London Arts Tour - Conclusion

Finally, a few words on the conclusion of our trip. Tea at Gorings, was fine, although I had hoped it might be served without interrupting discussions. Dinner “in the neighborhood” was a fitting end to an exciting week. Most of us had time to pursue a few personal missions while in London. I benefited greatly from early morning walks, the opportunity to spectate at the Globe (“In Extremis,” a rewriting of a play on the 10^th Century love affair between teacher and student, Abelard and Heloise, which was surprisingly uplifting; it may come as a shock that a play featuring the castration of its hero can be metaphorically or otherwise labeled “uplifting,” but you had to be there to appreciate it. Carolyn accompanied Maria and me on our holy tour of Westminster Abbey and St. Paul’s, each in their own way churches glorifying the state and its servants, with a brief stop in Covent Garden. When Maria needed privacy to perfect her cough, Carolyn and I soldiered on, without Maria’s pin point map-reading skills, to the War Cabinet’s bunker and Churchill museum just off HorseGuards and then, by river, to Greenwich where we set a new world’s record for shortest tour of the Painted Room (magnificent tribute to the Hanoverian kings and implicit glorification of Handel who I imagine composed the music which accompanied the royal family from London to Greenwich and back), refectory, exterior of the Queen’s House, and Maritime Museum. Miraculously, we returned just in time to clean up for another exciting evening of theater. For those planning another trip to London, Greenwich is a must, but you are advised to spend more than 50 minutes there.

It was a fine trip. Rick was accessible to all and, I’d like to think, gathered some new ideas to add to his commitments to New Reps continued growth. Hoping to see all of you again, soon.

- Bill