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New York or Middle Earth: The choice is yours in Londons West End. |
London's West End is famous the world over for its first-class theatrical productions and renowned musical adaptations. From Andrew Lloyd Webber's latest production of The Sound of Music - starring TV's 'How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria' winner Connie Fisher - to the recent stage adaptation of the classic 1980s movie Dirty Dancing, London's theatres attract visitors in their hoards. Moreover, London theatre breaks are especially popular with people interested in taking a short holiday in the UK's bustling capital.
May 2007 sees the opening of two new plays in London's West End that will have theatre fans across the UK chattering with excitement. The Theatre Royal on Drury Lane will be showing the world's first adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkein's 'The Lord of the Rings'. Following on from the phenomenal success of Peter Jackson's Oscar winning movie trilogy, the Theatre Royal's new production of Tolkein's epic masterpiece combines an ecstatic musical score with heart-stopping choreography and a spectacular stage design.
Featuring over 70 actors, singers and musicians, The Lord of the Rings stage play will follow Frodo Baggins on his amazing journey through Middle Earth - and the production looks likely to be a runaway success. Opening on May 9th, LOTR fans should make sure they book their tickets well in advance to secure a seat.
If enchanted rings and hairy hobbits aren't quite your idea of an enjoyable night at the theatre, then you're in luck: May also sees the opening of Fame at the Shaftsbury Theatre. The original high school musical, Fame revolves around a group of students in New York's school for the Performing Arts. Like The Lord of the Rings, and starring Irene Cara, Fame was adapted into an Oscar winning film in 1980 and has since spawned generations of fans of both the film and the original stage musical alike.
The movie version of Fame was spawned from a successful TV series and the movies' skyrocketing success gave rise to a host of films made in a similar genre, including Flashdance and Footloose. Today, many films, musicals and TV programmes aimed at teenagers still use the formula that Fame made so successful - the charting of the hopes and dreams of young, idealistic adolescents. Recent films such as Centre Stage and Disney's High School Musical have followed a similar pattern, but none have so far rendered the timelessness and eternal appeal of the original Fame.
Opening on May 4th at the Shaftsbury Theatre on Shaftsbury Avenue, Fame promises a rollicking experience for any fan of the musical, the film - or simply anyone that desires a stunning stage musical experience! And, if you're planning to visit London's West End to see The Lord of the Rings or Fame this Spring, why not make a short theatre break out of it? That way you'll get to take in London's spectacular attractions and indulge in a spot of shopping while on a cultural weekend away.
About the Author
Andrew Regan is a freelance online journalist who travels extensively.
Article source http://w4rum.com/1647.t
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| [By Kimber Fulcher] [05/May/07] |
