London on Stage 2018
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London on Stage: Overview

Tour Overview

Experience ten days in London that you will cherish for the rest of your life. London is not just the capital of the United Kingdom; it is the beating heart of world culture. The most cosmopolitan city on earth, London offers dazzling displays of art, theatre, cuisine, and commerce from all over the globe, and you will sample it all. But London is also steeped in its own fascinating history, its own unique charm and glorious pageantry, and you'll dive headfirst into that, too. From the gastronomic glories of high tea in Oxford to the gothic splendor of Westminster Abbey, from a privately arranged tour of Middle Temple Hall by day to the sophistication of cutting edge British theatre by night, you will have a truly unforgettable time.

Please note: we average 5 miles of walking per day.

So what plays will we see?

Jane and Tim find the best seats to the newest, most interesting, most cutting-edge plays out there. And sometimes they find the best seats to big blockbusters, too. This year’s lineup is still taking shape, as new plays are still being announced. Here’s what we have confirmed so far:

• Othello at Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, London. Seeing a Shakespeare play at the Globe on Bankside is always a treat—like being transported back to the English Renaissance. This new production promises to have us on the edge of our seats! Read more here.
• Hamilton at Victoria Palace Theatre, London. This show likely needs no introduction, but you can read the review here!
• King Lear at the Duke of York’s Theatre in the West End. Here is our last chance to see one of the greatest classical actors of any age—Ian McKellan. He’s great on screen; he’s a revelation on the stage.
• The Height of the Storm at Wyndham’s Theatre in the West End. This is a world premiere by French playwright Florian Zeller, and stars Eileen Atkins and Jonathan Pryce.
• A Very, Very, Very Dark Matter at the Bridge Theatre. Another world premier by Martin McDonaugh, most recently known for Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri. McDonagh’s new play dramatizes the work of Hans Christian Anderson. Seems harmless enough, but have you read some of those fairy tales?

Tour Highlights Include:

• 6 plays at the epicenter of great performances: the Royal National Theatre and West End and off-West End theatres
• Personally guided backstage tour of the National Theatre
• Highlight tours of the National Gallery and other art museums
• Personally guided tours of Westminster Abbey; the Tower of London; and World Heritage site Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
• A discovery walk through London's historic East End—believe us, it's not what you think...
• Markets, markets, markets!: Portobello Road (trash and treasures), Borough (a foodie's dream), and Spitalfields (one of England's oldest)
• A daytrip to Oxford's most famous sights, including Christ Church and Christ Church Cathedral, Radcliff Camera, Bodleian Library, The Sheldonian Theatre, Covered Market and more
• Free time, with plenty of suggestions, to find your own remarkable London

Know before you go:
Filled with one-of-a-kind visits and many sites barred to the general public, this trip will leave you happily exhausted. It includes long days exploring London and Oxford as a group and late nights of theatre performances, and the pace is brisk. We average 7 miles of walking and 200 stairs per day. Travel is by public transportation (included in the price of the trip), and participants should be able to board Tube trains and buses independently. The group comes first, so participants who wish to travel by taxi (not recommended) must make their own independent arrangements and expect to pay about $600 extra.