London Theatres and Exhibitions

Start 2025 with an uplifting weekend of superb theatre and some wonderful exhibitions staying at the luxury and ideally located Cavendish Hotel St James’s in the heart of Mayfair.

Friday 24^th January - Cameron Mackintosh’s new production of Lionel Bart’s iconic musical, Oliver!, which is fully reconceived with director and choreographer Matthew Bourne and a sensational hit when premiered at Chichester Festival this year – now in London  This "Oliver!" is "a visual delight, pitch-perfect singing, huge song and dance routines fill every square inch of stage space with rollicking fun and energy".

Saturday 25 January – A morning visit to the Guildhall Art Gallery. The City of London Corporation's magnificent art collection is essentially a portrait of the City and the riches of its art collectors, particular emphasis on Victorian art, ranging from Pre-Raphaelites to depictions of London's colourful past.  Then step into the ruins of London's Roman Amphitheatre. Lost for centuries, the original circular walls were rediscovered by archaeologists working on the site of the new Guildhall Art Gallery building in 1988.

Followed by a short visit to the churches of St Barts-the-Great.  The 900 year old St Bartholomew the Great – the oldest parish church  located in Smithfield within the City of London and even survived the Great Fire of London – Hugh Grant nearly got  married here in “Four Weddings and a Funeral”.

Silk Roads at the British Museum: Camel caravans crossing desert dunes, merchants trading silks and spices at bazaars – are images that come to mind when you think of the Silk Roads but the reality goes far beyond that.   National and international partners present objects from many regions and cultures alongside those from the British Museum collection, the exhibition offers a unique chance to see objects from the length and breadth of the Silk Roads. From Tang Chinese ceramics destined for ports in the Middle East to Indian garnets found in Suffolk, Lunch can be found at the British Museum and tickets will be for early afternoon.

 Saturday evening:  Matthew Bourne’s audacious, rule-breaking reinvention of Tchaikovsky’s masterpiece Swan Lake caused a sensation when it premiered almost 30 years ago. It has now become the most successful dance theatre production of all time, creating new audiences and inspiring generations

Sunday morning – Tickets for the Royal Academy At the turn of the 16th century, three geniuses of the Italian Renaissance – Michelangelo, Leonardo and Raphael – briefly crossed paths, competing for the attention of the most powerful patrons in Florence.  These most prominent artists met to advise on an appropriate location for Michelangelo’s nearly finished David. This exhibition explores the rivalry between Michelangelo and Leonardo and the influence both had on the young Raphael.

Friday 24 January – check into the Cavendish Hotel (rooms should be available from 3 pm).  A suggested list of pre-theatre dining options in local restaurants will be supplied.  Check out of the hotel on Sunday morning before ticket entry for the Royal Academy.  The hotel concierge will look after your luggage until you leave.