I thought my theatre education was well on the way to being complete.
Having worked for a theatre for about 18 months now I have experienced a whole range of live performance - from completely naked men running around in a contemporary dance piece to full blown classical orchestras....and everything in between.
But, until tonight, I had never been to see a British panto. High on my list of 'Things I never got to do in England' this was an easy one to cross off. My friends Mel and Heidi were keen to come along with me - Mel, an experienced panto goer - was just keen to see the judge from her favourite TV show 'Strictly Come Dancing' as the wicked queen. Heidi was another panto virgin but was using her 'aussie friend' to excuse our extreme non-coolness to her friends at work. We had a ball. Boo-ing with the best of them as the queen over-acted her evil plans. Cheering at the cheesiness of the court jester's throwaway jabs at the residents of nearby towns. I didn't get half the pop culture references but i laughed along anyway...
My days have been filled with lunches and dinners and bottles of wine as i've traveled up and down and around to meet up with friends for catch ups. Making my way to London on Sunday I met Ellie for brunch at our favourite haunt in the south of London, Harrisons, followed by a spot of shopping (along with the rest of London) at the mecca for shopping addicts - Oxford St. And who better to brave it with than my most fashionista of all fashionista friends as we battled the crowds in the beacon of high street shopping in Britain - Topshop's flagship store on Oxford Street. With a floor dedicated to accessories, another containing only the coolest of high street couture and yet another sporting vintage wear to die for, Topshop has always been a favourite spot for me - if i can be bothered pushing past all the tourists....tourists! Bah!
After a short sashay through Liberty, we finished our expedition with a nod to the shining light of department stores throughout the world - Selfridges - with its beautiful Christmas lights and floors upon floors of designer goodies we enjoyed a quick coffee in the food hall where the cash threatened to jump out of my purse in exchange for all the delicious foodie produce just begging to be part of the christmas table.
A (not majorly delayed, despite the snow) tube ride later and i was at London Bridge station to meet Alex. Quite often I describe Alex as my oldest friend and quite often she looks at me askance as I say that - since she is actually 6 weeks younger than me. But I have known her since the day she was born, our mums were work mates and flat mates in their wild single days and, despite the fact that we grew up in different states, and now live on opposite sides of the world, Alex and I have always been close - pen pals in primary school, email pals in high school and holiday buddies whenever we can manage it.
Finding a cosy cell in the cellar of a pub near London Bridge (perhaps it used to be a jail?) we shared a bottle of wine and a sunday roast as we caught up on the past months...somehow, it doesnt' matter how many emails you send, there is still more to tell and the hours flew by. Luckily there is plenty of time for more gossip as we will be heading to Switzerland together in 2 days and then there is Paris...we'll always have Paris...
Till next time...
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