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London Events Reviewed

from The London Review 2023

from The London Review 2023, page 173

Who Are The London Reviewers

By Alexis Greenberg

John Green has a book called The Anthropocene Reviewed in which he reviews random human experiences and items in our world on a five star scale after providing readers with some fun facts and information about the item or experience. I decided to write a London Events Reviewed in the same style.

The first show we saw as a class on Monday. I decided to read the review Mary sent and immediately decided I wasn’t going to enjoy it. The review described the play, Romeo and Julie, as “spun as a romcom cum kitchen sink drama”. I went in skeptical, but came out moved and appreciative of the show. I found it to be well written and performed, and not like the review described it at all. Despite the fact that I got jump scared every time they blasted music (between every scene), I really enjoyed this play. I give it 4/5 stars.

The next show I saw was on Wednesday. I’ve always loved concerts and the O2 Arena is pretty iconic, with Billie Eilish’s concert movie being filmed there, some 2012 Paralympic and Olympic events and activities being held there, Led Zeppelin recording a live album there and more. I actually didn’t have any idea what it looked like on the outside and was very put off by the cranes coming out of the top of the arena.

After an hour and a half 5 mile Uber ride because of the tube strike, we walked into the O2 to see Lizzo JUST as she was starting. We momentarily lost Dazhia, but eventually reconnected and watched most of the show! I bought a poster and Kennedy and Dazhia got (unintentionally) matching tee shirts.

The tube strike was really annoying and we did end up leaving a few songs early to ensure we had a way home. We got to take a super fun cable car over the river Thames because there were no Ubers available on our side of the river. We had the most amazing driver once we got to the other side. He shocked us by letting us know that speed limits in England are in miles, told us stories of driving people to Heathrow and then realizing their passports were still in hotel safes, and overall had a great conversation with us. I’d give my Lizzo at the O2 experience a 5/5.

Thursday, Jude, Kennedy, and I went to see To Kill a Mockingbird. This is the pivotal moment at which I learned that in London they sell you Häagen Daz ice cream INSIDE the theatre during interlude. I unfortunately got the start time of the play wrong and arrived 5 minutes late. The ushers have to wait until 30 minutes into the play to show the stragglers to their seats, so I watched the first few acts on a TV in the main lobby.

On the tube ride home, we argued about if Boo Radley or Jem really killed Bob Ewell during the closing of the show. We got snacks at Tesco Express as a late dinner and overall it was a good experience. 4/5 stars because being late wasn’t very fun.

The very next night, Friday, I went to my third show night in a row. Jude and I bought day-of tickets to Oklahoma because I thought the advertisements in the tube looked enticing. I was expecting a homey little southern musical and instead I got a pitch black theatre while someone whispered very scary things to Jud. The house lights were on for half of the play and the other half the only lighting was the exit signs in the theatre.

Some girls behind us turned on their phones a tiny bit so it wouldn’t be pitch black and a woman a few seats over yelled at them. They had to get up and leave because it was too scary (justifiably so). I didn’t really understand most of the storylines and both Jude and I walked out of the play very confused and somewhat disappointed. I give this play 2/5 stars. Saturday morning Mauricio, Shamaria, and I set off to Loftus Road Stadium to watch the Queens Park Rangers face off against Birmingham City F.C. We stopped by a Ukraine Day tailgate, the home team pub, and the concessions stand on our way to our seats. We also got to meet a world cup player at the Ukraine Day tailgate and got a picture with the mascot!

There was only one goal the whole game, and it wasn’t made by the home team, but I wasn’t there for the sports. I wanted to experience this piece of English life that is so prevalent in the culture. I was fascinated by the hundreds of strangers chanting the same cheers and yelling expletives at the other team’s fans.

You might be thinking, isn’t there soccer, football, basketball, and a bunch of other sports in the US? Yes, but for some reason this seemed way more wholesome. There might’ve been three times more cursing than I’ve ever heard at a US sports game, but there was no alcohol allowed in the stands. There were fun shout-outs to fans in the crowd who were celebrating retirement, birthdays, new babies, and more. It really seemed like a family activity and definitely one of my top “Londoner” or “Local” feeling moments. I felt like a part of the community and culture of London! Definitely 5/5 stars. Overall, I’d give my London event experiences a 5/5. I was pleasantly surprised at Romeo and Julie, very weirded out by Oklahoma, and enchanted by To Kill a Mockingbird. My Lizzo poster now hangs proudly on my wall at home, and I’m planning to go to a soccer game during my trip to Brazil in May.

Austin is a second year student from Overland Park, KS, studying Economics and Political Science with a minor in Spanish. At KU, he is involved with Student Senate, Marching Band, Music Mentors, and the Environmental Policy Research Team. In his free time, Austin enjoys drawing, music, sports, and spending time with friends. In London, he enjoyed visiting museums and exploring the city’s landmarks.