top of page
Tags:
Archive:
Search

London, England - The Ivy & The Mousetrap - August 2024

We were in London for five days, so it was by far the longest leg of our trip. There will be a bunch of upcoming London posts so that I don't overload anything and make it too much to easily scroll.


This first night in London was easily A's favorite, and was a top contender of mine. We went to dinner first at the world-renowned Ivy restaurant in the West End. It's a frequent hang-out of celebrities, and was our "fancy" meal for the trip. Afterwards, we went to the longest-running play in the world, Agatha Christie's The Mousetrap in the West End. Below are phone photos and some info about each.


Restaurant menu from The Ivy, listing starters, mains, seafood, roasts, and salads. Black text on cream paper with dark green corners.
I got us reservations well in advance at the bar, as it's considered the best seating in the whole house. Keep in mind that the prices are in GBP rather than USD (so about 1/3 again more at the time), but the prices were still pretty reasonable.

Elegant restaurant with a circular bar at the center. People socialize and dine. Warm lighting creates an inviting atmosphere.
We sat at the bar there - you can sort of see A's curls in the background between the two ladies in black and white.
Smiling person at a bar, seated with a menu. Background has people and colorful decor with glass lamps. Cozy, relaxed atmosphere.
A living her best life.
A white plate with ravioli topped with colorful veggies and pine nuts, garnished with herbs. Green sauce surrounds pasta. Knife and bread on table.
I got the buffalo ricotta and spinach ravioli. It was delicious, but A liked it more than I did.
A vibrant salad with mixed greens, chicken, and peppers on a teal plate, garnished with herbs. A fork rests beside the dish.
A got the bang-bang chicken, and I liked it more than her - it was amazing and had good spice. Neither of these are the best food photo I've ever seen.

A dessert glass filled with whipped cream and strawberries on a bar counter. A warm-lit lamp and a blurred restaurant background create a cozy mood.
A's favorite dish of the evening - dessert! The Ivy Trifle had strawberries and spongecake, I think there was maybe also some lemon custard in there? It was definitely worth it.
St Martin's Theatre facade with people entering. Neon signs, including "The Mousetrap," displayed. Clear blue sky and building shadows.
Agatha Christie's The Mousetrap (linked in intro) is the longest-running play in history, open since 1952. This is for a good reason - it's clever, funny, and has that timelessness that Agatha Christie brings.

Two people smiling outside St. Martin's Theatre. Posters advertise "WHO DUNNIT?" The building is ornate with a warm, lively atmosphere.
The venue is just slightly different than it was originally, it was originally right next door. We were standing on the sidewalk just outside the door of The Ivy; that's how close they are.
Narrow London street with pedestrians, flanked by white and red brick buildings. Signs read "Tower Court" and "Stage Door". Clear sky above.
The Stage Door! If anyone has seen See How They Run from 2022, it's a whodunnit that surrounds a fictionalized murder at the play. It's got a great cast - Sam Rockwell (a favorite in our house), Saoirse Ronan, David Oyelowo, Adrian Brody. Anyway - a few scenes take place in exactly this spot, so A wanted me to get a photo of it after I pointed it out to her.
Two people sit in a dimly lit theater with red velvet seats and curtains. Ornate wood and gold accents add elegance to the setting.
I read online that fourth row center was the best spot from which to see this. I ordered tickets as soon as they opened up for our date, and got those two spots. It really was perfect to see and hear.
Elegant theater interior with a domed ceiling and red velvet seats. A few people are seated and mingling, creating a calm, anticipatory mood.
St. Martin's is a gorgeous, historic theater. It opened shortly after WWI. The Mousetrap has been at this location since 1974.

Ornate theater ceiling with a grand chandelier, wooden paneling, and red velvet accents. Dim lighting creates an elegant atmosphere.
Looking up
Eight actors stand in a line on stage in a dimly lit theater, with vintage decor and fringed curtains. The mood is dramatic and formal.
Curtain call. Each of the actors did a really great job.

Wooden sign with text: "This performance is number 29724 of Agatha Christie's The Mousetrap, the world's longest running play!" Luxurious background.
A took this photo on a trip to the restroom; we were at the 29, 724th performance of the play. It was truly a great experience.




Comments

Rated 0 out of 5 stars.
No ratings yet
Add a rating
Indecent Exposure

My name is Angie.  I find normal to be largely boring.  I am really lucky to get to spend time behind my camera doing all kinds of fun things, and also super-really annoying my kids by taking a million photos of them.  

singularfocusphotography@gmail.com

This content is copyrighted by Indecent Exposure™.
Logo for Indecent Exposure Photography with an icon of a camera on a tripod
bottom of page