Archive for the ‘Student Tours’ Category

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

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!

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.

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.

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.

London Walking Tours

Wednesday, June 3rd, 2009

Walking tours of London with a difference. The past decade has seen east London dramatically transformed. Today, it’s one of London’s most vibrant and multi-layered enclaves. Big money projects sit alongside traditional family businesses, while Londoners of a thousand ethnicities share the same neighbourhood with recent migrants. A walking tour of East London is an explosion of scenes and sights. From magnificent 18th century townhouses and Victorian terraces to stand-out art galleries and über-cool spaces. And because this is London’s creative hub, we can introduce you to up-and-coming fashion designers, artists and designer-makers and their work. For food lovers there is plenty to experience too, as we visit stores and markets selling foodstuffs from across the globe. The East End Hip walking tour is an eclectic experience for visitors looking to discover the hidden streets in one of London’s most vibrant areas. This is just one example of how Select Travel Service can tailor your tour to your market – we have the ideas and contacts that make all the difference!

Palais Garnier Paris

Friday, May 15th, 2009

Enjoy a visit to the Palais Garnier in Paris. The unrivalled décor and richness of architecture is second to none. Built at the end of the 19th century, this world-famous palace of marble and gold has a spectacular grand staircase and foyers richly decorated with paintings and sculptures which makes it a living art theatre. The magnificent room where the productions take place is decorated in red and gold and its ceiling was painted by Marc Chagall in 1964 with scenes of world renowned performances.

Allow Select Travel to enhance your visit to Paris. A professional guide will take you around this fantastic venue and will relate its historical and social aspects as well as its architectural splendour and its artistic life. The visit includes the library museum, the Rotonda and Glacier Gallery, the Grand Foyer and the theatre itself.

Imperial War Museum North

Thursday, May 7th, 2009

A heart-rending yet captivating exhibition at the Imperial War Museum North, is “Captured: The Extraordinary life of Prisoners of War” (23 May 2009 - 3 January 2010), which is the first exhibition of its kind and marks the 70th anniversary of the outbreak of the Second World War. This unique exhibition will look in detail at what was needed to survive in an often harsh environment. Using an engaging mix of objects, art, documents, photographs, film and sound from Imperial War Museum’s unrivalled collections, Captured will reveal incredible personal stories during periods of captivity that in many cases lasted for several years.  Select Travel Service has a wide variety of military history tours available for groups.  Visit http://www.selecttravel.com/tours_military_history.asp

Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium

Tuesday, April 28th, 2009

A visit to Arsenal’s Emirates stadium is perfect for that football (soccer) enthusiastic group staying in London. Follow in the footsteps of your Arsenal heroes by joining the Emirates Stadium Tour and taking a look behind the stunning Emirates Stadium. You will have the opportunity to see all the areas which are crucial to the team on a matchday - from a walk down the players’ tunnel to a seat in the first team dressing room. On standard tour, you will also visit the Directors Box and the Press Conference facilities. Visiting teams can also have the opportunity to join one of the fantastic Legends Tours. You will be shown around Emirates Stadium with a hero from Highbury’s past who will reveal his thoughts on the current team, his playing days and any news from the inner sanctum of Arsenal Football Club. After you have looked around the stadium stroll around the clubs museum with fascinating artifacts from the clubs past.

Finchcocks Musical Museum

Monday, April 27th, 2009

Finchcocks Musican Museum is located in Kent, England.  It represents a wonderful collection of over 100 historical keyboard instruments, housed within a fine Georgian manor.   There are opportunities for private visits to explore the house, experience the collection of period instruments as well as view the exhibition of prints, pictures and costumes on the theme of the eighteenth century.  A traditional afternoon tea may be scheduled to accompany a keyboard receital.  A visit to Finchcocks features on many Select Travel tours designed for choir and other music tours of England.