder - for Amores Pasados, a medieval concert with a modern twist, at St. Clement Danes. Performed by the Alternative History Quartet, regular-priced tickets from Ticket Tailor. I'm eating beforehand in Cote Covent Garden.

And on the 18th, back - at last - with TAC for more magic! This one is James Phelan: Showman, playing at Underbelly Boulevard.

Two more days of Meetup - on the 19th, I'm with The Hideout for Disclosure Day, in which Emily Blunt plays a TV weather forecaster who suddenly finds herself communicating in a strange, clicking language, which only Josh O' Connor finds he can understand. Colin Firth seems to play a bad guy, as per the trailer. Directed by Spielberg again.. Details TBA, but it'll be in Leicester Square, phew!

And the 20th is with LoMAZ, for a day in Hever Castle! We're to arrive at St. Peter's Church in time for a guided tour thereof by our accomplished organiser, then spend the afternoon exploring the castle, and its Capturing a Queen exhibition, focusing on what Anne Boleyn, whose childhood home this was, actually looked like. The castle is also hosting a Home Front 1940s exhibition - no thanks, don't think I'll take their invitation to dress up accordingly. Optional drinks afterwards, of course - and travel is convenient for me, with direct trains from London Bridge taking under an hour. Already booked my ticket with Uber, with which I had so much credit, it was nearly free..

Finally, on the 21st - I'm thinking of heading to see West End Live, the free performance snippets of West End shows, performed in Trafalgar Square.. always a good one!