Keep up to date with the views and gossip in London’s Theatreland with Theatre Breaks Blog
Everyone knows that a London Theatre Break is a special occassion. The trip to London, great seats for one of the West End’s top shows, a pre-theatre dinner, a post-theatre drink or stroll through Theatreland and a nearby hotel to lay your sleepy head. But for some guests that is only half the story. Whether it is to celebrate a “big” birthday or a significant anniversary, sometimes the occasion deserves
Celebrating the announcement of its second large scale UK tour, Jersey Boys is the story of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons’ rags-to-rock-riches tale of four lads working their way from the streets of New Jersey to the heights on international pop-stardom.
With the announcement this week that theatre breaks are now on sale for the London premiere of Tina – The Tina Turner Musical it occurred to me that there was a definite ’60s vibe going on in the West End in 2017 and this is only set to continue winto 2018 Olivier Award winners Beautiful : The Carole King Musical and Sunny Afternoon led the ’60s revival with the former
The heat in London’s West End is set to soar this summer with three BIG BIG shows opening to tantilise the theatrical taste buds. 1. Just opened is the smash hit musical 42nd Street at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane featuring 80s popstress Sheena Easton as an over-demanding actress whose star is fading on Broadway. The scorching tap dance numbers, sparkling sequined costumes, men in top hat and tails and a familiar
An announcement from the stage may not only be the best way to stop phone users, it might make it more likely that your show will be a hit! It is no secret that one of the big annoyances for theatregoers is a play interrupted by the ringing of a mobile phone. In Theatre Breaks’ recent Theatre audience survey, audiences felt that by far the most popular solution to the
Let’s forget all this cold weather and look forward to the sunny freshness of Spring which, fingers crossed, is just around the corner. A sure sign that it really is close is the fact that bluebell buds are in abundance in my local woods and we are thinking of Easter Theatre Breaks! Easter Theatre Breaks During the Easter school holidays London has lots to offer in the way of theatre
Following my “twixmas” break in Edinburgh I was talking to a new acquaintance about the festivals in Edinburgh. Of course we all know about the world famous Fringe Festival and the Edinburgh International Festival and we were both waxing lyrical about how lively Edinburgh is throughout the year. Wanting to seem knowledgeable I started to talk about some of the other festivals in Edinburgh: The Magic Festival the Book Festival
Whether you are celebrating an anniversary or planning to pop the question, for the perfect lovers occasion, we can arrange romantic theatre breaks in London. Romantic Theatre Breaks in London Mamma Mia! Les Miserables Waitress The Phantom of the Opera Popular Musicals Long before the smash hit film broke records on screen, London audiences were enjoying the sun-kissed scenery, energetic dance numbers and romantic entanglements on show in Mamma Mia!
Last week I was treated to a private screening of the new Miss Saigon movie. It is the film of the 25th Anniversary performance in London (with added footage) of Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schönberg’s Vietnam musical set at the fall, and the US evactuation of, Saigon and is about a young GI and an orphaned local girl working in a bar, who fall in love. The world premiere of
Summer theatre doesn’t have to be behind closed doors. Make the most of the warm nights with a trip to the Regent’s Park Open Air theatre in London.
With meaty wah wah coming from the guitars and a brass section to die for, Motown introduces itself from the pit of the Shaftesbury Theatre with a musical promise that it then delivers on in bucket loads! If you love Motown (and let’s face it, with that back catalogue who couldn’t find something to love) then this is the show for you. OK, Thriller Live, might give you a taste
London is actually quite a green city. It might be easy to forget amongst the skyscrappers of the city and the bustle of the West End, but, from royal parks to garden squares, the green green grass of home gives Londoners and their guests a multitude of places to relax and enjoy the season. Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre Nowhere more so than Regent’s Park. Situated just north of London’s
There is nothing not to love about a theatre trip to see Running Wild at the Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre. The play, set in the jungles of Indonesia sits as happily in Regent’s Park as does William Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream! Running Wild is an earnest piece with a strong message about animal poaching and decimated forests, but it still has heart, thanks to the performances of the
Summer on the Southbank is a wonderful thing. This summer, if you have come to London on a theatre break, give yourself some time to cross the river and explore this exciting area of London. Whether you go during the day to take in the views from the London Eye or later in the evening to discover the delights of the Udderbelly, summer on the Southbank really is a unique
Continuing our Insights series on London’s Theatreland, Neil Maxfield give us an insight into his life as one of London’s tour guides. We thought that he would be an excellent person to hear from given his particular interest: musical theatre! Plus he’s offering Theatre Breaks guests an exclusive discount! Becoming a Musical Theatre Tour Guide I first came up with the idea of Musical Theatre walking tours just over
Doctor Faustus Review by Simon Harding: 26 April 2016 A thought provoking play. Obviously not one for children, but if you are used to the nudity and violence in Game of Thrones then seeing Kit Harington in these surroundings should come as no surprise! A big re-work of Marlowe’s play by playwright, Colin Teevan and handed over to Jamie Lloyd to direct, brings parts of it up to date whilst
The Queen opens Land of the Lions If, like me you saw the news of The Queen opening the new Lion enclosure at London Zoo and, like me, you absolutely LOVE lions, then you will be trying to work out when you can make it down to London to see the new arrivals for yourself. So I hope you will be glad to hear of our ticket and hotel packages
I just thought I would let you all know about how, at the end of the summer, the life of Nelson Mandela will brought to the stage in an epic operatic tribute. Take 30 seconds out of your life to get an idea of what is waiting for you at the Royal Festival Hall. Wales Millennium Centre and Cape Town Opera present the story of one of the world’s most
I thought I would just give you a reminder about some of the new shows opening in London opening over the next few months. The only problem you will have is finding time to see them all! New shows opening in London MOTOWN THE MUSICAL (Opened 8th March 2016) If you’re looking for a great night out this Spring look no further than Motown The Musical at the Shaftesbury Theatre.
Musical Theatre is not all West End Blockbusters We all love going to see a show. But for many, the love goes beyond that and we want to actually get involved! This love starts from an early age and for many (like myself) it started in a theatre youth group. Since then I know that musical theatre is not only about those big London theatre shows, but it is also
Covent Garden is at the heart of London’s ‘Theatreland’ and, as a true foodie destination, Covent Garden Restaurants feature some of the best pre-and post-theatre dinner options in the West End. In the first of our Insights series, Theatre Breaks went to talk to the Covent Garden Insider to get their top five favourite restaurants in and around this famous square. If you’re feeling peckish, why not have a delicious pre-
Remember the greatest playwright of them all with Shakespeare productions in London and Stratford upon Avon
World Book Day is here and to celebrate, we thought we would take a look at the musicals that started off life as a book. So here are four musicals that are now on in London’s West End, that were originally books. Can you come up with any more? Les Misérables Victor Hugo’s Les Misérables is considered to be one of the greatest 19th century novels written. This huge book
Welcome to our October Theatre Newsletter I went to see The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time last week. I hadn’t managed to see it yet and was very happy to be able to take my mum and dad (who also enjoyed it immensely). Even if you have not read the book, you’ll have probably heard of the play: of how Christopher, a 15 year old boy whose
