Sometimes Asian ways can be baffling to those in the West. Perhaps the following story can help shed some light on the mystery

Once there was an art dealer who had a painting depicting a young farm boy leading a horse across a bridge. The lad was facing the horse, his body leaning back, and he looked like he was exerting great effort. One day a buyer came in and had to have this painting. He didn’t have enough money on him to buy this rather expensive artwork right away, however, so he asked the seller to hold the painting for him while he went home to get the funds. As the seller took the painting down, he noticed it was missing the rope the boy should have been using to lead the horse. Without much thought, he picked up an ink brush and added a rope to fix this apparent flaw in the painting. When the buyer came back and saw the new rope, he was terribly upset. He told the buyer: “I was only willing to spend so much on this painting because of that rope that wasn’t there but could still be felt!”

It is this appreciation for what is implied rather than what is in plain sight that truly seems to set Asian art apart. Chinese traditional dance, for example, is less precise and strict in form than its Western counterpart – ballet, but that is partially because it attempts to evoke a different sort of feeling. Like a claret with subtle undertones, this kind of dance leaves plenty of room for imagination and, as a result, truly leaves a lasting impression.

It is true, after all, that the more something is described in a concrete way, the smaller the range it covers. For example, the phrase “hot water” describes not only water but its temperature, so although “hot water” is more specific than “water,” it precludes “warm water,” “cold water,” and other kinds of water and is therefore more limited. Perhaps this is why so much of Chinese art seems to speak in generalities. Ink landscape paintings with their broad brush strokes and wide swaths intentionally left blank are particularly hard for the Western eye to grasp. These paintings can often seem vague and unclear, but to the discerning viewer, each brush stroke speaks volumes.

The same holds for the Chinese language -- known for being extraordinarily concise and yet also rich and descriptive precisely because it is so succinct. Indeed, many Chinese words and proverbs contain concepts that could take paragraphs to explain in another language.

Asian-themed performances like NTDTV’s Holiday Wonders or the Chinese New Year Spectacular offer an entirely new experience partially because they are so different from Western, narrative-driven forms. They ask something different from the audience – a slight shift in expectations, a shift in sensibility.

And yet the NTDTV shows seem to have struck a balance between the more refined traditional dance forms and the simple pleasures of rousing music, impressive large scale dances with dozens of dancers moving in synch, and, of course, gorgeous costumes and backdrops. The shows offer enough new flavors to be intriguing without being overly foreign. The more subtle elements may be lost on many in the audience, but there presence nonetheless enriches the entire performance for everyone. Ultimately, stories of grace and virtue told through song and dance will forever speak to us all.

There are various shows which you see on Broadway. These shows have all of the excitement which you may need. You can see these shows when you buy the appropriate Broadway show tickets. There are some people who love collecting these tickets as memories. You can choose the Broadway shows which you might like to see.

While the internet is a place where you can get almost anything, the Broadway show tickets may be ones that you would like to buy from the entrance to the hall. When you select your movie you will be bring some really great memories to your life.

Before you actually choose your Broadway show tickets it is best to know what sort of shows you may like to see. These shows are ones which you might like to share with family and friends. These will range from Disney shows to dramatic plays like My Fair Lady and Sound of Music. One of the best things about collecting Broadway show tickets is that you will have a collection of what was considered as being popular during the different years.

In other words Broadway show tickets are cultural gauges which can be used to showcase the tastes of the different generations. Other than this fact you will find that using Broadway show tickets is a great way to see what sort of plays or musicals catch your eyes. Of course these ticket stubs only indicate that you have gone to see a certain play they will not reveal if you had a great time or if you were bored out of your skull.

Now all of this information aside you will find that Broadway show tickets are your entrance way to having a relaxing time with family, friends or even by yourself. You can find lots of people who have the same tastes in plays as evidenced by the amount of tickets which are produced. While the producers of musicals and plays hope that their productions will become a hit they don’t go into having lots of tickets produced all at once.

As people settle down for an evening of entertainment you will find that live action shows still have the ability of drawing people to them. The glossy tickets like those of Broadway show tickets are the pass which allows these many people to have this magical time out. Unlike a movie show ticket stub a Broadway ticket is one that you will keep with you for many years to come.

There are various shows which you see on Broadway. These shows have all of the excitement which you may need. You can see these shows when you buy the appropriate Broadway show tickets. There are some people who love collecting these tickets as memories. You can choose the Broadway shows which you might like to see.

While the internet is a place where you can get almost anything, the Broadway show tickets may be ones that you would like to buy from the entrance to the hall. When you select your movie you will be bring some really great memories to your life.

Before you actually choose your Broadway show tickets it is best to know what sort of shows you may like to see. These shows are ones which you might like to share with family and friends. These will range from Disney shows to dramatic plays like My Fair Lady and Sound of Music. One of the best things about collecting Broadway show tickets is that you will have a collection of what was considered as being popular during the different years.

In other words Broadway show tickets are cultural gauges which can be used to showcase the tastes of the different generations. Other than this fact you will find that using Broadway show tickets is a great way to see what sort of plays or musicals catch your eyes. Of course these ticket stubs only indicate that you have gone to see a certain play they will not reveal if you had a great time or if you were bored out of your skull.

Now all of this information aside you will find that Broadway show tickets are your entrance way to having a relaxing time with family, friends or even by yourself. You can find lots of people who have the same tastes in plays as evidenced by the amount of tickets which are produced. While the producers of musicals and plays hope that their productions will become a hit they don’t go into having lots of tickets produced all at once.

As people settle down for an evening of entertainment you will find that live action shows still have the ability of drawing people to them. The glossy tickets like those of Broadway show tickets are the pass which allows these many people to have this magical time out. Unlike a movie show ticket stub a Broadway ticket is one that you will keep with you for many years to come.

The 80’s is back, if not in time, it is in demand. Old clothes thrown out at the beginning of the 90’s are slowly being spotted on the high street again, and the crazy hair style reminiscent of the great boom and bust era are once again all the rage – for some.

So is it any surprise that two iconic 80’s themes are being merged at the Novelio theatre this November? Desperately Seeking Susan the Musical is based on the hit 80’s romantic comedy movie which Starred Madonna in 1985. And to top it off, the musical is set to feature the back catalogue of Blondie songs to get the heart beating and the nostalgia really flowing.

The plot – Well Roberta Glass is a suburban New Jersey housewife looking for escape from her boring life, and Susan is a street savvy New York Drifter, who with her boyfriend lead a faar from dull life involving jewel heists, magic shows and rock n roll.

This classic rite of passage film caught a tidal wave in the 80’sand the musical looks set to do the same. When you consider the music’s set to this show it is one you just can not miss if you lived through the 80’s or just love the 80’s.

The tracks that are set to feature include the classics, One Way or Another, Dreaming, Heart of Glass and Atomic. Get searching for some of the great hotel and theatre package offers that are out there at the moments, and come down and re-live the 80’s.

Perhaps you’ve always promised yourself a trip to London to catch a show you’ve always wanted to see, but have never had the time. Well, now is the ideal time as the West End goes through a mini-revival, offering a fabulous choice of productions.

Theatres in London regularly feature exciting new productions, but there are also a handful that have been playing to packed audiences for many years, including one notable mystery thriller that has been performed continuously for well over half a century.

The current longest running production, beating its nearest West End rival by an incredible 23 years is Mousetrap. The classic ‘whodunit’ first opened at the New Ambassadors theatre on 25th November 1952, and after enjoying a 22 year residency moved to the St. Martins theatre where it still thrills audiences today, notching up well over 20,000 performances.

The musical with the longest current run in the West End is Les Miserables, recording 23 years of continuous performances. Close behind comes another classic musical, The Phantom of the Opera. Indeed, musicals account for seven out of the top ten longest running productions in the West End. Here is the top ten, including the genre of the production, and the amount of time they have been packing in the crowds:

Mousetrap (thriller) – 56 years
Les Miserables (musical) – 23 years
The Phantom of the Opera (musical) – 22 years
Blood Brothers (musical) – 20 years
The Woman in Black (ghostly thriller) – 19 years
Chicago (musical) – 11 years
Mamma Mia (musical) – 10 years
The Lion King (musical) – 9 years
We Will Rock You (musical) – 6 years
Stomp (vaudeville) – 6 years

In addition to the phenomenal long-running successes there has also been a glut of new productions over the last two years; many are musicals inspired by high-profile TV reality show competitions in which the public vote for their favourite unknown to appear as the lead in the stage production.

As a result, popular productions such as Grease, The Sound of Music, Joseph and several others are packing them in every night as the UK population clamours to see the stars they voted for to star in the new West End productions in person. The enduring popularity of West End theatre isn’t about to diminish allowing many a hotel in Oxford Street and nearby Piccadilly to cash in on their proximity to the most popular productions.

If a trip to London is on your mind, then make sure that you do your research, get a hotel close to the production that you are going to watch, and book as early as you can.

Highly successful Murder Mystery Weekends are based on exclusive use of a country house hotel for your own private Murder Mystery Weekend House Party, as you will not need to worry about other guests getting in the way of your murder mystery party, so you can set the party mood to be as outrageous as you like. Murder mystery weekends are very well suited to corporate groups, private clients or friends and families wishing to celebrate a special occasion or event.

Your Country House Weekend

Your Murder Mystery weekend should begin with a three course meal on Friday evening with the first whodunnit murder already taken place. Saturday should start with breakfast and the guests should be divided into Murder Mystery groups. As part of a murder mystery team building weekend, you can participate in activities such as quad biking, karting, paintball, golf, fishing, horse riding, clay pigeon shooting, surfing etc, so location and venue are of the upmost important.

The Murder Mystery

The Murder Mystery takes place on the Friday evening when all of the "guests" assemble in costume in the bar for a pre-dinner drink and a "set the scene" briefing. Professionally organised murder mystery weekend whodunnits do not lend themselves to participation by the guests, as they are performed by professional actors. The murder mystery dinner party unfolds over the courses of a three-course evening dinner during both Friday and Saturday nights and is solved on the Sunday morning after breakfast. Your hosting characters could become your personal butler or maid - what else would you expect for your country house murder mystery weekend?

Professionally organised murder and mystery should have a theme and you should be provided with with the character resumes played by the actors. We also suggestthat you consider fancy dress costumes, as they add to the murder party fun. Your organiser should host the murder mystery weekend and participate wherever necessary to ensure that you and your party have an enjoyable Murder Mystery Weekend.

Sunday mornings should for Murder Mystery weekends start with a breakfast, at a time chosen by you to meet the needs of the party after the night before. After which you can make your way home, having enjoyed a memorable murder weekend house party.

The Murder Mystery Party Package Cost

The fully inclusive price of the Murder Mystery package is wholly dependent on the location of your venue and the star rating of your venue, should include two nights dinner, bed & breakfast.Extras to consider are the bar, wine and any additional items or activities.

5th Asian Film Festival under the joint ageis of Aashay Film Club, the Indira School of Communication and in association with the Asian Film Foundation, was successfully held in Pune at twin venues, -between 1st - 8th November at City Pride,Multiplex Kothrud, and the National Film Archives theatre.

The concept of the festival being screening of majority of Asian Cinema which has now become the major attraction in the 21st century and even in the Oscars. Asian movies are making ground entries Even when we compare European and Hollywood movies with the Asian Cinema the Asian movies are making a mark for itself due to its realistic scripts and stories.

India, China, Japan and Iran are pioneers in the Asian Cinema Industry which is closely followed by Korea, Israel, Kazakhstan, Thailand, Srilanka
and Taiwan who are also setting a mark of their own stream in the European market. Cultures of these places are being publicized through the screening of these movies in Delhi, Pune and Mumbai.

Senior Film Drama Actor Dr.Mohan Agashe was the convener of this year's festival. Kirloskar group were the 'Main Partner'.The co-partner City Pride Kothrud, with Media partners being the Sakal & Maharashtra Herald group of News Papers.

Madhur Bhandarkar, young and talented film maker, inaugurated the festival by lighting the traditional lamp. Noted Film maker Yash Chopra, received the 3rd Zenith Asia award. Well received film of International Film Festival, Poet of the Wastes directed by Mohammad Ahmadi, was the opening film,which was screened to packed houses, whereas, Umesh Kulkarni's film in Marathi, 'Valu' - The Wild Bull was screened on the closing day.

Highlight of the festival being, the screeing of exclusive films from Japan, China, Israel, Iran, Taiwan, Thailand, Srilanka, ,Korea, Bhutan, Phillipines, Kyrgystan

As of Indian films, a mix of regional films ...Kannada, Bengali, Malayalam, Assamese and other language films were screened.

The festival saw separate section on Chinese films, where seven films made during the last seven years from China, were screened.

Tribute to Master, section, saw films of World known Japanese master Akira Kurosava.

Off Beat Hindi Cinema: A section is devoted to some of the off- beat films of last year from Bollywood were screened.

Mai Marathi: In this section last year's best seven Marathi films were screened. Some of the films were premiered in presence of their
Director and Crew.

Best of Asia: This section saw a combination of films from Asia which were discussed in the last five years.

Retro of recent Hindi Film Director Nageskh
Kukonoor, whereby his four films were screened.

The recepient of this year's Dadasaheb Phalke award,Director Shyam Benegal's films were sreened.

Liv Interactions with Director and Artist made the festival more eventful and lively.

Debut Film: A special section devoted to screening Debut film of a director from different Asian Countries was also the highlight of the 5thAsian film festival

When we look for quality entertainment the name that springs to mind is that of Broadway. The many different Broadway theaters will have shows that you will love to watch. These shows can be ones for the whole family or even for you to watch by yourself. When you look at the posters which are placed on the walls of the Broadway theater you will see lots of great shows.

Some of these shows which are highly popular are ones that we have seen in various other forms like movies and school plays. Now while you can’t get the excitement and thrills of actually seeing these plays when you see them in other forms this is still a great way for you to experience these shows all over again.

Each Broadway theater caters to the tastes of a wide ranging audience. From shows which are family oriented to suspense to even classics like the musical Cats. These are all great shows that you can see when you visit the various Broadway theaters. For lovers of theater the action starts as soon as you buy your tickets. Once you have these tickets you join the parade of other patrons of this live action extravaganza and wait for the show to begin.

As you sit in your comfortable seat in a Broadway theater you will get a chance to relax and keep technology outside of your life. The plays or musicals that you will see in a Broadway theater are filled with very talented people. The songs, dances, the acting and the music that you hear all contribute towards the otherworldly feeling that you get when you are seated in a theater chair

You will find that the seating arrangements in the Broadway theater is placed so that everyone has a chance of seeing the action and hearing what is happening on stage. The added bonus which you will find in these theater halls is that of the comfort in the chairs. All of these amenities makes watching a play or a musical a pleasure. You will discover that each of the theaters in Broadway will be able to provide you with a comfortable place to watch the play of your choice.

The next time that you want to watch a great live entertainment show you might want to look into the theaters that you will find in Broadway. The Broadway theater which you choose to attend will transport you into an era where a leisurely lifestyle was still part of life.

You are an artist. You may be an actor, a painter, or a writer, but you are an artist. And of course, you are running a business. Or is it a hobby? The biggest question of all is – do you know the difference? Think about what makes a business a business. Think of how a big company runs things. They have a business bank account and business credit cards, they keep records of all business expenses, they keep records of all sales, they pay all their expenses from their business bank account, and they know when they have made money (a profit) and how much. And you would certainly never see the CEO going out and buying printer supplies from his or her personal bank account.

You need to ask yourself, do you run your business like this. If the answer is no, then you are not running a business. If the answer is no, then what you are doing is merely engaging in a hobby, and it may be an expensive one. You might be saying, “But I’m no accountant, I’m an actor.” True. However, as painful as it may be, you can learn to keep proper track of your business finances and keep them separate from your personal finances. This is the kind of thing that is not taught in acting schools, art colleges, or writing seminars, but it should be: it can make all the difference in success or failure as an artist.

At Abundance Bound, Inc, financial education is our priority, and one of the first things we discuss with our clients is their financial starting point, because you need to know from where you are starting in order to know how to get to where you want to go. Having an accurate “snapshot” of your finances as they are is essential as you begin the wealth-building process, and it also allows you to truly see how much, where, and on what your money is going. (If you would like assistance with this, email mailto:info@abundancebound.com and put Chart of Expenses in the subject line. We will send you an Excel chart that allows you to track your monthly income and provides an extremely detailed list of possible expenses to help you remember all of the different ways you are currently spending your money. There are also free tele-seminars that will help you make sense of the financial education process at our website (see below).

The absolute most important thing to do for your business is to separate all your personal income and expenses from your business income and expenses. As we mentioned above, you would not see the CEO of a Home Depot go out and buy printing supplies from his or her personal account, and you should not do this either. This means you need to have a business bank account. If you do not, then all your income and expenses are mixed together and it is far harder to keep track of everything. You can easily start a DBA (Doing Business As) which will allow you to qualify for a business account (for more information visit www.legalzoom.com).

So, you have a personal account and a business account. Now you place your personal earnings (your day job such as waiting tables, tutoring, etc …) in your personal account and you put your business earnings (acting jobs, work sold to a publisher or at an art exhibition, etc …) in your business bank account. Likewise, you would pay for all of your personal expenses (rent, groceries, clothes, vacations, etc …) out of your personal account and you would pay for all of your business expenses (acting school or art classes, head shots, mileage to/from auditions, etc …) from your business account.

This is very straightforward. The thing is it is simple, but not necessarily easy. First, it depends on how organized a person you are and it depends on your desire to do these things. The point is they can, and must, be done if you are to run your artistic business truly as a business. Right now, you may want to say, “STOP! I don’t make enough money from my business to pay for all of my business expenses.” If this is the case, simply make a loan from your personal account to your business account, and make sure you record that loan. When the business becomes profitable, you sell a piece of art, or your acting career takes off, it can then repay the loan. Be sure that it does.

You should also have a separate business credit card (even if the card is in your personal name). You should only be charging personal items to your personal credit card (and hopefully you are paying off the balance every month) and business expenses should only be charged to the card that you have designated as your business credit card - something specifically for artist development. This way, if you are carrying a balance on your business credit card, then the interest will be tax deductible. This is not possible if there is even one personal expense on the card.

Now, what about those expenses that cross the line – sometimes they are personal and sometimes they are business. These are things such as mileage on your car or household expenses if you work from home. For these expenses you must keep very clear records of when and how much of your expenses are personal vs. business. Keep a small book in your car to record business mileage. Make sure you keep all your household bills (mortgage/rent, phone, hydro, etc …) filed away so that you can use them to determine what portion you can write off as a business expense.

There are three reasons why it is important to treat your business like a business and follow the suggestions above. These are:

If your business is not run as such, you will never be successful. And if you do not treat your business as a business, you will never make a business income.

If you do not keep appropriate records, records that clearly indicate you are running a business, then, if you are audited, the IRS may classify your business as a hobby. This could mean loss of tax deductions, and you may even have to pay penalties. Worse, the IRS could go back through previous years returns, and apply the same filter to your deductions (we had a student who, before he started with us, had this happen to happen to him. Needless to say, that was not a happy day for him!). This is not what you need when you are trying to make your business profitable.

You will be able to track the progress of your business easily. You will be able to look back a year from now and say, “Wow! My income went up by that much?” Or, “Yes! I finally turned a profit this year!”

You can do this. Have faith in yourself and your business. It will grow and you will be successful. Just remember to keep the personal separate from the business and keep clear records of the two. Then you can watch your business grow and never look back.

We spoke with Laurie Gayle Stephenson, Star of The Phantom Of The Opera, to discuss performing on Broadway and for Corporate Audiences.

HOB: You starred on Broadway in Phantom. How do audiences relate to songs from the show?
LGS: Seeing the Broadway cast of any show is very appealing to an audience – going to any Broadway show is an event since the cast is “The Real Deal!” In a show like Phantom, even if they are not familiar with the show, they have heard the music.

HOB: How is performing for corporate audiences different from Broadway?
LGS: A Broadway audience knows exactly what they are getting. A corporate audience may know nothing about what they are about to see. For that reason, it is critical that the audience is immediately brought in and completely WOWED!

In my experience, I always find that these corporate audiences love the luxury experience of Broadway and enjoy meeting and taking photos with the cast after the show. As a performer it is a very fulfilling and gratifying experience.

HOB: What is one of your favorite experiences from a corporate event?
LGS: At a Hot On Broadway performance last month, our cast performed for 400 of the top leaders and scientists from a major pharmaceutical company. As Broadway performers, we were honored to be entertaining and meeting some of the most renowned scientists and doctors in the world. They expressed equal enthusiasm for our work and performance. The evening of Broadway songs incorporated a specific thematic message: we celebrated their global efforts in drug research and the ongoing efforts in finding cures for diseases including cancer and diabetes. It was a powerful and rewarding experience.

Laurie Gayle Stephenson has enjoyed an acclaimed career on Broadway in many shows including The Secret Garden, The Phantom of the Opera, The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber, and continues to perform as a soloist across the country. www.lauriegayle.net

Perhaps you’ve always promised yourself a trip to London to catch a show you’ve always wanted to see, but have never had the time. Well, now is the ideal time as the West End goes through a mini-revival, offering a fabulous choice of productions.

Theatres in London regularly feature exciting new productions, but there are also a handful that have been playing to packed audiences for many years, including one notable mystery thriller that has been performed continuously for well over half a century.

The current longest running production, beating its nearest West End rival by an incredible 23 years is Mousetrap. The classic ‘whodunit’ first opened at the New Ambassadors theatre on 25th November 1952, and after enjoying a 22 year residency moved to the St. Martins theatre where it still thrills audiences today, notching up well over 20,000 performances.

The musical with the longest current run in the West End is Les Miserables, recording 23 years of continuous performances. Close behind comes another classic musical, The Phantom of the Opera. Indeed, musicals account for seven out of the top ten longest running productions in the West End. Here is the top ten, including the genre of the production, and the amount of time they have been packing in the crowds:

Mousetrap (thriller) – 56 years
Les Miserables (musical) – 23 years
The Phantom of the Opera (musical) – 22 years
Blood Brothers (musical) – 20 years
The Woman in Black (ghostly thriller) – 19 years
Chicago (musical) – 11 years
Mamma Mia (musical) – 10 years
The Lion King (musical) – 9 years
We Will Rock You (musical) – 6 years
Stomp (vaudeville) – 6 years

In addition to the phenomenal long-running successes there has also been a glut of new productions over the last two years; many are musicals inspired by high-profile TV reality show competitions in which the public vote for their favourite unknown to appear as the lead in the stage production.

As a result, popular productions such as Grease, The Sound of Music, Joseph and several others are packing them in every night as the UK population clamours to see the stars they voted for to star in the new West End productions in person. The enduring popularity of West End theatre isn’t about to diminish allowing many a hotel in Oxford Street and nearby Piccadilly to cash in on their proximity to the most popular productions.

If a trip to London is on your mind, then make sure that you do your research, get a hotel close to the production that you are going to watch, and book as early as you can.

We spoke with Laurie Gayle Stephenson, Star of The Phantom Of The Opera, to discuss performing on Broadway and for Corporate Audiences.

HOB: You starred on Broadway in Phantom. How do audiences relate to songs from the show?
LGS: Seeing the Broadway cast of any show is very appealing to an audience – going to any Broadway show is an event since the cast is “The Real Deal!” In a show like Phantom, even if they are not familiar with the show, they have heard the music.

HOB: How is performing for corporate audiences different from Broadway?
LGS: A Broadway audience knows exactly what they are getting. A corporate audience may know nothing about what they are about to see. For that reason, it is critical that the audience is immediately brought in and completely WOWED!

In my experience, I always find that these corporate audiences love the luxury experience of Broadway and enjoy meeting and taking photos with the cast after the show. As a performer it is a very fulfilling and gratifying experience.

HOB: What is one of your favorite experiences from a corporate event?
LGS: At a Hot On Broadway performance last month, our cast performed for 400 of the top leaders and scientists from a major pharmaceutical company. As Broadway performers, we were honored to be entertaining and meeting some of the most renowned scientists and doctors in the world. They expressed equal enthusiasm for our work and performance. The evening of Broadway songs incorporated a specific thematic message: we celebrated their global efforts in drug research and the ongoing efforts in finding cures for diseases including cancer and diabetes. It was a powerful and rewarding experience.

Laurie Gayle Stephenson has enjoyed an acclaimed career on Broadway in many shows including The Secret Garden, The Phantom of the Opera, The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber, and continues to perform as a soloist across the country. www.lauriegayle.net

Pantomime is a uniquely British tradition with a history stretching back over 100 years. It features on many peoples’ ‘to do’ list, and gives those with children an excuse to indulge in a bit of escapism and joviality, although unaccompanied adults have also occasionally been spotted in the audience at Panto productions!

Children’s favourite stories such as Aladdin, Puss in Boots, Cinderella and Peter Pan are perennial panto favourites. Plot lines are mercilessly slaughtered in pursuit of laughs, and in major productions which feature one or more celebrities their punch line is inevitably incorporated into the pun-filled script.

To add to the fun a ghastly selection of burly, masculine, cross-dressing ‘dames’ take to the stage alongside pretty young actresses in tights, who in turn are pretending to be men. With all of this served up with a soupcon of audience participation, a raucous and fun-filled evening is guaranteed once the curtains open and everyone gets into the spirit of the production.

Indeed, the audience is actively encouraged to regularly help out the heroes by alerting them to the presence of the panto villain. With frantic cries of “he’s behind you”, they collectively shout their warning to the hero whilst also hissing and booing the villain. Other dialogue between the audience and on-stage characters occurs when a conflict of opinions arises, such as when the Wicked Queen in Snow White insists that she is “the fairest of them all”. “Oh, no you’re not!” will be the inevitable response from the audience, and then a game of verbal ping pong will ensue, with the Queen insisting “oh, yes I am!” several times until the audience eventually wins.

Many popular characters from British TV take part in panto each including popular actor Christopher Biggins who had a 38-year continuous streak of starring in various panto productions until 2007, when he opted to appear in ‘I’m A Celebrity, Get Me Out Of Here’ in Australia instead. He eventually won that reality TV competition, and no doubt the 59-year-old will be returning to Panto next year as a Jungle King!

And it’s not just UK stars that are appearing in Pantomime; it has become so popular in recent years that even big names from Hollywood such as Henry Winkler and Mickey Rooney have agreed to appear in them. Indeed, their presence has encouraged many people to consider travelling much further than in the past to watch such big productions.

As a result London Theatre Breaks are no longer confined to offering the latest West End musicals, comedies and dramas, as more and more people add pantos to their must see list on a visit to the capital.

When we look for quality entertainment the name that springs to mind is that of Broadway. The many different Broadway theaters will have shows that you will love to watch. These shows can be ones for the whole family or even for you to watch by yourself. When you look at the posters which are placed on the walls of the Broadway theater you will see lots of great shows.

Some of these shows which are highly popular are ones that we have seen in various other forms like movies and school plays. Now while you can’t get the excitement and thrills of actually seeing these plays when you see them in other forms this is still a great way for you to experience these shows all over again.

Each Broadway theater caters to the tastes of a wide ranging audience. From shows which are family oriented to suspense to even classics like the musical Cats. These are all great shows that you can see when you visit the various Broadway theaters. For lovers of theater the action starts as soon as you buy your tickets. Once you have these tickets you join the parade of other patrons of this live action extravaganza and wait for the show to begin.

As you sit in your comfortable seat in a Broadway theater you will get a chance to relax and keep technology outside of your life. The plays or musicals that you will see in a Broadway theater are filled with very talented people. The songs, dances, the acting and the music that you hear all contribute towards the otherworldly feeling that you get when you are seated in a theater chair

You will find that the seating arrangements in the Broadway theater is placed so that everyone has a chance of seeing the action and hearing what is happening on stage. The added bonus which you will find in these theater halls is that of the comfort in the chairs. All of these amenities makes watching a play or a musical a pleasure. You will discover that each of the theaters in Broadway will be able to provide you with a comfortable place to watch the play of your choice.

The next time that you want to watch a great live entertainment show you might want to look into the theaters that you will find in Broadway. The Broadway theater which you choose to attend will transport you into an era where a leisurely lifestyle was still part of life.

"The younger sister Lin falls from the sky, like a light cloud just flying from the back of the mountain." It is probably one of the most popular arias from the Yueju Opera, A Dream of the Red Chamber.

Adapted from Cao Xueqin's novel of the same title, A Dream of the Red Chamber is by far the most popular show in Yueju Opera. It focuses on a love story and the decline of feudal families. Two crossed lovers are destined by fate to be apart.

The story begins with the beautiful Lin Daiyu, who moves in with her grandmother's family after the death of her mother. There, Daiyu meets numerous relatives, one of whom is Jia Baoyu, her mother's nephew. Baoyu was borne with a jade tablet and so, is treated like a fragile egg and is spoiled by his grandmother. He often spends his time with his female cousins and maids instead of concentrating on his studies. One of the cousins he hangs around with is Xue Baochai. Baoyu and Daiyu eventually fall in love with each other, but Daiyu is not very well liked by the family, and instead, the family members favor Baochai.

Ever since it was filmed and released throughout the country in 1962, it has become China's best-selling opera film. The play, starring Xu Yulan as Baoyu and Wang Wenjuan as Daiyu, appealed not only to regular fans in East China's Zhejiang, Jiangsu and Shanghai where the Yueju Opera was born, but people from all over the country.

Wei Xiangdong, in his early thirties, grew up with the melodies of the play as he was raised by his grandmother who loved the soundtrack.

A former host of the local opera channel at Shanghai Cable TV and now at CCTV, Wei rarely missed the Yueju Opera shows and tried to record most of them. But he never dared to think that one day he would produce and direct A Dream of the Red Chamber himself.

In 2006, the Central News Documentary Film Company planned to produce a series of popular repertories to preserve the dying local operas. Gao Feng, director of the company who is also the vice-president of CCTV, immediately thought of Wei to drive the project.

The original plan was to revive the 1962 movie with a cast of young performers. But in early 2000, the Shanghai Grand Theater produced a version featuring new tunes accompanied by the symphonic orchestra. Then a reporter with Shanghai Cable TV, Wei was so impressed by the new production that he recorded the full-length play and made it into a rough movie.

"Though I grew up with that classic version and can sing all the arias, I was fascinated by the new one immediately," says Wei.

"If say, the 1962 movie is my sister, the 2000 production is my wife."

Reserving all the scenes, details and arias of the 1962 movie, the new-filmed classic version features all the major scenes such as Baoyu and Daiyu reading the banned book Romance of the West Chamber; Daiyu burying the fallen flowers; Daiyu burning her love poems manuscripts before her death; Baoyu mourning Daiyu's Death and Baoyu leaving home to become a monk.

Zheng Guofeng, disciple of Xu Yulan plays Jia and Wang Zhiwen, disciple of Wang Wenjuan stars as Lin.

The symphonic version is almost the revival of that 2000 production, starring Zhao Zhigang as Jia and Fang Yafen as Lin. It features many popular Yueju actresses such as He Ying and Tao Huimin who have been away from the stage for years but remained in Yueju Opera fans' hearts.

"You can expect nothing less than powerful symphonic music, highly elaborate sets, fashionable costumes and an unforgettable performance by a stellar cast," says Wei.

Both films premiered in Shanghai at the end of 2007. The classic version ran for 150 shows at the Shanghai Film Center. According to its staff, the movie even sold better than Ang Lee's Lust Caution.

Now the classic version will run 10 nights at Beijing's Capital Film from May 9 and followed by 10 nights of the symphonic edition from May 20.

Sometimes Asian ways can be baffling to those in the West. Perhaps the following story can help shed some light on the mystery

Once there was an art dealer who had a painting depicting a young farm boy leading a horse across a bridge. The lad was facing the horse, his body leaning back, and he looked like he was exerting great effort. One day a buyer came in and had to have this painting. He didn’t have enough money on him to buy this rather expensive artwork right away, however, so he asked the seller to hold the painting for him while he went home to get the funds. As the seller took the painting down, he noticed it was missing the rope the boy should have been using to lead the horse. Without much thought, he picked up an ink brush and added a rope to fix this apparent flaw in the painting. When the buyer came back and saw the new rope, he was terribly upset. He told the buyer: “I was only willing to spend so much on this painting because of that rope that wasn’t there but could still be felt!”

It is this appreciation for what is implied rather than what is in plain sight that truly seems to set Asian art apart. Chinese traditional dance, for example, is less precise and strict in form than its Western counterpart – ballet, but that is partially because it attempts to evoke a different sort of feeling. Like a claret with subtle undertones, this kind of dance leaves plenty of room for imagination and, as a result, truly leaves a lasting impression.

It is true, after all, that the more something is described in a concrete way, the smaller the range it covers. For example, the phrase “hot water” describes not only water but its temperature, so although “hot water” is more specific than “water,” it precludes “warm water,” “cold water,” and other kinds of water and is therefore more limited. Perhaps this is why so much of Chinese art seems to speak in generalities. Ink landscape paintings with their broad brush strokes and wide swaths intentionally left blank are particularly hard for the Western eye to grasp. These paintings can often seem vague and unclear, but to the discerning viewer, each brush stroke speaks volumes.

The same holds for the Chinese language -- known for being extraordinarily concise and yet also rich and descriptive precisely because it is so succinct. Indeed, many Chinese words and proverbs contain concepts that could take paragraphs to explain in another language.

Asian-themed performances like NTDTV’s Holiday Wonders or the Chinese New Year Spectacular offer an entirely new experience partially because they are so different from Western, narrative-driven forms. They ask something different from the audience – a slight shift in expectations, a shift in sensibility.

And yet the NTDTV shows seem to have struck a balance between the more refined traditional dance forms and the simple pleasures of rousing music, impressive large scale dances with dozens of dancers moving in synch, and, of course, gorgeous costumes and backdrops. The shows offer enough new flavors to be intriguing without being overly foreign. The more subtle elements may be lost on many in the audience, but there presence nonetheless enriches the entire performance for everyone. Ultimately, stories of grace and virtue told through song and dance will forever speak to us all.

While there are many different types of plays that you can see, all of these have different themes to them. As the patron you will have the chance to choose which of these different plays you want to see. From a variety of comedy to drama to even action type plays there is something for everyone. In these plays the best ones are given a twist to their script. This twist provides a sense of wickedness. The wicked scripts are ones which will leave you with a heightened sense of anticipation.

These scripts will have all of the action and thrills that you crave. In general you are feeling like having which can usually be seen in movies and television shows. You may need to think twice about taking someone whom you are just acquainted to one of these shows which has a wicked script.

The really nice thing about these shows is that the dialogue between the characters is snappy and full of energy. You will be drawn into the show without really knowing it. You should however be prepared for anything to occur as the script of these shows is wicked – in terms of energy - and the action just pours out of them. A wicked script will help you to see just how an ordinary scene can be changed.

The only items that need to be remembered with a wicked script is that as the play is being shown in front of an audience it is best if the level of wickedness is toned down to an acceptable level. In these plays as well as the ordinary ones you will find that people enjoy seeing twists and turns that are not that familiar.

A wicked script that is well written will therefore be acceptable if the play is not one that the will cause the theater patrons to turn away in total horror. Since the plays which are written for audiences with tastes for the dramatic you will find that various scenarios have been given new takes.

All in all you could say that a wicked script has more going for it than your usual one. As the final link this is creative process you will be the recipient of programs which are wonderful. Plays that use a wicked script will help you to see life around you in a different manner. For this reason you may need to take a while to live the play and let your mind absorb all that is being conveyed in the play.

The Royal Opera House is the third theatre on the Covent Garden site. In 1728 an actor/manager by the name of John Rich commissioned “The Beggars Opera” from John Gay, a poet and dramatist. The success of this production helped provide the capital for the first Theatre Royal to be built and on the 7th December 1732, it had its opening night.

The theatre was primarily a playhouse for the first hundred years or so, with King Charles II granting John Rich and the Theatre Royal in Covent Garden, as well as the Drury Lane theatre, almost exclusive rights to present drama in London. Rich also began developing pantomime as an art form which led to the tradition of pantomimes being performed every Christmas - a tradition that lasted until the 1930’s at Covent Garden and still continues today at theatres across the country.

The first serious musical works to be performed at Covent Garden were the operas of Handel, who gave regular seasons there from 1735 until his death in 1759. Unfortunately his organ, which he had bequeathed to John Rich, was burned, along with most of the theatre, in a fire in 1808.

The rebuilding of the theatre began at once and, in September 1809, the second Theatre Royal opened in Convent Garden with a performance of Macbeth. To attempt to recoup the costs of rebuilding the theatre, ticket prices were raised. However, after two months of disgruntled theatre goers disrupting performances with booing and hissing, prices were forced back down.

In 1846, a dispute with the management at Her Majesty’s Theatre (the exclusive home to ballet and opera in London at the time), conductor Michael Costa aligned himself with Covent Garden, taking most of his company of singers with him. The auditorium at Convent Garden was completely remodelled and the theatre re-opened in April 1847 as the Royal Italian Opera.

Fire struck again in 1856, completely destroying the theatre, and work on the third and present theatre began in 1857, before re-opening in 1858. Just over thirty years later, in 1892, the theatre officially became the Royal Opera House, with summer and winter seasons of ballet and opera produced regularly. This carried on until the First and Second World Wars, when the Royal Opera House became a furniture repository and a dance hall, respectively.

Several renovations took place in the 1960s including improvements to the amphitheatre, but it was clear that the theatre needed a complete overhaul. Despite being given land adjacent to the theatre to make room for the renovations in 1975, it wasn’t until twenty years later before work began when the newly created National Lottery granted the Opera House £58.5 million towards the rebuilding costs. The new Royal Opera House was opened in December 1999, with two new, smaller performance areas added to the theatre as well as the now historic main auditorium.

Now open all day and not just for evening performances, visitors come from all over the world to the theatre, packing the nearby hotels in London, and enjoying not only the wonderful shows, but also the beautiful interior of a historic building. The views that the Royal Opera House commands across London from the Amphitheatre Terrace have delighted tourists and guests since it’s re-opening, almost as much as the productions performed.

Audi engineers the parts and accessories of their vehicles under strict supervision. The car manufacturer specifically wants its models to have highly efficient systems and components as so to derive peak performance. This is actually not new to the world of automobile production. Most companies compete at a lock-horn level just to stress their products’ functionality. However, a particular company proves to be a notch higher than most of its competitors. Receiving countless awards and recognition, Audi produces parts like the Audi brake caliper and the Audi brake dust shield, regarded to be two of the best in the industry.

A brake caliper is basically the assembly that houses the brake pads and pistons. There are two types of calipers. First is the fixed caliper. It cannot be moved relatively to the disc, and uses one or more pairs of pistons to clamp from each side if the disc. Second is the floating caliper. This type is the one that moves or slides in synchrony with the disc. This happens when a piston on one particular side of the disc applies pressure on the inner brake pad until it makes contact with the braking surface. After this, the piston pulls the caliper body with the outer brake pad so pressure is applied to both sides of the disc. Audi brake calipers ensure efficient braking every time the brakes are pressed.

On the other hand, the Audi brake dust shield provides compact protection against dust accumulation in the brake system. Brake dust shields are usually aluminum plates that are installed between the rim and the brake disc just like a hub cap. The Audi brake dust shield is securely tucked under the wheel and safeguards the area where dust accumulation mostly occurs.

These are just two components that Audi manufactures with great care. Immediate replacement of a faulty brake caliper or dust shield is necessary to maintain efficient performance output and longevity of the Audi automobiles.

We spoke with Laurie Gayle Stephenson, Star of The Phantom Of The Opera, to discuss performing on Broadway and for Corporate Audiences.

HOB: You starred on Broadway in Phantom. How do audiences relate to songs from the show?
LGS: Seeing the Broadway cast of any show is very appealing to an audience – going to any Broadway show is an event since the cast is “The Real Deal!” In a show like Phantom, even if they are not familiar with the show, they have heard the music.

HOB: How is performing for corporate audiences different from Broadway?
LGS: A Broadway audience knows exactly what they are getting. A corporate audience may know nothing about what they are about to see. For that reason, it is critical that the audience is immediately brought in and completely WOWED!

In my experience, I always find that these corporate audiences love the luxury experience of Broadway and enjoy meeting and taking photos with the cast after the show. As a performer it is a very fulfilling and gratifying experience.

HOB: What is one of your favorite experiences from a corporate event?
LGS: At a Hot On Broadway performance last month, our cast performed for 400 of the top leaders and scientists from a major pharmaceutical company. As Broadway performers, we were honored to be entertaining and meeting some of the most renowned scientists and doctors in the world. They expressed equal enthusiasm for our work and performance. The evening of Broadway songs incorporated a specific thematic message: we celebrated their global efforts in drug research and the ongoing efforts in finding cures for diseases including cancer and diabetes. It was a powerful and rewarding experience.

Laurie Gayle Stephenson has enjoyed an acclaimed career on Broadway in many shows including The Secret Garden, The Phantom of the Opera, The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber, and continues to perform as a soloist across the country. www.lauriegayle.net

While there are many different types of plays that you can see, all of these have different themes to them. As the patron you will have the chance to choose which of these different plays you want to see. From a variety of comedy to drama to even action type plays there is something for everyone. In these plays the best ones are given a twist to their script. This twist provides a sense of wickedness. The wicked scripts are ones which will leave you with a heightened sense of anticipation.

These scripts will have all of the action and thrills that you crave. In general you are feeling like having which can usually be seen in movies and television shows. You may need to think twice about taking someone whom you are just acquainted to one of these shows which has a wicked script.

The really nice thing about these shows is that the dialogue between the characters is snappy and full of energy. You will be drawn into the show without really knowing it. You should however be prepared for anything to occur as the script of these shows is wicked – in terms of energy - and the action just pours out of them. A wicked script will help you to see just how an ordinary scene can be changed.

The only items that need to be remembered with a wicked script is that as the play is being shown in front of an audience it is best if the level of wickedness is toned down to an acceptable level. In these plays as well as the ordinary ones you will find that people enjoy seeing twists and turns that are not that familiar.

A wicked script that is well written will therefore be acceptable if the play is not one that the will cause the theater patrons to turn away in total horror. Since the plays which are written for audiences with tastes for the dramatic you will find that various scenarios have been given new takes.

All in all you could say that a wicked script has more going for it than your usual one. As the final link this is creative process you will be the recipient of programs which are wonderful. Plays that use a wicked script will help you to see life around you in a different manner. For this reason you may need to take a while to live the play and let your mind absorb all that is being conveyed in the play.

In fact, according to the Consumer Electronics Association, 9 million households are likely to purchase HDTV products during the next 18 months. Another 30 million consumers consider themselves likely purchasers within the next three years.

This newer technology can be overwhelming for consumers, especially when they are not properly educated about the tools needed for the best setup of a high-definition home theater system.

Four basic elements are needed: picture, source, sound and assembly. Interestingly enough, the CEA says that approximately 30 percent of U.S. homes already have these basic ingredients.

* Picture: Most digital, high-definition televisions feature large screens in widescreen formats that create a theater-like experience right in your home. HDTV delivers crisp images that make you feel like you're part of the action.

Plasma and liquid crystal display televisions have generated the most excitement so far. These thin, lightweight sets can hang on a wall and only take up four inches of depth. Other examples include the microdisplay rear-projection televisions such as digital light processing sets. These TV sets are thinner, lighter and brighter than traditional projection TV sets.

* Source: Some high-definition televisions have a built-in tuner to receive local high-definition broadcasts. These are referred to as having "HD Built-In." Sets without an integrated tuner are "HD-Ready" and need a set-top box to decode the high-definition signal. Starting next year, many digital televisions will come with a high-definition tuner and the cable box built in, simplifying the connection for consumers.

* Sound: Most people don't realize that the high-definition television format incorporates digital 5.1 surround sound into high-definition broadcasts, giving you that "in the middle of the action" feel. For a truly engaging viewing experience, it is important to get a sound system that is comparable in quality to your television.

* Assembly: To tie it all together, you need to make sure you have the right cables and accessories to connect your system. Many consumers prefer using service personnel to deliver and set up the system at home - making sure everything is in place, connected and calibrated for the optimal home theater experience.

So how much does a home theater system cost? A wide range of prices are available, depending on an individual's needs and desires. For example, high-definition televisions sold at Best Buy start at less than $500 and go all the way up to $10,000, with numerous models in between.

London's West End is famous for its theatrical productions, and this year’s programme is as exciting as ever, with three of the hottest new shows being adaptations from the silver screen, books and TV.

All About My Mother is based on the Oscar-winning Pedro Almodóvar film of the same name. It marks the first time one of Almodóvar’s works has been adapted into English and has been given his seal of approval. The story concerns Manuela, played by Lesley Manville; a single mother living in Madrid, who, following the tragic death of her teenage son, decides to travel to Barcelona to meet the father her son never knew. Along the way, she gets caught up in the lives of three different women, including a long-lost transvestite friend, a young nun in search of love and a famous actress, who her son greatly admired. The play deals with complex issues such as sexual identity, AIDS, existentialism and faith, but always with an edge of dark humour.

Elling is based on a trilogy of Norwegian novels about a socially inept man - the eponymous title-character - who has spent his entire life living with his mother, and his subsequent difficulty in dealing with the outside world for the first time after her passing. After spending time in a mental health institution, he and his roommate, the equally socially inept, overweight and sex-obsessed Kjell-Magne, are given a flat in the centre of Oslo by social services, and told to either re-assimilate into society or move back. The story combines some of the darkest and satirical humour with uplifting stories about camaraderie, and starring TV’s John Simms (Life on Mars) as Elling and Adrian Bower (Teachers) as Kjell-Magne; it is well worth seeing.

It might seem unlikely for ITV’s Bad Girls to translate well into a musical, but theatre has always been a medium to defy conventions, and Bad Girls: The Musical is a prime example. The musical, like the show, is set in fictional HMP Larkhall and incorporates characters from the TV show as well as new ones. The plot focuses on the suspicious death of inmate Rachel Hicks and guard Jim Fenner's efforts to rid himself of any implications of his own involvement. The play also includes the subplot of a romance between Wing Governor Helen Stewart and lifer inmate Nikki Wade. After a successful run at the West Yorkshire Playhouse last year, the West End production features some of the actresses reprising their roles from the TV show, including Helen Fraser as Sylvia Hollamby and Maria Charles as Noreen Biggs.

Buying tickets for West End productions can be booked online in advance, or if you are willing to take the chance you can find last-minute discounted tickets to shows at the TKTS ticket booths on Leicester Square. Formerly known as the Half Price Ticket Booth, and operated by The Society of London Theatre, it is the only official discount theatre operation in London and offers a better range and price of tickets than touts.

Booking travel and accommodation for a trip to London can also be done with few clicks online. London is currently serviced by six airports and is also easily accessible by train and bus, giving visitors plenty of choice of travel. Most hotels in London will have a website with information about their facilities and about the local area to help making these decisions easier.

So make the trip now and experience the best modern theatre has to offer. Whether you’re looking for humour, pathos or to simply be whisked away by the music, London’s West End has it all.

Available for a wide range of applications gaffers tape is made of cloth, relying on some form of synthetic rubber adhesive for a quality fixation. The structure of this rubber part is probably the most important one for this model of adhesive tape: gaffers tape has the unique property of leaving no residues behind after usage. It can be easily removed from any surface, and no trace will remain behind. Though in home use, people would sooner have duct tape, gaffers tape is definitely the favorite item of professionals who work in the show biz. Any show staging requires a large depletion of equipment, most of which is electric, and this necessarily means dire camouflaging efforts.

Gaffers tape usually has a matte finish which does not allow it to reflect light; and if for some other cases visibility is a crucial feature to be found in an adhesive tape, with gaffers tape things stand otherwise. We are talking of an item that needs to be perfectly integrated in the stage background, and from this point of view we can easily label gaffers tape invisible. Due to the fact that it is entirely made of cotton, gaffer tape can be evenly broken, not to mention the fact that the special manufacturing process renders it waterproof.

Nevertheless, custom colors and even fluorescent types are not something uncommon when it comes to the design of gaffers tape. What makes it so valuable and highly appreciated is the fact that it is so very easy to tear by hand without requiring any cutting at all. The most basic model of gaffers tape is the two-inch wide roll that can be fragmented into pieces as large as an inch only. On the other hand, if we were to compare gaffers tape with duct tape, the latter will definitely lose the contest since it cannot be broken cleanly and it leaves residues after usage.

Starting from the wide use of gaffers tape in the lighting department of film and show production in general, several words have been formed starting from this root. Thus, if you ever hear that cables are gaffered, be sure the expression refers to the use of gaffers tape for the camouflaging or the isolation of certain prop or decor items. After all, all the technical details of a representation need to be kept away from the eyes of the audience uniquely concerned with what is going on on the screen or the stage, according to the situation.

The Royal Opera House is the third theatre on the Covent Garden site. In 1728 an actor/manager by the name of John Rich commissioned “The Beggars Opera” from John Gay, a poet and dramatist. The success of this production helped provide the capital for the first Theatre Royal to be built and on the 7th December 1732, it had its opening night.

The theatre was primarily a playhouse for the first hundred years or so, with King Charles II granting John Rich and the Theatre Royal in Covent Garden, as well as the Drury Lane theatre, almost exclusive rights to present drama in London. Rich also began developing pantomime as an art form which led to the tradition of pantomimes being performed every Christmas - a tradition that lasted until the 1930’s at Covent Garden and still continues today at theatres across the country.

The first serious musical works to be performed at Covent Garden were the operas of Handel, who gave regular seasons there from 1735 until his death in 1759. Unfortunately his organ, which he had bequeathed to John Rich, was burned, along with most of the theatre, in a fire in 1808.

The rebuilding of the theatre began at once and, in September 1809, the second Theatre Royal opened in Convent Garden with a performance of Macbeth. To attempt to recoup the costs of rebuilding the theatre, ticket prices were raised. However, after two months of disgruntled theatre goers disrupting performances with booing and hissing, prices were forced back down.

In 1846, a dispute with the management at Her Majesty’s Theatre (the exclusive home to ballet and opera in London at the time), conductor Michael Costa aligned himself with Covent Garden, taking most of his company of singers with him. The auditorium at Convent Garden was completely remodelled and the theatre re-opened in April 1847 as the Royal Italian Opera.

Fire struck again in 1856, completely destroying the theatre, and work on the third and present theatre began in 1857, before re-opening in 1858. Just over thirty years later, in 1892, the theatre officially became the Royal Opera House, with summer and winter seasons of ballet and opera produced regularly. This carried on until the First and Second World Wars, when the Royal Opera House became a furniture repository and a dance hall, respectively.

Several renovations took place in the 1960s including improvements to the amphitheatre, but it was clear that the theatre needed a complete overhaul. Despite being given land adjacent to the theatre to make room for the renovations in 1975, it wasn’t until twenty years later before work began when the newly created National Lottery granted the Opera House £58.5 million towards the rebuilding costs. The new Royal Opera House was opened in December 1999, with two new, smaller performance areas added to the theatre as well as the now historic main auditorium.

Now open all day and not just for evening performances, visitors come from all over the world to the theatre, packing the nearby hotels in London, and enjoying not only the wonderful shows, but also the beautiful interior of a historic building. The views that the Royal Opera House commands across London from the Amphitheatre Terrace have delighted tourists and guests since it’s re-opening, almost as much as the productions performed.

I recently had an email from someone who had visited our website, liked what they had seen, but had a question about our methods and philosophy. The question was this:

“What about if I am an artist and I don’t want to change my profession and also I don’t want to have another job on the side? I want to keep my work and have great benefits from that.”

In other words: I don’t want to do anything apart from my acting career, and I want to get well paid for it. What do you think about that?

My immediate response was a mixture of amusement and irritation. Of course, for everyone pursuing an artistic career, what we all ideally want to do is get paid a ton of money for doing what we love (just make sure you have had your financial education before this happens - you don’t want to end up a morality tale!). If you are a dramatic actor, making $100,000 per episode for being in a high quality night-time drama is about as good as it gets. For a musician, platinum albums generating millions in residual payments is where it’s at. For a sculptor, having ones work on display in private collections and museums world-wide would bring home more than enough bacon for any number of New York apartments and trips to South America. But, assuming that it may be some time before we find ourselves in those enviable positions, what are we going to do about money?

And that, I think, is the problem with thinking along these lines. Sure, there are those, very few, people who are lucky or talented enough to walk out of their acing schools and into full time acting careers, or whatever other artistic endeavours you chose. But, for the rest of us, there will be a period (anywhere from a few months to several years), where we will have to do something else in order to make ends meet, while we wait for the income from our art to allow us to live in comfort.

“Have to”. Those are the operative words in that sentence. Not “want to” or “like to” but “have to”. There is a great line in “Gladiator”:

“Sometimes I do what I want to do. The rest of the time, I do what I have to”.

Now, do you have to have another job while you pursue your artistic career? Not necessarily; but unless you are either supported to willing to live on the streets, then it is something that you seriously need to consider alongside your artist development.

For the person who asked the question above, I would say this, finally: At Abundance Bound we have tools to help you work out exactly how much you need to earn in order to live (email us at mailto:info@abundancebound.com with “Chart of Expenses” in the tag line for help with this). Having gotten that number, you can then find work, be it your own business or a regular job, that will provide that amount in the least time possible, leaving you free to pursue your art around it. If you can sell enough pieces or work enough days to not need anything else, then that is truly great for you, and the focus now becomes what to do with the money you are earning, so as to get the greatest benefit out of it (that is where financial education comes in)

But, for the rest of us, truly consider the options before you. Take control of your financial lives so that you can pursue your art free form the crushing weight of financial stress. Bite the bullet and handle things now, so that they do not get out of control later. And, above all, never stop focusing on your artistic success, because by doing that, all things are possible.

We spoke with Laurie Gayle Stephenson, Star of The Phantom Of The Opera, to discuss performing on Broadway and for Corporate Audiences.

HOB: You starred on Broadway in Phantom. How do audiences relate to songs from the show?
LGS: Seeing the Broadway cast of any show is very appealing to an audience – going to any Broadway show is an event since the cast is “The Real Deal!” In a show like Phantom, even if they are not familiar with the show, they have heard the music.

HOB: How is performing for corporate audiences different from Broadway?
LGS: A Broadway audience knows exactly what they are getting. A corporate audience may know nothing about what they are about to see. For that reason, it is critical that the audience is immediately brought in and completely WOWED!

In my experience, I always find that these corporate audiences love the luxury experience of Broadway and enjoy meeting and taking photos with the cast after the show. As a performer it is a very fulfilling and gratifying experience.

HOB: What is one of your favorite experiences from a corporate event?
LGS: At a Hot On Broadway performance last month, our cast performed for 400 of the top leaders and scientists from a major pharmaceutical company. As Broadway performers, we were honored to be entertaining and meeting some of the most renowned scientists and doctors in the world. They expressed equal enthusiasm for our work and performance. The evening of Broadway songs incorporated a specific thematic message: we celebrated their global efforts in drug research and the ongoing efforts in finding cures for diseases including cancer and diabetes. It was a powerful and rewarding experience.

Laurie Gayle Stephenson has enjoyed an acclaimed career on Broadway in many shows including The Secret Garden, The Phantom of the Opera, The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber, and continues to perform as a soloist across the country. www.lauriegayle.net

Laura Schutter has been lighting up audiences all over the world, starring on Broadway and in London’s West End. She currently appears in the Broadway hit Mary Poppins. We took a few minutes to find out how her career began…

Q: We heard that you were discovered in a very dramatic way, like something out of 42nd Street…?
A: It was backstage during the Broadway tour of Thoroughly Modern Millie. I started the tour as an understudy to the lead and one night during the show the lead became ill after the start of Act II. The stage manager grabbed me and sent me to quickly get my wig and red dress, and within two minutes I was on stage singing the biggest number in the show. The funny part is that I am about a foot shorter than the girl who normally played the part, and when I entered the stage I could sense the audience's confusion. However, at the end of the show I still received a standing ovation.

Q: How would you say performing in a Corporate Event is different than a Broadway show?
A: Performing in a corporate event differs from a full Broadway production in that the show often has many production numbers from a variety of shows - every number is different and exciting. One of my favorite numbers to perform is "All That Jazz" from the musical Chicago. Most people have seen or heard of Chicago from either the movie or the Broadway show so the audience response is always amazing.

Q: Do you have any special memories of these “audience responses”?
A: My favorite show was a recent event in Hawaii for Prudential (and not only since it was in Hawaii!). There were many songs in the production that had the audience singing along. By the end of the show they were on their feet and dancing with us on the dance floor. It was such a thrill to see how much they enjoyed our show.

Laura Schutter is currently performing in the Broadway Production of Mary Poppins. Other Broadway credits include The Apple Tree, Kiss Me Kate and The Scarlet Pimpernel. Laura has toured with many Broadway productions including Thoroughly Modern Millie, Parade, Kiss Me Kate, and Showboat in London's West End. www.lauraschutter.com

The spectre of recession is hanging over the UK economy and if that comes to fruition it will means tough times ahead for most businesses and many individuals, especially those in the entertainment and leisure industry.

Normally, when a recession bites luxuries such as trips to the theatre are the first casualties as consumers look to tighten their belts and cut out unnecessary spending. With the doom-mongers predicting that 2008 will be a bad year for the UK economy and 2009 will be even worse, on the face of it entertainment spending looks to worst hit. But, that might not tell the whole story. Traditionally, in times of real economic gloom and hardship people look to entertainment as a form of escapism from the harsh realities of everyday life.

Also, the flip side of an economic downturn is that for those with cash to spare there are usually some real bargains to be had as businesses cut their prices and introduce special offers. So, if theatres and retailers do start to feel the pinch throughout the year, then they will also be forced into offering great deals to attract customers - meaning that if you are in a position to be able to afford it then 2008 will be a great time to visit the capital to watch a West End show.

And because shops are already reporting reduced revenues during the run-up to Christmas last year, sales are already in full flow and look set to continue for some time, meaning there will be some great bargains to be had. Also, just about every hotel in Oxford Street and the rest of the West End will doubtless be offering discounted deals over the next few months as it is a traditionally slow time for visitors.

So, keep your eye open for great West End Theatre deals throughout the year; and when it comes to choosing something to watch there is a huge choice from popular musicals, great drama and comedy. There is bound to be something that will appeal to you and even if it’s not from the mainstream West End selection the fringe theatre scene is alive and well in London and offers some great alternative productions.

Plus, staying for a weekend will leave you plenty of time to take in some sightseeing in the nation’s Capital. The UK’s most popular tourist attraction, the London Eye, is a stone’s throw from the West End and just over the Thames from the historic Houses of Parliament and Big Ben. Or, perhaps you could visit Covent Garden and the great boutiques, market stalls and mainstream shops that proliferate in the area.

Regardless of whatever it is that would draw you to London, be assured that there will be some great deals to be had as the recession starts to bite.

The 80’s is back, if not in time, it is in demand. Old clothes thrown out at the beginning of the 90’s are slowly being spotted on the high street again, and the crazy hair style reminiscent of the great boom and bust era are once again all the rage – for some.

So is it any surprise that two iconic 80’s themes are being merged at the Novelio theatre this November? Desperately Seeking Susan the Musical is based on the hit 80’s romantic comedy movie which Starred Madonna in 1985. And to top it off, the musical is set to feature the back catalogue of Blondie songs to get the heart beating and the nostalgia really flowing.

The plot – Well Roberta Glass is a suburban New Jersey housewife looking for escape from her boring life, and Susan is a street savvy New York Drifter, who with her boyfriend lead a faar from dull life involving jewel heists, magic shows and rock n roll.

This classic rite of passage film caught a tidal wave in the 80’sand the musical looks set to do the same. When you consider the music’s set to this show it is one you just can not miss if you lived through the 80’s or just love the 80’s.

The tracks that are set to feature include the classics, One Way or Another, Dreaming, Heart of Glass and Atomic. Get searching for some of the great hotel and theatre package offers that are out there at the moments, and come down and re-live the 80’s.

You are an artist. You may be an actor, a painter, or a writer, but you are an artist. And of course, you are running a business. Or is it a hobby? The biggest question of all is – do you know the difference? Think about what makes a business a business. Think of how a big company runs things. They have a business bank account and business credit cards, they keep records of all business expenses, they keep records of all sales, they pay all their expenses from their business bank account, and they know when they have made money (a profit) and how much. And you would certainly never see the CEO going out and buying printer supplies from his or her personal bank account.

You need to ask yourself, do you run your business like this. If the answer is no, then you are not running a business. If the answer is no, then what you are doing is merely engaging in a hobby, and it may be an expensive one. You might be saying, “But I’m no accountant, I’m an actor.” True. However, as painful as it may be, you can learn to keep proper track of your business finances and keep them separate from your personal finances. This is the kind of thing that is not taught in acting schools, art colleges, or writing seminars, but it should be: it can make all the difference in success or failure as an artist.

At Abundance Bound, Inc, financial education is our priority, and one of the first things we discuss with our clients is their financial starting point, because you need to know from where you are starting in order to know how to get to where you want to go. Having an accurate “snapshot” of your finances as they are is essential as you begin the wealth-building process, and it also allows you to truly see how much, where, and on what your money is going. (If you would like assistance with this, email mailto:info@abundancebound.com and put Chart of Expenses in the subject line. We will send you an Excel chart that allows you to track your monthly income and provides an extremely detailed list of possible expenses to help you remember all of the different ways you are currently spending your money. There are also free tele-seminars that will help you make sense of the financial education process at our website (see below).

The absolute most important thing to do for your business is to separate all your personal income and expenses from your business income and expenses. As we mentioned above, you would not see the CEO of a Home Depot go out and buy printing supplies from his or her personal account, and you should not do this either. This means you need to have a business bank account. If you do not, then all your income and expenses are mixed together and it is far harder to keep track of everything. You can easily start a DBA (Doing Business As) which will allow you to qualify for a business account (for more information visit www.legalzoom.com).

So, you have a personal account and a business account. Now you place your personal earnings (your day job such as waiting tables, tutoring, etc …) in your personal account and you put your business earnings (acting jobs, work sold to a publisher or at an art exhibition, etc …) in your business bank account. Likewise, you would pay for all of your personal expenses (rent, groceries, clothes, vacations, etc …) out of your personal account and you would pay for all of your business expenses (acting school or art classes, head shots, mileage to/from auditions, etc …) from your business account.

This is very straightforward. The thing is it is simple, but not necessarily easy. First, it depends on how organized a person you are and it depends on your desire to do these things. The point is they can, and must, be done if you are to run your artistic business truly as a business. Right now, you may want to say, “STOP! I don’t make enough money from my business to pay for all of my business expenses.” If this is the case, simply make a loan from your personal account to your business account, and make sure you record that loan. When the business becomes profitable, you sell a piece of art, or your acting career takes off, it can then repay the loan. Be sure that it does.

You should also have a separate business credit card (even if the card is in your personal name). You should only be charging personal items to your personal credit card (and hopefully you are paying off the balance every month) and business expenses should only be charged to the card that you have designated as your business credit card - something specifically for artist development. This way, if you are carrying a balance on your business credit card, then the interest will be tax deductible. This is not possible if there is even one personal expense on the card.

Now, what about those expenses that cross the line – sometimes they are personal and sometimes they are business. These are things such as mileage on your car or household expenses if you work from home. For these expenses you must keep very clear records of when and how much of your expenses are personal vs. business. Keep a small book in your car to record business mileage. Make sure you keep all your household bills (mortgage/rent, phone, hydro, etc …) filed away so that you can use them to determine what portion you can write off as a business expense.

There are three reasons why it is important to treat your business like a business and follow the suggestions above. These are:

If your business is not run as such, you will never be successful. And if you do not treat your business as a business, you will never make a business income.

If you do not keep appropriate records, records that clearly indicate you are running a business, then, if you are audited, the IRS may classify your business as a hobby. This could mean loss of tax deductions, and you may even have to pay penalties. Worse, the IRS could go back through previous years returns, and apply the same filter to your deductions (we had a student who, before he started with us, had this happen to happen to him. Needless to say, that was not a happy day for him!). This is not what you need when you are trying to make your business profitable.

You will be able to track the progress of your business easily. You will be able to look back a year from now and say, “Wow! My income went up by that much?” Or, “Yes! I finally turned a profit this year!”

You can do this. Have faith in yourself and your business. It will grow and you will be successful. Just remember to keep the personal separate from the business and keep clear records of the two. Then you can watch your business grow and never look back.