London is losing two of its attractions as far as I am concerned. And it is all due to that blasted modern technology.
On those rare trips to London in my young days, I used to look forward to my visits to bookstores and video shops. Not any more.
Most of my books I now buy online and they are instantly downloaded to my eReaders. Takes less than 30 seconds.
Well for videos, you can also order the latest blu ray dics online from amazon.com and they can be delivered to you in Malaysia in a matter of days. Sometimes it is even cheaper. Better still if you have a son studying in London. I saved at least RM200 on my James Bond 50th Anniversary box set because of a student discount.
But thank god for West End musicals. It will not be threatened my modern technology. Not in the forseeable future, i hope. There is nothing like watching the shows live.
I know of a friend who worked here for over 10 years and did not watch a single musical or go for a football match. I have not seen a live game yet here in London or in Manchester but that is another story.
Musicals are played all over London. Plus the tickets are easily available at discount booths in the city. I normally go for the matinees either on Thursday or Saturday. Tickets are priced anywhere from £25 to £50.
For this trip we managed to see three musicals -- Phantom of the Opera, Bodyguard and Once. You can say they were something old, something borrowed andsomething new.
I have seen Phantom over 10' years ago but this was a new cast. I had also to make up for my bad experience then when I bought the ticket from a tout outside the theatre. Guess what, I got a seat just behind a pillar. And I slept through some parts of the musical because I was very tired.
See Phantom for the props, especially the huge chandelier. For this production, the role of Christine is played by Sofia Escobar and that of the Phantom by Marcus Lovett.
I can see the Phantom over and over again. Obviously many people feel the same way too. it celebrated its 11,000 performances recently. I love the songs. However I still prefer the original cast of Sarah Brightman and Michael Crawford.
Bodyguard is a musical adapted from the movie starring Whitney Houston and Kevin Costner. Remember the famous song from the movie, I will always love you.
So if you are a Whitney Houston fan and love her hit songs, you should not miss this musical. The storyline is the same as the movie, so nothing to shout about. See it for the songs, dances and be blown away by the voice of the leading lady Heather Headley.
Once is a new production. New for me anyway. It was not showing when I was here in September last year.
This is not your usual musical. Everything happens on stage. The musicians are on stage and they double up as singers and actors unlike other musicals where members of the orchestra sit in the pit.
To our surprise, before the start of the show and during the interval, the stage is converted into a bar where members of the audience can go up and buy drinks. And you can hang around on stage for a while.
What is also unique is that you can go to the official website www.oncemusical.com and sample the music. If you like them, you can buy the album from the iTunes Store. Or just go and watch the musical.
This musical is about love. It about a struggling Irish musician who is about to give up on his dream when he meets this beautiful Czech woman who encourages him to fight on. The music is upbeat and catchy. It's a magic formula for success.
Initially, I had wanted to watch Les Miserables. More so after watching the movie recently. I faintly remember watching this musical many, many years ago but like the Phantom, I don't mind watching it again. And again. The music, the songs and the story are so good.
Unfortunately I could not get tickets, the cheap ones anyway. But I am not worried. I am sure the musical will be here if I come back next year or the years to come. After all, it has been staged non- stop for 26 years.
Until then, I will watch the movie version. And yes, read the original Victor Hugo original which I bought and downloaded into my eReader. I understand the original is so much better than the musical adaptation. Anwar Ibrahim read it while he was under ISA detention and recommends it highly.
There are two other musicals I would love to watch if I get the chance -- Singing in the Rain and the Book of Mormon.
Why Singing in the Rain? It is such an old musical. For one, it is well promoted. And I was really impressed with the decoration at the theatre itself -- a sea of umbrellas.
What about the Book of Mormon? It has also received good reviews but what finally convinced me was finding the CD of the musical at the Foyles book store. I am sure I would see the musical after listening to its music.
I happened by Foyles on the way home after watching the musical Once. I was impressed by the size of the shop, all 5 storeys of it. I also bought a classical blu ray disc and an audio book of Jane Austen novels.
The biggest temptation was the Nook HD + with 9 in screen from Barnes and Noble. This eReader was on display at the ground floor. What can I say? I am easily tempted.
Just when I thought I was done, I stumbled upon another shop a few doors away. This shop sells old books, old movie posters and old DVDs. I walked out of the shop with four old DVD musicals.
So there is still some glitter in old things. I must not be in too much of a hurry to ignore them.