One of the museums we had not visited yet was the 'Victoria and Albert' museum, better know as the V&A. This museum, focussing on (mainly) British Art and Design, dates from the World Fair in 1851, it was originally known as the South Kensington Museum. Like many of these museums (think of the British Museum, the National Gallery, the Natural History Musem and the Science Museum), it is all rather overwhelming and you really need to choose one or two galleries and look at those carefully. The building, with a nice central courtyard, also dates from the mid 19th century. The central frieze mentions the 'First Exhibition of the Works of Industry of all Nations', including those Nations (not really all, in today's terms) and the date:
Afterwards we picked Sean up from his office and (after a quick and light meal) went to do another outstanding item: see a West End show. We had together decided to see Billy Elliot at the Victoria Palace theatre. It was a fantastic production, from a performance (acting, dancing and singing), from a production and from a content (the struggle of the miners during the strike and the struggle of Billy, wanting to dance instead of box) point of view. We certainly left on a high!
There is still more to come. Next week we have tickets to see and hear Lang Lang play Beethoven's 5th piano concerto at the Royal Albert Hall!
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