How delightful. I ran into an old friend going home. Friday night in London, but there are some places where you can go without membership and have a relatively well priced drink and a conversation without having to shout. The Rose and Crown. One of the last bastions of the Chelsea that WAS before The Cadogan Estate murdered it with rent. They’ve recently taken all the pictures off the wall which implies a refurb and I’ll be really really really upset if they turn it into just another homogenous gastrowhatever. I’m sure the landlord is thinking “Prime location” but LOOK at the competition for these identical bollocks pubs. The competition for somewhere with painted flock walls and well priced pints is virtually nil. That’s why it always well attended with people who don’t just talk in ra. The Surprise at Chelsea, my local pub, you walk in and they tell you you aren’t supposed to sit there. Further down, The Phene was good but then it went on the tellybox in “Nothing To Do With Real Chelsea but We Have Make-up On” (was that the name of the reality show? It slips my mind.) People re-enacting their lives for camera. Pre AI AI. But it kinda wrecked the Phene as suddenly it got ideas.
Cadogan Arms was ruined fifteen years ago or more, I still miss it. What’s left? A couple. And the younger generations aren’t drinking so much. So I guess they might be wanting to make a Z Trap. I hope not, there’s no such thing, they are wise to such fuckery that generation. The brewery trying to “modernise” will just alienate the remains of the clientele and bring no custom. Better to turn it into a cabaret than a gastro if you’re after the youth.
Back in hooliganism, even though it was a long way from the stadium, the pub got a bit of a name for itself I’m told. They left it alone a long time for that reason. Maybe they think enough time has passed. Who knows, its been the same guy behind the bar for most of my adult life. Long may it continue. They used to have a brilliant Thai kitchen, but lockdown killed it off.
Rehearsal feels fruitful still. We have such a vast amount to consider still. Christmas is coming. There’s gonna be a GAP. Great I can secure my lines as I’m catsitting in Rye for much of the season. But beginning to see how much is still to do. Thankfully I trust the process.
I’m chilling out this evening at home with the cats. Ellie is gonna show up and stay in the Tom Bellerby suite – (the sofa). I just cooked all the pasta. All is well.
AlBarclay 