After long thinking to go to London or not to, in the beginning of March i decided to go. Magda convinced me to go. But first tickets has to be arranged as well as the trip. This all was not too difficult allthough it was not easy to find a hotel. Two weeks before going off i got the tickets from the box office.
At 19th March, it was THE day. In the morning i had to work but in the afternoon it was all packing. At a quarter to nine in the evening the Eurolines Bus arrived in the Hague and i stepped inside. It was a long trip and to my suprise we took the Chunnel instead of the boat. It only takes half an hour to arrive in England with this train from France. At half past five we arrived in London, Victoria Coach Station precisely. Because to bus drove along my hotel it was easy to find this back. But....when i was standing before the door at 6, they did not open it. So i decided to went for a breakfast in town. Than i went off to Globe Theatre to take some pictures of the beautiful building. It was a lovely morning with much sunshine! After this i went off shopping in Oxford Street to find some interesting items as the Demolition Man book and Monterrat concert video tape. Than i went back to the hotel which was opened. I could immediatly go into my room to take a shower and to rest a bit. But that was not a good decision.
At about one in the afternoon i arrived back at the Globe Theatre. To my disappointment Sting was already inside. So what could i else do to go inside as well!! No, not through Sting's entrance but with the Guided tour which was given throughout the day. When i was waiting for my tour to go off i heart Sting already did his song (AHHHHHHHHHHHH). What a pity!! But allright i got inside the building! James Taylor was on stage to rehearsal his song. We heart the song three times which was quite a whole of an experience! Sting was standing at the ground (with a shawl over his mouth, not to be recognized!) listening. I also saw Trudie and Vannessa Redgrave. We also heart the song of Lulu. We were inside quite a time so i already had a marvelous day!
After this GREAT stuff i went to National Gallery and Convant Garden (you know i'am in London BTW!).
At half past four i was at the London Bridge to met up with Magda but unfortunately she did not appear. So i went off to the Globe after eating at the Burger King (sorry Sting!). At the Globe i met up with Stina who came all the way from Spain to see the show. She was deadly nervous as she had no ticket that moment. Later that evening i met up with Magda as well. All together we went up standing before the doors to be opened. At seven they finnally opened the doors. It was very easy to get a place at the front row. So we stood perfect!
At half past seven the show went off. All the artists in monks canapy came on stage and took their place on stage. They sat there all evening! Sting had his place right in front of me, how better can it be?!!
The show opened with a Tibetan snow lion (with humans inside). It all looked very funny! Than a tibetan monk came on to do some tibetan sounds but it was a bit hard to hear because at the moment to much noise was inside the hall (open-air BTW!). During the whole show no microphones were used so i was quite satisfied to be at the front row. The first real artists were Richard E. Grant and Jack Dee who did a play about Shakespeare himself and his producer. I was very impressed with the next play done by Vannessa Redgrave and Mark Rylance. They did a part of 'King John'. Vannessa played Constance who lost her son and Mark played King Philip. Vannessa her tears were in her eyes during the play, really impressive!
Than James Taylor came on. He performed the beautiful song Come away come away death from Twelfth Night, Act II. A beautiful song although i doubt it if the people far behind could hear this as well.
The boys of the Lock Stock movie did a performance of Romeo and Juliet which was just funny. Vinnie Jones played Romeo and some real swordsfights were there! Sting himself ended part I with the song Under the greenwood tree from As You Like It, Act II. Just fabulous. Also Trudie, who was above him at the ballustrade was really impressed with the song. Well, Shakespeare songs are really not easy so good work!
The second part started with some sonnets. James Taylor performed a song and also Lulu did hers. Just nice to have heart it earlier in the soundcheck! Than it was Sting time again! Together with Ian Talbot as 'Bottom the Weaver', Jimmy Nail as 'Quince the carpenter', Vinnie Jones as 'Starveling the Tailor', Ethan Hawke as 'Flute the Bellowsmender' and Richard E Grant as 'Snout the Tinker'. Sting himself played 'Snug the Joiner' which really was hilarious! The great evening ended alltogether with a song from Twelfth Night called When that I was and a little tiny boy with Sting singing most of the song! Of course Trudie came on toe explain why the show was held (for the Tibetan Peace Garden near to Imperial War Museum) and off course to thanks all of the artists who came from so far for the show, also Sting who came all the way from Florence, Italy (where he's recording the album!). Than the artists went off. Sting waved us 'Goodbye'!! Just GREAT to be recognized by him!
After the show i talked a bit with Stina. Magda and i decided to go off for a pub before they are closed. At about half past eleven i was in my bed.
The next day i really was just exhausted because of the trip and last day. But i had another day in London! So i went off to Imperial War Museum to see something of the Peace Garden which will be opened in May. At eight in the evening i was back in the bus to go back homewards. That Monday i spent whole day sleeping!
It was just a marvelous lovely weekend in London which i will never forget! Especially i like to thank Magda for the great evening.
Hope for some great concerts to come (in the year 2000??)!!!
