The main event of our London jolly was catching a West End matinee, but as we had a few hours to kill beforehand, we decided to broaden our cultural horizons with a visit to the majestic galleries of the British Museum. We kinda wished we hadn’t. The place is mind-blowing. Or at least it would’ve been if we’d managed to get a look-in. Sadly, it was nose to nipple, like rush hour on the Tube. I did manage to snap a few random pics as we squeezed through the Egyptian, Roman and Anglo-Saxon exhibits. Still, it kept us out of the driving rain from Storm Austen.
Back to the main event – the latest incarnation of the rock opera Rent, one of our favourite musicals. Loosely based on Puccini’s La Bohème, the tale features an eclectic troupe of impoverished young arty types in the late eighties struggling against the harsh winds of gentrification in Alphabet City, an avant-garde district of Manhattan. While Puccini laced his opera with consumption, Rent is stalked by AIDS, the kiss of death back then. As the characters try to make ends meet, some meet their end. Despite the misery, Rent isn’t depressing; nor is it sugar-coated. And this production is really out there – loud and proud. Simply staged, simply superb. The (mostly young and trendy) audience agreed.
We polished off the night out and proud with a few commemorative sherries at Halfway to Heaven, the gay bar just off Trafalgar Square, where, twenty years ago, I first caught Liam’s roving eye. The rest, as they say…
I’m not familiar we could play, but it sounds interesting.
One reason I don’t go to big museums as I can’t stand crowds. I know I miss the big, well-known stuff but I’d rather be more comfortable in a small museum that isn’t crowded at all.
I tend to agree. The British Museum is amazing but because it’s free and world class, it’s really popular, particularly with tourists and school parties.
Even the Museum of Art here in Tucson gets overcrowded. Last time I was there was for an opening, however, so it was more busy than usual. I was still using a walker at that time, and I couldn’t get around to see anything, partly because I took up more space and partly because I was afraid of banging into people or them banging into me.
I don’t have to use a walker now, but in many ways. I’m more uncomfortable because a small bump could put me on the ground. And at this age, I break easily, so I don’t want to chance it.
I completely understand. Best to stay safe.
Seems like you made it all the way to heaven.
Liam made me wait ages before I got all the way! 🤣