New York - Drama Department Half-Term Visit

Date: Friday 13 February 2009

Very early on Friday 13th February, a St Edmund's party of 26: 24 pupils, and Mr Sell and Miss Sears, departed from Heathrow for the long-planned, and long-awaited excursion to New York, and a real experience of Broadway.

After arrival at Newark Airport,and after checking in at the Hotel Pennsylvania on 7th Avenue, the first New York experience was supper in a classy American diner, before falling asleep - jetlag? - during a performance of 'The Little Mermaid'.

St Valentine's Day began with a very early start for Miss Sears who had forgotten to adjust her wristwatch to NY time, and the first of several breakfasts at Lindy's Diner. A drama workshop at Chelsea Studios occupied the morning, before a visit to the Lower East Side for lunch - Katz Deli, famous for THE scene in 'When Harry Met Sally' - and a couple of hours in Schwartz toystore, preceded the evening's theatre, a showing of 'August: Osage County'. This was described by Louise Garrett as 'the most amazing and enthralling play', and led into the last of the day's events - a visit to the Empire State Building, and the chance to look down on New York nightlife.

Sunday, and another Lindy's breakfast, and a second session at the Chelsea Studios, for a game of 'Zip Zap Zop', and more improvisation. Prior to the afternoon's entertainment, 'Shrek the Musical' - the party had the chance to talk to one of the stars of the show, and pick her brains about a career in musical theatre. The show itself featured lots of good new material and a wealth of catchy songs. In the evening, to celebrate Alex Denton's birthday, supper was taken at Planet Hollywood. Many thanks to his parents for financing the meal!

Monday - the last full day on American soil - was spent as tourists - going to the top of the Rockefeller Centre, and seeing the city in daylight, skating, and taking lunch there before crossing town to the site of 'Ground Zero'. This was 'the most important thing we did in New York' (LG). The Staten Island Ferry then took them all beyond the Statue of Liberty, and back, before an evening spent in Greenwich Village, and the best pizzas in town, to celebrate Clara Gibson's imminent 18th!

And so to Tuesday, the last day, and breakfast - at Lindy's - and shopping, before taking the coach back to Newark Airport. Prizes were awarded to Becky-Anne Gladwin, 'Hero of the Week', for her constant good spirits, and to Oz Andrews, 'Shopper of the Week', for leaving many of his dollars in Abercrombie's! An easy and effortless flight back to the UK saw the party arrive at St Edmund's round about 9.30am on the Wednesday morning

Every member of the party wanted me to pass on their very heartfelt votes of thanks to Miss Sears and to Mr Sell 'for making it happen', and to Miss Sears for 'putting everyone else first' throughout the trip. They all had an amazing time, and would not hesitate to do it again! Start saving those dimes and dollars!