The thrill of live theatre. The inspiration of great musicians. The buzz of the festival. We've picked out some the best performances to make great holiday moments.

Important Facts

• The number of tickets included in the holiday price is shown in the descriptions on this page. Price does not include any additional events.
• We reserve good quality seats for all performances and sit enbloc as far as we can but sometimes have to spread out a little.
• Transport to and from included theatres and venues is included in the price.
• The choice of productions is made as soon as information becomes available. We work closely with theatres but sometimes they are unable to advise on their precise programmes until after the publication of this brochure.
• Some timetable changes to the individual holiday descriptions may become necessary as a result of theatre programming decisions.
• Admissions to any places of interest on all tours included.

Please select a holiday from the left hand menu.

FESTIVALS

Keswick Jazz Festival

The 18th Jazz festival in this lovely Lake District town promises to be one of the best. With over a dozen venues, including the prestigious Theatre by the Lake, the music ranges from New Orleans to smoky late night virtuosos, taking in some of the brightest and best of the home-grown and international jazz scene.

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Brecon Jazz Festival

Now in its 26th year, the Brecon Jazz festival goes from strength to strength, putting Welsh musicians on an international stage alongside some of the biggest names in jazz from across the world. The excellent Theatr Brycheiniog forms the hub of the event, with the Market Hall and other venues giving an excellent choice for strollers.

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Guildford International Festival

A rare chance to get in on this fantastic festival that only comes round every two years. There's a great mix of music too - it's rather like stumbling across a particularly well-stocked iPod. Jazz, chamber music, classical, choral, and folk vie with local bands and breathtaking artists from around the globe.

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Buxton's Gilbert & Sullivan Festival

Anyone who loves Gilbert and Sullivan will enjoy this amazing festival. We'll pick out four of the best productions, usually in the Opera House. Our expert leader will put them in context in morning talks, leaving you free in the afternoon to see extra performances (not included in price) or explore the beautiful Peak District countryside.

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Buxton Opera Festival

Buxton's Opera House glitters like a giant Fabergé egg at the heart of the Peak District. We'll pick three outstanding evening performances from this renowned festival programme and your leader will explain their background and context each morning, leaving you free to explore this beautiful region in the afternoon, or join a short guided walk.

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Two Moors Festival

Classic FM's Two Moors Festival uses rural churches across Dartmoor and Exmoor as venues. We'll take you to three of these intimate performances by top musicians, as well as enjoying the wonderfully unspoilt countryside on two halfday tours. Your leaders will introduce you to some outstanding recordings too, to complement the holiday.

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Words by the Water 2009, Keswick

Picking out the literary highlights of this fantastic festival is becoming harder as the quality of the visiting speakers and performances just gets better and better. But we'll select three of the finest contributions and leave you enough free time to make your own best of the rest choices.

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Whitby Folk Week NEW

This celebration of traditional music, dance, and song fills the Yorkshire fishing port. There are over 600 events including workshops, concerts, singarounds, dances, sessions, street entertainment, and spontaneous fringe happenings. We'll have tickets for some of the highlights, leaving you free to roam and enjoy the festival atmosphere.

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THEATRE

Much Ado About Shakespeare

Immerse yourself in the life and work of England's finest playwright. We'll take in three different performances by the Royal Shakespeare Company, putting them in context with talks and discussions. There'll also be time to explore Stratford at your own pace too.

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Theatre by the Lake

Against the backdrop of mountains that surround Derwent Water, Theatre by the Lake is surely Britain's most scenic and evocative. The landscape is matched by the quality of the performances, and we'll take you to two of these, complementing them with a backstage tour and pre-theatre talks on the processes involved from page to stage.

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Theatre in the Cotswolds

With trips to the Royal Shakespeare Company's base in Stratford-upon-Avon and the excellent Everyman Theatre in nearby Cheltenham, this is an enjoyable theatre-goers tour of the Cotswolds. We'll complement the two performances with talks about the plays and time spent exploring the exquisite countryside, by coach and on foot.

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Welsh National Opera

The touring season of this world famous company takes them to the Victorian splendour of Llandudno in 2009. Richard Strauss's Salome, Donizetti's Elixir of Love, and the incomparable Marriage of Figaro by Mozart make up a magnificent three night roster for opera lovers.

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Murder Mystery

Put your wits against a cunning plotter in a thrilling drama unfolding amongst your fellow guests. You’ll join a team of detectives trying to unravel the complicated twists, cross examining and whittling down the suspects. The end comes with a dramatic flourish as your team attempts to reveal the real murderer. A free afternoon lets you enjoy the local area too.

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