Almost showtime, London, England. Tradition is a powerful force in London. Her Majesty's Theatre is actually the fourth theater to occupy this spot in London's West End district. The first was built in 1705, while the current building dates back to 1897.The name of the theater changes, depending on whether a King or Queen occupies the British throne.

The Phantom of the Opera, the blockbuster Andrew Lloyd Webber musical, opened here in October of 1986, and was still playing to packed houses when I was there in July of 2003.

This photo of the two-tiered balcony section was taken just before I was politely informed that photography was not allowed, and that I would be ejected from the theater if I sinned again.