Day 31 was another pretty relaxing day for me.  I spent my time doing laundry, shopping with Jeanette at the local Sainsbury's (much larger than the ones in central London!), and getting to know the family.  That evening, we all attended the West End production of "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers" at the Haymarket Theatre.  After a delicious chicken-and-potato dinner, Jeanette, her two youngest daughters, and I all drove down in the family van and met Richard and Nicole at the theater (they both work in central London).  London traffic is absolutely insane and we had some trouble finding a parking garage, so we barely made the show on time.

We walked in just before the lights dimmed, and I was so impressed with our seats!  When I buy tickets for myself, I always go with the cheapest option and stuff myself way in the very back of the furthest balcony.  These tickets were right in the center of the orchestra stalls, though.  It was brilliant!  The theater is a gorgeous 18th-century place with frescoed ceilings and red drapes and golden statues; it's the same theater where I saw Judi Dench perform in "Hay Fever" (that show just barely closed to make way for this one.)

Anyway, I thoroughly enjoyed the production, and so did Richard/Jeanette's family.  I've never been a head-over-heels fan of "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers;" although I adore the songs and the dancing, the storyline always makes me uncomfortable because it's so darn sexist!  :-)  I felt much the same way about the stage play, but it was so incredible to hear the singing and see the dancing live that I came away thoroughly impressed.  The male dancers were unbelievable, the costumes were incredible, and the whole thing was a feast for the eyes.  I was completely dazzled and I couldn't get "Bless Your Beautiful Hide" out of my head for hours! 

P.S.  Richard and Jeanette bought everyone ice-cream during intermission.  That's a very British sort of thing--ice-cream vendors always walk through the audience selling little packages of ice-cream at West End productions.  I've never bought any; it's pretty expensive, and I'm cheap, cheap, cheap.  That's why I was so tickled when Richard and Jeanette bought me my own little tub!