Showing posts with label October. Show all posts
Showing posts with label October. Show all posts

Sunday 21 October 2018

Beauty and the Beast Pantomime at St Helens Theatre Royal - A Review

Why wait until Christmas to get your panto fix, when you can visit the St Helens Theatre Royal this October half term and watch Regal Entertainments pantomime version of Beauty and the Beast!

With a tremendous cast, telling a tale as old as time, this show delivers a constant stream of energy, comedy and drama which has the audience laughing from beginning to end. The show which was written by Liam Mellor and produced by Jane Joseph and Chantelle Nolan, offers absolutely everything that a great panto should, with a fun packed production for families of all ages to enjoy.


Kiera-Nicole Brennan stars as the stunning Belle and shines in the role with her delightful singing and dancing. Her performance skills were apparent from the very start and she is clearly a very talented individual. Although I had not heard of her previously, she is currently a presenter on Channel 5's Milkshake! which at the age of only 19 is an amazing achievement. 

Maddie Hope Coelho stars as Fairy Rose, who was always on hand to wave her magic wand and ensure that happiness would prevail. We have seen Maddie Hope Coelho on stage before and she has an incredible singing voice, which we would have loved to have heard more of during this production. Her solo performance was wonderful, with a hint of charm and magic that made it a beautiful scene to watch. My youngest son Riley was captivated as Fairy Rose cast her magic upon the Beast whilst performing a rendition of 'When You Believe' and this was definitely one of the stand out scenes of the show.

Photo Credit: David Munn Photography
The Prince and The Beast is played by Andrew Geater, who we have watched in panto previously. I remember commenting in my review of 'Cinderella' that he had a commanding stage presence, which was evident again this evening and it makes him perfectly suited for this role. His charm and kindness shone through as the Prince, but he was also able to make a believable Beast with his booming authoritive tone.

Gaston was played by Phillip McGuinness and I absolutely loved his character. With an emphasised accent, bulging biceps and comedy lunges, what's not to like! He had plenty of the adult audience in laughter often and although technically starring as a 'baddie', he definitely had the likeability factor with his super confident and humorous appearances. 

Gaston would often appear alongside his 'mummy' Madame Botox (played by Hannah Potts). She was excellent as the pantomime villain, but not too scary for the younger guests in the audience. We particularly enjoyed her performance of 'Human', which was terrific when combined with the lighting and stage effects.

As ever, the lovable Lewis Devine had both children and adults laughing out loud, with his slapstick comedy and sometimes risque jokes. Offering the perfect mix of humour for all ages, he definitely knows how to keep a crowd entertained! Starring as French Frank, his wit and cheekiness make him a firm family favourite and he is someone that we will definitely look forward to seeing again in the future. I was quite literally crying with laughter in some parts and I am sure that I was not alone.

Resident Dame Si Foster brought smiles to our faces, with his comical contributions as Potty Polly. We have seen him perform in several pantomimes now and he never disappoints. Whether delivering well rehearsed jokes or an unplanned ad lib, you can be sure that he will have you laughing throughout. His appearances alongside Lewis Devine, make them the perfect duo who work together extremely well on stage. Potty Polly's costumes were also superb and dazzled with extravagance and amusement.

A special mention has to be given to the supporting dancers who were definitely stars in their own right. The production featured some fast paced choreography, yet even the youngest performers presented this perfectly alongside the leading cast. I am often amazed by how talented some young children are and this was definitely the case tonight, with not only wonderful dance routines but some acrobatic displays too!

Photo Credit: David Munn Photography
The sets for each scene worked well and we have always been impressed with how much Regal Entertainments can create and display, in what is quite an intimate stage setting. The inside of the Prince's castle was magnificent and majestic, with the village, Belle's home and woodland scenery also looking splendid. 

Overall we had a fantastic time at Beauty and the Beast and no sooner had it ended, my five year old asked if we could go and watch it all over again. It was evident that a lot of effort has gone into making this show a great family production, which both the cast and crew should be very proud of. Everything was perfect from the lighting to the sound, the costumes to the scenery and the music to the choreography. Ultimately Beauty and the Beast is a fun-filled family pantomime that is certain to entertain! 

Listing Details

Show: Regal Entertainments Ltd present: Beauty and the Beast
Venue: St Helens Theatre Royal, Corporation Street, St Helens, Merseyside, WA10 1LQ
Dates: 20th October to 28th October
Times: Daily 1pm / Fri - Sun 1pm & 5pm
Tickets: From £12* (*All prices are inclusive of a £1 per seat booking fee. On-line bookings are subject to an additional 50p per seat on-line processing fee.)
Website: www.sthelenstheatreroyal.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/St-Helens-Theatre-Royal
Twitter: @TheatreRoyalStH

Bookings can be made in person at the Theatre Royal Box Office, Corporation Street, St Helens, Merseyside, WA10 1LQ (Mon-Sat 10am-5pm). Alternatively, call 01744 756000 or log on to www.sthelenstheatreroyal.com.

Photo Credit: David Munn Photography
Disclaimer: We were invited to the press night as guests, for the purpose of writing an honest review of the show. Thoughts and opinions are my own unless otherwise stated.

Monday 16 July 2018

Dates for your Diary - Beauty and the Beast October Pantomime at St Helens Theatre Royal - 20th to 28th October 2018

Regal Entertainments are bringing their enchanting panto Beauty and the Beast to St Helens audiences this October half term and producers have now also revealed the full cast.

Following the success of the production at Easter 2017, the classic fairytale will return to St Helens Theatre Royal from Saturday 20th to 28th October and will star Channel 5's Milkshake! presenter Kiera-Nicole Brennan.

She will be joined by Andrew Geater, Lewis Devine, Maddie Hope-Coelho, Philip McGuinness and Si Foster.

Get ready to go on an adventure in this family friendly pantomime that tells the timeless story of Belle - the beautiful young woman who falls in love with the most unexpected of princes, who has been cursed to look like a hideous beast.

Keira-Nicole Brennan leads the cast as Belle. Keira has recently graduated from the prestigious Brit School and is best known as the host of popular children's breakfast show Milkshake! She is currently the youngest presenter in Channel 5 history after landing the role at just 19 and proving herself a hit with little viewers.


Starring opposite Keira, Andrew Geater takes the role of Beast. Andrew returns to St Helens after a successful run as Dandini in the venues Easter panto, Cinderella. His impressive vocal talents have seen him perform across the globe, including as a member of world renowned group The 12 Tenors.

The hilarious Lewis Devine is also set to return to the Theatre Royal stage taking on the role of French Frank. After leaving audiences rolling in the theatre aisles laughing with his recent performance as Buttons in Cinderella earlier this year, and as Muddles in Snow White last Christmas, Lewis is guaranteed to bring the same hilarity this October.

Returning to the role of Gaston is Theatre Royal favourite Philip McGuinness. Philip is a hit with Theatre Royal audiences and has appeared in numerous productions including Tin Man in the Wizard of Oz and Captain Hook in Peter Pan.

BBC Pitch Battle star Maddie Hope-Coelho will bring lots of sparkle to the stage as Fairy Rose, Maddie returns after her mesmerising performance as Dorothy in February's Wizard of Oz.

Completing the cast is resident dame Simon Foster who returns to the role of Potty Polly guaranteeing hilarious gags that are sure to keep audiences laughing.

Will the beast learn to love and be loved? Will the spell be broken in time for all to live happily ever after? Come down to St Helens Theatre Royal this October and find out.

Theatre manager Chantelle Nolan said: "We are delighted to announce the cast for our upcoming panto. There is a huge array of talented performers with some familiar faces as well as some St Helen's Theatre Royal newcomers. It promises to be a fab show and will be a great treat for the whole family during October half-term".

Listing Details

Show: Regal Entertainments Ltd present: Beauty and the Beast
Venue: St Helens Theatre Royal, Corporation Street, St Helens, Merseyside, WA10 1LQ
Dates: 20th October to 28th October
Times: Daily 1pm / Fri - Sun 1pm & 5pm
Tickets: From £12* (*All prices are inclusive of a £1 per seat booking fee. On-line bookings are subject to an additional 50p per seat on-line processing fee.)
Website: www.sthelenstheatreroyal.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/St-Helens-Theatre-Royal
Twitter: @TheatreRoyalStH

Bookings can be made in person at the Theatre Royal Box Office, Corporation Street, St Helens, Merseyside, WA10 1LQ (Mon-Sat 10am-5pm). Alternatively, call 01744 756000 or log on to www.sthelenstheatreroyal.com.

Disclaimer: Details provided are correct at time of writing but are of course subject to change. I would always recommend visiting the sites own website in order to obtain the most up to date information.

Friday 27 October 2017

Toy State Marvel Avengers Hulk Hero Rider™ Toy - Review

Our Christmas preparations are now in full swing and the Christmas shopping has begun. All of my children have written their gift wish lists, that were expertly created by each of them with the use of endless toy catalogues, multiple trips to the shops and some online reviews. I rely a lot on reviews to help me make an informed choice about which products I would like to buy and determine whether a toy is actually as good as it looks in a picture or on an advert. Therefore, over the next few weeks, I am going to be sharing our own reviews on some of my children's favourite toy products out on the market at the moment and I hope that you will find these useful in the run up to Christmas.

You may have seen me mention previously, that my son Riley has a love for vehicles. It doesn't matter what kind of vehicle, as long as it moves and it can be used to create a story or a little town based around one of his road rugs. Cars, trains, planes, boats, quad bikes, helicopters, diggers, you name it, I can pretty much guarantee he will have one in his collection. He is a big fan of imaginative play, so he uses his vehicles to create pretend scenarios where he can also introduce some of his favourite characters and get creative with his toys.


He was therefore delighted, when we were recently sent the Marvel Avengers Hulk Hero Rider™ by Toy State, as this incorporates one of his favourite Marvel characters riding a truck and has the benefit of a character and a vehicle in one toy. The product came nicely presented in an open front box, so you can see exactly what you are getting before purchasing. This also gives access to the buttons on the top, so you can also hear the sounds that the toy makes.


The box describes the toy has having a Hero Swivel Driving Action which is also highlighted on the side of the box, using graphics to show that the figure on the top of the truck can move from side to side. There is also an age recommendation of 3 years+.


The box was very easy to open and I was pleasantly surprised to find it very simple to detach the Hero Rider™ from the packaging. It is one of my pet hates at Christmas when the children want all their toys open, to find that you then need about twenty different tools just to get the product out. This item has a very simple twist and pull mechanism though, so Riley was able to have the toy out of the box in less than a minute. Another huge bonus for us, was that batteries were already included in the product. It does state on the bottom of the box that these are included for store display purposes, however Riley has played with this toy regularly over the past two weeks and they are not showing any signs of running out just yet.


Riley found the Hulk Hero Rider™ to be very straightforward to use and was able to push it along manually, or alternatively, he could press one of the buttons which would then allow The Hulk to power the vehicle. We have had a couple of similar toys in the past and found that sometimes these kind of toys only work well on hard floors such as laminate or tiles, however, this one flies across our carpet with no problem at all, which was a big plus point for me. This means that Riley isn't limited to where he can play with it and it is suitable for all the floor surfaces in our home.

When you press the buttons on the top of the The Hulk Hero Rider, this also activates some great sound effects which include Hulk noises and music. The buttons also make The Hulk move from left to right as he controls the vehicle at speed.

The product dimensions are approximately 19cm in height, 10cm width and 17cm depth. This makes it a really nice sized toy to play with as well as being the perfect toy to store away with ease. It is chunky and well built, ideal for small hands and more than capable of withstanding the toddler test.

Overall I have found this to be a really good quality product, which Riley thoroughly enjoys playing with. There are a couple of other Hero Rider's available in the range, so we are thinking of purchasing another so that we can have Hero Rider™ races and see which vehicle can move the quickest. The RRP of the product is £22.99 which I think is a reasonable price for a Marvel themed product that offers several play options.

The product is currently available to buy at Argos and further information can also be found on their product page.


Disclaimer: We were provided with this product on a complimentary basis, for the purpose of providing an honest review and opinion.

Monday 16 October 2017

My Birthday Weekend!

For the past couple of weeks, my family and I seem to have caught various sickness and cold bugs and so I was really looking forward to spending the weekend together, now that we are all back to good health. A few years ago, my ideal birthday weekend would have involved a meal out with friends, drinks in the city centre and a selection of hangover cures at the ready for the following day. However, things have definitely changed since having children and all I really wanted to do this weekend was spend some time together and also take some time away from my computer to just sit down, relax and have a lazy Sunday.

On Saturday, my son Ben went fishing. This is his new favourite thing to do at the moment and he has really been enjoying going down to the local fishing pool with his Grandad. He idolises him, so as well as doing something he enjoys, he also gets to spend time with his best friend and enjoy some fishing together. With Ben out for the day we asked Emma and Riley whether they would like to go out for breakfast. It was a silly question really, as I knew what the answer would be, and they both quickly asked whether we could go to Chock's Away Diner in Broughton.


Chock's Away is one of our favourite places to go for breakfast. The ingredients are locally sourced and really tasty, the prices are reasonable and the diner also overlooks the Hawarden Airport runway. This means that you can catch a glimpse of the planes taking off and landing, as well as the fascinating Beluga air plane, which has a very interesting design. A few miles away from the diner is Broughton Shopping Park and so after enjoying a delicious breakfast, we decided to head to the shops to buy the children some new autumn & winter clothes.


It was surprisingly quiet for a Saturday morning and we enjoyed a couple of hours shopping and treated the kids to a few things, whilst also getting some ideas together for Christmas presents. I also took the chance to check out the Christmas range in Primark, which was a massive mistake as I literally want to buy every single Christmas item they have in the store! Their selection of Christmas decorations are just gorgeous and I have already decided that I am going to pop back next week and stock up with some new festive goodies.

On our return home, Riley was pleasantly surprised to find a little parcel waiting for him on the doorstep. Inside the package was a lovely Peppa Pig plush toy along with a copy of the new DVD Peppa Pig - My First Cinema Experience. The weather was dull and dreary outside, so we enjoyed snuggling up on the sofa and watching his new DVD together with some popcorn and home made milkshakes. When Ben returned home we finished the evening together watching football, playing games and enjoying some reality TV.



On Sunday it was my birthday and my morning began with the children bringing me breakfast in bed and singing Happy Birthday at 8:30am. This may sound early, but in our house, this classes as a big lie in! Ben had a football match later that morning, so the first part of the day consisted of being a footy mum and cheering from the sidelines. The afternoon however consisted of nothing! That's right, absolutely nothing. Just my family and I chilling at home, watching movies and not moving off the sofa. We are usually so busy and out and about pretty much all of the time, so this was literally my perfect birthday, with a home cooked meal by Mr F and a nice glass of wine to finish the day.

Happy Birthday to me!

Wednesday 11 October 2017

Five Reasons Why I Love Autumn

The summer holidays now feel like a distant memory and as much as I love the sunshine, trips to the beach and al fresco dining, I can't help but feel happy when Autumn arrives. To some, Autumn can be a bore as the nights draw in and the weather gets colder, but personally I love it and here's why:

1) Colours - I love the bright sunshine and greenery that summer provides, but Autumn brings a whole host of different colours everywhere you turn. Leaves on the trees start to change and a simple walk down the street can bring such a wide selection of calming shades and tones to your eyes. Our walk to school consists of going past numerous trees, all of various sizes and shapes. Just before we reach school, there is a small grass area that is home to a beautiful large tree, which turns a stunning red and deep purple colour every October. Riley calls this his favourite tree as he just loves the colours it brings.


2) Weather - Whether it is cool and dry, or wet and windy, Autumn is great for puddle jumping, woodland walks and exploration. The heat of the summer has subsided and it makes for a much more relaxing and cool experience when venturing out of the house. My children love getting their wellies and waterproofs on and heading down to the local park, where you can be sure to find plenty of puddles, squelchy mud and woods to explore.


3) Events - October and November bring lots of events for us. Both my daughter and I have birthdays in October, my husband and I celebrate our wedding anniversary, we have October half term to look forward to spending together as a family, as well as getting dressed up for Halloween. Then of course, we have the enjoyment of bonfire night and fireworks displays, as well as it being the time of year that we start to also prepare for Christmas.

4) Cosy Nights at Home - As much as I love to travel and get out and about, there literally is no place like home. I absolutely love it when it gets dark early and you can enjoy the sunset, put the fire on and cosy up in your pyjamas with a nice glass of wine or hot chocolate. I love the feeling of being warm and comfortable at home, whilst it is cold or raining outside.

5) Clothing - I love to shop, so Autumn gives me a great excuse to hit the retail park and purchase some new clothing from the Autumn/Winter ranges. I love being able to throw on a cardigan or oversized jumper and wave goodbye to the figure hugging tops of summer. I always love the Autumn kids ranges that come out in Next and Primark, so it is nice to be able to splash out on some new clothes for the kids and purchase the compulsory Autumn/Winter coat for each of them.


Sunday 1 October 2017

Dates for your Diary - Slava's Snowshow Brings a Blizzard to The Lowry Auditorium

Slava's Snowshow, produced by Matthew Gale and Mark Goucher, returns to The Lowry, Salford this autumn from Tuesday 24th to Sunday 29th October. The multi-award winning show offers a combination of theatrical clowning and a stunning visual spectacle, which is sure to entertain and enchant the audience.

The world-renowned company of clowns is led by Slava Polunin, Artistic Director of the St Petersburg Circus, who recently visited the UK to launch his new book Alchemy of Snowness. The book follows Slava's artistic journey and exhilarating exploration in his creation of "a show that would bring us back to our childhood dreams; a show which would help spectators be released from the jail of adulthood and rediscover their forgotten childhood."

The show first premiered in the UK at the Edinburgh Festival in 1994, and has since toured all over the country, picking up a host of awards along the way. Slava's Snowshow is the internationally acclaimed winner of the Time Out, Olivier and Drama Desk Awards for the most unique theatrical experience.

Influenced by artists such as Chaplin, Marcel Marceau and Engibarov, Slava and his company have taken clowning out of the world of circus and brought it to theatre lovers, fellow practitioners and families worldwide. It's global popularity has seen the show perform in 80 cities including New York, Los Angeles, Paris, Rome, Hong Kong, Rio de Janeiro and Moscow, so don't miss your opportunity to watch it at The Lowry, Salford this October.

Listing Details

Slava's Snowshow
Venue - The Lyric Theatre
Box Office Address: The Lowry, Pier 8, Salford Quays, M50 3AZ
Dates: Tuesday 24th - 29th October 2017
Times: 7pm with 2pm performances available on Wed, Thurs, Sat, Sun.
Running time: 2 hours including interval.
Tickets: £13.50 - £41.50 (including booking fee)

To book tickets please visit The Lowry website here: The Lowry or alternatively contact the box office on 0843 208 6000


Disclaimer: Information correct at time of writing but could be subject to change. I would therefore always recommend visiting the theatres own website to gain the most up to date information.