Filed under: London Theatre
Posted by Becky
To many the 1950’s and 1960’s are a golden era of rock ‘n ‘roll music and the shows that include this music are the perfect time machine into the past. From tribute shows to Roy Orbison, Elvis and Buddy Holly to top selling musicals there are plenty of rock ‘n’ roll theatre breaks to choose from.
Laurence Marks and Maurice Gran the writers of the hugely popular musical Dreamboats and Petticoats have again put pen to paper to create a new musical based on the songs of writing team Doc Pomus and Mort Shuman. With Pomus writing the lyrics and Shuman the melody the two created a huge number of hits from the Drifters Save the Last Dance for Me to over 20 songs written for Elvis including Suspicion and Viva Las Vegas. These songs have been adapted into a stage musical Save the Last Dance for Me which has embarked on a UK tour starting in Sheffield and visiting twenty cities during its run, including Edinburgh, Bristol, Blackpool, Manchester, Liverpool and Glasgow.
If you love rock ‘n’ roll then a short break to see this new Bill Kenwright production is a must. Bill Kenwright has been responsible for some of the biggest musical tours of the UK including Chicago, Blood Brothers, Caberet and more.
Dreamboats & Petticoats is currently also on tour across the UK or if you are planning a London break you can see it at the Playhouse Theatre on Northumberland Avenue.
Will you be going to see the new show? Have you seen Dreamboats and Petticoats? Which era of music would you enjoy live on stage?
January 27, 2012
Posted by Becky
With Valentines Day creeping up many peoples thoughts will be turning to romantic gestures and gifts to show their loved ones how much the care. With a fantastic variety of heart wrenching love stories, poems and ballads to draw inspiration from throughout classic literature, contemporary film, stage productions and even stunning art there is plenty of romance to share around.
Searching through some of the world’s classic love stories we have come up with a range of valentine breaks to spoil your loved one. From the harsh landscape and doomed love of Wuthering Heights to Baby’s rebellious summer of love in Dirty Dancing or the sad romance of Celia Johnson and Trevor Howard in Brief Encounter there is a romance to suit everyone.
Whether planning a short break within the British Isles or further afield there are endless scenarios and landscapes that lend themselves to love. Why not head to the Empire State building, a location used for romantic rendezvous in both The End of The Affair and Sleepless in Seattle, with a fantastic number of New York hotels to choose from you can relax in this wonderful city. While in the Big Apple venture to Central Park or down Fifth Avenue taking in scenes from Breakfast at Tiffany’s, When Harry met Sally and many more.
If an Atlantic escape is not for you then how about the romantic Yorkshire Moors, the backdrop of Emily Bronte’s Wuthering Heights or Carnforth railway station in Lancashire the station used in Brief Encounter. The classic love story Romeo and Juliet appears at the Royal Opera House in March, alternatively as part of the 2012 World Shakespeare Festival the story is adapted for a new generation in Romeo and Juliet in Baghdad playing at the Swan theatre in Stratford in April.
What are your favourite love stories, will you be taking inspiration from them this Valentines Day?
January 26, 2012
With February adding an extra day to the year it’s a great chance to get out and explore the UK. From romantic spa breaks to walking in the Lakes or spending a day at one of the country’s amazing historic properties there is plenty you can do to make the most of the additional day that a leap year brings.
Falling on a Sunday the 29th February fits perfectly into a weekend break away, whether planning a short break with family, spoiling your partner with a luxurious hotel stay or heading to the capital for a couple of days of sightseeing it is the ideal opportunity to escape the hum drum of day to day life.
Away from the busy crowds of half term or the usual romantic icons of Valentines Day a short break at the end of February could be just what the doctor ordered. Why not head out to the coast and enjoy some fresh winter air, with miles of beaches and coastline to choose from you are never far from the sea. If its city life you seek then head to London for some of the best West End musicals including the award winning Matilda or the new production of Singin’ in the Rain.
With plenty of fantastic attractions and sights to explore across the UK there is always something new and exciting to look forward to.
How will you be making the most of the extra day in 2012?
January 20, 2012
If you are looking at a theatre break to start 2012 then don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity as part of our Winter Offers. As well as money saving deals, free night offers and by one get one free attractions we are offering all our theatre bookers the chance to enjoy 2 for 1 dining with every theatre break booked directly with Superbreak, over £300!
The 2 for 1 Hi-Life Diners cards are perfect for couples who like to enjoy the finer things in life. The card lasts for 12 months and gives you incredible savings in over 3,500 restaurants across the UK allowing you to enjoy the benefits long after you return home from your short break. You can choose from your favourite high street restaurants or your favourite Michelin starred celebrity chefs including Gary Rhodes, Chris Horridge and Marco Pierre White just to name a few, but hurry this offer is only available to bookings made until 31st January.
So what are you waiting for! Enjoy a break in London with a trip to the theatre and 2 for 1 dining all year. The only question is, which restaurant will you visit first?
January 4, 2012
As we get ready to welcome in 2012 may of us are working out what we can change in the New Year, whether it’s the old cliché of going to the gym, giving up a vice or simply seeing more of your family everyone likes to clean the slate and start New Year afresh.
2012 promises to be an exciting year from the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee to the 2012 Olympic Games there is plenty going on. Why not make your 2012 one to remember with some of Superbreak’s top resolutions.
Travel More
From exploring the British Isles to taking the trip of a lifetime the world is full of new places to discover. See the fantastic cities of Europe on a Eurostar break, climb to the top of the Empire State Building in New York, tour the Sydney Opera House or simply relax on the beautiful beaches of the Canary Islands. If you don’t want to travel far then there are plenty of cities and towns to explore throughout the UK, from the picturesque scenes of the Cotswolds to the bustling streets of Birmingham or Manchester and the stunning coastlines of Cornwall and Devon.
See a West End Musical
There’s nothing quiet like seeing a top musical in the heart of the West End, whether after drama, comedy or family entertainment there is a theatre break to suit you. New for 2012 London welcomes Sweeny Todd with Michael Ball and Singin’ in the Rain, while many of the top shows are now touring across the county you can see Sister Act in Cardiff, Phantom of the Opera in Manchester and Dirty Dancing in Birmingham. For serious drama there is a fantastic array of Shakespeare plays and adaptations as part of the World Shakespeare festival.
Go on Safari
A great suggestion for all animal lovers but if you can’t afford a trip to Africa then why not head to one of the UK’s wildlife parks. Paradise Wildlife Park in Hertfordshire is home to a huge selection of animals from big cats to monkeys, penguins, reptiles and more. The park even offers special experiences where you can get up close and personal with the animals and Feed the big Cats or have Tea with the Tigers.
Have Fun
Across the world there are a superb range of attractions and themeparks to suit all tastes, from historic castles, stately homes and gardens and world class museums to adrenalin fuelled rides, aquariums and sightseeing tours there is something for everyone to enjoy. This year get out and about and explore what’s all around you.
What New Years resolutions will you be making?
December 30, 2011
Throughout the years there have been many stage musicals that have developed from films, bands and television programmes. From the hugely successful Mamma Mia and We Will Rock You Musical to the award winning Our House based on the music of Madness and the short lived show Never Forget based on the early songs of Take That there are plenty of musicals that have stemmed from pop music favourites.
In recent years those travelling on theatre breaks have had the opportunity to see the songs of The Four Seasons brought to life in the Jersey Boys, rock n’ roll favourites in Dreamboats and Petticoats and relive the astounding night that Elvis, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins and Johnny Cash met at Sun Records studio in Million Dollar Quartet. In 2012 London will welcome American Idiot a musical based on the album of the same name by American punk band Green Day. During its run on Broadway the musical won two Tony Awards, a Grammy award, Outer Critics Circle Award, Drama Desk Award as well as being nominated for several more.
The stage has also been greatly influenced by the screen with both television programmes and films being transformed into stage musicals. In 2003 the controversial production of Jerry Springer the Opera opened, written by Richard Thomas and Stewart Lee this was based on the TV talk show. There have also been stage adaptations of the popular Disney films Beauty and the Beast, The Lion King and High School Musical. The stage production of Legally Blonde achieved huge acclaim, surpassing the popularity of the film and winning several awards. With popular film musicals such as Sister Act and Dirty Dancing touring the UK the film adaptation has proved to be a huge success. News has now come through that the popular Austin Powers franchise will be adapted into a musical in the coming years.
What do you think of the musical adaptations of films and bands? What musical would you like to see being made?
December 17, 2011
As 2011 is drawing to an end 2012 looks to be a huge year for England. Preparations are already well underway for some of the massive events that are set to take the UK by storm. Olympians are preparing to take on the rest of the world, plans are already underway to mark the Queens Jubilee celebrations, some of our most loved music events are carefully selecting their acts as well as the thousands of exciting events spanning dance, comedy, cinema and art exhibitions
If you are thinking of taking a short break in 2012 there are many amazing things happening. If you are lucky enough to have landed tickets for the Olympics, planning how you will get there and where you will stay now will pay off in the long run. Hotels in London and across the UK are already preparing themselves for a record amount of people and rooms are selling out fast so the only way to avoid disappointment is to plan well in advance.
Her Majesty The Queen will be celebrating her Diamond Jubilee Pageant in May. Taking place over three evenings at Windsor Castle it will celebrate the 250+ State and Commonwealth visits that The Queen has made during her 60-year reign. Tickets to the pageant are available now and include covered seating tickets to see the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Pageant at Windsor Castle and overnight accommodation in a four star hotel. This historic event is expected to draw thousands of people to the UK and is expected to be watched worldwide!
But that’s not all with a record number of theatre shows heading on tour, concert and events and huge celebrations within our top cities, 2012 is set to be a corker!
Will you be celebrating any of these big events?
November 30, 2011
2011 has certainly been a year for theatre, the West End has seen some truly amazing shows open their doors and has sadly waved goodbye to some of our favourites. But don’t worry, many of the theatre lands most popular shows are heading on tour and many could be coming to a town near you!
The Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff will be welcoming hit show Legally Blonde the musical, in August 2012 and tickets are available now for this fantastic show. Legally Blonde was a huge hit in the West End and based on the 2001 film starring Reese Witherspoon it’s easy to see why. Sister Act, Dirty Dancing and South Pacific will also be visiting the Wales Millennium Centre during 2012.
Dirty Dancing has entertained millions of people around the world and is embarking on a UK tour. This musical phenomenon will visit Birmingham, Dublin and Cardiff and is a must see for lovers of the 1987 blockbuster. Featuring all the songs that made the film famous, Dirty Dancing will have you singing and dancing to Hungry Eyes, Hey Baby, Do You Love Me? and of course the unforgettable Dirty Dancing classic I’ve Had The Time Of My Life!
Phantom of the Opera will be heading to the Bristol Hippodrome in May as part of the National Tour for this incredible musical. Complete with a new design, staging and costumes Cameron Mackintosh’s production of Phantom of the Opera Bristol injects a new lease of life into Andrew Lloyd Webbers’s much loved musical.
Superbreak have some fantastic value short breaks available including tickets to your favourite shows, will you be seeing any of these West End favourites on tour?
November 25, 2011
With Children in Need coming up on the 18th November there are a whole host of activities going on across the country for you to join in and take part in. From regional events to concerts and sporting activities there is plenty to enjoy on a city break to support Children in Need.
On Friday 11th, The One Show presenter, Matt Baker sets off on a journey from Edinburgh to London by rickshaw. Stopping at several destinations along the way you can see him progress on his 484 miles ride across the country. From his starting point in Edinburgh he will go through Hexham, York, Lincoln and Cambridge to name a few.
On the 17th November the Manchester MEN is host to Children in Need Rocks, this concert sees some of music’s biggest names get together and perform for thousands of people. Organised by Gary Barlow the night will be one to remember as it features an array of superbly talented stars, including X Factor judge Kelly Rowland, Jamie Cullum, Hugh Laurie, JLS, Lady Gaga, Jessie J, James Morrison, Snow Patrol, Andrea Bocelli, Michael Buble and Coldplay. Due to its high popularity more tickets have been released and it’s a great night out for anyone on a Manchester Break.
Those on theatre breaks may have noticed that throughout September the West End was invaded by Pop Stars popping up in some of the top musicals. Mamma Mia!, Ghost, Million Dollar Quartet Wicked and We Will Rock You were all taken over by the pop stars in aid of Children in Need.
What will you be doing for Children in Need this year?
November 7, 2011
Matilda The Musical enjoyed a sellout season at the Courtyard Theatre and has now transferred the magic to the West End. Roald Dahl’s much loved story has been brought to life by Dennis Kelly and the hilarious comedian Tim Minchin and has delighted audiences who have been lucky enough to catch a preview performance of the show.
Matilda follows the story of an ordinary girl with extraordinary powers. Matilda’s family think of her as nothing but a nuisance and care more about the TV, ballroom dancing and dodgy business deals than her. Life at school isn’t much better with the monstrous Miss Trunchbull terrifying the students and teachers, that is until one day Matilda discovers her powers and decides the grownups need to be taught a lesson.
Anyone thinking of heading on a London theatre break need to make sure this show is top of their list as Matilda The Musical is on a limited run at the Cambridge Theatre.
Did you see Matilda at the Courtyard Theatre or will you be seeing it in the West End?
October 26, 2011
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