London V: Tickets and Anticipation

I've decided that buying theater tickets is one of the most exciting things you can do, especially if you buy them at the box office. You rush up to the ticket booth, somewhat excited and slightly nervous--What if they don't have the tickets you want? Or *gasp* are sold out--and you say, "Exactly how bad is your 'restricted view' section? Not too bad then. We'll take them." You thrust your money in their hands and watch as they print off your ticket. You grab the ticket and leave with a goofy grin.

Maybe it's just me--I don't know--but that's how it felt last week when a group of us bought tickets to Singin' in the Rain. This time we paid for the second lowest price and sat in the center of the balcony, which was pretty high, but the performance was fantastic. They danced in the "rain" twice, splashing people in the front each time. We think they recognized that one side of the theater screamed more than the other because they started kicking more water towards them.

I did say the balcony was pretty high.

Ralph the Auburn Sock Monkey is classy and cultured.
Hannah and I obviously love him.

This week we stopped by the Globe to buy groundling tickets for The Taming of the Shrew (all women cast, which should be interesting) and MacBeth (or The Scottish Play--whichever you're the most comfortable with). We're also seeing The Tempest through my study abroad program. I'm not sure my friends knew what to do with me when we arrived at the Globe. You have to understand that I was fulfilling a dream I've had since middle school. I've never been so close to crying in a theater, and that's including Les Mis a few weeks ago. You could say I'm a happy English major.

Speaking of Scottish things... I'm grabbing a train to Scotland tomorrow! After almost exactly four years, I'm making my grand return, except I'm going to Edinburgh (castles and J.K. Rowling's cafe) and Balloch (there's a national park nearby) this time. We're staying in a cheap-ish family-run B&B, so I'll let you know how that goes.

Flashback to June 2009:

I think it's the anticipation that comes with tickets that is so great. Of course, after buying all of these tickets, I fear that my bank account (I woke up this morning and decided to name him Perry. Not sure why.) will soon lock me in the Tower of London.