When Sharon and I went to East London last weekend, we passed this building on the bus. I tried to take a couple of pictures out the bus window, but they didn't turn out very well, so I went back yesterday to get some clearer shots. It's a pub called The Tiger near Hackney Wick, and I'm not sure it's still in business -- but that mural is pretty impressive.
So yes, I did get out yesterday to take some pictures. I started at Homerton station and then walked westward, following the route our bus had taken the previous week, and photographed several places along that path. I'll share more of those photos in future posts. I guess I walked a couple of miles before finally boarding the overground train at Canonsbury to get back into Westminster.
Because this was another goal for my weekend -- to see the scene in "Evita" in which Eva Perón, played by Rachel Zegler, sings from the balcony of the Palladium theater. Every performance, nights and matinees, she emerges from the theater and sings "Don't Cry For Me, Argentina" completely free to the assembled crowd. It's part of the show -- inside, the audience sees her via live digital streaming, and we in the crowd become, in effect, the Argentinians cheering for their beloved leader. It's a pretty cool idea though it was allegedly rather controversial at first, basically giving away the show's big moment to the public rather than the paying audience. But then, that's very much in the Perón spirit, isn't it? We're the descamisados, the poor shirtless ones!
The word is to arrive early to get a good position, so I got there about an hour ahead of time...
...and I still managed to put a lamppost between me and the balcony, but I got some pretty good shots of Eva doing her thing. She is amplified, and the crowd also hears the orchestration from the theater, so we get the full effect of the song.
I stood next to a couple who were back for the second time, and I could see how this would be tempting to do repeatedly. I bet some drama-addicted theatre queen out there is going every day.
After that I came home and sat with Dave in the garden. We talked about potential travel plans for the fall. He's a bit worn out with traveling, having been to the states four times so far this calendar year, but I am resolute in insisting that we do something for October and Thanksgiving breaks. We don't have to go far, but I don't want to just sit around the house feeling the absence of Olga.
I also read a chunk of my ABBA book and got the houseplants all watered and cared for, including giving our elephant ear a bath to get rid of its mites. (One plant or another always has a bug problem.)
This was the carrot I pulled out of the refrigerator for lunch. Now, I don't mean to be completely juvenile, but COME ON!
The mural is glorious. I hope it remains. I do love what they‘re doing with Evita, although I imagine it would be frustrating for some of the theater patrons to not see that for themselves. Ah well. You sure do have a beautiful carrot.
ReplyDeleteEvita singing to an actual crowd - what a cool idea! I bet Evita was fond of carrots.
ReplyDeleteThat is quite a crowd outside the theatre. I would be feeling claustrophobic there!
ReplyDeleteNice carrot by the way.
I like the idea of singing to the public at the theatre, hadn't heard about Eva's balcony scenario so was interesting. Your carrot raised a small internal titter, thanks. Betty
ReplyDeleteI can see where you are coming from about wanting to make travel plans with Dave.
ReplyDeleteWhat a perfect carrot !
Wendy (Wales)
Some years ago I too pulled a carrot. A wonky one. With balls. Hilarious. And I am not given to school boy humour.
ReplyDeleteWas tempted to preserve it for eternity. In the end I decided it needed to fulfill its destiny [to be eaten] so I chopped it. Delicious.
U
That mural took me a couple seconds to see the image. I imagine the effect would be magnified if I were standing on the sidewalk looking at it.
ReplyDeleteI consider myself fairly well versed in pop culture but I have never seen Evita. I have seen a clip of Madonna singing from a balcony, probably from a commercial advertising it back in the day, but I have never seen the play. I'm probably going to be seeing if I can stream the Madonna version later today.
I love that entire pub building, the architecture and the art.
ReplyDeleteAnd because I AM juvenile, are batteries included with the carrot???
A favorite song! I've been known to belt that out in the kitchen while chopping -- carrots!
ReplyDeleteThat is so cool about Eva singing to the crowd. And that carrot...!
ReplyDeleteI often go through your pictures and enlarge them before I read your actual text and I had NO idea what was going on with Evita there. Was it some Disney thing? You have to admit she does look a lot like a Disney princess. That's a pretty cool idea, having her sing to an actual crowd.
ReplyDeleteI have seen many different odd and amusing shapes of carrots that I've grown myself but that wins the world competition for perfection.
I think that's pretty cool that the theater does that. I wonder how early those people were who are closest.
ReplyDeleteNature can be rather phallic can she not? Or is that just humans.
It's a wonderful idea to sing to the crowds outside. I wonder how many people subsequently decide to pay to see the entire performance.
ReplyDeleteI had a terrible time trying to see that tiger ... then, I did!
ReplyDeleteI've never seen Evita but have definitely heard the song!
I thought you may have discovered the Orange Bastard's dick! LOL Except, I hear his is shaped like a 🍄!
Having Eva sing outside to the street crowd is brilliant. The street is full of fans. Maybe this type of performance will catch on.
ReplyDeleteThe carrot made me smile. Surly a prizewinner.
The tiger mural is wonderful, what a shame if the pub has closed down. A balcony scene for the crowds is a wonderful idea for the show. I think I would want to see it on the outside one day, and then go and watch the actual show the next day to get the full effect.
ReplyDeleteThe carrot is just naughty ... as so many homegrown carrots are!!
Every word here I love. I'm so glad you told me about the Evita bit. Who knows -- maybe it will still be playing, if not with Zegler, when I someday return. I wonder if they'll do that in the winter, too. Bundles of fleece in the crowd of "Argentinians." Love the naughty carrot and the mural, too. And yes, a weekend somewhere. Anywhere. A ride as short as Windsor or nearby. Home will be hard.
ReplyDeleteFor October, Glasgow? Dublin? There are great options close at hand. Yup the carrot has the right shape. London does theater like noplace else. Stephen, a friend of our who lives in Muswell Hill, works lighting in the theaters.
ReplyDelete