The Mesmerist meets The Woman in Black

When you say 'Westminster' some people think immediately of politicians, but a huge number of people would say the heart of Westminster is the West End - theatres, cinemas, galleries, museums, shops, restaurants- some would even say it's the heart of London. Other people would say the heart of Westminster is about people- the people who live and work in the city and the thousands who flock in to visit every day. There certainly is a magic feel about 'Theatreland' and alot of buzz surrounding all the shows one can see there. This week Westminster Libraries went to seek out the cast and crew of a show that has been running successfully for twenty years- The Woman in Black.

Whilst I admit to being slightly starry-eyed at being welcomed to the Fortune Theatre, I was mainly interested in getting out and about and finding a bunch of potential READERS... um, who happen to have glamorous jobs in the theatre. I was delighted to find they were warm, friendly people and all happy to talk about reading and very pleased to be counted in to the Giant Reading Group. It helped, of course, that the lovely Barbara Ewing came along to present them with copies of her book. The Victorian setting and the theatrical and supernatural themes make The Mesmerist and The Woman in Black a great pairing and of course Barbara's own background as an actress completed the link.

Some members of the cast and crew were surprised to learn that they could join the library, saying they didn't live in Westminster, or they belonged to the library in another borough and couldn't they only belong to one? They soon found membership forms thrust into their hands, as Westminster Libraries welcomes all. Charing Cross Library is of course our West End branch, (tucked between a theatre and a pub and practically opposite the National Portrait Gallery) so anyone who's a bit early for a performance can pop in for a spot of pre-show browsing and information about what's on where.