Tag Archives: Palace

Things to do in Monaco

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Known as a playground for the rich and famous, most residents of Monaco own a jumbo yacht, a private jet or a top of the range automobile to employ flamboyantly in and around town. Surrounded by France and just a 15-minute train journey from Nice, it is easy and quick to reach, and at just two square kilometres in size, Monaco is a very manageable weekend destination. With its own royal family, a hospital, an Olympic sized stadium and a cathedral, it constitutes a self-sufficient principality of France. As a 36-hour addition to my Provencal summer holiday, I had just enough time to experience some of the best that Monaco has to offer.

To stay
Le Meridien Beach Plaza: we arrived as the final members from UEFA were departing; the hotel had hosted guests for the Champions League draw just a couple of days before. This 4-star hotel has a unique location, overlooking the Mediterranean, it is the only Monaco hotel with its own private beach. The suites are spacious and airy; we had a huge (and very comfortable) king-size bed and a lovely little balcony. A big breakfast buffet is served downstairs on the patio, and you can then spend the day soaking up the sun on the beach, or take the concierge’s tips and see the city’s popular sites.

To eat
Odyssey at Hotel Metropole: Odyssey is the third Joel Robuchon eatery at the swish Metropole Hotel. As a casual option for guests wishing to enjoy a light bite, it is in contrast to the two smart, Michelin-starred fine dining options within the hotel. Odyssey is the creation of two French masters, King of Chanel Karl Lagerfeld and Chef extraordinaire Joel Robuchon. Karl, who designed the dazzling pool and restaurant, came to see it for the first time on the night we dined there, and Joel also popped in to say hi! The cocktails are impressively ornate and very strong, exotically flavoured with spices and herbs. From the menu of tapas style dishes, the marinated lamb chops and crispy battered courgette flowers are my top recommendations.

Maya Bay: a lovely, reasonably priced lunch venue, this restaurant is divided in two with separate Thai and Japanese sections. The ideal exotic dining options for Meridien hotel guests.

Le Louis XV: Monaco’s most prestigious restaurant can be found at the resplendent Hotel de Paris. With 3 Michelin stars and a crowd of tourists outside proving its status… this Alain Ducasse restaurant is unbeatable.

To see
Monaco Cathedral: It seems impossible that a cathedral so big should exist in a place so small. Built with stark white stone from La Turbie in 1875, this Roman-Byzantine-style building houses the burial places of past sovereigns, including Prince Rainier.

Prince’s Palace of Monaco: Every day at 11.55 am, without fail, the changing of the guard takes place outside the palace. Walk up the steep steps and catch a spectacular glimpse of Monaco. As the official residence of the Prince of Monaco there are many beautiful and luxurious artefacts to see if you do venture inside.

To do
Stade Louis II Tour: Visit the impressive stadium complex and take a tour with a knowledgeable guide to learn about sport in Monaco. See the pool where Prince Albert met his wife, the changing rooms where the multimillion-pound superstar footballers prepare before a game, and the pitch where the matches take place.

Oceanographic Museum: this exotic aquarium and museum is housed in a surprisingly grand old building. After admiring the multicoloured fish and other sea creatures, you can stroke baby sharks and starfish in the unique touch pool.

To be seen at
Casino {of Monte Carlo}: Prepare to be amazed, this is where millionaires bet the big bucks. A must see, it is definitely worth spending 10 euros to feel part of this famous Monaco institution.

Jimmyz: Part of the popular Sporting Club, Jimmyz has a reputation for attracting all the stars and celebs. To join them – pay the (extortionate) entrance fee, drink champagne and dance until the sun comes up… in true Monaco style.

Many thanks to the Monaco Tourist Board, Visit Monaco, who organised the trip. More information here.

www.visitmonaco.com/en

Singin’ in the Rain, Palace Theatre

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As the snow fell thick and fast outside, musical lovers scurried excitedly into the Palace Theatre for the opening night of Singin’ in the Rain, the vintage musical that has just moved to London after a very popular run at Chichester. My visit was bittersweet – I was delighted to be experiencing this new critically acclaimed show but sad to see the back of Priscilla, the sublime musical production which lived in the Palace previously.

It is amazing to see another retro production nestling into the West End, these old classics deserve to be seen! After making our way up every flight of stairs we reached our seats, at the very top of the theatre the view down was dauntingly steep. The show started fifteen minutes late, the latest curtain up I have ever witnessed at a West End theatre, but this was soon forgotten as the cast bounced onstage with a joyful energy.

The story shows the transition from silent movie to talking pictures and the narrative is incredibly similar to the recent hit film The Artist. Visually this production is great, bright lights and a fun set give the show an immediate lift. It is obvious that the main characters are dancers who can sing rather than singers who can dance. The dancing is jaw-droppingly good, complex routines perfectly executed and performed at a staggering pace, it is very exciting to watch. Adam Cooper looks suitably suave as the stud of the show, Don Lockwood… dashing and charismatic he could have stepped straight out of the 1950s original film. With his training at the Royal Ballet he moves beautifully across the stage, his solo dance for the finale of the first half is sublime. Scarlett Strallen is the perfect vintage beauty for the part of Cathy, her voice sounds just like the stars of bygone eras, so romantic and pretty. Katherine Kingsley is hilarious as the annoying nasal-voiced diva, Lina Lamont, but my absolute favourite on the night was Daniel Crossley who gave an astounding performance as Cosmo Brown. Crossley is charismatic and witty and manages this tricky role without any problems, his rendition of the dance ‘Make ‘em Laugh’ in which he has to run up a wall and do somersaults is brilliant.

There are perhaps a few sound balance issues to iron out… Adam Cooper is often too quiet and his words are sometimes lost entirely when he sings. There are other vocal parts that need a little extra amplification. In fact I think the whole production could have been louder, the energy portrayed through the dancing needs to be matched with an equally lively sound.

The best thing about this show has to be the incredible rain that is generated at the end of both halves. A heavy shower drenches the actors, and yet they still dance, Crossley splashes about and soaks the audience in the front row, much to the delight of the rest of the crowd! For the final ten minutes every cast member comes on stage, each with a brightly coloured umbrella, it is quite a spectacle to watch them all dance so fluently in fake pouring rain!

Considering Britain’s reputation as a country where the rain is constant, I think it is about time that this show found it’s place in the West End, you will leave the theatre singing and dancing.

Singin’ in the Rain continues until, book here.