Because the normal status for Londoners in mid-journey is glossy-eyed striding, whenever there is something to temporarily halt their odyssey to the chemist, it means serious business is afoot. A big, pushy crowd of spectators usually means tourists have been dazzled by something spectacular. Street entertainment is alive and prominent up and down some of London’s glitzy boulevards, and you’ll probably see a good number of fellow Americans and other travelers there. Take this time to make social connections. Engage in social media exchange, phone number swaps, or the popular pastime of promising you’ll reconnect at a pub at a later date. In London, as everywhere else, humans are an entertaining bunch.
Trafalgar Square
This cornerstone of London foot traffic has the most raw entertainment value per square mile, with its floating Yoda’s, chalk artists, jewelry makers, floating silver men, megaphone protesters, floating comic book heroes, and the like. Of special note are the squads of levitating personas that frequent the space under the National Gallery. They attract praise, awe, and screams of witchcraft with their gravity-defying stunts. How these performers carry out such aerobatics is still being researched since those that attempt to touch the floating bodies are immediately shooed away. Popular theory is that underneath each levitating body is a transparent bar that they stand on. For fun, try waving a hand under your favorite floating character and discover the truth for yourself.
One fun activity that gets a row out of locals is observing the daily madness of a hundred crazy pedestrians from the safety of the nearby Caffè Nero, next to the Zimbabwe Embassy. From there, one has an excellent view of the entire block. Observe people screaming about pigeons, people screaming at pigeons, pigeons screaming at people, adventurous youths being whistled off the bronze lions for the fifth time, the Trafalgar Square Christmas Tree (only in winter), the one guy who stands with his map unfolded in the very epicenter of the piazza like a dip, and much more. Such people-watching used to be heavily practiced by the tickled-pink Brits who couldn’t get enough of watching rookie tourists fail, before an influx of tourists crashed the scene themselves. Now you’ll most likely see mixed nationalities sipping coffee and viewing the square, in a case of the blind laughing at the blind.
Did You Know? Trafalgar Square has a constant average of 16 selfie sticks being operated at all times.
Piccadilly Circus
Not as well regarded as the photo-heavy Trafalgar Square, the circus still offers its own street charm in terms of entertainers amongst the regular hustle and bustle of walkers. Near the Statue of Eros, God of Obnoxious Love-Matching, you’ll discover the common sight of street magicians and break dancers trying to graduate to the big leagues. Be sure not to miss the spot outside the Nickelodeon Store, where in 2013 a David Blaine copycat fell to his death in front of thousands of pedestrians. Though there is no official recognition of the tragic incident if you look closely you can still see his indentation in the pavement.
Did You Know? Street entertainers at Piccadilly Circus were obligated to donate 1% of their proceeds to the nearest shop, owing to merchants’ laws enacted in the late 20th century to encourage more revenue for the area’s struggling businesses. Some performers even cut deals with the nearby businesses by advertising for shops in their routines. Nothing sells like show biz.
More recently, this law was revoked due to the success of the mess of tourist traps, electronics shops, and rip-off souvenir stores one sees today.
Covent Gardens
Despite its pristine religious etymology along with the misleading nature of its name, Covent Gardens still retains evidence of the time in which it was a red-light district. Like Piccadilly Circus, there are dozens of street performers that gather crowds outside of St. Paul’s Church, the Market sector, the roof of the London Transport Museum, and other such venues of note. These entertainers are typically slotted for one hour performances and are paid by the city quite handsomely in coupons for local attractions, in a practice known as “hustle-busking," or just “busking.”
The courtyard at and around the traditional Covent Garden Market is reserved for special acts, particularly classical musical performances by the members of the Royal Opera House, who hold breathtaking sessions of beloved pieces such as: “Oh Fortuna” (Orff), “Ave Maria” (Schubert), and “All Stars” (Smash Mouth). In the glow of the market square, the haunting sounds of classically trained singers and instrumentalists provide as excellent an experience as one could expect. The one hour performances continue until inevitably a variety act involving someone stripping, or verbally (and violently) attacking the government brings the Covent Garden police in to shut down busking performances for the day. Such is art.
Did You Know? The site of the modern Covent Gardens is built over the previous site of a very old and very highly regarded brothel that even had its location marked in almanacs for dukes and other nobility with sensual proclivities. In 1830, the unseemly establishment was shut down in order to create the market standing there today. Every year, the London Society of Gentlemen commemorates the former function of the space with a temporary plaque displaying the visage and information of well-known prostitute Elizabeth “Betty” Careless, who frequented the block in the 18th century.
Tube Stations
Entertainment isn’t reserved for the aboveground. Almost every Tube stop will have some vocalist or musician playing their heart out at the entrance. They serve to make the busy yet quiet process of navigating the Underground just a little more engaging and fun. They also serve to make you open your wallet in the middle of an already crowded passageway and fumble for a quid like a total buffoon as impatient pedestrians swerve around you.
Did You Know? The best spot to witness a Tube performer in action is at a major juncture, such as Tottenham Court Station, where someone is always bellowing out a tune in between lines, regardless of whether they can actually sing and/or play guitar. It’s all in good fun, and chipping in 50 pence doesn’t do any harm for the street artist.
Hyde Park
A good destination for the connoisseurs of street performers is Speakers’ Corner, located at the northeast edge of the park, nearby the Marble Arch Tube station. Established in 1872 after newly formed English rights of free speech, this area was set up especially for ensuring the art of dissent without incurring the wrath of Parliament and the Monarchy. Public executions were held in the very same spot, with last minute speeches being recited by the victims on the gallows. Today, speakers honor these traditions by railing on their soapboxes about the weather, the bloody immigrants, and often, the declining state of our society through technology.
Did You Know? Speakers' Corner has occasionally been known to attract famous orators, including Karl Marx, George Orwell, and several high priests of Scientology. Be sure to bring a smartphone to record speeches, in case a celebrity does show up. Otherwise, be polite at the corner — speakers are performers unto themselves, if only for the expressiveness and earnestness they usually take on.
A Note on Fights
If you see a fight spill onto the street, stand a reasonable distance away and yell at whoever looks like they have the upper hand. The skirmish will likely not last, as in Britain, unlike in the States, cameras discourage crimes of much duration. Big Brother is always watching.
Street entertainment is different from street danger if only by a small degree. Please take care not to encourage fights, even if your mate knows which way it is to Soho and that other chap who probably lives in London believes otherwise. Your courtesy can go a long way toward preserving the peace and helps keep the roads clear for London entertainers who make their living in the streets.
Trafalgar Square
This cornerstone of London foot traffic has the most raw entertainment value per square mile, with its floating Yoda’s, chalk artists, jewelry makers, floating silver men, megaphone protesters, floating comic book heroes, and the like. Of special note are the squads of levitating personas that frequent the space under the National Gallery. They attract praise, awe, and screams of witchcraft with their gravity-defying stunts. How these performers carry out such aerobatics is still being researched since those that attempt to touch the floating bodies are immediately shooed away. Popular theory is that underneath each levitating body is a transparent bar that they stand on. For fun, try waving a hand under your favorite floating character and discover the truth for yourself.
One fun activity that gets a row out of locals is observing the daily madness of a hundred crazy pedestrians from the safety of the nearby Caffè Nero, next to the Zimbabwe Embassy. From there, one has an excellent view of the entire block. Observe people screaming about pigeons, people screaming at pigeons, pigeons screaming at people, adventurous youths being whistled off the bronze lions for the fifth time, the Trafalgar Square Christmas Tree (only in winter), the one guy who stands with his map unfolded in the very epicenter of the piazza like a dip, and much more. Such people-watching used to be heavily practiced by the tickled-pink Brits who couldn’t get enough of watching rookie tourists fail, before an influx of tourists crashed the scene themselves. Now you’ll most likely see mixed nationalities sipping coffee and viewing the square, in a case of the blind laughing at the blind.
Did You Know? Trafalgar Square has a constant average of 16 selfie sticks being operated at all times.
Piccadilly Circus
Not as well regarded as the photo-heavy Trafalgar Square, the circus still offers its own street charm in terms of entertainers amongst the regular hustle and bustle of walkers. Near the Statue of Eros, God of Obnoxious Love-Matching, you’ll discover the common sight of street magicians and break dancers trying to graduate to the big leagues. Be sure not to miss the spot outside the Nickelodeon Store, where in 2013 a David Blaine copycat fell to his death in front of thousands of pedestrians. Though there is no official recognition of the tragic incident if you look closely you can still see his indentation in the pavement.
Did You Know? Street entertainers at Piccadilly Circus were obligated to donate 1% of their proceeds to the nearest shop, owing to merchants’ laws enacted in the late 20th century to encourage more revenue for the area’s struggling businesses. Some performers even cut deals with the nearby businesses by advertising for shops in their routines. Nothing sells like show biz.
More recently, this law was revoked due to the success of the mess of tourist traps, electronics shops, and rip-off souvenir stores one sees today.
Covent Gardens
Despite its pristine religious etymology along with the misleading nature of its name, Covent Gardens still retains evidence of the time in which it was a red-light district. Like Piccadilly Circus, there are dozens of street performers that gather crowds outside of St. Paul’s Church, the Market sector, the roof of the London Transport Museum, and other such venues of note. These entertainers are typically slotted for one hour performances and are paid by the city quite handsomely in coupons for local attractions, in a practice known as “hustle-busking," or just “busking.”
The courtyard at and around the traditional Covent Garden Market is reserved for special acts, particularly classical musical performances by the members of the Royal Opera House, who hold breathtaking sessions of beloved pieces such as: “Oh Fortuna” (Orff), “Ave Maria” (Schubert), and “All Stars” (Smash Mouth). In the glow of the market square, the haunting sounds of classically trained singers and instrumentalists provide as excellent an experience as one could expect. The one hour performances continue until inevitably a variety act involving someone stripping, or verbally (and violently) attacking the government brings the Covent Garden police in to shut down busking performances for the day. Such is art.
Did You Know? The site of the modern Covent Gardens is built over the previous site of a very old and very highly regarded brothel that even had its location marked in almanacs for dukes and other nobility with sensual proclivities. In 1830, the unseemly establishment was shut down in order to create the market standing there today. Every year, the London Society of Gentlemen commemorates the former function of the space with a temporary plaque displaying the visage and information of well-known prostitute Elizabeth “Betty” Careless, who frequented the block in the 18th century.
Tube Stations
Entertainment isn’t reserved for the aboveground. Almost every Tube stop will have some vocalist or musician playing their heart out at the entrance. They serve to make the busy yet quiet process of navigating the Underground just a little more engaging and fun. They also serve to make you open your wallet in the middle of an already crowded passageway and fumble for a quid like a total buffoon as impatient pedestrians swerve around you.
Did You Know? The best spot to witness a Tube performer in action is at a major juncture, such as Tottenham Court Station, where someone is always bellowing out a tune in between lines, regardless of whether they can actually sing and/or play guitar. It’s all in good fun, and chipping in 50 pence doesn’t do any harm for the street artist.
Hyde Park
A good destination for the connoisseurs of street performers is Speakers’ Corner, located at the northeast edge of the park, nearby the Marble Arch Tube station. Established in 1872 after newly formed English rights of free speech, this area was set up especially for ensuring the art of dissent without incurring the wrath of Parliament and the Monarchy. Public executions were held in the very same spot, with last minute speeches being recited by the victims on the gallows. Today, speakers honor these traditions by railing on their soapboxes about the weather, the bloody immigrants, and often, the declining state of our society through technology.
Did You Know? Speakers' Corner has occasionally been known to attract famous orators, including Karl Marx, George Orwell, and several high priests of Scientology. Be sure to bring a smartphone to record speeches, in case a celebrity does show up. Otherwise, be polite at the corner — speakers are performers unto themselves, if only for the expressiveness and earnestness they usually take on.
A Note on Fights
If you see a fight spill onto the street, stand a reasonable distance away and yell at whoever looks like they have the upper hand. The skirmish will likely not last, as in Britain, unlike in the States, cameras discourage crimes of much duration. Big Brother is always watching.
Street entertainment is different from street danger if only by a small degree. Please take care not to encourage fights, even if your mate knows which way it is to Soho and that other chap who probably lives in London believes otherwise. Your courtesy can go a long way toward preserving the peace and helps keep the roads clear for London entertainers who make their living in the streets.
About BeauBeau Maysey is not only a consistent liar, but also a writer and a college student. Which is redundant. He writes for the Eckerd student newspaper, The Current. Currently, he is studying Creative Writing and Political Science and plans to write whilst careening through Stetson Law School. He is aware that those two professions “don’t really work together.”
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