Ok in the summer, I planned a trip to London to see “A Christmas Carol” at the Old Vic Theatre for a Christmas treat for both the wife and me. With my mental health issues, it would be no easy feat I have a problem with crowds and crowded places plenty to get my spidey senses on over load.
The day came and the taxi to the railway station didn’t unbeknownst to me the wife and companion had forgone our normal taxi company for another with less disability cabs … a frosty atmosphere added to my anxiety which began to rise, not the best for what was going to be a long day. The morning brightened at the station, the staff were helpful, and we were upgraded to first class travel, what a treat. Free commentary tea and coffee plenty of room, no crowds, and a toilet Glenys, my wife is wheelchair bound, could use.
Down the ramp of the train happy after that beautiful journey and we seek out a member of London Underground, “Can you point out where the lifts to the underground station are?” he points toward some shops. After a quick search, there were no lifts then Glenys again looked for another member of staff bad news she was told there is no access to the underground, totally unblieveable. Paddington is a major entry point into London but not for someone in a wheelchair who cannot access the underground. That piece of information put a major downer on our plans.
With us needing to travel between Paddington and Waterloo I gave it as a given it would be wheelchair friendly my mistake I should have researched the trip after being OCD about the rest of the journey. The information staff were trying to be helpful suggesting a bus, and pointing us to a close by alternative station with access, we caught a taxi.
Official, Paddington is useless for wheelchair users wanting to use the underground. Sort it out whichever wanker is in charge.
Frustration made my decision to get a “taxi” knowing it would not be cheap but my anxiety was touching critical now and I needed to take control. The taxi system at the station was great and we were on our way. Our normal guessing game on the cost took a different level for this trip Glenys opened up with £30 while I was more cynical with an opening bid of £50 its London. It was a lovely trip; cheaper than a tour bus has we, visited Buckingham Palace on the way to the hotel and with the royal standard flying she (The Queen) was home.
We managed to view a number of other tourist attractions from our taxi helped by the traffic but we got to the hotel … cost £35 the most I have ever paid for a taxi fare my previous being £18 a number of years ago. The hotel was a Travelogue with the Old Vic literally just down the road we were let into our room early and after a catnap, we got ready for the theatre and it was time to eat.
We spotted a steak house from the taxi and the plan was to eat there but later the thought of London prices I had a change of heart as cheap Pete appeared remembering the taxi fare so we ate at the hotel who had a meal deal promotion in operation.
Read Review below …
After the show, it was dark and for a moment, we had no idea where we were. Glenys pointed the wrong direction but when we crossed the road, I got my bearings we were going the wrong way back on track we were soon back at the hotel after a bit of shopping for snacks. In the morning, down for all you can eat breakfast in the old days that would have got me excited but these days a few sausages, bacon, toast, and I am a happy man. Due to the underground are plans for the rest of our time in London was a non-starter we looked into how to get back to Paddington only to be left with another taxi so we stayed in the room watching TV after bouts of catnapping. The taxi back was a bit cheaper just under £32 and managed to see the lights along The Strand and other attractions while our taxi dodge through the traffic and up and down side streets looking for an advantage over the rest of the traffic mostly made up of delivery vans, buses and other cabs.
We had over a two hours wait for are train so we sat about and wandered about eventually sitting at one of the big arrivals and departure boards watching the trains come and go while dodging flying rats, pigeons. Traveling with a disability has its advantages at Paddington anyway as you have to report to assisted escort who then would escort us to our carriage and seats before the mad rush. A bonus I had to ride in one of the mobility assistance vehicles as we shot passed Glenys.
No first class for the journey home! Our assistance guy was a miserable bastard unlike at Cardiff did not really offer the upgrade we were the only wheelchair passengers so he could have. It was a big disappointment. We were on the train before the rush and the cattle were soon massing into our carriage it was not pretty. The girl next to me was, but she choose to sit there instead of clambering down the carriage. There was no way Glenys could use the toilet but we have a plan for next time to help with a first class upgrade. Wheels and feet at Cardiff we were glad to be nearly home just one last taxi.
My Review
Why was the wife and I in London to watch A Christmas Carol at the Old Vic it was my idea to watch something more adult than your traditional pantomime and this venue did not lend itself to the “He’s behind you“ kind of offering.
The stage layout was interesting and I could not wait to see it as it played out. Everyone should know the heart-warming story of Scrooge this Charles Dickens classic I have grown up with it and of all the Christmas stories Scrooge is my favourite. I said about the stage and there was no scenery but for four doorframes to emphasise Scrooges house and would disappear back into the stage when unneeded. What furniture was made up of Scrooges cash boxes? To clear the stage they were cleverly slotted into the stage it was ingenious.
Stephen Tompkinson was Scrooge and we watched him transformation from the skinflint into a kinder man who immerses himself in the spirit of Christmas seem inevitable. What he possesses, though, is a relatable humanity, most evident in his dealings with Frances McNamee’s Belle, the woman he once loved. The whole performance was wonderful from Tompkinson to the rest of the cast and the music as well.
Director Matthew Warchus reconfigured the Old Vic to include the audience in this vision of Christmas’s redemptive power. An elevated walkway runs through the stalls, bathed in an amber glow from Victorian lanterns. There were mince pies and clementines on arrival, as well as snow cannons and a consignment of Brussels sprouts on tiny parachutes. At one stage on the top circle large sheets appeared and with the help of the audience stretch to the stage and was the vehicle for all the provisions for Scrooges party.
Even if it could do with more notes of darkness, this is ultimately a moving and atmospheric Christmas Carol, especially when Tiny Tim appears, aw. Would I recommend it “Oh yes I would”.
To ticks off my bucket list is alright
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