Making Musicals
Understanding the Craft of Making Musicals
Musicals have grown and developed over the last 150 years and are now a stalwart of the dramatic arts. From the West End of London to the Glitz of Broadway the range and diversity of shows is a treat for truly international audiences. The music surpasses the language barrier and the set designs and costumes add to the magic of musical theatre.
Performing Arts students whose interests lie in music or dance will be familiar with the name Cameron Mackintosh. For nearly 50 years he has been producing more musicals than anyone else in history, including the three longest-running musicals of all time, Les Misérables, The Phantom of the Opera and Cats, which are still running successfully across the world. He was knighted in 1996 for this contribution to musical theatre and to this day continues to dedicate himself to it. Mackintosh now owns eight historic theatres in London’s West End – the Prince of Wales, Gielgud, Queen’s, Wyndham’s, Noël Coward, Novello, Prince Edward and the Victoria Palace all of which have undergone spectacular refurbishment. His dedication to his craft has resulted in the creation of educational workshops for schools and colleges.
Students workshops cover topics such as the history of the musical and Les Misérables. In the choral workshop students learn to sing in harmony to enhance their performance skills. There is a matinee performance followed by a Q&A session with a company or crew member for Phantom of the Opera. The Mamma Mia workshop will bring out the disco diva in your students. All these workshops can be combined with a backstage tour.
This is a fantastic way to boost your student’s learning and understanding. All trips are tailor-made to meet their needs and the itinerary below acts as an outline for the sort of thing that can be done. Contact our Education Specialist for further information.
Dates
Dates available on request
Suggested itinerary by coach
Day 1
Les Misérables – Workshop & Backstage Tour
Arrive in London after lunch and make your way to the designated venue for a backstage tour of the Queens Theatre in the West End. Following the tour, your students will participate in a Les Misérables workshop which gives an insight into the history of the musical and stagecraft used during the performance. This practical workshops enables participants to understand more about the historic context of the production and encourages them to develop performance skills.
Late check-in to hotel.
Meet for Pre-theatre dinner (can be pre-booked for an additional fee).
Make your way to the theatre for the Evening Performance of a West End Show.
Return to your hotel.
Day 2
Les Misérables – Choral Workshop
After breakfast make your way to the Price of Wales Theatre where your students will participate in a discussion about singing in different genres vocal warm up. After this they will carry out exercises about the use of text and its relationship with the music, timing and singing at the same time so that they learn to sing one of the numbers in harmony. This will then all be put together in a short ensemble scene from the production.
Break for lunch.
MAMMA MIA! – Workshop
A workshop that will engage any student in the smash hit production MAMMA MIA! Students will discover their inner disco diva in an action packed recreation of some of the highlights of the smash hit musical that brings the student closer to the themes and exuberance of the production. A practical workshop which explores both issues raised in the show and allows the participants to gain an appreciation of routines that they will see in MAMMA MIA! And of course the timeless music of ABBA.
Time to pack up, say goodbye and return to school.
Suggested Hotels
Lords Hotel
A family-run budget hotel located next to a beautifully quiet garden square in Bayswater, central London. Close to Hyde Park, it is a perfect affordable base from which to explore London. Accommodation is flexible to suit most needs ranging from single rooms to multi-bedded rooms with a mixture of single beds and bunk beds sleeping up to 6. All rooms have flat screen TV and hair dryers as well as en-suite facilities.
Ibis Docklands
Located in Canary Wharf and a short light rail journey from ExCel and the O2 Arena. City Airport is just 5km from the hotel, and there is secure onsite parking for up to 30 cars. The hotel offers 87 Sweet rooms by ibis with air-cooling, flat-screen TV and free WiFi.
Optional Extras
- 1 day multi-zone travel card for London Underground, DLR, overground train and buses
- Pre-theatre Dinner
- Packed Lunch
Please ask us for the additional costs for adding these to your quote.
Pricing Information
We use local coach companies to minimise coach costs and prices will vary depending on point of departure. Where drivers need overnight accommodation, this will be included within the quote. Free teacher places can be booked please call us for further details. All enquiries are priced according to date, no of students/staff travelling and what you would like to be included in the price and are tailor made to your specific requirements.
