To HSBC to sort things out. A separate method of having the cards verified by Visa, which makes them usable online, but is becoming a pain. The young man does give Joe a little key for generating access numbers as well, though.
In the afternoon to Chris Mullin's play A Walk-On Part: The Fall of New Labour. It's at the Soho Theatre, which is small, seating about 150 in the upstairs theatre. The seats are comfortable, but more or less cushioned benches with backs - but no arms, allowing more people to be squeezed in. Works nicely for this play though, as it mirrors the seating in the British House of Commons. The seating isn't assigned and we're there early enough to get centre front, a highly desirable location in this intimate theatre because we're seated at stage level.
The play is heavily based on Mullin's political diaries, one of which we've recently read, and covers his 23 years as a labour MP, endiing with his resignation at the time of the last election. It's very funny, often very indiscreet, occasionally poignant. And there's absolutely no downtime - no looking at your watch or wondering where to go for dinner. There are only five actors - one to play Mullin and four (two men and two women) to play all the rest, and they're very good. No props other than straight backed chairs and a screen at the back of the stage that serves, variously, as window on the House, photos of politicians and announcement of dates. The script itself is good - the best bits culled from the diaries, but the facial expressions and body anguage are wonderful. Amazing that the same person (Hywel Morgan) can play Tony Blair - brilliantly - and Tony Benn (amongst others) convincingly. Or, as in the third male character (Howard Ward), John Prescott and George Bush. John Hodgkison as Mullin, is impressively energetic and witty. The audience loves it.
Back to Roses (apostrophe not forgotten - it's as in flowers not as in belonging to Rose) on Kilburn High Road for lamb kleftiko (a whole leg and beautifully done with roast potatoes and 2 veg) and spaghetti bolgnese. A bit busier tonight but probably entirely people living within a mile or two of the restaurant. As far as we can make out, the specials aren't special in price but are guaranteed to be something they have. They're a bit like a Polish restaurant menu in that the meny lists all the dishes they ever have and you have to ask what is available. But then all the prices are astonishingly good anyway.
In the afternoon to Chris Mullin's play A Walk-On Part: The Fall of New Labour. It's at the Soho Theatre, which is small, seating about 150 in the upstairs theatre. The seats are comfortable, but more or less cushioned benches with backs - but no arms, allowing more people to be squeezed in. Works nicely for this play though, as it mirrors the seating in the British House of Commons. The seating isn't assigned and we're there early enough to get centre front, a highly desirable location in this intimate theatre because we're seated at stage level.
The play is heavily based on Mullin's political diaries, one of which we've recently read, and covers his 23 years as a labour MP, endiing with his resignation at the time of the last election. It's very funny, often very indiscreet, occasionally poignant. And there's absolutely no downtime - no looking at your watch or wondering where to go for dinner. There are only five actors - one to play Mullin and four (two men and two women) to play all the rest, and they're very good. No props other than straight backed chairs and a screen at the back of the stage that serves, variously, as window on the House, photos of politicians and announcement of dates. The script itself is good - the best bits culled from the diaries, but the facial expressions and body anguage are wonderful. Amazing that the same person (Hywel Morgan) can play Tony Blair - brilliantly - and Tony Benn (amongst others) convincingly. Or, as in the third male character (Howard Ward), John Prescott and George Bush. John Hodgkison as Mullin, is impressively energetic and witty. The audience loves it.
Back to Roses (apostrophe not forgotten - it's as in flowers not as in belonging to Rose) on Kilburn High Road for lamb kleftiko (a whole leg and beautifully done with roast potatoes and 2 veg) and spaghetti bolgnese. A bit busier tonight but probably entirely people living within a mile or two of the restaurant. As far as we can make out, the specials aren't special in price but are guaranteed to be something they have. They're a bit like a Polish restaurant menu in that the meny lists all the dishes they ever have and you have to ask what is available. But then all the prices are astonishingly good anyway.