Birmingham
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Dick Whittington – Festive Family Fun at the Birmingham Hippodrome
The UK’s biggest and best panto opened last night, as the Birmingham Hippodrome launched Dick Whittington, this year’s festive offering. A star studded cast, including John Barrowman, The Krankies, Steve McFadden and Jodie Prenger dazzled and delighted the packed auditorium with all the best of panto tradition, presenting a dazzlingly camp and frothy spectacle that was, quite simply, hilarious. As with the best of panto, the story held little resemblance to the legend of Dick Whittington, thrice Lord Mayor of London. Instead, it pitted a very dashing Dick (and not matter how I write that, it still sounds naughty) against the villainous King Rat, both trying to control the…
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Santa Arrives at House of Fraser, Birmingham
Every child loves a visit to Santa, and, if you are in Birmingham, the most beautiful and magical grotto of them all is the one that opened at House of Fraser on Thursday. The House of Fraser Grotto is this year working in association with the Birmingham Children’s Hospital, with all proceeds going directly to the hospital. With this in mind it was fitting that the grotto was officially opened by patients from the hospital in a lovely, moving ceremony. The thing I love about the House of Fraser Grotto, apart from the wonderful charity element, is that it clearly has children in mind and totally understands them. It understands…
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Treasure Island – Pirates arrive at the Birmingham Rep
Firstly, I’d like to point out that this was not quite what I expected when I arrived at the Birmingham Rep to review this year’s seasonal offering, Treasure Island. I was expecting a rip roaring yarn featuring cartoon pirates, a stage glistening with gold and treasure and ‘x’ marks the spot. In short, I was expecting a panto version of the Robert Louis Stephenson classic. What I actually got was a deliciously dark pirate and treasure story, with a healthy smattering of girl power that the Spice Girls themselves would’ve been proud of. In short, it’s a real festive treat, albeit one with not a hint of Christmas. Photo credit:…
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The Nutcracker opens and we celebrate Sir Peter Wright’s 90th Birthday
What signals the start of Christmas to you? Putting up the decorations and the tree? Starting the shop for those special gifts? The Coca Cola advert on the TV (holidays are coming, holidays are coming…). Well for me, Christmas comes when I go to see The Nutcracker staged by the Birmingham Royal Ballet at the Birmingham Hippodrome. Last night this was made even more special and unforgettable by being both the opening night and also being the 90th birthday of the legendary Sir Peter Wright, the genius behind The Nutcracker. He chose to spend that special night in Birmingham, coming on stage for a standing ovation and a chorus of Happy Birthday. This was…
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Best of Britannia launches at The Mailbox
[affilinet_performance_ad size=468×60] Best of Britannia launched today in Birmingham’s Mailbox at the start of a 4 day pop up space. The Pop up is a showcase of leading high-end independent British brands, covering everything from fashion and lifestyle to food and drink. With Black Friday taking place and Christmas on the way, now is the perfect time to get yourself into Birmingham in order to pick up an unusual gift idea that will delight even those who are trickiest to please. Today was an excuse to get familiar with the 11 brands that are being showcased, and to also enjoy the unusual, but totally delicious spirit liqueurs on offer from…
