Submitted by Emma Smith the 2024 Spring program in London, England…
London has many hidden gems and one of them is the many street markets it holds. I had the chance to try a new one called Spitalfields Market. This market was full of vendors selling street food, jewelry, clothing, purses, and more. At a lot of these markets, the vendors will help you browse and give you advice on what to buy and sometimes even give you a discount. This market also had a large variety of foods ranging from Mexican, Chinese, Vegetarian, American and so much more to satisfy the cravings of the customers. Another thing I did this week was attend the Gillian Lynne Theatre and see Standing at the Sky’s Edge. This was a musical that took you through three different stories over three different decades, but in the end the stories have one character that connects the stories together. It shows the evolution of time and how each decade has its own significant events. For example, the decade from 2010-2020 holds an emphasis on electronics and female independence. The stage set is the inside of an apartment and there are many scenes where the characters sing all together or solo. I have to say every single character in this musical had an amazing voice. This was the biggest theatre I’ve been to in London and the lighting was phenomenal. It made me feel like I was actually inside the apartment on stage. I would definitely recommend this musical. (Submitted on March 26, 2024)