Much (to) ado

So much today it’s hard to chose.
Lovely weather to start after an early mist, which hung around the top of the Shard, lifted so we took advantage and walked across Tower Bridge and along the River diverting to look around Hays Gallery and the Borough Market. 
We had a coffee by the Golden Hind replica and the mediaeval remains of Winchester Hall. The plan then was to recross to the North bank on the Millennium Bridge. Passing the New Globe Theatre we went in on a whim and were able to join a tour commencing in 15 mins. 
It was brilliant.  Lots of information gleaned in the 50-60 mins we were there. Here, looking down from the gallery seats, originally sold for 2 old pence unlike the penny stinkers who would be standing, we saw a class of Stage Movement led by the lady with her back to us hitting a tambourine. Just added that special touch. It was so interesting, lots of background to the development of theatre generally and it’s later demise under the puritans. Techniques to grab the audience included me being asked to demonstrate what happened when someone was stabbed; having previously filled one’s mouth with blood you would spray it out over the audience! That would get their attention. Especially the 1000 standing!
We were unaware that it was the Lord Mayor’s  Parade today But as we crossed to St Paul’s they were either packing up or it hadn’t started as they were selling programmes and flags to wave. It was clouding up by then but no matter as we were heading for an afternoon in the V & A. 
Had a tea and scone in the cafe and then explored the South Asia gallery, super textiles and artefacts and then up to the fashion gallery and our time slot for the Mary Quant Exhibition. Of course we all remember Mary Quant but I now realise it was her fashion influence that I really remember as I could never have afforded her clothes, priced in Guineas which equated to hundreds of pounds in today’s money, but I liked that you could get Butterick patterns and even Sirdar knitting patterns to make your own!
It was raining heavily when we came out but we made our way to Leicester Sq and Charing Cross Rd where we ate alongside an very nice and chatty Aussie couple in The Bear and Staff before  heading to The Phoenix Theatre to see ‘Come From Away’. Tickets were purchased for us by daughter Grace as she loved seeing it earlier in the year and insisted we saw it too.
This really was the highlight of our day. 12 actors playing various parts and singing along with on stage musicians. There was no interval and you were just swept along by the strange happenings at Gander, Newfoundland after 9/11.
There was a standing ovation at the end. 
I can highly recommend it, the Aussie lady had seen it twice once is Aus and once again in London.
Just chilling now with a G & T in the hotel. Rain had stopped when we came out of the theatre, hope that bodes well our second full day tomorrow.

London Day 1 Flickr link https://www.flickr.com/photos/16251802@N05/albums/72157711751239933/with/49053906873/