Jetsettersblog

London theater news 2008

The West End is synonymous with top theater, with London offering many world firsts. VisitBritain has teamed up with Keith Prowse Ticketing to sell events and theater tickets online at www.visitbritain.us  or call 1-800-669-8687. These are just some of the highlights for the winter and spring:

The Donmar Warehouse will have a one-year residency at Wyndham’s theater from September 2008. The exciting program will include Ivanov with Kenneth Brannagh this September and November, followed by the Twelfth Night with Derek Jacobi. Then in 2009, they will perform Madame de Sade with Dame Judi Dench, and finally Hamlet starring Jude Law. www.donmarwestend.com

The National Theatre season will include Bernard Shaw’s Major Barbara starring Simon Russell Beale and Hayley Atwell, the young British actress who is becoming the 2008 movie sensation with roles in Brideshead Revisited, Cassandra’s Dream, and The Duchess. We also hear that the National Theatre will have Sunday matinee performances from this fall. www.nationaltheatre.org.uk

Rain Man opens at the Apollo theater and is set to run from September 20 through December 20, 2008. Already an Oscar-winning film, the production will star Josh Hartnett and Adam Godley.

Marguerite, a love story set amid occupied Paris of World War II, is a new musical which opened at the Haymarket theater on May 20, 2008 and is booking through November 20. The cast includes Ruthie Henshall, the award-winning West End and Broadway actress. www.marguerite-themusical.com

The Harder They Come is a reggae musical based on the 1972 Jimmy Cliff film. It is currently on at the Playhouse Theatre through November 1, 2008. The production has enjoyed two previous sell-out seasons in London.

Jersey Boys opened at the Prince Edward Theatre on March 18, 2008. Already a smash hit on Broadway, the musical tells the story of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons, and includes many of the band’s well-known songs. www.jerseyboyslondon.com

Fans of the British boy band, Take That, will want to see new musical Never Forget when it opens on May 21, 2008 at the Savoy Theater. Telling the story of young hero ‘Ash’ and his mates pursuing their dreams, the musical features all the classic Take That songs including Relight My Fire, Pray, Back For Good, Babe and Never Forget.

Buddy - The Buddy Holly Story opened at the Duchess Theatre on August 7, 2007 and is booking through March 28, 2009. The musical returns to the West End, and features greatest hits including Peggy Sue and That’ll Be The Day.

Fan favorite Grease opened at the Piccadilly Theatre on August 8, 2007, cast through the reality TV show Grease Is The Word, the British version of the American television show You’re the One That I Want.

Andrew Lloyd Webber’s hit musical Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat returned to the West End on July 17, 2007, at the Adelphi Theatre. The part of Joseph was supplied by reality television show Any Dream Will Do, from the BBC TV series.

Hairspray opened in London at the Shaftsbury Theatre on October 30, 2007. Based on the film, which starred actress-turned-host Ricki Lake as teenager Tracy, the musical has already won eight Tony Awards and a Grammy for the cast recording for the Broadway production.

From September, 2006, theatergoers have the opportunity to see Wicked at the Apollo Victoria Theatre. Wicked has already played to more than 1.75 million people since opening on Broadway. Now visitors to London can experience this magical musical adventure, telling the story of two girls meeting in the land of Oz - one called ‘good’ and the other one ‘wicked’. www.wickedthemusical.co.uk

Evita has returned to London’s West End after 21 years, with music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Lyrics by Tim Rice. Playing at the Adelphi theater from June 21, 2006, the cast includes Elena Roger as Eva Peron. This new production features the Oscar-winning song ‘You Must Love Me’ for the first time on stage, following its success in the film version starring Madonna. www.evitathemusical.com

Andrew Lloyd Webber’s new production of the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical, The Sound of Music, opened at the London Palladium on November 14, 2006. There is an interesting take on casting as the lead role was chosen through a reality TV show through a public vote last summer!

Dirty Dancing the musical came to London last fall (opening October 24, 2006) in a new stage show at the Aldwych Theatre. Fans of the movie starring Patrick Swayze can sing along to hits such as Hungry Eyes and Do You Love Me? in this dynamic production.

Avenue Q opened at the Noel Coward Theatre on June 28, 2006. The show, featuring a cast of lively and off-the-wall characters both humans and puppets, is already a hit on Broadway, winning 2004 Tony Awards for Best New Musical, Best Book of a Musican and Best Original Score. www.avenueqthemusical.co.uk

Blood Brothers, Willy Russell’s award-winning musical featuring Liverpudlian twins, is on at the Phoenix theater.

Billy Elliot – The Musical has a musical score by Sir Elton John, and has been adapted for stage by the team who produced the successful film. Showing at the Victoria Palace Theatre, Billy Elliot tells the tale of a young boy growing up in a mining town enthralled by the grace and wonder of ballet. www.billyelliotthemusical.com

The Lion King, with music by Elton John and Tim Rice, continues to entertain crowds at the Lyceum theater and is booking until September 28, 2008.

Websites: www.visitbritain.us; www.officiallondontheatre.co.uk

Worldwide Adventure with Saga Holidays

Recent research conducted by Saga Holidays reveals that two thirds (63 percent) of over 50s didn’t travel abroad on holiday until they were adults. 82 percent of respondents over 65 believe they have made up for it in later life, whilst 50-64 year olds are doing everything possible to explore new and exciting destinations.

Australia’s dramatic scenery and historical Commonwealth ties make it the most popular desired destination, with 44 percent of respondents saying they would like to explore the country. Of those who would consider releasing equity from their homes, 36 percent said they would use it to travel the world.

Gap years, once the sole domain of adventurous university students, are being taken to the next level by their parents and grandparents who continue to show they have huge amounts of energy by trekking through the old hippy trails of Nepal, clambering through jungle excursions in Borneo, and delving into the rain-forests of Costa Rica. The traditional backpacking destinations of Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Chile and Argentina are no longer reserved just for the young.

One third (30 percent) of children and grandchildren are envious of the travelling their parents and grandparents are doing. This is particularly clear for mothers and grandmothers who have just reached the age of retirement, and on average are taking nearly 2.5 holidays abroad each year. Films and books influence women in their travel decisions and aspirations with 40 percent naming literature (31 percent for men) and 26 percent naming movies (20 percent for men) as important factors, which may indicate why nearly all (91 percent) name scenery and three quarters (72 percent) name history as the main attraction of a place to visit.

There is little doubt the adventurous programme Saga Holidays offers is hitting the right spot. 80 percent of all respondents take two or more holidays per year and the company reports substantial increases in requests for special interest wildlife, music and art appreciation holidays.

Nearly all respondents (97 percent) have already visited the European mainland, and whilst only a small number has visited Antarctica (one percent), it is high on the list of places to visit (21 percent), along with South America (31 percent).

When asked if an annual event would influence them to travel to a destination, music played a large part; however at opposite ends of the spectrum, 50 year olds were more likely to choose the Rio Carnival in Brazil (19 percent), whilst 65 and over named opera festivals (15 percent).

Only six percent of all respondents to the survey, carried out by Populus, were worried their newly found freedom to travel would impact on how much they passed onto their families, preferring instead to ensure they travelled and tasted the ever changing face of travel for the over 50s.

For further details on Saga Holidays please call 0800 056 5880 or visit www.saga.co.uk/travelshop

Religious Travel Year of Faith Tourism

The World Religious Travel Association (WRTA) designated 2009 as The Year of Faith Tourism.

The year-long celebrations and activities will: Highlight the New Era of Faith Tourism; Increase the awareness of the personal and communal benefits of Faith Tourism;

and contribute to the overall growth and health of the global economy, travel industry, and individual travel providers.

The official host of The Year of Faith Tourism is the World Religious Travel Association, the leading organization dedicated to the $18 billion faith-based travel, tourism, and hospitality industry.

As part of its kick-off for The Year of Faith Tourism, the World Religious Travel Association (WRTA) is hosting this fall the World Religious Travel Expo & Educational Conference in Orlando from Oct. 29 to Nov. 1, 2008.

To learn more about The Year of Faith Tourism, visit the official website at www.faithtourism2009.com.

For more information about the World Religious Travel Association or the World Religious Travel Expo, call 800-657-1288 or visit www.religioustravelassociation.com

and www.religioustravelexpo.com

Pedalers Pub & Grille India Bike Tour

Active travel company Pedalers Pub & Grille (PP&G), is introducing a bike tour of India called India - A Royal Odyssey with a departure Nov. 24.

The 12-day trip pedals across the southern tip of India to the villages of Tamil Nadu, Munnar Hills, the waterways of western Kerala and the trading seaport of Cochin. The active cycling adventure will be repeated on Nov. 23, 2009.

Except for international air, the program is all-inclusive at $3,450 (double) with a single supplement of $690.

The tour begins in Madras and ends in Trivandrum.

The rate includes accommodations in luxury hotels, guesthouses and resorts, all meals, bilingual guides, full van support, daily route directions and maps, sightseeing and cultural activities, plus airport transfers.

Personal departures may be scheduled year round for private groups and bike clubs with the most popular season running from November to March when the days are typically sunny and warm.

Over the course of the trip, which is rated moderate in level of difficulty, cyclists will roll inn to inn covering 439 miles (712 km), averaging 44 miles (71 km) per day. More details can be found at this link.

For more details, visit www.pedalerspubandgrille.com

Space Adventures First Private Space Station Mission

Space Adventures, the only company that provides human space missions to the world marketplace, finalized an arrangement with its long-standing partner, the Federal Space Agency of the Russian Federation (FSA), to launch the first private mission to the International Space Station (ISS).

The mission is scheduled to launch in the second half of 2011. The spaceflight will be a fully dedicated mission of the Soyuz-TMA spacecraft with two seats available for private space explorers, along with a comprehensive package of mission services including science, education and media program options. T

he first private mission to the ISS is offered to not only individual explorers, but also to businesses, organizations and institutions.

For more information, please visit www.spaceadventures.com

SPECIAL SCUBA DIVING PACKAGES TO FIJI

CARADONNA DIVE ADVENTURES AND TRIP-N-TOUR PACIFIC ANNOUNCES

All of the packages, highlighted below include air from Los Angeles, inter-island air transfer where applicable, accommodations, diving, airport transfers and all hotel taxes. The noted packages are just a few of the many packages offered throughout the various dive regions of Fiji.

Bligh Water Dive Region:

Wananavu Dive Experience

Includes seven nights in a garden view bure at Wananavu Beach Resort, three meals a day and five days of two-tank boat diving. $2,726.00 per person based on double occupancy, valid for travel through March 31, 2009.Nai’a Live-aboard Cruise

Includes seven nights in an air-conditioned twin cabin, three meals a day and up to five dives per day. $4,051.00 per person, valid for travel through March 31, 2009.

Beqa Lagoon Dive Region:

Beqa Lagoon Resort 

Includes seven nights in a deluxe Fijian bure, five-days of two-tank reef dives, all meals and a free 50 minute “Apres-dive” aromatherapy massage per person. Upgrade reef diving to include an “Ultimate Shark Encounter” for only an extra $75.00 per person. $2,795.00 per person, based on double occupancy, valid for travel through March 31, 2009. 

Savusavu Vanua Levu Dive Region:
 
Koro Sun Resort & Rainforest Spa

Includes seven nights (one free) in an ocean view bure, all meals, six-days of two-tank diving (one is free) and a 60 minute Rainforest Massage. $3,099.00 per person based on double occupancy, valid through March 31, 2009.

Taveuni/North dive region:
 
Matangi Private Island Adventure

Includes five nights (one is FREE) at Matangi Private Island Resort in an island bure on a 240-acre private island, four days of two-tank dives, all meals, welcome drink, fruit basket, free gift sulu, laundry service, sea kayaking, sailing, windsurfing and nature hikes on Matangi Island. $3,196 per person, valid from November 15, 2008 through March 31, 2009.
 
Taveuni/Somosomo Strait dive region:
 
Garden Island Resort in Taveuni
 
Includes seven nights at Garden Island Resort including daily continental breakfast, lunch and dinner and five days of two-tank diving. $2,676.00 per person, valid through March 31, 2009.

Tui Tai Adventure Cruise

Includes five nights in an Expedition cabin with private bath, all meals, up to 13 dives plus other adventure activities including kayaking, hiking, village visits, waterfall treks and more. $4,662.00 per person, valid through March 31, 2009.
 
Mamanuca Island dive region:
 
Castaway Island Escape $3,268

Includes five nights in an island bure at Castaway Island with unlimited diving. $3,268.00 per person, valid from November 1, 2008 through March 31, 2009.
 
 

 
For more information, contact Caradona Dive Adventures at 800-328-2288, E-mail sales@caradonna.com  or visit. www.caradonna.com  or Trip-N-Tour Pacific at 800-248-0842, e-mail infor@trip-n-tour.com  or visit www.trip-n-tour.com

MATANGI PRIVATE ISLAND RESORT UPGRADE DEALS

Matangi Private Island Resort, which first opened for business in 1987, has just completed a total renovation of all the bures, including adding a new dining bure and pool. In celebration of the refurbishment, the resort is offering an “Island Bure” package priced from $3,320 per person, inclusive of all meals.

This privately owned 240-acre unique horseshoe-shaped island paradise, boasts virgin tropical rain forests, white sand beaches, volcanic rock faces rising from crystal clear waters and fringing coral reefs where a great diversity of marine life abounds.

Matangi Island’s Horseshoe Bay, listed in “1000 Places to See Before You Die” by Patricia Schultz, is a haven for those seeking a romantic getaway.

CHI, THE SPA AT SHANGRI-LA FIJI DEALS

The recently opened CHI, The Spa at Shangri-La at Shangri-La’s Fijian Resort and Spa is offering the ultimate spa indulgence with “Yanuca Journey”.

The journey includes a “Dusk til Dawn” experience for couples to enjoy in the comfort of the stunning ocean treatment bures located at the edge of the Pacific Ocean.

The journey begins with the “Himalayan Bath Therapy” in the bure private outdoor bath, softly lit with candlelight and gently scented by eucalyptus. This is followed by a “CHI Skin Polish” using natural ingredients to exfoliate the skin.

After relaxation in “Aromatic Steam,” a 90 minute soothing “Signature Aroma Vitality Massage” helps release body tension. As the massage comes to a close, a specially prepared spa cuisine meal awaits with a CHI gift.

At dawn, a light breakfast is served at the balcony overlooks uninterrupted views of the Pacific Ocean. The journey ends with a one-hour deep cleansing “CHI Facial” using pure aromatherapy herbs and oils. The Yanuca Journey is offered for a minimum three-night stay starting from FJD$500 per night based on double occupancy, with daily breakfast. Additional nights are from FJD$400 per night.

The journey is valid through December 31, 2008 and is subject to availability.

Information: 679-6520-155; www.shangri-la.com

FIJI TOPS FOR HONEYMOONS

In the August/September issue of Modern Bride Magazine, the results of the “12th Annual Worlds Best Honeymoons Survey” will be published. The survey is the most in depth survey available detailing what travel agents are recommending to their honeymoon clientele. Fiji’s rankings include:

#8 for Overall Favorite Honeymoon Destination in the World (up from #9 in 2007), #4 for Most Secluded Honeymoon Destination, #5 for Most Romantic Honeymoon Destination and #7 for Best Snorkeling/Diving. In addition, the Grande Honeymoon Bure at Vatulele Island Resort in Fiji ranks #5 for the Ultimate Honeymoon Suite and the Royal Davui in Fiji ranks #10 in the world for Resort with the Best Beds. Purchase a copy of Modern Bride when it hits the stands July 15, 2008.

Sanctuary Cruising for Everyone

MS Yangzi Explorer, the brand new vessel to set sail on the Yangzi River during summer 2008 will be offering not only the most intimate experience with luxury and class, but also a cultural experience which can be enjoyed by the entire family.

For many years, the Yangzi destination has always been considered a location for the distinguished travellers. Sanctuary Cruising, however, has now pioneered entertainment and activities on board catering for individuals of all ages.

Dedicated children’s programming is now available on the Yangzi Explorer during the inaugural summer sailing season of 2008. This programmes includes; a culinary journey class, martial arts, Chinese Opera face painting, kite making just to name a few. In addition, education programmes that include novice Mandarin lessons, Chinese folk tales, and Chinese brush painting are provided to even the most outgoing academia.

Adults can also join in and prove their culinary skills on the Yangzi Explorer with some innovative programmes. Once you complete any of our course offered, many would believe you have mastered all of the typical traditional Chinese Banquets. You will learn about Chinese food cooking, crafting, and napkin folding. Consider this a souvenir that keeps on giving.

In the evening, guests can have a choice of either watching our staff talent show in our spacious Tang theatre, or have a romantic evening with their loved ones in the Explorer Bar with Live Music performance. Our oriental theme spa is also available on board for those guests wish to indulge themselves. Alternatively, board games are also available for all ages if guests wish to stay in their room for a challenging game from Scrabble to Monopoly to Chinese Checkers.

For further information with regards to Sanctuary Cruising, please visit us at: www.sanctuary-crusing.com  or telephone us at: +852 3179 5900.