Kiwis and Fairy Bread

25 June 2024

The one objective of the day was to go to The Globe Theatre for a tour and a performance of Much Ado About Nothing. But we split up for much of the day. After a little mother-daughter hair braiding (fun!), Ben, Emi and David took in the London Aquarium (unfortunately a disappointing exhibition) as Mike and I just walked.

On our way across The Thames we listened to a bag piper, watched an appalling amount of tourists being scammed by Three Card Monty (how can they be so naive?) and breathed in the scent of fresh roadside crepes. I read aloud the poem Composed Upon Westminster Bridge by William Wordsworth, engraved right into the wall of it. So much on one bridge!

We strolled within the parks surrounding Parliament, seeing flags of our favorite Common Wealth countries (Hello Bermuda and New Zealand!) and bronzes of influential people (Hello Nelson Mandela). It was a picture perfect day. And I mean a post card could not have presented the cloud formations behind Big Ben any better.

Mike and I came across the spot were reporters film interviews in front of parliament. Watched a few and spoke to a camera man. There was quite a large police presence in the area, and lots of people dressed up. As we tried to enter Westminster Abbey we were turned away. Barriers were up. A royal wedding, perhaps? But these people in stilettos and finely cut suits were all attending a college graduation in a church across from the abbey (what a dress code!). The security was for an event of quite another nature.

The Emperor of Japan was in town for a state visit. Prime Minister Sunak, The Govern’r (according to a police captain) and many dignitaries were expected shortly. All five of us, coincidently walking the same route without seeing each other, missed all the fuss by moments.

Into St Jame’s Park we found a fairy house along a lake on which pelicans and a crane were showing off. We’d been here for sure when the kids were young. Walked across The Horse Guard’s Parade, recently emptied of a demonstration for The Emperor. No doubt highly trained and ready to defend the country at a moments notice, these men and horses sure do put up with a lot from tourists. And what fantastically big boots they wear! I wonder, are there any women Horse Guards?

Walked to a very hot Trafalgar Square where the famous lions are barricaded off for restoration. Very few pigeons for the kiddies to chase, so they made do with splashing their hands in the fountain. The daily ritual of ice cream, and it was off to The Globe.

This was the third time here for Mike sand I, the second for Ben, but it was Emi and David’s first. It is such a thrill to experience in every way. During the tour we listened to history of The Bard himself, theatre of the time and the building of both the original and this replica Globe. The stage crew was unloading Richard III and loading in Much Ado. David and I critiqued their work, of course. (In the end, the scenery looked spectacular. Gold painted trees hung with bright oranges.

And then THE show! There is nothing like it in the world. The energy between the performers and audience is what we theatre people dream of! Much Ado About Nothing was anything but. The whole astectic from acting to costumes, set to music to choreography was the very definition of vibrant. We had a GREAT time.

Onto the Millennium Bridge to get a picture of our own favorite millennials in front St Paul’s Cathedral and a stunning skyline.

Home for crumpets (LOVE them!). The red carpet at The Old Vic had just wrapped up to stellar reviews. Noise in the streets. Light on the horizon.

Much Ado about London indeed.