If you are a Sky TV subscriber (or even, not) you will be all too aware of the adverts featuring Idris Elba, talking about being a Sky VIP and the fact that as a VIP there are lots of treats, experiences, free films and days out that you could be eligible for.
To be honest I had never really looked into it but on a recent phone call with Sky (due to a slight issue with our broadband) I mentioned that I didn’t have a clue how I could enter the VIP giveaways and the exceedingly helpful lad on the phone told me all about the Sky VIP app.
West End Live Winner
Well nothing ventured, nothing gained!
I downloaded the app and spent about 30 minutes entering all the categories, seeing what was on offer and then applying. For most part it was just a case of submitting your email and telephone number and pressing the ENTER button.
There was a whole host of things that could be won; from a day out at Peppa Pig World, to a trip to the Amalfi coast.
A multitude of sporting events were up against gigs and concerts. I have to admit I entered pretty much everything that took my fancy.
Settling in for the closing dates to arrive, I genuinely thought the odds would be quite slim on actually winning something.
West End Live Winners Lounge
Well you can imagine my surprise when I won not only one prize, but two!
If you are a long time reader of my blog, you will perhaps remember me talking about ‘West End Live’; a concert in Trafalgar Square where all the big shows perform for free over the course of a weekend in late June.
COVID had put a halt to it for the past couple of years however it was due to go ahead on the 25th/26th June and one of the prizes were two tickets into the Sky VIP seating area.
I am a Sky VIP
I was absolutely over the moon about this, but even better was still to come.
Opening my emails a couple of weeks ago, there was a congratulatory email telling me I had been lucky in winning Two tickets to see Agatha Christie’s “The Mousetrap” in the West End.
To say I was blown away is a bit of an understatement; I was genuinely at a loss for words.
I was also absolutely over the moon! Whilst I am a massive fan of the writing and screen adaptations of Agatha’s work, I had never been fortunate enough to see this play.
Based in St Martin’s Theatre, it is the longest running play in the World, still going strong at over 70 years in the same location.
The tickets were for a performance on a Thursday evening and so I organised the day off from work so that I could make a bit of an excursion of it.
St Martins Theatre
Baby Bear has been with her partner for 9 years now, and his Mum is an absolute sweetheart; taking Theodore for walks every day and letting him wear himself out in the brook and woods near to our house.
I knew she was a massive fan of Agatha Christie as we had several discussions about our favourite Miss Marple and such. So, who better to ask to attend with me?
Picking her up on Thursday morning we hit the train station and got a relatively early train in, whilst still be after the commuter rush.
On The Way To The Train Station
Arriving at St Pancras just before 1100, I hit the little Laduree boutique to get a selection of Macarons as a treat to myself for my birthday.
Opposite is the Fortnum and Mason shop so I grabbed three boxes of my favourite tea and then we went down to the Underground to start our adventure.
The plan was to go over to the V&A Museum on Cromwell Road and spend a little time there before moving on. We started walking around and got absorbed into it all.
The V&A
Sculpture, Ironwork, Fashion, Contemporary Glass… you name it and we went and had a look. There was so much to see, in fact there are over 60,000 exhibits on display and we were in our element.
We took our time going around and when we hit the Jewellery area, got completely lost in the beautiful exhibits and time melted away.
It was only when we heard an announcement to say that the gift shop was closing soon, that Smita looked at her watch to see if was ten past five!
The whole day had gone.
Rainbow Lady
But what a way to spend the day!
We knew we needed to get across to Leicester Square which is where St Martins Theatre is. Needing to organise something to eat, we headed from the tube station towards the theatre and came across a delightful restaurant.
St Martins Restaurant was literally 20 paces away from the theatre and looked like a wonderful option for a refined dinner.
Knowing we didn’t have a lot of time, we went straight the main courses and I ordered the 48hr braised short beef rib, peppered mash potato and tender stem broccoli.
Mocktail Time
Smita had the short rib and bone marrow burger and chips. I treated myself to a Sober Margarita made with pink grapefruit and non-alcoholic gin to name a couple of the ingredients.
The food was absolutely amazing! The beef rib fell off the bone and melted in the mouth. The burger was succulent and tasty.
We were only disappointed that we didn’t have time for dessert.
A Wonderful Meal
It was almost time to pick up the tickets from the box office so we decided to head to a local supermarket to pick up some chocolate and drink for either during the performance or the train ride home.
Fully stocked up we headed back to the theatre and found our seats which were very vintage, small but exceedingly comfortable.
We were in the stalls, Row K which was around 10 rows from the front. Excellent views of the stage and more than enough room to pop our bits down on the floor without obstructing anyone.
Ready To Go
Now, the play is quite a long one; 2hrs40 all told. There is a 20 minute intermission for drinks and ice creams but to be honest the whole thing flew by.
The second act was as brilliant as the first. The characters were engaging and funny, yet also “Could They Be The Murderer?”
Sadly it finished all too quickly and the audience were very effusive in their applause; going on for quite a long time which the cast really appreciated.
Vintage Styling
Leaving the theatre to head back to the station, it was actually quite mild out and there were large crowds of people everywhere still.
We got back to St Pancras quite a long time before our train was to leave; 90 minutes in fact.
I had bought specific timed trains but it hadn’t taken as long to get across town and we had left the theatre in very good time, which I didn’t expect.
Selfie Time
Sadly all the restaurants, cafes and bars were closed and I was in a little bit of pain with my knee. There was nowhere to sit down and I knew I couldn’t stand for that long without my knee devolving into agonising pain.
An earlier train had come into the station so I asked the guard if we could possibly pay a fee to get on the earlier train.
I admit I was looking a little helpless and he was so kind, saying if the barrier QR reader allowed us through, then we could get on the earlier train with no issue.
The Mousetrap
You have no idea just how happy I was and I could have kissed the train guard for taking pity on us.
Just over an hour later and I was driving Smita home before hitting my own bed.
Maybe a couple of pages of a murder mystery first though?
Till next time,
SPSG xxx