22nd June Behind the Scenes at the Royal Opera House :Guided Tour – Away day

The first theatre on the current site of the Royal Opera House (ROH), the Theatre Royal in Covent Garden, was opened in 1732. The current building is the third theatre, following disastrous fires in 1808 and 1856. The facade, foyer and auditorium date from 1858 but almost every other element of the present complex dates from an extensive reconstruction in the 1990s. The main auditorium is a Grade I listed building. Come and join us for a behind-thescenes guided tour and take a look at the areas that are normally off limits to the public, including rehearsal studios, and costume and production workshops. Witness first hand the inner workings of one of the world’s most renowned theatres.

The tour starts at 12.45pm (check in at 12.25pm) and lasts 75 minutes.

Please note: There is a maximum of 20 places.

Date: Monday, 22 June Meeting time/place: 11am (note later time than usual) at Waterloo Station, opposite platform 4.

We’ll take the 139 or 176 bus to the first stop (Savoy Street) in the Strand, cross the Strand and walk the short distance to Covent Garden.

There are several cafés in the area for refreshments (not included) and one inside the ROH itself. The group will assemble at the ROH tour entrance at 12.25pm. This entrance will be pointed out to members before they go for refreshments. There will be bag checks on entry.

Cost: £18.40 Accessibility: The tour progresses through many areas, including corridors, stairs, escalators and lifts.

To join us, please complete the booking form in the centre of this newsletter and send it with your cheque, made payable to Kingston u3a GAS, to Hazel Burr. hazelbee46@yahoo.co.uk 07950 687553 Please keep this page