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Last night my mum and I had a fabulous girly night at The Bournemouth Pavilion watching Calendar Girls The Musical! I can’t remember the last time it was just the two of us, so it was very special.
I have watched the film a couple of times (a while ago), and remembered bits and bobs of the story. The musical remains true to the original story which began in 1998 when John Baker, husband of Angela Baker, was diagnosed with blood cancer. John sadly passed away. Following their loss, Angela and her friends (all of which are in the WI) set about creating the well know alternative WI calendar! Through beautiful lyrics and music (by Tim Firth and Gary Barlow) we follow the challenges the ladies face in their day to day lives to get to the making of the calendar. Actress Sarah Jane Buckley and Rebecca Storm play principal roles, but what I really liked is every one of the calendar girls got to shine, telling their own story through song. All of the actors were very strong. As a cast as a whole I thought they were fantastic. I was literally moved to tears through laughter and sadness. In particular actress Rebecca Storm stood out, she was hilarious! I felt like I wanted to be a part of their friendship group by the end!
At times I did think the singing was a little bit weak, I couldn’t always hear the lyrics clearly. Saying that I the songs themselves were extremely complex, creating a challenge for any singer.
The set design worked very well. By using the same set of the rolling hills of Yorkshire throughout, and introducing new props for the different seasons was simple, yet very effective. I felt the performance was a little big long winded in places, and jumped around quickly. However the scene of Johns passing was done incredibly well. It was very tasteful, and moved time along at a fast pace in a sophisticated way, through beautiful lyrics, and movement. By the end of the show the entire audience were on their feet, cheering and applauding! If they felt anything like me, they felt uplifted and warmed by every single one of the characters. The performance as a whole was a fun celebration of life, and a reminder of how precious both life, and friendship is. Calender Girls The Musical is on tour right now! It is on at The Bournemouth Pavilion until September 21st, grab your tickets via BH Live today to avoid missing out! (This was a gifted experience via Bournemouth Bloggers, however all of the above opinions are my own. The images belong to BH Live)
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Last night I was invited to watch the 30th anniversary tour of Fame The Musical at The Bournemouth Pavilion with BH Live. I was so excited to see it! Fame was my first ever musical experience when I was 10 years old! I went on a school trip to London to see it. I am sure this childhood experience is what gave me my love of the theatre.
The show certainly didn’t disappoint! It was a colourful feast for the eyes, and a musical joy to the ears! The cast were incredible! I have never seen such a talented cast as a whole, they were faultless. Everyone that sang literally gave me goose bumps! The theatre came alive, the energy was high, and I was absorbed in the characters lives.
Just to give you a bit of background… Fame The Musical follows the lives of students at New York’s High School For The Performing Arts as they navigate their way through the highs and lows that life throws at you.
The actors all portrayed their characters very well, and each character was unique. In particular the character of Carmen Diaz was played incredibly well, by Stephanie Rojas. You really felt the pain she was going through. She was an extremely talented actress, her voice was out of this world! The actors were playing people a lot younger than themselves, this can be a challenge in itself, but I felt they did this well, and it wasn't a distraction for me. Perhaps at times the narrative was a little bit behind the times, (it was originally written 30 years ago), but you still get that people face similar things in today's society.
The set was simple yet effective. I think the lighting played a huge part in this. By using the back drop of the students faces, and changing the lighting on it, it made you feel like the set was constantly changing with very little effort (from a set design point of view). I also liked the way props were incorporated into dance routines, a great way of keeping the performance alive.
At times the audience were made to feel like you were there to watch the characters auditions or performances. This was very clever. At one point a teacher came into the auditorium aisle, writing notes on the actors performances. By breaking the forth wall, it made it feel like you were almost in a virtual experience, At the end of the performance the entire auditorium were on their feet dancing to "Fame", the cast were so strong at this point, you felt like you were part of their performance. I left the theatre on such a high! Fame is on at The Bournemouth Pavilion until August 31st, I would definitely recommend it for a fun night out! (This was a gifted experience via Bournemouth Bloggers, however all of the above opinions are my own. The images belong to BH Live and me)
On Bank Holiday Sunday we headed off on a mini family adventure to Marwell Zoo! When I told my little lady we were going to the Zoo she was SO excited, even more so when I told her we would be seeing Lego dinosaurs as well!
It was one of the hottest bank holidays on record, so we went prepared, with bottles of water, sun cream, hats, and loose clothing! We arrived just after 10am (when it opened), and as expected the car park was already half full. I would definitely recommend getting there early, but the Zoo didn’t feel over crowed at all. As we entered the Marwell Zoo we were welcomed by the sound effects of the Brickosaurs being transported in crates, it set the atmosphere of the Brickosaurs Expedition perfectly! And then we spotted the first Brickosaur in the lake! It was so effective, and certainly had the wow factor!
As we started to wonder around the zoo, seeing all of the beautiful animals we kept spotting the Brickosaurs. They have a total of 50 life-like Lego brick dinosaurs scattered around the 140 acre park, it was exciting for us all to spot them. We were provided with a free trail map, but we liked finding them ourselves hidden amongst the trees etc.
As well as the Brickosaurs being amazing, we experienced something else so amazing! A rhino walked right past us (obviously behind a fence). I have never been so close to a rhino in all of my 33 years, it was incredible to be able to share the experience with my little lady! Half way around the Zoo we stopped for a picnic which we made at home. Luckily there were plenty of shady spots to choose from (so needed). They also had drinking taps scattered around the Zoo where we could fill up our bottles for free, which was great! They do have cafes, selling hot or cold food if you don’t want to take your own. We did buy a cheeky ice-cream to cool us down!
Another highlight for us was seeing a Tiger, they too were having a lie down in a shady spot. The tiger is my little ladies favourite animal, so she was over the moon to see one in real life!
As you go around you come across Brickosaurs Base Camp. This is a great part of the expedition! They had large brick pit for the children to build in, and a Lego brick dino jeep! We had the best family day out. There is so much to do with little ones, I would highly recommend a visit! If you are wanting to see the Brickosaurs Expedition you still have time, it is on until September 1st 2019! Thank you to Marwell Zoo for having us! We have made memories we will treasure forever! Marwell Zoo Thompson's Ln, Colden Common, Winchester SO21 1JH Tel: 01962 777407 (This was a gifted experience, however all of the above opinions are my own. The images belong to me)
On Tuesday I headed to The Old Thatch (near Wimborne) with Emma and Rachael from The Bournemouth Bloggers. The pub is relatively local to me, but I had never been there before. On first impressions I thought is looked beautiful. A traditional thatched country pub in a lovely community. The pub has a black and white Tudor effect, and the most beautiful hanging baskets, in full bloom. If you were driving past, it would definitely visually pull you in.
We were welcomed by the manager, and given the menus to look over. As well as their regular menu we were given a specials menu, and their Black Rock Grill menu. Their main menu offered the traditional pub grub, such as Hunters Chicken, and Fish and Chips. The other menus had a good variety of food on offer.
We all ordered three courses. The starters came out quickly, all hot and beautifully presented. I had the pork bites, which were very nice. Unfortunately the venue was very busy, so we did end up waiting nearly an hour for our mains to arrive. I ordered the Piri Piri Chicken Burger, and sadly the chicken was cold. When the staff did their check back, we did let them know and they did replace it. The new one did however take about 20 minutes to arrive by which time the table had finished their main meals. Everyone else’s food looked very good, in particular my sisters, She had a steak on a stone, which looked amazing!
The staff were attentive throughout our meal, checking in on us, and offering us more drinks. They all looked very presentable in branded aprons.
For desert I went for the Apple Crumble with custard. Such comfort food! I couldn't believe the portion size, very generous and great value for money. I did notice there were blackberry's in the crumble, this wasn't a listed ingredient on the menu. It was nice, but not the traditional crumble I know.
Overall we had a lovely evening, and were taken great care off. Everyone enjoyed their food, and some struggled to move they were so full! Thank you very much for having us! The Old Thatch 285 Wimborne Rd, Wimborne , BH21 7NW Tel: 01202 406779 (This was a gifted experience via Bournemouth Bloggers, however all of the above opinions are my own. The images belong to and me)
The Hubby and I enjoyed a thrilling night at The Bournemouth Pavilion, thanks to BH Live and Bournemouth Bloggers! We were lucky enough to watch The Mousetrap! If you haven’t heard of it before, it is a murder mystery play by Agatha Christie. The Mousetrap is one of the longest running plays, opening in London's West End in 1952!
I don’t want to give too much away as we are sworn to secrecy to never reveal the ending, but I will tell you what I thought about the play in general.
The tone was immediately set as the theatre went dark, opening with the murder of a woman, played out in sound, which echoed around the 1929 theatre (the perfect setting for a murder mystery). The curtain lifted and I was astonished by the incredible set of Monkswell Manor, which was recently converted to a guesthouse. The attention to detail was fabulous. From the different entry points, to working lamps that were turned on and off throughout the performance. The set was used like a real life room, it was very believable, and complimented the dialogue.
We were then introduced to the characters including Mollie and Giles Ralston and their four guests staying in their guesthouse. All of the actors played their characters very well, all of which were very different. Watching them I felt like I had been thrown back to a family Christmas, sitting down watching an Agatha Christie on the TV. It was very special to watch it all taking place in front of my own eyes. As well as it being a thriller there was also a lot of humour throughout the play, giving it light and shade. The character of Christopher Wren really stood out, he was utterly hilarious and superbly played.
As the play develops there are many twists and turns, keeping the audience on their toes. The murderer's identity is divulged in Act 3. At the end of the performance, we were asked not to reveal the identity of the killer to anyone outside the theatre, to ensure that the end of the play is not spoilt for anyone.
We both really enjoyed the play, and I would highly recommend it. It is on at The Bournemouth Pavilion until August 10th, so grab your tickets quickly to find out who done it.... (This was a gifted experience via Bournemouth Bloggers, however all of the above opinions are my own. The images belong to BH Live and me)
I was lucky enough to head back to The Bournemouth Pavilion this week to watch the International smash hit show New Jersey Nights, with Bournemouth Bloggers, and BH Live. The show is a celebration of the music of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons, and takes the audience on a nostalgic musical journey.
VOCAL GYMNASTICS, glitz, AND JAZZ HANDS
I will be honest, I didn’t know much about the show beforehand (which is a bit of a surprise as I LOVE music), I therefore didn’t have any expectations. On arrival I noticed the age range was a little older than myself. My Nan said she would have loved it. I get why now as the music genre is mostly from her era. This didn’t matter, as I still recognised some of the songs, and loved seeing everyone dancing and singing along.
I liked that the show was predominately focused on the singing and dancing. Occasionally the singers did speak to the audience in character, providing us with information about the bands which was interesting. During the first half of the show the four singers were in front of a set, and the band were hidden behind. I was desperate for the band to come out, so we could see them playing live. They did towards the interval (much to my delight). I found this much better, as I really felt the music come to life, and the audience did too. The four singers were incredible. They sang solo, but also as a group allowing them all to shine. The best bits (for me) were when they harmonised… it was like listening to silky butter. DANCING, LAUGHTER, AND CHEERS
The costumes throughout the performance were stunning, So many sequins and sparkles. There were quite a few costume changes, which were slick. The costume designer really stuck to each genre really well. I genuinely thought the costumes were fantastic.
New Jersey Nights was great fun, thank you BH Live for the gifted tickets. By the end everyone was on their feet dancing, singing and clapping. If you are looking for a night full of smiles, nostalgia, dancing, and glitz this is the show for you! New Jersey Nights is still on in Bournemouth, running until August 3rd, so grab your tickets quickly! (This was a gifted experience via Bournemouth Bloggers, however all of the above opinions are my own. The images belong to BH Live)
With a busy toddler we barely get the chance to sit through an entire meal without a spillage, or drama of some sort! So when the hubby and I get the opportunity we love going out for dinner, and trying new places.
On Friday we had a child free evening and headed to Inn In The Park, in Poole. My husband had been years ago, but since his visit the entire place has had a refurbishment. Walking in it felt instantly inviting, and the décor was beautiful. Each table was dressed well, and had a candle lit creating a romantic atmosphere. We were welcomed with smiles. We had a nice table surrounded by photographs on the walls of the local area, which I loved. We were talked through their summer menu and the Specials. I really liked the menu, all of the meals sounded fresh, and light for the summer. We were provided with a large bottle of still water, and I had the tastiest cloudy lemonade.
To eat the hubby had the Soup of The Day (Pea and Ham), and I had bread with a selection of flavoured butters to start. The soup was piping hot (just as I think food should be severed) and very tasty. I really enjoyed trying the different flavoured butters, I particularly liked the chive and garlic butter. For mains I had Fish and Chips. The fish was so white, and fresh tasting. The chips were chunky, and seasoned very well. The mushy peas were the best I have ever tasted. The hubby had the Lamb Special, he said it was the best lamb he had ever eaten. For pudding I had Sticky Toffee Pudding with Ice-cream. I was relieved when it came out, as it was the perfect size (although the hubby still had to finish is off, a hardship I’m sure!) It was SO yum!
The manager was so lovely throughout our meal, making it feel very special. She was the same with every table. I noticed how welcoming she was to families with children. They offered a children’s menu, and a goody bag to keep them occupied.
I can honestly say that it was the best pub food I have had in a long time. We felt full to burst, and very content. If you are looking for some delicious hearty food, in a happy atmosphere I would highly recommend Inn In The Park.
Inn In The Park 26 Pinewood Road, Branksome Park, Poole, Dorset, BH13 6JS Tel: 01202 761318 (This was a gifted experience via Bournemouth Bloggers, however all of the above opinions and images are my own) For many years I have allowed fear to stop me doing things, through the fear of “what if?” Since I started to blog, I have been given so many amazing opportunities. Blogging has turned me in to a “Yes” person (finally). When Bournemouth Bloggers put the invite out to experience a Jet Skiing session with JetSki Safaris I had to say yes! The morning of I was pretty nervous, but super excited to experience something so exciting and new. Unfortunately the weather wasn’t great, but this didn’t stop the Jet Ski session taking place. On arrival at JetSki Safaris (Salterns Marina, Poole) we were provided with a wet suit, helmet, and a life jacket. We got changed in the ladies changing room, these facilities were clean and spacious. We were then taken to another office space where we were shown a safety/instruction video. This made it all feel very real, and I did become extremely nervous at that point. Emma and I decided we would share a Jet Ski. On reflection I am so happy we did this, because both being mums we got each other, and knew our limitations. We both got on the Jet Ski ready to start the hour session on the water. During the first part of the session we learnt how to steer out of the Marina safely, at a steady speed. We then went into Poole Harbour and learnt how to move the Jet Ski, how to gain speed, and how to break safely around buoys. This was a great way of getting a feel for the Jet Ski. The instructor did a demonstration before each task, and talked us through each step clearly. What I really liked was how he continuously emphasised the importance of safety, not to scare us but to make us aware. Once we had grasped the basics we were ready to take to open water! The instructor told us that once in the open water we could go at a speed we felt comfortable with. Going at speed was absolutely thrilling, but as we hit the open water the wave size did increase, and at one point Emma and I decided to take it a bit slower as we nearly came off (something I wanted to avoid). The others raced off but we were happy going at our own pace. This was absolutely fine, you weren’t made to feel silly or slow, we were able to do what made us feel comfortable. When we reached Old Harry Rocks, I felt so blessed! I have walked out to Old Harry many times, but would never have believed I would have seen it from the water perspective! Such a bucket list tick moment for me!
Overall my Jet Ski experience was incredible, I smiled the entire time! I feel so lucky to have been able to do something so thrilling, and to see the Dorset Coast line from that perspective. JetSki Safaris are located in the perfect spot. They are knowledgeable and relaxed, yet conscientious. Most important of all they made the experience fun, and memorable. I would highly recommend it! Jetski Safaris Salterns Marina, 40 Salterns Way, Poole, BH14 8JR, Tel: 01202 706 784 (all images belong to me or JetSki Safaris. This was a gifted experience, but all of the above opinions are my own) When I was 13 my late Nan introduced me to Dirty Dancing, one of the most iconic dance films to date! As soon as I saw it I was addicted, the music, dancing, and dreamy love story has lived with me ever since. When Bournemouth Bloggers and BH Live Tickets invited me to watch Dirty Dancing (the classic love story) on Stage at The Bournemouth Pavilion I jumped at the chance. "COCKTAILS, CUPCAKES, AND MAGIC"We were treated to cocktails and tasty cupcakes to kick start our magical evening. As soon as we sat down in the beautiful theatre I could feel the buzz from the audience who sat in anticipation for the show to start. When the curtain lifted I was instantly transported back to being a 13 year old girl with my late Nan. The dancing, and music was full of nostalgia and completely electric. "oozing in talent and electric ENERGY"I loved that they kept true to the iconic characters, music, and dance moves. You could see straight away that all of the cast oozed talent, and gelled well. Their energy bounced off of one another. The set design was faultless. The performance was fast paced at times, moving from one scene to another quickly. The way the set revolved allowed the scene changes to flow effortlessly, allowing smooth transitions. The actors often moved props in character, which was a great way of scene changing and minimising distraction. As the show went on you could feel the audience getting more and more excited about the final scene with “the iconic lift”. I can tell you, with the expectations being high the final scene did not disappoint. I genuinely got goose bumps, I wanted to jump on stage, and immerse myself within the passion and emotion. The audience were clapping, whooping, and smiling, it was fabulous! As the show came to an end everyone got on their feet giving a well-deserved standing ovation to a talented cast. The band let loose and we all had a little dance. I left the theatre feeling inspired, and on cloud nine! Thank you so much for the best Tuesday night I have had in long time! KX
(This was a gifted experience, all of the opinions and photos above are my own)
Pizza you say, well go on then! I am a HUGE fan of pizza, it is tasty, comforting, and well one of my many guilty pleasures! When the Bournemouth Bloggers got in touch and invited me to a Pizza Making School at the Stables Bournemouth, I jumped at the chance.
On the night there were about 15 Bournemouth Bloggers welcomed to The Stables Bournemouth. We were provided with drinks from their infamous ciders, wine, and for me a soft drink (as a non-drinker). They had set up an area for us, and had placed some tasty appetisers for us all to try, which were yum! It was such a chilled atmosphere, I love the vibe in their restaurants
Chef Campbell (the Executive Head Chef of The Stables), welcomed us all to the Pizza School and began by telling us how they make their tomato sauce for the base on their pizzas. What I really liked is that they do not buy the sauce in, they make it from scratch using fresh organic ingredients. As well as learning about the ingredients, Chef Campbell did a live demo on how to make it, with hints and tips. The tips were super handy, and can certainly be applied to everyday cooking.
Charlie the Area Chef then went on to show us how they make their Sour Dough for the pizza bases. Again all of the Sour Dough is made in house, using the very best ingredients. I personally think it is great that they make everything in house, it makes it feel authentic.
After the two demonstrations it was time to make our own pizzas! We were provided with a large selection of toppings to choose from, and guided on how to layer the ingredients. I tried to be clever and make a face, but I soon regretted this as I missed the cheese on top!
I had such a fun time! Both of the chefs were great, and extremely knowledgeable. They made the entire experience so much fun. Thank you so much for having us! I will certainly enjoy my pizzas even more knowing how much time and love goes into the making of every pizza!
(This was a gifted experience, all of the opinions and photos above are my own)
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ABOUT ME
Hi! I am Katie... a new mum trying to balance life, work and a beautiful baby girl! I love to take photos, travel, write, make art, and spend time with my family! xx
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