This England: In London's Colorful West End

I love London's West End with its theatres, book stores, and more. Best of all, it's very walkable and so after our hearty English breakfast we set out for this area. The first thing we encountered as a marvelous (and totally unexpected) video installation focusing on the musical "The Lion King," which was celebrating 25 years on stage in London's West End.

There were enormous projections, along with models of costumes and the marvelous masks and puppetry. My photos of the costumes weren't good ones but this one intrigues me with its reflections.

Everything here was free. We just happened upon it in an open but covered area.

 

Here's a quick video that shows one of the major projections. There's a lot of obnoxious crowd noise that seemed to be echoing here, so I recommend turning down your video. But I thought it was pretty amazing.

Our next destination was Denmark Street. Since the 1950s, the street has been a key locale in popular music, known as London's Tin Pan Alley. Not far into the turn of the 20th century, publishers set up shop here.  But later recording studios and music shops popped up in abundance.

And there were lots of guitars! So guess who had to take a look!

 Not much in the acoustic line but he saw a few!

Elton John worked at a music publisher on Denmark Street in the 60s and it was at No. 20 Denmark Street where he and Bernie Taupin wrote "Your Song."  Other names who frequented the street were David Bowie, and members of the Kinks and The Sex Pistols, Jimi Hendrix and Jimmy Page. Regent Sound Studio is a bit of a landmark. The Rolling Stones recorded their first album there and many others used the studios as well. (The studios have since moved and it is now purely retail.) Rick exited with a complimentary souvenir guitar pick!

Then we ambled down Charing Cross Road, passing a Banksy shop. 

No, I didn't go in. But I was tempted. (An umbrella that changes colors? Could have been mine!)

I was also tempted by J. Sheekey's, which was a restaurant favorite of Alan Rickman's. It was clear from the menu posted outside that he had a much bigger dining budget that I did! (Maybe someday!)

And best of all, it was right by the stage doors of the Wyndham Theatre, where we would be seeing a play the next evening.

We also made a stop at Neal's Yard, a spot I'd longed to see for its colorful buildings.

We didn't stick around long (it wasn't lunch time and I was refraining from shopping) but I loved the cheeriness of the area.

Moving along, we were off to St. Martin in the Fields again, where Rick bought tickets for the noon concert. We enjoyed a wonderful lunch at the Crypt downstairs first. (We had been to a concert at the Crypt a few days before!) I also noted when we went in that one could do brass rubbings there. It's something I really wanted to do -- and it didn't happen. Gotta leave something for next time!

After lunch we went upstairs into the church to hear pianist Sofia Sacco perform a a program of Couperin, Respighi and Lizst, among others. It was a beautiful venue and even though piano concerts are far from my favorites, I enjoyed it.

From there we walked a few blocks to Covent Garden. Think of Audrey Hepburn selling flowers in "My Fair Lady" -- and then completely forget that image! 

 

There were a zillion tourists and we heard every language under the sun as we wandered through a couple of the buildings selling the usual trash and trinkets. Perhaps we didn't stick around there long enough to see other elements. (I will say I probably would have spent longer looking around had I been on my own and will return on another trip.)

We did enjoy a street performer outside a church known as The Actors Church, which was locked (at least the door I checked). Darn! It has been associated with theatre since the 1600s, when Samuel Pepys noted the first "Italian Puppet Play" was done outside the portico, a spot that served as the setting for the opening of Shaw's "Pygmalion." 

The church continues to host the International Punch and Judy festival and also have their own theatre company. Luminaries including the great actress Edith Evans are entombed there.

A litter truck passed us by. I loved the look of it!

 

There was much more to this day, including a visit to Westminster Abbey and a dinner to die for. But that's next time!

Travel Tips:

• There is much to do in the West End so don't plan to do it in one day. Things we didn't do this day included taking in a matinee at one of the many theatres, stopping in at the remarkable National Portrait Gallery or National Gallery, browse in the many bookstores that can be found on Charing Cross Road or shop (you'll definitely need your Visa card!) If you are only in London a short while, pick your activities and go from there. Or pick nothing and just enjoy!
• Restaurants in the West End (like Sheekeys) are expensive. You can find a reasonably priced lunch or beverage at the chain Pret a Manger or "Pret." They are everywhere and you can select from a number of prepared sandwiches, among other things. Eat in or take out.
• Hold onto your bag. We haven't experienced pick pocketing but were warned about it. I liked my cross body bag, which was lightweight, had a comfortable strap, a diagonal large pocket and two smaller zip pockets and a spot for glasses of your phone. I had room for my camera, wallet, kleenex and other things without a lot of weight. You can see mine in this photo. (After I got home, I ordered two more in different colors for the huge price of $9 each. Couldn't resist.)

• Transportation is easy from any area with several tube stops. But you'll want comfy shoes for the walking.  

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