Bill Bailey Tinselworm

Originally uploaded by Andyrob

I like Bill Bailey. His clever wit is surreal and funny without resorting to personal attacks and lowest common denominator smut that passes for fashionable comedy these days. And he’s a great improvising musician as well of course, which adds significantly to the entertainment when he gets the chance to have the stage to himself for any significant time. Bill Bailey’s “Tinselworm” tour has bewildered and delighted audiences all over the UK in 2007, down under in 2008 and now finishes off in London’s Gielgud Theatre booking until December 30th.

** Bill Bailey Tinselworm Tickets **

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Bill Bailey Tinselworm

Eddie Izzard - Stripped

Originally uploaded by Andyrob

Eddie Izzard brings his “Stripped” comedy tour to the Lyric Theatre in London for 23 nights in London’s West End November and December 2008.

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Eddie Izzard - Stripped

Imagine This finishes its preview run and opens to the critics tonight at the New London Theatre. Good luck to the cast and producers from London Theatre Breaks Blog.

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Imagine This - Good Luck

Sister Act the Musical

Sister Act the Musical is coming to London in May 2009, so this is quite advance notice - they haven’t even cast the lead role Deloris Van Cartier yet! But the producers are so confident of success with this stage version of the hit comedy film that advance bookings are being taken for 7th May 2009 right up to February 13th, 2010 at the London Palladium where the Sound of Music closes at the end of February next year.

** Sister Act Tickets Search - Discount Theatre **

Whoopi Goldberg Sister Act

Whoopi Goldberg has signed up to co-produce the new London stage musical adaptation of Sister Act, which will receive its West End premiere at the London Palladium on 2 June 2009, previews from 7 May. Whoopi Goldberg starred in the original 1992 screen version of Sister Act and then Sister Act 2.

Sister Act on Stage

The Stage Musical version of Sister Act with a brand new musical score by Alan Menken has already played in Pasadena California in 2006 and Atlanta Georgia in 2007 and hopes to transfer to New York or Broadway later in 2009 or 2010.

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Sister Act The Musical - Making Whoopi

** Book The Mousetrap Theatre Breaks **

Agatha Christie’s The Mousetrap

St Martins Theatre at night, venue for The Mousetrap Theatre Breaks.

Agatha Christie’s The Mousetrap is now in it’s 56th year.

With over 23,000 performances already passed, The Mousetrap is unique as a great piece of London theatre history. It’s a murder mystery whodunit written by Agatha Christie, the world’s greatest crime writer.

Hotels For The Mousetrap Theatre Breaks

London Theatre Breaks to see The Mousetrap might include a period hotel to maintain that chilling charm all weekend but modern comfort is an alternative though by no means mutually exclusive option. Previous Mousetrap Theatre Breaks customers have opted for London Hotels including the following:

• Crowne Plaza London City
• Rembrandt Hotel
• Strand Palace Hotel
• Travelodge Kings cross

Mousetrap Theatre Breaks Video

This is a great excerpt from another theatre to give an idea of the humour, excitement and suspense that The Mousetrap and Agatha Christie are famous for. In order not to spoil any of the story for you, this video has been encoded in German. (If you understand German well, please turn down the sound)

** Book The Mousetrap Theatre Breaks **

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The Mousetrap Theatre Breaks

Buddy Holly London Theatre Breaks

** book Buddy Holly London Theatre Breaks before 7th Feb 2009 **

Buddy Holly The Rock and Roll Musical is set to tour major cities in the UK in 2009 which means the last opportunity to see Buddy in London’s West End for a little while will be on Feb 7th 2009. Buddy has been playing at the Duchess theatre since August 2007 and before that in other theatres at various times since 1989.

Buddy Holly UK Tour 2009

Here are some dates and venues for the regional tour:

BRISTOL Hippodrome *U.K. TOUR 2009*
9th - 14th February, 2009
BIRMINGHAM Hippodrome *U.K. TOUR 2009*
16th - 21st February, 2009
LIVERPOOL Empire Theatre *U.K. TOUR 2009*
23rd - 28th February, 2009
NORTHAMPTON Derngate Theatre *U.K. TOUR 2009*
2nd - 7th March, 2009
WOLVERHAMPTON Grand Theatre *U.K. TOUR 2009*
9th - 14th March, 2009
LINCOLN Theatre Royal *U.K. TOUR 2009*
16th - 21st March, 2009
SWINDON Wyvern Theatre *U.K. TOUR 2009*
23rd - 28th March, 2009
CARDIFF New Theatre *U.K. TOUR 2009*
30th March - 4th April, 2009
WOKING New Victoria Theatre *U.K. TOUR 2009*
6th - 11th April, 2009
INVERNESS Eden Court *U.K. TOUR 2009*
13th - 18th April, 2009
PLYMOUTH Theatre Royal *U.K. TOUR 2009*
27th April - 2nd May, 2009

Buddy Holly London Theatre Breaks Videos

** book Buddy Holly London Theatre Breaks before 7th Feb 2009 **

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Buddy Holly London Theatre Breaks UK Tour 2009

** book We Will Rock You Theatre Breaks **

We Will, We Will Rock You

We Will Rock You theatre breaks bring the sounds, spectacle and excitement of a big rock concert to one of the larger London theatres that looks just the part.
Going to a real rock concert usually involves a large amount of discomfort including queues for tickets, queues for entrance, and sometimes waiting for hours to see if the headline band will actually show up, only to be turned out into the cold night streets long after the last trains have left the station. The stage show of We Will Rock You after telling its not insignificant story woven through with great songs, recreates some of a rock concert atmosphere as it reaches several surging crescendos and eventually send the audience and fans exhausted but uplifted back out to Tottenham Court Road at around 10.15pm after nearly three hours of high quality entertainment.

We Will Rock You as Musical Theatre

Don’t get the idea that We Will Rock You is just some kind of tribute band cover performance though, this is a genuine piece of musical theatre, play written by Ben Elton with a real plot, songs that move the story forward, classic duets, lots of comedy, astonishing costumes and possibly the most technically advanced set changes and special effects in the West End.

Theatre Breaks to see We Will Rock You

Not quite your regular theatre weekend audience, dressed up for a meal and show, the Dominion Theatre fills with a mixture of musicals lovers, Queen fans on pilgrimage, theatre breaks regulars, Londoners who know a good night out, and even corporate entertainers. We Will Rock You Theatre Breaks are a good choice for couples and groups with varying tastes, perhaps especially those for whom classic musicals like The Sound Of Music or Oliver are just a little bit sugary. Talking of Oliver though, one of the Nancy finalists from I’d do anything Rachel Tucker found her way into We Will Rock You playing the part of “Meat” and her bubbly performance really shines through, stealing the show for much of the first act. Apparently she’s also understudy to Sabrina Aloueche and occasionally plays the lead female role of Scaramouche (see the Rachel Tucker blog.)

Hotels for We Will Rock You Theatre Breaks

Choosing the right hotel is a unique decision depending on how you plan to spend your theatre break, personal preference and maybe past experience. The location of the Dominion Theatre is right by Tottenham court tube station so if proximity to the show is important, then you’ve got the St Giles Hotel (Three bars, dancing) right on the same crossroads and 18th Century Blooms Townhouse just behind in Russel Square. Also, being on the north side of theatreland, any of the Hotels around St Pancras and Kings Cross areas might be convenient, especially if you are taking advantage of the 40% discount on rail travel when booked in advance with theatre breaks and use those stations.

• Holiday Inn Kings Cross
• Novotel London St Pancras
• Travelodge King’s Cross Royal Scot

The availability of top London Hotel rooms at discount theatre breaks prices will obviously vary according to the best dates you can put into your search, but as a rough guide, previous We Will Rock You Theatre Breaks customers have in the past also chosen:

• Holiday Inn London Mayfair
• Strand Palace
• Holiday Inn Bloomsbury
• Travelodge City Road
• Holiday Inn Kensington Forum
• Marriott Regents Park
• City Inn Westminster
• Grange Fitzrovia
• Premier Inn Kensington
• Crowne Plaza London St James
• Copthorne Tara Hotel
• Millenium Baileys Hotel
• Strand Palace Hotel
• Holiday Inn Bloomsbury
• Park Inn Hyde Park
• Radisson SAS Portman Hotel
• Ibis London Earls Court

We Will Rock You Theatre Breaks Video Tasters

A mini documentary about the evolution of We Will Rock You which includes Roger Taylor saying that “Musical theatre is death”!

Here are some of the London cast of We Will Rock You performing live at Party in the Park 2006, to give just a taste of the high energy rock show.

And here they are out demoing some songs for the show again, more recently at London’s Olympic 2012 celebrations

And finally one I took myself at the the West End Live 2008 event

** book We Will Rock You Theatre Breaks **

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We Will Rock You Theatre Breaks

** book Mamma Mia! theatre breaks **

Mamma Mia! the stage musical is a world wide hit, playing in more theatres than any other show. London Mamma Mia theatre breaks give the chance for people from all over the UK to see this top quality hit musical in London’s West End where it’s been playing since 1999, (last century!).
This is the show which transforms the stage into a Greek Island complete with sunshine, ancient mythological analogies and water. Not to mention the fabulous ABBA anthems which really lift the spirit whether you think of yourself as a fan of Benny and Bjorn or not.

Mamma Mia Theatre Breaks

The best Mamma Mia Theatre Breaks packages consist of top tickets for the dates of your choice at the Prince of Wales theatre, luxury rooms in a plush central London Hotel and discount rail vouchers for travel from Birmingham, Manchester, Crewe, Bristol, Ipswich, Rugby, Glasgow, Portsmouth, Cardiff, Stoke, Ashford or anywhere on the UK rail network. Some theatre weekenders add London attractions too, like a London Eye Fast Track, Original Bus Tour or River Pass. Pre-theatre restaurant meals can be booked at the same time for those who like to know where they will eating, weeks in advance.

Hotels for Mamma Mia Theatre Breaks

The Hotel rooms availability and prices will vary depending on the dates you put in, but as a rough guide, previous Mamma Mia Theatre Breaks sensible customers have chosen:

• Strand Palace
• St Giles Hotel
• Holiday Inn Regents Park
• Kensington Close Hotel
• Holiday Inn Kensington Forum
• Ibis London Earls Court
• Holiday Inn Bloomsbury
• Grange City Hotel
• Leonard Hotel
• Hotel Russell
• Grange Langham Court Hotel
• Novotel London St Pancras
• Ramada Hyde Park
• Radisson SAS Portman Hotel

The Strand Palace is very convenient for Theatreland and also Charing Cross station while others are close to the great shopping centres and everything else that London has to offer.

Mamma Mia the Stage Show

The stage show version of Mamma Mia is not based on the story from the songs, nor is it a juke box musical or tribute show exactly, it’s an original romantic comedy story which cleverly weaves 22 of the famous Abba hits into the plot as the narrative unfolds.
Catherine Johnson wrote the book, the stage play script and it’s the same story in the film too. The cleverest part is the way this musical turns into a game in which the audience can’t help trying to guess which famous Abba song is coming next, as the plot sneaks up on and finally reveals one of the best known anthems. Are you ready to play the Mamma Mia game live in the theatre?

London Mamma Mia Cast Videos

Here’s the London cast from Mamma Mia on the X Factor, TV series.

The London cast of Mamma Mia! again at West End Live, London’s theatre showcase live event

And finally, an original Abba performance of The Winner Takes it All, one of the songs featured in Mamma Mia

** book Mamma Mia! theatre breaks **

See also: Mamma Mia Theatre Breaks

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Mamma Mia! Theatre Breaks

** book Grease theatre breaks **

Planning Grease Theatre Breaks

Most people planning Grease theatre breaks will have already seen the film a few times, maybe the stage show as well somewhere, and may even have sung and danced in a production themselves. It’s one of the all time great musicals which spans the decades by being set in the fifties and made famous in the 70s. So Grease theatre breaks present an opportunity to live again through all those great songs and dance routines, roll back the years and get teenage kicks all through the night. By staying in London overnight or for the whole weekend, the dream doesn’t end abruptly as soon as the curtain calls finish.

Grease makes for a lively night out.

After an emotional treat like an evening at Grease it may be time to hit the dance floor. The show ends just as London’s club scene is coming to life. Then it’s your turn to dance! There are several great clubs just near the theatre which will be a lot more fun than rushing for the last train and setting off for home, if indeed possible.

So this is how Grease Theatre Breaks with inclusive overnight London hotel stays are usually the best way to plan ahead and get the best theatre tickets. When booking for whichever dates you have chosen, you will then be presented with the hotel options and here are some suggestions which may help with making that decision:

Hotels for Grease Theatre Breaks

The Piccadilly theatre is right near guess where? Yes, Piccadilly Circus and Leicester Square, the heart of downtown London, the West End. So if proximity to the theatre is important then either the Crowne Plaza London St James, along Piccadilly or the Holiday Inn Oxford Circus just a short walk up Regents Street would be wonderfully central. Previous Grease theatre breaks customers have also opted for the following choices:

• Strand Palace Hotel
• Grange Langham Court Hotel
• Hotel Russell
• Novotel London St Pancras
• Premier Inn Kensington

but I’d like to suggest two more interesting hotel options:

The St Giles Hotel with its three bars, swimming pool and dance club, and for a very different vibe the more traditional Blooms Townhouse for beautiful decor and impressive paintings.

And now for some Grease London cast news:

Jimmy Osmond stars in Grease 19 January to 14 March

Jimmy Osmond from the Osmonds (a popular beat combo in the 70s m’lud) stars as “Teen Angel” after having refreshed his UK popularity recently through an appearance in “I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here” !

Other star cast members are Danny Bayne (winner of ITV’s “Grease Is The Word”) as Danny and Nicola Brazil (Wicked) as Sandy.

A pale fore taste of Grease theatre breaks

A view from “the Gods”

(Don’t worry, by booking Grease theatre breaks you’ll get a better view than this!)

30 Years of Grease

Warning. The live performance contains strobe-like lighting effects.

** book Grease theatre breaks **

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Grease Theatre Breaks

Oliver the Musical London Theatre Breaks

** Book Oliver! London Theatre Breaks **

When people were choosing the next Nancy for the stage musical of Oliver!, I wonder how many of them thought of taking London theatre breaks to really see the show properly. Cameron Mackintosh’s revival of Lionel Bart’s family musical Oliver! will make a great theatre show for a family visit to London. Rehearsals are underway already and the previews start in December. One of the best ways of getting tickets for the Friday and Saturday shows is to book them as part of all inclusive London theatre breaks.This is because the hotel and show package agencies have tickets for popular dates you might otherwise struggle to get.

Oliver with Jodie Prenger tip

Top tip - if you can’t get tickets for a Saturday try booking for the Friday. You can really make a weekend of it and can often stay the Saturday night as well for just a bit more.

Remember if you want to see Jodie Prenger don’t book Wednesday or Thursday evenings. If you don’t mind you can sometimes pick up a bargain for those shows and Tamsin Carrol (Nancy alternate) has a great voice!

When booking for whichever dates you have chosen, you will then be presented with the hotel options and here are some suggestions which may help with making that decision:

Hotels for Oliver! theatre breaks

These are just a few of the possible hotels for your stay in London to see Oliver! the musical. Your choice depends partly on whether you want to be handy for the West End or if you prefer to be nearer your train station. I think the hotels nearer the West End are often a better idea. These ones are all within a short walk but the choice is vast and most are very good.

The Buckingham - 4* elegant Georgian townhouse hotel in the Bloomsbury area. This area is a short walk from the theatre and handy for lots of attractions.

The Grange Holborn Hotel - 5* modern, high rise, luxury hotel. More affordable than you’d think. Handy for central London attractions and the theatre. This one has amazing facilities including a Roman Art Deco pool and steam rooms!

Holiday Inn Bloomsbury - 4* modern hotel just off Russell Square. It is only a short walk from the West End and is close to London parks.

Oliver! the musical Cast List

Three young actors get to play Oliver and the Artful Dodger on a rotational basis that isn’t always published:

Laurence Jeffcoate, Gwion Wyn Jones and Harry Stott - ‘Oliver’

Eric Dibb Fuller, Robert Madge and Ross McCormack - ‘The Artful Dodger’

Rowan Atkinson - ‘Fagin’

Jodie Prenger - ‘Nancy’

Tamsin Carroll -’Nancy’ on the Wednesday and Thursday evening performances.

Burn Gorman - ‘Bill Sikes’

Rosemary Leech - ‘Mrs Bedwin’

Julian Bleach - ‘Mr Sowerberry’

Louise Gold - ‘Mrs Sowerberry’

Julius D’Silva - ‘Mr Bumble’

Wendy Ferguson - ‘Widow Corney’

Other members of Fagin’s Gang

Jordan Li-Smith, 13, has been offered the part of Charlie Bates,the Artful Dodger’s best friend. Jordan appeared in BBC hit Saturday night series I’d Do Anything. Unfortunately, he wasn’t Oliver but impressed the judges.

Dan Ferrarri - one of our blog readers, is playing a member of Fagin’s gang. Dan said that each gang leader has a team and that he is in the Tanners team with Ross McCormac.

Oliver the musical Video Clips

Now, just to get you in the mood, here are all three Olivers singing “Where is Love?”

And of course - “Food Glorious Food!” from the film version:

** Book Oliver! the musical London Theatre Breaks **

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Oliver! The Musical Theatre Breaks and Full Cast List