DAY 10: London (continued)

The boys had to be down for breakfast at 08:00, and then we departed for the Lyceum Theatre, which is just a 10 minute walk from our hotel.

The whole morning, from 09:00-14:00 was spent rehearsing for our performance tomorrow night. The boys had to learn some new choreography as well, so Chef and Meister were drilling the boys on  getting their movements sharp, as well as making sure that everyone is singing the correct voice part, since the boys also had to re-learn some of the songs because they are singing different arrangements than the ones they are used to.

At 14:00 the boys had some sandwiches for lunch, with a wide variety of fillings. However, I can safely say that any combination of TUNA on sandwiches, does not really get the boys' culinary juices flowing...

After lunch, Chef decided that it would be good for the boys to just take a 30 minute power nap, after which they would again rehearse from 15:00-16:00. Drakie boys' unique ability to fall asleep on demand, anywhere, anytime, meant that soon it was dead quiet in the venue, and all the boys woke refreshed at 15:00 for another hour of rehearsal.

The Lyceum theatre (pronounced ly-CEE-um), is an impressive lady, with 2100 seats and exquisite ornate decor. It is one of the UK's most impressive and prominent theatres, and has been the home of The Lion King since 1999. Interestingly, Bram Stoker (famous for writing Dracula), was appointed as Business Manager to the Theatre Manager in 1878. Dracula was actually written inside the walls of the Lyceum during 1897, and the Theatre Manager actually provided real life inspiration for the character.

The boys went back to the hotel to get changed at 17:00, and at 17:30, the boys had a sit-down supper at a restaurant right next door to the theatre. They enjoyed some pizza, and burgers, and the caramel cheesecake desserts drew some very approving comments from the boys.

We attended the show at the Lyceum at 19:30 - what a phenomenal experience. I don't think the boys realise yet how lucky they are, and how very few people actually get to watch a performance on the West End in their lifetime. It was just mind-blowing to see how a beloved film was turned into a spectacular theatrical experience.

The show was 3 hours long, including an interval, so we arrived back at the hotel at about 23:00. The boys were quickly given back their washed laundry, and then it was off to bed. Tomorrow is a very busy day again, with final rehearsals and sound checks in the theatre from 10:00-12:00, lunch, and then the big performance at 15:00.