Saturday in Greenwich (continued) -- After the National Maritime Museum (see the previous entry), we headed off to Goddard's Pie House for traditional chicken and mushroom pies and mash(ed potato), covered with a thin, green sauce the restaurant refers to as "liquor". This family restaurant was founded in 1890 and has the basic-but-good atmosphere of a typical pie shop -- wooden floors, marble tables and staff behind a counter where you order your food. They have a Web site: www.pieshop.co.uk
After Goddard's, we headed off to the Greenwich Theatre for a pantomime. (Apologies to any Brits for the following. I make a point of explaining things taken for granted here so that my compatriots back in the States will understand what I'm writing about.). Pantomimes -- also known as pantos -- are performed during the holiday season and, contrary to what you might think from the name, are anything but silent. Often involving fairy tales or legends, they consist of a lot of audience participation, punning to the max, some wink-wink, nudge-nudge action and can be a lot of fun.
Our panto was "Ali Baba and the 40 Thieves". However, it was not quite the traditional legend of that name but a version updated for today. The action was set in the year 2012 in Blackheath, an area adjacent to Greenwich, which, according to the play, had become a desert now populated by camels, meerkats, etc. The three-member orchestra wore fezes and robes.
An American friend who also lives in London has urged me for a couple of years to see a panto and this was our first. It was great fun.
After Goddard's, we headed off to the Greenwich Theatre for a pantomime. (Apologies to any Brits for the following. I make a point of explaining things taken for granted here so that my compatriots back in the States will understand what I'm writing about.). Pantomimes -- also known as pantos -- are performed during the holiday season and, contrary to what you might think from the name, are anything but silent. Often involving fairy tales or legends, they consist of a lot of audience participation, punning to the max, some wink-wink, nudge-nudge action and can be a lot of fun.
Our panto was "Ali Baba and the 40 Thieves". However, it was not quite the traditional legend of that name but a version updated for today. The action was set in the year 2012 in Blackheath, an area adjacent to Greenwich, which, according to the play, had become a desert now populated by camels, meerkats, etc. The three-member orchestra wore fezes and robes.
An American friend who also lives in London has urged me for a couple of years to see a panto and this was our first. It was great fun.
posted by Jonathan at 9:35 PM
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