2009 Goodspeed London Theatre Tour blog

Lunch in the Atrium at the Wallace Collection

	l. to r.: Caitlin Quinn, Sheila McMann, Joan Colello, Margaret Carter, Carla Hawryluk, Maxine Forman, Donna Lynn Hilton
	l. to r.: Gary Fleisch, Michele Fleisch, Dave Viola, Sr., Lucille Viola
	l. to r.: Ken Olson, Ruth Olson, Jim Wilmot, Louise Wilmot, Patricia Hadlow, David Hadlow, Sally Carrier, Jane Ann Miller
	l. to r.: Michael Price, Anne Anderson, Connie Berglund, Peter Edman, Bernice Edman, Gloria Gorton, Jack Spangler
	l. to r.: Jessica Thompson, Carl Thompson, Anne Rothstein, Jane Hellman, Susan Mancinelli, Ray Mancinelli, Mary Ellen Collins, Tom Collins, Mhairi Maclaren (tour guide), Jane Tizard (tour guide)
	l. to r.: Tom Collins, Mhairi Maclaren (tour guide), Jane Tizard (tour guide), John Hamby, Jessica Thompson, Carl Thompson, Anne Rothstein, Jane Hellman

Tour Wrap-Up

Saturday, October 31: Friday we went to Kenwood House in Hampstead Heath, a place that is little known to tourists but well known to filmmakers.  If you saw Notting Hill with Julia Roberts and Hugh Grant, then you have seen the beautiful grounds of Kenwood House.  Inside, we saw Rembrandt's self portrait and the famous Vermeer painting of "The Guitar Player", as well as many paintings by Reynolds and Gainsborough.  After our private tour, we dined in the atrium at The Wallace Collection.  Everyone was free for the evening to squeeze in another show or dinner at one of London's fine restaurants. 

Saturday provided free time during the day in anticipation of our Farewell Dinner at The Ivy Restaurant. Our tour guide was astounded when we told her that we would be dining at The Ivy.  She can't get a table for two; how did we get a reservation for 45? It's all about who you know!  We all helped Peter and Bernice Edman celebrate 61 years of marital bliss -Congratulation!  It was a wonderful end to our special week in London and after dinner many members stood to tell the group the special place that Goodspeed has in their lives.   

Watch for our new feature "What the Critics Had to Say" covering the London shows and restaurants visited during our trip.

Gloria

4 Shows in 4 Days!

Thursday, Oct. 29: Our entire group agrees that London is busier than New York City!  They are replacing a lot of the underground water pipes (is this the British version of a stimulus plan?) which makes traffic a nightmare.  We see signs that say "bus diversion" everywhere - that means detour for those of us who don't speak the Queen's English.   However, none of that stops us or our talented tour guides and bus drivers.  On Tuesday we spent the morning touring London with stops at Buckingham Palace where we saw the Queen's Horse Guards pass by, Royal Albert Hall, and Westminster Abbey.  What a beautiful city.  In the afternoon we split into 2 groups for a walking tour of the theatre district.  This is our neighborhood, so we’re learning how to get around quite well.  Tuesday evening we saw Breakfast at Tiffany's with Anna Friel.  I think it would be fair to say that most members of our group were surprised that this show hasn't closed yet!  If you come to London, don't bother to see it.

Wednesday morning we walked over Waterloo Bridge to the National Theatre.  There are three theatres at the National and we visited two of them.  We also took a backstage tour and saw their production facilities where they build their sets and props.  Our tour guides were incredibly knowledgeable and gracious, answering every question we could throw at them.  Those of us who have been backstage at Goodspeed were even more in awe of the work we do at our little theatre with the 8 foot wings.  At the National the space behind the stage is as large as the stage itself and the wings are larger than our lobby! 

Wednesday evening we saw Sister Act and we loved it!  The music was infectious, the sets and costumes were great, and the story was well written.  The ending is reminiscent of Mama Mia.  What could be better?  Our group enjoyed a talkback after the performance with Cheri Steinkellner, one of the writers.  Cheri has a Goodspeed connection.  She wrote Princesses, which was produced at The Norma Terris Theatre.  She loved her time in East Haddam and still speaks fondly of Goodspeed.  Everyone in our group returned the favor - we only had great things to say about Sister Act.  We hope that it moves to New York so we can see it again!

Thursday was an all theatre day - we saw a matinee performance and an evening performance.  The matinee was War Horse, which moved from the National Theatre to the West End earlier this year.  Everyone in our group agreed that this show is one of the most moving experiences that they had ever had at the theatre.  It is the story of a boy and his love for his horse, whom he follows into battle in World War I.  The horses in this show are life size puppets which are each operated by three actor/puppeteers.  They are so lifelike that within minutes you forget that the puppeteers are there and you love these horses too.  Following the show we went on stage and met the actors who handle the horses.  They gave us a private demonstration, showing us how the horses are operated and answering all of our questions.  We learned that Princess Anne had the same backstage demonstration.  I guess you could say we got the royal treatment!  It was an experience that we will never forget.

Our group split up for our evening show, with some going to Billy Elliot and some to Priscilla, Queen of the Desert.  Those of us who went to see Billy Elliot thoroughly enjoyed the production and we were amazed at the number of talented children in the show.  The young boy who played Billy was amazing - he acted, sang and danced (ballet, tap, jazz and acrobatics) beautifully.  We were all thrilled to see the show until we got back to the hotel and found out that Mary Miko had gotten on stage and danced at the beginning of the second act of Priscilla!  Did anyone get that on video?  We need it for the Goodspeed archives!

~ Gloria

Goodspeed London Tour has Touched Down!

Sunday, October 25: Michael Price met the group in Chester at The Norma Terris Theatre and waved us off to JFK. Once on board the flight, the American Airlines flight attendant welcomed everyone, including our special group from Goodspeed Musicals. Applause followed and we were off in style!

Once through customs and baggage claim, we were met by Jane Tizard who accompanied us to the Radisson Edwardian Hampshire Hotel, giving a running commentary along the way. Weary, but happy to see their new home for the week, the group checked in and after a short rest headed off to the National Portrait Gallery. Some viewed the classics while others sang through the Beatles exhibit. Once back at the hotel people took advantage of Jane's private concierge service to plan activities for their free time. Then everyone got all dolled up to proceed to the Penthouse for a Welcome Dinner. The view overlooking the Thames was spectacular as it was such a clear night, highlighting Big Ben, the London Eye, the Houses of Parliament, and St. Martin in the Field, to name a few. After a delicious dinner and lots of wine we were introduced to our guest speaker, Blanche Marvin, a passionate octogenarian local theatre critic.

Then it was off to bed for some much needed rest. We regroup tomorrow morning for a panoramic tour of the city of London followed by a walking tour of the West End theatre district.

Pip-pip, cheerio - and check back tomorrow for our next update!

Gloria Gorton, Goodspeed's Director of Major Gifts