London Calling
This month Eve Hartridge takes a look at what's new in town that you simply cannot miss.
When you live or work in London it's very easy to take our beloved capital for granted. If like me, you rarely look up from the book you're reading on the bus or seem to spend your life on the tube it is easy to forget how beautiful London is. The New York skyline is legendary and there's no mistaking the silhouette of Sydney or Toronto, but take a second look at London and I challenge you to find a more stunning panoramic view than a sunny day from the middle of Waterloo Bridge.
In Mercer's quality of living report designed to identify the 'best city', London features in the top of the table (The number one city, incidentally features in next month's Travelling Actuary feature) praised for it's culture and history. If like many you spent your summer falling over tourists on the Waterloo and City line this will come as no great surprise! London is an enviable place to work and one of the best places to live, so let me tell you what's new.
Show: Rock of Ages
I could barely control my excitement when I heard that 'Rock Of Ages' was coming to the West End, having heard about the Broadway show a couple of years ago.
Shayne Ward (of X Factor fame) and Justin Lee Collins take key roles in this upbeat look at hairbrush metal in eighties LA. From the moment I walked in and was handed a pretend lighter to wave during those epic power ballads I knew we were in for a good time. The story, like most musicals in this pop nostalgia genre, is less important than the killer tunes; expect something between Mama Mia and Spinal Tap! It's perfect for those inner rockers harbouring a secret love of those 'guitar rock' CDs that only seem to get ad-break airtime around Father's Day.
If, however, you're sick to death of a certain song by Journey (thanks, 'Glee') then just enjoy JLC's performance; it's tremendous.
Shaftesbury Theatre Box office: 0207 3795399
Hotel: Hotel Verta
Hotel Verta is a fabulous new find that I had to share with you.
Situated in Battersea, right next to the London heliport, the hotel is immediately stylish. It's not big, but not boutique, but what they do they do very well.
Rooms are classic, but contemporary, and the cuisine at The Patrisey Restaurant is excellent. But it's not what's up top that's really special but what's located underneath. Lurking in the basement is a real treat for those who like a challenge. Spa Verta offers extensive facilities, luxurious treatments and a wonderful hydrotherapy pool, but it's also one of the few places in the UK offering the 'Lemon Detox' programme, which promises increased energy and vitality with the added benefit of weight loss. This means one thing, you'll be fasting, and no snacking on normal food, but instead drinking the vitamin-rich lemon syrup with water. It's not to everyone's taste, but there are some truly amazing success stories, and it's a real gem for those hardy enough to take its unique challenge.
www.hotelverta.co.uk
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