The Latest Men’s Fashion Trends Fit for a Night at the Theatre

Historically, the theatre provided a chance for the great and the good of society to show off the latest fashions, an expression of wealth and style and theatregoers have been dressing up in their finery for centuries. Nowadays donning your finest suit and tie for the theatre still adds to the sense of occasion and it’s a great excuse to try out the latest mens fashion trends. If you want to look sharp and on trend for your next night out at the theatre, we’ve taken a look at the latest trends for 2012 to give you some dressing up ideas.

Mix & Match Textures

A key trend for both men’s and women’s fashions this year is the mix and match of rich textures. Designers are making a return to luxurious fabrics as a contrast to today’s modern synthetic fibres and cheap throwaway fashion. Fabrics like velvet, suede and silk are key and these high quality fabrics are perfect for dressing up for a night at the theatre too. An easy way to add a touch of rich texture to men’s outfits is with a blazer. This velvet blazer (pictured) from the House of Fraser mens fashion collection is a great example, and its dark colour makes it easy to mix and match with other colours in your wardrobe.

Suit Trends

If you really want to look smart for your evening on the town, then a classic suit is the simplest way to sharpen up your look. In recent years there has been a real trend towards skinny suits and slim fitting narrow suit cuts. This is all set to change in 2012 as designers look for a fresh twist. The biggest suit trend for the year ahead is the box cut. As the name suggests, this is a looser, wider cut of suit, with defined shoulders and strong lines that create a boxy shape. It’s also a very modern look that steers away from the retro styles that have been the mainstay of the past few years. You can take a look at the Esquire site for a prime example of the boxy new suit from the famous fashion house, Prada.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Entertaining Children at London Theatre

The West End is famous for its high profile plays and musicals, which dominate the landscape, and as a result there is no end to the sights and sounds that adults can witness with theatre tickets. But what about children? What shows can children experience to entertain them during the summer months? Luckily the West End has plenty to offer youngsters as well, whether it is a high profile musical that is suited to the whole family, or a play specifically designed for the younger audience, there is plenty from which to choose.

First of all one only has to look at some of the best known shows running in the capital to see that there is plenty for families to see when they arrive in the capital. What about “Shrek the Musical”? The musical is adapted from the hit movie (and book) of the same name and follows the adventures of everyone’s favourite swamp-dwelling ogre. Along the way audiences experience references to classic fairy tales and to various iconic parts of popular culture, making for a truly unforgettable stage spectacle!

But there are also shows in the capital specifically designed for children, from “The Tiger Who Came to Tea”, which receives early-evening performances at the Vaudeville Theatre, to “Potted Potter”, which attempts to cover the whole Harry Potter series in one show, with CBBC’s Dan & Jeff leading the way. “The Tiger Who Came To Tea” is a show designed for kids above the age of three and shows a tiger causing trouble at tea-time, with magic, songs and laughs to be had along the way. Both shows have pride of place in the West End and they will continue to draw in the crowds as the summer progresses.

So if you are stuck for something for your kids to see in a London theatre, then feast your eyes on the multitude of shows on offer. It proves that when it comes to world-class entertainment, with something on offer for everyone, the West End always comes out on top.

Go To The Theatre For Cheap

Life can often feel like you are fighting a losing battle.  With today’s high stress work environment, it is not uncommon to feel that you are no longer in control of your own destiny.  For many of us around the country working hard at the 9-5, it can all begin to seem a bit pointless.  This is why it is important to make the very most of the time you have to yourself.  Whatever you do when you get home at night, don’t sink into that armchair!  Make sure you have plenty planned to do to keep yourself busy and remind yourself that there is a world outside of your job.

It is all too easy to get home, switch on the television and then switch off for the rest of the night.  All too often this will lead to an unfulfilling existence that will begin to get you down.  So no matter what it is you have to do, and no matter how much it might seem to tire you out, make sure you have a good number of hobbies and extra curricular activities to keep you occupied and enrich your life.

A fantastic way of getting out the house and doing exciting things whilst not exhausting yourself is to go to the theatre.  There are a wealth of exciting shows on all around the country in a great many different styles and traditions.  Why not set yourself the task of what is on offer and find out just what gets your heart pounding, be it ballet, musicals, contemporary dance, drama or opera.

The best thing about it is that it doesn’t have to cost the earth.  By using the internet as a fantastic bargain hunting tool you can slash costs dramatically and find yourself trekking about the city in search of fantastic new cultural experiences.

Check out websites that sell tickets before comparing and contrasting them with each other to work out who can give you the most money off.  Another great way is to buy packages that include a pre-theatre menu, as you can save some great money this way.  If you are looking to get tickets for something that has sold out, then be careful not to use auction websites as sellers can make an extortionate amount of money.  There are a good deal of ethical ticket trading websites that mean you can avoid this.  Also, book far enough ahead and you will probably be able to get money off.  Conversely, many theatres release cheap tickets on the day of the show that you can pick up very cheaply.

Night Out With Queen In London

London is a wonderful city full of a stunning range of things to do and see.  It gathers tourists all year round with it’s myriad range of attractions: it is a cosmopolitan capital famous for it’s culture and history, and so is always high on the list for potential holiday makers.  As culturally diverse as it is physically large and stunningly beautiful, you will find London unlike any city you have ever been to before.  Because of this is it is a hotbed for cultural events, and every year  theatre-goers flock to it’s famous West End to get a glimpse of the famous stages of London Theatre.

The most popular form within this that of musical theatre, something that the West End is particularly famous for.  Why not indulge yourself in a magical weekend of music and stagecraft and book some tickets to a London show?

One that is taking the stages by storm and promises to be a treat for the whole family is the fantastic We Will Rock You.  Even those who claim to dislike musicals will be one over by it as it features the music of the one and only Queen, perhaps the greatest British rock band in history!  It contains all their hit songs, including “Don’t Stop Me Now”, “Killer Queen”, “Who Wants To Live Forever”, “We Will Rock You”, “We Are The Champions” and “It’s A Kind Of Magic”.  Not only that, but it boasts a script written by the highly celebrated Ben Elton of Blackadder fame and is full of his usual comedy gold.

The story tells of a dystopian future where rock music has been banned and all live instruments destroyed in favour of cold electronica.  The state is presided over by the notorious Killer Queen, sure that her authority is indestructible.  However, unknown to her, there are a group of underground rebels working to overthrow this harsh regime, searching day and night to find the holy grail (naturally, Brian May’s guitar) that will give them the power to unleash rock and roll once and for all and free the populace.

This is a fantastic show that will unite the whole family together with a great night out.  With an exciting story underscored by some of the best tunes in rock music of the last century, this is an event that you really cannot afford to miss.

Wicked ..the show

London is a truly fantastic place to visit.  With everything you could wish for right at your finger tips, this is a city that you will definitely never be bored  in.  It is because of this that it is such a well-known and hugely popular holiday destination for families around the world.  The excitement that the announcement of a holiday to London brings is unparalleled, a fact that is well understood by those who have tried it already!  So why don’t you join them?  If you don’t know what all the fuss it about then it’s clearly time to find out: there is no time like the present, so lets get going!

Perhaps London’s greatest asset is it’s extensive malleability: the city is so diverse and interesting that you can seem to get anything out of it that you want.  After a holiday involving sightseeing and historic monuments?  There aren’t many places better than the capital for this, with it’s eye-popping new buildings, it’s famous icons and it’s wealth of hugely interesting historical sites.  A weekend away with the girls?  You’ll find the city’s shopping credentials are extensive, as is the scope for a fantastic night out.  But there is one aspect of London that seems to trump all the others, namely the city’s wonderful Theatre community.  London’s stages are revered the world over, and it’s not difficult to see why.  Even if you wouldn’t call yourself a huge fan of the theatrical arts you are sure to be delighted by what London has on offer for you.

Especially the musicals: they are fun and lively as well as being heartwarming and usually well tailored to being something the whole family can enjoy.  With their great mix of music, theatre and stagecraft, musicals continue to enchant all generations with their boundless charm.

Perhaps one of the most popular musicals of recent times is the hit success that is Wicked This musical tells the story of the Wizard of Oz in a way you have never heard before.  The saying goes that history is written by the victor: it turns out that the Wicked Witch of the West may not have been as evil as she appeared in the well-known film and book.  All will be revealed with a ticket to the show!  This is the perfect idea for a night out on your holiday, and with such a great idea for a show you really can’t go wrong!

Dorothy Back In London

When it comes to planning your holiday it can prove to be a more difficult question than you might imagine on deciding where to go.  The world is just too large a place!  One location that proves continuingly popular with tourists due to it’s seemingly endless diversity and cultural prestige is the city of London.  A town famous for everything from castles to catwalks, it is one of those places that seems able to satisfy your every whim.  This is why it is such a popular tourist attraction, as it is guaranteed to have something that every member of the family will enjoy.

One area that it is particularly well known for is it’s famous West End Theatre, where people pilgrimage each year to catch the best in musicals and theatre, be they trailblazing new productions or classic favourites.  As you wander about the West End you will feel that famous showbiz buzz, with signs for ticket vendors covering the walls and theatres popping up around you as you pass through the streets: it really is a quite magical experience.

And what better to crown this feeling than the most magical show of them all: we are of course talking about The Wizard of Oz.  This is one of the classic musicals that everyone loves: it seems to almost be outside the realms of taste and genre, falling into that category of exceptional art that is celebrated by all.

Based on the book by Frank L. Baum, it features a host of classic songs the whole family are likely to know off by heart such as “Over the Rainbow”, “Ding Dong The Witch Is Dead”, “We’re Off To See The Wizard”, “If I Only Had A Brain” and “The Merry Old Land Of Oz”.  These are the songs that have made The Wizard of Oz so enduringly popular with their musical ingenuity.

It tells of a young girl, Dorothy (Search for Dorothy on the BBC), who is whisked away by a terrifying tornado only to end up in a strange and beautiful new world full of wonderful colours and delightful characters.  With the Wicked Witch of the West hot on her trail, will Dorothy succeed in ever getting home, or will she fall prey to the Witch’s evil?

This is a great show that will amuse and delight the whole family.  Book your tickets now to transport yourself to this magical world full of laughter and music.

Oliver! in his Home Town!

London is a city like no other that you will ever encounter: full of striking cultural contrasts and a wonderfully vibrant atmosphere, this is a cosmopolitan city in an entirely different league of it’s own.  The capital of the United Kingdom is a city where all of your holiday dreams can come true: no matter what objectives you carry for your holiday break, there is quite literally no doubt that this is a city that can (and will) provide.  From lofty cultural pursuits to a fun night out on the town, from thrilling historical adventures to the most satisfying bout of retail therapy imaginable, London is the city that quite literally has everything.  So if you are in need of getting away from it all and indulging yourself in a completely different world, then look no further: head straight to London.

On your trip to this marvellous city you will of course be hard pressed to fit everything in that you want to do.   So numerous and attractive are London’s delights that you will probably find it difficult working out which ones you exactly want to include in your stay there.  On aspect of the city, however, should never be overlooked.  This is of course the town’s world famous West End theatre, where every night a wide variety of different shows await you in London’s prestigious array of theatres.  This is really one of the highlights of what the capital has to offer and certainly should not be missed out on.

A city as enchanting and compelling as London has obviously spawned many pieces of art that use it’s fascinating atmosphere as a worthy backdrop to their story.  Perhaps the most famous of these is Charles Dickens’ famous novel about the poor orphan whose tale explores the darker side of London’s Victorian streets.  Turned into a much beloved family musical, Oliver! has delighted generations with it’s beautifully heartfelt songs and touching story.

With such unforgettable musical numbers as “Because He Needs Me”, “Food Glorious Food”, “You’ve Got To Pick A Pocket Or Two” and “I’m Reviewing The Situation”, this is a tried and tested classic that the whole family is sure to enjoy.  All this coupled with the unforgettable characters and storytelling that has ensured Dickens his place in the literary canon makes for one of the best theatrical experiences possible.

Oliver! will provide the perfect night out in your London trip: get tickets now to avoid hassle and disappointment.

Dreamboats to London

London is a city that is in a class of it’s own.  The world is large place and has many impressive towns, but in truth none of them are quite as breath-taking as the UK’s striking metropolis.  Multicultural and incredibly modern, London is the centrepiece of British culture: a city that looks forward to the future whilst embracing the flow of change.  Having such an enormous amount of different people living there makes it the perfect boiling pot for new ideas and exciting events: furthermore, the city’s size ensures that shows will have audiences, and so many wonderful cultural happenings take place on a highly basis.  If you are looking for a compelling new experience in the theatre, then London is definitely the place to be.

London’s famous West End is a cultural magnet whose pull extends to the world over.  It’s prestige resounds as strongly on the other side of the globe as it does here, only in the latter case it is much more accessible.  If this is the position that you are in, then why not take time to make a short trip to the big city to see the cultural gem that we in this country are so lucky to possess?  Next time you’re planning a trip away, why not eschew the lazy holiday resort for some time in the capital with a few trips to the theatre: you are sure to find the experience fulfilling and exhilarating.

Now, the most electrifying experience you could have at a musical theatre show is fairly easy to elucidate.  The most toe-tapping, rock-and-rolling and simply wonderful of all musicals is coming to London!  If you haven’t caught the breeze of excitement around Dreamboats and Petticoats by now then we can only wonder where on earth you’ve been!  This wonderful theatrical display conjures up the best of the music from a time gone by, and acts as a perfect love letter to the 1960’s pop and rock music scene.

The idea for the show came from the atmosphere of a compilation CD that was a real chart hit.  Featuring such excellent and classic tracks as “To Know Him Is To Love Him” and “Happy Birthday Sweet 16”, the musical takes you on a non-stop thrill ride through some of the best music of the 20th century.  Make sure you are on board by booking your tickets now!

From the North East to London: Billy’s Still Dancing!

London is one of the fantastic wonders of modern civilisation.   A city crammed with as many ideas as there are citizens, the culture generated is one of the greatest in the world.  Each week seems to herald the arrival of something new and exciting that sets the critics alight with praise, and so the city’s citizens are never short of talking points and events in which to participate.

It is an exhilarating place to live, but one even more so to visit as it’s charm is given no chance to fade.   On arriving it may even seem rather familiar: you will have seen this city on television, in the cinema, and through the descriptions in the countless novels it forms a backdrop of; there is an uncanny edge to walking around this strangely familiar metropolis that you feel you may have visited in your dreams.

It is this aspect that makes it such a popular holiday destination: people know so much about London that they want to actually experience it for themselves.  For this wonderful participation in London’s existence, there are certain things you have to see.  The Tower of London is one for certain, as is the beautiful Buckingham Palace; but perhaps more important than all of these is something less tangible, something less easily summed up in a simple image.  This is, of course, London’s reputation for world-class theatre: though it is not enshrined in a single building, monument or idea, it is as part and parcel of London’s iconography as Big Ben himself!  This is why it is of paramount importance that during your trip to London you make sure to catch one of the excellent performances showing around the city on a nightly basis.

And what better way to explore this wonderful part of the city than through the stage adaptation of Billy Elliot.  This uplifting piece of work tells the story of a young boy’s struggle to realise his greatness in spite of the greatest of adversities and triumph to do his talent justice.  Based on the award-winning film of the same name, Billy’s quest to become a ballet dancer has touched the hearts of audiences the world over, and this musical stage productions certain to crank up the drama quite a bit.  You will be swept away by this great piece of theatre.  So what are you waiting for?  Book tickets now!

Simba Rules Over London

London is a city renowned the world over as a wonderful place for a holiday: as far as your average city break holidays go, London offers something that is head and shoulders above the rest. With an international reputation for it’s quality and diversity, London is the perfect destination for that special holiday you are planning. So if you are looking to go somewhere with a difference, then put the capital at the top of your list.

It is packed with a huge amount of things for you to explore that will delight all ages and interests: whether your city holiday is a mini-break designed to get some space from everything or a full on family extravaganza, you are sure to find London a perfect vehicle for your holiday plans.

It really does have something for everyone: the history buffs will be delighted by the wide selection of interesting historical sights; the culture vultures will be hugely excited by the amount of important theatrical and musical events occurring nightly; and (last but not least!) the kids will have the time of their lives at London’s generous offerings of fun days out.

As you can see, the capital is one of those city’s teeming with possibilities. As such, there can be a slight problem in deciding exactly how to spend your time: you will find that in a city as exciting as this, it becomes far more precious! There are of course certain things that a holiday in London cannot do without. Big Ben, for example, Buckingham Palace, and perhaps most importantly of all, a trip to one of the amazing shows going on in London’s West End Theatre. This is a hugely important part of any trip to the city, as it is one of the best theatrical communities in the world. Every year people come to the city to experience the big budget productions of their favourite shows performed by the biggest talents in the business. Your holiday offers you the chance to experience this first hand.

One show that is always going to be a favourite for the whole family is The Lion King, the stage musical adaptation of the hit Disney film that won the hearts and minds of a cinema-going generation. If it is possible, the stage show improves upon it’s predecessor with a host of new wonderful songs and an incredibly original and innovative method of staging that blurs the lines between the disciplines of acting and puppetry. You will not believe your eyes!