Cinderella at the Nottingham Playhouse - Review

Last weekend we were invited to see the opening night of Cinderella at the Nottingham Playhouse.

If you grew up in Nottingham, then chances are you will have seen the panto at least once.  For me, it was a school trip that first took me to see it. I remember a few of the school years going to see it, sat on a steamed up bus trying to get through the traffic on a cold December night. Everyone super excited to have seen the play and hyped up on sweets.

The glitz of the costumes, the sounds, the singing and most of all the wonderfully adapted stories are what make this a great show. When I used to go the it starred Kenneth Alan Taylor, he has passed the baton on to the fabulous John Elkington but is still a huge part of the panto, writing and directing what was a spectacular show from start to finish.

I was as excited as the children to see the panto, having not been back since my younger days, it was a treat for us all including my mum who came with us.

As the curtains raised and the dancing animals appeared on the stage my daughters face lit up, she was in total awe at the spectacle before her, the costumes were amazing.

Buttons arrived on stage, he was enigmatic and got us all looking after his apple….a gift for Cinderella. 

We meet Cinderella, Dandini, Prince Charming, The Ugly Sisters, Duchess Dowager Devilla, lots of woodland creatures and of course the Fairy Godmother.

With so many special effects, bangs, flashes and the most wonderfully detailed costumes it had us on the edge of our seats.

There were lots of modern songs to keep it entertaining for all ages, they even got us dancing at one point. It really is the best way to get into the festive mood and with Christmas songs interspersed throughout, it was hard not to get excited.

I don’t want to spoil it by giving away the songs so I won’t, all I can say is that the show is well worth the money and I think this may very well be our new Christmas tradition.

There are several performances of the panto with seats to suit all budgets, I can also highly recommend the Town Mouse and the Country Mouse in the Nevill Studio next door. Aimed at children from 3-8, we have been the last few years and they are an absolutely amazing immersive experience for the children and a great way to get them into theatre.

We were given two complimentary tickets to the show for the purpose of this review, all words and opinions are my own. Photos by Robert Day. 

The Princess and the Frog at Nottingham Playhouse

Last year we went to see the Hare and the Tortoise at the Playhouse Nottingham's Neville Studio, it was an absolutely stunning performance, so this year when we were invited back to see The Princess and the Frog how could we say no.

The Neville Studio is a small theatre just off the main building and it allows for a chilled and calm performance, perfect for little ones. The children sit on bean bags at the front of the room and there are seats for parents at the back, it is a great way for them to be part of the show.

The story itself is one of promises and how we shouldn't make promises we can't keep. The princess loses her dad's ball, even though she'd promised him she wouldn't take it off the palace grounds. From there, her journey starts when she meets the frog, and promises him he can come and stay at the castle if he helps her.

Image courtesy of Nottingham Playhouse

But he's a slimy frog and when he turns up at the castle gates she doesn't want to let him in, but she promised and so has to. From there we watch the relationship between the two characters grow, until finally the frog admits he's been cursed and is actually a prince and needed to come to the castle to break the curse.

It is a wonderful tale of friendship, and understanding that first impressions aren't always what they seem.

Image courtesy of Nottingham Playhouse

It is a magnificent and captivating take on a classic story and once again they have made it so delightfully entertaining.

The children all got to take part in the play and for that reason alone I can't praise it enough, it is a most fabulous way to encourage children into theatre and also gives them a bit of confidence to stand up in front of an audience.

With singing, laughter, sadness and hope this story brings everything together and made us feel warm and fuzzy for Christmas.

If you are looking for something to do with your children during the holidays I cannot recommend the The Princess and the Frog enough, it will have you smiling and maybe even thinking about the promises you make.

This play is perfect for younger children aged 4-8 and there is plenty to do before the play starts with crayons and programmes to colour in. My son is aged 8 and he enjoyed the play, as did most of the grown ups.

We were given complimentary tickets to see the play, all words and opinions are my own. Images are my own unless otherwise stated.

Hare and Tortoise at the Nottingham Playhouse - Review

This weekend, we were invited to review the Hare and the Tortoise, which is currently playing in the Neville Studio at the Nottingham Playhouse.

An adaptation of the classic Aesop Fable, this story tells of the forever in a hurry Hare and the slow and thoughtful but much slower Tortoise 

We had never been to the Neville Studio before, it is a small intimate theatre, which meant that the children could sit on the cushions at the front and we could sit a bit further back in the seats. Being sat on the cushions so close to the actors meant the children felt like they were part of the show.

The show itself is a beautifully written adaptation of the story, two friends on a journey through the seasons, with the hare desperate to race against the tortoise.

Photo credit Nottingham Playhouse

In contrast, the tortoise wants to enjoy the days, taking in spring, summer and autumn before she goes back to hibernate for winter. Adam Horvath who plays the Hare has some wonderful expressions that had the children laughing from the start, getting them to interact to try and wake the tortoise up. My husband likened his cheeky habits and face pulling to Rik Mayall in The Young Ones. Along side Adam, is Elizabeth Eaves who plays the sleepy and clever tortoise, an endearing character which had us all smiling as she kept telling the tortoise that 'maybe' they would race soon. She was even drinking tea at every stop, well why not when you've been asleep for ages.

Photo credit Nottingham Playhouse

When asked what their favourite parts were, my children said they loved helping to make the waves of the sea and although were disappointed not to be chosen to participate any further, the constant interaction with the characters as they walked around the studio made up for this and it was a wonderful way to make the show feel a lot bigger than it was.

We've been to several plays now with the children, including some larger ones but I have to say that this was without a doubt my favourite, the huge smiles on the children's faces when it finished were a credit to both Elizabeth and Adam's acting. 

Photo credit Nottingham Playhouse

This play is perfect for this time of year, telling us to stop and enjoy the little things rather than rushing through life and missing the things that matter.

We had a wonderful time watching the play and colouring in before hand, I hadn't realised before that the Playhouse did this sort of thing, but now I know about it, we will definitely be back to watch more. A great rainy day activity for all of the family to enjoy.

The show is aimed at 4-8 year olds and I think this is right age bracket, my daughter is four, almost five and my son is seven and a half and it was perfect for them both.

The Hare and Tortoise is playing until the 2nd January and with it only being an hour long it means you can fit it in as part of a day out in Nottingham, they can validate your parking as well, so that it costs only £5, with two showings per day, this is a great way to start or finish a day in town. A family ticket is £28 or the tickets are £8 for children and £10 for adult so it doesn't cost the earth.

NB: We were given a family ticket to attend the show, all words and opinions are mine. Photos are mine unless stated.

My Judy Garland Life Review

"Somewhere over the rainbow, way up high  

There's a land that I've heard of once in a lullaby. 

Somewhere over the rainbow, skies are blue 

And the dreams that you dare to dream, 

Really do come true"

Above are the lyrics to the start of a song that most of us will have heard, a song that conjures up so many memories of one of the most loved films of all time. But behind that voice was a young woman who had already gone through so much, a life that to the outside looked like glitz and glamour. But as the story of My Judy Garland Life tells us, this wasn't how it was at all.

The story is told through the eyes of the author Susie Boyt, as a young girl she worships Judy Garland seeing so much of herself in Judy and so through the highs and lows of Judy's (and her own) life comes a story about love and loss, helping Susie through the darkest days of her life.

The play itself was divine, I have never been to see a musical before but I was transfixed, Sally Ann Triplett was truly wonderful as Judy Garland, bringing to life an idol of so many, her voice and mannerisms both exquisite.

With Faye Elvin playing Susie Boyt and the three fabulous members of the band who helped the story along it was a beautiful play from beginning to end, from the moment you walk in to a bright, colourful and spectacularly sparkly stage to the last song I was left wanting more.

As I tried to fight back the tears I realised how beautiful the words in the songs actually were and how little I knew about this hollywood star and her tragic life, I have spent a few moments this morning reading about her life and listening to her songs.

It isn't uncommon these days for stars of Hollywood to burn out rather than fade away, dying young as a consequence of fame and fortune and the constant scrutiny of the papers and public this is a reminder of that, how even the most 'perfect' of lives can be tainted by what happened in our past.

I am in awe of this story and and can totally sympathise with Susie's sensitivity, only last month was I looking at several unsold Christmas Tree's thinking how sad it was they hadn't made it in to a home to be adored!

Overall I have nothing but praise for this play, both the story and adaptation are wonderful I cannot commend the actors enough for what was a stunning and energetic performance.

My Judy Garland Life is currently on at the Nottingham Playhouse until 15th February.

NB: I was given 6 tickets for myself and friends to see this play, however all words and thoughts are my own.

Grandpa in My Pocket Preview

My son and I were invited on a tour backstage of the playhouse and then to watch Grandpa in My Pocket this week, the new production on at the Playhouse Nottingham.

The backstage tour was fantastic, we got to see the painting room, props department and clothing department as well as walking through the rabbit warren that is the belly of the playhouse.

Painting Room

Props Room

We also got to go up on stage after the show to see what happens behind the curtains and in the wings.

From the wings on to the stage

It was a wonderful experience to see all that brings the shows to life, for me it was a life long dream finally fulfilled. I spent many a christmas panto as a child wanting to see what happens in the back and to go up on stage.

On to the show itself, this was the first thing like this I had taken my son too as up until now he has been a little too young so I was intrigued to see how he would be.

We picked up some sweets and took our seats in the stalls, the view was perfect and I was super excited as was he.

Stage before the show started

To get everyone excited grandpa came on over the speakers to ask for phones etc to be switched off.

Then the show started, we were greeted by the actors who all took on roles of characters from Grandpa In My Pocket which helped the children understand it wasn't the actual characters from the show, which I was worried about my son understanding.

The actors playing the characters were all brilliant and had the mannerisms down to a tee, my sons favourites were Mr Whoops and Great Aunt Loretta, we have been chatting like Great Aunt Loretta since the show ;)

The show is advertised from age 3 and it seemed some of the younger ones were getting a little agitated towards the end so I would think carefully about it if you are going on your own with no one to take them out if needs be.

As the story progressed my son kept bouncing around on his seat with joy, especially during the bonglebirds song and he loved them so much he was even asking about them during the stage tour afterwards.

Looking out from the stage

It really is a wonderful show and if you are looking for something to do in Nottingham during the half term then it is well worth a visit.

After Nottingham Grandpa In My Pocket is going on tour round the UK so if it is coming to a town near you then it is definitely worth going to.

I Was A Rat Theatre Review

Last week I was invited to see I Was A Rat at the Nottingham Playhouse. I don't often get to go to the theatre and my son was a little young for this production, so it gave me a good excuse to have a few hours to myself.

Sitting down to a rather dark and empty stage I was intrigued at the performance ahead.

In the opening scene we meet the main character a boy named Roger who walks into the lives of two unsuspecting but wonderfully kind people Joan and Bob.

Following them on a journey to try and find out where Roger comes from, as Roger tries his hardest to fit in, with his child like innocence this isn't easy.

I was a Rat is based on the book by Phillip Pullman and for me was a beautiful and exciting take on a Cinderella like fairytale.

Further on into the story we follow Roger as he finds out about the darker sides of life, from criminals to people willing to exploit him and that not everyone in the world is kind like Joan and Bob.

The play itself was wonderful, I have never been to one with so little set but the atmosphere brought to the show with lighting, sound and moveable props was utterly brilliant and left me captivated and wanting more.

The few actors playing the many characters were incredible, showing just how versatile they were. The acrobatic dance skills of Fox Jackson-Keene who played Roger were fabuous and brought to the play a modern element.

I did here a child sobbing a little so for those that a  little younger and maybe more sensitive I would be prepared for the dark nature of the play, both in effects and in story.

However, with some light hearted jokes on current affairs it stayed topical and up to the minute on a story which set in times long ago.

Overall the stage effects were fabulous, the acting and dancing were entertaining and the characters loveable and I found myself still thinking about the play for a few days after.

Tour Dates

26 March to 13 April
Nottingham Playhouse
0115 941 9419 / nottinghamplayhouse.co.uk

16 to 20 April
Theatre Royal, Bury St Edmunds
01284 755127 / theatreroyal.org

23 to 25 April
Truro Hall for Cornwall
01872 262466 / hallforcornwall.co.uk

1 to 4 May
Cambridge Arts Theatre
01223 503333 / cambridgeartstheatre.co.uk

7 to 11 May
The Lowry Salford
0843 208 6000 / thelowry.com

15 to 18 May
Northcott Theatre, Exeter
01392 493 493 / exeternorthcott.co.uk

22 to 25 May
Leeds City Varieties Theatre
08456 441 881/ cityvarieties.co.uk

29 May to 1 June
Hereford Courtyard Theatre
01432 340555 / courtyard.org.uk

NB: I was given the tickets for this event free of charge, all thoughts are my own.