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.

The Kite Runner Preview

I was recently invited to see the European premier of The Kite Runner, I have never read the book but had heard good things from a work colleague.

As we sat down into our seats we were greeted by haunting sounds of the tabla being played by a lone player on the stage.

We are taken through the troubled life of Amir growing up in Kabul in the 1970s and as he moves to America later on in life.

I really loved the way in which the play was structured with the characters playing their younger selves it meant there was no confusion who was who and also enabled the play to be as adult themed as it was.

The set itself was really well done with projections onto the floor helping to set the scene and the haunting sound affects that help to set the mood.

As I hadn't read the book before hand it allowed me to see the play for what it was, no preconceptions, it is a 14+ so there is some of the strong language and adult scenes but this only added to the enjoyment and wasn't distasteful.

I took my husband to this play and he thoroughly enjoyed it having not been to see anything at the theatre for many years.

I can highly recommend this whether you have read the book or not, it is a gripping production of a wonderful story.

This is currently playing at the Nottingham Playhouse until the 18th May.

Disclaimer: I was given two tickets for the screening of this performance, all words are my own. Images courtesy of The Nottingham Playhouse.