Two Shows that Royally Rocked

Hello friends, younger England Adventurer here (aka Shiri). I'm here to tell you about our theater experience in London. Oh boy!!

So whilst in London we saw two shows. The first was We Will Rock You, a musical written by Queen and Ben Elton that is all Queen songs. There aren't even words to describe how absolutely insanely amazing this show is. It's essentially a mix between a Broadway Musical and a Rock Show--SO cool! The lighting and effects were absolutely insane, costumes and make-up ridiculously awesome, and storyline actually really really clever. There were a lot of jokes that were references to old songs or singers or bands, so it was totally hilarious. Michal and I were all but rolling on the floor laughing at certain parts. Not only was the story and everything amazing, the performers were fantastic. Each and everyone sold their part so well--it really was an all around spectacular show. Anyone who appreciates music needs to see it.

The next night we went to a show that was completely different but just as exciting. We saw a production of King Lear at Shakespeare's Globe Theater on the bank of the Thames. We had toured this theater earlier in the trip but just walking through on the tour was nothing like the amazing experience of actually watching a play put on in the same way as it was done over 400 years ago!! There was no lighting for the first half because there was still natural light from outside (and the theater has an open roof) and when the sun went down during the second act the only lights they did have on just depicted natural daylight (because that's how it was in Shakespeare's time). So it was a very intimate show--the actors could see each and every audience member, unlike in theaters today where the audience is completely dark. Also, all the sound effects were done without modern technology. They used rainsticks for the rain, drums and a huge metal sheet for thunder, etc. There was also a little band of musicians and a singer that accompanied the show and provided dramatic effect. We had our own little soundtrack!
We could have gone for the REAL experience and paid 5 pounds for a spot in the yard, where the groundlings stand, but then we would have had to stand for all 3 hours of the show, and after all the walking we had been doing we said no thank you. So we sat in some terribly uncomfortable wooden benches instead, but the amazingness of the show totally made up for the sore bottoms we had afterwards. Once again, the talent that was on that stage blew my mind. I found myself heartbroken watching Lear go mad because the actor was so fantastic, and I felt so connected to all the characters! Oh man. I love that play. And perhaps the best part was that after the show the entire cast broke out into this lovely choral number and when that was done they all joined in with a little jig! It was fantastic!

So that was our theater experience. I loved loved loved it. And I'm pretty sure Michal felt the same way.