Description: Our trip to London was short so we packed it full of adventures. We could always sleep on the train to Paris.
On the night of our arrival we took an English cab to the West End Theater District. Our driver took us in what was a direct route for Londoners, but when you are used to the street grid system of the MidWest, it seemed that he was taking us on a sight-seeing tour. The streets of London are laid out in a pattern that only a drunken spider could make. We loved our ride! He dropped us in front of The Prince Edward Theater. Newly restored, the interior is a magnificent concoction on maroon plush and gilded wood. Our seats were close to front and center, comfortable and perfect for acoustics. So what English production did we fly so many miles to see?...Shakespear?...Andrew Llyod Weber?....no we saw "Jersey Boys"! The production was very well done. Only one of the boys failed to master the Jersey accent. His acting and singing were so good we forgave him that flaw.Music was straight out of our youth, the opening chords would touch off excitement. I had the opportunity to chat with the man next to me during intermission. Except for service people, this was the only real Brit I talked with. Glad I had that chance. Upon exiting the theater we found ourselves in street glutted with pedestrians, all in a party mood. Confused as to how to find a taxi, I stopped a real London Bobbie and asked directions. He was most helpful and as hansome as John John Kennedy was. We caught a taxi, our driver was stone silent the whole ride. That was a bit strange since we three were still bubbling over with the excitement of the play. "Oh, What a Night!"
The next day our round the city tour-bus tour stopped at Covent Gardens for lunch. This too is part of the West End Theater District. I remember from "My Fair Lady" this was the first place Proffesor Higgins observed Liza Doolittle after he left a play. We had a fast lunch and then prowled the shops and found an antique mall. Here I bought my husband a Victorian diner table bell. He had asked for something old and that qualified.
In the late afternoon, our accomodating bus tour guide let us off at Trafalgar Square. From here we browsed the streets looking at landmarks such as Admiral Nelson's monument, St. Martins in the Fields Church, and a variety of shops and pubs. We bought a pub supper and then searched out our next theater, St. Martin's Theater. We had tickets to see Agatha Christie's "The Mousetrap". This is the world's longest running stage production. The theater isn't as elegant as our first outing, in fact it was reminecent of a small town old high school auditorium with creaky floorboards and sight-destroying columns. I am embarrassed to say I fought sleep during the first act. So did Sarah. Thank heavens Marilyn was able to fill us in during intermission. Sarah also treated us to ice cream and that helped keep us alert for the exciting conclusion to the play. At the end of the play the audience is asked to swear never to reveal the ending. Ha! We, who nodded off, will not reveal the begining either!
Our cab ride home to the hotel was fun. The Cabbie was amusing and very interested in America. He asked us many questions. He also changed lanes with amazing speed and agility. He did take almost the exact same route as our other two cabbies, so now I am sure they weren't trying to run up the fare.Close