Audition for London Street Theater

Double-decker bus in London, England

"Straight on, a hundred meters . . . you can't miss it."

Covent Garden Station

Covent Garden is straight out of a movie set—
(if you can remember My Fair Lady and Oliver.)


Statues that come to life for tuppence . . .



(It takes a pound these days.)


Artwork, jewelry . . .


. . . antiques, books . . .


. . . quirky guys in sequins,


. . . and potatoes in their jackets.

This guy attracted an audience. He walked around on his ladder for a while and then started juggling—swords! Balancing on the rungs, he tossed three long knives in the air, catching them by their handles. (He clanked them on the ladder so we knew they were real.) The crowd cheered him on, and he started to strip! First his jacket, then his shirt, and then, with a flourish, his kilt!
Luckily he was not a true Scot—he had a little something under his kilt. A bright turquoise speedo.

Downstairs, this girl just started singing opera.
No introduction, no microphone, no accompaniment,
just confidence.


Jet-lag hit and our hotel was ready.
Down a short street, right around the corner, was our fabulous home for the week.

The Strand Palace Hotel is a 4-star hotel and though our room was small, it was lovely. It had a luxurious bed, big modern bathroom with a good shower, and a fabulous price for such a perfect location. $250 a night was a great deal, especially compared to the Savoy Hotel directly across the street, which was $600-$800 a night.

My advice for London on a budget: stay in a hoppin' neighborhood in the best hotel you can find under $300. The cheaper hotels ($150-$200) are usually (not always) a distance away from the action in town. The beds are hard, rooms and bathrooms small and old. The younger you are, the more these places (without lifts) will appeal. We now opt for creature comforts: elevators, extra pillows, a table or desk to write at and decent light bulbs. Some more tips:

Hotel restaurants are often highly expensive and, unless breakfast is included, it could cost as much as your room! Walk outside and in any direction you'll find a Pret a Manger within a block or two. They have fabulous breakfasts, fresh-squeezed juices, hot porridge, warm croissants, lots of butter and homemade jam, muffins, fruit, yogurt, etc. for $5-$8. Better food at cheaper cost. Pub grub (fish and chips or sausage and mash) is delicious for lunch or dinner and just as traditional as high tea someplace fancier.

Take the tube or the bus to save on taxi fare (cabs are an expensive option) and enjoy the street theater 24/7, everywhere you go.

You might be jigging for joy after a
chocolate waffle and I bet they'd let you join the group.

Avoid the juggling stripper, though.
Those swords could do serious damage if you are a true Scots man.
(Then you could sing the high soprano with the Opera girl.)

True high culture on the Streets of London!