BATEAUX OFFERS NEW THEATRE PACKAGE

Bateaux London has just announced a new cruise package to add to its portfolio of offers for this summer. Guests will now be able to combine an afternoon tea cruise along the Thames with a visit to a West End show in the evening. Bateaux London cruises take guests along the river past all the iconic sights of London, including St Paul’s Cathedral, the Houses of Parliament and the London Eye, with commentary along the way to make sure everyone makes the most of the fascinating views. The afternoon tea cruise includes a typical spread of delectable sandwiches, pastries and scones, along with an assortment of teas, and music from Bateaux’s pianist. To top all this off, Bateaux are now offering a package which includes a top price theatre ticket for West End shows such as Top Hat, Mamma Mia and Let It Be.

Info: www.bateauxlondon/theatre

HUGH BONNEVILLE NEW PATRON FOR NYT

The National Youth Theatre of Great Britain has just named renowned actor (and former NYT member) Hugh Bonneville as a patron and has also announced the creation of a new rep company. Paul Roseby, CEO and Artistic Director of the NYT, said: “Building on the success of our 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Team Welcome Ceremonies, I’m delighted to announce our new NYT rep company, an ambitious season of work in the West End and that the brilliantly talented NYT alumnus Hugh Bonneville is joining our illustrious list of patrons. Hugh attributes a lot of his success to the National Youth Theatre and we're delighted to be welcoming him back as he'll be a great champion for our cause.” Bonneville has responded by stating that he is “delighted” and that he would “not be doing what I do now were it not for this fantastic organisation: it opened my eyes to what was to become my career … I look forward to waving the National Youth Theatre flag with pride.” The company’s 2013 season will see the new rep company, comprised of 15 young actors, performing in all three shows at London’s Ambassadors Theatre. The ‘West End Season’ will include Tory Boyz by James Graham, Prince of Denmark by Michael Lesslie, and an adaptation of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet by former NYT member, Lolita Chakrabarti.

Info: www.nyt.org.uk

NEW PLAYHOUSE AT SHAKESPEARE’S GLOBE

The brand new Sam Wanamaker Playhouse at Shakespeare’s Globe will open its doors to the public for the first time at the beginning of 2014, with an eclectic season of early modern drama, opera and exclusive one-off performances and concerts. A successful fundraising campaign by Shakespeare’s Globe has enabled the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse project to be developed without any government subsidy and there is now just £600,000 left to raise of a £7.5 million target. The playhouse will provide an indoor playing space during the winter months and will host a wide variety of events all year round. It will be completely unique among London venues, with a handmade oak structure and pit seating, lit by hundreds of candles during performances. With seats for 340 people, the venue has been designed with careful research into the materials, methods, and the decorative aesthetics of Jacobean buildings by a team of leading experts.

Info: www.shakespearesglobe.com/the-sam-wanamaker-playhouse