My travels have taken me a little farther. Bath was like walking into a novel with elegant buildings and the ancient Roman Baths offering plenty of entertainment and knowledge. I also visited London just this past weekend. The magic of it falters slightly when you must learn how to work the tube, and even after you've done that you end up walking over ten miles in one day. But it's worth it to walk around through the squares and markets and gardens. I still have a lot to see when I go back to London later in the spring, but I wonder if anything can beat the pleasure of simply walking around in the beautiful parks which act like a haven in the middle of the bustling city.
However, I must add one exception to this. There was one pleasure which outdid all the rest on my London visit and that was the opportunity I had to see Les Miserables at the Queen's Theatre. When I was young, I remember putting on shabby rags, rubbing dirt on my face, and holding an old straw broom while singing "Castle On A Cloud" for my church's Variety Show. But I had no idea what the story which my song came from was about. I vaguely remember going to my grandmother's house and watching pieces of one of the Les Mis Anniversary performances over her shoulder. I inquired about the story, and for Christmas that year Mom bought me the Liam Neeson and Geoffrey Rush film. Although leaving much of the story out, this well acted drama left me in tears on my couch (which isn't really much of a feat in general as I cry pretty easily). I've been hooked on this story ever since, devouring all forms of the musical I could get my hands on and being a part of the play itself when Billings Studio Theatre performed it in 2013. To see it on the London stage was just something I knew I'd always do. It was my dream...and it came true. To witness the story on the splendor of a grand stage with the voices of many talented actors was out of this world. I sat there with three disintegrated tissues in my lap, hands pressed hard over my mouth so that my sobs would stay inaudible, and basically just wept between the poor strangers sitting next to me. But I can't help it. This story of God's forgiveness and His redemption should move throughout people (although you don't necessarily have to weep to the embarrassing extent I did). And I believe it has been an influence. I think that these are the themes which have kept this show going for 30 years now, whether people recognize that or not. As Javier and Valjean both "reach" and "fall," one focuses tirelessly on the strict mechanics of the law, and finds it to be not enough...the "stars" go "black." The other finds himself equally unworthy, equally as incapable, and yet, when he reaches out, he is caught by someone far greater than himself. See what I mean? This story is beyond incredible; a beautiful and heart-wrenching illustration of Christ's work. And I'll never forget the night I was able to see it on stage in London.
Life is so much bigger than us. It's bigger than my May assessments, it's bigger than the question of what my next year will look like, it's bigger, even, than this great England adventure. I am looking "Somewhere beyond the barricade."
Do you hear the people sing
Lost in the valley of the night?
It is the music of a people
Who are climbing to the light.
For the wretched of the earth
There is a flame that never dies,
Even the darkest night will end
And the sun will rise.
They will live again in freedom
in the garden of the Lord.
They will walk behind the plough-share,
They will put away the sword.
The chain will be broken
And all men will have their reward.
Will you join in our crusade?
Who will be strong and stand with me?
Somewhere beyond the barricade
Is there a world you long to see?
Do you hear the people sing?
Say, do you hear the distant drums?
It is the future that they bring
When tomorrow comes!
