There's nothing that lifts the spirits more than a bit of escapism and that's what we got yesterday. We went to see 42nd Street at London's Drury Lane Theatre and I have to say that 'escapism' is an understatement. If you get the chance to go then please do. Compared to the film, they paint the love story angle with a very light brush. On the other hand, to continue a painting analogy, the dance sequences are produced in primary, poster-paint colours. They are amazing, truly stunning, a stage full of glittering, tap-dancing stars, all moving in perfect formation, in perfect time with the music. There are fabulous stage effects too, one uses a mirror lowered slowly onto the stage to change the effects of the sequence-style routine. You've got to go and see it, really!
I could enthuse about the dancing all day but there's more. The Victorians really knew how to design a theatre. The ceilings and walls are so highly decorated that as soon as you step into the Drury Lane you feel as if you've entered a fantasy land. It sets the scene so perfectly for this kind of show.
During the interval, in the queue for the ladies, a young girl wearing a pretty, red party frock was tapping away, throwing her arms around, twirling her skirt.
"Do you have tap lesson?" I asked.
"No," she said looking at her mother longingly.
It reminded me of when I was a kid. I used to pretend I could tap dance. I'll let you into a secret, between you and me, I still do, in the kitchen when there's no one else around. Those dance routines yesterday had me wanting to get up and dance just like when I was a kid. I'm convinced that tap dancing is inside every excited young girl and it stays there as we grow old. We just learn to hide it - most of the time.
I'm adding below a link to the official site where you can get a taster of the show with all those famous songs including We're in the Money, The Lullaby of Broadway, Keep Young and Beautiful, I Only Have Eyes For You and of course, 42nd Street.
42nd Street Musical
Cat Update: I've taken both cats off that medication (see previous post) and I have my happy, relaxed girls back again. I've spoken to the vet and he's agreed we keep a low-key eye on them and let them get on with their lives without being dosed up to their little feline eyeballs.
MA Update: Crikey! (polite expletive replacing what I really was thinking!) I've only got another two weeks before I hand in my assignment and I'm barely halfway through it. Best be going...
It sounds brilliant! I love the theatre. Nothing's better than escaping in song and dance.
ReplyDeletesounds like a glorious day at the theater. I'm tap dancing in the kitchen just based on this post.
ReplyDeleteand crikey! good luck - I have no doubt you'll finish your semester with a bang up job
Hi Ros - sounds fantastic and so glad you and that happy little girl of yore was around in the ladies' making sure you remembered your youth! Brilliant - glad the cats are ok, and yes I hope you've worked hard today ... good luck with finishing it off ... and then many congratulations ... cheers Hilary
ReplyDeleteRos, the show sounds absolutely wonderful...and I so agree with you about tap dancing! It's just the most infectious thing and I still want to do it although I never have! Now get on with your assignment! Keeping everything crossed for you, and also for the moggies!
ReplyDeleteI totally agree that escapism lifts the spirit and is very good for the soul. Having been to quite a few theatres in London I do so agree with what you say. "They don`t make them like they used to" Hope the cats continue their improvement and as regards the M.A.-what will you do when that is finished? A doctorate maybe! Petra.
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