One-track hits Her Majesty's Theatre

Ever since Emma was old enough to communicate verbally, we've called her "one-track". She focuses on a particular subject, song, show, etc. and talks about it constantly. Since last July she's been fixated on Phantom of the Opera. Wade had purchased three tickets for a performance in Tulsa. Unfortunately, because someone who was scheduled to teach in London backed out at the last minute, Wade had to be out of the country and was unable to attend. Fortunately, we live really close to my parents and my mom was able to go with us. Three generations attending the musical together was pretty darn cool. Emma was obviously affected by the experience as she's listened to the CD non-stop since. For show and tell early in the school year she took her birthday present from Gramps & GranGran, a Monkey Music Box that plays "Masquerade". Later she wrote about Phantom of the Opera for Mrs. Hauf's Young Authors' Night and one of her art projects was titled "Phantom's Triumph".

Still, we wanted Emma to see it with her daddy and finally she has. Tuesday morning the Watki jumped on the Tube with the Cooks and all the NOC students and headed to the Prince of Wales Theatre, where Mamma Mia plays and where the D-M educational presentations occur. The lecturer invited the kids to join the college students in an interactive theatre lesson. FABULOUS! Each of the exercises he led helped to prepare the participants for certain aspects of the storyline. I wish you could have seen our little actress as a wax figure coming to life in a museum after closing time. Or playing the role of puppet and puppeteer with Jadrian Cook as her partner. The lecturer even pulled her aside to demonstrate a couple of moves he wanted to see from the rest of the class. Later, we all donned masques for a particular scene and she loved that as well. I promise to add photos as soon as we get home.

When the lecture was complete, we strolled over to Pizza Express with the Cooks and had pizza and pasta for lunch. The kids meals even came with what they dubbed "Bambacinos" -- capaccino minus the caffeine. Wade and I shared portabello risotto and a pizza Diabolo - scrumptious! Our bellies full, we walked back up the street to Her Majesty's Theatre and a matinee performance of Phantom of the Opera. Incredible is such a small word. AND, as if the day hadn't been full enough, following the performance the NOC crew was allowed to stay in the theatre, watch the team re-set the stage for the evening performance and participate in a Q & A with the Assistant Stage Director. FANTASTIC. Emma, who has a keen interest in the theatre, asked several questions and had her picture made with the ASD afterward.

Wade and Jeremy had told me what an enthusiastic group of learners they had in class this summer, and I got to witness this firsthand on Monday (at the Globe Theatre -- another blog entirely!) and Tuesday. I was so impressed with the students from NOC all day long. They really got into their roles in the workshop, loved the production, and asked good questions during the Q & A.