Cabaret: The Ladyboys of Bangkok

Last night, a friend of mine cleverly got in in time to invite me to The Ladyboys of Bangkok, a burlesque in the Sabai Pavilion - he got free tickets. I booked dinner beforehand at The Sindercombe Social. Rushed to get the last post done before heading out to that.

Yeah, that didn't work.. firstly, I stayed later than I should have, desperate to get the last post out. This far out, it had to be Tube - but the fastest estimate was on the Central Line, appalling in this heat. So I went for the more civilised Jubilee Line to Baker Street, then the Circle or Hammersmith & City. 

The buses were promising to come soon, so I said I'd take one to the station - in the event, all three buses that stop at that stop came at once! A hot and sweaty journey dropped me there.. and the crowds at the station were almost biblical in scale. I had to wait for the second train - but you know, I was lucky to be getting on at a station where people were getting off, and making space - further down the line, passengers wanting to get on at less popular stations were out of luck, they simply couldn't squeeze on.. a seat was out of the question, but I eventually got to lean against the wall.

Unfortunately, the trains were delayed at Baker Street. The change to the Hammersmith & City line was gorgeous though.. aircon, and finally a seat (after a few stops). Finished off, and published, the last post as I alighted, then walked the short distance to the pub, where my companion had messaged me he was sitting in glorious cool, watching the tennis on telly. I arrived 25 minutes late.. and what with the barperson seemingly unable to manage the payment machine as well, a proper meal was now out of the question. I got a glass of wine and a packet of crisps and joined my companion on the sofa, where we chatted and finished our drinks before heading out.

The venue isn't exactly far - it's a great big pink and white-striped circus tent on Shepherds Bush Green. We couldn't see the entrance from that side, and I think ended up going around the long way.. never mind, we found it eventually.

He showed his confirmation and got the tickets - then had to dump his water, as you can't take in any liquids. With plant pots around, he disposed of it on them - and remarked that they must be the best-watered plants in London! Inside, there are plenty of photo opportunities..

We had pre-assigned seating at a shared table.. not a bad seat at all, very central:

And soon the performers appeared, coming right out into the audience:

Have to say, the costumes were generally spectacular.. this first group reminded me of an old Irish group, Sheeba, in their Eurovision performance:

We were lucky in where we were sitting - right in front of the second stage! You could tell when performers were headed for there - you could see them coming down the sides.. and ooh, we had a magician! (of sorts):

He "volunteered" an audience member, who ended up in a sack.. apparently for the whole show. I assume she was a plant - if you find yourself in a similar predicament, perhaps run away..?

The soundtrack is a mix of popular tunes - pop, hip-hop.. the interval, which was described as short, but lasted a considerable time, was an opportunity for people to go to the bar - or the pop-up foodstall. Or pay £4 to have a photo with some scantily clad performers on stage - they do the posing, you supply the photographer.

After the interval, the show gets a bit raunchier - and very colourful, in parts:

Oh, and a la clubland, they brought on people dressed as.. creatures. Must've been quite warm in the costumes:

There was a Tina Turner tribute (The Best):

Terrific show, some great singalong numbers, funny, good to look at. A very fun evening! Glad I went. Runs to Sunday, if you're around.

Afterwards, he fancied something other than pub grub, so we descended on the nearest Italian, Bocconi. They were pretty full, but the maitre d' realised that a long table at the top, created by smaller tables being shoved together, had a small table at the end that wasn't being used - so she and the other waiter moved it down to a spare space near the door, and there we sat. We weren't so enthused by the menu, so off the specials, he had spaghetti bolognese, I had carbonara (neither of which should be "specials"!). They only had a few wines by the bottle, so I had a chenin blanc - sadly, they only do medium glasses.

The carbonara was lovely, really tasty - and the wine was nice. For dessert, for the sake of cooling down, I had a lemon sorbet - which really did the trick. And by the time we emerged, it was a bit cooler. Long journey home, and I was too tired to blog afterwards - especially as I'm in the office today.

Next, looking like three more films in a row! This evening, back at last with Movie Roadhouse London for The Invite. Delighted they advertised it - the trailer looks promising. Based on a Spanish film, in this, Seth Rogen and his wife decide to invite the enigmatic couple upstairs - Edward Norton and Penélope Cruz - for dinner. They have no idea what they're letting themselves in for.. showing in the BFI, and we're meeting there beforehand, and for drinks after. Oh joy, the prospect of a half-hour walk, with a heavy rucksack, in 34-degree heat..

Tomorrow, their sister group, The Hideout, are headed to Evil Dead Burn. Now, I don't usually go for these - gore isn't my favourite thing - but more than I dislike gore, I dislike a boring horror film, as so many are. And if this looks like anything, it doesn't look boring.. I particularly love the touch of a zombie literally drinking the wax from a burning candle, as shown in the trailer. Kind of deliciously wicked.. Produced by Sam Raimi. Showing in the Vue West End, drinks in Victory House beforehand as usual. And I'm eating in Bella Italia Cranbourn Street before that.

On Saturday, I was supposed to go to another social with the London SciFi/Fantasy Group in the Mad Hatter - but wouldn't you know it, just like last time, the pub has now cancelled the booking because of the World Cup! Instead, I'm now heading with CT to Dark of the Moon, at Charing Cross Theatre. Chose the matinee, and am eating in L' Ulivo afterwards - it's been years!

Finally, on Sunday, thinking of yet another film.. and what's coming up is The Last Viking, a crime comedy with Mads Mikkelson, who plays a man under the delusion that he's John Lennon. Closest showing at a reasonable time is Picturehouse Hackney..