LONDON!

We said goodbye to the Queen Mary 2 by going up in the glass outside elevators for a spectacular view of Southampton. The size of the ship is mind boggling. It was a warm and sunny day and we were ready for part two of our program, visiting London for four days and seeing four carefully selected plays. .

We had a very easy disembarkation and we arrived in London ahead of schedule. The small hotel was not ready to check us in, so our bags were stored and we had a buffet lunch at the hotel. We’re in a very central location, on Tottenham Court Road, next to the Warren Street tube stop.

At 2:00 we were driven to the theatre for our first play , which is located in the Lambeth area, home to the London Eye. .

The name of the play is “ Witness for the Prosecution,” written by Agatha Christie and made into a classic film starring Charles Laughton, Elsa Lancaster and Marlene Dietrich ( which you should see if you haven’t). The “ theatre” is actually London County Hall, which, for many years had been the seat of local government. Since 2017, the old council chamber has been been the home to this site- specific production. Imagine a courtroom drama being held in an actual courtroom?! It was incredible.

The play was sensational and an appropriate way to start our playgoing.

Our driver took us around the iconic buildings of central London as we made our way back to the hotel.

We just had a short time to check out our rooms before it was time to go to dinner. We went to Hugs and Bites, a very small, very delicious Mediterranean restaurant owned by two Turkish guys. The food was fabulous! It was a short walk from our hotel.

We were sharing the dishes but when the halva dessert came, I thought it was all mine, but the two other ladies protested. It was sooo good. The other offering was baklava.

We checked out the neighborhood as we walked back to the hotel.

I would like to check out this pub. It looks like fun.

Street art at Warren Street underground station

We spent the rest of the evening unpacking and organizing ourselves for the next four days. We have three more plays and will be seeing our friend Ann Tuesday and Wednesday for two museum visits. It will be busy but fun.

Time for bed! We don’t need to be anywhere until 10:30 tomorrow, when we will learn about the political scene with a short lecture. There will also be a short workshop in the afternoon. It will be a low key day. We see “People, Places & Things” tomorrow night.