DICK WHITTINGTON AT THE REGENT THEATRE

As a regular visitor to the Regent, I was looking forward to seeing my first Pantomime in this beautiful theatre. Dick Whittington followed the traditional storyline but with a Stokie twist. It was full of one-liners, audience participation, fantastic singing, dancing and colourful costumes and scenery.

The build up to Dick Whittington's entrance was brilliant, and got the crowds hyped up for the very charismatic Jonathan Wilkes' bursting onto the stage. He is a real crowd pleaser and clearly proud of his roots and his links to Stoke, greeting the audience with 'Ay up me ducks'.

Christian Patterson, played one of the best Panto Dames I've seen 'Sarah the Cook'. The banter between Wilkes and Patterson was hilarious, whether scripted or not, it had the audience in stitches.

Alice Fitzwarren (Louise Dearman) danced and sang her way to Dick's heart and perfomed the very popular 'Let it Go' from Disney's Frozen. A real stand out performance and she made it seem effortless.

Alderman Fitzwarren (Simon Nehan) was the stuttering and dithery shopkeeper and brother of Alice, he was sent on a wild goose chase when his props were thrown into the audience and found their way into the gallery. It had us doubled over with laughter to see him running around the auditorium. Nehan doubled up as the Sultan at the end of the show.

King Rat was convincing as the panto baddy and had us 'hissing' and 'booing' but also impressed with his singing of Queen's 'I want it all'.

There were fight scenes, acrobatics and very well choreographed dancing and staging. Costumes were amazing especially, Sarah the Cook's.

There is something for all the family, smutty double entendres based around the Christian name of the lead character and slapstick comedy for the younger audience.

A laughter-filled show with my favourite part being my son, Luke joining Wilkes on stage to sing and dance for the obligatory sing-song.

The show runs until 4^th January 2015.

http://www.atgtickets.com/shows/dick-whittington/regent-theatre/#overview_tab

SPACEPORT & FERRY ACROSS THE MERSEY!

Being self employed has many advantages but the best one has to be working term time and having time off with my son, Luke during the school holidays.

I always try and fill half terms with lots of interesting and educational activities and today we booked for Spaceport in Wallasey with a ferry trip over to Liverpool. As a family we have been learning a lot about Space and visiting the different museums is certainly extending my knowledge, so when I saw Spaceport were running special half term activities, I jumped at the chance to visit. 

The journey from Nantwich is an hour and the parking is free and easy to find. We had a warm welcome from the reception staff and given guidance and assistance wherever needed. There are lots of interactive areas which kids totally love, its the only time they are allowed to touch anything and everything without being told off! 

If your children like Doctor Who you definitely need to visit as the Daleks and other merchandise is available to see. To be honest, I'm not a fan but what I lacked in enthusiasm, Luke made up for it! 

There was also a craft workshop where Luke made a Sonic Screwdriver, also a ride simulator, dome theatre and area to sit down for light refreshments. If you don't have packed lunch there is the Ferry terminal next door to grab a bite to eat. 

As an extra, you can take a ferry across the Mersey to Liverpool. I was born in Birkenhead and spent my pre-school years growing up in this area, I'm pretty sure I had done the trip before but couldn't actually remember. This was the highlight of Luke's day, I really hope he remembers it when he's my age! He loved sitting out on deck and seeing the surroundings. The short 30 minute trip to Liverpool was informative and a relaxed way to get across the River.

We spent an hour at the Museum of Liverpool, climbing the 84 steps up to the top level and seeing artefacts to interest all ages. 

It's not often I get a whole day off to spend with my little man without doing housework, cooking, taking enquiries or answering emails. We both thoroughly enjoyed it and I highly recommend to anyone who is wishing to extend their knowledge on all things Space!

For more information, go to http://www.spaceport.org.uk/Pages/default.aspx

#100 HAPPY DAYS

Are you addicted to Social media? I am totally am and it's definitely taken over my life. At every opportunity I tweet and Facebook, however, my blogging has gone by the wayside! I remember getting my first Smart phone and telling myself not to check emails on the go but that didn't last long!

It does have its uses thought especially when running a business, the way you can promote your business and events for free is a fantastic tool. 

A month ago, I  scrolled down my newsfeed on Facebook and saw a story that caught my eye, it was called '100happydays'. Basically, its where you post a photo that makes you 'Happy' for the next 100 days. I'm on Day 34 now and its a lovely way to be positive and share something that's made you happy, even if you have had a bad day. Apparently, 71% people have failed to complete the challenge. Now I love a challenge and as I'm extremely stubborn I will endeavour to carry it on for 100 days. I haven't always been able to post a photo but I've always shared a status that has made me happy. I've shared a few of my photos below that have made me 'Happy'.

Do you have the time to be happy?

Here's the link to register, good luck!

#100 Happy Days

 #100Happydays Golf Academy with Luke — at Brookfield Golf Club.

 Day 11 #100Happydays So proud of my little man 6th Kup Green Belt

 Day 14 #100Happydays Little dish of heaven

Day 17 #100Happydays Happy Pancake Day! Delicious treat after school trip

Day 15 #100Happydays My Sunday night knitting project

GHOST - THE MUSICAL

I remember going to the cinema to watch 'Ghost' 24 years ago (Yes really!!) I was a sniffling mess by the end of it, so when I heard it was coming to the Regent Theatre in Stoke as a stage show, I was intrigued how it would transfer. I was not in the least disappointed, just like the film it was full of laughter and tears and the music, singing and dancing was all fabulous. The stage illusions were amazing and it was good to see a few of the same quotes and scenes from the film.

As soon as the lights went down in the auditorium I started to feel the emotion and atmosphere.
Stewart Clarke who played Sam Wheat and Rebecca Trehearn who was Molly Jenson, played a very convincing couple in love, Wendy Mae Brown played Oda Mae Brown stole the show, absolutely amazing voice and lit up the stage.

Again, I ended up blubbing into my tissues, it was an energetic and truly breath-taking show, I highly recommend you get your tickets while the show is still in town, you have until the 18th January.

http://www.atgtickets.com/shows/ghost/regent-theatre/

PETER PAN FAMILY FUN

I've always loved the Pantomime, I took part in many as a child and for me it is the start of Christmas. I was delighted to go along as a representative from Redshift Radio on Saturday evening for my 'Family Ramblings' show. 

Peter Pan is a popular fairy tale, having a little boy has meant watching the Disney film and reading the book many times so I was looking forward to seeing it being adapted onto the stage. I can tell you, I wasn't disappointed, it was great family fun and we all had deep belly laughs children as well as adults.

George Knapper, a local lad played the lead role, Peter Pan and was convincing as the boy who never grows up. Seeing him fly was magical and the swordfight scenes were very professional. Luke particularly liked the fight scene as I'm sure most boys will. Adam Woodyatt who plays Ian Beale in Eastenders made a brilliant Captain Hook, not as evil as the usual panto 'baddy' but a loveable rogue. There were lots of references to Eastenders which was comical. The Grumbleweeds Slapstick comedy was hilarious, with some adult content but suitable for the children too. The rest of the cast were equally as stong, Tinkerbell in particular had a beautiful voice and I imagine had children and most males in the audience falling in love with her!

The dancers were very professional and the little 'Lost Boys' were children from local dance schools, all of whom were talented. The obligatory audience participation sing song is always a highlight for me and great for all members of the family. I have never sang that version of '12 days of Christmas' but it was the best song of the night, we sang it in the car on the way home. 

  

The scenery, costumes and acting were all of a professional quality, I highly recommend anyone to go and watch it.

Tickets are still available from http://www.crewelyceum.co.uk/

TECHNIQUEST GLYNDWR

The one and only downfall to my job, and trust me I love my job, is that I don't get to spend as much time with my boys as I'd like. Mark is a fantastic daddy and without him Hullabaloo Kids wouldn't be possible. Luke loves his 'Daddy days' when I'm working but loves it even more when we manage to get a whole family day together.
So, on Sunday we planned a family day out, originally we had discussed going to Alton Towers but the forecast wasn't looking too terrific so we decided on a visit to Techniquest Glyndwr, near Wrexham.

Luke had been twice before but it was Mark's first visit. He had heard lots about it so was looking forward to seeing what it had to offer first hand.

We are a family of puzzle solvers so it's ideal for us, there are 3 rooms with different stations where you can get stuck in to work out puzzles and tasks. Our day was made more special by Luke volunteering to help with the experiments at the interactive show. He has never been one for audience participation and always reluctant to join in when other children are bursting at the seams with their hands up. We were so thrilled that he put his hand up to be chosen, he also answered some questions too. Each show we have seen are run very professionally and the staff are very knowledgeable and friendly too.

I can highly recommend Techniquest Glyndwr for a family day out, each time I have been there has been a different theme, it's very educational and interactive so if you have small toddlers don't worry they are allowed to touch whatever they like! One word of advice though, take your own food as there are no facilities to buy anything in the centre (only light refreshments) but there are plenty of places to sit down inside and out.

For more details go to the website http://www.tqg.org.uk/

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY MUMMY'S BOY!

How is it possible that my little man is 6 already? It was his birthday on 28th April and arranging his party as well as my busy schedule was a bit of a challenge, to say the least.
You may well laugh but my son does not enjoy having his facepainted, hates dancing and cheesy songs, and is not into organised sports parties. So it took a lot of deliberating over what he would like for his party.
In the end, he opted for a Lego themed party with Superhero fancy dress.

I bought a big bundle of build your own Lego cars, made a racing track with the help of my wonderful dad, made Lego chocolate and Lego jelly and Lego head cake pops and made a' face in the hole' Lego man. We hired out the Oakley Centre in Crewe.


The week before, I realised I hadn't thought about the cake so contacted Cakey Cakey and gave her the mammoth task of making a Lego cake. The result was phenomenal and I was so thrilled when I collected it. Luke's face was a picture when he saw his cake for the first time.

As parties go, there were no tears (well not many) and all the children enjoyed themselves. Luke was spoilt rotten and we need to build another extension to home all his new toys.

Thank goodness birthdays only come once a year!