Charles, Camilla, and Oliver (the musical)

Last night we were walking from the Piccadilly tube station to a theater to see a production of the musical Oliver which began at 7:30 (the real Oliver stayed home with a babysitter). At about 7:15, we were about to cross a busy street when we heard some major commotion heading our way. It turned out to be a throng of rowdy and fairly sketchy-looking student protestors expressing their opposition to some colossal university fee hikes recently passed by the British Parliament. We raced across the street to avoid getting caught up in the mob (and so that we could make it to theater on time--we were in a bit of a rush). Now, as you may have heard or seen, a Rolls Royce carrying Prince Charles and his wife Camilla was attacked last night in London by a similar group of protestors (see the widely published photo below). When we initially heard this news, we didn’t think much of it (there have been a lot of such protests in the city lately). However, we recently learned that the attack occurred at 7:20 about a five minute walk from the Piccadilly Circus/Leicester Square area! So we figure this must have been the group we crossed paths with! (I don’t know if I would’ve described them as “feral thugs,” as the Prime Minister did, but they were pretty unruly looking and sounding--not what you’d expect when you think of British student protestors.) Anyway, this is certainly our closest brush with any living history in London.

More importantly, the musical was amazing! We had gone to the theater earlier in the day to see whether we could get some day-of discounted tickets. The person at the box office told me that they don’t discount any tickets. But after I told him I’d take four tickets in the upper balcony for 25 pounds each, he proceeded to explain that they’d had a cancellation in one of their “boxes,” and that he’d give us those tickets for the same price. I was very grateful, but didn’t know until we arrived for the show what a favor he’d done us. We had our own private box with four chairs and an incredible, close-up view of the stage. It was amazing and a highlight of the trip for all of us. This musical occupies a special place in Evans (Erinn’s maiden name) family history, we’ve been listening to the soundtrack over and over since we arrived in London, we’ve read different versions of the story to the kids (not the Dickens one though), and they’ve watched two video productions of it. So we were prepared! Everything about the production was wonderful: the acting, the singing, the choreography, the set, etc., were all outstanding. But I think we all agree that Fagan really stole the show! A very delightful and exciting evening.

P.S. In the spirit of "realism," Erinn thought I should mention that in the span of less than a week, we've experienced a major power outage and our boiler has died. Normally these things wouldn't be a big deal, but since it's been *freezing* the loss of power and the loss of the boiler have meant a loss of any heat! So for a little while we were all bundling up and using the kitchen oven to try to generate some warmth (though we couldn't even do this much when the power was out). So it's not all roses. Thanks for the reminder honey. :)

Camilla and Charles looking horrified as the protestors chanted "off with their heads" (seriously).

This one is for our Indian food-loving friends, taken in the subway station on our way to the theater. Something tells me they haven't rolled this one out in the LBC just yet.

The theater was in Covent Garden, which is decked out in Christmas decorations.

What are these commoners doing in the rich people's seats?

On the tube ride home.