China Town, Macbeth and David Tennant

So we’re in London. It’s hardly the most sensible thing to do so soon before departure, but I really want to see the new Wayne McGregor ballet with music by the sublime Max Richter. The fact that we also manage to get tickets for David Tennant and Cush Jumbo in Macbeth makes the weekend even more special.  

The train down is comfortable and uneventful - even though it’s late, and our Hoxton hotel is certainly ‘different’. It’s the Art ‘Otel, and is very stylish in a contemporary way. Where we stay is important to us - all part of the experience rather than just a place to sleep - but I’m always eager to find a bargain, and so this is a Secret Escapes deal.  To be honest, I’d rather be staying more centrally, but at least walking is now easy for me since my back surgery. 

A pre-theatre meal complete, we walk through the heart of Soho and China Town to the Harold Pinter theatre where we’re sitting in the Royal Circle rather than our preferred stall seats - I refuse to pay the £300 price tag! And to my relief our seats are comfortable and the view fine - of particular importance when we realise the play will run without an interval! 

The USP of this production - but for its stars - is the sound technology. We all have headphones which need to be warn to hear the performance, and the binaural effects are brilliant. Whispers come from all around; we hear the voices of the witches literally in our heads, and the flapping of cawing raven’s wings fly over our heads. We both love the whole thing. The set is simple but effective, the pace fast and furious, and Tennant, in kilt-clad in full Scottish glory, is excellent.  

We’re late leaving the auditorium at the end, and arrive outside to a large crowd gathered round the stage door and a besieged David Tennant. I don’t actually recognise him at first, but feel compelled to take a quick shot of the great man patiently posing and signing programmes before he’s whisked off into his chauffeur driven car!  (In extras) 

For us, it’s a walk to find a bus to get us back to our hotel - we’ve recently discovered just how useful a London buses are!