Is that...?

[KiltedCodeWarrior]

OK, got a few minutes, so now that I have teased you all, I can fill in the details. And you'll see it is not a short story!

For any that missed it, I was invited to speak at a conference in London on fairly short notice. After working diligently, my wife and I were able to pull it off and jet off to London with the 2 girls on 7 days notice. As part fo our planning, we looked to see what shows might be available. Well, Sir Spamalot popped up at the top of the list because it was opening night the day we left from the US, and immediately attracted us because it was starring Tim Curry, who we have been fans of for a long time. Anyway, after debating it, we had decided that it was not going to work out. Our daughters are 3 and 5 and I am not sure they would get Monty Python yet, and 2+ hours is a long time for the younger one to sit still. When we got to London, we inquired at the B&B we were staying at if they had a baby sitting service, thinking that we would at least enjoy a nice meal without the girls (can't remember the last time that happened!). The B&B did not have sitting, but one of the waitresses that served breakfast would babysit in the evenings if her schedule permitted. We met her at breakfast on Tuesday morning and the girls were immediately taken with her. OK, that was taken care of so Anita decided to see if by chance there were any tickets available for Spamalot that evening. Lo and behold, there were some seats "near the front". The lady confirmed that we would have an unobstructed view and that they were great seats. We took the plunge
and ordered the tickets. I then proceeded to get ready for the conference (see the pics on a separate thread), and grabbed a cab to the hotel hosting the conference. The conference and my speech went well and I stayed for a quick drink at the reception afterwards. Anita and I had agreed that we would head to the theater by 7:00. Well, after chatting with some people over drinks, I noticed that it had gotten to be 6:20. Yikes, time to boogie back to the B&B, no problem, right? WRONG! Have you ever tried to catch a cab on Regent Street in London at rush hour?? Can't be done. So, I knew roughly where our B&B was from the conference hotel and began walking that way, figuring that I would eventually find an available cab. Well after making it 2/3 of the way back, and finding some interesting side streets, I spied an available cab on a side street heading toward the main street I was on. So I quickly darted into traffic (he was on the opposite of the street), and got his attention. Made it to the hotel at 7:05! Anita was not pleased (nor I), but we decided to roll with it and get to the theater. I had the same cab wait to take us to the theater so we did not have to worry about getting another one. I was in the room just long enough to throw off the tie, throw on more comfortable shoes, and order pizza for the girls and the sitter. Then we were off. Had just enough time to grab a toastie and drink at a nice pub across the street from the theater, then on to the show. When the bell rang to announce the show, Anita and I separated for the restrooms, and agreed to meet in our seats. Well imagine my surprise to find that we had front row, stage right seats! I had the aisle and Anita had the first one in, and we were at the foot of the stage stairs. During the performance I could stretch my legs out and rest them on the stage stairs and feel the actors trodding the boards! Very cool. The play was wonderful, Tim Curry was awesome, and we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. Too soon, the play was drawing to a close. SPOILER ALERT: If you have not seen the play and don't want to know how I got on stage, stop reading now!












OK, now that they are gone, at the end of the play they still have not found the Grail and determine that it must be in the audience, so King Arthur's squire/page/servant comes down off the stage to find it. Well, there we were at the foot of the stairs. He looks at me and says it must be under my chair. He grabs my hand and pulls me to my feet, and while my back is turned, throws the Grail onto my chair. Then he pulls me up on stage to present me with the Arthur Best Peasant award and I get to be in the final song. Of course being the shy and retiring soul I am, I kept my singing voice at a dull roar! A totally fantastic evening. One of the biggest and best highs I have ever had. I might have to look into this acting thing!

What was funny is that as we were leaving, we stopped to buy a program and some souvenirs and people thought I was a plant in the audience! When they saw us buying souvenirs and then waiting for a cab outside the theater, they were amazed. Truly an awesome evening for both of us.

[pdcorlis]

Fantastic adventure KCW - well worth the wait!

[chasem]

That is excellent, Rob! Sounds like you had a great time!

[auld argonian]

Just remember...


You will not succeed on Broadway if you don't have any.....kilts!

...and always look on the bright side of life!

You is one lucky dog, Rob!

Best

AA

[Blu (Ontario)]

... ( I was joking )...

I knew that!.... but then you knew that I knew... and you knew that I knew that you knew that I knew....

or something to that effect.

.

[Blu (Ontario)]

.... and people thought I was a plant in the audience! When they saw us buying souvenirs and then waiting for a cab outside the theater, they were amazed....

No throngs of people wanting to take your picture?!

... Truly an awesome evening for both of us.

A little understatement here, methinks.

Awsome it is!

[Rob Wright]

You lucky devil you


Rob

[Dirk Skene]

....... And you'll see it is not a short story! ..........

You're right. Is was'nt a short story, but well worth the reading. Talk about LUCK

[Bob C]

Rob, that is just wonderful. Congrats!

[TimWarp]

BTW, Tim was in Legend , not Labyrinth. That was David Bowie.

Great story! I'm surprised "the" seat was up for grabs at such a late date. Did you know they change the row around? It's been A, B, C, and D, and they use different set pieces depending on which row they're using that night.

BTW, my 6 year old daughter loved the show (although I think most of it went over her head) but I think you were right to leave the little ones at the B&B--it's hard for them to sit still that long!