Category: Theatre

Beauty & the Beast – The Grand Theatre Blackpool

Children, Christmas, Days Out, Family Life, Gifts for children, Theatre

It’s December and the panto season is in full swing and there’s nowhere better to soak up this Christmas tradition than in Blackpool. Nothing says festive fun quite like a good old-fashioned pantomime, and in Blackpool, where the humour is gloriously cheeky and the double entendres glide in quicker than a seagull after chips – it’s family entertainment at its finest.

Betty Legs Diamond, the original Funny Girl herself, strides on as Dame Polly La Plonk, resplendent, outrageous and armed with a wicked glint that suggests she could reduce a grown man to helpless giggles with nothing more than a raised eyebrow.

Belle, played by Kitty Harris is exactly how a fairytale princess should be. She’s beautiful and kind and you can easily see that she sees past the horns, fur and claws to spot the prince within.

Leading the all-star cast is Coronation Street baddie Marc Baylis as Hugo Pompidou. He strides across the stage with the perfect mix of danger, drama and irresistible charm, making it impossible not to boo the moment he appears.

Photo credit © Blackpool Grand Theatre | Photography Martin Bostock

But the real heart of a Grand Theatre panto is, as ever, Steve Royle. Having earned the title of the UK Pantomime Awards’ Best Comic, he bounds onto the stage like a child who’s had too many fizzy drinks. His energy, perfectly timed slapstick and razor-sharp adlibs had the audience in stitches from the moment he appeared on stage.  

Photo credit © Blackpool Grand Theatre | Photography Martin Bostock

The costumes this year are an explosion of colour, big, bold and bursting with personality. The Beast’s costume is particularly impressive and with his swishing cloak he cuts quite the imposing figure. The transformations from prince to beast and back again are especially impressive, they are so quick that you half expect to find Doctor Who lurking in the wings with a malfunctioning time vortex! Maybe one to include next year!!  Elsewhere, the French theme justifies a profusion of red, white and blue. The dancers seem to have a new outfit for every scene, while Dame Polly’s costumes… well, let’s just say they’re that little bit more daring. Would we expect anything less?

The show is peppered with brilliant scenes, from classics like the Ghostbusters routine to wonderfully funny adlibs when the balloon scene went deliciously off-script.

Photo credit © Blackpool Grand Theatre | Photography Martin Bostock

Choreographed by Katie Hill, the talented dancers from The Barbara Jackson’s Theatre Arts Centre were excellent, wowing the audience with a variety of different dance styles. We especially enjoyed the Can Can which added a typical French flourish to the show.

Beauty and the Beast runs until Sunday 4th January, giving you plenty of time to catch this magical, laugh-out-loud production. If you love pantomime – and honestly, who doesn’t at Christmas? – this is one you absolutely won’t want to miss.

Tickets start from £15 and are available from The Grand Theatre here

Photo credit © Blackpool Grand Theatre | Photography Martin Bostock

Emerald Storm at the Emerald Theatre, London

Birthday Gifts, Christmas, Days Out, Gifts for children, Gifts for Her, Gifts for teachers, Theatre

Disclaimer – We have received this item for free or on a loan basis for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.

Hailed as the 21st Century’s answer to Riverdance, the Emerald Storm production by Adam Garcia returns to the West End again, and this time at the Emerald Theatre.

A fusion of Irish dancing, tap dance and urban street dance, the story is brought to audiences by The Boss, played by Tom Ball. A singer in a cabaret show, The Boss punctuates the story as Irish dancers take the stage, The Boss sings, and the immersive theatre happens around you. Watch out for the Mop Boy at this point… then the dancers blend away as tap dancers take the stage and finally singers take on the harmonies as they all take it in turn to bring the dance experience to you.

Every song in this musical extravaganza is accompanied by dance.  The theatre is a cabaret-style, two tier theatre with cocktail tables, several bars and sofa seating to sit back and relax. There are actors walking around before and after the show, who then appear on stage as part of the story.  Not only does Tom Ball need a shout-out for his talent, but principal dancers Olivia Graydon (Irish dancing) Bayley. Graham (tap) and Matt Walker (Mop Boy) also feature heavily in the dancing as well as the interactivity. There’s lots of stomping, clapping, audience echoing and the main show is book-ended with a house band to open, and audience tap dancing on stage afterwards.

There’s a fabulous energy to the show and lots of smiles – genuine smiles between the performers who all hail from performing schools across the country.  The mix of different dance styles is really engaging and is heightened by some fabulous singers and cheeky to-and-fro between the cast and the floor.

It’s an energetic night out with lots of uplifting dance and music, close up and in a cocktail evening style that you don’t get in many places across London nowadays. Magnificent! 

https://www.emeraldstorm.net

A Fairytale for Christmas at the Dominion Theatre, London

Children, Christmas, Days Out, Family Life, Gifts for children, Theatre, Winter

Disclaimer – We have received this item for free or on a loan basis for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.

Kick start Christmas with an Irish-themed song and dance spectacular in London’s West End! We were lucky enough to see the show live and experience the entertainment of Irish dancing, Christmas classics, live music and a few Christmas jokes in between! 

Starting the show with an Irish band of banjo, violin and guitar, we are introduced to the 6 Irish dancers who accompany the 130 minute long show.  Shane is our main compere and brings us to the show, starting in New York with a lean towards an Irish Christmas tale. We meet the six Irish dancers early on and are treated to a Riverdance-style performance with songs such as Santa Claus is Comin’ To Town, Step Into Christmas and some traditional songs such as Oh Danny Boy, O Holy Night and old-fashioned Irish songs like The Galway Girl, The Irish Rover and Dirty Old Town.

The band are phenomenal and take on the title of ‘house band’ with pride as we’re treated to great live music thanks to Shane Morgan (vocals), Oliver Cave (vocals and guitar), Peet Jackson (banjo), Molly Farmer (vocals) and Caitlin Forbes (Violin).  The show finishes with some chart hits of yesterday such as the famous Fairytale of New York by The Pogues. The show ends with an Irish St Patrick’s Day party where everyone is on their feet, singing and dancing to the songs of A Fairytale for Christmas. A fabulous show for the whole family.

Salomé by Oscar Wilde – Theatre Royal Haymarket, London

Days Out, Theatre, Women

Disclaimer – We have received this item for free or on a loan basis for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.

Wow. Oscar Wilde’s Salomé is probably one of his least known plays (Lady Windermere’s Fan, An Ideal Husband) but was actually one of his biggest grossing and most controversial. The Gesher Theatre Repertoire take this production stratospheric with their portrayal of the Biblical story in an amazing, West End production.

The story of Salomé is easy to follow despite the dialogue being over 100 years old. Salomé (Neta Roth) is the stepdaughter of King Herod (Doron Tavori), who is married to her mother (Lena Fraifeld). Jon the Baptist (Shir Sayag) is referred to as Jokanaan in the play, and is imprisoned by Herod for Jokanaan’s comments about Herod’s wife, Herodias.  Herodias. Thinks nothing of Jokanaan, but her daughter Salomé is obsessed by his voice and wants to meet him. Her obsession grows, and she wants to touch him and kiss his mouth but Jokanaan, believing she is the “daughter of Sodam” tells her to stay away from him and that she will never kiss him.

Herod becomes infatuated with Salomé and begs her to dance for him, exclaiming that she can have anything in his kingdom if she does so. Herodias begs her daughter not to dance for her husband, but eventually, Salomé dances the dance of the seven veils for her stepfather.  In return, she tells him only after he has sworn on oath to give her anything, that she wants, “The head of Jokanaan on a silver platter.” The discussion goes on for some time as Herod offers her anything but the death of John the Baptist, as Herod is fearful of what may happen if he kills a prophet. He eventually relents though, and Salomé gets her wish.

I won’t give away the ending but let’s say it’s fitting, and very dramatic.

The creative production of this play is beyond amazing. Based on the troubles in the Middle East, there isn’t a corner spared which hasn’t been thought out carefully. You forget that this play is 125+ years old as the costumes, stage scenery and acting are exemplary.  I cannot over emphasise how good the acting is in this production, especially Neta Roth and Doron Davori, who create the most amazing energy and Roth especially, who is in nearly every scene of the one-act play, has a talent you only see in the West End. I also need to pay respect to Shir Sayag who plays John the Baptist. The scenes where he is captive and then again when Salomé meets him face-to-face are astonishing. 

I came away from the play with a new found respect for Wilde, but this production takes it to a whole new place. It’s a very thought provoking, modern take on an ancient story but an exceptionally well written Oscar Wilde play. I could go back several times and see this production, for the creative freshness it brings but the outstanding cast and their interpretation of the story, it left me in awe. Exceptional! 

Salome runs at The Theatre Royal Haymarket until 11 October. Details and tickets: https://trh.co.uk/whatson/salome/

The Shawshank Redemption – The Grand Theatre Blackpool

Days Out, Theatre

Disclaimer: We received free tickets to the show for the purpose of this review but all thoughts  and opinions are our own. 

Based on a Stephen King short story, The Shawshank Redemption soon became a classic following the 1994 film which starred Tim Robbins as Andy and Morgan Freeman as Red. We went to Blackpool’s Grand Theatre last night to see the stage adaptation, cleverly adapted by Owen O’Neill and Dave Johns and directed by David Esbjornson and I’m pleased to say that it didn’t disappoint and was just as gripping and powerful as the original film was.

If you’re not familiar with the story it is about Andy Dufresne (Joe McFadden), a quiet banker convicted of murdering his wife and her lover. Despite protesting his innocence, he is sentenced to two life term sentences and sent to Shawshank State Penitentiary. There, he befriends long-term inmate Ellis “Red” Redding (Ben Onwukwe), the prison fixer who can get hold of almost anything. Red guides Andy through the harsh reality of prison life – beatings, corruption and violence,  brutally inflicted by both guards and inmates. When the corrupt Warden Stammas (Bill Ward) discovers Andy’s talent for numbers he exploits his accountancy skills for his own benefit.

Bringing such a tough story to the stage is no easy task – the story includes violence, a gang rape and murder but whilst alluded to on stage it is very much played down in this production and the notorious attack by “the Sisters,” is sensitively done but still carries a powerful punch.

We were really impressed with the set, shabby prison walls and clever lighting create a strong sense of claustrophobia, drawing the audience into Shawshank’s oppressive world. Scene changes are seamless, and music is used to mark the passage of nearly twenty years.

Performances across the twelve-strong, all-male cast are excellent with Joe McFadden capturing  Andy’s quiet resilience whilst portraying a man who refuses to give up hope despite impossible odds. Ward slips with ease into the skin of the vile Warden Stammas but it is Onwukwe who really stands out – also acting as narrator, pulling the story together with warmth and humour, despite the tough storyline.  

We really enjoyed the show and judging by the standing ovation at the end of the performance, the rest of the audience did too! The Shawshank Redemption runs at The Grand Theatre, Blackpool until Saturday 27 September, and it’s a production I’d highly recommend – whether you know the story already or are new to it.  

Tickets are available from £15 with concessions for 1894 Club members and Friends of The Grand. Group rates are also available.

Please call the Grand Theatre Box Office on 01253 290190 or visit www.blackpoolgrand.co.uk for full listings, bookings and further information.

Q The Music’s James Bond Spectacular

Gifts for Her, Gifts for Him, Theatre

Disclaimer: We received free tickets for the purpose of this review and all thoughts and opinions are our own.

James Bond, the legendary British spy created by Ian Fleming, first appeared in the 1953 novel Casino Royale, introducing 007 as a suave MI6 agent tackling global threats with gadgets, charm, and razor-sharp wit. The character quickly leapt from page to screen, becoming the face of one of cinema’s longest-running and best-loved franchises. With thrilling missions, exotic locations, and that unmistakable Bond cool, the films have captivated audiences for decades. And of course, no Bond experience is complete without the iconic theme songs performed by legends like Shirley Bassey, Duran Duran, and Adele which have topped charts both here and abroad over the years.

Back in 2004, Bond superfan Warren Ringham set out to celebrate the unforgettable music of 007 by forming a band, and over 20 years later, Q The Music is still wowing audiences across the UK. Last night, we had the pleasure of seeing their spectacular show at the beautiful Blackpool Opera House.

While the band can scale up to a full orchestra or down to a tight five-piece, we saw their classic 12-piece setup with a lead vocalist. The mix was spot on, with a bold brass section that perfectly captured the dramatic, punchy sound so essential to the Bond experience.

The evening was hosted by Caroline Bliss – aka Miss Moneypenny in the Timothy Dalton films The Living Daylights and Licence to Kill – who guided us through the performance with behind the scenes stories and warm reflections from her time on set.

The show opened, as expected, with the iconic instrumental James Bond theme, a powerful introduction that set the tone for the night. The next two numbers were the perfect way to showcase the evening’s vocal talent – Kerry Schultz and Matt Walker. Kerry dazzled with both her voice and stage presence, delivering a bold and brilliant performance of the Shirley Bassey classic “Goldfinger.” She truly owned the stage. Matt followed with “Thunderball”, channelling Tom Jones with an astonishingly long final note that brought the house down – what a way to kick things off! Later in the evening, he showed his incredible vocal range with a stunning, emotional rendition of “Writing’s on the Wall”, capturing the haunting style of the Sam Smith hit beautifully.

The first half took us on a thrilling journey through Bond soundtracks, ending the first half with a phenomenal performance of “Tomorrow Never Dies” complete with dramatic pyrotechnics and was a fitting end to the first half of the show.

The second half burst back into action with the Bond theme once again, with another electrifying guitar solo from the brilliant Dan Booth – it really set the tone for what was to come. Highlights included a high-energy performance of “Live and Let Die” and a beautifully delivered version of Adele’s “Skyfall.” Looking around, it was clear we weren’t the only ones impressed – the audience were completely absorbed, and the enthusiastic applause said it all.

With Warren Ringham’s expert musical direction, every member of the band gave an outstanding performance and you could see their passion for the music, making the entire show an absolute joy to watch.

Q The Music is currently performing one-night shows at theatres across the country, with their next stop at Glasgow Pavilion on 18th July. For full tour dates and tickets, visit their website – it’s a night no Bond fan should miss.

Photo credit – Bryan Marshall

Grease The Musical at The Grand Theatre Blackpool

Days Out, Theatre

Disclaimer: We received free tickets to the show for the purpose of this review but all thoughta and opinions are our own.

Blackpool Grand Theatre rolled out the pink carpet last night for its vibrant new production of Grease the Musical, presented in collaboration with Pitlochry Festival Theatre. From the moment the curtain rose, the audience was whisked away into the colourful world of 1950s American high school life, filled with teenage drama, romance, and rock ‘n’ roll energy.

As a lifelong fan of Grease, I arrived with high expectations and the brilliant cast exceeded them at every turn. What made this production really stand out was that the performers didn’t just sing and dance; many also played their own instruments live on stage. Rather than relying on a separate orchestra, the cast doubled as the band, seamlessly integrating guitars, saxophones, drums, and keyboards into the action. This added a raw, electric energy to the performance and gave the musical a fresh, live-concert feel.

Alexander Service delivered the perfect blend of swagger and vulnerability as Danny, effortlessly capturing the essence of the iconic character. His on-stage chemistry with Blythe Jandoo who played Sandy, was unmistakable, especially during their heartfelt duets, my favourite of which was their last song  “You’re the One That I Want.”

The choreography by Kally Lloyd Jones was also a highlight, from energetic hand jives to slick twists and turns, the cast nailed every move with infectious enthusiasm.

The staging was dynamic and clever, making full use of the Grand Theatre’s space with smooth transitions between Rydell High, Marty’s bedroom, and the burger bar. While the film’s famous car race scene was understandably omitted, Greased Lightning made a couple of thrilling appearances, including being impressively driven off stage to the audience’s delight.

As the show built to its joyous finale, the themes of change, acceptance, and young love came into sharp focus. Danny’s transformation into a letterman and Sandy’s bold new look sparked cheers, culminating in a high-energy rendition of “You’re the One That I Want.”

It was impossible to single out a favourite performer, each cast member brought something unique, and together they created a night of nostalgic, foot-tapping, feel-good theatre. Whether you’re a lifelong fan or new to the story, this is a must-see show.

Tickets start at £15 with school and group rates available

Grease The Musical is at The Grand Theatre Blackpool Opera House until Saturday 14th June.

For more information or to book tickets visit: www.blackpoolgrand.co.uk or call the box office on 01253 290 190

Photo credit dannywithacamera.com
 

Shirley Valentine, The Grand Theatre, Blackpool 

Days Out, Gifts for Her, Theatre

Disclaimer: We received free tickets for the purpose of this review but all thoughts and opinions are our own.

Directed by Lotte Wakeham and re-set in Lancashire rather than its original Liverpool, Willy Russell’s popular play, Shirley Valentine, is currently captivating audiences at Blackpool Grand Theatre. We had the pleasure of watching it last night, and it is definitely a production not to be missed!

The story revolves around Shirley, a 42-year-old woman whose children have flown the nest, leaving her feeling stuck in a stagnant marriage and disillusioned with life. We first meet her in her 1980’s kitchen, typical of many a Lancashire home, where she communicates to the audience by talking to the kitchen wall. Through these reflections, she recalls encounters from her past, one minute she’s reminiscing about bumping into an old school friend who’s now a high-class escort, and the next, she’s got us howling with laughter at tales of her son’s school nativity play.

As Shirley shares her story, she’s calmly cooking up egg and chips for husband Joe’s tea, all the while enjoying a well-deserved glass of wine. The unpretentious set and the choice of a classic northern meal felt so comforting and familiar, and it really felt like the audience were being welcomed right into her kitchen. 

As Shirley shares her story, she confides in us about her secret plans for a holiday to Greece with her friend Jane, who’s kindly bought her the ticket. You can sense her inner turmoil as she wrestles with the idea of leaving – who’s going to cook Joe’s meals and keep the house in order while she’s away? But the tipping point comes when her daughter Millandra breezes back home, fully expecting Shirley to keep catering to her every whim. It’s the final straw! As The Clash’s Should I Stay or Should I Go? blasts out, Shirley makes her choice – she’s off! She leaves behind a freezer stocked with meals and a note for Joe. We both agreed it was an absolutely brilliant way to end the first half – full of drama, defiance, and a touch of rock ’n’ roll!

The second half is set in Greece and when Shirley’s friend quickly becomes occupied with a man she met on the plane, Shirley is left to her own devices. Yet, far from feeling abandoned, Shirley embraces the solitude and the opportunity for self-discovery and enjoys it so much she decides to stay in Greece despite Joe wanting her to return home!

Mina Anwar’s performance as Shirley Valentine was absolutely brilliant. In a one-woman show, the challenge of carrying the entire script is no small feat, yet she delivered it flawlessly. She brings such warmth, humour, and depth to the character, effortlessly shifting from heartfelt moments of reflection to laugh-out-loud comedy. It’s no wonder her performance earned a thoroughly deserved standing ovation, her portrayal was so genuine and relatable.

Even though Willy Russell wrote Shirley Valentine over 30 years ago, it still speaks to us today. I know of lots of women who at times wish they could escape and leave everyday life behind – although most of them never would, but it’s nice to dream! This production is uplifting, empowering, and it’s such a wonderful reminder to grab life by the olives and make the most of every moment!

Shirley Valentine is at Blackpool Grand Theatre from Tuesday 1st April to Saturday 5th April. Tickets cost from £15 with concessions for 1894 Club members and Friends of The Grand. Group rates are also available. There is also an Audio Described/BSL performance on Saturday 5th April at 2.30pm

Please call the Grand Theatre Box Office on 01253 290190 or visit the Blackpool Grand website for full listings, bookings and further information.

Photo credits – The Other Richard

Here We Come Again at The Grand Theatre, Blackpool

Days Out, Theatre

Disclaimer: We received free tickets for the purpose of this review but all thoughts and opinions are our own.

From the moment the lights came up for Here You Come Again, it was blindingly obvious this was going to be a fantastic show. The grim reality of the COVID-19 pandemic sets the stage, but instead of doom and gloom, we’re greeted by Kevin, a 40-year-old comedian, chucking jumbo packs of toilet rolls through his attic window – a hilarious reminder of the toilet roll panic buying we all did in lockdown!!

Poor Kevin has hit rock bottom and he’s been forced to return to his parents’ home in Yorkshire. His career is in ruins, his boyfriend Jeremy has given him the boot, and things couldn’t look much bleaker. With no job and endless hours to fill, he finds solace in his beloved Dolly Parton albums. But when he starts pondering, “What would Dolly do?”, she magically comes to life, in true fairy godmother style, to help him untangle the mess that his life has become. Dolly, played by Tricia Paoluccio has such an amazing voice that if you closed your eyes you’d swear the real Dolly had descended from Nashville! Her renditions of “Jolene” and “I Will Always Love You” were especially brilliant, transporting the audience straight to country music heaven.

Kevin, played with manic energy by Steven Webb, is hilariously relatable. His comedic timing is impeccable, and his dance moves, both wild and uninhibited are fantastic to watch.  Somehow, he manages to be both hilarious and heartfelt, portraying Kevin’s journey from despair to determination with a captivating mix of humour and vulnerability. His chemistry with Paoluccio is electric, balancing gut-busting laughs with moments that genuinely tug at the heartstrings.

Yes, the story has been orchestrated to fit Dolly’s hits, but who cares? It works. Dolly acts as Kevin’s sparkly guiding light, doling out advice and belting out tunes to drag him out of his misery. There are plenty of nods to the pandemic including  stockpiling loo rolls and washing  your hands to “Happy Birthday” and I guarantee you will be laughing out loud all night!  

By the finale, the entire audience was on its feet belting out Dolly classics in unison. It’s gloriously over-the-top, hilarious and utterly unforgettable and I guarantee you’ll leave the theatre grinning ear to ear and humming one of Dolly’s hits!

Here You Come Again is at Blackpool Grand Theatre from Tuesday 26 November to Saturday 30 November 2024 with evening and matinee performances.

Tickets cost from £24.50 with concessions available for 1894 Club Members, Groups and 18 to 26 year olds.

Please call the Grand Theatre Box Office on 01253 290190 or visit: www.BlackpoolGrand.co.uk for full listings, bookings and further information.

Heathers The Musical at The Grand Theatre, Blackpool

Birthday Gifts, Days Out, Gifts for Her, Theatre

Disclaimer: We received free tickets for the purpose of this review but all thoughts and opinions are our own.

Watching Heathers The Musical at The Grand Theatre, Blackpool last night was like stepping into a bold mix of dark humour, nostalgia, and electric storytelling that was captivating from the very start. I haven’t seen the original 1988 film, but that didn’t matter as I was quickly drawn into the powerful story, which isn’t afraid to tackle tough themes head-on, using dark humour to explore the complex, often troubling side of teenage life. The show’s unique blend of ’80s aesthetics and a contemporary edge, created an atmosphere that seemed to reverberate with the audience, who embraced every scene with gusto. 

Photo Credit Pamela Raith Photography

The musical, just like the film, has gained a cult following and many of the audience were dressed in the ‘Heather’ uniform of brightly coloured, short kilts, knee-high socks and scrunchies which really added to the atmosphere in the theatre. 

The Heathers (Esme Bowdler, Sedona Sky and Daisy Twells) in their perfectly coordinated blazers and skirts, commanded the stage with both elegance and intimidation, evoking the stylish allure of a high school clique. JD, on the other hand, wore a classic trench coat that brilliantly captured the cool, detached aesthetic of the 1980s anti-hero. His look, brooding, mysterious, and effortlessly rebellious, added a visual layer to his character’s complex and dangerous allure. The trench coat, especially in scenes where he faced off against the high school jocks, emphasised his outsider status and added to his dark charm.

Photo Credit Pamela Raith Photography

The minimalist set design played a subtle yet powerful role, transforming smoothly from the  high school setting to bedrooms and the graveyard.The lighting added an almost cinematic layer to the scenes, especially when Jenna Innes, as Veronica, stepped into her diary entries. The spotlight brought an intimacy to these moments, drawing us into her character’s vulnerable thoughts and struggles.

The canteen showdown between JD, Kurt, and Ram was one of my favourite scenes. The combination of dynamic lighting and sharp choreography brought a thrilling edge to the scene, capturing the humour and underlying tension of the moment. 

Photo Credit Pamela Raith Photography

Jenna Innes’s portrayal of Veronica brought depth to a character who serves as the show’s moral compass yet finds herself constantly torn between rebellion and innocence. Her voice was strikingly powerful, yet controlled, handling the emotional rollercoaster of the character with nuance. JD’s character, played by Keelan McAuley, was equally compelling, blending charm and danger in a way that made his scenes both captivating and unpredictable.

With dark themes including murder and suicide, Heathers: The Musical is far from your  typical feel-good musical, yet it works surprisingly well, delivering a darkly humorous and thoroughly entertaining exploration of high school’s pressures and contradictions. With catchy songs, sharp dialogue, and a cast that brought the story vividly to life, it’s a show that resonates deeply and stays with you long after the final curtain call, whether you’re a longtime fan or a newcomer to the story.

Heather The Musical is at The Grand Theatre,Blackpool until Saturday 2nd November, click here to book tickets.

Tickets from £17.50

A Scaretastic Time at The London Dungeon

Birthday Gifts, Children, Days Out, Family Life, Halloween, Summer, Theatre

Disclaimer – We received entry to this attraction free for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.

Housed on the South Bank in the shadow of the London Eye, The London Dungeon is a walk-through attraction of some of London’s darker historical moments. Very easy to get to – a tube ride to Westminster and walk across the bridge, taking photos of the London Eye and the Big Ben on the way.

At the entrance you are greeted by ‘decorated’ staff who guide you in, depending on your ticket. There is an opportunity for a nice selfie here, on a throne with a portrait of the King. A few security checks, a bag search then into three staged photo selling areas. The staff here weren’t part of the attraction and are very matter of fact – stand her, hold this etc, so don’t let this put you off the rest of the attraction.

However, then the ‘fun’ began. A jester gave us a few rules – don’t touch, we won’t touch you and it’s dark with light effects. Then we met a Royalist in the intro to the ‘Rotten Royals’, where we learnt about King Charles I and how we were to help rescue him from execution! This part of the Dungeon was quite historical and involved an executioner and a torturer and some wanted (or not!) interaction from the attendees. Then we went into Plague London, Mrs Lovett’s Pie shop, met a helper of Sweeny Todd and finished with Whitechapel and Jack the Ripper. Our final visit was to a judge who sentenced us all to death. Unfortunately, we weren’t hanged as the finale of a ‘death drop’ was closed due to maintenance. Slightly disappointing as it felt the tour had led to this scary ending. Instead we just got herded into the photo room.

Was it truly scary? I think this depends on whether you have experienced these tours with actors before and possibly your age. And whether you like ‘taking part’? We overheard one young girl gleefully talk about her dad being chosen as a prisoner and torture victim. Most of it is in the dark with well-timed light effects and ‘bits’ that move and water that sprayed you in lieu of blood. Very young children wouldn’t like it at all, but teens and family groups would enjoy the interactive nature of it. Rather than read or listen to information, you are addressed by actors who play the parts – an executioner, Mrs Lovett, a Jack the Ripper victim. This is good and entertaining and they try to get you involved and certainly ham it up for all it’s worth. We particularly liked the witch in Newgate prison – very creepy and in the dark with strobe lighting. I was impressed how they could move around in pitch black and jump out in front of the unexpected (me!).

You walk through in about an hour so have to be prepared to be on your feet although there were three rooms where you sat for a while. The tour is in groups so you move from area to area – no time for looking at the set dressing along the way, which would have been nice. And if English isn’t your first language you may have difficulty following all that is said – there were some ripe Cockney accents flying about.

At the very end there is a tavern, with a self playing piano and skeleton. The prices for drinks weren’t at all bad, so this could be a quiet stop for refreshments before exiting.

Tickets are £35 per adult, £29 for children, which although a little steep they do multi-attraction tickets which includes the London Eye, for example, and these work out at much better value, especially for anyone in London for a couple of days. If you are visiting London’s sites I would buy the multi ticket and do the London Dungeon as part of this.

https://www.thedungeons.com/london/

My Beautiful Laundrette

Days Out, LGBTQ+ and Pride, Theatre

Disclaimer: We received free tickets to see the show for the purpose of this review and all thoughts and opinions are our own.

If you were around in the 80’s then you may remember Hanif Kureshi’s Oscar-nominated film  “My Beautiful Laundrette” an unlikely love story featuring Omar, a young Pakistani and Johnny, a white skin-head and fascist gang leader. The popular film has now been adapted for the stage and we went to see it last night on the final leg of the tour at The Grand Theatre in Blackpool.  

In 1985, Omar was played by Gordon Warnecke and it is great to see he is now part of the stage version – this time playing Omar’s father, Papa. Once a noted journalist he is now a shadow of his former self having turned to alcohol following his wife’s suicide. He asks his brother Nasser (Kammy Darweish) to find work for his son before he goes off to college and before long Omar (Lucca Chadwick-Patel) finds himself working at his uncle’s rundown laundrette. Whilst out with family friend Salim, they are set upon by a fascist gang but when the gang leader Johnny (Sam Mitchell) recognises Omar – his old school friend – he stops the altercation and the pair rekindle their friendship and Omar persuades him to help  transform the laundrette into a thriving business. 

Set in Margaret Thatcher’s 80’s Britain the ground-breaking film explored violence, racism, homosexuality as well as the friction between the new generation of young British Pakistanis and their parents, who were struggling with the different views on gender equality. 

Whilst Nasser reflects the age of prosperity and the Thatcherite reforms, the 80’s was also a decade of violence and unrest and we felt Paddy Daly was brilliant as the racist thug Ghengis, his costume and attitude bringing back memories of news reports of the time.

Despite the gritty subject matter there is plenty of humour in the play with some excellent one liners and double entendres dotted throughout the performance. The whole cast were excellent with all of the actors portraying the characters so well, especially Lucca and Sam who had a great on stage chemistry.  

The play had a real 80’s feel, the Pet Shop Boys music and fantastic costumes – especially the sharp pink suit of Salim transporting us straight back to our youth! We really enjoyed the show and were pleased that the stage version hasn’t lost any of the impact of the original film.  

The current tour is at its end, with a final performance Blackpool on 6th April so be sure to grab a ticket now before it is too late!

Tickets from £19.50 with concessions and group rates available, plus extra special offers for Grand Theatre 1894 Club Members.

Tickets are also available at £15.50 for 18 to 26-year-olds as part of the national ticket scheme to encourage young adults to experience all forms of live theatre.

To book tickets call the Grand Theatre Box Office on 01253 290190 or visit www.BlackpoolGrand.co.uk for full listings, bookings and further information.

Hay-Band for Hay Fever suffers

camping, Children, Family Life, health, Home, REUSABLE, Spring, Summer, Theatre

Disclaimer – We received this item free for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.

I wish I could tell you that I tried out the Hay-Band in some tropical climate, in the middle of summer when all the pollen is in the air and the humidity is a scorcher, but alas, it’s only March here in England and the pollen is only just getting started! However, I am a hay fever sufferer and it does start around this time of year for me, probably with tree pollen from the blossoms. 

I am not good with medications; antihistamines make me drowsy even if they’re the non-drowsy type, so I have to reply on lots of other methods to keep the pollen out, including air purifiers indoors and washing my hair daily to keep levels low. Hay-Band works on non-medical principals – the acupressure points from Chinese Medicine.  The pressure point is called LI-11 and is on either arm, and works to alleviate allergy symptoms.  

The Hay-Band is an elastic double band with a plastic pressure button in the middle. The acupressure point is at the end of the elbow crease when you bend your arm, so it’s at this point you need to slide the band onto your arm and position the button in the right place. There’s a really clear video on the Hay-Band website here: https://hay-band.co.uk

You can wear the band discreetly at all times, and it can be preventative or used when symptoms start.  There are no side effects, so you can use it all times, even in bed at night but it is not advised to be used when pregnant.  If the symptoms aren’t waning, then you can make little adjustments to where the button lays on your arm to hopefully help. The Hay-Band can be re-worn over and over and is washable too – it won’t affect the button position if you put it through the washing machine!

I found that putting the band on was a bit tight as I have quiet muscly arms and the band is only available in one colour and one size so far (15cm – 40cm circumference). Once it sits on your arm, you hardly notice it’s there but I think once the button hits the right place when your allergies are flaring, you suddenly feel it. It would be perfect for children or people who have to work without having to take drowsy medication and of course, as soon as you take it off the effect will stop working so if you don’t get on with it, there’s no harm done.

I can’t wait to use it when summer is finally here, and in conjunction with other non-medical methods it should work perfectly especially when out and about or needing to work. Just pay attention to the tan lines it may create if you wear it on holiday…

Available online for £13.09 at: https://hay-band.co.uk/buy

Aladdin – The Grand Theatre Blackpool

Children, Christmas, Days Out, Family Life, Gifts for children, Theatre

Disclaimer: We received free tickets for the purpose of this review and all thoughts and opinions are our own.

Panto humour was in full flow last night as we watched Aladdin at The Grand Theatre, Blackpool. Aladdin is one of my favourite pantomimes as it has a strong storyline, giving the cast plenty of opportunities to make it their own. This production had all the usual elements that you expect from a pantomime – goodies, baddies, a princess, bad jokes, the usual local references and of course plenty of audience participation.

Steve Royle is brilliant as Wishee Washee, involving the audience from the minute he arrives on stage. He is a very talented comedian and is especially great at thinking on his feet, especially when he receives an unexpected response from a child! He has a fantastic rapport with Tom Lister, who plays the villain Abanazar, which came in handy when there was a technical hitch and the pair had to ad lib, making the show even funnier! 

Steve and Tom are a fantastic double act, jokes were coming thick and fast from the start and we never stopped laughing through the whole performance. The humour worked on many levels, with lots of jokes that appealed to both young and old alike and there was just the right level of innuendo to get the adults sniggering without it being too much for the children.

The night was filled with music and dance, the dancers from the Barbara Jackson Theatre Arts Centre were great and most of the music was adapted from popular tunes so easy to sing or clap along to. The “Joseph” mix in the first half was our favourite and the musicians led by musical director Sam Coates deserve a special mention. The stage was filled with great scenery and the lighting and sound effects really added to the atmosphere, especially for Aladdin’s flight on the magic carpet.

The wardrobe department certainly excelled with the costumes – Widow Twankey (Ben Harlow) was not only fantastic as a performer, but looked incredible in the outlandish outfits.

We had a fantastic time but at the end of the day, the real judges of how good a pantomime is are the children – and judging by the faces of the children around us this pantomime was a definite hit. This is an absolute must see pantomime for all the family and is a great way to get well and truly in the Christmas spirit.

Aladdin is at Blackpool Grand Theatre from Friday 1 December 2023 to Monday 1 January 2024 with matinee and evening performances. Tickets are available by calling the box office on 01253 290190 or you can book online. Tickets cost from £15