THEATRE EXPERIENCES FROM AROUND THE GLOBE
Last Updated on 20th November 2023 by Bejal
My love of theatre is totally uncontrollable! I adore ballet, musicals, opera, comedy, quite literally any live performance on the stage and I’m first in queue! So I guess it makes sense that I seek out the local theatre scene when I’m booked to go away to see if there is anything on that takes my fancy! It’s usually one of the last things I do on my itenary list to break up a string of nights out from wining and dining!
After discovering that I have in excess of 30 show programs in my sideboard, it was high time I shared my love for theatre with you guys…
LAS VEGAS
CIRQUE DE SOLEIL’s L’EAU
THE BELLAGIO
The day Dr C proposed to me at the Grand Canyon, he also took me to see one of ‘THE BEST’ shows of my life! No, really! I’m not just saying that because I was in some sort of champagne fuelled loved up state either! The show has been resident at the famous ‘Ocean’s Eleven’ hotel since 1998, The Bellagio and has a 5,700 m3 pool of water with synchronised swimming, aerial and ground acts. The Canadian circus and entertainment company pulls out all the stops to provide a quite literally jaw-dropping performance!
ROME
LA TOSCA.
TEATRO FLAIANO
Well, when in Rome, do as the Romans do right! Not sure if they go and see a lot of Opera but residing pretty close to Teatro Flaiano theatre, I thought it would be a great opportunity! La Tosca was my first opera and the level of singing is just phenomenal, I mean how on earth does that bellowing sound come out of anyone’s mouth! The fact that it was in Italian didn’t bother me (my Italian is super basic!) as I was totally lost in the emotion of the story!
MADRID
FLAMENCO SHOW
LAS CARBONERAS
Watching live Flamenco is pretty mesmerising, especially when the dancers are accompanied by the band and guitarists. I realised that it is most definitely a lot more skilful as we sat back in a local bar, Las Carboneras. in the small alleyways of Madrid and watched the professionals at work. The evening had free flowing Sangria and tapas and was a casual affair but the performances were far from that!
BROADWAY, NEW YORK
PHANTOM OF THE OPERA
MAJESTIC THEATRE
Mini-mooning in NYC meant Broadway was only a stones throw away. You cannot go to New York and not at least walk down the steam geysered streets of Broadway. It lived up to all our expectations, which we’d built up pretty much form movies and The Phantom of the Opera was a fantastic choice. It was a very dressy affair, with cocktail dresses and black ties peppered through the audience but the show was amazing. We sat underneath the chandelier and had a fantastic view of the Phantom swinging above our heads. A special performance for a special occasion!
SYDNEY
THE NUTCRACKER
SYDNEY OPERA HOUSE
This was going to be no-brainer for me! It was my birthday, we had just started our around the world trip and we were in Sydney. Where would one go and watch one of their favourite ballets, The Nutcracker at Christmastime than at the iconic Sydney Opera House?! The acoustics of the score are out of this world with the design of the interiors and it really is a once in a lifetime experience. The Australian National Ballet did the story of Tchaikovsky’s Nutracker total justice!
MONTMATRE, PARIS
FÉERIE
THE MOULIN ROUGE
On my 30th Birthday, Dr C organised a few days away in Paris and my love for all things French led him to book a night of show and champagne at The Moulin Rouge! The famous Féerie, show featuring 60 dorris girls doing the cancan in those frill lined skirts was a sure reminder of the movie. Champagne is pressed into your hand as you enter and is constantly topped up as you sip away the night in the actual ‘Red Windmill’. I unfortunately in my naivety overlooked the fact that the girls are topless, worry not you do get used to it fast and the skill and costumes are the best diamante encrusted you’re sure to ever see! It’s pure class!
TORONTO
DIRTY DANCING
ROYAL ALEXANDER THEATRE
Sometimes you just have to watch a musical in its home country at the Royal Alexander Theatre! It just feels very authentic, especially the accents. The late Patrick Swayze was just every girls hero when he played Jonny right! Jonny is just every bit as you imagined in the show on stage and that lift at the end! I cannot believe Patrick Swayze actually broke his leg the first time he attempted it! Needless to say I’ve had the time of my life…!!!
ISTANBUL
WHIRLING DERVISHES
ALEMDAR RESTURANT
An authentic Turkish meal at Alemdar restaurant, accompanied by the Whirling Dervishes. Ever heard of them? No neither had I. These are a group of Sufi Muslims who literally whirl and whirl and whirl. They are performing a formal ceremony known as a Sama where the dervishes are trying to reach religious ecstasy. In actually fact, this practice is not deemed as entertainment however it has recently become a little touristic in Turkey and aims to raise awareness of this specific practice of Sufi Muslims. I was literally sat in awe of the ritual and how they kept spinning in such a trance without toppling over.
HAVANA
L’EGENDARIOS DEL GUAJIRITO
BUENA VISTA SOCIAL CLUB
Although this place on some nights can be quite touristy, I really enjoyed the concept and history behind it. The group of performers at this traditional Latin song and dance performance boast two Grammies and two Grammy nominations between them. The Buena Vista Social Club show is a Afro-Cuban all-star Tropicana, which you can read more about in my Must-see Havana post. Many of the performers are world-renowned and recording artists in their own right. They are the history of Cuba’s Latino scene and in my opinion, aside from the food and drinks features some fantastic talent.
LEICESTER, UK
HAIRSPRAY, CHICAGO, 42ND STREET, HELLO DOLLY, THE KING & 1, THE SOUND OF MUSIC, ANNIE, JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOUR DREAMCOAT, BIRDSONG, OLIVER, MISS SAIGON, SCROOGE, LEGALLY BLONDE, GREASE, BREAKFAST AT RIFFANY’S. SISTER ACT, WATERBABIES & AN OFFICER AND A GENTLEMAN
THE CURVE THEATRE
For completeness I can’t really leave the UK out, so I’ve listed my shows above. Living in the Cultural Quarter of a city and only a stones throw away from the Curve Theatre means access to some fantastic experiences. However this autumn I am going to see one of my favourite musicals on stage for the first time, Les Misérables.
One of my bucket list experiences still remains to watch The Lion King in the West End!
Are there any theatre fanatics amongst my readers? Do you scope out Theatre experiences in destinations where you’re travelling to? I’d be intrigued to know, so do drop me a Comment below!
Á Bientôt…
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the Curious Pixie
I’ve done a few of these myself. Moulin Rouge being a real corker drunk with a group of girls.
I think my best one has to be watching the Barber of Seville at the Vienesse Opera House.
Fab post Bejal x
Bejal
the Curious PixieThanks for your lovely comment Sima! I have still to visit Vienna but the Opera House is just spectacular and I just can’t imagine how amazing it would be to watch a performance there x
Laura
!o many great shows! We went to see Cirque du Soleil when we were in Las Vegas and it was incredible, we have also seen two other Cirque du Soleil shows when they have toured in the UK. Broadway in New York was also really special!
Bejal
LauraIsn’t Cirque de Soleil just the best? Love their acrobatics and skill! Unfortunately I’ve always been away when they’ve come to the UK but would love to see another of their performances!
Kathleen
Oh my goodness, how fun! I haven’t seen these, but I have seen a few others. Cirque de Soleil Ka and another one that was so fantastic, but I can’t remember the name of it. I’ve seen the Nutcracker, but in a small town, with a small theatre group. It was fun though. This is quite a collection.
Bejal
KathleenTotally fun! Cirque de Soleil are just amazing aren’t they?! My favourite show to date!