Two Phenomenal London Shows

We’ve come to London in the wintertime several times because of the city’s festivity and pomp during the Christmas season. Shops are beautifully decorated with trees and ornaments and garlands, hotels offer special Christmas teas, and the streets of Piccadilly glisten with lighted angels mounted overhead. Essentially, it feels like Christmas in a way that Texas never quite does. 

This year, we only spent three nights in London, thinking we’d just been there last summer. Did we really need another prolonged stay in the city? As it turned out, yes, because it was just as addictively fantastic as ever. But that aside, we maximized our time, taking this opportunity to pack in some London shows. 

First, we went to a panto (short for pantomime, with no pantomiming as we know it). If you go to London over the holidays, with or without a child, you absolutely must go to a panto. Pantos are bawdy, brilliant stage spectacles that are part of the British holiday tradition. They are wild, and the producers spare no expense. Expect one over-the-top costume after another and shocking special effects, at least at the one put on annually at the Palladium. 

This year, we saw Robinhood. Okay, it was nothing like the actual Robinhood. In fact, there’s barely any plot at all. But it was hilarious. And the talent was excellent. Plus, the experience was even better because the crew chose Josephine to go up on stage as part of a sketch. I’m not sure that will ever happen again, but we were so proud! It was thrilling and unforgettable. 

Second, we took Josephine to the ABBA Voyage show. She’s loved ABBA her whole life. My mother sang Dancing Queen to Josephine when she was a tiny girl, and we have jammed out to Super Trouper more times than I can count. 

The Voyage show is unreal. I thought there were animatronic figures on the stage the whole time. Jamil only informed me after the show that it had all been CGI. I could not believe it. And I’m now certain that The Rolling Stones will perform long after their deaths. It is like going to an actual show, but you’re clapping for no one (minus the human backup band, who are also great). Furthermore, it’s so visually stimulating. They take advantage of the giant theatre to set up a huge light show and use the massive walls for a spectacular video production. I really can’t recommend it enough. It’s genius. And I have a feeling it’ll be the first of many such shows. Maybe this technology will let me see a Beatles show after all.