A Tour of London Theatre

This week I was gallivanting through London and Italy (with a stop through Croatia) and managed to see three shows along the way. All three being very different, I enjoyed each very much.

First stop was Billy Elliott, the flashy, yet touching new musical on the West End. Thanks to a good friend, I was lucky enough to score a seat in the theatre even though the show is sold out most every night. Everything about the show was lovely. The little boy who played Billy (one of 7) carried the entire show as if this was something he was born to do. The dancing is breathtaking, from the ballet scenes to the tap scenes this young boy is wonderful. The show is really just a great night of entertainment. I had listened to the cast recording before seeing it - but the live performance is really amazing. I think it will do quite well when it transfers to Broadway in 2007 - looking forward to seeing it again.

Next was the very first preview of Titus Andronicus at the Globe Theatre. At Kevin's recommendation, I bought a standing room ticket for only 5 pounds (about 10 dollars) and I do believe this was the best use of money I had on the entire trip. I stood for the show (3+ hours) in the front row of what is called the Yard. It was unbelievable. The actors used the Yard for several scenes and at times I could reach out and touch them. Being in the center of the show gave the opportunity to see each and every movement. I believe that we had the best "seat" in the house. As for the show itself, the Globe's website describes it as: "Returning to Rome from a war against the Goths, the general Titus Andronicus brings with him the queen Tamora and her three sons as prisoners of war. Titus’ sacrifice of Tamora’s eldest son to appease the ghosts of his 21 dead sons, and his decision to refuse to accept the title of emperor, initiates a terrible cycle of mutilation, rape and murder. At the centre of the nightmare moves the self-delighting Aaron."

Lastly, I caught the final performance of My Name is Rachel Corrie at the Playhouse Theatre. The show was directed by Alan Rickman, and it was a joy that he was there for the last performance. You may know this show from all the controversy surrounding its being brought to the US. It was supposed to be the next show this season at the New York Theatre Workshop, but that fell through due to its "controversial" nature. I have to say that the current show at NYTW, columbinus, is just as controversial and a bit more entertaining than Rachel Corrie. That having been said, My Name Is Rachel Corrie is a nice effort. It's a straightforward, one-woman acted show that is taken from the notes of Rachel Corrie herself. The story begins as Rachel is a young girl (12 years old I believe) and starts her first journal in her hometown of Spokane, Washington. One can tell right away that she is a very politically-minded person and being an activist is certainly in her future. At the age of 23, Rachel decides to move to the Gaza Strip to help in the Israeli-Palestinian cause. While she is there, she befriends many Palestinian families and watches as their homes are destroyed to make way for new boundaries of Israel. She ultimately has her life ended standing in the way of a bulldozer taking over one of these homes. The show is put to a sombering end as an eyewitness account of her death is played over the loudspeaker. The audience then watches a home video of a young Rachel Corrie delivering a speech on ending hunger and hoping for peace. The show brings out some interesting new perspectives on the Palestinian cause, things that I had not thought about before, and I'm glad to have had the opportunity to see it.

Well, that concludes my romp around London - hoping to go back again soon and see some more of the theatre gems from across the pond.