Cheapflights.ca Sets the Stage for World Theatre Day

TORONTO, ON--(Marketwired - Mar 26, 2014) - Every year since 1961, World Theatre Day is marked on March 27th. The key message for this year's celebration is: "Wherever there is human society, the irrepressible Spirit of Performance manifests." To pay tribute to the inspirational world of the performing arts, the travel experts at Cheapflights.ca, the online leader in finding and publishing travel deals, scripted their list of Top 10 Venues for Live Theatre where audiences are treated to unforgettable performances in spectacular venues.

Planning a trip to Europe soon and looking to take in some arts and culture? Below are five performance venues across Europe to make our list of theatres worthy of a standing ovation.

• Best outdoor venue: Minack Theatre, Porthcurno, Cornwall, England
  What started out as a small, private residence where the local theatre group was allowed to put on Shakespeare performances has turned into one of the most breathtaking places to witness a production. The granite stage stretches beyond the cliffs and hangs over the ocean, allowing for the perfect backdrop to any warm-weather performance.
  
  
• Best authentic Greek amphitheatre: Herodes Atticus, Athens, Greece
  The original Odeon of Herodes Atticus was built in 161 AD by a wealthy Greek aristocrat, in memory of his wife, but the amphitheatre was destroyed nearly 100 years later. The theatre was reconstructed in the 1950s to represent traditional marble odeons and has since become an iconic venue for performers. Located in the heart of Acropolis, the Odeon of Herodes Atticus is the perfect outdoor venue where modern music meets an ancient atmosphere.
  
  
• Best theatre to witness the legacy: Teatro alla Scala, Milan, Italy
  Few theatres have had as many famous performers as La Scala over the last 200 years. Built in 1776, La Scala is packed with history, including famous composers Rossini, Toscanini, Puccini and Verdi who have all conducted there. Early December usually kicks off La Scala's performance calendar, and, with a world-class chorus, orchestra and ballet company, the schedule fills up fast.
  
  
• Best theatre for Shakespeare: Shakespeare's Globe, London, England
  Though not the original Globe Theatre associated with the renowned Shakespeare, this reconstructed Elizabethan playhouse is as close to authentic Shakespeare as one can get today. This unique establishment was built in the true style of its original predecessor; no structural steel and thatched roof. If Shakespeare isn't your thing but you're still in it for the experience, the venue puts on a variety of other productions, too.
  
  
• Best modern venue: Harpa, Reykjavik, Iceland
  Built in 2011, this edgy, contemporary and attractive concert hall stirred serious controversy as a waste of money during Iceland's recession. Originally part of a greater development plan, Harpa is the most noticeable structure in Reykjavik's port, made up of steel and multi-coloured glass panels. And its interior is just as modern as its exterior with intricate lighting and a top-of-the-line acoustics set up.
  
  

These next five exquisite theatres to make our list are: Most iconic: Sydney Opera House - Sydney, Australia; Acoustically renowned: Teatro Colon - Buenos Aires, Argentina; Best mix of modern and classical: Carnegie Hall - New York, New York, USA; Top theatre for ballet: Bolshoi Theatre - Moscow, Russia; and Unique architecture: and National Centre for Performing Arts - Beijing, China. To read the full details on these and Cheapflights.ca's complete list of Top 10 Venues for Live Theatre, visit www.cheapflights.ca/travel/top-10-venues-for-live-theatre.

About Cheapflights.ca, part of the Momondo Group
Momondo Group is an online travel media and technology company that is driven by the belief that an open world is a better world. The group now serves travel search and inspiration to over 15 million visitors a month -- plus 7 million travel newsletter subscribers -- via its Cheapflights (www.cheapflights.ca) and momondo (www.momondo.com) brands.

Skygate began the sourcing of complex air-travel data in 1992, while Cheapflights pioneered the online comparison of flight deals for users in 1996 and momondo launched meta-search in the Nordic countries in 2006.

The Group has offices in London, Copenhagen, Boston and Toronto, with a consumer base across more than 25 core international markets but users all over the world.

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