daysofsamdandtime

[daysofsamdandtime]

Day 18

Today I was heading up to Camden markets for a wander, a bakery and some time outside before a three show day.

The markets weren’t too busy by the time I arrived with some of the stalls still setting up, I wandered through most of the markets and past a few vinyl shops. Then it was off to the important part of the day, the bakery for coffee and a pastry. I was tossing up between two and I think I chose wrong, the coffee was good but the brioche was just alright. I walked up Primrose hill to take in the lovely sunny morning and eat my brioche. The park was quite lovely with a view out over the city which was still in a bit of cloud cover from the overcast morning.

In peak good planning, I made my way back down the hill to a bagel shop for a bit of early lunch taking another seat in the park this time not at the lookout to avoid the gathering crowd. I then made the short walk to the station to grab a train out to Wembley for Starlight Express. The train was busier than I was anticipating but not packed, there was a festival on at Wembley which explained everything with thousands of people descending on the arena.

Starlight Express was so much fun, from the moment you walked in the doors of the foyer it was like another world, full of disco balls and bright neon lights. Inside the arena staging was so cool, having booked in a ‘carriage’ was just at the foot of the main stage area on the middle runway. The rig was intense and boy did they show off what the tech could do. Basically the entire stage and auditorium had the ability to light up as each of the trains raced around. The costuming was a more modern take but gave the performers full ability to freely skate around the arena. The overall performances were great, with some great vocals to match. Such an enjoyable show and with so much tech, impeccably delivered.

After a wee while on public transport I was off to ABBA Arena out by the Olympic park for ABBA Voyage. The setup out there was a different world of intense, with no photos allowed during the performance which was a great call. It was so bizarre and unlike anything I’d seen before but so fun to ‘see’ ABBA perform so many of their hits. It sounded and looked great again with immense technical prowess fully on display.

For the final show of the day I headed to Kings Head Theatre just down the road from where I was staying. This was a first performance of a piece called The Pink List. A really lovely piece that takes us through a trial, and flashbacks, of a persecuted gay man during the Nazi reign in Germany. It would be interesting to see how the piece progresses, but it was a really touching way to end a very very flashy day.

[daysofsamdandtime]

Day 17

Another bakery, another bus and a second trip to Greenwich. Heading back to check out the Maritime Museum this time and The Queens House.

The maritime museum was interesting, and had a lot of information. There was a lot on the slave trade and British shipping which isn’t really of the most interest to me. The models were pretty cool though, and the naval battle history was rather interesting. The layout was very confused as part of the museum is under renovation, I seemed to enter every gallery at the end.

I then went basically next door to The Queens House, a now gallery that has the Armada portrait of Queen Elizabeth I. A beautiful building with the Tulip Staircases, and the original setting for the Gentileschi roof panels with a new Richard Wright design. Quite a striking interior with a view right down on to the Thames.

Kathy and Stella Solve a Murder was a lot of fun, the less than ideal leg room was tough but the show was great. A high energy new musical with a cast of 7, the score was catchy and with clever staging and minimal set, the ‘chairography’ was great. The story was two true crime podcasters get embroiled, voluntarily, into their idols murder in their local town. It was nice to see a show that focused on the relationship between friends and fame.

After a quick few slices of pizza it was off to Mean Girls. A slightly altered version of the show for this new production, some of the changes worked but I did miss a few of the original numbers that were reworked or cut. The choreography was still a highlight as it really fit in the world that they were creating. My main let down was the actress playing Janis, her voice was awesome, but she looked to be nervous or uncomfortable the entire time often slipping back into British quite a bit. The show still hits the good spot between being a movie adaptation but not being just the movie on stage.

[daysofsamdandtime]

Day 16

I started another day with another bakery, sat down by the Thames having a very good croissant and cinnamon bun. Then it was off to Charing Cross for a Hidden London Transport tour of the station.

I was expecting it to be interesting, but I didn’t expect it to be as cool as it was. Starting off in the closed Jubilee Line platform we were told a brief history of the station and the reasons for the platforms closure. It was interesting to hear that the platforms here are used to test out new initiatives for other stations, and also for emergency training. There is also a lot of filming that takes place in closed stations, the one that was most recognizable to me was Skyfqll - and we got to go in the air conditioning vent where Bond goes and through the vent door he comes out of into the masses.

I then made my way just up to the London Transport Museum, which again was more interesting than I had anticipated. I did just want some more socks really. The exhibition of transport posters was really cool to see, some unused ones that were either offered or commissioned. The museum was really interactive and had a lot of old trains and busses around.

After finishing there and only getting 1 pair of socks I met Jonnie and Georgie in Covent Garden. We went off to another bakery, the one where their wedding cake was off for a pastry and an orange hot chocolate. A love good catch up and a great dinner at a flatiron steak place before The Hills of California.

The play was excellent, all of us going in basically blind was a nice rarity. A family coming back home as the mother is close to passing away, four sisters navigate the emotions that come with grief and reflecting upon their childhood after years apart. Set between the present and when the girls were young. The young girls practicing the Andrews Sisters Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy for a church concert and talent agent with their mother, and the present returning home to be there for their mother’s passing. A beautifully paced performance with a stunning set. All the performances were great with the familiarity of the familial ties immediately apparent.

[daysofsamdandtime]

Day 15

A quick stroll to a bakery to start the day and off to the Postal Museum. Basically because they have a train ride. The museum was not busy which was ideal, nice and quiet. It was more interesting than I’d anticipated with the history going back to when only royalty had access to post.

The ride was excellent, in the old mail rail tunnels a small carriage took you through an old railway loop, past a ‘station’ and was really informative at the same time as being a fun ride.

I then headed to the Charles Dickens Museum just a short walk away. Set in one of Dickens’ residences it was a nice glimpse into the life of a great author. Featuring a lot of insight into how the house ran, his marriage and his entertaining style.

Then it was off to Donmar Warehouse for the matinee of The Cherry Orchard. A beautifully staged production, simplistic in design and impeccably portrayed by the company. Dealing, or not really dealing with the sale and probable destruction of the beloved cherry orchard the family are forced to come to terms with the inevitable outcome.

Two Strangers Carry a Cake Across New York was really fun, a mostly catchy score gave this two hander some really lovely moments. Sam Tutty sings so effortlessly it was just joyful to see, with Dujonna Gift balancing the performances with some really strong vocal agility. Together the pair gave the rom com a great pace and humour traversing the ever rotating stage with ease.

[daysofsamdandtime]

Day 14

Starting off the day with another bakery, awfully close to where I’m staying as to how good the pastries were, I then made my way down to the Natural History Museum.

This was more of a want to go to see the big Blue Whale mission for this morning. Though the museum was rather interesting it was just so busy, unsurprisingly. Highlights were definitely the Whale, dinosaurs and plesiosaur fossils and casts. The Vault with precious, semiprecious stones and meteorite pieces was quite cool to see up close. After a lap of the Volcanoes and Earthquakes area I made my way up the road to Harrods.

People, Places and Things was a beautiful piece of theatre. Staged in traverse with three rows of seating at the back of the stage - of course I booked for here. The piece was about a woman self admitting to rehab, relapsing and re admitting. The end of the piece was slightly unexpected with her parents not receiving her repentance and promise to do better, not wishing her ill, but definitely not the redemption that usually would be expected. Denise Gough in the lead role was amazing, her complete transformation from the initial scene where she is acting in the upstairs of a pub, into a complete breakdown through withdrawals and group therapy was pure brilliance.

After a breath of air in Trafalgar Square I made my way down to the Gillian Lynne theatre for Standing At The Sky’s Edge. I didn’t realise that this was technically a jukebox musical, drawing songs from Richard Hawley’s catalogue. The piece was based in Park Hill, a housing estate in Sheffield. Set over three different time periods in the buildings past we see three different lives play out. The impressive set was striking and was used very effectively - the three level static balconie structure of the complex towering over the floor plan of the apartment. The stories were interesting and except for the modern day’s ending quite different and touching. The music however didn’t add anything, if anything it muddied the narrative and slowed the piece down. It was long and felt long, the last half hour was the best with the heavier book scenes and more inter grated music.

[daysofsamdandtime]

Day 13

Another day, another bakery, and as the Van Gogh Lightroom wasn’t open on Tuesdays I had a quick wander around Spitafields Markets before hopping a bus to Greenwich. I did not know there was a footbridge under the Thames, but it was an interesting way to get to the other side of the river, especially with the part closest to the Isle of Dogs being damaged in the war.

I started off with the Cutty Sark which was great, the dry dock was impressive and to walk under the hull of the ship was pretty astounding. The ship has been beautiful restored and in a slight relief not overfill of information and historical stories. Also, it is the only active theatre on a historic ship which is pretty cool.

I then made my way to the Greenwich observatory which was a lovely walk past the National Maritime Museum and Queens House. It was quite busy at the observatory and I have a feeling I skipped some parts as I seemed to get through it overly quickly. An unsurprisingly great vantage point to view the city, and seeing the Prime Meridian was pretty cool too. After this I jumped on another (much longer) bus back to the city for the Matinee of Operation Mincemeat.

This. Was. Excellent. Just excellent. Great storytelling, interesting and the perfect amount of self awareness. The score was catchy and the five actors were running the whole show. The design was so clever and the last number was impressive with the amount that kept coming out of seemingly nowhere.

Then it was off to the Noel Coward theatre for the evening performance of Player Kings. Ian McKellen was excellent as Falstaff with the entire company bringing a compelling performance of an epic story. The play running just over 3 and half hours did feel long, but with the performances relishing in the original Shakespearean and moden text I think it worked overall. The set was mainly changed through the effective use of curtains to conceal the amazingly quick scene changes from setting to setting. McKellan’s portrayal of the Flastaff was a masterclass. The bumbling compulsive liar is not exactly the hero of the story by any means, but was definitely the relatable completely unreliable narrator of his own story.

[daysofsamdandtime]

Day 12

Starting the day with a walk along the canal to another bakery for a coffee and a lemon curd bun, I then made my way to the Young V&A. Mainly aimed at children the museum was displaying the history of toys and such. A few interesting displays on sustainable options for toys or furniture and the development of technology through toys and games as well.

Then I made my way over to the British museum, about as busy as expected the line still went around the block. I started off in the Egyptian rooms featuring the Rosetta Stone, then made my way through the Greek and Roman rooms. The Parthenon sculptures were quite amazing to see. A huge and very busy museum, I went up to the print rooms on level four which were a lovely reprieve from the hoards of people elsewhere. I then spent the rest of the afternoon on the level one rooms going through more Egyptian, Greek and Roman history. There is just such an astounding volume of history in the building, finishing with the collection rooms detailing the desire for knowledge from the British explorers.

This evening was Between Riverside and Crazy at Hampstead Theatre. This was thoroughly enjoyable, a great play with an excellent cast. The theatre even had a tension wire grid! Set in a Riverside Drive apartment it was an interesting look at an unlikely family dynamic. A widowed ex cop and his son, the son’s friend and girlfriend, and the cops ex partner and her fiancée navigating an ongoing legal battle, and the father’s alcoholism.

[daysofsamdandtime]

Day 11

Finally heading off with a plan for the morning I walked down to Kings Cross Station to get the train over to Portobello Markets, and a bakery or two I wanted to try. A lovely morning walk through the markets and down Portobello Rd through Notting Hill, stopping at the second bakery for two too many scones. I sat in Kensington Gardens and enjoyed the pastry and a scone before some geese and swans got a little close for comfort, as in not in the pond anymore.

I continued my walk through to Hyde park and down the serpentine where I finished my second and third scones in the rose gardens. Sans a lot of roses as the beds were being refurbished, but still lovely. Making my way down the back of Buckingham toward The Other Palace for the matinee of Babies.

Babies was excellent, the cast were so tight and it was just a good show. A poppy score, a fun story and reasonably low stakes with a decent moral made for a really lovely afternoon. The high energy of the cast added to the enjoyment as the young cast and plastic babies whirled around the space, a great scenic design not bogging them down in realistic school and outdoor settings. The chore was effective and tight, and I need a full recording of the show please.

I then made my way to the Tate, Britain, to see some more art. Again choosing to not go for the paid exhibitions I made my way around the permanent galleries. Highlights were Hockney’s ‘A Bigger Splash’ the JMW Turner gallery with some Constable thrown in, and a Sargent painting of Monet painting. A lovely gallery covering many decades of British art it was a lovely way to spend the afternoon.

I then made my way down past the Battersea Power station to the Turbine Theatre for Closer To Heaven, with music by the Pet Shop Boys, starring (original Fantine Frances Ruffelle) a very camp fun show… except that the music really didn’t lyrically let the actors do much. There were a few exceptions to this mainly in the second act however - and I did think it was a new piece, turns out it’s a revival - it needs work. The cast were all very talented and when given the chance to show it, were great. The piece held them back, not exactly knowing what it wanted to be and trying to be too many things at once.

[daysofsamdandtime]

Day 10

Starting another day with another stop at a new bakery I made my way down to the National Theatre. I’d decided to book in for the tour again which again was really interesting and definitely went places that were unavailable last time I had done it. The guide did keep getting slightly off topic but he had a lot of knowledge of the workings of the theatre and history of the National.

As the tour ended I was off for a short walk to the same building. Catching the matinee of London Tide, based on Dickens’ Our Mutual Friend. The show was quite striking, with technical elements galore, I found the constant movement of the lighting bars a bit overkill and distracting, not adding to the piece as they were constantly in motion. The ability to swell the deck of the stage like the river was impressive and sparingly used. This was a play with a few too many songs, something I never thought I’d say. It was an interesting piece with a good story but I found that the songs were disjointed from the text of the play and lyrically weaker. It could’ve done with a few less, or just the instrumental underscoring.

As I was back on south bank I stopped back into the Tate Modern to see one of the exhibitions - Yoko Ono, Music of the Mind. As expected it was beautifully bizarre, humorous and unexpected. Not knowing much about her work as an artist it was interesting to see the scope of her works in some chronology. The painting to be constructed on your head series was interesting, framed notes of what to imagine/do.

Stopping for a quick dinner by St Paul’s as the sun shone before the evening show of Kiss Me, Kate at the Barbican. The Barbican centre is enormous. Kiss Me, Kate was wonderful, it is just very clever and the score is excellent. I couldn’t help compare it to the memory of the Broadway Revival I saw a few years back with Kelli O’Hara. Stephanie J Block was such a different Kate/Lily with an excellent supporting cast, the choreography for It’s Too Darn Hot and Bianca were highlights.

The safety curtain/act drop in this theatre was unlike one I’ve seen, it was a wall that came up and down like a mouth.

[daysofsamdandtime]

Day 9

This morning I again, had no real plan of where to go for my morning, after a bakery stop of course. I did a walk by of the British Museum and as the queue had no end in sight I kept walking down to the National Gallery. I thought I had been here before but I don’t think I had, spanning such a time period of portraiture and historical works was an interesting start to the day. Of course my favorite were the impressionist rooms, they also had a very interesting exhibition on a Degas painting of Miss Lala.

I then made my way over to the Phoenix Theatre for the matinee of Stranger Things. At Jonnie’s wedding I met one of the cast members who had some funny stories about it. I hadn’t originally had this on my list as I wasn’t a huge fan of the tv series, but the show had been recommended and sounded very impressive. It seriously lived up to the praise, the stagecraft was so impressive, having a battleship on stage to start the show was spectacular. On top of one of the slickest technical wizardry the performances were quite extraordinary. The range that the company showed was impressive.

Seeing that Kala had just posted about seeing Stranger Things I messaged her about it and we had a lovely catch up for an early dinner debrief on what we’d just seen.

Then I quickly went down to the National Portrait Gallery, thinking that the six wives exhibition was on - it was not yet. But going through the gallery again was lovely, seeing a few of the Tudor portraits, Shakespeare and a self portrait of David Hockney.

I then made my way to the London Coliseum for Spirited Away. I’d seen production shots of the original production in Japan so, despite the price, it was quite high on my list to see. It definitely was a beautiful production, the puppetry and scenic design was magical to say the least. Having not seen the movie I didn’t know the story but it was easy to follow and the surtirles were easy and well inter grated into the sides of the leafy green proscenium. A beautiful production and a touching story that was pretty damn magical.

[daysofsamdandtime]

Day 8

This morning I made my way into covent garden with no real plans for the morning, stopping by Fortitude Bakery on the way for an excellent morning bun with berries and custard.

A nice sunny morning made for a pleasant walk around the city, I decided to see if there was space on the Theatre Royal Drury Lane tour before the matinee, luckily there was. The tour was great, definitely one of the more theatrical tours I’ve been on, with two hosts tag teaming and interrupting each other throughout the tour. A very interesting history of the theatre, with this being the 4th and second largest theatre on the site.

I made my way over to the Theatre Royal Haymarket for the matinee of A View From The Bridge. Another brilliant, upsetting, but brilliant play. The performances again were so moving, the connections between each of the actors and the piece were so deeply moving.

I was not prepared for how much I would love Guys and Dolls. I had heard excellent things about it, but it far exceeded any expectations I had. Firstly the performances were all great, the ensemble were full of energy moving around the space and the leads were just a joy to watch. Besides the performances was the marvel that is the immersive element. The stage was made up of around 12 platforms that raised out of the floor, where the standing tickets were. At the start of the show patrons were allowed all over the space, buying pretzels, drinks and merchandise from vendors on stage. As the performance was getting ready to start a small army of stage crew and ushers dressed as cops and the like ushered the standing patrons out of the way of the stage and actors incoming. This was done impeccably throughout the performance, moving. Slightly out of the way for entrances and exits, quick set changes and for the stage configuration to change completely. The attention to detail in this aspect of the production was amazing to see.

[daysofsamdandtime]

Day 7

A lovely sunny morning in Southampton as I had breakfast in the hotel before making my way up to Salisbury. Arriving in Salisbury the town is charming with the area surrounding the Cathedral filled with park, lovely state houses and other buildings.

When I arrived at the cathedral I was able to book in for the first time of the Tower tour which was great. I had about 40 mins to explore the main cathedral which was just beautiful. I still find it slightly strange that there are so many gravestones as the floor of the churches/cathedrals here. The stained glass and many chapels around the main cathedral were a lovely calm way to spend the morning.

The Tower tour was brilliant if you like stairs, but just brilliant. The tour guide was knowledgeable and too us out onto the roof in a few places that were not yet part of the formal tour. The construction process of the spire and the effect adding it had on the existing cathedral was very interesting. Due to the weight of the spire the building underneath it sunk slightly into its only four foot foundations. Making our way up tight spiral staircases, with one going counter clockwise, we climbed higher into the spire, reaching the lookout and Peregrine nesting area - which was off limits. The views from every vantage point were stunning, a lovely sunny day made for a clear panorama of the surrounding area, looking all the way over to the original site of the Cathedral, Old Sarum.

Finishing my time at Salisbury by viewing the Magna Carta was lovely. One of four it was housed in the smaller chapter house off the cloisters.

Driving past Stonehenge it really is just in a field on the side of the road. After parking up and setting off from the visitor centre it was a pretty easy walk through a little bit of a forest out there. It is pretty astounding to see in person.

Driving back to London was again uneventful, although driving close to Victoria Station was less than fun. No real problems returning the hire car and jumping in a black cab to the AirBnb to avoid a train and bus.

The place I’m staying up near Hackney/Islington is nice enough, the room is pretty big and the bathroom is nice too.

Heading into Shaftesbury tonight for Hadestown, very excited for this one. After seeing it 5 years ago now I was very keen for another trip to the underground. This cast. It is so amazing to see the same production given so much difference from the actors, each of them wholly making the roles unique to them and making the entire piece have such a new life to it. The entire performance from the first notes to the final bow the choices this cast were making and the palpable support for each and every member of the company was amazing to see.

[daysofsamdandtime]

Day 6

After packing up and heading off from the AirBnb I make the quick drive to Penzance, or driven past a few times but, for the namesake, wanted to stop and have a wander around. Definitely the busiest port town I’d been to in a few days the harbour was mainly shipping and industrial areas.

Another short drive up to St Michaels Mount - again, my little research meant I was surprised it was accessible - So off I walked over the causeway. The day was a bit overcast so it was a very moody walk out to the island, but upon arriving and we’d ending the steep stairs/path to the castle it was lovely inside. Steeped in history and with beautiful gardens cascading below the castle it was a lovely start to the day. A surprise was a framed display of Napoleons hair and coat from the battle of waterloo.

Then I made my way up to Southampton, a long but uneventful drive thankfully. Arriving in Southampton and checking into the hotel I was thrilled to be staying in the ‘Titanic’ room, I’d chosen the place purely cause of the name/link to the White Star Line. As I’d arrived later in the afternoon I did a lap of the outdoor monuments to the Engineers, Musicians and memorial fountain.

After a quick fish and chips at the tavern it was time for an early night before heading back to London.

[daysofsamdandtime]

Day 5

Getting an early start for my full day in Cornwall, a rough plan to head down to Lands end, make my way up the coast to the Tate in St Ives and then down the other side to finish the day with a performance at the Minack Theatre - because of course.

Thankfully the drive from the Airbnb to most places is at most half an hour so I arrive at Lands End nice and early, just before the coffee shops were open. First stopping by the famous signpost and making my way up to the First & Last lookout area then heading down a bit further toward the Enys Dorman Arch. A breathtaking vista over the sea with a fresh breeze, not too cold at all which was a lovely start to the day.

My next stop was Ballowall Barrow, near Cape Cornwall. There were some old mineshafts and ruins here that uncovered some Bronze Age burial pits, and a nice walk down to Cape Cornwall as an added bonus. More lovely sea breezes here as the day continued to warm up, with the help of a decent amount of walking. Cape Cornwall was really cool with a great lookout back down to Lands End, and a Coastwatch lookout just below ‘The Stack’ atop the cape.

Then it was off to the Pendeen Lighthouse which was unfortunately closed, but I still went for a little walk around the lighthouse taking in the breeze and the scenery. I continued up to Carn Galver, an old engine house, with a walking track to Bosigran Castle Promontory Fort.

Finally arriving at The Tate St Ives, after definitely driving through the main pedestrian area of the town where I wasn’t supposed to be, was a lovely change of pace for the day. A lovely gallery with a Hockney, Matisse and Picasso and the main exhibition of Beatriz Milhazes a Brazilian artist who explored using cultural imagery with modernist painting and mixed media. The large scale pieces were striking.

St Ives is definitely the busiest town I’ve been to today, bustling with people down on the beaches and waterfront but it was a lovely walk around the harbour. I then drove down to the Minack Theatre through Mousehole.

The Minack theatre is stunning, another one dad has recommended so I hadn’t don’t much research. Walking down from the car park and seeing the theatre cascading below you is such a unique experience. The audio tour on how the theatre began and construction was really interesting, the creativity and effort that went into creating the space while working around the natural landscape is awe inspiring.

A quick drive back to Mousehole before the evening performance at the Minack was lovely, a nice walk along the waterfront by the rock pool and round to the harbour.

Back at the Minack Theatre for the evening performance of Love Riot. I was definitely the least prepared patron, most having blankets pillows and drinks of their own, but nonetheless a thoroughly enjoyable night. The show was an adaptation of a regency drama, arranged marriage, mistaken identity, and masquerade. The five actors worked hard to be multiple characters and project up to the back of the audience, however they were slightly upstaged by the natural beauty of the view and some seals popping up from time to time.

[daysofsamdandtime]

Day 3/4

Day 3

An early start today as I head down to Georgie and Jonnie’s wedding. A rather uneventful drive that got sunnier as I got further away from London. The hotel I had booked was lovely and an early check in was ready when I arrived I was quickly off to St Peters.

Just as I got to the church Jonnie had arrived which was so lovely to see him after 7 years since my last London trip. The ceremony was beautiful, in a lovely church in Pimperne, meeting Jonnie’s family afterwards they offered me a lift to the reception which was up the road at Larmer Tree Gardens. The gardens were beautiful display style gardens with different areas and pavilions from around the world. The reception was lovely, great food, wonderful speeches and a few fun games and things like a sprinkler guard of honor. It was so special to be there and meet the wonderful people in Georgie and Jonnie’s life.

Day 4

After indulging in my first Full English Breakfast at the hotel I went for a quick stroll around Blandford Forum before heading off to Cornwall seeing the local church and the dynamited railway remains.

On the drive down I mapped out a few places to stop, Durdle Door in Ludworth and Eden Gardens. The sun was out and it was a beautiful spring day. The walk up from Ludworth Cove to Durdle Door was heaving, and quite, well very, steep. Once the hill was over the rest of the walk was a bit more pleasant along the coast, after spending some time up past Durdle Door I headed back for a loop of Ludworth Cove which was equally busy and lovely to walk around.

Eden Gardens was just spectacular, I had not really looked into it since dad said I should go. It definitely gave me Bond Villain - a la die another day - lair vibes, but filled with plants. The Biomes were incredible, and warm. Moving through the rainforest Biome past waterfalls and all different flora and a few birds too. Of course there was a ‘high wire’ lookout which I had to go up, after a brief safety check ‘it gets hot up there’ I was on my way. The view inside the Biome was lovely, looking down over the rainforest.

The Mediterranean Biome was equally as lovely, moving through grape varieties, bougainvillea, chill and sculptures of the Rites of Dionysus.

I was not exactly prepared for the one lane roads on my drive, they took a little to get used to. But by the time the day was over I was more used to them and ready to explore tomorrow. Finally, Arriving at my AirBnb was simple and after a quick trip to the shops up in St Ives I was ready for an early night.

[daysofsamdandtime]

Day 2

After a quick breakfast at the hotel I made my way out for the day passing Monument to the Great Fire of London and the Tower of London on the way to Tower Bridge. It was a bit drizzly this morning but not too cold and slightly quieter on the street than yesterday morning. Walking over the bridge was a bit windier than the rest of the walk, but going down The Queens Walk past HMS Belfast and under London bridge was more covered and a lovely walk down to the Tate.

After not getting to the Tate last time I was here it was great to get here finally. The main exhibitions I might get to when I’m back in London so I focused my time on the permanent galleries, stopping in for a coffee on level 10 with a lovely view over the Thames and the city between galleries. I especially liked seeing Litchenstein’s ‘whaam’ and in another room a series of ‘reflections on…’ where he reuses his own works with a painted glass lens over them, obscuring parts of the piece as if from a reflection. And who doesn’t love seeing a Duchamp urinal.

Then it was off to The Globe for Much Ado About Nothing. At the beginning of the performance an announcement was made that the actress playing Hero was ill and as they don’t have understudies, another performer has been called to read in. This was just so much fun. Standing, well… leaning, as a groundling is always different and being outside with a bit of rain here and there just added to the experience. The performance was lovely and interspersed with music, a great cast who played off the audience so well, with a special heckle from a young child when one of the actors was called ‘an ass’

After walking back to the hotel I remembered that Long Days Journey Into Night was at 7pm, not 7:30. So I quickly got ready and headed back out to the Wyndhams Theatre. Sitting in the front row for possibly one of the best performances I have seen in a long time was just amazing. The nuance and reactiveness from all five actors was astounding to see. It is such a deeply moving and upsetting piece of theatre, when a cast of that caliber is performing it is pure magic. Brian Cox and Patricia Clarkson were just so good in these roles.

[daysofsamdandtime]

Day 1

After a long day of travel to get here I made an early start for my first full day in London. I decided to walk down to my ‘shoe fitting’ appointment in Brixton, about an hour and a half walk… but after not exactly following a map for the first half hour I ended up going over London bridge and following the road down. The walk was a nice chance to stretch my legs and to remember that walking around the city, especially as people go to work, no one follows the walk on the right or left side of the footpath.

I arrived at the Duke + Dexter workshop and went upstairs with Chloe, explaining that I was wanting to try sizing as I was already quite decided I wanted to buy some. Luckily I was able to pick up a new card holder from them directly as shops didn’t have them yet, then a quick train up to Liberty’s and Selfridges to see what they had in stock.

A very happy purchase of expensive shoes later I ducked back to the hotel to drop them before the matinee of For Black Boys Who Have Considered Suicide When The Hue Gets Too Heavy - what an absolutely excellent first performance for my time here. (Despite the woman beside me confusing her seat - O4 with the seat next to be B5 - 5 mins into the first act when the late patron arrived) The performances were immediately moving and compelling. The piece was in the form of a Choreopoem, the five actors exploring the varied and complex relationship Black men have to identity, religion, relationships and many more aspects of life. The performances were nuanced and the actors portrayal of all of these topics were deeply moving. With a simplistic scenic design - set in a support group in act 1 and on a multi level area for act two the actors created each individual narrative and worked as an ensemble to support each other through many tough retellings of experiences.

Machinal was a very different piece to end the first day. Based from the playwrights experience of the murder trial of Ruth Snyder in 1928 the style of the piece was different from this afternoon, affronting and a reasonably abrasive stylized piece exploring what would drive a woman to breaking point. The design was very effective, with a small performance space with forced perspective and a raked stage and multiple doors on each side. The front of the stage held headings in a newsprint typeface which were hauled up to signify each ‘act’ of the piece, also assumedly reflecting the playwrights journalistic background and the media interest in the trial. I found this piece a lot harder to connect with due to the acting style of the piece.