Bank and the Geffrye

First of all: a report on Lord of the Rings. It was spectacular. The staging was so creative and complex. The music was good (there was less music than most musicals), and they managed to condense the story in a way that worked even for Katy Kathryn. The weakness was a couple of casting issues. Gandalf was lame -- not a great actor and not lovable. Boromir's voice was not the best, but other than that it was fine. The hobbits were great and started picnicing and catching fireflies on the stage and in the audience 15 minutes before curtain, so you were already sucked in when it began. The orcs were scary and at one point came into the audience. Three people near us were so frightened that they got up and left (pretty good, huh?). If you have a minute go to http://www.lotr.com/ and look at the "sights and sounds."

The very best part was that in the winter the theatres don't fill up and we bought £60 tickets on the second row center of the dress circle for £25! What a happy surprise! They really want to fill the house.

Now, yesterday (Friday) we went to the Bank of England Museum, which is rather interesting and first for us. We bussed over to Bishopsgate where we lunched at Pret and caught another bus to the Geffrye Museum to see their Christmas Past/Christmas Present display. Some of you will remember that they have a series of middle-class house rooms from Tudor times onward, which they display as they would have been decorated for Christmas at the time. It is great and always helps me feel Chrismasy.

We also tried to visit the Soane Museum, but the line to get in (it is just a house) was too long. We had to get home so Katy could go with some of the students to a late matinee of Spamalot. The Tube was a nightmare so we caught two busses home from Holborn. That is always more fun anyway. Katy enjoyed Spamalot, but still likes Lord of the Rings best of all she has seen here.

The Royal Exchange near the Bank, which has been converted to
very posh shops and restaurants -- the exchange
has moved to Paternoster Square

One day Katy was helping me figure out what I am passionate about.
So far, it turns out that I am passionate about maps and navigating,
holly, and food. So the Pret sign says a lot.

Kris and Katy at the Geffrye Museum

The Victorians really instigated Christmas
decorations as we know them

This room from the 1950s reminded us of Grandmother Boynton

This morning we are going to Portobello Road to finish some Christmas shopping, but beyond that, the direction the day will take is unclear. We will keep you posted.

OXO

D.