The Merry Wives of Windsor

The original Globe may no longer be with us but Sam Wanamaker’s dream to bring The Globe back as a fitting tribute to the great Bard has thrilled audiences and brought the Shakespearean experience to life.

 

Each year we are treated to stunning performances of his work. This year amongst the well known titles is The Merry Wives of Windsor, a truly wonderful comedy first published in 1602.

 

If you are familiar with Shakespeare, you could well be forgiven for thinking that he was not only a great writer but also a precursor to the great Jules Verne when it comes to sci-fi style time travel. No, you didn’t blink and miss the scene where the cast travel to the centre of the earth, I was thinking more along the lines of the way Shakespeare anachronistically places the wonderfully colourful character of Sir John Falstaff in a contemporary setting of the Elizabethan era (circa 1600) when he previously appeared in plays about the medieval King Henry IV set around 1400! He has aged remarkably well.

 

It is a wonderful piece of penmanship and the only Shakespeare play that deals exclusively with the cotemporary Elizabethan era and in particular the prejudices of middle class England.  

 

An evening at The Globe is like stepping back in time. The surroundings and the artistry of the actors and production team create a real sense of history – something that should be experienced by all visitors to London.

 

The SaVVy Club^® are organising a truly memorable evening on the 5^th October 2008 – the final performance of The Merry Wives of Windsor. To find out more information call 01280 818782 or apply for your  Guest Pass. To see what other exclusive and stylish events we have to offer check out our forthcoming social events calendar.

 

Sally Ormond

The SaVVy Club^®

Read Full Post »

Looking for a richer, more rewarding and relaxing lifestyle?

As spring, hopefully, fast approaches we have a packed calendar of events with which to tempt you.  Here are just some of the wonderful experiences that we have on offer for your pleasure at the moment. But perhaps there is something that we haven’t thought of yet that you have always wanted to do? If so, get in touch and we’ll organise it for you.

After all The SaVVy Club^® is all about its members – we are here to provide you with a richer, more rewarding and relaxing lifestyle.

 

Walking tour of Greenwich with Architect, Ken Allinson

Ken Allinson is an old friend of The SaVVy Club^® who has lead many members on fascinating tours around our great City. Exercise and education come together in one easy step as you take this latest walking tour around the beautiful Greenwich architecture.

 

Ladies Day at Royal Ascot

Go to town with your hat and outfit. Break away from every day life and mix with the rich and famous at the most well-known of all the prestigious events in the horse racing calendar – Ladies Day at Royal Ascot.  It will be champagne all the way at this most English of events. No diary is complete without a trip to Royal Ascot so book now to ensure you don’t miss out.

 

Henley Regatta – a very English event

Ah yes, the Henley Regatta – a very English event. Is your idea of fun and relaxation a day by the river with a champagne reception, four course lunch and fine wines? If so this is a must for you. Indulge in a typically English outing that harks back to 1839. Loose yourself within the atmosphere as you cheer on your favourite oarsman.

 

Hänsel und Gretel at Glyndebourne

Leave the hustle and bustle of City life behind and indulge in a magical black tie evening of Opera with The SaVVy Club^® at Glyndebourne. Enjoy the privilege of top seats, a world class performance and first class company.

 

All aboard the Orient Express – first stop: Le Manoir

This is a wonderful opportunity for you to step aboard and allow the real world to evaporate behind you. Leave the hustle and bustle of the City far behind as you relax within the magnificent period carriages of the British Pullman.

 

View our calendar of events.

 

Read Full Post »

King Tutankhamun and I

I had been looking forward to the King Tutankhamun exhibition immensely. Ancient Egypt has held a fascination for me since my school days, therefore I was thrilled to have the opportunity to actually see for myself some of the treasures from King Tutankhamun’s tomb.

The rather dull and overcast day couldn’t dampen my enthusiasm as I met my fellow intrepid travellers at Waterloo Pier. The journey via the Thames Clipper lasted about 40 minutes and it was wonderful to see an illuminated London through the windows. Eventually The O2 became visible through the darkness, but before we entered the exhibition we stopped for a drink at Inc. Brasserie. I couldn’t help but wonder at the suitability of the venue for such an historic exhibition. The bright, stark interior of The O2 seemed far too modern to house 3000-year-old antiquities.

As I entered the exhibition, I donned my headphones and allowed Omar Sharif to explain the context of the exhibits. This audio tour was invaluable as it provided the historical background of not only the Royal family but also of daily life in Ancient Egypt. This included a rather compelling yet grisly description of the mummification process. The exhibits were displayed in rather plain rooms and, despite the piped Egyptian music and atmospheric lighting, I felt that something was missing. The exhibition was in two halves: the first was very much concerned with Tutankhamun’s unpopular father Akhenaten, his beautiful wife, Nefertiti, and the scandal surrounding their adoption of a new religion. The second half was dedicated to Tutankhamun and Howard Carter, including rare newsreel footage and photographs of the excavation. However the journey between the two was via stark corridors and brightly lit stairwells. I think the sheer modernity of the venue was too much of a contrast for the antiquities, however the treasures on display were breathtaking. The sheer beauty of the mini-sarcophagus designed to hold the young king’s viscera once they had been removed from his body, with its intricate workmanship and near-perfect condition, was awe-inspiring.

After the exhibition I met up with our group at Tapa Tapa, which proved to be another adventure but of the gastronomic kind. I was overwhelmed by the sheer quality and quantity of dishes that were brought before us and the staff were extremely helpful and friendly. For me, the highlights of the meal were a special oak-aged ham from Bilbao, superb large king prawns in a special ‘San Miguel’ batter and a rather delicious chocolate dessert, which were all washed down with fine wines and lively conversation.

As always, all good things had to come to an end, so at 10pm it was time to board the ferry once more and return to Waterloo Pier. I thoroughly enjoyed the evening with The SaVVy Club and was glad that I had been able to see the boy king’s treasures.        

By Sally Ormond
The SaVVy Club

 

Read Full Post »

“Gold… everywhere the glint of gold…”

Dear friends of The SaVVy Club^®,

We’ve done it again!! Be amongst the first in London to experience Egypt’s golden age and see the treasures of the world’s most famous pharaoh, Tutankhamun.

In 1972, on a worldwide tour to coincide with the fiftieth anniversary of the discovery of his tomb, the treasures of Tutankhamun came, for the first time, to London and the British Museum, causing unrivalled excitement. During a 6-month stay, over 1.7 million people visited the exhibition, a record number of visitors to the Museum or any exhibition in London to this day. Tutankhamun’s spell was cast over the entire population of Britain.

Now, 35 years later, he’s back. Artefacts exhumed from the tomb of the Egyptian boy king are to be exhibited at The O2 and The SaVVy Club® Members and Guests will be able to see them in their unrivalled splendour.

For the lucky few, Tuesday 20th November will begin at 4pm:

A small group will board a boat at Waterloo pier and cruise, like Howard Carter up the Nile, to Queen Elizabeth II. There we will disembark to ward off the heat of the day and indulge in drinks at the cool, slick, good-looking, Inc. Brasserie before entering the magnificent audio-guided exhibition.

The memories are still vivid for the people who in 1972 queued around the British Museum to pay their 50p entrance charge, some of them waiting over 8 hours to get inside. Once inside the museum, the specially designed exhibition was crowded and stuffy at times, a constant movement of people making it possible to take only brief glimpses of some objects. The claustrophobia added to the atmospheric display. For once, heads of the king, and postcards of his jewellery, outnumbered Union Jack t-shirts and models of London double-deckers on the stalls outside.

This time, The O2 will stage the exhibition of a lifetime, with space and time to see and enjoy, to marvel and wonder at the craftsmanship, the opulence and the mystery of the time of the Pharaohs.And it doesn’t end there; the evening will be rounded off with a super meal at Tapa Tapa. For those still hesitant about making the commitment to join The SaVVy Club^®, here is an opportunity to enjoy a SaVVy experience at a special guest price.

Full members price is £180 (inc VAT).For this event only, guests are welcome at £195 (inc VAT).

If you are interested, please email kim@savvyclub.co.uk before Friday 16 November.

 

Read Full Post »

The Square Mile Tour

The elaborate peal of St Paul’s signalled the start of our historical tour of London’s Square Mile. Of course London itself covers many square miles but we were only interested in the one that houses the City of London which, at one point in time, was surrounded by the old Roman city walls.Ken began our magical mystery tour inside St Paul’s itself (once we had fought our past a very dedicated wedding photographer!).

It was like stepping back in time as we left the bustling city behind us. The soft lighting created an intimate atmosphere as we marvelled at the mosaics and intricate stone carvings as delicate choral music filled the Cathedral. But soon we were outside again to begin our three hour tour. Ken led us all like the Pied Piper as we hung on his every word weaving our way through the streets of London.

Our next stop was the Merryll Lynch building under the careful eye of a very large security guard. As we left the guard behind us Ken led us to a small green area called Postman’s Park (just off King Edward Street). A sheltered area within the park houses a wall dotted with hand-lettered tiles commemorating ordinary people who lost their loves trying to save others; a wonderful little public memorial celebrating the lives of people who would otherwise be forgotten. Our first lesson was on how to spot a Rogers or a Foster building.

By the time we reached The Barbican and the old Roman wall that nestles within its shadow, we had become quite adept at identifying the architects of the buildings that we passed. Then it was time for a refreshment stop and some deliciously chilled champagne enjoyed in the shadow of Shakespeare.

Through more alley ways and back streets, we emerged by the Bank of England where Sir John Soane, forever immortalised in stone, watched us as we continued on our journey towards Leadenhall market, passed the ‘erotic gherkin’, the Lloyds building and then on to Fenchurch street station. Spotted in the surrounding stone and glass was the neo-gothic Minster Court Offices looking more like something from Gotham City – although there was no sign of Batman! As we made our way along side Trinity House, the stunning view of an illuminated Tower of London signalled that our time travelling architectural journey would soon be coming to an end.

As we crossed Tower Bridge our destination, Butler’s Wharf, shone like an oasis with its lure of a well deserved meal. What an experience. This was a truly unforgettable look at some of London’s finest architecture led by a true expert in his field.

Sally Ormond

The SaVVy Club’s members enjoy a unique calendar of bespoke social events organised just for them. They can enjoy the company of fascinating people and relax in the knowledge that everything is taken care of.

Read Full Post »

Carnival

Carnival!

There is something about summer, heat, and holidays that makes people want to dress up in weird and wonderful costumes, scream ‘aaaiiiiiieeeeee!’ from the top of their voices all whilst dancing around on garishly decorated lorry trailers. No, its not City bonus day – its carnival season! We have all seen pictures of the wonderful events in Rio and our very own Notting Hill – the colour, the excitement, the energy, the atmosphere…there is just something about a carnival that sets everyone in a good mood.It’s a time to let your hair down and party like you’ve never partied before.

Now, (here’s the very short history lesson) the tradition of carnivals originally came from the urge to have as big a party as possible before the Lent fasting began. Which leads us very nicely to the subject of food; think of a carnival and you’ll think of costumes and dancing and everyone having a wonderful time and, most of all, huge amounts of fun. But that usually means that the food available is fun too.

No room for limp lettuce and its fellow salad partners with low fat mayonnaise.Oh no, we are talking cholesterol city – sky-scraping burgers and hot dogs. Basically it is the food every waist-line has nightmares about.  So how on earth are we meant to stay slim and party? Well, here are a few hints that may just help. Why not try substituting the burgers for a light sandwich which will contain far less fat and a shed-load less calories.

Also avert your eyes when presented with displays of sugary deserts and ice cream; if you can’t see them, you can’t be tempted by them. Whatever you do, don’t forget the hidden calories in drinks too. Instead of alcohol or fizzy drinks, have water or even that British favourite – a nice cup of tea (without sugar, obviously).

Follow these tips and you will party and still remain slender, virtuous, incredibly self conscious and sober. Of course, the other option is to totally ignore all advice, eat, drink and be merry whilst dancing furiously in a style that your father would be proud of and you’ll burn off so many calories you will probably end up slimmer than when you started! Marvellous, I know which option I prefer.

Perhaps you know of an even better method of surviving the carnival season. Do you have any handy hints, tips or even stories that you would like to share with one and all? Go on; spread a little happiness especially for those of us unfortunate enough not to have been caught up in the party atmosphere.

References:Wikipedia: CarnivaleHow: How to Eat Healthily at a Carnival

The SaVVy Club’s members enjoy a unique calendar of bespoke social events organised just for them. They can enjoy the company of fascinating people and relax in the knowledge that everything is taken care of.

Read Full Post »