So Stuck

Big Ben!

Mallory and I at Ronnie Scott's. So classy.

Right before Les Mis started...kinda cruddy pic, I know...

Our crew!

The cute celeb of the night...

The past few days have been amazing! We toured Westminster Abbey and saw where Will and Kate were married this time last year, as well as where legends like Charles Darwin, Isaac Newton, and Handel are buried. The only sad thing about this week is the weather! It has been so misty and damp that it doesn't quite feel like the spring that I'm used to. But that is a very minor thing, of course. On our way to the Abbey, we saw the great Big Ben, and it is MASSIVE. It was in our face right as we exited the Tube stop and I didn't expect it to be as grand as it was. It is beautiful.

This has been the week of musicals and I have loved them all! Yesterday we went and saw Les Miserables, which I had never seen before. I have heard songs performed and many raving reviews for it, so I expected it to be great. And it most definitely was. The cast was flawless and I even lost it at the very end. There is so much symbolism and a perfect balance between instruction and entertainment in this musical (as we talked about today in class)! Our seats were great and it was very, very well done.

Tonight exceeded my expectations beyond anything I could imagine. A pretty small group of us went and saw Matilda, the musical. Not gonna lie, I wasn't too excited for this one because we have had crazy schedules and most people were staying home being productive with their homework. The thought of having a night to just relax and hang out with everyone became verry appealing, especially when I only had time for a 15 minute power-nap before we had to leave.
But.
IT WAS BEYOND WORTH IT.
I must say it was one of my favorite nights here so far. The cast was mainly kids, and they were incredible. I was laughing the entire time and kept exchanging comments/looks of amazement with Amanda, who was sitting next to me. We were blown away by the song arrangements, the caliber of talent in the kids who performed them, the choreography- and the accuracy of the kids, the fact that Miss Trunchbull was a MAN (and absolutely hilarious), the amazing set that was so colorful and fun, and just the overall environment of the show. I sat next to a mom and her sweet little girl who sat up straight and was extremely composed the entire time. The message of the play was very sweet and made me wish I was with my mom and my sisters and little Cecily who I know would adore it. I could go on and on about it. It got multiple 5 star reviews and I think it is well deserved.

Even better, as we were talking (loudly) about it in the Tube station on our way home, a little girl and her dad heard us and asked if we had just gone to the show. She then saw our program and pointed to her picture saying that she was in it! The cast wasn't huge, and we totally recognized her. We freaked!! She signed our programs and we got a picture...! I am so amazed by the talent that these kids have over here. The arts are so cultivated and give so many opportunities for their talents to shine. I am convinced that this little girl, and every other kid in that show tonight, will be famous. Coolest night ever.