Lazy morning, since plane not til 11. Uneventful flight to Heathrow, where I parted company with my folks as they continued on to Johannesburg and then
Australia for the Rotary convention. I took the Picadilly line into town, stopping off at Leicester Square to buy a half-priced ticket…had originally planned
to see Michael Richards in Arsenic and Old Lace, but instead opted for a new translation and production of Pirandello’s Absolutley (perhaps).
Continued on the tube to Russel Square, ditched my bags at the hotel, then walked to the British Museum and Library. Forgot that they had built a new facility
for the British Library next to King’s Cross, so took a cab there, only to find out that they were closed for the bank holiday, so no getting to see Gilbert’s
prompt books, but did find out that copies of said would be about $4 a page…so looks like time to order the microfilm.
Walked back over towards the British Museum and looked in on the books stores that were still open. Picked up a copy of The Man Who Broke Napoleon’s
Codes at Unsworths. Wandered down to Trafalgar Square, dropped into St. Martin in the Fields and listened to the rehearsal that was going on for the quartet
performing that evening, then went down to the Strand to look in at the Savoy, Unfortunately, it was closed as well and couldn’t take a peek, so I consoled
myself with some dry cider at the Coal Hole.
Walked back up towards Leicester Square and had a nice dinner at Young Chen’s on Wardour Street, then on to the Wyndham for the show. It was fabulous. I didn’t
realize that Zefirelli was still alive, much less actively directing. Joan Plowright was spectacular, as was the rest of the cast. I’m going to have to add
Pirandello’s plays to my reading list.
After the show I did my traditional wandergawk throuh SoHo…kinda like Montrose, crossed with South Main, on steroids. Finished the evening by watching some
guys in an arcade compete on one of those dance machines.