The Cellar - Glasgow GTG January 2011

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Glasgow GTG January 2011

Just so we don't clog up other threads :)

Limey, were you thinking of Cossachok?
It look amazing.

I would just have gone to Yo! Sushi again :yum:
Well, I get 30% off for being a member and I know I like it so why not.

But I'm always up for a new experience.

Be-Bop, if you read this before I PM you, you are included on the invite list. As are any other Dwellars who are likely to be in the area of course.

Absolutely, Cossachok is owned by friends of mine and the food is fabulous! In fact we should eat there on the Sunday night and enjoy the live music!
I'm in for two nights at the Alamo as well, dearie!

OMG - ajjiika, lobio, chakhokhbili, kutuzov cake aaaaaaarhghghghghhhhhh :yum::yum::yum: :thumb2:

Right. Have booked a ticket for the matinee (Sun 9th 2pm) Row D!

Am now awaiting a response from the Alamo regarding room booking.

WHOOOOP! WHOOOOP!
Is Limey coming to the matinee too? Are you going for a single in the Alamo?

The menu in Cossachok looks fantastic.
I'm already drooling and I have 11 months to go.

:jig: My ticket just arrived :jig:
Now is the time to let slip to Mum that it's a Cellar occasion...

i believe Limey is in for the matinee too:)

I just booked a room at the Alamo for two nights!

They were slightly confused, as they'd already booked a single room for those two nights and thought I was that person :P I explained that'd be my friend lol

I ended up booking a standard double room; because they only have two singles and one of them is already booked. Figured that'd probably be Limey: didn't want you left with a double if you wanted a single.

Also means at least one of us has a bigger room to congregate in if we wish :)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sundae Girl (Post 632489)

:jig: My ticket just arrived :jig:
Now is the time to let slip to Mum that it's a Cellar occasion...

You can always blame me SG. Tell your Mum that I am making a surprise visit from the US and took the last cinema ticket! That way, I can blame you next time I get out of dragging my mom on a girls night out! LOL

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sundae Girl (Post 632489)

:jig: My ticket just arrived :jig:
Now is the time to let slip to Mum that it's a Cellar occasion...

Woot!

I requested mine for pickup at the venue:)

Sundae, have you actually booked your room at the alamo yet? If you want me to book it on my card and pay me when we get to Glasgow I can do that?

Um ... I'm all booked and ready to go. The Alamo won't know what's hit 'em!

I'm already booked in at the Alamo - I'm the one with the single. They have my prepay credit card number, but it's only held in case of cancellation, so I didn't bother to tell them that it never has any money on it - what they don't know won't hurt them :) After all, I have no intention of cancelling and I'll pay cash when I get there.

I showed Mum the ticket, it seemed the easiest way.
I'd told her I would be booking for Glasgow when we got back from Cardiff, and we've been back nearly two weeks now. She didn't seem upset - she implied that she had decided not to come - maybe she really did or maybe she just thinks she did, we certainly didn't discuss it. Anyway I told her about meeting you two and she was genuinely excited for me. I dangled the idea that of course she could still choose to come at a later date, but I'm pretty sure she won't. She said, "Of course I would have come if it had been Edinburgh. But at least I know you won't be on your own now."

All seems to have worked out amicably. Good - I really didn't want to hurt her feelings... but I really wasn't keen on a repeat! Anyway, I can't imagine she'll want to do the overnight coach, and that's certainly the cheapest option for me. £25 return!

I must say this is impressive ...
"Room(s): Small Standard double with Dark Oak Bedhead, Marble topped antique maplewood bedside tables, 24" Wall mounted HD Freeview Flatsceen LCD (shared facilities just outside the door with a sink in the room)
Price: £ (Inclusive of complimentary Breakfast)
Total for stay = £
All rooms come with a DVD player to allow guests to Choose from the free 300+ Movie collection.
For guests who bring their own laptop, the Alamo also provides free WiFi.
There is also The Alamo Laptop which can be borrowed to access the internet."
So we can check in to Teh Cellar and give progress reports!!!

Quote:

Originally Posted by limey (Post 632504)

For guests who bring their own laptop, the Alamo also provides free WiFi.
There is also The Alamo Laptop which can be borrowed to access the internet."
So we can check in to Teh Cellar and give progress reports!!!

And we fully expect some updates too!!

I am happy happy happy for you all!...oh and a little wistful but mostly happy :)

I didn't blame you this time, Juju. I'm holding that offer for future use!

Oh yes, lots of updates and pics and general frivolity are to be expected. Let's just hope there isn't a huge Cellar-war with the three of us in opposing camps in the mean time!

Sky - get saving and come too!

If I were free and unfettered I would!

Weird. She said they only had 2 standard single rooms; and one of them was already booked.

Ah well: I don't mind being in a double lol.

I think this is going to be a right laugh :P

She was right - I've booked a single, booked it earlier this week. Limey's booked a double. So she still has a free single.

I spoke to them about it. They do have a single room left; but they don't like to book it out on a 2 day this far in advance; as that would leave them with no single rooms and could prevent someone staying, possibly for the full week.

Tis fine. I am happy with my double room :)

Aha. She booked the room for me this far in advance. But of course I was the first person to call. I bet she ends up booking it just for the weekend anyway - our B&B in Cardiff was booked out solely to JB fans the weekend we were there, and everyone was only staying 1 night or two.

You're right though, we can use your room as Party Central.
I promise not to cause too much damage to the antiques :)

I've only been skimming this thread, but are you saying that
1. you are single
2. you want to pay them for a single room
3. they have a single room and they want to sell it to someone
4. they won't sell you the single room because then they wouldn't be able to sell it to some other hypothetical, but nonexistent, person?

wtf?

*smiles*

They're a 'guest house' not a hotel; so they only have a limited number of rooms ( I think about 15). Those rooms are made up of a variety of types to suit a variety of needs: so they have 2 shared (no bathroom) standard single rooms, X amount of standard doubles, x amount of enhanced doubles, x amount of family rooms, x amount of en suite rooms etc.

If they book out both their single rooms, a year in advance, for 2 nights; they could end up losing out on a single room booking for a week. That person would go elsewhere. Given that there's no guarantee that we will actually show up, they could end up having done themselves out of a week long booking, and all they gain is the 10% cancellation fee.

Smaller bookings (like ours) are easy come easy go and tend to happen nearer the time (unless you're complete fangurls looking to see barrowman!) a week's holiday tends to be booked more in advance.

Seems reasonable to me :)

Small places like this will often do a favour if it works out differently - I got a double room in Cardiff instead of the single I was paying for because the room was free. You often get small upgrades like that.

Be-Bop has pencilled us in.

Yey....

wait....is that a euphemism?:P

I've never (ever) bought a ticket for anything eleven months in advance ... and here I have a ticket for Aladdin and SECC on 9th January 2011 in front of me :mg:. May be this should be in the "What did the Cellar do for you" thread :haha: ...

Mum & I are going to see JB in Oxford on 1 October. Whooop! Whoop!
Dads will probably give us a lift there, and we'll kip on the way home on the night bus.

I'll remember to bring my earplugs After all I had sex on the back seat of the top deck of a 180 [Oxford-Aylesbury bus] There was only an old couple at the front of the bus and it was with my bf of more than a year. Still!

Sorry I can't come to Glasgow. My maternal Granddad is from Glasgow.

Article including interview with JB for the launch of the panto.
YUMYUM.
http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/news/j...hool-1.1026878

I saw that and thought of you ;)!

SG - I saw this and thought of you!!!

I know. How jealous was I?
I'd have given money just to attend and touch all the lovely things (and what was for sale of course).

Wow - hasn't it come around fast?!
Now I'm all terrified about the weather, despite there being over three weeks to go.
I went for the most bargainest travel in the end (coach) and am feared it will backfire on me. But after all I'll have 36 hours from departure until the panto, so if worst comes to worst I might just squeak in...!

Oh - for anyone who's wandered in by mistake - DanaC, Limey and I are going to see John Barrowman in pantomime in Glasgow (Scotland) on 9th January 2011. And there is pretty grim weather throughout the UK at present. Well, except here, because as I've said before I live in a place pretty much like the Shire - surrounded by rolling hills and impervious to any extremes. But I'll be leaving the protection of the Vale of Aylesbury on my long trek North. Of course it's about more than the pantomime, so I'm really hoping that the worst we get is rain that weekend.

Anyway, some reviews for you.
Obviously don't read if spoilers are an issue... (!)

The Herald(Mary Brennan)

Quote:

Hundreds of schoolchildren – and a fair few adults too – absolutely squeal the place down as soon as the promised 3D effects kick in and scary stuff, like bats and spiders, zoom straight towards them.

Actually those adults – and a fair few school children – yell and scream when John Barrowman bounces on-stage as Aladdin ... all clearly wishing that he’d zoom straight towards them and maybe go for coffee later. And there’s a tremendous uproar from all ages – grown-ups chortling, wee weans collapsing in helpless giggles – when the Krankies go into their act as Chinese policemen with a seemingly endless repertoire of gleefully rude puns and ripostes followed by some wickedly entertaining pops (by a cleverly costumed Janette) at a wide variety of topical celebs.

So yes, those moments of techno whizz-wizardry are crowd-pleasers, and the free-floating Genie is a nice touch. But the best 3D elements are the performers themselves, with Barrowman larking about as if a full-on stint of singing and dancing, smooching the Princess, playing the fool with Abanazar as well as the Krankies, was the best fun he could imagine. And though this is a vast arena, the whole audience seemed smitten by his breezy, upbeat energy – so much so that no-one seemed to mind that the Dame didn’t have much to do, or hanker for the absent joining-in traditions of ‘behind you’ spooks, or the singalong cloot.

There were acknowledging boos for Pete Gallagher’s swaggering baddie, Abanazer, but the feelgood factor prevailed overall with a well-drilled chorus providing strong backing in the big ensemble numbers and our hero – in snug britches and fine voice – making us wish that, like the song says, our journey with Aladdin could go on and on and on.

The Stage (Gareth K Vile)

Quote:

The first pantomime to be staged at Glasgow’s SECC, Aladdin pulls out the stops to be a cornucopia of old-fashioned and modern entertainment. The 3D animation is stunning, John Barrowman is an all-singing, all-dancing, all-quipping male lead with the right amount of ironic distance, while Scottish veterans the Krankies seem delighted to be back on the west coast.

Barrowman and the Krankies dominate - Barrowman plays glamorous celebrity and self-deprecating team-player, and the Krankies are knowing in their parodies. They overshadow the rest of the cast, who aren’t left much beyond moving the plot forward. Pete Gallagher is a solid villain, while Masashi Fujimoto’s burst of operatic singing suggests he could have been better used.

However, the three stars are superb. The Krankies’ popular image as children’s entertainers ignores their love for vaudeville and slapstick, and the sophisticated rapport between them plays on several levels. The asides are particularly skilful, since they work both as cheeky children’s gags and something altogether ruder for adults.

Despite getting slightly caught up in comic business, the show is slick and hilarious. Barrowman has a rare charisma and the script is sharp and witty. The SECC has made its bid to challenge the hegemony of the King’s and the Pavilion.

The Scottish Sun (Matt Bendoris)

Quote:

Top-of-the-bill actors like John Barrowman and co are on the same weekly wages as some top footballers. But are the stars and the shows worth the dosh?

Scottish Sun writer MATT BENDORIS sends five readers' families out to all the major pantos across Scotland to get their verdicts ...
JOHN BARROWMAN and The Krankies are the perfect panto mix. He's incredibly good looking, surprisingly funny and a great singer - while The Krankies are hysterical and simply steal the show.

Then there's the 3D effects which are even better than Avatar's. At one point Andrew dived behind his seat when a giant crocodile leapt out the screen and started snapping at the audience.

By the end The Krankies got a standing ovation. By far the best panto I've ever seen - what are you waiting for?

This one added for balance
The List (Malcolm Jack)

Quote:

If you think this arena spectacular violates that unspoken rule of knowing crapness in pantomime by promising 3D graphics and a celebrity star for whom the phrase ‘it’s behind you’ unusually couldn’t be applied to his career, think again. The SECC’s Aladdin proves a family Christmas show that’s surprisingly crapper than most.

Dashing bidialectal Scots-American John Barrowman’s all-singing, all-flouncing presence in the lead role (many amusing nod and winks are made from the absurdity of a high-profile gay entertainer pursuing a beautiful princess) is balanced out by him being placed opposite ghosts of Christmases past The Krankies. Their blue double-entendres keep parents chuckling, though Jimmy’s midget SuBo caricature’s squirting pussycat is taking things much too far.

The 3D genie would have looked laughable even in the pre-Avatar age, and even if the computer hadn’t crashed during the climactic final rubbing of the lamp scene – at which point a valiantly ad-libbing Barrowman may have wanted to use that last wish to set himself free.

Booooooooooooo!

Hey SG, Dana. Which (if any) of you two has the time to meander over to Limey Villa for an overnighter before the show? (let's make 'em really jealous, eh?!)

I can't come up any earlier than an overnight trip on Friday (ie arriving Saturday morning) but I'm not due back at school until Wednesday 12th.

I'd love to visit your place Limey. But you may have had enough of me after two nights :) Also Dana has Pilau to think of. At least Diz will be at home with my parents.

I'll have to have a think - any extra travel costs at present will be a s-t-r-e-t-c-h. But given I'm unlikely to be up your way again I can't help think they'd be worth it.

Just wondering, gels.
There is an option at the Alamo that wasn't there previously - a self-catering apartment.

They might let us change our booking - £250 all in for the two nights. Which is £125 per night divided by three (42 each). Now I'm paying £41 for a single room without its own bathroom, so it would be about the same for me, but I'm sure it's cheaper for you. And we'd have our own kitchen and all. Of course it doesn't include breakfast, so it depends whether you like a good feed in the mornings.

Of course this is all dependent on them allowing the switch and also agreeing to a short-term let - I know they were hesitant about taking the original bookings because we weren't staying the full weekend.

Just a thought - if you fancy trying we'd be best asking sooner rather than later.

I'm all booked up travel-wise.
Sorry not to be able to extend my stay and see your place Limey :(
My main concern is whether I'll get there at all, with the weather the way it is. Of course if it STAYS the way it is, no problem. But sod's law suggests the only time in my life I've not wanted snow, there will be more!

I am currently spreading parmesan and breadsticks in the hope that FSM's noodly appendages will carry me safely to Glasgow.

Gruelling but cheap travel plans are:

Friday 7 January
Caledonian Sleeper from Euston dep 23.50 arr Glasgow Central 07.20 (08/01/11)
I've gone for the reclining seat as I couldn't face paying £20 more only to sleep with a stranger, and single berths are £130

Monday 10 January
Megabus from Glasgow Buchanan Bus Station 23.00 arr London Victoria Coach Station 07.05 (11/01/11)

That's a really late departure, but the alternatives were about 05.00 or 11.00, and if we've been out carousing the night before, I really don't fancy a 7 hour coach trip with a hangover.

As I was looking all this up to let you know my plans, turns out I was booked on the Megabus back to London on 03/01/11. NIIIIICE - a week before I leave. Idiot. Cost me £1.50 to rectify my mistake, but it's well worth it. So glad I checked!

I'm up for self-catering and can bring basics (coffee etc) from home.
SG you can spend the day trolling around Arran Saturday and/or Monday. Return fare from Glasgow to Arran is £15.15 (rail and ferry). So can you, Dana, if you've got the time?

I'm in aye.

Sundae, see what they say about it at the guest house.

I haven't booked any travel yet, am waiting til we've finalised what we're doing, so I can wrap it aroound that. A day trolling round Arran sounds rather nice ;P But I will be looking for an earlier travel time on the return leg, and likely travelling up on Saturday morning.

Carousing? Us? With our reputation??

Hah. Silly me.
I don't even know how to spell vodchka...

Dani - looks like you're stuck with the train babba, and the journey times are pretty grim.
I assume you're travelling from Halifax?
£61.00 return is the cheapest realistically.
Up to £68.50 for more convenient travel times.
You'll be onboard for about 3.5 hours, so if you're looking to arrive in the afternoon that's a lunchtime departure. The latest train with a £30.50 ticket leaves at 09.24 and gets you in at 13.01. There are others at £38.50 with teatime/ evening arrivals.

Of course that's if we decide to do Arran on Saturday.
Saturday is actually a day of leisure, as we can't leave our bags until 10.00. The pantomime isn't until Sunday after all.

Alternatively, depends what time Dana needs to be home on Monday.
A trains at 11.00 and 14.40 are the cheapest options, arriving back at 16.00 and 19.03 respectively. So we could check out and make our way to Arran then...?

I know you know how to arrange your own travel details Dana, I'm just micromanaging (aka Doing a Monster).

Oh Go, please, micromanage away. I am in the most godawful disorganised mood just lately.

you could rent a car.

Who me? I don't drive.

Also, for a few days hire, it'd probably not be much cheaper than train.

I was just trying to be less practical, since apparently that's a bad thing..... :p:

I'm in awe of your management skills, Monster.
And your practicality.

You do need a whole day to get to Arran, see it, and back to Glasgow. I recommend leave Glasgow on the 8.33 boat tran, and return to Glasgow at 9.20pm - ideal for your Monday SG (apart from the early start ...).
What did the guest hoseu say about changing our booking? Do they need us all to get in touch. If they want a credit card guarantee I'll put mine up?

No response yet.
I'd call, but I'm low on credit (my parents have an itemised phone bill that I don't pay anything towards).

I've just spoken to the lovely Steve, proprietor of The Alamo. He says the flat's booked out, but they've had a whole refit and expansion since last year. We could have two singles and a small double (which would be cheaper than what we booked last year), or a pyjama party in a triple room. I know this will give the Cellar Menfolk a hard time (on?), so I'm enquiring publicly if that's what we wanna do. Dana? SG? PJs at dawn?

Up for whatever you want!
I reckon a triple would be triple the fun :)

Shit, now I gotta buy 'jamas!?
Meh - you can deal with me in t-shirt & leggings I reckon.

Pj party it is, then!

Pictures, yes? Pictures.

Oh to be a fly on the wall

Group chat with web camz !!!

Quote:

Originally Posted by limey (Post 701509)

Yes.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sundae Girl (Post 701522)

Up for whatever you want!
I reckon a triple would be triple the fun :)

Agreed.

Quote:

Originally Posted by DanaC (Post 701527)

Defo!

William?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sundae Girl (Post 701529)

Shit, now I gotta buy 'jamas!?
Meh - you can deal with me in t-shirt & leggings I reckon.

No to the first, defo! to the second.

Quote:

Originally Posted by limey (Post 701535)

Pj party it is, then!

Huzzah!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clodfobble (Post 701569)

Pictures, yes? Pictures.

Or it didn't happen.

I'mmma so excited for you guys!!!! pics!!!!! plesase!!!!

Awwwwwwww, bless him.
BBC link to John on Strictly Coming Dancing yesterday.

Even without bias (as I also have a bit of a crush on Ronnie Ancona) I thought he was far and away the best on the night.

Just over a week to go before seeing JB (and my two girls) in the flesh.
How exciting.

A lickle bit of bad news...
John himself hasn't performed in the pantomime for a couple of nights now.
His part is being played by an understudy - Greg Barrowman - who I understand to be his cousin's son. Certainly there is a family connection as it was at a family karaoke evening that John first heard him sing and suggested strongly to his parents that he should go to drama school.

The lad is only 18 from what I've read, and has been coping well.
But I know I'll be gutted to miss John himself. After all, he was the reason we agreed to meet way back in Janurary (?)
Still, I've got my girls to meet as well, and at least that will happen.

This is a cue for Dana to say she can't make it.....?!

He might be fit again in time.... flu and "slight pleurisy"

http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/h...anto-1.1077271

HEAVY flu and pleurisy - which involves pain when breathing - anathema to a singer or dancer.
I had an ex with pleurisy who also adored work (and was paid on commission). He was off work for three weeks.
And JB is off to the US to start filming Torchwood as soon as the panto is over.

I'm preparing myself for sadness. And yes, I am obsessively following all the press notices.
But thanks for the attempt at good news :)