It has been a whirlwind few days in London. I met up with Gordon, Morag, Sheena, Peter, and Alan at the Brasserie Zedel for lunch on Wednesday. It was really good and very French. My cheese soufflé was delicious. We then went to see “I’m Sorry Prime Minister” at the Apollo Theatre. Based on the popular tv series of the 1980s, it was very enjoyable and a bit like watching a couple of episodes of the series; the Prime Minister is long retired and is trying to cope with political correctness in his old age. The original cast have all died so the retired Prime Minister was played by Griff Rhys Jones and Sir Humphrey was played by Clive Francis. At the end there was a touching wee tribute to the original cast and writers as posters with their photos descended from the ceiling and the cast turned to applaud them. The London Theatre Club then repaired to a local hostelry for drinks before dispersing in various directions. Gordon headed to the train station for his return journey to Glasgow, while Morag and I walked to Westminster Abbey to attend a history talk about King James VI & I. It was strange to be in the sparsely lit abbey at night time, and the talk took place right beside King James VI & I’s grave, which is in a vault beneath the Henry VII Chapel. The talk was by historian Clare Jackson; she was very knowledgeable but not the most captivating speaker; let’s just say that she is no Lucy Worsley! Also it was really cold in Westminster Abbey! Morag and I went to a wee Italian Restaurant just off Leicester Square to warm up before going back to our hotel in Whitechapel.
On Thursday morning we went to the Sky Garden for brunch. It was delightful and there were fantastic views in the sunny weather. I have been before with James, it was Morag’s first visit and we both loved it.
After Morag left to continue her trip to see relatives, I decided to book a last minute ticket to see Summerfolk by Gorky, at the National Theatre. In 2019 James and I went to see Vassa by Gorky at the Almeida Theatre, and there are some similarities such as a decaying family and society. Summerfolk (1904) is about a group of idle and unhappy members of the Russian bourgeoisie, who are spending the summer at a dacha in a forest. There was a reference to the recently deceased Chekhov and his play The Cherry Orchard saying it "went on too long!” Apparently Summerfolk is often viewed as a response to The Cherry Orchard; this is interesting to me because we will be going to see The Cherry Orchard at the RSC in Stratford in July, so I will be able to compare the two plays. I thoroughly enjoyed it, and expertly navigated my way back to Whitechapel afterwards. I’m now at Heathrow airport ready for my afternoon flight back to Glasgow; I have been away from home for twenty-three days!
On Thursday morning we went to the Sky Garden for brunch. It was delightful and there were fantastic views in the sunny weather. I have been before with James, it was Morag’s first visit and we both loved it.
After Morag left to continue her trip to see relatives, I decided to book a last minute ticket to see Summerfolk by Gorky, at the National Theatre. In 2019 James and I went to see Vassa by Gorky at the Almeida Theatre, and there are some similarities such as a decaying family and society. Summerfolk (1904) is about a group of idle and unhappy members of the Russian bourgeoisie, who are spending the summer at a dacha in a forest. There was a reference to the recently deceased Chekhov and his play The Cherry Orchard saying it "went on too long!” Apparently Summerfolk is often viewed as a response to The Cherry Orchard; this is interesting to me because we will be going to see The Cherry Orchard at the RSC in Stratford in July, so I will be able to compare the two plays. I thoroughly enjoyed it, and expertly navigated my way back to Whitechapel afterwards. I’m now at Heathrow airport ready for my afternoon flight back to Glasgow; I have been away from home for twenty-three days!
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