The Orchard Project & Opera Saratoga 2024 London Theatre Tour
Learn More and Join Us!
To learn more about this special insider's trip to London or to reserve your spot, email Madison Pollack, Artistic and Development Liaison, at adls@orchardproject.com.
Email The Orchard ProjectSupport Opera Saratoga on this one-of-a-kind backstage tour of the best theatre in the theatre capital of the world
March 17-24, 2024
This March, Opera Saratoga is partnering with our Saratoga friends The Orchard Project to head to London for a one-of-a-kind 2024 London Theatre Tour. For unparalleled access to those making the best theatre in London, join us on an unforgettable insider’s trip. While its summer base is Saratoga Springs, The Orchard Project is a leading institution committed to developing the next generation of theatre, The Orchard Project has amazing friends and colleagues in London — from those at the Royal Court, the National Theatre, the Donmar Warehouse, and the Old Vic to artists like Mike Bartlett (King Charles III), Lindsay Turner (Top Girls), Laura Wade (Home, I’m Darling) and Richard Bean (One Man, Two Guvnors) — who will join this insider’s trip to make it truly unique.
More than any other group tour to London, The Orchard Project/Opera Saratoga London Trip gives an exclusive and intimate view of what it takes to make theatre in one of the hottest cultural destinations in the world. The Orchard Project’s history of supporting artists, projects, and companies is on full display through one-of-a-kind backstage events, breakfast talks, and other exclusive events.
It’s a bit early to announce what we’ll see, but we’ll book the very best of London theatre and round out our time with extraordinary special guests. Each day, we’ll gather to talk about the plays after breakfast and find time to connect to the work onstage and to each other. Very often we’ll have very special guests join us for the discussions — visitors will often include Orchard Project alumni and friends making much of the great new work on the London stages. We’ll talk some more at fabulous group dinners at top London restaurants. Our trip will feature some of the best playwrights of the last 60 years, some of the most sought-after directors and actors worthy of attention in every show. Beyond the stellar performances, these plays will make for wonderful conversation as they each connect to the other in some intriguing way. They should challenge as much as they entertain.
We like to think this tour provides an insider’s view on great theatre, in great company, in one of the most vibrant cities in the world. The dollar looks particularly strong at the moment, which is yet another good reason to consider making your reservations right away. London is always wonderful, and this promises to be a very special year.
Learn More and Join Us!
To learn more about this special insider's trip to London or to reserve your spot, email Madison Pollack, Artistic and Development Liaison, at adls@orchardproject.com.
Email The Orchard ProjectBooking Dates and Information
This trip is now on sale. For information about the trip and how you can partake, please email Madison Pollack, Artistic and Development Liaison, at adls@orchardproject.com or call 646 760 6767 x 150.
Priority will be given to established donors to The Orchard Project (and their friends and family).
Inclusions & Exclusions
THE TOUR INCLUDES
- Seven nights at the fabulous Nomad London hotel in central London
- Full English breakfast daily (sometimes at the Nomad, sometimes off-site to accommodate special talkbacks).
- Welcome drinks with leaders of some of London’s most exciting theaters
- Two group dinners as part of the tour
- Six productions in London
- Guided gallery and museum visits
- Guided walking tours
NOT INCLUDED
- Flights
- Items of personal nature
- Optional travel and trip cancellation insurance
- Other lunches and dinners during the tour
- Gratuities
PRICE
- If booked by January 1, 2024: $6,200
- If booked by February 1, 2024: $6,400
- $2,000 deposit to reserve spot**
- $1,800 single supplement
All bookings include a tax deductible donation to Opera Saratoga that will total $1,000 per person.
THE FINE PRINT
Cancellation Policy:
- Payments made (less charitable contribution) will be refunded in full for cancellations made before January 1, 2024.
- Cancellations made from January 1, 2024 to February 1, 2024 will forfeit 25% of the total trip cost per person (less charitable contribution).
- Cancellations made from February 1, 2024 to March 1, 2024 will forfeit 50% of the total trip cost per person (less charitable contribution).
- Cancellations made after March 1, 2024 will forfeit the entire trip cost.
We STRONGLY recommend purchasing travel insurance from your preferred broker. While we do not make any recommendation, a selection of travel insurance outlets is below:
https://www.bhtp.com/
https://www.allianztravelinsurance.com/
https://www.travelguard.com/
*Please note that airfare and transportation to and from the airport are not included in the prices above. All guests are responsible for arranging their own travel accommodations to and from London. This trip is non-refundable after February 1, 2024, and all activities and performances are subject to change. While some internal travel is covered by the trip, other travel costs will be the responsibility of each guest.
**Please note that The Orchard Project reserves the right to cancel the tour in cases of low subscription, in which case it will refund the entirety of any deposits. Otherwise, the deposit is non-refundable.
About the Nomad London Hotel
The NoMad London, named a World’s 50 Best Hotel, takes residence inside a historic, grade II-listed building famously known as The Bow Street Magistrates’ Court and Police Station. A collaboration with New York-based interior design studio Roman and Williams, the transformation of the storied 19th-century building draws inspiration from its history and location in Covent Garden and the nearby opera and theatre world, making it a theatrical set worthy of an operatic performance with ample velvet drapes, vintage chandeliers and more than 1,600 pieces of original artwork.
Located in the center of Covent Garden adjacent to the Royal Opera House, NoMad London’s 91 rooms and suites offer hardwood floors, a custom art program and clawfoot tubs in many suites.The bedrooms are historic, esoteric and expressive. The property pairs elements of the New York Jazz Age with more contemporary touches, such as millennial pink color notes and abstract art. Marble fireplaces are used to prop up expressionist prints; leather headboards juxtapose plump, fringed cushions.
Food and drink at the Nomad are fantastic — located in a soaring, foliage-filled conservatory, the Nomad restaurant mixes eclectic New York City gastronomic chic with English capital modern. The leather-clad Side Hustle bar – No.75 in The World’s Best Bars 2022 – offers a more relaxed ambience, with Mexican-inspired tapas and agave spirit-focused pours. The underground bar Common Decency has become a moody midnight hangout in the city, promising decadent small bites (think, oysters with frozen champagne, and crispy potato rosti slathered with caviar) alongside expressive cocktails. The red velvet-filled Library bar is open to guests only. The Library is the living room of the hotel, reserved exclusively for hotel guests and their visitors. Guests are encouraged to explore the bookshelves, lined with a collection focused on the art, culture, and history of London and New York.
The property features a fitness center, à la carte breakfast in the restaurant, library, or in the room.
Our base room for the trip is the Nomad’s “Classic King” room (upgrades available on request):
- 23 square meters / 260 square feet
- Most with King bed
- Vanity with club chair
- Marble mosaic tile bathroom with walk-in shower
The Shows
SHOWS UNDER CONSIDERATION
We are booking the very best of London theatre rounded out with extraordinary special guests. As The Orchard Project has a number of colleagues and alums in London, we will undoubtably be including their work in the fold, but the goal will be to share the best of what London has to offer:
- Dear Octopus at The National Theatre
- A West End play (we can’t say – it’s yet to be announced) directed by an OP Alum and starring an Oscar Winner
- Operation Mincemeat at The Fortune Theatre
- Lucy Kirkwood’s The Human Body starring Keeley Hawes and Jack Davenport at the Donmar Warehouse
- Standing at the Sky’s Edge at the Gillian Lynne Theatre
- The Motive and the Cue (by Jack Thorne, directed by Sam Mendes) at the Noel Coward
- Thomas Ostermeier’s An Enemy of the People at The Duke of Yorks Theatre
- Nachtland (by Marius Von Mayenburg, directed by Patrick Marber) at The Young Vic
- Just for One Day at The Old Vic
- Ivo van Hove and Rufus Wainwright’s Musical of Cassevetes’ Opening Night
- King Lear (directed by Yael Farber) at The Almeida
- The Hills of California (by Jez Butterworth, directed by Sam Mendes) at The Harold Pinter Theatre
- Guys and Dolls at The Bridge
- My Neighbor Totoro (directed by Phelim McDermot) at The Barbican Theatre
- Benedict Lombe’s Shifters at The Bush
- Bastions of new writing at theaters such as the Royal Court, Soho Theatre, The Almeida, The Bush Theatre, The Gate Theatre London
Sample Itinerary
- Sunday, March 17, 2024
- 7:30 am: We will have a recommended flight from NYC that will be due to depart at this time. Ari Edelson, Artistic Director of The Orchard Project, will be on this flight and will meet all tour members at the gate. Members arriving at other times/from other airports must arrange their own transport to the hotel.
- 6:50 pm: Arrive at Heathrow Terminal 5 and transfer by private coach to the Nomad London. Rooms available for check-in upon arrival.
- 10:00 pm Welcome: We gather at the Library at the Nomad for drinks and a late-night bite to eat.
- Monday, March 18, 2024
- Complimentary full English breakfast or continental breakfast at The Nomad.
- Mid-afternoon tour of the National Portrait Gallery — we will have someone show us some of the permanent collection and some of a special exhibit.
- Welcome pre-theatre dinner at The Nomad.
- Evening: Performance #1.
- Tuesday, March 19, 2024
- Complimentary full English breakfast or continental breakfast at The Nomad.
- Late morning tour of The National Theatre.
- Afternoon: a perfect time to take in an exhibition at a favorite museum.
- Evening: Performance #2.
- Wednesday, March 20, 2024
- Breakfast off-site at a major London theatre, including a conversation with Artistic Director Ari Edelson and some of the artists whose work we will be seeing during the tour.
- Afternoon: Matinee Performance #3.
- Evening: On your own, with an optional add-on production. Enjoy a special dinner at one of London’s fine restaurants and/or a West End hit of your own choosing.
- Thursday, March 21, 2024
- Complimentary full English breakfast or continental breakfast at The Nomad.
- Morning: Discussion Session with Ari Edelson and guest TBA. A chance to talk with members of the group about the first three productions we have seen. Compare opinions and sharpen your critical skills in a friendly and stimulating atmosphere. Joined by a guest speaker, an actor, director, playwright or designer from some of the first three productions.
- Afternoon: Afternoon: Group tour of the Tate Britain’s John Singer Sargent exhibition.
- Evening: (note start at 6pm): talk with and Performance #4.
- Friday, March 22, 2024
- Complimentary full English breakfast or continental breakfast at The Nomad.
- Morning: A series of curated tours to unseen London, whether they be the food markets of Borough and the East End or the street art of Spitalfields and Liverpool Street.
- All convene for lunch at Yotam Ottolenghi’s delicious outpost in Spitalfields.
- Afternoon: Free.
- Evening: Performance #5.
- Saturday, March 23, 2024
- Complimentary full English breakfast or continental breakfast at The Nomad.
- Morning: Discussion Session with Ari Edelson. A chance to discuss the plays we’ve seen, partnered with guests producers, agents and critics.
- Afternoon: A good time for a quick day trip out of London.
- Evening: Performance #6
- Sunday, March 24, 2024
- 8:00 am: Departure for the US (coaching guaranteed only to coincide with the group flight). Luggage outside rooms at 7:00am for porter pick-up, then an 8:00am coach departure for the airport, with check-in assistance.
Learn More and Join Us!
To learn more about this special insider's trip to London or to reserve your spot, email Madison Pollack, Artistic and Development Liaison, at adls@orchardproject.com.
Email The Orchard Project