Ensemble Theatre Group

As it becomes increasingly easier and cheaper to travel from one area to another, people in today’s modern world have started taking a number of weekend breaks to various parts of the country. Individuals and couples, both young and old, have begun travelling more often through a variety of mediums – be it by train, coach or aeroplane; many people these days are just as likely to spend a weekend in Rome or Madrid as they are in Blackpool or Cornwall. However, as weekend break locations have evolved, they have also become more imaginative; a rising number of people are taking mini-cruise breaks, weekend golf breaks, and even weekend theme park breaks.

One form of weekend break which is rapidly gaining popularity is the theatre break. More and more frequently, travel agents and travel companies are offering theatre break packages to London, Edinburgh, Stratford-upon-Avon and even Paris. The London theatre scene is flourishing at the moment and is perhaps the best location in Britain if you’re thinking about taking a weekend theatre break. From the long running musical of Disney’s The Lion King to the 2006 stage adaptation of the Oscar-winning movie Dirty Dancing, people keen on theatre breaks in London have more than a few excellent options to choose from on the West End stage.

The Lion King is current playing at London’s Lyceum Theatre; seen by over 30 million people at over 18,000 performances world wide, the show contains over 232 puppets which represent 25 species of animals. While The Lion King remains one of the most popular shows in London’s West End, many of the shows currently playing have a similarly enduring appeal. Billy Elliot, for example, is currently being shown at the Victoria palace Theatre and has been a popular musical in the capital for many years. We Will Rock You, a musical by Queen and Ben Elton, followed hot on the heels of the success of Mamma Mia and continues to play to packed crowds at the Dominion Theatre in Tottenham Court.

Other popular musicals playing in London’s West End include Les Miserables at the Queen’s Theatre, Mary Poppins at Prince Edward Theatre, Guys and Dolls at the Piccadilly Theatre and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s all time classic, The Phantom of the Opera, playing at Her Majesty’s Theatre. You can find fantastic deals on London theatre breaks from a variety of sources, including travel agents and transport providers like National Express. Theatre buffs looking for exciting weekend breaks will also enjoy Shakespeare theatre breaks in Stratford upon Avon, the bard’s home town. You can also take delight in Edinburgh’s vibrant theatre scene, where you’ll be able to enjoy some excellent classic and modern productions at the Royal Lyceum Theatre, the Edinburgh Festival Theatre and the Brunton Theatre, among many others.

Andrew Regan is a freelance online journalist.

London today teems with so many theatres at the well-renowned West End. Many talented artists who want to get their breaks and begin their acting careers seek the spotlights of the West End theaters for the promise of brilliant and shining show business careers. The London theatre is where all things can begin for actors so every hopeful has his eyes on the high profile roles, the applause, and that chance to perform on these famous theatres.

I was in 1597 when an actor decided to put up his own theater and launch himself as a star. Richard Burbage established the Globe Theatres when he took over the lease of The Theatre, which was the first ever playhouse in Shoreditch, that was put up in 1576. The Theatre started the rich history of the London theatre and the West End. When the lease expired, Burbage took over and launched much more ambitious efforts to push the industry and the craft. Soon enough, Burbage became a big name as a great actor and he came to be known too, as the first to play Shakespeare’s Hamlet, King Lear, as well as Othello.

In 1663, the West End legacy of artistic excellence in stage performance soared with the opening of the first London West End venue at Drury Lane. This very famous venue witnessed careers of the earliest icons – the likes of Charles Hart and Nell Gwyn. The old theatre, unfortunately, suffered during a fire in 1672.

Since London already had a taste for the theaters, it didn’t take much time before a new venue rose on the very same spot in 1674. The Theatre Royal of Drury Lane came about and picked up after where the former theatre left off. This theatre, designed by Christopher Wren managed to survive for the next 120 years. That was quite a long-standing record especially those days. Along with other theatres that sprung like the Theatre Royal Covent Garden (Royal Opera House) and the Haymarket, The Theater became a catalyst in the evolution of the West End Theatre.

In 1737, a wine seller by the name of David Garrick got magnetized to the call of London’s West End at Drury Lane. He became the legendary manager of the Theater Royal and made his mark on the theatre scene. He soon became famous for playing the roles of Richard III and became a very great influence in the London Theatre scene in the next 20 to 30 years. The Garrick Club and the Garrick Theatre are memoirs of his great contributions to theatre arts in London.

Most of the beautiful buildings that house the modern theatres were built during the 19th century. The middle and upper classmen in London have somehow made theater-going an enduring fashion trend in the city. Many of the theaters started to appear along Shatesbury Avenue too, at the end of the 19th century and soon, this area became the focal point for London Theatre. Many of the buildings are still around and well maintained these days for everyone to appreciate.

Theatre-going never ceased to be a fashion statement and more and more talented actors are being born in these theaters. The London Theatre scene continues to attract so many people from around the world.