Theatre District

Our main plan today was to go to Leicester Square to get some half price tickets for one of the Broadway plays in the Theatre district. Mom had a particular place to go which is supposed to be the best place to go - need to watch out for phonies. We got off the subway and saw several half price stores most of which said they were the original/authentic. We did find the one in Steve's book and bought tickets for a 2:30 matinee of the Producers. Seats sounded good - 4th row center.

We had some time to kill so we decided to walk around the area and go to Covent Garden area. So far the weather was cooperating - about 60 degrees and overcast. In about an hour it started to rain, then it poured. Since it was warmer we did not have our jackets but did have the umbrellas, however it had some downpour periods so our shoes and bottom of our pants got a bit wet (Mom wrang the bottom of her pants out a couple of times).

Because of the rain we decided to take the subway back to the Drury Lane theatre area. When we ascended from the subway to the streets we saw the rain was reduced to a drizzle and soon stopped. Now time for lunch, so we looked for an authentic British pub. Soon we saw a pub with a sign stating it was voted best pub (not sure by whom, but it looked worth a try). It is the Freemasons Arms - Shepard Neame master brewer. Mom ordered tomato soup and I ordered chili. The chili was served a bit differently - over rice; it was very good. I had Spitfire beer and Mom had Oranjboom, both very good.

Next was the play. The theatre was very nice and the seats were great. While not a sellout for the matinee it was a good size crowd and the show was very well done. Cory English and Reece Shearsmith were in the lead roles. We plan to see another play later this week, possibly Mama Mia on Friday or Les Miserables.

After the play we did some more walking around and had dinner here at the hotel - a soccer game was on TV so all of the pubs were loaded with people. I had stuffed pepper (stuffed with couscous) and Mom had a chicken club sandwhich that sounds basic but it was a multiple layer of grilled chicken, ham, and sliced boiled egg. Both were good.

Tomorrow off to see the queen.