Note to self, book a week off to return there, I could happily get lost in that rich expanse of history and culture for days.... miles of art, creativity and history and yet you can stop almost anywhere to examine the minutiae of detailed, intricate craftsmanship from thousands of years ago.
We travelled forward a few hundred years - and hurried along Shaftesbury Avenue for a date with a living legend.... Dame Angela Lansbury no less, appearing in Blithe Spirit at the Gielgud Theatre.
The approach to this still hilarious Noel Coward classic was very traditional - curtain down for each scene, a (seemingly) simple single set, fabulously evocative costumes and slick, convincing performances from a word perfect, brilliantly relaxed cast. But of course the main attraction was Dame Angela Lansbury, and it was only right that she be applauded on her first appearance, every exit and of course a standing ovation at the end of a fabulously funny and fun experience - time whisked by all too quickly, we wanted more!
Funny, convincing and incredibly physical - her trances were hilarious - she was simply the best thing I've seen on the stage in a while. And that's not to take away from her fellow performers, who were fab in their own right - particularly Jemima Rooper's Elvira playing a ghostly punchbag for an invisible attacker in a brilliantly choreographed and magical few moments.
I couldnt help but think wow, this woman has acted with Spencer Tracy, with Gene Kelly and a score of other legends, she is still entertaining us as the gifted heroine of Cabot Cove in Murder She... you know the rest - and here she is at 88 scene stealing in the West End! Long may it continue!
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