Spying, a form of deception, was portrayed in Operation Mincemeat through Montagu being suspected of passing along confidential operation plans with his brother who was suspected of being a communist spy for the Nazis. The news of this suspicion slowly spread throughout the play letting a new character in on it as it progressed.

As you can imagine, as the characters found out about the alleged offense, their trust in Montagu diminished. They felt betrayed and were filled with fear of what was to come of the war.

There was also a spy in Spain that was actually working in favor of the British and took on the assignment of getting them to take the briefcase with the fake confidential documents.

There is a theatrical element to spying and deception. When you lie, you are acting. When you are acting, it’s theatre. What’s that saying? All the world’s a stage? Ah. There’s your answer. Spying and deception is theatre.

Not to mention the theatrical elements behind the actual deception that was the main operation. They made up a man (a character) and gave him a whole life (given circumstances) and receipts as proof (a script) and an intended audience (the Nazis). They put on a show and a won a whole war because of it.

Suspended belief is a tool that the director and playwright was counting on the audiences to be able to use well, another form of deception. They used all genders of actors playing multiple characters, while changing gender, and some of these transitions were on stage and perfectly visible to the audience. I believe that this was done on purpose. Is having a woman play a man not deception? Are we as audience members not spying? It raises a much bigger question of where the line lies between theatre and fancy lying/ voyeurism.

London Tide premiered in April 2024 and is being performed in the West End at the National Theatre. This production was adapted to the stage by Ben Power from the Charles Dickens’ novel, Our Mutual Friend. London Tide is directed by Ian Rickson, who has also directed many shows including The Red Lion, Evening at the Talk House, and Hamlet.

London Tide was very well executed and all the working pieces (lights, sound, set, costuming, vision, and acting) seamlessly worked together and added to each other to make a whole production. The style was minimalist. There were very limited props and the audience had to use their imagination. For example, the show was referencing a boat but the “boat” that was on stage was just a wooden plank being moved by the actors to show the rocking of the boat. The acting was fabulous and brought the play to life. Often, the actors would break the fourth wall and you could “hear” the thoughts running through their head. In addition to the actual actors, the stagehands had costumes as well and were integrated into the play to make the transitions from each scene flow better, it was seamless. I thought it was really cool how both the stage and lights moved together to simulate waves in water. Also, there was no confusion about where one chapter ended and another started, because the chapters were displayed above the stage. The music was very good. I found it interesting that the band was on the stage. It was not a distraction from the production. This show appeared to me to be a combination of a musical and an audio book. It felt like I was watching a book.

It’s difficult to say who the leads were since the cast was so small that almost everyone had a big part but if I had to pick, I’d say the leads were Bella Maclean, Tom Mothersdale, and Ami Tredrea. I think that Bella Maclean is probably the most well-known of the three because she has had a large role in the TV show Rivals. Tom Mothersdale has an impressively long list of credits to his name in theater, tv, film, and radio. Ami Tredrea has not been in many things, but she was the best singer in the production in my opinion. I highly recommend seeing this production. While I didn’t know beforehand if I would be able to sit through a three and a half hour show, I did not get bored once. The show has a really good story and the plot kept my attention during the entire show. The acting was above amazing and the singing was great. In fact, I could tell that the show was going to be amazing when the company started singing the first song.

Yesterday we saw “London Tide” at the National Theatre.  When I first walked in I was very confused because all the electrics were down near the stage and as the start time approached and they didn’t move I was worried a tech issue would cancel the performance.  Thankfully, it was a part of the show and the set was very simplistic with a big focus on the lighting.  Speaking of the lighting, it was amazing.  The electrics moved up and down in a wavy pattern to reflect the water of the Thames.  Along with the lights the stage also moved up and down which completely surprised me because I had never seen that before in a show.  The little set that there was was very simple but very well built and worked well.  The costuming was also very done, I especially liked the black dress that Bella wore that is then passed to Lizzie when Lizzie’s father dies.  The tech elements of the show were incredible and just by tech it is one of the best shows I’ve ever seen.  There was music in the show, but instead of being called a musical I heard it called a play with music, which totally fits.  There were only 13 songs in the entire play and a large portion of the play was not in song.  I liked this because it made the songs more meaningful than if it was just a standard musical.  While both the music and the tech elements of the show were incredible I didn’t enjoy the story as much.  I didn’t think the story was bad, but I also didn’t think it was anything spectacular.  Many of the conflicts could be solved very easily by just talking but they aren’t and I also found characters like Eugene that are meant to be romantic come off as a bit creepy to me.  I didn’t enjoy the ending because the play took itself very seriously up until the last few minutes when it ended with a ton of jokes and everything ending up alright.  This ending, to me, didn’t make the tone of the rest of the play and disconnected me for the play.  Overall I’d give “London Tide” a 7/10.

Yesterday we visited the Tower of London.  I had been to the Tower of London and remembered a few things but not much so I was excited to see everything again.  I first went to the Crown Jewels which, to be honest, I didn’t find all that interesting.  However, I did find the other parts of the tower interesting.  I especially liked the White Tower and the Imprisonment at the Tower section.  The White Tower displayed tons of unique armor and weapons that were worn or used by knights or royalty.  The Imprisonment at the Tower was interesting because it detailed some of the people that were imprisoned in the Tower of London.  One of the people imprisoned there was Thomas Overbury, a poet most known for his poem “A Wife”.  He was imprisoned because he declined an offer from James I to be an ambassador.  This offer was seemingly a set up from his former friend Robert Carr.  Thomas later died in the Tower of London from his food being poisoned and after a trial both Robert Carr and his wife were found guilty in the plot to kill Thomas.  The crazy part is this is all because before Robert was married to his wife, she was having an affair with Robert and Thomas told Robert that it was a bad idea and that she had a reputation.  Also at the Tower of London were lots of ravens and it is said that if one of the ravens escapes then the monarchy will fall.  It’s very sad though because of that belief the ravens’ wings are clipped and they are unable to fly.  However, the ravens are also seemingly not afraid of people so you are able to get really close to them and take good pictures, which I did.  Lastly, when we visited Buckingham palace the royal guards were not wearing their red outfits and big hats which disappointed me, but thankfully at the Tower of London they were.

A crow that landed very close to me

The Royal guards in their red outfits and big hats

Suit of armor for a knight I saw in the White Tower

Going into this show, I honestly was not expecting much. I did not really know much about it, the poster did not seem very interesting, and the most that I actually did know was that it was over three hours long. The play was also showing in the National Theatre, which is the same place that we had seen Boys From The Blackstuff earlier in the trip, and while that show was good, it was not the best show in my opinion. So, in all honesty, I was going into this show with a relatively negative mindset towards it. The staging for the set at house open did not exactly help dispel my mistrust, as the show opened with the entire lighting rig almost to the floor, a mishmash of random chairs and tables spread throughout, and not much else of particular note. 

Then the lights began to dim, and the first song (I also did not know that this show had music) began.

And I stood completely, utterly and so very happily corrected.

The show begins with the cast crawling out of the orchestra pit, quite literally dragging themselves and their story out of the River Thames, underscored by tense and foreboding music that gave me chills across my entire skin. The energy of that music remained throughout the entire show, with each song having its own equally and uniquely thrilling track behind it. The live band onstage did a fantastic job with the music, and really tied the emotional impact of the songs and scenes together. I also thought that it was a good choice to have a live band, as it better incorporated the music into the overall flow of the show, allowing the tension and energy to remain consistent throughout, as well as having an overall better, more vivid sound quality when compared to a canned music track. Having them onstage also allowed the play to utilize the orchestra pit in its choreography, which it makes great use of as a representation of the Thames. 

The choreography and blocking of each of these scenes was incredible, and really helped to further envelope me in the world of this play. At the start of the show, we see Gaffer and his daughter Lizzie rowing around the tides, searching for bodies to loot and turn in for reward. To show this however, rather than just having the actors stand and pretend to be in a boat or building a full boat to have the actors use, they had two chorus members holding a plank of wood and moving it to the raucous ebb and flow of the tide. This decision allowed for greater realism in the play, which could not have been achieved through pure miming, as well as a far greater range of motion, which could not have been achieved through pure practical effects. The energy and technique of this choreography from the beginning stayed steady throughout the show, from carriage rides to party scenes to lyrical confessions of the heart. Another point where the choreography truly shined is in the fight scenes, especially with one towards the end, where two characters fought each other within the raging tide. As they fought, a translucent sheet of plastic was waved and shaken in front of them to give the image of the tide enveloping them as they fought, slowly succumbing to its force and drowning in the Thames. This scene was a visual spectacle and not only showed impressive choreography and acting ability for the two fighting, being able to keep the fight going even with that sheet constantly battering against them. 

One part of the fight there did fall a tad flat for me, however, as while watching their movements, it did not seem like they were impeded by being under the tide at all. They moved quickly and fluidly enough that it could more believably be on the ground, which did take me out of the scene a little bit. The acting and performances for the rest of the show, however, were incredibly well done. Each of the actors portrayed their characters with such emotionality and energy that they seemed like real people. The characters had an intensity in their songs and scenes that gave me goosebumps almost throughout the entire show, and the comedic timing of the cast was on point, and helped to keep the energy while lowering the dramatic intensity that made up the majority of the show. The actress for Miss Potterson, Crystal Condie, did an especially good job at being able to move between that line of dramatic and comedic, with her scenes and lines being split almost evenly between the two extremes, and her ability to carry both of them with an equal amount of quality. I especially liked how she used the stage space, particularly when it was in the bar setting, making use of many of the props lying around to help it feel more alive. 

The set design for this show was somewhat bare, and relied mostly on lighting, which worked absolutely perfectly. The lighting rig for the show became an integral part of its design, with the lights moving up and down to help frame and shape the stage, and moving in time with the action of the show. There are multiple times when the lights of the show move in a wave pattern, just like the tides of a river, reminding us of the story’s permanently entangled relation to the river itself. The characters and the stories are washed beneath the tide, and everything about the set, from the movement of the lights to the prominence of rotted dock wood planks, is used to remind us of that fact.

The story of London Tide ebbs and flows between states much like a river. Its characters go through great hardship and great fortune all throughout, never settling to a steady calm. Overall, London Tide truly surprised me as the phenomenal piece of theatre it ended up being, and while I may not have talked about everything I wanted to (I could easily go on for another 1000+ words) I would highly recommend this show to anybody who has a chance to see it.

And it really needs to change its poster.

London Tide, Ben Power’s new theatrical adaptation of Charles Dickens’ Our Mutual Friend, is an incredible work of art and an absolute triumph for the National Theatre. Directed by Ian Rickson and composed by PJ Harvey, this show cannot be missed! Bunny Christie’s ingenious set and costume design combined with Jack Knowles’ innovative lighting worked beautifully to evoke the feeling of the tide (something that would seem very difficult to do on a stage). In addition, the actors in the show were nothing short of spectacular, each offering a piece of their souls to the characters for the entire three hours.

The haunting music was also a standout part of the show. While not a musical, each song was carefully constructed to move the story along and offer a glimpse into the characters’ inner lives. Delivered by actors with a clear understanding of the intention behind each song, no musical moment felt unnatural or out of place. Not every note may have been pretty, but each note was perfect and necessary for conveying the depth of emotion. Ami Tredrea as Lizzie Hexam gave an incredible performance throughout the show and demonstrated her immense vocal talent through effortlessly navigating the various octave jumps and changes in style within each song.

In addition to the music, the set, lighting, and costume designs were extremely successful in evoking emotion and location. The moving battens and lights made for some unforgettable stage pictures, and they created a sense of the motion of a tidal wave. The moving stage floor was also used in particular moments to increase the feeling of uneasiness and the overwhelming power of the tide’s movement. Some of my favorite moments in this play were the result of the brilliant costume design. Christie uses color in extremely evocative ways to highlight moments of grief, fantasy, and reality, and the directorial choices regarding how certain costumes be handed off were clearly made with great care.  

Seeing London Tide was one of the most powerful, raw, and wonderful theatrical experiences I’ve had. Each element of the show was planned meticulously, in coordination with others, to create a coherent piece with a strong vision. Shows like this remind me why I love theatre and want to pursue it, and I would recommend London Tide to anyone. You won’t regret it!!

I really enjoyed visiting the Tower of London and seeing the exhibits. It’s hard to pick a favorite, but if I had to pick one, I think the crown jewels would be my favorite because I love glittery shiny things. There were spotlights on all the pieces to show off the sparkle of the gems. It was the most dazzling glamorous sparkle that I have ever seen. Unfortunately, we weren’t allowed to take pictures. I also liked learning why each piece was important and who it belonged to/who it was made for. My favorite part of this exhibit was the crowns and scepters on display at the end. Guests stand on a moving walkway and get to see all the glittering diamonds as they pass by each item. I ended up buying a hairpin with a jeweled crown on it. I also liked seeing the Sword of Mercy, which is part of the crown jewels. This sword is currently only used in coronation ceremonies of British Kings and Queens and has a blunt, squared end. I was particularly drawn to this sword because it represents mercy. As for British history, a rule to live by was, do NOT go against the monarchy. Kings and Queens would not hesitate to imprison, torture, or kill someone for the smallest of crimes, or even just suspicion of a crime. A bad joke could land you in jail. Furthermore, the Brits had a weird relationship with religion. There was only one correct religion and if you had different beliefs you’d be put in jail. For example, Father John Gerard, a priest of the Society of Jesus who was imprisoned for his religious beliefs, was kept in the Salt Tower. He escaped by using orange juice to create invisible ink and write secret messages on regular letters. After escaping, he continued to preach for many years and lived to be 72 years old. Many people have been imprisoned in the Tower of London and I saw the exhibit that showed graffiti that these prisoners etched in the walls throughout the years. Interestingly the tower hasn’t been out of use for very long. It was last used in 1952.

(Sorry for the absolute state of the photo. It didn’t transfer well)

After spending some time at the Tower of London, I got the sense that the British love traditions. For example, there has been no change in how the coronation ceremony is conducted for many generations, including the style of clothing everyone participating wears. They might even care about the tradition more than the actual reasons for doing things. One of the regalia pieces used in the coronation ceremony is there purely for tradition. The original reason for its presence was lost a long time ago. Another example is the ravens they keep at the tower. The original purpose of the ravens was to be scavengers and keep the tower clean by consuming waste. However, during the reign of King Charles II, the legend about the ravens was started. The legend states that if the ravens leave the tower then the kingdom will fall. This worried the King so he declared that there will be at least six ravens at the tower at all times. Whether the legend is true or not, the ravens are still kept for the tradition.

The Tower of London is full of fascinating narratives and traditions that provide all sorts of insight into British culture. Common traditional components of British culture are displays of wealth, superstition, and influence. All three have survived but adapted to this modern day as London is an icon of wealth and style. The superstition interacts with London’s history of sentencing people to punishments suspected of plotting against the crown, even if they were falsely accused. However, even to this day, we trim the wings of ravens hopping about The Tower of London to prevent the signaling death of a monarch.

Christina and I explored the Tower of London together. We saw the White Tower, the Bloody Tower, the Torture Chamber. St. Peter Vincula Chapel, the Imprisonment Tower, and many more. The crown jewels were especially notable for both of us as we audibly gasped at the lavish (almost ridiculous) displays of wealth. Especially as they represent symbols of control and ruling based on “divine right”. It makes sense to keep the treasures to this day as they have become symbols embedded in the culture of today. The scale of jewels and riches though is astounding. I didn’t like how exotic animals used to be taken and displayed throughout every part of the outdoor courtyards. I also still can’t fathom there was a real commissioned golden punch bowl so large, it could hold 240 bottles of wine.

The ravens were some of the best parts of the experience as they comedically hopped about the courtyards and helped me settle on my trip tattoo. The very same courtyard that held the beheading of Anne Boleyn. Which was extremely cool to see as I am a huge fan of hers. I asked Christina, but I am curious to know whether she was truly guilty of the adultery, incest, and sex in which she was accused of…or if Henry just got bored again.

The story that I later researched to know more about was one I found in the imprisonment tower. Alice Tankerville (or Wolf as was suspected to be her real name) was arrested and executed in 1534 under the crimes of piracy. Alice lured two rich merchant men into a boat ride on the river Thames, where their throats were slit and their pockets were emptied. Her husband was accused and thrown into the Tower, but released due to insufficient evidence. It was Alice who was later declared guilty of this crime and sentenced to death. She was found guilty of piracy because it took place on the water. She was the only woman to ever escape the tower (but recaptured), dressed in a manly disguise. She compelled her guard John Bawde to fall in love with her. She and her lover made it over the wall and through the moat but were caught by an ill-timed guard patrolling. Her lover was tortured in a ‘little ease’ (a prison room so small that one cannot lay down or stand up) and hung in shackles. Alice had a much more grueling fate as she was hung with her arms chained above her head on one of the walls of the bridge over the river Thames. As the tide began to rise, Alice drowned in the water. Well-behaved women rarely make history.

Another story I found fascinating was the suspected murder of the two princes as it was told at the Bloody Tower. During the wars of the roses, the two princes sons of Edward IV and Elizabeth Woodville were brought to the bloody tower “for their protection”. However, it was over the summer that they were brought there and never seen again. Still a major debate between historians today, some believe it to be murder while others argue that it cannot be speculated. I think that could make for an excellent inspiration for a future screenplay of mine. Princes sent away only to be missing and never seen again? Horrific and fascinating.

London Tide.

This play was a masterpiece in every sense of the word— the lighting, the set design, the costume design, the acting…ugh I could just go on and on. There was not one decision in the production that was unintentional. Before the play started, I was confused as to why the lights were flown down and hung low on the stage. However, throughout the play, I understood that they used the lights to represent the tide of the Thames River which created a beautiful image that added to the atmosphere. 

The river was the play. 

The play could not be what it was without the river. 

The people couldn’t be who they were without the river. 

I think it is such an interesting symbol of connection between this group of people, who have complicated relationships to their city and their heritage. 

I loved how this play centered around these two women, Lizzie and Bella, and their fates. They were both such strong female characters that I felt very connected to. For Lizzie, she felt like it was her job to take care of her brother and father— her success did not matter. This made me so mad because she was such a courageous and smart woman who had so much ahead of her! I loved how Eugene recognized that she needed to create her own future in the end and did not need anyone else to dictate her life. That is truly true love. I was ecstatic when Bella and John ended up together because their connection was too demanding to stay apart. In the end, both of their identities did not compare to their feelings for each other, and the same thing they were both fighting against when they were being forced to marry was the same thing they both discarded when confessing how they felt. 

I really loved the plot twist where we discovered that John Rokesmith was John Harmon— it added such an interesting layer of mystery to the story. The actor, Tom Mothersdale, who played Harmon, was fantastic and I thought his character was complex and unique. The pub owner woman, (I can’t remember her name right now but she was awesome and such a queen), was so strong in her values and I really admired her strength and protection over Lizzie. The actress who played Jenny, Ellie-May Sheridan, had phenomenal comedic timing and showed great maturity. 

In The Guardian, the author states that, “The fluid alchemy of the novel is missing, the perpetual change not only of character but of place.” I could not disagree more. Although I have not read the novel, I think that the play was incredibly fluid in its transitions and I never got lost when switching from place to place and character to character. One of the most brilliant things about the show was how quickly it moved from storylines and intertwined them cohesively. For example, when Bella handed off the black mourning dress to Lizzie, while not directly meeting her, but breaking the reality of their worlds. It signified how Lizzie’s father’s death caused Bella to pass off her grief as a widow. This also showed how connected the two women’s stories were because they were both in the same position but in very different ways. 

Overall, I loved this play so much and I hope to see it again. The choreography and staging left me in chills. I feel that them ending up in the same position as they started in the first song showed how much they changed while staying true to themselves. 

Brilliant. Brilliant. Brilliant. 

This is what we came to London for!

Bye now!

xoxo Gossip Girl