Watched the TV coverage of the Thanksgiving Service from St Paul’s mid-morning. Oh the English do this stuff so well! The TV camera coverage was scripted to a tee: perfect image selection for every moment of the service. Then I did a runner to make it to the Globe Theatre at Southwark just in time for the last tour of the theatre at 12.30. (Am getting really good at manoeuvring the connecting tube lines.)
The reconstruction of Shakespeare’s Globe Playhouse is the 3rd building on the same site. The first built by Shakespeare’s patron was accidentally burned down by a wayward cannon ball during a performance. It was rebuilt, but later torn down by the Puritans during the civil war period. This third incarnation was constructed through the efforts of an American scholar, and has been in operation for a dozen years now. They have put enormous effort into making it as authentic as historical records allow.
For example, no nails are used in the construction. The majority of patrons still stand through the performance in the “pit” -- though they wouldn’t smell as bad as the “great unwashed” of Shakespeare’s day. In the basement there is an excellent exhibition of historical material, costumes, musical instruments and the like. It was a really enjoyable tour.
Then I hopped the Bakerloo and Metropolitan lines out to Wembley Stadium. By then it was raining lightly, so I guessed the crowds outside the Palace would have had their umbrellas up waiting for the Balcony appearance. The new Stadium here seats 90,000 +, and is a masterpiece of public space. Everything makes for easy movement of huge crowds quickly. We didn’t see the actual pitch: it was covered as they prepared for the Capital Summertime Ball this weekend – to star Justin Bieber, Coldplay, Ed Sheeran, Jessie J, Katy Perry, Usher, Example, Kelly Clarkson, The Wanted, Flo Rida and Pitbull among others. The tour did include a chance to sit in the royal box and to have photo taken with the FA Cup (a $70,000 replica actually). A very professional show indeed.
Back through the rain to Trafalgar Square where the crowds were dispersing after watching the procession and balcony do on big screens. Visited the National Portrait Gallery there. Free admission: but £6 a pop to get to see any of the popular exhibits such as Faces of the Queen, Princess Diana gallery etc. It is very well set out by historical periods, and has touch computer screens everywhere with information and guides to find things. My legs and back allowed me just over an hour before I judged it prudent to head home. And then a first on the trip: I overshot my station
I must have dozed briefly because I awoke just in time to see Vauxhall platform disappearing. No great drama: took next train back. Did the Tesco thing for tea tonight: bought a frozen spag bol and a small trifle that saved time and money on going out again.So that was day 54 of my journey completed. One to go.
The usual assortment of photos can be found here.
1 comment:
Wembly doesn't look as good as the Stadium in Barcelona which was a real tourist attraction and so well done. You have something in common with Bart. The one day I let him venture out on his own he fell asleep on the train and didn't know where he was when he woke up. He was visiting a friend living in Cambridge so had to be redirected when he woke up. Thank heavens for mobile phones!! Keep him on a short leash now!! Ha ha!!
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