71 --- Our evening at the theatre

Thursday evening, April 9th, 2009 was a special evening. We went to the theatre in London. A very pleasant evening for everyone. The students were able to choose between two different musicals. The majority went to see Billy Elliot and a small group chose to see Mamma Mia. I hope many students will send me their opinion of the play they saw....perhaps after the summer holidays?

First, Melanie writes:

I had never seen the film 'Billy Elliot'. I knew only that it was about a boy who lived in England during the Miners' Strike of the 1980's and that he loved ballet. People had told me it was very good but I did not really expect much from the musical version we saw in London. How wrong I was. It's absolutely wonderful and deserves all of the many awards [prizes] it has won. It's moving, evoking as it does the desperation of the coal mining communities in England at the time. But it's also optimistic and hopeful as it ends with Billy leaving to fulfil his dreams of being a dancer. It's a show that makes you laugh, makes you cry, the dancing takes your breath away and the talent of the child - and adult - actors is remarkable. In other words, I loved it! And I'm sure that the UIAD students who saw it with us, whatever their level of English, loved it too.
Melanie

70 --- Anyone else?

It's July and summer holidays are here. After relaxing, travelling or watching the grandchildren, perhaps some other students will have time to send me a short paragraph about their free afternoon in London. I'll be happy to post it here later.

Jane

69 --- What an adventure!

Christiane, Lydia and Marie Louise had an extraordinary adventure during their free afternoon.
After shopping they got on the bus to go to meet the other students at Trafalgar Square....the RIGHT BUS, but the WRONG DIRECTION!! What an adventure taking a taxi back into the city centre to find the group and arrive in time for the musical comedy, Billy Elliot. An adventure they will not soon forget!

Jane

68 -- London, seen from The London Eye

Photos of London taken from inside the capsule of the London Eye:

67 -- More photos of the London Eye.

Here are more photos of the London Eye, first from inside the capsule......