Oct. 3, 2006

Theatre department is gearing up to travel once again
By JASON E. WEBER
weberj@marietta.edu

Just as the academic year is beginning to heat up, Steve Rader and the theatre department are looking forward to the cooler days of spring, as he plans this year’s cultural excursion to London, England slated for Spring Break, March 9-19, 2007.

The trip has been an annual event run by Rader that has caught the interest of many students, not just those with a theatrical background. Students from all majors and backgrounds are encouraged to go and have gone in the past. Brandon Donelson-Sims, a political science alumnus, took the trip his freshman year and wishes he could go back. “The London theater trip was an amazing chance to see almost a dozen top-notch plays and roam around a giant, culturally rich big city,” he said, recalling the experience.

“Plus, I had some of the most amazing vegetarian Indian food of my life.”

Senior Jason E. Weber, a theatre major, attended last year. “For me, the experience was very exciting. I saw 12 professional productions of plays that ranged from large budget West End shows to small scale pub theatre productions. I am disappointed that I cannot return this year to see Daniel Radcliffe in Equus.”

Steve Rader, theatre department chair and organizer of the trip, describes it as “an opportunity to explore the museums, buildings and streets of London, the city at the heart of the Anglo-American cultural heritage … for ten days and nine nights, Piccadilly Circus and Trafalgar and Leicester Squares will be your home.”

The group traditionally focuses on theatre in London, mostly Off-West End and Fringe, but with opportunities to see West End shows as well, English-speaking Europe’s equivalent of Broadway. Normally, all those involved see five or six shows together and then can see three additional shows on their own with having admissions reimbursed up to twenty pounds. If the student is particularly theatre motivated, he or she can see more shows and have the admission be reimbursed up to 10 pounds, which is actually the full cost of a ticket to many Fringe and Off-West End shows.

Despite all the theatre in London, this trip does not have to be all theatre. The group will visit many famous places in London such as Windsor Castle, The British Museum, The Victoria and Albert Museum, The National Gallery, Westminster Abbey, and The Tower of London. Any other cultural sites visited by individuals or small groups will be reimbursed up to 10 pounds.

Last year, four students went on the trip. Rader is hoping for more this year. He is hoping that there will be a large amount of interest this year so that the cost will remain a real bargain for everyone.

Currently the cost is unclear due to the fluctuation of the price of gas, but it is expected to be no more than $1650 for 10 days and 9 nights of lodging in a family-owned hotel, plane tickets, and admission to the cultural and theatrical sites leaving. The last time the trip was taken, the final price was $1352.28. So many things can change as the departure draws nearer.

Rader is now accepting a non-refundable $200 deposit to guarantee a place on the trip. All students, faculty, and staff, interested in going should make that deposit by October 27, as on October 30, community members interested in the trip will be put in to fill the holes until all places are filled. The second payment of $700 will be due on December 1, 2006, and the final payment of $750 will be due on February 2, 2007. All checks should be made out to Theatre Department London Spring Break 2007 and turned into Steve Rader in Hermann 203.

If you have any questions or concerns, please address them to Rader by meeting him in person at his office, calling his extension at 4682, or e-mailing him at raders@marietta.edu.