My London Adventure: Five Shows in Five Days

[Craig]

Posted: 10/24/06 at 1:46pm

https://www.broadwayworld.com/viewcolumn.cfm?colid=13139

[kec]

Posted: 10/24/06 at 2:13pm

Craig, loved your story, and the photos. I was in London over Columbus Day weekend, where I saw three shows -- Spamalot (first time for me), Les Miserables and Phantom. I was lucky enough to be at the special celebratory performances for the latter two shows (Colm Wilkinson and Patti LuPone on the Queens stage WOW!).

I had to laugh at your photo of St. Paul's and your comment about no bird lady. On the Sunday afternoon of my visit I took one of the London Walks (HIGHLY recommended for your next visit!), the Dickens and Shakespeare walk. The beginning of the walk took us past those same steps. I was walking next to the Guide (David, an American), and as we passed the steps I made a comment about there being no bird woman.

Loved your hint about things to come for Emma Williams. I loved her in Chitty, but haven't been able to see her in anything since, other than her role in Bleak House. I was disappointed that things turned out the way they did regarding SoM. I'm glad to know that it appears there are indeed better things on the way for this delightfully gifted young lady.

Thanks for sharing... so when do you go back?

[Craig]

Posted: 10/24/06 at 2:50pm

Not sure when I'm headed back, but it will definitely be soon. And now that I've already experienced so much of what London has to offer, I can go back for short trips just to catch up on the shows...

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 10/24/06 at 3:18pm

Great read Craig. I'm so jealous. Next time you go take more pictures of the marquees. I'd love to see how the theaters "blend" into the rest of the buildings.

[lifeisacabaret]

Posted: 10/24/06 at 3:31pm

I'd say its fairly obvious that Emma will be replacing Elena Roger then...'we'll meet up again at evita'....rather blatant

fab news though.

[Craig]

Posted: 10/24/06 at 3:31pm

Actually, no - wasn't intended at all. Emma and I went to Evita together - that's all that meant :)

[kec]

Posted: 10/24/06 at 3:50pm

When next you go, I do very highly recommend taking a one of the London Walks. They're inexpensive -- £6 -- interesting, informative and fun. Many of the guides are actors. One of them, Edward Petherbridge, does a theatreland tour, I think twice a year.
London Walks

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 10/24/06 at 3:58pm

You should have put yourself in more of the pictures! Other than that - great adventure!

[Craig]

Posted: 10/24/06 at 4:09pm

MB-

I do have several pictures of me in London, I just didn't want to "bore" people with the proverbial slide show "look at my pictures" thing. I took over 250...

KEC - will definitely check that out next time. I spent a good amount of time walking EVERYWHERE - and loved it. Across bridges, from Notting Hill to St. Paul's..

My only mistake was to walk all of harrods, national gallery and climb all the way to the top of St. Pauls on one day. Ouch - my feet!

Updated On: 10/24/06 at 04:09 PM

[kec]

Posted: 10/24/06 at 4:18pm

"I spent a good amount of time walking EVERYWHERE - and loved it. Across bridges, from Notting Hill to St. Paul's.. "

I'm not surprised, Craig I seem to do that every time I go to London (and Edinburgh, now that I think of it), and boy, do my legs pay the price -- big time!

Updated On: 10/24/06 at 04:18 PM

[Paulyd]

Posted: 10/24/06 at 4:26pm

Thanks for the great report Craig.

Its funny becasue i live and work in central london, but i dont seem to ever have the time to do the tourist thing. I should make more of an effort. Glad you enjoyed the shows

[Craig]

Posted: 10/24/06 at 4:34pm

You're welcome. Even if I never went inside any of the "tourist" locales, I would have enjoyed my trip looking at all the architecture and walking around the city. If nothing else - go have yourself a nice walk and try and see your city through new eyes!

[nomdeplume]

Posted: 10/24/06 at 4:53pm

Fabulous trip.

Wow, the memories you'll have from that.

[Greekmusicalfan]

Posted: 10/24/06 at 5:10pm

That was a wonderful report, Craig. You should try and visit Greece, too. Nothing very interesting theater-wise unfortunately, but lots of great history and many great places to visit. But London is fantastic, too. Glad you enjoyed Billy Elliot, I thought it was brilliant, too !!! Glad you had a great time in our old continent !

[Craig]

Posted: 10/24/06 at 5:15pm

Greece is on the list - I'm big on Mythology!

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 10/24/06 at 5:17pm

Craig, what a great recap. I look forward to the interview with Gavin.

[nomdeplume]

Posted: 10/24/06 at 5:21pm

The Greek National Theatre just came to NYC with The Persians, Craig, did you catch it?

[Craig]

Posted: 10/24/06 at 5:40pm

Unfortunately I missed it.

[lite2shine]

Posted: 10/24/06 at 6:26pm

Great story and photo! I'm jealous. I'm so looking forward to Gavin's video. Did you experience an afternoon tea?

Is it me or the artwork of Wicked seems a bit different from Broadway version?

[Phantom2]

Posted: 10/24/06 at 6:48pm

Did Mr. Creel know you were coming?

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 10/24/06 at 6:52pm

I hope you enjoyed the Strand Palace. I stayed there a couple of months ago and I love that it's so centrally located that you can quickly walk to every theatre in theatreland.

[ShbrtAlley44]

Posted: 10/24/06 at 6:56pm

Your pics made me miss London so much - I was there for five weeks this summer and adored it. Going back in April!

[Craig]

Posted: 10/24/06 at 7:16pm

Margo-

I did enjoy it - not only for the proximity to all the theaters, but also because it was walking distance to so many other things around town.

[Phantom2]

Posted: 10/24/06 at 8:14pm

Just askin' because that's Gavin's surprised face.

[Craig]

Posted: 10/24/06 at 10:21pm

ShbrtAlley44-

Any particular reason you're going back, or just a visit?

I strongly suggest climbing to the top of St. Paul's Cathedral. One of the best and most memorable experiences there...