American Musicals moving across the Pond

April 30th, 2009 by admin | No Comments | Filed in General News

Jonathan Larson’s ‘tick… tick… BOOM!’ and Jason Robert Brown’s ‘The Last 5 Years’ are coming to London this spring in a short series at the West End’s Duchess Theatre. The cast will consist of young and upcoming West End talent.

The fully staged productions will be running from the 6th to the 17th of May, with a short break on the 11th and 12th of the month.

The musicals will fill an expected gap created at the theatre following the early closure of Nicholas De Jongh’s ‘Plague Over England’.

The shows are presented by the team that ran the “Notes From New York” series last October at the Theatre Royal in Haymarket. The production did so well in fact that it sparked two extra performances, so it’s not surprising to see it being reworked for a new run at the Duchess.

Julie Atherton will star in both shows alongside Paul Spicer, Paul Keating and Leon Lopez. Atherton and Spicer also appeared in the October run of The Last 5 Years but the show promises to be reconceived in this run. Atherton starred in the original cast of ‘Avenue Q’ as Kate Monster and Lucy the Slut, as well as previously playing Sophie in ‘Mamma Mia!’

The Last 5 Years is an intimate musical that tells the story of the floundering relationship between Jamie and Cathy, a successful novelist and struggling actor, respectively. The play uses differing timelines to tell the story from both characters perspective, and interestingly only includes one scene in which the couple sing together – their wedding, which happens in the middle of the play. The show premiered in the UK in 2006 at the Menier Chocolate Factory.

Tick… Tick… BOOM! Tells the story of a composer who is struggling with his career choice of moving into the arts. The play is set in 90s New York and is autobiographical of writer and composer, Jonathon Larson. The show premiered in the UK in 2005, also at the Menier Chocolate Factory.

Tickets are priced at accessible rates between £10 and £30 for each production, or £50 for a season ticket to both.

Theatre Breaks in London

The last few years has seen a big increase in the number of cheap theatre breaks being sold online. A theatre break is a package deal, comprising of a ticket to see a show, and a stay at a (usually) top London hotel.

It is entirely possible that part of the reason for the rising popularity of such deals is the credit crunch. In times of financial hardship people still want to relax and be entertained, however they tend to look for the best deals possible. Like most purchases these days, the best deals an be found online.

Theatre Breaks in London tend to offer much better value than, say, a night at a decent hotel and a theatre ticket sold seperately, hence the raising popularity.

Tags: , , ,

Arts Council to spend £40m to fight recession – Theatre gets a Financial Break

April 29th, 2009 by admin | No Comments | Filed in Press Releases

There’s good news today for the theatre world and any cultural organisation worried about fighting off the effects of the continued recession. Arts Council England has announced a new fund of £40m which institutions can apply to for support over the next two years.

Trademarked the ‘Sustain’ initiative, the funds will reduce the council’s lottery balance quite severely. This balance is usually kept topped up in case any emergency injection of cash is needed into a large scale project.

Although the initiative which has been labelled Sustain might weaken the council’s ability to deal with such unexpected situations, it will make a real difference to many people.

Any art organisation can apply for the grant from the initiative. Grants will range from £75,000 to £3m – quite substantial amounts for any organisation. Priority will be given to organisations seen as vital in providing for the Art Council’s mission of ‘Great art for everyone.’ However, with a minimum payout set so high, it’s unlikely that any small organisations will see much benefit, especially those outside of the city.

ACE chair Liz Forman who announced the Sustain initiative also criticised the government’s decision to remove £4m of funding from the 2010/11 budget this week: “Of course we understand that the national debt has to be tackled, but a few million off the arts budget is going to make no appreciable difference to that task. On the other hand it could undermine years of creative and financial investment.”

ACE is responsible for many forms of cultural development which includes the theatre, photography, music and dance. Although the agency was financially prepared for far greater losses, they’ve still been hit quite hard. An ACE spokesperson warned that although no cuts in current funding would have to be made, the council may have to be more careful about new projects: “That is why, in implementing these cuts, we will not reduce our planned investment in the arts organisations we fund on a regular basis. Instead we will reconsider our existing and planned new projects and look to find savings there.”

Along with the Sustain fund, ACE have also announced an extra £4m for the ‘Grants for the Arts’ budget over the next two years and a £500,000 program aiming to bring artistic flair to empty retail spaces within towns.

Theatre Breaks

Theatre Breaks have are rapidly becoming one of the most popular ways to see a show, possibly in part due to the great value when compared to booking a hotel and theatre ticket seperately.

Tags: , ,

Sheridan Smith and Duncan James confirmed Legally Blonde leads – Theare Breaks

April 23rd, 2009 by admin | No Comments | Filed in Press Releases

‘Legally Blonde the Musical’ has finally been confirmed for a west end debut after a string of rumours. The show is scheduled to begin on the 12 of January, 2010 at the Savoy theatre, with previews at the Savoy throughout December.

The musical, based off the hit 2001 film of the same name, premiered at the Palace Theatre in Broadway two years ago. It ran over a year and is now touring the US with international dates shortly to be announced. During its run the show was nominated for seven Tony Awards. The London production is directed by the Broadway director Jerry Mitchell famous for his work on the incredibly popular musical, Hairspray.

Sheridan Smith and Duncan James are set to play the lead parts. Smith is best known for her on screen work; especially in BBC comedy shows such as ‘Two Pints of Larger and a Packet of Crisps’, ‘The Royle Family’ and ‘Gavin and Stacey’. She isn’t new to the west end however; she was nominated for a Laurence Olivier Award in a production of Little Shop of Horrors at the Menier Chocolate Factory.

Duncan James is famous for his musical career as a member of the hit boyband, Blue. He has a variety of roles since the band broke up, mostly focused on reality television and on screen hosting work. He’s also done some West End stage work though, appearing as Billy Flynn in Chicago.

The musical is a romantic comedy based around Elle Woods, a homecoming queen and college sweetheart who is dumped by her boyfriend for a girl who he sees as more ‘serious’. Infuriated and humiliated, Elle swaps her credit card for the library and enrols at Harvard Law to prove herself. Along the way, she meets a new love interest in the form of a man named Emmett, played by Alex Gaumond. The play will follow the same story as that of the film.

Legally Blonde Theatre Breaks

Tickets for the show went on sale earlier this week. For something a little different, consider seeing this show in combination with one of the theatre breaks on offer from westendthreatrebreaks.com.

Tags: ,

Theatre Breaks – A wicked Night Out!

February 25th, 2009 by admin | No Comments | Filed in Press Releases

Going to the theatre is something many of us think about occasionally, but rarely actually get around to doing. The reason for this is simple: it can be an expensive night out, the best shows are in London where the transportation can be a nightmare and booking tickets is a time consuming and often confusing process. Many of us live too far away from London to simply travel for the day, but find the idea of booking a separate hotel and show in addition to navigating across the city a little too much hard work.

Enter ‘West End Theatre Breaks’, a site that provides everything you need to organise your theatre breaks without having to spend hours researching the lowest prices or best combination of deals. Theatre breaks in London become something that’s not only quickly organized but also incredibly cheap. The site has been working alongside theatre companies and some of London’s best and most affordable hotels for twenty years, so you can put your faith in their knowledge.

Of course being able to trust the site to book your theatre breaks doesn’t mean you can’t make your own decisions as well. Want expensive seats but a budget hotel? No problem. Want a top of range experience where money is no issue? The site can arrange everything in minutes. It’s also got a theatre plan and seating guide for shows and just about all the information about the hotels you’ll ever need. From each hotel page, you can find information from whether you’ll find a minibar in your room to how far away the hotel is from the show you’ve booked.

Cheap theatre breaks have never been so easy to arrange, so now is the time to stop thinking about going to the theatre and book some tickets to the best show in town!

Tags: , , ,

Cheap Theatre Breaks… For a Night to Remember!

February 15th, 2009 by admin | No Comments | Filed in Press Releases

Trying to think of that perfect gift for someone you care about can be difficult. You’ve tried everything from the most personal sentiment to the most obvious attempt to catch your partner’s attention, but sometimes it’s the simplest things that we enjoy the most. Perhaps the next time you want to surprise someone and show them what they mean to you, a visit to “West End Theatre Breaks” should be in order.

The site specializes in theatre breaks in London and has over 20 years of valuable experience dealing with both London hotels and theatre companies. Theatre breaks might not have been something that you’ve immediately considered as a present in the past, but you’ll quickly find they can be an ideal gift. Firstly, you can choose the show and show off that you know exactly what your partner will enjoy the most. Secondly, you get to spend the night in one of the most amazing cities in the world and thirdly – and perhaps a little sneakily – you get to do it all as well, so it’s even a treat for you!

Unfortunately booking theatre tickets is more complicated than going to the cinema, and London can be very confusing to people who don’t live there or visit regularly. West End Theatre Breaks can solve both of these problems in an instant, finding you not only the perfect show at a time that suits you, but also matching you up with a large choice of excellent hotels. Think of it like a package holiday, but instead of cheap flights you can find cheap theatre breaks!

The sites efficient design and years of experience in the industry mean that you’ll be booking tickets in minutes rather than hours, and you’ll have a full range of options to choose from explained in plain English. Where to sit, which hotels have the best range of facilities and how to plan your travel are all covered in a single website, so you don’t have to neglect your partner just to book them a present!

Tags: , ,

Weekend Theatre Breaks

January 20th, 2009 by admin | No Comments | Filed in Press Releases

A trip to the capital has always needed a little thought and planning. It is well known that London is busy, expensive, difficult to navigate and when you finally arrive at your chosen destination- all the tickets are sold out. If this experience sounds familiar to you, maybe it’s time you looked at Theatre Breaks in London.

Weekend theatre breaks

If a trip to see a top show in the West End seems beyond your budget, organisational skills and patience you need to visit www.westendtheatrebreaks.com For twenty years they have been working closely with the theatres and hotels in the West End to bring a package to the aspirant visitor that will ensure the whole experience is affordable, enjoyable, stress free and concludes with a night in the top hotel of your choice.

Cheap Theatre Breaks

A top show in the West End will usually cost between fifty and eighty pounds, a good hotel will start from a hundred pounds. Westendtheatrebreaks offer Theatre Breaks from as little as seventy pounds. With just a few clicks all the hard work is done for you, you can choose the seats you want, the hotel – three, four or five star and be certain after the show you don’t have far to go to get a great nights sleep and a good breakfast before you have to return to the real world.

Tags: ,

Theatre Breaks In London

January 4th, 2009 by admin | No Comments | Filed in Press Releases

If you love a good show but think that heading to the West End is complicated, expensive and hard to achieve- time to think again. There is no better way to beat the winter blues than being a VIP for the weekend. Get online go to Westendtheatrebreaks.com Theatre breaks here are the complete package- with just a few clicks you can choose your show, choose your seats then choose a hotel. With twenty years experience West End theatre breaks have great links to the theatres and hotels to offer value and simplicity to ensure your weekend is hassle-free and real treat amidst the rain and snow.

Cheap Theatre Breaks

Gone are the days when a trip to the capital meant lots of saving, an organisational endeavour and a long wait for the train home. Cheap theatre breaks booked with West End theatre breaks will leave you feeling like a million dollars for only a few pounds and there is no better way to round off a great night than a starred hotel and a good breakfast in the morning before the trip back home.

Tags: ,

Theatre Breaks – An Amazing Way to See a Show…

December 24th, 2008 by admin | No Comments | Filed in Press Releases

‘Theatre break’ is the term given to a short break away, comprising of a ticket to a theatrical performance, coupled with a nights stay at a hotel. Such breaks are often thought to be expensive, but westendbreaks.com dispells this myth.
 

Weekend Theatre Breaks Need Not Be Expensve…


 
It is a shame that many people seem to think that a weekend theatre break is out of their budget. It is usually the case that a dedicated business can supply you with a complete theatre break package for less than many ‘third party ticket outlets’ would charge you for a tickets to a show alone.
 

Cheap Theatre Breaks…


 
Westendtheatrebreaks.com have been in the business for over 20 years, and are dedicated to offering the very best deals when it comes to cheap theatre breaks. Although their deals are cheap, this should not be confused with cheap quality! – westendtheatrebreaks.com uses top London hotels when the arrange their breaks, and have great prices due to their long history with the show houses and hotels of London.
 
For example, their site boasts theatre breaks based around the show ‘Spamalot’ by Monty Python, for as little as £55.
 
Most theatre breaks include a fully English breakfast the next day, meaning you should return home entertained, rested, and a few pounds heavier!!!
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Tags: , , , ,

Christmas Theatre Breaks

December 20th, 2008 by admin | No Comments | Filed in Press Releases

As christmas creeps ever closer, and the festive fever grips the wallet; what will you be buying your loved one? Shoes, jewellery, music all firm favourites on the christmas lists of the fashionable. But, for many the entire period is quite stressful, all the family around and wanting everything to be just perfect can really take it out of you.
 
What many of us need after the holidays, is a holiday. Or at least a short break. So this year maybe the gift to give is a weekend away in London with all the sites, a top hotel and West End show.
 

Great Gift- Weekend Break


 
You may think that a weekend in London, a top hotel and a top West End show is going to cost a fortune. But, if you look around there are always deals to be had, though now, some one has done the looking for you.
 

Try A Theatre Break


 
Over recent years theatre break has become a common term for a deal that takes all the stress out of visiting the capital finding accomodation and trying to see a show. It has long been possible to book a package that means all the details are handled for you, but also you get great value.
 

Where Are They?


 
The most common place to find theatre breaks, and certainly the easiest is online, such a site is www.westendtheatrebreaks.com with over twenty years experience working closely with both the theatres and the hotels you can be sure that they can offer great deals.
 
So give a special christmas treat to some one you care about this year and enjoy all the magic of living the highlife without the cost and without having to drive home when the last curtain has fallen.
 
 
 
 
 
 
——————————————————————-

Tags: ,

Struggling to Afford a Short Break Due to Weak Pound? Consider a London Theatre Break.

December 15th, 2008 by admin | No Comments | Filed in Press Releases

With the GB pound low against both the US dollar and the Euro, short breaks in Europe and the US seem a lot less attractive!
 
This doesn’t however mean that people have to miss out on quick getaways. Many people are looking to their own little island for short breaks.
 
Our Capitol city for example has lots to offer those seeking a spot of brief escapism. For example, you may wish to visit the London eye, and get a bridseye view of central London and beyond.
 
Another possibility would be to combine a sightseeing tour of London with a West End theatre break.
 

What is a Theatre Break


 
The term ‘Theatre Breaks‘ is is commonly used to describe a short break (usually at weekends) that consits of a ticket to a theatrical show, combined with a nights stay at a hotel, sometimes with breakfast included in the price.
 
Part of the popularity of such breaks is that usually after a show, the magical feeling that the theatre bestoys on people fades all too rapidly when, for example, the person gets on a crowded train for the journey home. Whereas with a theatre break, after the show a top London hotel awaits, and thus the magic continues.
 

How to Book Theatre Breaks, and are They Cheap?


 
The most common way to book a theatre break is online. There are lots of sites that offer a booking service for theatre breaks, so to some extent you can take your pick. As regards cost, cheap theatre breaks are available, but make sure you choose a reliable company to book through.
 
It is advisable however, to choose a site that has been around for a while, and is member of The Society of Ticket Agents and Retailers.
 
Such a site is www.westendtheatrebreaks, with over 20years in the industry, you can be confident that they will be able to offer you a great deal.
 
 
 

Tags: , ,

Weekend Theatre Breaks – Great Tickets… Great Night Out!

November 21st, 2008 by admin | No Comments | Filed in Press Releases

Tickets to see the latest shows at the west end tend to sell out fast, meaning getting a decent seat can be difficult.
 
There is, of course, the option of turning to the secondary ticket market, where you will undoubtedly pay extortionate prices for any good seat. But is there another option?
 

Theatre Breaks

 
Theatre breaks offer a great alternative way to see a show. With such a break, you get a ticket for the show of your choice, a nights stay in a beautiful hotel, and more often than not, a full English breakfast is included in the price!
 
This sort of package is also great for those who enjoy a night out at the theatre, but loath leaving at the end of the show, only to face either a long dreary drive, or a cramped and stuffy tube afterwards… With a theatre break , you get to relax in the splendour of a nice hotel, and thus the magic continues…
  

London Theatre Breaks


 
Lets face it, if you are going to see a show, Londons west end has to be the top choice! – But, surely, a theatre break in the west end costs a fortune, right? – Think again!
 
Due to an economy of scale, the top theatre breaks providers can arrange some amazing deals for you. You see, they buy such a large volume of tickets, that they have special arrangements with the ticket houses and hoteliers, meaning they can secure the package you want, at a fraction of what it would normally cost you.
 

Ideal Anniversary Break

 
If you partner is a fan of the theatre, then its hard to beat a theatre break for an anniversary present! – and don’t forget, this way after the magic of the theatre has ended, you are whisked off to a top hotel, to carry on the magic together.
 

Where to buy Theatre Breaks


 
When looking for a theatre break, it is important to choose a well established company as your provider. Usually the better deals are found online.
 
www.westendtheatrebreaks.com have been in business for over 20 years, meaning they are a trusted brand, and have arrangements in place with practically all the theatre houses. This makes westendtheatrebreaks a great choice for cheap theatre breaks .
 
 
 
 
 
 
—

Tags: , ,

West End Theatre breaks- Good Value?

October 24th, 2008 by admin | No Comments | Filed in Press Releases


 
West End shows. You either love them or hate them. Though, even if you love them, getting any seats- let alone good seats- can be a study in futility. Looking for an edge and plenty of deals on theatre breaks ? Time to visit Westendtheatrebreaks.com
If you’re new to the idea, you get the tickets to the show, a hotel and breakfast. Especially if you don’t live in London, the prospect of the drive home or public transport after a great show may not appeal. Instead, why not grab a drink after the show before retiring to a top London hotel and head home after a good breakfast.
 
London Theatre Breaks
You may like the idea of living the luxury life but worry about the cost, you could well be surprised. If you look around there are fantastic deals available and if you compare online a good website can offer excellent value.
 
Westendtheatrebreaks.com has over 20 years experience in the market. They work with the top theatres and hotels and are able to offer amazing deals. This means you can compare all the options and book the complete package with massive savings.
For example, most shows sell out quickly. If you have to resort to the ‘secondary ticket market’ you may find a ticket to the show you want, on the day you want is selling for around £150 per adult. For the same money westendtheatrebreaks.com can offer a ticket for the same show, a night in a top hotel and a full English breakfast to gird your loins for the trip home.

Tags: ,

Theatre Breaks – A Great Way To See A Show!!!

October 1st, 2008 by admin | No Comments | Filed in Press Releases

theatre breaks
 
West Ends show tickets often sell out fast, meaning securing decent seats can be a chore. Westendtheatrebreaks.com gives its visitors the upper edge, by offering them amazing deals on theatre breaks to see top West End shows.
 

A theatre break is simply a ticket to a top show, with a hotel included. Even Breakfast in the morning is laid on.
 

If you enjoy a night at the theatre, but hate having to leave and go back to your normal life once the show ends, then a theatre break can be an amazing experience.
 

The great thing about theatre breaks is that once the show is over, you can be whisked off to a top London hotel, which only enhances the magic that you felt during the show, rather than killing it with the sudden shock when reality strikes as you broad a usually late train home!
 

London Theatre Breaks


Not Necessarily Expensive
 
Theatre breaks do sound magical, and indeed they are! – But in the day and age of the credit crunch, surely this is a luxury that most of us can ill afford? – Think again!
 

If you shop wisely, you can find some amazing deals out there! – Choosing a good website to buy your break from can make a huge difference.
 

Westendtheatrebreaks.com has been going for over 20 years, and during this time they have managed to secure some pretty amazing deals with all of the top West End theatres. What this means for you, is that through them you should be able to book a complete theatre break package at an amazing price.
 

For example, some top West End shows sell out fast, meaning one of the few ways to buy tickets is resorting to the ‘secondary ticket market’. Such tickets can, and frequently do, cost around £150 per adult. A complete package of a top London hotel, a ticket for the same Show and a full English breakfast can cost roughly the same amount if booked through westendtheatrebreaks.com
 
 

Tags: , ,

Dirty Dancing Cast Changes. – Tickets Still Popular

September 14th, 2008 by admin | No Comments | Filed in Press Releases

dirty dancing tickets
From September 29th, the cast of Dirty Dancing at the Aldwych Theatre in Londons West End will change. Below are the noted changes.

The character of Johnny Castle will be played by Martin Harvey (Royal ballet)

‘Baby’ will be played by Leanne Rowe.

Nadia Coote will continue to play the part of ‘Penny’.

Steven Hartley and Carol Starks play Baby’s parents, Jessica.

The popularity of Dirty Dancing has not waned in many years, and the show continues to attract impressive audience levels.

This run of the show opened at the Aldwych Theatre on 24th October ’06, and contains all the hit scores from the 1980’s film (Starring Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey). James Powell directs this show, and it’s choreographed by Kate Champion.

Dirty Dancing tickets are available from UKtickets.co.uk, an online ticketing agent that’s been securing the best seats in the house at amazingly low prices since 1987.

Alternatively, for a real treat, you may want to consider one of the Dirty Dancing Theatre Breaks that are on offer at westendtheatrebreaks.com

Tags: , , ,

Oliver Theatre Breaks Possibly Saves My Marriage!

September 10th, 2008 by admin | No Comments | Filed in Press Releases

My wife is a keen fan of the west end musical, as her birthday next year coincides with the run of the new production of Oliver I thought a nice treat would be catching a show in the big smoke . I had been pulling my hair out ever since. Trying to locate tickets is a distributed nightmare and so expensive! Living outside of London also means transport/accommodation dramas.
 
I was beginning to think it would have to be a bouquet of flowers and another new dress.
What with the youth raving about this new fangled internet business, I decided to chance my hand online and see if I could do more, sitting at home. And I found Oliver theatre breaks on offer on www.westendtheatrebreaks.com while the clue is in the title;
 
I have to admit to being quietly impressed. Suddenly, real-time availability was there at a glance and the choice of hotels (3-5*) real-world choice. In a matter of minutes the dates were booked as was the hotel and without resorting to the abacus, even I could see that theatre breaks in London was somewhat cheaper than trying to book separately myself. So it looks like next year, she shall be attending the ball.
 

Tags: ,

Theatre Breaks and Cheap Dirty Dancing Tickets –

August 6th, 2008 by admin | No Comments | Filed in Press Releases

theatre breaks
 
Tickets to the top Shows in the West End often sell out fast, making it hard to get decent tickets unless you book a very long time ahead. There is, however, a great way to get the seats you want. This does require booking online, but don’t panic! – There are companies that are setup to take all the hassles out of buying theatre tickets online.
 
The types of websites that you can book tickets with are divided into 2 distinct categories…

* Theatre Breaks Websites

* Theatre Tickets Websites
   
 
 
Lets take a quick look at both types.
 
Theatre Breaks Websites.
 
Theatre Breaks websites are design to offer you a complete package, comprising of tickets to the show of your choices, Hotel Accommodation, and usually Breakfast. These type of deals are great if you l;ive outside of London and want to see a top show, but don’t want to walk out of the Theatre and have to deal with the sudden jolt of reality that comes from a long train journey home, or a drive through the capital city!
www.westendtheatrebreaks is one such website. This site has been going for over 20 years, making it one of the most trusted theatre break sites on the net, that offers some of the best deals and seats around.
 
Theatre Ticket Websites
 
If you are looking for just theatre tickets, without the luxurious accommodation, then theatre ticket websites are your best bet. These guys secure plenty of tickets for the top shows, and as they buy so many from the theatres, they are able to offer much better deals than you would normally have access to.
One of the best of the Theatre Ticket websites is UKtickets.com. This site has great deals on theatre tickers, including amazing prices on the lion king theatre tickets, and great prices on cheap dirty dancing tickets.
 
SO, the only thing you really have to think about, is if you would rather buy tickets on their own, or if you fancy a stay on a top London hotel after you see the show.
 

Tags: ,