Your West End Guide to What’s On Where Summer 2009 West End Guide shows and theatres May09 When you are thinking about shows for theatre breaks you can use our West End Guide to What’s on Where to get an idea of the size of the theatres. This can be very useful when you are looking for a show but you aren’t really sure what you want to see. Bigger productions like Sister Act or Wicked are in the largest theatres where as something like Stomp, although it’s still great fun, isn’t in quite such a spectacular setting. Of course size isn’t everything when it comes to theatres. Phantom of the Opera and Les Miz are both in smaller, older theatres but the theatres are quite grand and their productions are still full of spectacle.
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I posted to theatrebreaksmag.co.uk
West End Guide - Theatres Summer 2009
http://theatrebreaksmag.co.uk/west-end-guide-theatres-summer-2009/
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- phantom
- Phantom of the Opera
- wicked
- Sister Act
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- Miz
- stomp
May 26 2009, 12:08pm | Comments »
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I posted to usefulwiki.com
West End Live 2009
http://usefulwiki.com/londontheatre/west-end-live-2009.html
West End Live 2009 will take place on Saturday the 20th (11am to 6pm) and Sunday the 21st of June (12noon to 6pm). The venue will be Leicester Square. This is the 5th annual West End Live and promises to be even bigger and better than last year’s extravaganza. Although there’s no official running order or confirmations yet it seems likely we can expect to see performances from new shows like Priscilla and SIster Act as well as several of the more established favourites. As ever there will be some extracts from new off West End shows as well. As soon as I hear what the running order will be I’ll post it here so you can plan your trip to be sure of seeing favourites. I really want to see Sister Act! West End Live 2008 Last year’s West End Live was fantastic and well worth putting up with the crowds.
Related Posts:Gareth Gates as Joseph - Close Every DoorAbseiling Nuns for Sister ActWest End LIVE 2008 - Theatre stars in Leicester SquareWest End Live 2008 - running orderJersey Boys Livea West End Live 2009
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- westendlive
May 25 2009, 9:20am | Comments »
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I posted to theatrebreaksmag.co.uk
West End Guide - West End Live 2009
http://theatrebreaksmag.co.uk/westendguide-westendlive2009/
West End Live West End Live West End Live is an annual event usually held in Leicester Square towards the end of June. Most of the big musicals take part and extracts are performed live on a stage in the Square. The whole event is free and, although it can get very busy, well worth a visit. If you are in London for a theatre break anyway it’s a great way to add even more excitement to your trip. WEST END LIVE 2009 When- Sat 20th June, 11am to 6pm and Sunday 21st June 12 noon to 6pm Where - Leicester Square This summer as usual some of the biggest shows on in the West End and Off will be taking part in the free entertainment. You can expect to see performances from all these shows, plus some surprises.
Wicked, We Will Rock You, Thriller LIVE, Stomp, Sister Act, Priscilla Queen Of The Desert, Oliver!, La Cage Aux Folles, Jersey Boys, Hairspray, Dirty Dancing, Carousel Avenue Q.
Now in its 5th year West End LIVE offers world class free entertainment. There will be lots of cool activities, stalls and freebies. The event is expected to be attended by 150,000 people. I’ll add a running order as soon as it’s available.
May 25 2009, 9:03am | Comments »
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I posted to usefulwiki.com
John Barrowman in La Cage aux Folles
http://usefulwiki.com/londontheatre/lacageauxfolles_barrowman.html
John Barrowman is take over as the drag queen Albin in the West End stage production of La Cage aux Folles. He will take over from Roger Allam. John’s run is scheduled to end on 28 November. According to his official website it looks like he’ll love playing Zaza: the heart-warming diva drag queen, whose iconic “I am what I am” has become John’s own signature song I can’t wait! I think he’s got fantastic presence on TV and I’d love to see him live. Meanwhile here’s a clip:
Related Posts: Priscilla Queen of the Desert Cast - Zoe Birkett2009 Olivier Awards WinnersOliver - Jodie Prenger wins I'd Do AnythingThe Olivier Nominations 2009The Wicker Man starts workshops tomorrowa John Barrowman in La Cage aux Folles
May 21 2009, 7:21am | Comments »
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I posted to usefulwiki.com
Priscilla theatre breaks
http://usefulwiki.com/londontheatre/priscilla-theatre-breaks.html
Priscilla Theatre Breaks Priscilla theatre breaks are a great choice whether you’ve seen the film or not. Unlike many popular theatre breaks shows Priscilla is new to the West End but it’s not a new, untried production. Priscilla has been a long running show in Australia and it’s already becoming a favourite choice here in the UK too. Unlike some shows most of the audience are coming to it fresh with only a dedicated few who seen it more than once. priscilla queen of the dessert It’s a good choice for people who like a fun show, with lots of feel good music, laughter and even a few tears. Priscilla (the bus) forms a huge part of the set and almost becomes one of the characters of the show. The costumes defy description and are amazingly elaborate. The songs are disco classics and you’ll find it almost impossible to avoid singing along. Watch out for the dancing cup cakes! Priscilla - the show The show is of course based on the film Priscilla Queen of the Dessert and tells the story of of three colourful misfits as they wander through the Australian outback following their irrepressible dreams. Tick (Jason Donovan), Bernadette (Tony Sheldon) and Adam (Oliver Thornton), take their glamorous Sydney-based drag act to the heart of the Australian outback. The adventures of these three friends on their battered old bus (Priscilla) are full of love, friendship and laughter. There are also a few tears and lots of dresses! The trio end up finding more than they ever imagined and having lots of laughs along the way. Popular Hotels for Theatre Breaks The last thing you want after a great show like Priscilla is a long journey home, which is why Priscilla Theatre Breaks with inclusive overnight London hotel stays are usually the best way to plan and book tickets. When booking for whichever dates you have chosen, you will then be presented with the hotel options.
Popular hotels for theatre breaks
As you can see the top 3 hotels that people booked for theatre breaks after reading this blog have been:
St Giles Hotel Strand Palace Hotel Holiday Inn Kensington
The St Giles and the Strand Palace are both really close to the West End theatres and would be very convenient for Priscilla. The Holiday Inns are a little further out but very good places to stay and handy for lots of shopping and sight seeing. Don’t forget to consider the possibility of staying an extra night or two. There are often bargains to be had if you can! Priscilla Theatre Breaks With Friends Priscilla is a great choice for a theatre breaks with friends. Priscilla theatre breaks are a great way for a group of mates to bond. They are perfect for pre-wedding trips or for the classic ‘girlie’ weekend in London. Priscilla is also a good choice for families with older children. If you are making a group booking remember any number can be worked out with a combination of triple and twin bedded rooms. Six is a great number because then you can go for two triple rooms. If you have two people under 15 in your party then you might be able to get a Family (2 + 2) room bargain. Priscilla Video Clips I’ve chosen a couple of video clips, that will give you a flavour of the show
Book Priscilla Theatre Breaks
Related Posts:Priscilla Queen of the Desert Theatre BreaksPriscilla Queen of the Desert - The Musical - London 2009Priscilla Queen of the DesertPriscilla Queen of the Desert Cast - Zoe BirkettFriday Theatre Breaks with Dinner and Hotela Priscilla theatre breaks
May 20 2009, 12:22pm | Comments »
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I posted to usefulwiki.com
Les Miserables - new cast member
http://usefulwiki.com/londontheatre/les-miserables-new-cast-member.html
Antony Hansen, who is only 19, has landed the part of Feuilly and will understudy the leading role of Marius in Les Misérables from June 22nd 2009. Antony who comes from Steventon, near Didcot, is best known for his appearances in the BBC1 show Any Dream Will Do back in 2007. Although he was knocked out in the final live shows Anthony was not disheartened and has continued to pursue his dream of performing in the West End. Antony said in an interview in his local paper “The last two years have been a bit of a blur — from first auditioning for Any Dream Will Do, through to achieving my dream of appearing in London’s West End in my greatest musical of all time is just mind-blowing. “Two years ago, I was at St Birinus School studying for my A-Levels and appearing in the school’s production of Les Misérables. “Now I will be moving to London for 12 months to appear in Les Misérables, in the West End. You have to just go for it and become the best you can.” After Any Dream Will Do, he joined the UK tour of Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat in January last year as Napthali, moving to the lead role for the last 3 months of the tour. I must do a round up post of where the other singers from Any Dream Will Do are soon as many of them have done very well, though few as well as Anthony as yet.
Related Posts:Joseph gets a new lead - Gareth Gates!Joseph star Lee Mead confirmed through to Jan 2009News - Joseph(Lee) takes a break.We Will Rock You gets a surprise new cast memberJoseph Theatre Breaksa Les Miserables - new cast member
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- miserables
- joseph
- London
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- 2009
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- Antony Hansen
- Any Dream Will Do
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- joseph and the amazing technicolor dream coat
- Marius
- Napthali
- understudy
May 14 2009, 11:11am | Comments »
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I posted to usefulwiki.com
Legally Blond Cast Announced.
http://usefulwiki.com/londontheatre/legally-blond-cast-announced.html
Legally Blonde - the musical
Legally Blonde is finally making its way onto the west End after over a year of rumours and uncertainty. Legally Blonde Cast List The cast will include SHERIDAN SMITH - (Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps) will play college sweetheart and homecoming queen Elle Woods As Yet Unannounced - her co-star Bruiser the Chihuahua DUNCAN JAMES (Chicago,and member of Blue)will play Warner, who dumps her for someone with a brain. ALEX GAUMOND -(Guys and Dolls, We Will Rock You)will play Emmett College sweetheart and homecoming queen Elle Woods is a spoilt Californian blonde who isn’t used to the N word (No). Her bored self righteous boyfriend, Warner, dumps her, supposedly for “someone serious”. Elle decides to fight back, figuring that money and looks can buy her whatever she desires. She gets out the credit card, discovers that she can just sort of hit the books, and that will get her to Harvard Law School! It’s a fairy tale for the Paris Hilton generation. It’s all about anyone being able to achieve intellectually and I know (with my educator’s hat on) I probably ought to approve of that. Sadly I fear it really says “Ha, clever! I could do that if I was bothered. It’s nothing special cos you can’t just decide to be blond and pretty!” Do I sound bitter? LOL It’s just not aimed at me I suppose! Based on the movie of the same name, Legally Blonde the Musical is a Broadway hit. It was created by a top creative team, led by Tony Award-winning director and Olivier nominated choreographer Jerry Mitchell (Hairspray). Legally Blonde - the video The tag line - The verdict .This much fun shouldn’t be legal! says it all really. A little piece of pink froth to hopefully amuse and entertain. I just can’t resist this youtube of the first act in under 5 minutes - enjoy!
** Book Legally Blonde Theatre Breaks **
Related Posts:Legally Blonde in LondonMel B in Legally Blonde?Five to keep - my desert island showsOriginal Cast Recordings of MusicalsPriscilla Queen of the Desert - The Musical - London 2009a Legally Blond Cast Announced.
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- Theatre Breaks
- west end
- musical
- Legally Blonde
- DUNCAN JAMES
- Jerry Mitchell
- Sheridan Smith
- Tony Award-winning
April 24 2009, 6:50am | Comments »
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I posted to theatrebreaksmag.co.uk
Theatre Breaks Back to the 60s
http://theatrebreaksmag.co.uk/theatre-breaks-back-to-the-60s/
Theatre Breaks as time travel When you are planning which show to see for your theatre break a good start can be think about what kind of music makes you feel good. Of course you don’t have to be old enough to remember it the first time around. It’s perfectly possible to be nostalgic for a time before you were even born! The music of the 60s is full of optimism and energy. It takes us back to a time when anything seemed possible and far away from doom and gloom. Theatre breaks to shows like these are a kind of time travel so sit back and enjoy visiting a very different world.
Theatre Breaks Back to the ’60s In this post I’m going to concentrate on the 60’s and if the 60’s are your choice then there’s a couple great shows on in the West End right now that are perfect for theatre breaks. Hairspray
Has to be a contender for your 1960s theatre break. The show is full of the music, colour, costumes and feel of the ‘feel good 60’s’. The plot is uplifting and there’s lots of laughs. You’ll come out singing “Good Morning Balitmore” and feeling anything is possible.
Jersey Boys Jersey Boys tells the story of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons and their rise to fame. They wrote masses of hits in the early 60s. You’ll be singing along to songs you know and love and audience participation is positively encouraged. Just have a look at a few of the 60s classics you’ll hear.
Other 60’s Things to do on your Theatre Breaks You might want to keep to a sixties theme on your theatre break and London is just the place to do that. Check out some of these cool attractions to really get that ’60s vibe. Madame Tussauds Theatre Breaks Tussauds visit. You could spend a whole day here there’s so much to see and do but your quest is to experience the Swinging 60s. To do that you hop into a time travelling black cab and take a journey back through London’s history. The small version of London’s world famous taxis have room for just two and will drive you through the historic and cultural events that have shaped London. So sit back and enjoy the ride as you move all the way from Tudor times to Carnaby St. You can add a trip to Madame Tussauds to your theatre break when you book for only an extra £15 and there’s masses to do there. After a £1 million+ make over Tussauds is much more than a waxworks these days with several interactive exhibitions. It’s a great addition to your theatre break! If you do go you must arrive early to avoid the long queues that build up as the day goes on. Make your way there straight after breakfast and be there just around opening time (9:00am weekends, 9:30 week days). Carnaby Street Theatre Breaks - Carnaby St Carnaby Street is not quite what it once was but the spirit of the 60s is kept alive by fascinating shops like The Face. Here you can browse and explore both new reproductions and vintage 1960s items. The sixties were one of the most stylish decades of the last century and they still influence current fashions so indulge your nostalgia itch and treat yourself! Today’s Carnaby area is more than just Carnaby Street itself. The pedestrianised area just behind Regent Street has lots of new stores and a passage through to Kingly Court. Set around an open courtyard, there are three floors of one-off ‘concept’ shops and studios where it can be possible to find items not sold anywhere else in London. Original Bus Tour Theatre Breaks Routemaster bus What could be more iconic of the 60s than a red London Routemaster bus? The Routemaster still runs on a couple of routes in central London. If you want to ride one it costs the standard £2 ticket for each ride. The Routmaster runs on routes 9 and 15.
Route 9 -Royal Albert Hall — Hyde Park Corner — Piccadilly Circus — Trafalgar Square — Strand — Aldwych. Route 15 -Trafalgar Square — Strand — Aldwych — Fleet Street — Cannon Street — Monument — Tower Hill.
The red Routemaster is the authentic 60s way to see the city but it’s definitely not the most comfortable or the best view. For that you need The Original Bus Tour. This is a comfortable modern alternative that will let you see all the sights from a comfortable, modern, open-topped bus. You can hop on and off at several points and there’s an interesting commentary. The whole Original Bus Tour takes around two hours to complete and visits: Buckingham Palace - Piccadilly Circus -National Gallery -Downing Street - Big Ben - London Bridge - St Paul’s Cathedral - Tower Bridge - Tower of London- Westminster Abbey Your tour can be booked at the same time as your theatre break and costs £18 each for adults. (To see all these sights by Routemaster could end up costing your considerably more!) Time Travel Theatre Breaks to other Eras Of course the 60s aren’t the only times you might want to visit on your theatre break. Do you like to rock out and remember the stadium rock concerts of your youth? Maybe Tamla Motown rings your bell? Or are you a Disco Diva? I’ll be writing posts about each of these eras to help you choose the show for your perfect theatre break.
April 17 2009, 5:16am | Comments »
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I posted to theatrebreaksmag.co.uk
West End Guide to Eating Out
http://theatrebreaksmag.co.uk/west-end-guide-to-eating-out/
Eating Out in London - A short Guide to the West End Some people worry about eating out in London’s West End, and perhaps with good reason. Food in central London can be a bit expensive, some places are overcrowded at certain times of day, restaurants may be pretentious and not very good. But it really doesn’t have to be that way. A weekend theatre break for example, should be a thoroughly enjoyable experience all the way through and dining out should be one of the high points, a part of the treat. West End Guide to Pre Theatre Dining Suppose you arrive at Kings Cross Station or Euston at about 4pm on a Friday afternoon and make your way by taxi cab to your four star West End hotel. Pre-booked Pre-theatre Dinner in the West End
When you book a theatre break with hotel stay and show tickets included, it’s easy to add a pre-show dinner, either at the hotel where you will be staying or at a suggested nearby quality restaurant. These meal deals or add-ons are all set up to make sure you have an relaxed restaurant dinner and can still arrive at the theatre in plenty of time to take you seats well before the show starts. The restaurant bill is then included in the total cost of your break and it’s usually very good value. Choosing a West End Restaurant by walking in off the street Alternatively many of the cafes and restaurants in the West End offer fixed price pre-theatre menus. These are usually two course and cost vary wildly between £15 - £40 per person, without wine.
Here are some tips to consider before walking in off the street:
First have a good look at the menu before you go in. Is is the kind of you food you fancy? Is there a special pre-theatre menu deal and if so what exactly is included Decide if you are happy with the price and check there are no hidden’extras’(VAT, Service etc) Now look in through the windows and see who is already eating. If nobody at all, that’s not always a bad sign if it’s still very early evening but some places are crowded from late afternoon with people coming straight out from work. If there are diners eating within sight, or waiters carrying food to table then have a nosy glance at the food itself. In just a second you can often get an impression if it looks appetising, artistic, not quite right, too big or too small. I think it’s also important to look at the tables and chairs offered to see if you think you will be comfortable and not too squashed together.
Now, once you do go in through the door of your selected restaurant you are most likely to end up eating there, but you are still really in the next stage of the evaluation process.
You may well be able to enjoy smells coming from the kitchen and the food at tables. If anything is wrong, just turn around and walk out. You’ll be greeted and asked if you have a reservation, and the size of your party. Even in a busy restaurant though, an extra table for two at pre-theatre times is rarely a problem. When offered a table according to the size of your party, check the location before accepting. A window table is nice but not right next to the front door. Beware of the table the waiters normally keep clear because it’s right by the kitchen exit or worse. Even in an empty restaurant with no reservations, they will try to tell you where you have to sit. I don’t know why they do this, but I do know that you can certainly say “no thanks, I’d rather sit over there” and negotiate. And you can still walk out at this stage, when there are plenty of other places just two minutes walk away.
Popular Restaurants Booked with Theatre Breaks
West End Restaurant Type of Cuisine West End Area Handy for These Shows Features
Christophers Restaurant American Bar and Grill Overlooking Waterloo Bridge Avenue Q Chicago Derren Brown Enigma Dirty Dancing Calendar Girls Hairspray Joseph The Lion King A Little Night Music Oliver Stomp Woman In Black A modern, sumptuous menu served in a grade II listed building with a sweeping staircase, soft lighting, opulent decor and fantastic views over The River Thames.
L’Escargot Owned by celebrity chef Marco Pierre White, need I say more? Right in the Heart of Soho Grease Jersey Boys Les Miserables Priscilla Queen of the Desert THRILLER Live Fine dining with fresh ingredients, art on the walls and a famous name.
Creation restaurant Oriental meets British cuisine Covent Garden Blood Brothers The Mousetrap We Will Rock You Open kitchen, fine art work
Salierie’s restaurant European cuisine The Strand Carousel Derren Brown Enigma La Cage Aux Folles Joseph The walls are decorated with theatrical memorabilia
Dial Restaurant at the Seven Dials complex Updated British classics Covent Garden Chicago Stomp A popular meeting place amongst Londoners and theatre goers
Bertorelli’s Restaurant Italian Covent Garcden Dirty Dancing Hairspray The Lion King OliverWoman In Black Opposite the stage door for the Royal Opera House
Chez Gerard French Victoria Billy Elliot Wicked Marble floors and columns
Criterion Restaurant
French and Mediterranean Picadilly Mamma Mia Phantom of the Opera 39 Steps Luxurious Persian styled dining area
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April 15 2009, 7:03am | Comments »
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I posted to theatrebreaksmag.co.uk
London Breaks for Spring and Summer 2009
http://theatrebreaksmag.co.uk/london-breaks-for-spring-and-summer-2009/
London Breaks this Spring Spring is a super time of year for a London break. The city is just warming up, the parks are full of spring flowers and the weather is mostly pretty good. Obviously you are not guaranteed sunshine but you are a lot less likely to get rained on than you are further north or west in the UK. This means you can really enjoy the sights of London without the city heat or the summer crowds. St James Park in March Days can be warm and sunny but the evenings can be quite chilly. So pack a light coat and maybe a pashmina for coming back from the theatre. You probably won’t need an umbrella. Three top shows to see on your spring London break I’m going to suggest three shows that could be good choices for your London break this spring
Priscilla - A new show but not a new production. It’s been going for several weeks now, so it’s pretty slick. It’s getting good reviews, the music is great (think 70’s disco standards We Will Rock You - still great and still packing them in. But there are persistent rumours of the show closing. Definitely worth seeing or seeing again! Hairspray - if you can act quickly you’ll be able to see Michael Ball before he leaves the production in June. I’m sure Billy Conley will make a great Edna but Michael has made the role his own and has to be worth seeing.
London Breaks this Summer London breaks in the summer can be great too. The city is generally a couple of degrees warmer than the rest of the UK and this is even more the case in summer. The city buildings hold the heat so a hot day can mean it doesn’t cool down all that much in the evening either. This makes strolling round the West End after the show soaking up the atmosphere very pleasant. Do the London thing and buy yourself some bottled water for use during the day. Use it to keep your cool, especially if you go on the tube. I also use Evian spray sometimes if it gets very sticky. Great for cooling off!
Dress in cool fabrics for the theatre as they can be quite hot, even if air-conditioned. Some of the theatres are ‘air-cooled’ rather than air conditioned. This means that the front stalls are coolest seats in Summer. Avoid the highest circle and the back rows as these are the biggest heat-traps. This won’t be an issue if you are buying your theatre break through a theatre breaks agency that guarantees you the best available seats. Anyway it’s the perfect excuse to buy that little black linen dress you’ve been eying up! A cashmere shawl or cardigan is all you’ll need on top. 3 Top Shows to see on your summer London break These 3 shows would be good choices for London breaks this summer: Sister Act - very new, not even open as I write, Sister Act should have settled down by the summer. It’s looking all set to be a hit show. Phantom of the Opera - a long running classic but still looking good. See the original production this summer before the sequel comes out in the Autumn. Jersey Boys - good fun, high energy, a feel-good show. Jersey Boys has quickly become a real favourite. They’ve just released a new batch of tickets for the summer so you should be able to get the dates you want. London Breaks at other times of year London breaks in autumn and winter have their own advantages but I’ll save them for another post later.
- Tags:
- London
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- Jersey Boys
- west end
- Hairspray
- Sister Act
- summer
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- st james park
April 14 2009, 5:38am | Comments »
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I posted to theatrebreaksmag.co.uk
March 2009 Theatre News Roundup
http://theatrebreaksmag.co.uk/march-2009-theatre-news-roundup/
Before starting the regular theatre news updates I thought I’d do a bit of a roundup of news from the previous month and the first half of April just so we know where we are starting from. And it’s been a busy month! War Horse War Horse, the sensational play with giant equine puppets arrived at the New London Theatre after an acclaimed run at the National. War Horse is based on the celebrated novel by Michael Morpurgo. The First World War is the backdrop for this exciting tale of bravery, and the extraordinary bond between a young recruit and his horse.
Sister Act News Patina Miller and the rest of the cast of Sister Act continue to build up the expectation for the Palladium’s new show. Whoopi Goldberg herself managed to overcome fear of air travel in order to appear on the Jonathon Ross show and other publicity appointments in London. Avenue Q - Theatre News is good! Avenue Q announced that it won;t be closed forever afaterall, but is due to reopen at the Gielgud Theatre on 1 June after a month-long break from the Noel Coward Theatre.
Spring Awakening The cast of Spring Awakening brought a refreshing new musical to the West End’s Novello Theatre after a successful run at the Hammersmith Lyric theatre. Previewing from March 21st this youthful, exhuberent but also dark musical play has had nothing but good reviews. Moonshadow - Theatre News not good One piece of bad news this month is that the Yusuf Islam / Cat Stevens musical Moonshadow failed to find a West End theatre available for potential transfer and thus postponed opening at the Royal & Derngate, Northampton in July as originally planned. Jersey Boys Wins Olivier Awards The Jersey Boys musical goes from strength to strength coming top of the New Musical category amongst other awards at the 2009 Olivier Awards. Consolation for Zorro!, a great flamenco musical which closed this month was an award for Best Supporting Role in a Musicalwhich wentdeservedly to Lesli Margherita who was sensational in Zorro!. Emergency New Fagin for Oliver! In a surprise announcement, Russ Abbot was asked to return to the role of Fagin in Oliver for a couple of weeks in April. Rowan Atkinson was forced to pull out for three weeks to undergo minor surgery for a hernia. Russ Abbot played the role of Fagin in the 1997 production and also in a couple of touring productions. New Edna for Hairspray
Michael Ball has been a riot as the lead role in Hairspray for around two years so now a new Edna has been announced for July and it’s non other than Brian Conley whose West End theatre experience includes Chitty Chitty Bang Bang in 2005.
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- west end
- Oliver
- Sister Act
- Whoopi Goldberg
- gielgud theatre
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- palladium
- theatre news
- yusuf islam
April 13 2009, 5:11am | Comments »
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I posted to theatrebreaksmag.co.uk
West End Guide - Theatreland
http://theatrebreaksmag.co.uk/west-end-guide-theatreland/
West End Guide - where is “Theatreland”? In the heart of the West End of London is an area sometimes called ‘Theatreland’. Traditionally it is bordered by The Strand to the south, Oxford Street to the north, Regent Street to the west, and Kingsway to the east. Important streets with theatres include :
Drury Lane, Shaftesbury Avenue, The Strand.
The area contains around forty of London’s largest theatres.They tend to show mostly musicals, with a few classics, new plays,and comedy performances. West End Guide to the Theatres .
Most of the theatres were built in the late nineteenth and early twentieth century. All of them are privately owned. All of the older theatres have great architectural character and range in style from the grand neo-classical to the very ornate rococo. They usually have luxurious, detailed interior design and decoration, with lots of gold and plush. Occasionally the older theatres have limited leg room and restricted views from some parts of the theatre. Tickets for these areas are usually sold cheaper and are not usually offered as part of theatre breaks. Audience facilities such as bars and toilets are often much smaller than in modern theatres. The buildings are all listed and this can make it hard to make improvements. However several theatres have introduced modern comforts such as air conditioning and new sound systems. The Largest Theatres in The West End The largest theatres in the West End seat over 2,000 theatre-goers.
The Palladium - currently about to show Sister Act - 2286 seats The Apollo, Vcctoria - Wicked - 2208 The Theatre Royal - Oliver!- 2196 seats The Dominion - We Will Rock You - 2163 seats The Lyceum - Lion King - 2100 seats I’ll be posting more soon on our West End Guide
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- Oliver
- Drury Lane
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- West End Guide
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April 11 2009, 11:21am | Comments »
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I posted to distributedresearch.net
London breaks with theatre show and hotel
http://distributedresearch.net/blog/2008/03/31/london-breaks
London breaks What is it about the grand hotels and theatres that makes London breaks ever popular? Something more than just the convenience I’m sure. Old fashioned style, social aspiration, romance maybe? The anonymous but attentive service combined with an expectation that everything you could possibly need will be there ready and waiting, or easily conjured up via room service. Modern life is relentless and for the most part let’s be honest, it can consist of following a series of rather dull routines so you don’t have to be an art intellectual or wealthy bon vivant to feel attracted by the idea of just one or two nights break in a smart central London hotel as a complete escape from the same old four walls, kitchen, relatives and other humdrum at home. The West End It’s not that I have any illusions as to what the image of London conjures up in many people’s minds. It’s a great big, busy, noisy city where the citizens are often tired and frazzled from over-stimulation, pressure and travel. They’d like a break too! London as a capital is nothing like Paris, Edinburgh or Cardiff and there can be resentment that so much political, financial and cultural leadership seems to be assumed to begin and end in London. That’s unfortunate in some ways, but then the sheer weight of population, history and connection gives London a momentum that cannot be ignored. Regional theatre may be more innovative in its creativity, and perhaps more intimate in the performance but it’s only when a show makes it to the West End that the bigger name stars can be attracted and the investment comes in for the stunning sets and longer runs. It’s the same story for music, fine art, dance etc. So people come on short breaks to London to see the best shows and soak up the West End atmosphere. London Theatreland
You see, London’s theatreland is quite a small area in the central part of the city which is a stamping ground not just for Londoners (many of whom may not go there for months on end) but for all people from every city, village and nation. On any day, weekend or midweek the culture vulture crowds are present in large numbers, ambling about in groups or couples, plenty of singles too. The lights and buzz hold an attraction for young people as much as the distant familiarity does for people who have been visiting London occasionally for one reason or another over decades. And much of theatreland has not been spoilt. That’s because the classic old theatre buildings themselves have been classed as grade two listed, both exterior and interior. So even when there is a poor year for theatre bookings, as happens from time to time, they cannot be pulled down or turned over for a completely different use. London Map This first map is just to give an idea of how London breaks up into distinct geographical areas with the red central area so much smaller than the great connurbation where the majority of Londoners live and work.
And theatreland is only a part of that centre. Arrival by intercity train for London hotel theatre and train breaks will mean a short journey from one of the famous mainline rail terminals into the centre and then you may not need to venture outside again or set foot in a tube or taxi until it’s time to return home, as long as you book a hotel which is inside the zone. Getting to the Theatres Here’s the street map of London Theatreland clearly showing each of the Theatres by name so it’s easy to find your way around. The same goes for the Hotels and restaurants which can be booked for pre-theatre meals, often very reasonably as part of a show, hotel and travel deal.
Top Musicals
Oliver! Phantom of the Opera Dirty Dancing Joseph Billy Elliot Sound Of Music Hairspray Lion King We Will Rock You Grease Jersey Boys Blood Brothers Mamma Mia! Les Miserables
Plays * God of Carnage by Yasmina Reza (ART!) with Ralph Fiennes, Tamsin Greig (Black Books, Green Wing, Love soup and Debbie Aldridge from The Archers) * The Mousetrap by Agatha Christie still going strong decades later - who dunnit? * The Vortex by Noel Coward with Felicity Kendal Pre-Theatre Dining on London Breaks Overall, London simply has a wider selection of fine international restaurants than any other world city. You can pre book as part of a London theatre and hotel breaks package, or just wander round for a short while until you are tempted. So ‘bon appetit’ and enjoy your capital. Stumble It!
Posted by Andy Roberts London breaks with theatre show and hotel
March 31 2008, 4:58pm | Comments »