London – Page 2 – Hello Curns

Reduced Commercial Clutter

Reduced commercial airtime also makes those ads that are aired stand out more. Won’t advertisers end up paying a premium for this? Maybe not in the short term but I would have thought that in the long run it could work. But then again, what do I know?

On Monday I mentioned Capital Radio’s decline in the London market but completely missed the comment piece by Paul Robinson on The Guardian’s site. He notes that slashing commercial hours could ‘knock about Â£7m off Capital’s top-line revenue in 2006’. This I find interesting. Reducing commercial clutter (as it’s called) will hopefully drive bigger audiences. Reduced commercial airtime also makes those ads that are aired stand out more. Won’t advertisers end up paying a premium for this? Maybe not in the short term but I would have thought that in the long run it could work.

But then again, what do I know?

All Change At Capital

cap media

When I first came to London, everybody listened to Capital Radio. Everybody talked about whatever Chris Tarrant did in the morning. That was a very different radio world with much less competition in the London market. Right now, I don’t know anybody who listens. Last week, GCap Media – which own Capital FM (as it’s now known)- announced a slump in profits and has promised a radical overhaul of the station. The new management are blaming the old management for the slump. Well, I guess they would, wouldn’t they?

In other news, Pete and Geoff announced they are going to split their award winning partnership and only one of them is to stay on at Virgin. I only listen to part of their show each day but have always found them quite good listening.

Talk Radio

Saturday morning talk radio.

Saturday morning, and for some reason, I was up early, so I decided to do a little bit of work. In the background, I’ve had the radio on. Listening to Vanessa Feltz on BBC London and then Wendy Lloyd on LBC. I guess the topics must have been interesting (why do we seek to impress our parents and why don’t kids do enough around the home – to name but two) but, regardless, I thought both programmes were presented in an intelligent and thoughtful way. And that’s not what you always expect from talk radio. I read earlier in the week that David Prever had left LBC to be the new breakfast host on Smooth FM. That might make the London breakfast market interesting.

7 Million Londoners, 1 London

If you have been wandering around London in the last few weeks you will have seen the 7 million Londoners, 1 London campaign at bus shelters and poster sites around the Capital.

If you have been wandering around London in the last few weeks, you will have seen the 7 million Londoners, 1 London campaign at bus shelters and poster sites around the Capital. The media space appears to have been provided for free. There are posters and badges available if you want to order them. I really like the positive statements that it’s making. I really hope that it catches on, but I haven’t seen many people or businesses displaying the posters/stickers yet. Go and order yours now.

Trafalgar Square Vigil

It was a united city saying, “We will not back down in the face of your bombs. You will not break us”, while the television crews behind us got on with getting their story.

Yesterday, I observed the two minutes of silence to remember those killed in last week’s bombings. After work, I walked to Trafalgar Square to take part in the vigil. I arrived just after it had started, but I heard a lot of the speakers. There were moving speeches, prayers and poems from across the political and religious spectrum. There were leaders from the major churches and religions showing a united front. There were London celebrities with sincere words calling for a united city. Sebastian Coe spoke of the Olympic bid and how we’ll build a fitting tribute to the people who lost their lives last Thursday. Union leaders and politicians offered words of support.

But the biggest applause went to members of the transport companies whose buses and trains were attacked, and to the emergency services who attended the sites to rescue victims. For once, we were not a celebrity-obsessed nation but were there to support the people who keep London moving and safe.

The vigil seemed to go on forever. Perhaps it was too long, but when everybody’s words were sincere, how could you stop it? It was a united city saying, “We will not back down in the face of your bombs. You will not break us”.

Sadly, for the media, it was just another news story. There were camera crews from across the globe at one end of the square, and various reporters were applying their make-up or dabbing the sweat from their brows as technicians plugged in things and waved cues. Behind all the tributes coming from the front of the square were a selection of “Londoners are gathered …” and “back to you in the studio”. Reports were being filed in a number of languages via a fleet of satellite trucks being powered by noisy generators in the corner of Trafalgar Square. Maybe it’s because I was right beside the media, as I couldn’t get any further into the square, but the chatter (and the smiles and laughter of some of the production staff) seemed inappropriate somehow. I hope they got their story.

Two Minutes Silence

At 12 noon, a bus stopped across the junction, and the driver switched off the engine. A silence descended upon London.

Just before 12 noon today, my colleagues and I walked onto the London street outside the Holborn office where we work. It was a bright, hot, sunny day in Central London. The kind of day that has you sweating within moments of being on the street. When we reached street level, we walked into a crowd of people who had come from the buildings all around. These were office workers whose desks are probably just metres from mine, but I don’t see them. I probably walk past them most days as I approach the door to the office, but I just don’t see them. Today, we stood crowded onto the street together.

At 12 noon, the bus turning the corner in front of us stopped, and the driver turned the engine off, right across the junction. The taxi at the traffic lights opposite didn’t move when the light turned green, and the cyclist near him didn’t try to jump the red light. Most of the pedestrians who were walking stopped.

A silence descended upon London. Not the silence usually associated with a city. A city’s silence is usually punctuated by horns and alarms, by mobile phones ringing or engines passing. No, this silence was eerily silent, but it was silent.

And we bowed our heads to remember.

It was a moment when this huge, diverse city that I call home was united in thought. It’s a moment I don’t think anybody who was there will forget.

London, Monday

I feel incredibly lucky not to have been anywhere near, but I wasn’t.

I am back from my Silverstone trip– of which more later – and am back in work today. As I was not in town on Thursday, I can’t really talk about what it was like in the aftermath of the bomb blasts. It was strange hearing the news emerge on the radio as I was sitting in my house answering work-related emails. Of course, there were moments when I connected with the people I know to check they were all OK. I have, however, felt odd all weekend answering the text messages (and today the emails) from people asking if I am OK. I am very grateful that people thought to contact me – and so I hope I’ve replied to everybody – and happy to report I am safe.

Central London has an estimated population of 7 million people– with many more commuting to work here – so the real chances of being involved are minimal. I almost feel guilty about not having anything to add to the people who contacted me. I was well away from anything and, if I had been in the office on Thursday, I would also have been well away. I am most definitely with Anna on this topic. I wasn’t there. It is unlikely I would have been there. I feel incredibly lucky not to have been anywhere near, but I wasn’t.

There has been some excellent coverage across all media, but one thing has really intrigued me. If you had been on an underground train and there was an explosion, would you have got out your mobile phone and taken pictures or video? I can say with certainty that I would not have done so because I forget to take mobile pictures at good times, never mind in times of chaos. I’m not critical – I understand the police are appealing for people’s pictures– but I am amazed that people thought to do it.

The Mood Of London Changes

Of course the day has now changed totally.

Of course, the day has now changed totally. For those friends of mine who have contacted me, thanks for your thoughts. We are both fine right now, but it’s unlikely you’ll be able to reach me on my mobile, as the networks are deluged with people trying to contact others. BBC News has the latest.

For The Love Of London

Years after arriving, I am still finding reasons to love London: the South Bank, the Tate, Tower Bridge and even an ice rink.

I really should start a category on London’s South Bank because I mention it a great deal and it really is one of the most wonderful areas of London. If you’re a visitor to this great city you really must spend an afternoon walking the South Bank: start at Waterloo and the London Eye and head towards Tower Bridge (and beyond). when I first arrived here it was an area that had little to offer; it was dead and quiet but now it’s vibrant and alive.

Over the past few weeks PY and I have explored a little more of London on foot and I really do enjoy the place. On the Monday after New Year we wandered around High Holborn and Farringdon areas, near The Guardian’s central London base. It was a quiet Bank Holiday and yet it was – strangely – alive. We also crossed the bridge to the Tate Gallery which is probably the only gallery space I can truly say I enjoy. The Turbine Hall, which housed The Weather Project, is currently home to Bruce Nauman’s Raw Materials – which is a soundscape of 22 spoken texts. Some are clearly audible and some not so clear but as you walk through the hall you get this most amazing sense of sound. It works better if you keep moving (rather than stopping to listen) but you’d be wise to adjust to the sound first. It wasn’t as much of a communal event as The Weather Project but it was totally unexpected, thrilling and energizing. You can get a taste online at the Tate’s site.

Last weekend we went to City Hall (which I have mentioned before) but this time we were able to get inside and head to the top. It’s a building of unexpected contrasts: the building looks wonderful and they have revitalised the whole area but the office space inside looks cramped and uncomfortable. Given the climbing spirals of the building I would have expected the view from the top to be better. Unfortunately, the main viewing area looks the wrong way: great views over the south but you want to see London’s landmarks. It was late in the day when we arrived which meant there were no crowds and we were able to find our house on the satellite pictures on the floor of the basement. Sadly, however, I don’t think the lighting scheme is brilliant at all – they could do so much more with it.

While we were there I rode the snow slide at The Tate (basically a silly slide that you descend almost buried in an inflatable tyre-like object). Silly but cheap and amusing. Then we crossed Tower Bridge (always a stunning experience) to go and have a look at the stunning Swiss Re tower and walk around The City – which is, of course, almost dead on a Saturday afternoon. It’s a rather unnerving contrast to London’s West End which is full of people on a Saturday.

Yesterday, we went to Marble Arch and had a go on the ice rink that has been placed there for the winter. I haven’t been on skates for years and I really liked it – although there’s no chance I could go round the rink without holding onto the side at some point. PY was not quite so in love with the experience which is a great shame and I am going to have to find ways to convince him to come again. I’ll work on it.

Once again I can honestly say I love London.

Aliens Eat London Commuters

It stunned me that I could walk onto a platform on the Northern Line at Charing Cross station and find it deserted.

I posted this picture over on Flickr tonight, as it stunned me that I could walk onto a platform on the Northern Line at Charing Cross station and find it deserted. All the best movies had alien invaders clearing the streets while our lonesome hero wandered the empty streets and echoing buildings. It was very strange indeed, and a great relief when somebody else made it to the platform and stood waiting for the few minutes until the next train.

I’ve spent the day in central London training some customers on our software products, so I’ve been on my feet all day, talking. I find it quite hard to be engaging for six hours or so, and it can be very disconcerting when I see the participants’ interest wane. I imagine it’s a great relief for everyone when we make it to the end of the day. I was glad to head off for a meal with friends – which is why I was taking the train!

More Producing

I suspect I may be a lone voice in expressing a little (and just a little) disappointment.

Following up on my previous review of The Producers, I’ve had a little more time to think about it, and earlier I posted this to Gay Boy Musicals Fans UK at Yahoo!

Having read the positive reader comments on the BBC’s story about The Producers, I suspect I may be a lone voice in expressing a little (and just a little) disappointment. I hadn’t read many reviews, but I did know about the reception it had received in the US and the praise heaped on Nathan Lane and Matthew Broderick.
I haven’t seen the film, which, judging by the number of people sitting around me who had, means I was possibly one of only a small number of people in the audience who hadn’t. I wonder if that made a difference?
I saw it a week or so ago, and it was good but not as good as all the raving would imply. While Nathan Lane’s talent, comic timing and performance cannot be faulted, I did find weaknesses in the show. I thought some of the musical numbers in the middle were slow, and the Ulla character was not engaging at all – in fact, she was positively irritating. James Dreyfus was camp (which, I guess, is the intention) but in that 1970s OTT cringe-worthy way. Humour is, of course, personal and subjective, but I found it only amusing and not laugh-out-loud funny, as many of the reviews suggest.
Still, I would take issue with the review of Lee Evans’ performance, which says ‘he just about holds his own’. I would argue that he did far more than that. He too was excellent, believable & humorous, and while I’ve never been a big fan of his stage antics, he worked well in the role. In fact, for me, he worked so well I can’t imagine Broderick in the role.
I will, however, recommend the show because it stands out from much of the rest of the West End right now – it is good. It has some wonderful comedy and delightful musical moments. But those individual moments do not, in my opinion, add up to a great whole. I even bought the soundtrack in the hope that familiarity with the songs will make me warm to more of them.
Maybe it’s just me.

Eleven Years In The Big Smoke

I’ve been in London for eleven years now. Things have moved on a bit in that time.

Eleven years ago today, I started my working life. It was my first full-time job after university. I was a support engineer on a satellite audio network: the shifts seemed awful and the pay (at least in the first few years) not much better, but I loved the job and the people. Many of those colleagues continue to be friends to this day, although we haven’t worked together for seven and a half years. It also means that I have been living in London for eleven years as of yesterday. I’ve been trying to notice what’s changed in that time. I live in a different place (but only the second place I’ve inhabited in London), and I’m on my 5th job. I don’t work the shifts anymore but, in many ways, miss them and the routine they gave you. I’m Wi-Fi-ed, pda’d, multi-channelled, and mobile (in the phone sense) where I wasn’t – which I guess means my money is being spent on more frivolous things.

London has changed, that’s for sure. We have a Mayor and Congestion Charging. Docklands has grown beyond recognition in the last eleven years; there are some new buildings on the skyline, and the South Bank has been opened up considerably.Like Edinburgh, there are now branches of Starbucks (and every other coffee shop you can imagine) where once there were other retail outlets. The Gap no longer seems to be the height of fashion, but then again I can no longer wander a branch of C&A looking at all the clothes I don’t want. There’s still a good sandwich shop on every street, but they’re now mixed in with branches of Tesco and Sainsbury’s, which seem to have rediscovered town centres.

I know an eleven-year working life has let me travel to places I perhaps wouldn’t have gone without work (and many I couldn’t have gone to on the cash from working). It certainly has allowed me to try more restaurants and cuisines of other countries than I ever thought possible. I imagine I own more than I did back then, but I can’t really quantify it (I may be a frying pan down and a dinner plate up, but I’ve never really counted them).

I’m older, but fitter, than I was eleven years ago. I have a wider circle of friends in London than I could have thought possible eleven years ago. I’m always short on time now, whereas I used to find things to fill the hours when I wasn’t working.

Of course, the biggest change in those years has been the social use of the internet: email, Usenet, and the web weren’t commonplace when I started working. That first job introduced me to more than academic networks. When I first got an email address, I only knew one person outside my company I could give it to. Now, it’s given me a career, a whole new way to express and organise myself and – probably – hours of entertainment.

All in all, I think I am a wiser, happier and more contented individual (perhaps a little more stressed). So, happy anniversary to me.

Great London Food Market Revisited

Today we managed to eat at the Spanish Chorizo stall I mentioned earlier and had a good old look around Borough Market again.

Today we managed to eat at the Spanish Chorizo stall that I previously mentioned and had a good old look around Borough Market again. It really is full of some of the most fantastic food and I still wonder why on earth there aren’t more markets like that around the UK. Borough Market was, once again, heaving with a wide range of people. Some, clearly at the tourist end of the scale, just looking and, perhaps, picking up a bite to eat. Some, like us, were wandering in search of both the bit to eat and something to bring home and cook over the next few days. Others, clearly more local (many seemed to have come on bicycles), appeared to be doing their weekly grocery shop. The market thrilled me yet again – if you’re in London at the weekend it’s a must (and trust me, the queue for the Chorizo burgers really does indicate how great they are). If you’re looking for directions, Borough Market is just behind Southwalk Cathedral (and near London Bridge underground station) and near The Cutty Sark(that’s the picture – food stalls didn’t seem photogenic).

UPDATE: Julian just emailed me and pointed out that I am not really talking about The Cutty Sark at all (which is the big thing down Greenwich way), and my picture is of a replica of The Golden Hind. I knew this (I’ve even been to a wedding on board) so why I got it confused is a mystery. Thanks for pointing out my stupidity.

The Producers

The fact that it is one of the better shows on the West End right now possibly says more about the other shows.

I went to see a preview of the London version of The Producers today and was, like last night, a little taken by surprise. This time, however, it was with disappointment, not pleasure. I’ve been talking to PY and trying to explain my disappointment, but he doesn’t get it: he loved the show. I did not know the plot, nor had I seen the film, so I wasn’t let down by the story, but I had read that Nathan Lane had taken Broadway by storm.

You can’t fault Nathan Lane: he’s superb, and his comic timing is excellent. Lee Evans seems born for his role as the sidekick Leo Bloom, and some of the songs are great. Others, however, feel weak, and parts of the story just aren’t engaging. James Dreyfus camps it up in John Inman style, while Ulla, the Swedish blond bombshell, is so lost in the stereotype that any humour is lost.

Don’t get me wrong, it is a good show. I can’t imagine Richard Dreyfuss in it, and I imagine it will be hard to replace Nathan Lane in January. If you’re going to see it, I would suggest trying to get tickets now because, without Lane’s superb performance, I am not sure where this show will go. The fact that it is one of the better shows on the West End right now possibly says more about the other shows.

Sadly, The Producers disappointed.

UPDATE: Well, the reviews are out, and I may be a lone voice expressing disappointment. I wrote an updated review for the Yahoo Group: Gay Boy Musicals Fans UK (you can read it here if you’re not a member of the group).

A Funny Thing Happened On the Way To The Forum

You feel yourself pulled along by the way the cast at The National seems to be enjoying themselves.

I went to see A Funny Thing Happened On the Way To The Forum tonight and it took me a little by surprise. I wasn’t really sure what to expect but I was thoroughly entertained. From the opening, A Comedy Tonight, you feel yourself pulled along by the way the cast at The National seem to be enjoying themselves. It’s a high camp farce set in Roman times featuring double entendres and mistaken identity by the bucket load (you almost expect a vicar to appear from a cupboard) but it’s joyful and not at all cringe-worthy as many farces are. Sondheim’s music isn’t the best you will ever hear (in fact, much of it isn’t memorable) but during the performance it’s entertaining. Such a shame it is coming to the end of it’s run. I discovered a US version of the soundtrack featuring Nathan Lane which ties in nicely with tomorrow –more then.