Storytelling: We Are Fox

Tonight, the last scheduled from the Crick Crack Club's Story Pick + Mix in Next Door at Theatre Deli - this time, it was We Are Fox, with Alys Torrance and Lucy Lill - collectively known as Storyjam. And it's a good job that they recently invited me to buy a ticket - I'd completely forgotten to do so! Got sorted in the end.

I left in time to eat at Nando's Lime Street - and wow, it was a breezy day. I'd expected the bus to be busier, after yesterday - but of course, this was the day between Tube strikes! Arrived in nice time, got seated, got fed - and it was richer than I remembered. It has been three weeks since I was in a Nando's, of course.. the last time I was at this venue, in fact!

Arrived in decent time, selected some pick n mix - there weren't many seats left, but I got one up the front.

Ah, this was marvellous - whatever I was expecting, it wasn't this. The fox of the title was a man by day, cursed to roam the streets of London by night until he could manage to run through seven parishes before dawn, and break the curse. Problem was, he kept being distracted by the stories of the people he met along the way.. and so we got a story cycle. One I'd heard, about the blushing bride, on tenterhooks to be married to her dishy bridegroom, Mr. Fox - until she sneaks over his place one day, finds the door ajar, and goes exploring.. the legend over the doorway reads, "Be bold, but not too bold.." and indeed, she finds more than she expected..

What the whole show was, however, is a love poem to London - they used sound effects for the city noises, as the fox snuck through the back alleys.. and wow, although they're both great storytellers, I have to hand the crown to Alys for her portrayal of the various characters, whom she really brought to life. The guy beside me was unused to storytelling, and upon hearing that I go all the time, he asked me what was so great about it.. I didn't really have an answer for him, but as I watched, of course, what struck me is the way they bring the stories to life: and who doesn't love a story well told? We're all partial to that. These are masters of the craft - I look forward to the next performance, whenever and wherever it might be!

The night was MCed by Laura Sampson - at the end of the first half, we were introduced to a couple of people who run the Museum of Homelessness, who told us what they do and what was coming up.. apparently, in winter it's a shelter.. because, you see, this show was all about the city, and the people who live in its shadier corners. And they encouraged us to write on the floor somewhere in London that meant something to us - wonder whether you can guess which was mine? ;-)

On the way home, I was delighted to see that the new Threadneedle Street stop is in action, being the closest to this venue - even if it's not yet listed online, or available to check on Buses Due.. Oh, and funnily enough, Alys was on my bus home, as far as London Bridge..

Tomorrow, I'm 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. Which I'll have to get to by bus, probably, if the second strike of the week happens..

On Friday, 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's run by the Southeast London branch.. and while I'm in the Southeast, this is far, far southeast.. they're headed to Vue Bromley. I'd have to get a 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 on Friday. 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 Friday's showing apparently has a drag intro.. well, fine..

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

On the 11th, 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!