Bursch Travel

7th Annual Omaha Community Playhouse Theater Tour - London

submitted by Audrey Hulsey - Manager Pegasus Travel Omaha

We departed Feb 11 and returned Feb 16 â€" it's a short trip but packed with wonderful experiences.  We have a friend in Londonwho was formerly a Playhouse employee and now lives and works in London.  He is key to selecting the theater performances we see.  He too is amazed at the success of this program because as he says...”who would think people would put down big deposits to go on a theater tour and not know what they were going to see” â€" but they do.  We don't finalize performances until Nov and sometimes Dec.  We arrive Thurs morning â€" try to plan some activity to keep everyone awake and on their feet until we drop at the hotel at noon (and hopefully rooms are ready)...that evening is the first of our performances. This year it was OLIVER. We lead those who need it to and from the theater via the subway...others make their way on their own.  A London Visitor Travelcard is included in the cost.  We've been at the same hotel the past 5 years â€" Hotel Phoenix â€" Kensington Gardens Square. It's a 3star Best Western and even my most discerning clients are willing to stay there with the group.  Friday all day is at leisure â€" again a theater performance in the evening. (this year Twelfth Night).  Saturday we have a tour of the 3 theaters comprising the National Theater...it is a highlight for our group to see the workings of this unmatched facility.  Then in the evening we see a performance in one of the theaters...this year it was The Pitmen Painters â€" about coal miners exposed to art lecture and lessons â€" based on a true story...We try to focus all our theater on performances that originate in Britain or are adaptations from other countries â€" in other words we'd not select a popular NY Broadway production unless we were really stuck (like last year we offered Wicked).  Sunday at leisure and then our other big highlight â€" fish and chips at Rock and Sole Plaice(47 Endell St â€" Covent Garden Underground stop) â€" best fish and chips in London

!!! â€" so they say and our group agrees. Reasons people love the trip...”we can do our own thing and come together for theater”  "all the basics are included, don't have to worry about accommodations or evening entertainment”  "no long lines in February â€" ANYWHERE” A bit about Londonâ€" They're busy gearing up for the Olympics in 2012...cranes all over the place...even our fish and chip shop is expanding â€" knocking out a wall to take over the next door shop.  . Another favor you can do your Londontraveler is to encourage them to take a London Walk.  www.walks.com  ...they are the absolute best way to see Londonin small bites.  Two hours, just show up at the appointed tube stop, and off you go...7GBP adult 5GBP senior/student  This year was a first for our group on Northwest and we were all very pleased.  The ease of returning through customs in Minneapoliscould really spoil you.  And Terminal 4 at Heathrow was a joy as well â€" we've done Continental and United previously and this year was lightyears better. Now a plug for NY Broadway â€" there are tons of new things opening in the Spring....