My half-term break was most welcome: lots of uni work sorted out, a lovely coffee-and-stroll-catch up day, my kitchen chairs finally painted and a brilliant trip to London to see Les Miserables (again!) and the Dickens exhibition at the Museum of London. Then, finally, on Sunday, we went through to Newcastle for the birthday celebrations of the Theatre Royal, which is probably just about my favourite theatre in the world after Sunderland Empire! It was at the Theatre Royal that I first saw ballet and fell in love with William Shakespeare and the RSC - which quite literally, changed my life. I've met Charlton Heston, Richard Todd, Christopher Gable, Charles Dance, Michael Gambon and Jack Lemon at its stage door and once, covered in embarrassement, presented a rather sad-looking bunch of carnations there to a dancer I adored. (I was 15, he was kind and gracious - and now he's no longer alive, it's a memory I cherish!).
It's a jewel of a theatre and the recent renovations are simply stunning. Anyway, this month marks its 175th birthday and so the Grand Old Lady of Grey Street (as she is sometimes affectionately called!) decided to have a party - a party which stretched down the classically beautiful length of Grey Street, involved some spectacular street theatre (especially the dance elements!) and the whole neoclassical facade being turned into a light and sound spectacular, complete with fireworks set off from the roof! Given that the whole place went up in flames in 1900, this was a particularly brave thing to do...
It was a freezing cold evening, but the atmosphere was electric: like Christmas and Bonfire Night rolled into one. The crowds were enthusiastic and the birthday cake (yes- we all got birthday cake!) was delicious. We left with smiles on our faces and a warm, happy glow in our hearts!
Happy Birthday, your Royal Highness, and may you have many, many more!
