London Tourist Guide

The Story of The Phantom of the Opera Continues in Love Never Dies

admin — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 12:14:47 +0000

Writing a sequel to what continues to be the most commercially successful show in theatre history cannot have been easy for musical maestro Andrew Lloyd Webber. Indeed, with numerous “phans” of the original Phantom of the Opera protesting the sequel violently, and then slamming it heavily upon its release, the whole thing has been somewhat disheartening. But there is little cause for this, because Love Never Dies holds its own on the theatre scene, and although it may not be exactly what the Phantom was, it’s a masterpiece of visual eccentricity, currently showing at the Adelphi Theatre in London.

The plot is simple enough, as ten years after the events of Phantom the heroine of the piece, Christine Daae, has become a famous singer. She is summoned to perform at the opening of a new amusement park in Coney Island, a perfect setting for the whirling, colourful spectacle already established in Phantom’s ballroom scenes. The mysterious call, of course, comes in fact from the phantom himself. Christine heads to Coney Island, resentful husband Raoul in tow as well as ten year old Gustave, who may or may not be the Phantom’s biological child.

This is a story that combines romance, intrigue and a hint of gothic melodrama. In Christine, audiences have a heroine who is both strong and fragile. We saw her almost consumed by the phantom and rescued by Raoul, but now we see that it wasn’t as simple as we thought. Christine and the deformed composer shared a night of passion in Paris ten years ago, giving her character an added dimension. The phantom himself remains a menacing and yet vulnerable anti-hero, impossible to think of as a black and white villain. The introduction of Gustave, an innocent child who has to meander through a very adult world, further deepens the message of the story. As Phantom considered the all consuming power of love and obsession, Love Never Dies takes this to a new level by suggesting the bonds of family and biological ties.

If you’re looking for tickets online for Love Never Dies then why not visit LondonTheatre.com and take a look at their fantastic offers on tickets.

London A popular Tourist Destination

admin — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 22:11:11 +0000

London is a capital of England, a kingdom for which it was once said that sun never sets in British Empire. The importance of this city never faded away with time instead even now it is considered an important city. Despite the fact that it is an expensive city, it has many attractions for tourists. So, London can be a dream destination if your trip is planned well. Moreover, it’s a city of double Decker buses; exploring London with double Decker buses is a unique experience. Following are the must see sights in London.

Buckingham Palace, an office and royal residence of Her Majesty “The Queen” is an old palace with magnificent architecture. Every important announcement about royal household is made by Buckingham palace.

The British London Eye likeness among tourists can be well realized by the fact that it has won more than 75 awards for national and international tourism. It is the world’s largest observation wheel. The experience of 30 minutes flight and views over London are just unmemorable.

St. Paul’s Cathedral is an Anglican Cathedral on Ludgate Hill. It is also the seat of Bishop of London. This magnificent piece of architecture was designed by Sir Christopher Wren. Many tourists visit it to admire this remarkable building.

British Museum is the place where you can see the reflection of culture of the whole world. That is why it is also an important place to visit. Some renowned items of the British museum are ancient mummies, the Rosetta stone, a real statue from Easter Island and many others.

London Tower is situated within the London Borough of Tower Hamlet and of great significance in history of England. It is an ancient tower and dated back to 900 years ago. Hundreds of tourists pay visit to this tower which has witnessed the deaths of many royals including wives of Henry VIII. Thus, in every sense London is a place to visit.

History of the Palladium Theatre, London

admin — Thu, 20 May 2010 15:29:26 +0000

The Palladium Theatre is one of many theatres that was designed by the famous Frank Matcham, who designed several famous theatres including the London Coliseum and the Victoria Palace. This area of London is now full of theatres, with the New London Theatre just down the road.

The Palladium was built in 1910 and is grade II listed building, but the facade dates back to the 19th century and was originally that of Argyll House and features six Corinthian columns.

A large mansion originally stood on the site that belonged to the Duke of Argyll but was demolished in 1865 before being replaced by the Corinthian Bazaar, and then occupied by a circus and then an ice skating rink, both of which were failed ventures.

The building became known as the Palladium Theatre from its opening on the 26th December, 1910 and held a variety of performances including ballet, opera, drama and comedy. The Palladium has always been well known for its variety shows and has seen a number of famous faces treading the boards including Bob Hope, Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra and Judy Garland.

When Val Parnell took over management of the Palladium Theatre in 1945 he not only introduced a number of famous acts but also oversaw the use of the theatre for the ITV Variety TV show Sunday Night at the London Palladium.

The Palladium Theatre saw its first musical Golden Boy, starring Sammy Davis. Jr, open in 1968 and ever since the theatre has been home to a number of musical theatrical productions including The King and I, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and The Sound of Music. The current production is Sister Act the Musical, starring American star Patina Miller and Sheila Hancock. The London Palladium is now owned by Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Really Useful Group and it will show the new Wizard of Oz musical there in the coming year.

The Bramah Museum of Tea and Coffee

admin — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 21:33:27 +0000

If you are a coffee lover or tea lover, or if you are just interested in the history of these two popular beverages, you will enjoy a visit to the Bramah Museum of Tea and Coffee, located in London, not too far from the London Bridge station.

The museum houses several interesting attractions. First of all, there is a tea room available that is very authentic in tradition and style. You can choose from many different classic types of tea to enjoy in the quaint tea room.

Visitors can also get their fill of tea history, with information, photos, and artifacts dating back from ancient tea innovations to modern day tea trends. If you are a coffee fan, no need to worry – you’ll be able to get your fill of coffee trivia as well, with another section of the museum devoted to the history and development of this hot beverage.

Price wise, this is a very affordable museum to visit, with tickets all priced at or below 4 Pounds per person. You can also buy family packs of tickets for a further discounted price. You might want to bring a little bit of extra money just in case, however, because there is a souvenir shop that is sure to satisfy tourists and collectors alike. If you’re visiting the London area, this tea and coffee museum is a nice way to spend an hour or two without spending much money.

Hyde Park, London

admin — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 10:34:39 +0000

One of the best ways to relax and unwind is to spend a few hours unwinding in a park. The Hyde Park, in London, is one of the largest parks in the area and has many points of interest, making it a great place to visit for locals and vacationers alike. The park has 625 acres of usable space, which also means that it is a great place for events such as large outdoor concerts or fairs.

One of the most notable locations within the park is the “Speaker’s Corner”, a place where public speaking is allowed on any subject, assuming that it is legal and is free from profanity. People speak here on a regular basis about subjects ranging from politics to religion. Anyone is free to speak, and no sort of prior license or permission is required. In many cases, the Speaker’s Corner in Hyde Park has been used as a place of protest – and on several occasions, riots have even broken out. For the most part, however, all activities here are purely peaceful.

Another noteworthy place within Hyde Park is the Princess Diana memorial. It is a large, oval fountain, which opened in 2004. Originally, the fountain was going to be a place of meditation where people would be allowed to wade in the water. However, after several injuries, the fountain is now surrounded by a fence to prevent people from entering.

Events such as the Christmas Market- which is set up similar to a city fair- or large rock concerts (including the famous Live8 charity concerts) are common in the park. Whether you are looking for peaceful relaxation or an energetic way to spend your energy, you are sure to find something to suit your taste at Hyde Park.

One Canada Square and Mall

admin — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 08:17:00 +0000

The tallest building in London – and anywhere in the United Kingdom as well – is a building known as One Canada Square. The tower also goes by the name of the “Canary Wharf Tower”. It is fifty stories tall and stands at a height of 235 meters. (It will soon be surpassed, however, by the Heron Tower in London which is currently under construction.) The building was under construction for a period of three years between 1988 and 1991. The majority of the building is not open to public access because it is primarily used to house offices. However, the ground floor lobby as well as the basement are open to the public, and serve as an entrance to the Canada Square shopping mall.

The adjoined mall, which is known as the Canada Square or Canada Place shopping mall, is a nice attraction to accompany a sightseeing visit to the tower. There is ice skating available inside the mall, perfect for a family visit or a relaxed dating environment. Of course, there is also a large selection of mainstream shops to choose from, as well as a modest food court for meals and snacks.

Although the Canary Wharf Tower will not hold the title of the tallest building in the U.K. for much longer, it deserves some credit for holding the title for just under twenty years. If you are a U.K. resident who goes to London for frequent day trips, the One Canada Square tower and mall can make for a nice afternoon.

Tophams Hotel, London

admin — Sun, 26 Jul 2009 21:00:25 +0000

The Tophams Hotel, located in Belgravia, is one of the many upscale hotels available for those who seek lodging in the London area. After a total renovation in 2008, the hotel boasts luxury in all areas, as well as a price range that is very affordable compared to some hotels of comparable prestige.

Most of the rooms in the hotel are double beds, although there are a couple single beds and family suites available as well. Each room has all the features you would expect in a luxury hotel – air conditioning, heating, wireless internet, and more. When it comes to design, you’ll easily feel the luxurious atmosphere with the eloquent color scheme and the high quality upholstery. If you’re in the mood to dine, you can get a freshly cooked hot breakfast delivered to your room for an additional fee.

The location of the Tophams hotel is great as well, centrally located just a few blocks from Victoria station. Whether you are visiting London on business or for some relaxing vacation time and sightseeing, you will benefit from the prime location of this hotel. If you are planning on visiting the London area soon, be sure and place a reservation, as there is no guarantee that there will be a vacancy when you arrive. The hotel offers a 48 hour cancellation policy, giving you a grace period in case your plans change at the last minute.

Tophams is one of the many great choices for lodging in the London area. If you have any more questions, you can visit the Tophams hotel website where they have a database of frequently asked questions.

The Natural History Museum in London

admin — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 09:04:37 +0000

The Natural History Museum in London is one of the top museums in the world. It was established in 1881, making it also one of the longer running museums of its type. There are millions upon millions of items on display in the museum, divided up among five main categories. The museum is basically in a constant state of expansion, with its newest feature being the Darwin Centre, opening in the fall of 2009.

The different subjects on display in the museum are very widely varied. There are sections of the museum devoted to areas such as Botany, Zoology, Entomology, Paleontology, and Mineralogy. Although each of these sections is extremely expansive and is on a world scale, the section of the museum that is most widely renowned is the section that features dinosaur and other prehistoric skeletons. In addition to the prehistoric skeletons, you can also view the bone structure of many modern species as well, making the skeleton exhibit here one of the largest in the world.

The building itself that the museum is housed in is also quite a work of art, and it will surely prove interesting for any architecture enthusiasts. The building is designed in a way that many people say is similar to the look and feel of a cathedral -you may hear the museum sometimes referred to as the cathedral of nature for this reason.

Even though this museum may be very old, it’s definitely not out of date. Every time you visit, you are sure to find tons of new exhibits to explore. If you’re visiting the London area, be sure and drop by the Natural History Museum for an unforgettable experience that people of all ages will enjoy.

Adare Hotel in London

admin — Sun, 01 Mar 2009 09:41:38 +0000

If you want a high quality budget hotel in central London, Adare looks like one that will meet all of your needs. Although many people prefer to go to the luxury four star hotels whenever they visit London, it’s completely acceptable to cut costs wherever you can. If you spend less on your hotel room, that means you can spend more out on the town, right? The good news is that you don’t have to sacrifice quality in order to get a low price; if you choose Adare to be your accommodation, that is.
You truly get a grand location whenever you stay at the Adare. While staying here, you will be within a minute of walking distance from the Paddington train station. Also within walking distance are several cafes, museums, shopping centers and more. This allows another great way to cut costs for those who arrive to London via airplane – no need to rent an automobile or take the taxi everywhere. The rooms may be a bit smaller than that of the four star hotel, but the nightly bill is a lot smaller. The quality of the rooms and service, however, is still very high. Large beds, showers, and a television in every room make the stay at the Adare Hotel an enjoyable experience.
With the economy the way it is, many people are cutting costs. Don’t be fooled, though! You can still stay at great hotels for an amazingly low price. This way, you can have a highly enjoyable trip but still have money to pay your bills with. It really is possible, even in the heart of London.

The London Bridge

admin — Sun, 22 Feb 2009 11:36:15 +0000

You may have heard about the London Bridge in childhood songs growing up, but it is actually a real bridge that carries traffic across the River Thames in London. Of course, the bridge has undergone many remodeled versions through the years, but it is still in nearly the same location as the original. Some people believe that the original bridge, built by some of the first Roman settlers, was constructed as early as 50 AD. If that’s the case, it would have been the sole official bridge in the area for nearly 1700 years.
The current version of the bridge, which is a pre-stressed concrete girder style bridge, was opened in 1973. It can handle 5 lanes of traffic, providing a much needed route across the River Thames within Inner London. The bridge is fairly long, over 262 meters in length. The bridge, however, isn’t very tall compared to many world-famous bridges. It sits at a dramatic height of 8.9 meters, or 29 feet above the surface of the water.
Although there is not much to do at the London Bridge, aside from driving or walking over it, it is considered by many to be a tourist attraction. Due to the long historical tradition of the London Bridge, as well as it’s worldwide popularity in many songs and various other literary works, this otherwise-average bridge has a special place in the international limelight.