Scene

[NancyTh]

I found this from a newspaper:
"In London, scene of so many reverses, a one-man play based on “How to Lose Friends” makes a small splash and transfers to the West End, where Mr. Young replaces the original actor and plays himself. He’s no Olivier, but he holds his own, and so does the play."

"Scene" is countable according to many dictionaries. Could this be a mistake?

[vkhu]

I found this from a newspaper:
"In London, scene of so many reverses, a one-man play based on “How to Lose Friends” makes a small splash and transfers to the West End, where Mr. Young replaces the original actor and plays himself. He’s no Olivier, but he holds his own, and so does the play."

"Scene" is countable according to many dictionaries. Could this be a mistake?

The "scene" here stand for "London" so it doesn't matter if it's countable. It has to be in singular form.

That sentence could be understand as "London is the place with many reverses"

NOTE: I'm not an instructor and that's just my personal understanding.

[5jj]

vkhu has the right idea.

There is only one London*. It is the singular place where many reverses have taken place.

*The capital of the UK is understood.