Archive for the ‘Educational Tours’ Category

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The Royal Shakespeare Company Annouces London Shows

Tuesday, September 15th, 2009

The RSC come to London in December with Chief Associate Director Gregory Doran’s production of Twelfth Night at the Duke of York’s Theatre followed in February by Dunsinane by David Greig and The Gods Weep by Dennis Kelly at Hampstead Theatre.

Duke of York’s Theatre
Twelfth Night
By William Shakespeare
Directed by Gregory Doran

This production premieres in Stratford-upon-Avon in October with Richard Wilson making his RSC debut as Malvolio. It will then play a straight 10 week run at the Duke of York’s theatre on St Martin’s Lane from 19 December 2009 to 27 February 2010.

The cast includes Sam Alexander (Sebastian), Nancy Carroll (Viola), James Fleet (Sir Andrew Aguecheek), Alexandra Gilbreath (Olivia), Richard McCabe (Sir Toby Belch), Pamela Nomvete (Maria), Simeon Moore (Antonio), Jo Stone-Fewings (Orsino) and Miltos Yerolemou (Feste).

The production is designed by Robert Jones with Paul Englishby composing music, Martin Slavin designing sound and Tim Mitchell lighting. Doran will also direct a new stage version of Malory’s Morte D’Arthur in The Courtyard Theatre with the RSC’s current long ensemble in June 2010. Full details on www.rsc.org.uk. His recent production of Hamlet, with David Tennant in the title role, is to be broadcast in a TV version on BBC 2 later this year and will then be available for sale on DVD.
Public booking for Twelfth Night in London opens on 9 October.

Dunsinane
By David Greig
Directed by Roxana Silbert
10 February – 6 March 2010

David Greig’s Dunsinane is a vision of one man’s desire to restore peace in a country ravaged by war.

Late at night in a foreign land, an English army sweeps through the landscape under cover of darkness and takes the seat of power. Struggling to contain his men and the ambitions of his superiors, the commanding officer attempts to negotiate the unspoken rules of this unfamiliar country. This is Scotland in the eleventh century at the height of the fight for succession of the Scottish throne.

David is a playwright, screenwriter and theatre director born in Edinburgh. His play with music Midsummer, which he also directs, is currently one of the hits of this year’s Edinburgh Festival. His work has been translated and produced in almost every country in Europe as well as the US and Australia. His previous plays for the RSC include The American Pilot (2005) and Victoria (2000).

Roxana Silbert is an Associate Director for the RSC. She was previously Artistic Director of Paines Plough, Literary Director at the Traverse Theatre (2001-2004) and Associate Director, Royal Court (1998-2000). Recent productions include Orphans by Dennis Kelly (Traverse/Birmingham Rep/Soho), Roaring Trade by Steve Thompson (Soho) and Dallas Sweetman by Sebastian Barry (Canterbury Cathedral).

Cast to be announced.

The Gods Weep
By Dennis Kelly
Directed by Maria Aberg

11 March - 3 April 2010

Dennis Kelly’s The Gods Weep focuses on the life of a CEO whose global business may have grown to a scale that is uncontainable. Colm has taken a lifetime to build his empire. With brutal rigor he has shaped the world around him in his own image. As time moves on his decision-making abilities increasingly fail him and the world he has created begins to fracture. The power struggle that ensues reveals the corruption and unstoppable forces at work in a world where corporate greed and national security frighteningly overlap.

Dennis Kelly’s work for the stage includes Orphans (Traverse/Birmingham Rep/Soho. Fringe First & Herald Angel Awards 2009); DNA (National Theatre); Taking Care of Baby (Birmingham Rep/Hampstead Theatre); Love and Money (Manchester Royal Exchange & Young Vic); After The End (Bush Theatre, Traverse Theatre, Leicester Haymarket & UK Tour); Osama the Hero (Hampstead Theatre) and Debris (BAC, Traverse and Latchmere). He was awarded the Wolff Whiting Award for Taking Care of Baby and the Meyer-Whitworth Award for Osama the Hero

Maria Aberg directed Roy Williams’ Days of Significance for the RSC which embarks on a national tour this autumn following a successful run at the Tricycle Theatre. Her other work includes State of Emergency (Gate Theatre), Die Kaperer (Staatstheater, Mainz), Crime and Punishment (National Theatre), Gustav III (National Theatre of Sweden) and Alaska (Royal Court). She was Associate Director for the RSC’s productions of The Winter’s Tale and Pericles as part of the RSC’s Complete Works Festival.

Cast to be announced.
Both shows will be at Hampstead Theatre.

For all theatre study tour needs, you can visit the Select Travel website

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Posted in Educational Tours, Performing Arts, Student Tours, Uncategorized | 2 Comments »

London Theatre Workshops

Wednesday, July 29th, 2009

Select Travel will tailor your drama workshop taking you through various make-up techniques to special effects! Our workshops are led by professional makeup artists who demonstrate how actors are taught to make themselves up every time they play a new character.

The workshop leaders will teach students make-up techniques used in theatrical drama, from applying foundations through to highlights, shading, aging, hairpieces and wigs via a live demonstration on a willing volunteer.

Alternatively, one of our lecturers teaches students how to achieve a range of special effects for film and television. Your group will be shown how the artist uses latex and other materials to create false pieces, bruises, scratchs, scars, wounds and frothing blood effects.

Also included in the workshop is a practical session where pupils are able to create their very own latex wounds! See the transformation before your very eyes!

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Posted in Educational Tours, Literature, Performing Arts, Student Tours, Theatre | 3 Comments »

A Wonderful Discovery in Madrid

Tuesday, July 28th, 2009

The city of Madrid has so much to offer that is does not matter how many times you have been there, you can always find something new to explore. One of my favorite lesser known museums to visit or, should I say one that is not on most tour itineraries is the ‘Museo Nacional de Artes Decorativas’. This quite but outstanding museum has a variety of collections. One of the specialties is the Chinese porcelain from the Ming and Qing Dynasty. There are also valuable artifacts that include Roman glass and Coptic fabrics, rare coins, and textiles. I was particularly interested in the collection of utensils, pottery and tiles. This is a little gem, and you will be surprised by how much you enjoy your visit.

People come back to Madrid because of all the wonderful museums and sites. Select Travel Service understands that return visitors want to discover those “off the beaten path” places to visit. This museum is just one of many unique experiences we can include in our next group tour to Madrid. Contact us for more information about your customized group itinerary.

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Zurich’s Fraumunster Church

Friday, July 24th, 2009

This small Swiss church with historic significance is worthy of a visit for another reason. Though not included on many group tour itineraries, this church once a Benedictine convent (853) was closed at the Reformation and later held services for the Catholic and Protestant worshipers (1833-1844) was renovated in the 20th century.

The renovation is important because, the Frumunster became known not only for its beautiful spire but, also for the exceptional stain glass windows created by two of the world’s most renowned artist.

Giacometti (1940’s) designed a large stained-glass window in the north transept. This beautiful window depicting God and Christ, the eight prophets, the Four Evangelists and ten angles is worthy of much attention. However, it is Marc Chagall’s five stained-glass windows that have become the bigger attraction. The Chagall windows are around 33 feet tall and when the morning light shines through they are most spectacular. A symbolic color scheme, of blue, green, red and orange is used to represent the earth and the heavens. The five windows are titled, the Prophets, Jacob, Zion, Christ and Law. Marc Chagall had a very personal relationship with the city of Zurich and these windows allowed him to express how much he cared.

Even if you are only in Zurich for a short time this church is a must visit. Select will be sure to include the Fraumunster into your tour itinerary. Call us today for more information about unusual places to visit on your custom tour in Switzerland.

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European Rail Travel

Thursday, July 23rd, 2009

Discover all of Germany by train - from the North and Baltic Sea shores down to the Black Forest and the Bavarian Alps. From vibrant metropolises that never sleep, through river valleys with fairytale castles, to enchanting medieval small towns. And nothing can be easier and more comfortable than doing this by train! Virtually every travel need from a business trip to a relaxing holiday is covered by the German Rail Pass. Travelling by train can add another dimension to a European Tour. It breaks up the motorcoach journeys and allows your group to experience traveling with the locals! Select Travel would be delighted to enhance your group’s tour by arranging for rail tickets and passes as part of their tour package.

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Visiting Buckingham Palace

Wednesday, July 22nd, 2009

Every summer visitors can experience life like the Queen during the opening of Buckingham Palace. Between late July and the end of September every year the Palace opens its doors to the public. See dresses and jewellery worn by The Queen, and gifts presented to Her Majesty by the people of the Commonwealth will be on display in Queen & Commonwealth: The Royal Tour. The exhibition marks the 60th anniversary of the modern Commonwealth and will evoke some of the most important overseas tours undertaken by Her Majesty during her reign. Select Travel will tailor your visit with along a Royal theme and can include visits to Hampton Court and Windsor Castle during a visit to England.

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German Emigration Centre Bremerhaven

Thursday, July 16th, 2009

The German Emigration Centre brings to life the story of the seven million people who emigrated by boat from Bremerhaven between 1830 and 1974. More than 90% of the emigrants who sailed from here were headed for the USA and Canada. The route across the North Atlantic became the world’s busiest “bridge to overseas”. At one time, Bremerhaven was the largest emigration port in Europe. Many people failed in the New World, but many made it too. Instead of using information boards and photos, the German Emigration Centre offers visitors a chance to truly experience this period through a combination of education, entertainment, recreation and culinary delights. Using real-life examples, the museum gives visitors an insight into what it was like for people to leave their homes behind and start afresh in America. You get a real sense of history, emotions and the pain of parting. 1,000 personal histories are stored in the archives, and the exhibition focuses on the biographies of around 60 selected emigrants. With elaborate reconstructions and spectacular scenes, the museum tells visitors to this historic location about people’s reasons for leaving, how they survived the cross-Atlantic journey and what happened to them afterwards.

If you have a group that are interested in their European ancestry, or would just like to include a visit to the Emigration Centre, to see what it was like to go through this process all those years ago, then just let Select Travel know and we can design your tour accordingly.

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Gilbert Collection, Victoria & Albert Museum

Tuesday, July 14th, 2009

A generous donation and endowment from the Heather Trust has allowed the V&A to re-display the Gilbert Collection, one of the most important collections of works of art ever gifted to Britain. The Collection, previously displayed at Somerset House, was formed over four decades in Los Angeles by the late Sir Arthur Gilbert, a Briton by birth, and his wife Rosalinde. The result of their passion for great craftsmanship, it comprises breath-taking objects in the fields of English and Continental gold and silver, gold snuff-boxes, Italian micro-mosaics, pietre dure from Florence and Rome and enamel portrait miniatures. In each of these fields it is pre-eminent. The collection was given to the nation in 1996, an act of outstanding generosity for which Sir Arthur was awarded his Knighthood. Opening this month – June 2009 - the redisplay of this superb collection will provide an exciting and dramatic complement to the existing Whiteley Silver and Sacred Silver and Stained Glass Galleries. The displays will highlight the virtuoso quality of works in different media, emphasizing their technical achievement. A visit to this collection is an absolute must for any group interested in fine arts, and Select Travel can design wonderful art tours across the UK and Europe.

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Monet, Giverny France

Monday, July 13th, 2009

Our Director of US Sales, Judee Kaplan reflects on a visit to Giverny, France. Years ago I had the pleasure of discovering a wonderful museum next door to Monet’s beautiful gardens and home in Giverny, The Museum of American Impressionism. It was upon visiting this outstanding museum that I learned Giverny was an American artist’s colony at the turn of the 20th century. American artists came to learn about and explore the new techniques of impressionism. A long lasting connection developed between French and American artists. In 1992, the Terra Foundation for the Arts opened this jewel of a museum. Exhibiting a fine collection of American Impressionist artists, their purpose was to explore the connection between the artist of France and the United States. I was sorry to learn that in 2006 the Terra Foundation ended the relation with the museum and it closed. Because of the importance of being able to display the variety in the impressionist movement the museum has just reopened. In May, 2009 the museum became the Museum of Impressionism Giverny under the control of local authorities and in partnership with the d’Orsay Museum in Paris the mission continues. I look forward to visiting again soon and to be able to enjoy the special collections.

Be sure not to miss including Giverny in your tour to France. What a wonderful day you will have visiting Monet’s famous gardens and home, and to complete your visit the Museum of Impressionism Giverny.

It is specific museum such as this one that the Select Travel Service design team includes in a custom itinerary. Contact us for more information about unusual places to visit.

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St. Gallen Switzerland

Friday, June 19th, 2009

A charming Swiss town off the beaten path between Lake Constance and Appenzell lays St. Gallen. This mini metropolis provides a variety interesting sites to visit. The beautiful Old Town known for the colorfully painted oriel windows dates back to 612 when Irish missionary monk Gallus founded a hermitage.

There are two center pieces in the town; the beautiful and impressive Cathedral and the Abbey Library. The renowned library contains a world class collection of around 140,000 documents, some hand-written and over 1,000 years old. However, it is not just the rare book collection that makes the library an important place to visit. The Rocco hall of the library is believed to be one of the most beautiful in all of Switzerland and I am sure you will agree once you see it.

But, there is more to St. Gallen. The town became prosperous and internationally recognized for embroidery and textiles. The Textile Museum displays the importance of this industry to the town and should be included in your itinerary. You will be impressed with the beautiful pieces on display.

St. Gallen is a little treasure. The old town is traffic-free, so you can relax and wander around. It offers excellent Swiss cuisine (some think even better than the French), easy access to other regions in Switzerland, Germany or Austria, friendly people and beautiful scenery.

Select Travel Service can include a visit to St. Gallen in your group’s custom itinerary and provide you with that memorable off the beaten path experience.

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