BACK TO SCHOOL - HORRIBLE HISTORIES

Since being a Mummy, everything has been a learning curve especially since Luke's been at school. I am learning more and more, especially when it comes to his different topics. I was never interested in history and actually can't remember that much about it from my school days. Last year I was fortunate enough to visit Chester and the Deva centre in Chester on Luke's school trip, it was very interesting so I've made a conscious effort to learn more history!

Last Christmas I bought Luke the full box set of books of 'Horrible Histories', it's a popular TV series too that makes History interesting, and from what I've heard shows a lot of gore and hilarious songs.

The Birmingham Stage Company were performing at The Regent Theatre, Stoke had 2 live shows of Horrible Histories, Groovy Greeks and Incredible Invaders, we went to the Groovy Greeks. The cast consisted of 4 performers who played a modern family wanting to learn about Greeks.

There were quick costume changes, singing, dancing, comedy, sound effects and audience participation. The timing was immaculate which showed how well rehearsed it was, there were some funny references to modern TV shows too, our favourite was 'The Gods Have Talent'

The best part for us was the second half where we were given 3D glasses in the interval. Absolutely fantastic scenery and trickery.

We thoroughly enjoyed it and as soon as we got home, we looked for the 'Groovy Greeks' book in the box set and started reading immediately!

I would highly recommend to anyone to take their kids to see this, it's a fab way to learn History!

CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG - Truly fantasmagorical!

Being a Mumpreneur is the best job in the world, especially when it comes to school holidays. We have had a busy time meeting friends, play dates and today, a special trip to the theatre to see Chitty Chitty Bang Bang at The Regent in Stoke. On a long flight to Thailand when Luke was 3, we watched this film on loop about 3 times, so we're both very familiar with the story.


It was a star-studded cast, with Comedian Jason Manford playing the lead role, Caractacus Potts. He was charismatic and his smile lit up the stage. His voice was strong and operatic and it gave me goosebumps when he sang 'Hush a bye mountain'. I was impressed with his energetic song and dance during 'Me Ol' Bamboo'. Truly Scrumptious was beautifully played by Amy Griffiths with a voice to match, she had a lovely connection with the Potts children too. The other big names, Phill Jupitus played Baron Bomburst and Michelle Collins as the Baroness had a comical pairing. The lovable Grandpa Potts was played by the talented, Andy Hockley.

The childcatcher played by Martin Kemp was spooky and the projection of his shadow was spine tingling, I didn't hear one child utter a noise when he was on the stage. Personally, I would have liked to have seen more of him!
The biggest laughs were for the two Vulgarian spies played by Sam Harrison and Scott Paige, they were hilarious.

There were lots of gasps when Chitty was transformed from the rusty old car to the shiny new flying machine, it was truly magical and the graphics of the scenery was convincing and enchanting.

The Potts children were superb and I the Sewer Children were played by local children who also were brilliant.

You know you've seen a good show when you hear people singing the songs when you leave the theatre.

It's not too late to book tickets so you have until 9th April with matinee performances which is perfect for the school holidays!
http://www.atgtickets.com/shows/chitty-chitty-bang-bang/regent-theatre/#performance_tabs=tab_tour

ANNIE - REGENT THEATRE STOKE

My 8 year old, Luke loves the pantomime and will watch virtually anything on the TV so I was really pleased when he said he would accompany me to see Annie. It was his first proper musical and I know he wasn't disappointed. We watched the original film version only last week to learn the main storyline so of course Luke was making comparisons, as we all do!

Annie is set in 1930's New York during the Great Depression, living a life of torment and misery in an orphanage run by cruel Miss Hannigan her luck changes when she is chosen to spend time with Billionaire, Oliver Warbucks.

Annie played by Madeleine Haynes was superb and did not lose character once, such a fantastic talent, her accent was convincing and singing and dancing all perfect for the role. Her partnership with the other orphans had us captivated and I had a lump in my throat hearing her sing favourites like 'Tomorrow' and 'Maybe'. The saying never work with children and animals was untrue when you saw the connection between Annie and Sandy the stray dog, played by 2 year old Labradoodle, Amber. As a dog lover I would have loved to have seen more of Sandy but was fun to spot him running across the stage.

Playing the part of Miss Hannigan was Lesley Joseph, best known for playing Man-eating Dorien Green in Birds of a Feather. She impressed us with her gin-swigging rendition of 'Little Girls', I never knew she had such a powerful voice. Occasionally her American accent slipped but she was still endearing. 'Easy Street' performed by Rooster (Jonny Fines) and Lily (Djalenga Scott) was entertaining with a wickedness and humour too.

Oliver/Daddy Warbucks was played by Alex Bourne and his pa, Grace Farrell played by Holly Dale Spencer had a charming bond. The dancing was strong by all the cast and it was nice to hear extra added songs to the movie version.

The scenery was a fun and colourful jigsaw puzzle which captivated throughout. Dancing, singing, costumes and humour kept us entertained.

I asked Luke which was his favourite part and his answer was 'All of it'! That is one happy customer!
I would highly recommend for all ages, you will not be disappointed and I guarantee you will be singing in the car on the journey home!

Tickets are now on sale and are available from The Regent Theatre Box Office, by calling 0844 871 7649 or visiting www.atgtickets.com/stoke   

THE SOUND OF MUSIC - REGENT THEATRE

The Sound of Music is my all time favourite film, I have watched it over and over again and know all the songs word perfect, My favourite things, Do-Re-Mi, Climb Ev'ry Mountain, Edelweiss and of course The Sound of Music. I was delighted to have been invited to watch it at The Regent Theatre, Stoke with my good friend, Pip who shares the same enthusiasm for the greatest musical of all time. We have lost count how many times we have seen the 'Sing along' and stage versions.

I saw the 'Live' version on television over Christmas, which I admit left me a little disappointed, mainly, due to chopping and changing well known songs and adding extra ones. I hadn't realised a new version had been written, it was probably for the 50th Anniversary in 2015, but to see the magnificent staging and scenery, and even with random unfamiliar songs, I thoroughly enjoyed it. There was romance, tears and laughter, just like in the film version.

Lucy O'Byrne takes on the role of Maria, she was the runner up on BBC One's The Voice, there was no hint of her Irish accent and she took to the acting role as well as the singing.

Award winning TV heart-throb, Gray O'Brien plays Captain Von Trapp, very dashing and handsome, especially in his Captain uniform. There was a great spark between Maria and the Captain particularly during the 'dance' section.

The seven Von Trapp children were all equally talented, timing was impeccable and showed great confidence.

The nuns and especially Mother Abbess, played by Jan Hartley gave me goosebumps. Her voice was uplifting and powerful.

The Baroness (Isla Carter) and Max Detweiler (Duncan Smith) sang the extra unfamiliar songs, you can't help but compare to the Film but it was a welcome addition and both had magnificent voices.

The cast deserved their standing ovation and there is nothing like leaving a theatre with an overall feeling of great pleasure and satisfaction.

If like me you are a lover of this film, you can see this new stunning production until Saturday:-

http://www.atgtickets.com/shows/the-sound-of-music/regent-theatre/

SNOW WHITE & THE SEVEN DWARFS

I was lucky to have been invited to another Anton Benson Production. This time it was to see Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs at the new venue, Northwich Memorial Court.

The cast consisted of Edwina Currie as the Wicked Queen, Ex Corrie star Bruce Jones as her loyal Henchman and Celebrity Big Brother Runner Up, Austin Armacost as The Prince. There were a few sound technical difficulties in the first half, the microphones were way too loud and gave me a headache, not sure I could have stayed till the end if it hadn't have been sorted out. Fortunately, it was much more bearable in the second half, thank goodness!

Libby Gore was a brilliant Snow White and sang and looked beautiful. Keeley Fitzgerald played the comical, Trixie the Pixie with a very modern twist. I always love a 'Dame' in a panto and Steve Moorewood was fabulous, his pairing with Ryan Greaves as his son was hilarious. The one-liners were great and the 'Magazine' script had me in stitches.

The costumes, scenery and dancers from local dance school, Masquerade were professional and showed such talent.

The seven dwarfs were masked and their timing to the audio was impeccible, well done to the youngsters who played them.

The 12 days of Christmas is a favourite of mine and Luke's (my 8 year old), we always sing along and love all the cameraderie on stage. Lots of props were being thrown off and onto the stage and we the laughed from beginning till the end.

If you haven't booked to see a panto yet check out ticket prices http://www.antonbensonproductions.com/snow-white-2015.html

PETER PAN - REGENT THEATRE STOKE

I can't believe its that time of the year again.......oh no it isn't, oh yes it is!

One of my favourite parts of Christmas is my annual trip to the pantomime.

This years performance at The Regent Theatre, Stoke is Peter Pan, I was lucky enough to be there on opening night with two excitable 8 year olds, both with their glowing light sabres ready to join in the fun.

It's a special Anniversary performance for cheeky chappy, Jonathan Wilkes as it is his 10th year. He played Nanny McSmee and Mr Smee, and had us all shouting 'Ay Up Smee!' on his entrance. His love of Stoke is apparent and opened with a cleverly penned song 'All I care about is Stoke' including references to Oatcakes and his beloved Port Vale. There was a hilarious scene where Captain Hook (Christian Patterson) dressed up as Peter Pan and Wendy Darling, Patterson wrote the play and he and Johnny directed it, the comedy pairing was genius.

Peter Pan flying around the stage was magical and very seamless, played by Shannon Paul Lane he had us convinced in believing in Fairies which we were all chanting at the end. The rollerskating Tinkerbell was glittery and enchanting, a part of me feared for her every time she skated onto the stage. The dancing and singing was brought to us by a cast of young performers from Wilkes Academy, great to see local talent. The songs were modern and certainly had us dancing in our seats.

The costumes and scenery were colourful and bright and there was many an innuendo for the adults and jokes for the children too. 

There was the lack of an actual Panto Villain, my son generally enjoys the hissing and booing at the baddy but it was a fabulous family show, packed full of glittery entertainment. We gave it a definite thumbs up!

To book your tickets without delay go to http://www.atgtickets.com/venues/regent-theatre/

CINDERELLA - THE GRANGE THEATRE NORTHWICH

Last weekend was my second visit to Pantoland, this time to see Cinderella at The Grange Theatre, Northwich by Anton Benson Productions.

As a family, one of our favourite tv programmes is watching 'The Chase' so we were very excited to see Anne Hegarty aka Frosty Knickers cast as the Evil Stepmother. She didn't disappoint and remained evil and dead-pan throughout her performance.

Dane Bowers, Pop sensation from Another Level fame and recently 5th Story from ITV's Big Reunion was a charming Prince. He sang one of the this year's popular love ballads showing off his talents. Personally, I was slightly giddy as I'd seen him on tour in October with the Big Reunion Boy Band Tour, I think I had the best seat in the house too!

Ugly Betty and Buttons had us laughing with their banter and their hilarious one-liners. Both are Grange Panto Regulars and a big hit with the audience. The chocolate scene was comedy genius and had us all participating and joining in.

Keeley Fitzgerald stole the show as Fairy Godmother, a very funny actress and a beautiful voice, hilarious to watch and lit up the stage, literally!

The songs were current and it's always a joy to hear children singing along to well known songs. Cinderella (Libby Gore) sang her heart out to Disney's Frozen. 'For the First time and forever' and was accompanied by all the girls in the audience.

A fantastic show with lots of laughs and a surprise visit from Father Christmas, great costumes and scenery and the usual panto sing song. It got a thumbs up from us all!

The Grange Theatre is showing Cinderella until 3rd January. Get your tickets by going to https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/search/searchPerformance.asp?performance_id=107941&sid=