Previously Posted: The Shock of the Old

For those new to CabbieBlog or readers who are slightly forgetful, on Saturdays I’m republishing posts, many going back over a decade. Some will still be very relevant while others have become dated over time. Just think of this post as your weekend paper supplement. The Shock of the Old (29.09.13) Nothing quite prepares you for the experience: you’ve enjoyed a pre-theatre drink looking across the Thames at Wren’s masterpiece, itself a view not seen outside any other London venue. Entering a bland modern foyer and milling around, it has the same buzz of anticipation all theatre audiences experience before curtain up. The usher examines your ticket as you approach the auditorium, if that is the right word, and you enter one of London’s most amazing spaces. A perfect circle about 100ft in diameter gives an immediate sense of intimacy. You might be sharing this space with 1,500 other theatre-goers, but you feel almost part of the performance. Three tiers of wooden benches tower above you…

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