The Tower and Fury

This past week got me out and about in London to see some history and a show. On Monday I went to the Tower of London with my friend Trish. We went, not because we have broken any laws, but Trish had never been so we decided she needed to check out this icon of British history. I went once before in 2009 with my Mom when she came to visit me during term break from my Masters course in Scotland. It is wonderful to revisit a place like the Tower as there is so much history one needs a recap every now and then to remember it all and catch the tidbits missed last time.

The Tower comes in layers. There is an outer wall and an inner wall and then the core building at the center. The center building is called The White Tower and it is the oldest part of the structure. It housed early royalty, acted as a prison and as a fortress. The inner wall contains a chapel where many famous people are buried including Henry VIII's beheaded wives. Also in the inner wall, visitors can view the crown jewels. The outer wall contains a medieval mint museum and samples of early coins and the stories behind what surrounds coins, money, minting and the crime associated with it all. The outer wall also contains many residential accommodations. That's right, people actually live there. Service men and women in Her Majesty's Armed Forces can apply to be Yeomen of the Guard and serve at the Tower. The Yeomen provide tours and historical accounts of the happenings at the Tower but do not mistake them for a character at Disneyland. They wear uniforms, not costumes and are trained specialists there to protect the Tower and all it contains. One thing it contains on occasion is royalty. The night before his coronation Prince Charles will prepare and sleep at The Tower and then, in the morning, in all the regalia, travel from the Tower to Westminster where he will be crowned King. There is much to see at the Tower and if you are in London, definitely spend a day exploring the Tower.

Saturday I went with my flatmate Nic to see a new play called Fury by Phoebe Eclair-Powell at Soho Theatre. It was an intense 70 minute modern day Medea about a single mother, young, struggling, lost and ultimately abused. It was wonderful to see a fresh offering from an up and coming playwright. Soho Theatre is on the cutting edge of new writing and facilitates new works with a myriad of programs, projects and awards. I predict we will see great things come from Soho Theatre and from Phoebe Eclair-Powell in the future.

This week we are off to see a show at Central. London has been crazy hot so, when we aren't at the theatre, we are likely parked in front of a fan. There aren't too many air conditioned buildings thus, we must find a fan, cold drink and wonder how past generations managed to survive. I'll keep you posted on the heat wave. In the meantime, find a cool theatre and go see a show!

Take care!
-m

The White Tower at the center of the Tower of London

 From inside the Tower walls, a view of The Shard: a London hotel, office building and landmark.

A view of Tower Bridge from inside the Tower.

Fury poster