Winnie-the-Pooh and 42nd Street

[smallhobbit]

SM was thinking of going to a singing workshop (Handel) at St Martins-in-the-fields, which means staying over Friday night for a 10am start Saturday morning.  So I suggested I come up too, and we stay in a Travelodge, and I'll find a show to go to in the afternoon.  I'd been toying with the idea of seeing 42nd Street for a while, so this seemed a good opportunity.

And before that, in the morning I went to Primark (pyjamas for me, cute t-shirts and dress for granddaughter), and then onto the Winnie-the-Pooh exhibition at the V&A.  Again this was half price with my Art Card.  And it was surprisingly good.  Of course, some of the display was aimed at children, but a considerable section was adult oriented.  There were a large number of original E H Shepard (the illustrator) sketches with information about them.  Shepard drew everything from life - trees from Ashdown Forest, the toys were Christopher Robin Milne's own, plus Shepard's son's bear.  There were many examples shown and explanations of what Shepard had done, and why it worked, including other drafts which weren't as successful.  I'd thoroughly recommend the exhibition if you have any interest in Winnie-the-Pooh, or any artistic interest because there's a lot which can be learnt.

After which it was time to go to the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane to see 42nd Street.  I'm a fan of old-style musicals and for me this was just perfect.  The theatre is ideal for large scale singing and dancing.  The costumes were spectacular, bright and cheerful.  Lots of tap dancing and musical numbers - including 'We're in the money', 'Keep young and beautiful' and my favourite 'Lullaby of Broadway'.  I hadn't realised at the time, Sheena Easton was playing Dorothy Brock.  For me, the best actors were Tom Lister as Julian Marsh and Jasna Ivir as Maggie Jones.  For anyone who likes musicals and is looking for an great afternoon with a feel-good factor, I can thoroughly recommend this production.

Comments

[annofowlshire]

Ooh. I've been looking for an impetus to get back to the V&A. I may need to check out that exhibit!

[smallhobbit]

I do like the V&A. It has some really well done exhibitions, as well as so many items of interest generally.

[annofowlshire]

I have a lot of fond memories of it when I was touristing in the UK, but I just haven't gotten back since I moved here. I really need to get on this stuff--we don't plan to live in London forever XD

[margaret_r]

The exhibition sounds great, and the V&A is such a lovely museum - very relaxing with a friendly atmosphere about it.

Glad you enjoyed 42nd Street, the old musicals are definitely something to just sit back and enjoy:)

[smallhobbit]

The V&A is my favourite museum - there's always so much to see.

That was exactly why I went to see it :)

[mafief]

That all sounds like a wonderful trip. The Winnie-the-Pooh exhibit seems really interesting. Hopefully SM had a productive workshop.

[smallhobbit]

It was a good break. I like Winnie-the-Pooh, and the exhibition was fascinating. SM enjoyed his workshop and is planning to go to another in June.