Wednesday, December 12, 2007

'Tis the season to be...Gruffa-local?

A mouse took a stroll through the deep dark wood...

Continuing my 'series' of festive postings - since it is 'the season to be jolly' - we Gruf-fa-la-la-la...la la la la....-ed!

Today Cheeks & I, together with Val & Luke, went to see a play/musical adaptation of Julia Donaldson's, The Gruffalo's Child, at London's West End.

Luke & Cheeks
Cheeks - demonstrating how 'strong' the
BIG BAD mouse is!

Me & Val
outside the teeny-weeny theatre


Tucked away rather inconspicuously between galleries and cafes along Great Newport St, the Arts Theatre - due to its small venue - has in recent years, been commonly used for childrens' theatre productions. I found it cozy, and sufficient for its purpose.

We were seated on the second row from the stage. Very up-close despite the discounted tickets! (thanks Val for scouring the internet for bargains!) But any closer and we'd have been pelted by the perspiration (and saliva? Eeeuw.) from the sweaty actors in their furry garb!

The musical lasted about an hour and it was vastly entertaining. Tall Stories (the theatre company), succeeded prodigiously in bringing the story to stage in the most delightful, funny, and rip-roaring way! We enjoyed ourselves tremendously! I recommend it to any family!

Because it's staged for children, the atmosphere was relaxed, at times interrupted with yell-outs by inquisitive and slightly alarmed kids (probably spooked by the sight of the big bad mouse! It wasn't scary. Really.).

The stage props and costumes were minimalistic (compared to big budgeted musicals), but they delivered the desired effect. I liked that the script was exceedingly engaging and witty (which I think ALL the adults appreciated), the songs were catchy, and there was audience involvement. All in all, fun for all the family.

a stop at the christmas carnival
@ Leicester Sq b4 settling our bellies


After the musical, Val and I had plans to have a spot of quintessential English tea. We had in mind Liberty, or F&M. But our plans were waylaid, with NO room for dissension, by our local palates.

While tootling our way out of Leicester Sq, we got to talking about a Malaysian-run eatery called C&R. We'd both heard 'rave reviews' that the local Asian food there was good. As we stood surveying the menu outside the joint, line after line of Laksa, Ipoh Hor Fun, Mee Goreng, Tahu Goreng jumped out at us, taunting us with promises of gastronomical pleasure. So, in an almost 180 degree turn of events, we swapped our English tea plans for a spot of good ol' Teh Tarik.

But it was well worth it. We shared a plate of Singapore-styled fried bee hoon, a bowl of Assam Penang Laksa, a glass of teh tarik each. And the kids had fishball soup. Shiok!

We were in the mood for local today, I guess. Because the aftermath of the chilli-laden afternoon left me incredulous over the draw of scones and clotted cream. In comparison, they sound utterly insipid and bland?

Sod English Tea (for today)!
Assam Penang Laksa is the dish du jour!


Luke & the kweh kweh he
badgered Mummy Val into buy for him.
Local boy!

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

May I say, once again, you take lovely pics! And it's not just the camera.... Now that you've blogged the day down so well, I can just refer to it next time, hehe. You know, for me, tomorrow would not be too soon to eat at C&R again! I'll be there in a heartbeat to load up on the cholesterol, oops.

Val

Anonymous said...

hey..

i rember we walk past this musical in London!!.

Glad you got to see it.. i bet Danni like it..:) She was also asking me to read her this book..

Anonymous said...

i've always loved C&R, it really does satisfy the craving for local food ... i even bring Singaporeans (who's only in london for a short holiday?!?) there to eat!

i've always marvelled at how the immigrant Chinese just name their eateries just as they are ... i believe C&R stands for Cafe and Restaurant!!!!

hugz, mabes

Anonymous said...

i wanna watch Gruffy too!

Love the carousel! Wish we had resplendent ones here too.

All we have in SG are semi-habis carousels at the pasar malams - and even that is rare.

I used to love riding them as a kid.

Anonymous said...
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