Newsletter April 2008
London’s Threateland vies with Broadway as the global capital for theatre entertaining millions of people from around the world each year. In 2008 London’s Theatreland celebrates its centenary with a host of events to appeal to theatregoers, families and those who love the history of London’s West End .
With walking tours, musicals, backstage tours and free events for children, the centenary will see a special event held in London each month throughout 2008. The celebrations are to commemorate the creation of the Society of London Theatre, the industry body of West End Theatre Managers in 1908, which effectively marked the birth of West End theatre.
Centenary celebrations kicked off on 20th February, the anniversary of the inaugural meeting of the Society and were marked with a special message of support from Prime Minister Gordon Brown at this year’s Laurence Olivier Awards.
In celebration of the centenary a special walking tour has been designed, tracing back 100 years of London theatre from Edwardian Music Hall and Suffragette drama via revues, musicals, and theatre clubs to fringe theatre and the modern blockbuster productions of today.
On the tour you can learn more about the personalities who have shaped the theatre over the past 100 years. People such as Sir Charles Wyndham, the Liverpool born actor who served as a brigade surgeon during the American Civil War before establishing the Wyndham Comedy Company and taking over the Criterion Theatre in the West End. The illustrious Herbert Beerbohm Tree whose acting career included leading roles in the premiere of George Bernard Shaw’s Pygmalion and who, as director of the Haymarket Theatre, showcased the dramas of Ibsen and Oscar Wilde. And of course Andrew Lloyd Webber whose renowned musicals have enjoyed huge success in both the West End and on Broadway.
Tours are led by Blue Badge Guides and run on Sundays from April to October. Tour dates are April 27th, May 25th, June 29th, July 27th, August 31st, September 28th and October 19th – book early to avoid disappointment!
From 7-31 May, the focus is on drama with forums and events to celebrate the contribution that plays and playwrights have made over the last 100 years. Highlights include a platform event on the ‘state of the play’ at the Royal Court on May 7th, featuring Michael Billington and a panel of leading playwrights, actors, directors and producers.
In June, the action shifts to Leicester Square with West End Live on 21st & 22nd June, a free event celebrating musicals with a special pavilion highlighting the last 100 years of London Theatre with archive material and interactive events.
Another free showcase follows on July 8th, with The Big Dance celebrating the best of West End choreography, featuring scenes from all the West End dance shows.
In August, Kids Week in the West End running from the 15th – 29th sees a two-week festival of family fun offering free tickets and events for children.
Those who dream of treading the boards can get an insight into theatre life during Open Rehearsals from September 27th to October 2nd, with free backstage tours at several London theatres. While throughout the month of October the V&A’s ‘Capturing the Moment Exhibition’ is set to feature a photographic exhibition of theatre portraits by Reg Wilson.
As well as centenary events, the 2008 theatre season is set to kick off this month and grabbing the headlines is Trevor Nun’s new musical stage adaptation of the epic novel Gone With The Wind at the New London theatre from April 5th and starring stateside actress Jill Paice as Scarlett.
From 2nd May, the new season at Shakespeare’s Globe sees a run of productions that include King Lear, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, The Merry Wives of Windsor and Timon of Athens.
Also in May, Peter Hall’s production of George Bernard Shaw’s Pygmalion comes to the Old Vic from May 7th. While in June the Open Air season in Regent’s Park begins on the 2nd and features outdoor theatre productions of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Romeo and Juliet, Twelfth Night and the musical Gigi – theatre under the stars, what could be more romantic?
If you’re booking a vacation with myguideBritain, contact one of our guides for information on theatre and tour bookings.
