In an effort to find something different for our 13 year old son who has 'done' the Science Museum, the Eye and the London Dungeon on previous visits, I really came up trumps with two fantastic activities for our second day in London.
Whilst browsing on the internet, or should I say, manically searching for things to entertain a teenager, I discovered that the BBC offers tours around the TV Centre. At less than half the price of bloody Ripley's Believe it or Not (see last post), £9.50 for adults, £7 for children, this seemed like excellent value for money. Children have to be 9 years or over to go on the tour, though there are also CBBC tours for children aged 7 and over.
We had booked online for the 11am tour but turned up early to sit in reception to watch stars go by. In reality there seemed to be a succession of backroom staff, or else I'd just not seen them before. A very famous handsome black actor sat in reception for a while but I couldn't work out who he was. Suggestions please on very tall man with gorgeous deep, English voice?
The highlights of the tour were:
1. Looking at the studio of Mock the Week as they were rehearsing (the comedians rehearse all day with the questions so that they can perfect their 'off the cuff' answers....!)2. Some of our group having a go at presenting the weather and a news bulletin
3. Sitting in the men's dressing room for Strictly Come Dancing (unfortunately empty at the time)
4. Getting the low-down on diva celebrities like J-Lo who insisted she be given an all-white dressing room. Yes she could but this is the Beeb so she had to pay for it herself.
5. Seeing Eastender Archie's blood-splattered jumper (see photo)I can't recommend the tour enough: so informative, such a laugh and great value. Son loved it.
Son also adored our theatre trip to see Avenue Q. A musical Sesame Street for adults (recommended 12 plus) I had heard good things about it but wasn't familiar with the songs. We managed to get fantastic front row dress circle seats with Lastminute.com (though in hindsight I should have logged onto my new Kidstart account to get a little bit of money back too) and the show was one of the funniest, rudest musicals I've ever seen. With very funny but clever songs about internet porn, racism and homosexuality, the mix of puppets and human characters made it a real treat. Son Rory laughed like a drain and declared it the best musical he's ever seen and "so much better than the other ones you drag me to see".
What's not to love about a huge monster puppet singing the words:"Me up all night honking me horn to porn, porn, porn!"
(photo from Flickr.com)
Hi, I've come over to your blog from Crystal Jigsaw's blog. I'd be telling a lie if I didn't say that it was your profile picture that caught my eye! Love the costume for your theatrical production.
ReplyDeleteThe BBC tour sounds brilliant. I've a nine year old so hopefully he'll just about be old enough to take there at Easter.
Itching to go to Avenue Q but with one three and one seven year old this may be taking things too far - though both have a good sound grasp of Olde English Vernacular thanks to me...:)
ReplyDeleteThose tours sound like a brilliant idea - and I'd love to see Avenue Q too!
ReplyDeleteJst sent my husband the link to this post - we HAVE to go see that (did they have a creche to leave the kids in?!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Well, Elmo could run it, Elmo couldn't possibly be involved in something soooo rude!)
ReplyDeleteLoved your view on the tour - I worked at TV centre for 7 years - used to eat my lunch in the Blue Peter garden - so the shine wore off slightly. But I do remember being bowled over when I first started working there. So it's nice to hear it's still thrilling. Was the actor Don Warrington (he has an amazing voice) from Rising Damp?
ReplyDeleteTroy - I knew that photo would get me into trouble!Yes, your 9 year old will be fine (I've changed the wording in the post to clarify that)
ReplyDeleteTattie - find a babysitter quick!
Liz - I was so pleased to discover the tours: they have quite a few each day so not a problem getting on one.
Kelloggsville - Like Tattie, get them looked after for the night!
I've never chuckled so much as I did watching puppets simulating sex on stage (thankfully not Elmo, that would be a bit distressing!) And the singing was excellent ;-)
Deer Baby - for the rest of us it sounds so thrilling to be able to work there but, as you say, the novelty wears off.
ReplyDeleteNo it wasn't Don Warrington. He was younger, but with a smilar "Shakespearean actor" kind of voice. It's driving me mad!
Oh I love London with a passion. I envy you being there but we will be back soon. The BBC tour sounds just up our street. Thanks for the post on it, we'll make it a must when we go. that;s after we have finished our tours of the art galleries.
ReplyDeleteColin Salmon? Chiwetel Ejiofor? Adrian Lester? David Oyelowo? I think you'll find my knowledge of handsome actors half my age is extensive. God, wish I could get to see Avenue Q. The songs sound even better than the ones in Team America: World Peace. 'You've got to have a montage...'
ReplyDeleteNWBI - you're a bloody marvel. COLIN SALMON! That's him. Voice like honey. Well worth my £9.50 alone.
ReplyDeleteColin Salmon, best James Bond we never had. Maybe when Daniel Craig retires...
ReplyDeleteLove the idea of the BBC tour - definitely one to do next half term!
ReplyDeleteThe BBC tour sounds amazing... may have to recommend that to my wife as I think she, the kids and most definitely me would love it! Very reasonable price too! As for the famous actor... could it be: David Harewood?
ReplyDeleteMummmeeee and Steve - Do you think they might pay me some commission for all the business I'm drumming up?
ReplyDelete(Oh and it was Colin Salmon, Steve, who was the hunky actor in reception!)
How did I miss this?! Is that THE TARDIS? Is it really bigger on the inside?
ReplyDeleteIf I lived nearer I would definitely make the effort. It sounds fantastic.
CJ xx
CJ - yes it was the Tardis! Of course David Tennant had just locked the door so I couldn't go inside ;-)
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea!! will have to look into this if I can face all the Cbeebies......Colin Salmon is LUSH!!....thanks for popping over to my blog :)
ReplyDeleteRachelx