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WESTON PLAYHOUSE
THEATRE COMPANY PRESENTS THE
6th ANNUAL
LONDON THEATRE TOUR • May 9 - 18, 2006
PROPOSED
ITINERARY – LONDON & STRATFORD
Note: All events subject to change, owing
to performance schedules and availability of guest speakers.
Tuesday
9 May
| AM |
We will recommend
a Tuesday morning flight from Boston Logan Airport.
Steve Stettler will be on this flight. Tour members
arriving at other times and from other airports
must arrange their own transportation to the hotel.
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| PM
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Arrive
at London Airport. Welcome by Tour Directors Giles
Ramsay and Jon Bonfiglio. Transfer by private coach
to The Cavendish St.
James’s Hotel, a four-star luxury hotel
in the heart of St. James’s, the most elegant
part of the West End. Run in the 1800’s by
Rosa Lewis, the infamous "Duchess of Duke Street,"
the hotel has been completely refurbished to offer
discreet and stylish service within a moment’s
walk of Green Park or Piccadilly Circus. All rooms
will be available for a speedy
check-in upon arrival. |
Wednesday
10 May
| AM |
Briefing
on all aspects of the tour including optional performances,
exhibitions and recommended restaurants. Get acquainted
and review welcome packets. Following the briefing,
our guides will lead a short walking
tour of the neighborhood, pointing out the
nearest banks/ATM’s, post office, shops and
restaurants. |
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| PM
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Performance
One: Perhaps a West
End Play. A leading hit of the season at
one of London’s historic theatres such as The
Haymarket, The Gielgud or The Lyric. As London’s
West End continues to evolve and build even stronger
links with Broadway this is a chance to enjoy a
production of the highest quality available anywhere
in the world. |
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| EVE |
We will travel by
coach to the heart of Mayfair for a Welcome
Dinner in a private room at Sartoria,
Terrence Conran’s fashionable restaurant on
Savile Row. Get to know one another over a stylish
Italian dinner in a Zagat-rated hotspot inspired
by the classical simplicity and elegance of 1930’s
Milan. |
Thursday 11 May
| AM |
The
State We Are In. A discussion with a leading
Journalist or Political Commentator on major
issues of the day: Government, Europe, UK/US relations.
AFTERNOON FREE – a good time to explore
the neighborhood or write those postcards. |
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| EVE |
Performance
Two: Perhaps at the Royal
Court Theatre in Sloane Square. The Royal
Court’s dynamic Artistic Director, Ian Rickson,
continues the English Stage Company’s long
tradition of being the country’s major focus
for new writing.
Optional post-performance
drinks and informal discussion at the hotel. |
Friday 12 May
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MORNING AND AFTERNOON
FREE. By special request, we have freed up the better
part of a day for those who would like to take a
day trip (perhaps a Thames Cruise to Hampton Court
or Windsor) or enjoy extended free time in London.
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| EVE |
Performance
Three: Either a production at the Donmar
Warehouse in Covent Garden or the Almeida
Theatre in its smartly renovated home in
Islington. Under artistic directors Michael Grandage
and Michael Attenborough, these companies are attracting
major artists and a hip, vibrant audience to their
intimate spaces and offbeat locations.
Post-performance discussion with a leading
Member of the Company. |
Saturday 13 May
| AM |
Discussion
Session with Steve Stettler. A chance to
talk with members of the group about the first three
productions we have seen. Sharpen your critical
skills and compare opinions in a friendly and stimulating
atmosphere. |
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| EVE |
Performance
Four: Perhaps at the Royal
National Theatre, experiencing a renaissance
under the directorship of Nicholas Hytner. Based
on London’s South Bank, the National offers
an unrivalled range of classics, musicals and new
plays. With three active stages, several cafes and
a fine bookstore, the RNT remains the flagship for
British Theatre.
EVENING FREE – perhaps to catch a play of
your choice or enjoy a special dinner. |
Sunday 14 May
| AM |
We meet at the hotel
with an Art Expert
who will introduce us to the artwork that we will
seeing. We then travel by coach to enjoy the latest
exhibition at one of London’s
leading galleries such as Tate Britain, the
National Gallery or the Royal Academy.
AFTERNOON FREE – perhaps to enjoy further
time at the gallery or a Sunday stroll along the
South Bank or in one of London’s many parks,
now in full bloom. |
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| EVE |
Optional
Event: Attend a Classical
Concert at one of London’s leading musical
venues such as Queen Elizabeth Hall or the Barbican.
(Details and cost to be announced.) |
Monday 15 May
| AM |
We travel by coach
to Englefield House,
a magnificent Elizabethan home which stands in 14,000
acres of landscaped parkland. Englefield House has
been in the Benyon family since 1592, and Sir
William and Lady
Elizabeth Benyon will show us their stunning
gardens and host
us for lunch
in their beautiful 18th century dining room. |
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| PM |
We travel on to
Stratford-on-Avon
with ample free time to explore this beautiful Elizabethan
town, take an optional backstage tour, and/or enjoy
a pre-theatre meal. |
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| EVE |
Performance
Five: A Shakespeare performance, likely by
the acclaimed Royal
Shakespeare Company at one of its home theatres
in Stratford. We will be in Stratford during the
first month of the RSC’s year-long Complete
Works Festival, an international celebration
of the entire Shakespeare canon featuring expanded
performance spaces and a variety of educational
opportunities – truly the most exciting time
in the company’s distinguished history. |
Tuesday 16 May
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MORNING FREE
– a chance to sleep late and enjoy breakfast
in your room! |
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| PM |
Meet
the Artist. A freewheeling discussion at
our hotel with a special theatre
guest – perhaps a director, actor or
playwright whose work we have seen earlier in the
tour. |
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| EVE |
Performance
Six: Perhaps at The
Old Vic, an historic theatre recently revitalized
under actor Kevin Spacey’s committed artistic
direction. One of London’s oldest theatres,
the Old Vic has seen such immortal productions as
Peter O’Toole’s Hamlet, Laurence
Olivier’s Othello, Maggie Smith’s
Hedda Gabler, the world premiere of Tom Stoppard’s
Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead, and
Spacey’s own The Iceman Cometh.
Discussion Session with
Steve Stettler. A chance to discuss the last
three plays we’ve seen, with optional post-play
drinks from the hotel bar. |
Wednesday 17 May
| AM |
Critical
Round-Up. A chance to compare your views
with one of London’s leading critics, perhaps
Charles Spencer
of the Daily Telegraph, Kate
Bassett of The Sunday Independent
or Matt Wolf
of Variety and American Theatre.
AFTERNOON FREE – a last chance to shop,
take in an early matinee, or begin to pack. |
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| EVE |
Farewell
Dinner. We travel by coach to Covent Garden
for a final evening of food and fellowship at The
Garrick Club, founded in 1831 as a place
where "actors and men of refinement and education
might meet on equal terms." The scene of a
famous quarrel between Dickens and Thackeray, the
club is renowned for its collection of theatrical
artwork, including portraits of Olivier, Gielgud,
Irving and Garrick. We will be hosted by club member
Martin Neary,
a renowned organist and choirmaster who is the former
Director of Music at Westminster Abbey. (Jacket
and tie required.) |
Thursday 18 May
| AM |
Departure for US
(coaching provided only to coincide with the
recommended group flight). Luggage outside rooms
for porter pick-up and an early breakfast precede
departure by coach for the airport, with check-in
assistance from Giles and Jon. |
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ABOUT OUR TOUR GUIDE
Our professional tour guide will again be Giles Ramsay.
A former director of London Arts Discovery Tours, Giles
runs independent cultural tours for North American non-profit
theatres and for the U.S.-based Elderhostel, including
lectures on the Queen Mary 2 as it sails from New York
to London. Former Director of Studies for Summer Schools
in Drama at the University of Edinburgh, Giles was educated
at the universities of London, Cambridge, Durham, and
at RADA. Winner of The Soho Theatre's Westminster Prize
for playwriting, he is founding Artistic Director of
Trident Theatre, presenting plays at the Edinburgh Festival
and producing tours of the UK for actors from Poland
and Tbilisi, Georgia. His production, Sophie, was awarded
four stars at the Edinburgh Festival and was re-produced
by BBC Radio 4. Most recently, he produced MEXART 2005
– a cultural festival highlighting Mexican arts
– in London and Edinburgh.
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>>
2005 WPTC LONDON THEATRE TOUR
by Diana Stugger
>>
CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE
LONDON TOUR ITINERARY
>>
CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE LONDON
TOUR SUMMARY
>>
CLICK HERE TO VIEW TERMS
& CONDITIONS
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