Ivananov, Laughter in Bookish Places, YHA

[slemslempike]

Yesterday I saw Ivanov, with Kenneth Branagh. I liked it very much, although the first bit was rather dragging. However, the theatre was absolutely freezing, and I probably missed some of the subtler bits due to wondering if I would ever be warm again and trying to regain feeling in my fingers.

Then I met huskyteer and we went to Chinatown and then the Laughter in Odd Places gig at the Borders in Charing Cross. Sadly, Stewart Lee had cancelled, but there was still Terry Saunders, Andrew O'Neill, Tim Key and Josie Long. Josie Long specifically said if we didn't like her we were not to write a blog post about it. I had a lovely time, although when Tim Key's assistant swallowed a balloon I was rather terrified, and probably overly impressed.

I chose St Paul's YHA to stay in as it was reasonably central and claimed to be in an area both safe and quiet. I had to switch rooms after the first one I was allocated overlooked a hugely noisy bar. When I asked to change rooms, the surly staff member (which is actually the only type I've ever encountered at the city YHAs) first insisted that all the rooms were on the same side and then grudgingly gave me a key for one that miraculously wasn't.

It was, however, equipped with a snorer. A snorer who was loud and arhythmic, who would occasionally give a blissful few minutes of peace, sufficient to lull you into thinking that might be it, but never long enough to get to sleep. "Accidentally" shining my phone light on her didn't help. (I thought that it might make her turn over to get away from the light without properly waking up. It wasn't just nastiness on my part.) Turning over very violently myself occasionally helped, but only for a moment. I had gone to bed at 11.30pm, after three hours I gave up and listened to music. She drowned out Feist, Rilo Kiley and The Beatles, so I listened to Rancid for a few hours. I like Rancid, so it's okay, but they're not very relaxing. Eventually at 4.30am the generator-sounding thing outside kicked in and I was able to doze fitfully until 8am.

In the morning she looked at me sympathetically and asked if I'd had a bad night, so naturally I apologised in case I'd kept her awake.

I'm supposed to be going to see Six Characters in Search of an Author this afternoon, but I'm worried that I'll fall asleep. I'm in the British Library, taking advantage of their free wi-fi and actually quite hurting my back on the weird seat thing. I had intended to work, but now I'm pretending that it'll be better to do that on the train home anyway. I wrote over 1000 words on the train yesterday, and read two chapters of the book on feminist methods I took out of the library.

Comments

[sabethea.livejournal.com]

I seriously recommend ear plugs for shared room occasions. I don't much like them, as they tend to give me earache, but when the alternatives are earache or no sleep, I vote for earache. (I try the 'rolling over noisily' with Jay sometimes, but the good thing about being married to him is that if it doesn't work I move on to poking him.)

[slemslempike.livejournal.com]

I already use earplugs - industrial strength ones. (My dad used to get me them from building sites, and now I buy them wholesale, becasue I get through so many.)

[peeeeeeet.livejournal.com]

I'm off to see Ivanov next week - must remember to take a wooly pully! Thanks for the headsup!

[slemslempike.livejournal.com]

I hope you enjoy it! I was wearing a three quarter length sleeve top AND a t shirt and then I put my hoody on and I was still a bit cold. So make sure it is very woolly indeed. Where are you sitting? I was right up in the balcony, quite near a vent, so that won't have helped much.

[peeeeeeet.livejournal.com]

Don't know where I'm sitting but they're supposed to be good tickets. Also there is an after show chat. I have to think of an awesome question to ask Mr B and his chums.

[serriadh.livejournal.com]

Awesome questions like 'how autobiographical was Peter's Friends' and 'how did Hugh react when you started seeing Emma' and questions like that? Or proper non-fannish questions like 'how did you get to be so amazing?' and 'are you upset your Magic Flute didn't do that well' *grins*

[slemslempike.livejournal.com]

I hear a rambling question about the influence of communism on their acting always draws a good response.

[peeeeeeet.livejournal.com]

♥ ♥ ♥

[huskyteer.livejournal.com]

Sorry the sleeping arrangements were less than satisfactory. I had an adventure after parting which I will blog shortly. Great evening!

[slemslempike.livejournal.com]

It had really odd beds as well, three high stacked at right angles, and I have no idea how I'd have got down from my top bunk if there had been anyone in the middle of the stack.

[morganmuffle]

Wyndhams balcony is freezing and I don't know why, I've never noticed it especially in the rest of the theatre but up there absolutely... I'm glad the play was good though.!

[slemslempike.livejournal.com]

I was simiarly shivering in the stalls at the Gielgud this afternoon. (Closed balcony got me into absolutely prime position for less than £20, woo!)

[morganmuffle]

I always feel slightly guilty about the sheer joy I experience when they close the balcony in theatres.

I understand it's bad for them and their funding but balcony prive seats when you sit in the stalls? or front of the circle? BRILLIANT

[slemslempike.livejournal.com]

I know, and it was quite empty even in the stalls for a really excellent play, but I was in the middle of row F with a near perfect view, and for once I was entirely surrounded by people with appropriate theatre manners! (It was Six Characters in Search of an Author, and I absolutely loved it.)

[morganmuffle]

Well exactly, Marguerite from the front of the circle blew me away andI think the more packed audience is better than one that's obviously sparse though spread out.

I've been dithering about Six Characters, I guess you've pushed it onto my "if I have a chance" list.

[nineveh-uk.livejournal.com]

*Has flashback to YHA room with snorer, many years ago.*

Though I have sympathy for snorers in general, there comes a point when I lose it, and that is when I am being kept awake. If you know you snore, then choosing a shared room is pure selfishness.

[slemslempike.livejournal.com]

I know. It's just horrible - they have to know that they snore, surely, and to blithely think that because you can sleep through it it doesn't matter is BAD. YHA should have a special snoring dorm so that they can be sequestered away from us decent folk.