Give and take

9:58am Saturday 11th October 2008

Nick Loughlin gets in touch with his sensitive side with a visit to London to see the Take That tribute musical, Never Forget, and to catch up with some sightseeing.

WHEN it comes choosing a hotel in London, it’s wise to try and see your way through the guff. “Chic” and “boutique” are two of the in-phrases being used and over-used by venues desperate for your booking.

Whether your choice fits under those descriptions remains to be seen.

The Cavendish describes itself as “four-star deluxe’’ and “a modern and contemporary hotel”. Fair to say they aren’t troubling the Trades Descriptions Act.

The top drawer hotel does what it says on the tin – and more.

Book it as part of a weekend break and you won’t go wrong. This stylish and central base in Jermyn Street is ideal for exploring London and its attractions.

On the Friday we arrived, a short stroll away and Trafalgar Square was awash with colour as the opening ceremony from the Beijing Olympic Games was broadcast live on the giant screen.

Now it’s over, it’s claimed the focus is all on London and 2012. Given the number watching things in Trafalgar Square that afternoon, perhaps it started on August 7, 2008.

From there – it’s not often we get to the capital these days – and there’s a welter of attractions all within walking distance without the need to explore via the Tube.

A fascinating visit around Westminster Abbey – a giant tomb of kings and queens and part of the pomp and ceremony of Britain’s rich history – was followed by a ramble along the Thames, over the Millennium Bridge and up into Covent Garden and its strange and wonderful mix of street theatre and markets.

And, for the shoppers and browsers out there, The Cavendish is well placed. Situated directly behind Fortnum & Mason, it’s close enough to both Bond Street and Regent Street.

The Cavendish Hotel has been recently redesigned, with its 230 guest rooms, two penthouse suites, lobby and restaurant, all immaculately inviting and welcoming.

Rooms – spread over 15 floors – offer a fine view over the London skyline, landmarks galore within sight. St Paul’s Cathedral, Big Ben, the London Eye, Houses of Parliament, you can tick them all off in your I-Spy book.

If you are looking for a pre-theatre meal, the in-house menu offerings from David Britton fall within every budget and taste. Our pick, however, was a visit to Chinatown, another attraction minutes away on foot.

Cheap, quick and cheerful or more exquisite, the choice is yours.

And as for the main attraction itself?

Well, it’s fair to say Never Forget, the Take That musical, doesn’t quite appeal to your average North-East bloke like me, but my wife didn’t see Take That in their 90s pomp, or in their current guise – not unless you include Fake That at a Christmas party a couple of years back.

The Daily Telegraph theatre critic Charles Spencer wrote that it was “not nearly as terrible as I secretly hoped it would be... It was rapturously received.’’ And, unashamedly, I’ll back up that statement. Or ask Chris Evans, the DJ who was sat smirking away in the row in front of us.

Some critics – probably the snobbier sort – have given the show a bit of a rough ride. Granted, it’s not Phantom Of The Opera, but if you want an easy-going affair, with music and tunes you know, it more than fits the bill. It’s an absolute riot of Take That songs.

The story goes like this: Five Manchester lads are skint, they form – with the help of an over-zealous agent – a Take That tribute band, enter a talent contest and the rest, as they say...

Craig Els, who plays the role of Jake Turner, who in turn is the Robbie Williams of the band, is the star of the show, while Dean Chisnall (Ash Sherwood/Gary Barlow) plays the sensible character sensibly.

One of the highlights is on-stage rain – something you have to see for yourself to believe.

At the show’s launch, Barlow told the BBC: “At first I thought it sounded horrible... but the reports I’ve seen have been really good, so there must be something good in it. I’m just worried that they’re better than us.”

TravelFacts

The Cavendish London. Tel: 0207-930-2111 thecavendishlondon.com.

Weekend room-only rates start from £145 per room per night.

NEVER FORGET Superbreak offers a range of short breaks to London. A package combining overnight accommodation in a double room at the Cavendish Hotel, with full breakfast and a rear stall or upper circle ticket to see Never Forget costs from £134 per person. Price is valid at weekends and based on two people sharing. Tel: 0871-222- 3055 or visit superbreak.com Nick and his family travelled by train with National Express East Coast, which offers advance purchase return fares, booked online, from Darlington to London King’s Cross from £23 standard class or £75 first class. Book at nationalexpress eastcoast.com, call 08457- 225225 or visit any staffed rail station.

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