Adventurer

What’s the best thing to do if you’ve got a chest infection? Rest? Take it easy? Well probably, yes - but what do I do? I go down to London for a couple of nights of course! 

I’ve long ago decided not to put everything on hold just incase I might be unwell, so this trip was booked some time ago - based on seeing the Royal Ballet’s Light of Passage tomorrow night. So we catch the 6.40 am train this morning and head down to London. I’m now grateful for the Duracell Bunny impact of steroids! 

Of course, we’re too early to check in, so we leave our luggage and go to see the Van Gogh Immersive Exhibition which is just up the road from our hotel. We’re very late to the party with this one - missing it whenever it’s been on, but today the chance of sitting on a deckchair watching projections of the great artist’s work is just ideal. It’s more informative than I’ve expected - I hadn’t really been aware of the Japanese influence on his painting for example - but of course, it’s never going to be like seeing the actual paintings. 

After a walk through Spitalfields Market, we catch a bus to the West End and walk to Drury Lane where we’re seeing Much Ado about Nothing. It’s my favourite Shakespeare comedy and we’ve seen several star-studded versions, the last being David Tennant and Catherine Tate. Today it’s Tom Hiddleston and Hayley Attwell in Jamie Lloyd’s new production.  There’s no set as such, just the vast stage of Drury Lane covered with pink rose petals, and as we wait for the show to start the auditorium is filled with the beat of 90’s clubland music. I’m very grateful this isn’t ’normal’ Shakespeare as my coughing is less noticeable - though I’m armed with water and cough lozenges. The whole thing is joyous - so much laughter - and Hiddleston is wonderful. 

Then it’s pre-theatre dinner in Le Garrick, joined by Simon and Lloyd, before we all go to The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. This has been set in a Cornish fishing village  and the cast all act, sing, dance and play musical instruments - incredibly talented. 

So a very full day - and it could have been even fuller. I’ve missed a text from Lloyd telling us his Year 4 class were performing in Ronnie Scott’s at lunchtime! It would have been a push to get there, but the video he shows us is fantastic, and we’re sad we’ve missed it. What a fabulous experience for these children - on stage at this iconic venue and singing accompanied by the Ronnie Scott’s band! Wow. 

It’s a long time since we’ve done two shows in one day, but it’s been worth it - and the steroid energy has lasted well.