tuesday, for example, i planned to hit the british library (third time's a charm, after all) and the globe, before returning to leicester square to see les miserables. and i was ready -- until i got to the subway and learned the jubilee line was closed and my route of travel would have to be altered: ratchet! i figured it out, though, without even having to backtrack (victory!). i never did make it to the british library (thanks to the travel diversion and unanticipated massive subway crowds, which seemed to slow everything down), but i did: walk across the london bridge (twice!); get up close and personal with the tower of london; and take a nice tour of london's south bank on my walk to the globe - activities that were not originally on my daily itinerary -- for that day, anyway (and, to be honest, i stumbled upon the bridge, which led to the tower, because i took a wrong turn when i got out of the subway -- still directionally challenged, obviously).
the queues for admission into the tower were massive and my time was limited so i did not go inside (i'm hoping to get back for a tour before heading to paris on monday), sadly. the place is a behemoth, steeped in history, mystery, and intrigue - i've got to get back!
after spending a fair amount of time marveling outside the tower, i headed towards the globe via retracing my steps back to the subway station. the walk along the south bank was cool - lots of cobblestone, lots of twists and turns, lots of pigeons...
this is actually the third globe theatre: the first burned down and the second was destroyed during the english civil war, when theatre was banned. this style of theatre (outdoor, round, and constructed of wood -- the round shape and wood are natural amplifiers for the voice) was very common so replicating the structure was fairly simple (it took more than 50 years to bring sam wanamaker's, the globe's primary benefactor, vision to life); the interior is designed to represent heaven, hell, and earth -- inspiration that was drawn from a famous quote from as you like it: "all the world's a stage" ... (all the stage is a world at the globe).
this is what i'd look like watching a performance ... or if someone asked me to do a popeye impression.
when i finished touring the theatre, i took the london millennium bridge across the thames to st. paul's cathedral, another stop that was not part of my original plan. the dickens tour ended at st. paul's the night before so i had a small bit of familiarity with the area -- and it was nice to see the cathedral in the light of day (though dusk was approaching), too. neither st. paul's nor westminster abbey receive funding from the state or the church so both depend heavily on admission fare income (worshippers are welcome to attend services at no cost, however). i did not realize that there was an admission fee until i was inside; ill-prepared (both in terms of cash on hand and time), i did not move beyond the foyer, which was impressive (perhaps i'll get back before monday ...).
after a full day of walking and touring, i returned to my hotel, changed into my theatre garb (a new dress purchased at a nearby shop. fancy!), and set out for the queen's theatre in leicester square to see les miserables, my favorite play/story. the show was wonderful - the set was impressive and the lead characters were mesmerizing (except for Madame Thénardier, who was boring -- and much better played by my friend priscilla in the playhouse production this spring. fact.). still, i cried through the whole thing, per usual, and walked away thankful tht i am fortunate enough to have the means to see great theatre - both at home and abroad.
Amy you are a wonderful writer! You make me feel that I could almost see what you are describing .love your posts.
ReplyDelete