London Theater and the Art of Adaptation

presented by

Binghamton University Alumni Association and the Department of Theater

January 8-17, 2005

With faculty escorts Tom Kremer, professor of theater, and his wife, Carol Hanscom, adjunct lecturer in theater, both professional actors and directors.

 

!!!Travel to London and immerse yourself in the world of the theater!!!

Attend a Shakespeare production plus two new plays that are adaptations of fine literature, one a recent brilliant work of fantasy
and the other a classic Victorian thriller.

Plays:

 

TOURS:

First a tour of the city to see the major sites and get our berings.

Also tour the National Theatre, and the Globe Theater

The National Theatre Backstage toor has been called "Fascinating and informative" by Time Out London.
A 1hr. 15 min. tour behind the scenes exploring 3 vastly different auditoriums, scenic workshops and backstage areas, all in the company of well informed,
entertaining and enthusiastic guides. Over 20,000 visitors a year enjoy this unique experience. A sample impression:
"It was the highlight of our trip to London. Relaxed and enthralling."

Stratford-on-Avon

Rich in culture and history, this is a picturesque town beautifully situated on the river with a wealth of black and white timber framed buildings.
Among the many sites to visit, relating to the life and works of William Shakespeare, are
Holy Trinity Church containing the graves of Shakespeare and Anne Hathaway, the Hathaway Cottage and Shakespeare's birthplace.
Either to or from Stratford, our trip will include a stop in the spectacularly lovely city of Oxford.

What makes our trip special...

Evaluate the productions you see and participate in discussions about them.
Our faculty escorts will provide you with background information on all you'll be seeing and doing,
and can offer you the kind of behind-the-scenes insight not normally available.

The itinerary also includes...

Tours of the British Museum; founded in 1753, it is one of the great museums
of the world, displaying the works of man from prehistory to the present.
Notably: Assyrian, Greek, Oriental and Egyptian treasures of archeology.

The Tower of London

It has been a royal residence, a prison and a place of execution, and is one of the most evocative places in English History.
In fact, the Tower spans over 900 years of British History.
It also houses the Jewel House and, certainly, the Crown Jewels are not to be missed.

Westminster Abbey

This site has held churches of one kind or another since the 7th century. With 2 exceptions (Edward V and Edward VIII),
the monarchs of England from William the Conqueror to Elizabeth II have been crowned here. It is also the burial place of
most of them from Harold Harefoot (1040) to George II (1760). The Abbey also serves as the resting place of
Benjamin Disraeli and rival William Ewart Gladstone. Also interred here are Issac Newton, Handel, Charles Darwin,
Oliver Cromwell, Geoffrey Chaucer, John Dryden, Samuel Johnson, Sheridan, Robert Browning, Tennyson and
Ben Johnson. Here, there are also memorials to the two world wars.

THE GEORGE INN

Built ca. 1540, this is the sole remaining staging post in London.
This superb pub offers an excellent beer brewed on the premises,
to be drunk by the fire in the winter.

 

HISTORIC WALKING TOUR

We will start at the Monument Underground Station, which appropriately happens to be located on the site of the Olde Boar's Head Tavern where Sir John Falstaff and Prince Hal gathered with their friends. We will visit the Southwark Cathedral churchyard and head toward the new Globe Theatre. The yard is a space that Shakespeare would have recognized. Inside the cathedral is the grave of actor Edmund Shakespeare, William's younger brother, and playwrights John Fletcher and Philip Massinger with whom Shakespeare is known to have collaborated. Also inside is the famous Shakespeare window and unique recumbent statue. After a guided tour of the Globe Theatre we will lunch at the historic George Inn.

 

 

SUGGESTED INDEPENDENT ACTIVITIES:
Take advantage of your free time to explore or shop on your own.

Jack the Ripper Walking Tour: A favorite walk offered by the Original London Walks.
In two hours, see and learn more than most Londoners will ever know in a lifetime.
A frequent response from visitors: "That was the best thing we've done in London."

Visit the Petticoat Lane Market

and Oxford University campus

 

Others include:

TOWER PAGEANT

A journey through history: automatic cars take visitors through reconstruction's of London from Roman times until the present.

THEATRE MUSEUM

In the former Convent Garden flower market. National collections of theatre and opera memorabilia.
One fun feature is a huge array of famous handprints. And even the bathrooms are worth seeing just for its Shakespeare tiles.

AN EVENING OF VICTORIAN MUSIC HALL

Just steps from Charing Cross Station in Villiers St. right, across the street from the former Prince of Wales Pub,
(which has now been renamed the Princess of Wales) is the Player's Theatre, the only purveyor of traditional British Music Hall
entertainment in the West End. The music hall show is a vastly entertaining blend of song, comic patter, dance
and occasional circus-style acts (much like America's vaudeville) all held together by a master of ceremonies.

 

THE MILLENNIUM WHEEL/LONDON EYE

50 foot high ferris wheel offering the most compelling spectacle of the London skyline.
The ascent is as slow as the "turn of a century" (Columnist Phil Hogan). No thrills and chills here, just breathtaking panoramic
views of one of Europe's greatest cities. On a clear day, you can see St. Albans Cathedral; 25 miles away.

PORTOBELLO ROAD MARKET

On Saturday this is the place to be for antique lovers (if not bargain hunters). Near Notting Hill Gate,
this market has almost everything from wooden signs to dentist chairs.

 

As the inaugural trip of the newly formed Alumni Association Travel Club, this trip to London is just the first of many faculty led-trips,
both abroad and in the United States, that the Alumni Association looks forward to sponsoring.

Alumni Association tours are open to all members of the University community, their immediate families, relatives and friends.

The cost is $1,799 per person double occupancy, $349 additional for single accommodations.
This is exclusive of taxes, tips, transfers from Binghamton. Guests will be staying in a 4 star hotel and English Breakfast is included daily.

 

For more information and/or to receive a copy of a brochure, please contact Tom Kremer or
The Office of Alumni and Parent Relations, at 607-777-2431 or alumni@binghamton.edu