Life in London

Life in London is short for all of us Malvern House students. It doesn’t matter where you are from, studying in London is probably the only chance in our lifetime that we may have to soak up the mix of modern and historical cultures of the metropolitan city.
Without doubt the cost of living in London is way too expensive, but the good news is there are so many free events and you don’t need to tighten your belt to participate. Below is a list of some free events which are being held in August.

• Theatre Royal Comedy night – 04/08 and 11/08
• Introduction to the London Library – until 27/09
• Chorinho – clubs: freestyle and global beats – 04/08 and 11/08
• Blood Wedding – theatre: West End – 31/07~07/09
• Petrite Rough – A Cajun Red Riding Hood (Theatre: West End) – 13/08~07/09
• Live music café and English conversation – 26/08 and 30/08
• Notting Hill Carnival – 24/08~25/08

London, the city of musicals
A musical is a unique performance which includes music, songs, spoken dialogue dance, drama, stage setting, lighting effects and even stunts. No matter what performance you prefer you may find the musicals suit your appetite.
“Les Miserables” and “The phantom of the opera” are the must-see musicals; one is based on the novel “Les Miserables” by Victor Hugo, a great epic. And one is the greatest love story in the west end. The music of both are excellent - they are too good to miss.
For anyone who has seen the films “The Lord of the Rings”, you must have been astonished by the marvelous computer visual effects. But how can the stage setting create the same stunning scenes? It remains to be seen whether the stage effects can compete with computer effects.
“The Lion King” is not just a musical for kids. Elton John’s music, the stage setting and costume bring all the audience into tropical Africa for an adventure of the animal worlds.
If you like dancing then you must love watching “Billy Elliot” and “Chicago”. The plot of “Billy Elliot” is rather simple: there is a little boy who loves dancing and tries to enroll for a dancing school. But the emotion and relationship among all the characters is so touching that a macho guy who sat next to me was weeping on the audience’s seat. The music was also made by Elton John.
The musical ticket is expensive, but you can always find the half price tickets at Leicester Square. It won’t hurt if you just go to theatre box offices and ask if there is any discount for students or concessions. Many theaters release half – price tickets one hour before the performance. Recently, there have been “two for one offer” promotions for West End shows, you can purchase one ticket and get another one free. Please check on the website:
Http://www.tfl.gov.uk/microsites/oysteroffers/WestEndShows/

Irene Wang

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