London Live, The Ultimate Music & West End Experience

Arrival in London & SIX The Musical

On arrival at London Heathrow, you will complete the immigration formalities, collect your luggage and meet your waiting coach for the transfer to your hotel. The Oliver Hotel is conveniently located near Kensington High Street and Earl’s Court Underground Station, providing easy access to many of London’s leading cultural attractions.

After checking in and freshening up, there will be some free time to explore the local area before travelling into London’s famous West End. Following dinner at a nearby restaurant, you will attend an exhilarating performance of SIX The Musical at the Vaudeville Theatre.

Presented in the style of a contemporary pop concert, SIX reimagines the wives of Henry VIII as modern musical icons, each competing to tell her story. Its distinctive combination of powerful vocals, popular musical styles, choreography, costume and historical storytelling provides an exciting introduction to the creative possibilities of musical theatre. After the performance, return to your hotel for your first overnight stay.

SIX Musical Theatre Workshop & Musical Kensington

After breakfast, travel to City Academy for an exciting three-hour musical theatre workshop inspired by SIX The Musical. Led by experienced performing arts professionals, the session will begin with vocal, physical and dance warm-ups designed to prepare students for performance.

Students will learn the lyrics and vocal arrangement of a song from the production before adding professional-style choreography to create a complete musical theatre routine. Depending on the progress of the group, the workshop may include additional music or dance material. This practical experience will develop vocal technique, musicality, movement, coordination, stage presence, confidence and ensemble performance skills.

After lunch at your leisure, join a two-hour guided Musical Kensington walking tour. Discover the composers, musicians, performers and institutions that have helped establish this part of London as an important centre for musical education and performance.

The tour includes a visit to the Royal College of Music Museum, whose internationally significant collection charts centuries of musical development through historic instruments, portraits, manuscripts and other fascinating artefacts. Afterwards, enjoy some free time in nearby Hyde Park before dinner and the return journey to your hotel.

Led by experienced professionals, the session begins with vocal, dance and physical warm-ups. You will then learn the lyrics to a song from the musical before adding choreography to create a complete performance routine. If time permits, you may also learn an additional song or dance. This immersive workshop will help develop confidence, coordination, vocal technique and teamwork in a lively and supportive environment.

After lunch at your leisure, you will join a two-hour guided walking tour of Musical Kensington. Discover the area’s rich musical heritage and hear stories of celebrated composers and performers connected to this historic district.

The tour includes the Royal College of Music Museum, where you can explore centuries of musical history through its fascinating collection of instruments and artefacts.

You will then have some free time to explore nearby Hyde Park, stroll through its gardens, visit the Serpentine Lake or discover contemporary art at the Serpentine Galleries. Afterwards, enjoy dinner before returning to your hotel.

London Heritage & the London Symphony Orchestra

After breakfast, begin the day at St Paul’s Cathedral, one of London’s most recognisable landmarks and a building with a remarkable musical tradition. During your self-guided visit, discover the cathedral’s history, magnificent architecture and important role in royal, ceremonial and national events. Students can also consider how the scale and acoustics of a sacred space influence choral and instrumental music.

Continue to the British Museum, home to an extraordinary collection representing more than two million years of human history. Explore famous exhibits including the Rosetta Stone, Egyptian mummies and sculptures from ancient civilisations. The visit provides valuable cultural and historical context, helping students understand how music, performance and artistic expression have developed alongside human society.

In the afternoon, travel to the Barbican Centre for a London Symphony Orchestra Family Concert. These lively and accessible performances introduce young audiences to orchestral repertoire, musical themes and the different instrumental families within a symphony orchestra. Interactive elements may include workshops and opportunities to sing, move or play along, helping students listen actively and engage more deeply with live orchestral music.

After the concert, enjoy some free time and dinner before returning to your hotel.

British Traditions & West End Performance Workshop

Following breakfast, travel to Buckingham Palace to watch the ceremonial Changing of the Guard. Accompanied by a military band, the King’s Guard formally hands responsibility to the new guard in a colourful display of precision, tradition and musical pageantry. Students can observe the role of music in ceremony, communication and national identity. The ceremony is subject to the official schedule and weather conditions.

After lunch, visit Westminster Abbey, one of Britain’s most important historic and religious landmarks. The Abbey has hosted every coronation since 1066, alongside royal weddings, state funerals and national celebrations. Its long choral tradition and association with important British composers make it particularly relevant to students studying music and performance.

The day continues with an interactive West End on Demand workshop led by professional theatre practitioners. Through drama exercises, script work, singing, music and choreography, students will explore how the different elements of a professional production are combined on stage. The workshop will develop creativity, communication, characterisation, confidence and ensemble skills while introducing material from a West End production.

A concluding question-and-answer session will provide valuable insight into professional training, auditions, rehearsals, backstage roles and careers within the theatre industry. Enjoy dinner before returning to your hotel.

Windsor Castle & LEGOLAND Windsor

After breakfast, travel to the historic town of Windsor for a visit to Windsor Castle, the world’s oldest and largest occupied castle and one of the official residences of the British monarch.

Explore the magnificent State Apartments, view treasures from the Royal Collection and learn about the castle’s extraordinary history. Where accessible, students may also discover the musical and ceremonial traditions connected with St George’s Chapel. There will be time to explore Windsor’s attractive town centre, enjoy views of the River Thames and see the historic surroundings of Eton College. Depending on the official schedule, you may also see the Changing of the Guard.

Later, continue to LEGOLAND Windsor Resort for an afternoon of creativity and entertainment. Enjoy its themed areas, imaginative LEGO models and interactive attractions. One of the highlights is Miniland, where internationally famous buildings, landmarks and cityscapes have been recreated using millions of LEGO bricks.

After an enjoyable day combining royal heritage, creativity and group recreation, return to your hotel by coach.

London’s Professional Music Industry

After breakfast, visit the magnificent Royal Albert Hall, one of the world’s most celebrated performance venues. Opened in 1871, the hall has welcomed internationally renowned orchestras, conductors, soloists and popular artists and is famously associated with the annual BBC Proms.

During your visit, learn how the venue’s distinctive circular architecture, technical facilities and acoustics support performances ranging from classical concerts and opera to rock music, film screenings and major ceremonial events. Students will gain an appreciation of the many artistic, technical and organisational roles required to operate a world-class concert venue.

Continue to the nearby Royal College of Music, one of the world’s leading music conservatoires. Founded in 1882, the college has trained generations of distinguished musicians, composers and conductors. The visit will introduce students to the specialist education, disciplined practice, collaboration and commitment required to pursue further study and a professional career in music.

The day also includes an introduction to the London Philharmonic Orchestra, one of the UK’s leading symphony orchestras. Students will learn about the structure of a professional orchestra, the responsibilities of its musicians and conductor, rehearsal and performance practices, and the orchestra’s varied repertoire—from classical masterpieces and contemporary compositions to opera and celebrated film scores.

This inspiring day will connect classroom learning with higher education and the professional music industry, encouraging students to consider the many performance, composition, production, technical and administrative careers available within the sector. Enjoy dinner before returning to your hotel.

After breakfast, check out of your hotel and store your luggage safely on the coach or at the hotel. Begin the final day with some free time at Harrods in Knightsbridge, one of London’s most famous department stores. Students can explore its impressive interiors, international brands, creative displays and renowned Food Halls before enjoying lunch.

In the afternoon, travel to the Apollo Victoria Theatre for a matinee performance of Wicked. Featuring music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz, this spectacular production tells the previously untold story of Elphaba and Glinda before the events of The Wizard of Oz.

Through memorable songs, expressive orchestration, dramatic staging and imaginative costume and set design, the production explores identity, friendship, prejudice, ambition and the way stories can be shaped by perspective. It also provides an excellent opportunity for students to compare the musical, vocal, dramatic and technical choices of a large-scale West End production with those experienced earlier in the programme.

After the performance, enjoy a final dinner together before meeting your coach for the transfer to Heathrow Airport. Check in for your return flight to Dubai, bringing an unforgettable week of music, theatre, culture and creative discovery to a close.