07/04/2014 by jo

Octonauts and the Deep Sea Volcano Adventure

Top-selling children’s stage show producers Fiery Light today announce a brand new full-length theatre adventure for children, Octonauts and the Deep Sea Volcano Adventure. Based on the popular CBeebies’ TV show, Octonauts, this exciting new production opens at The Orchard Theatre, Dartford, on Thursday 16 October and tours into 2015.

In Octonauts and the Deep Sea Volcano Adventure the entire crew of the Octonauts, led by intrepid explorer Captain Barnacles, Lieutenant Kwazii and Medic Peso, embark on an exciting new underwater quest and visit amazing underwater worlds full of adventure, with surprises around every corner. This action-packed interactive show features new music (from BAFTA-award winning composer Mani Svavarsson) and all the Octonauts live on stage for the very first time.

Richard Lewis adapts and directs this new production for the stage. He also adapted and directed the hugely popular three Peppa Pig stage shows and last year’s Ben & Holly’s Little Kingdom tour. Matt Lewis is lyricist, Simon Scullion is designer, Matt Haskins is lighting designer and Ian Horrocks Taylor is sound designer.

Octonauts and the Deep Sea Volcano Adventure is produced by live children’s show supremos Fiery Light (joint venture by Fiery Angel and Limelight Productions), the team also behind the recent tours of the three successful Peppa Pig stage shows. Their most recent – Peppa Pig’s Big Splash – is currently on tour. It has broken box office records for a pre-school show and will return to the West End for fifth consecutive Christmas season at the Criterion Theatre this year. Other Fiery Light productions include the recent tour of Ben and Holly’s Little Kingdom, LazyTown Live! and Roald Dahl’s The BFG.

Director/adapter Richard Lewis said: ‘Octonauts is all about adventure and exploration which offers up a whole host of possibilities in a live environment. From the colourful characters and fantastic underwater setting to the amazing octopod where the Octonauts live, there’s great scope for a really unique, interactive theatre experience. We can’t wait to take fans on an adventure like never before.’

LISTINGS INFORMATION
Booking fees may apply. Please check with venue
www.octonautslive.co.uk

Age recommendation: 3 +

THURS 16 – SUN 19 OCTOBER ORCHARD THEATRE, DARTFORD
Thurs 16 at 4 pm www.orchardtheatre.co.uk
Fri 17 at 1 & 4 pm
Sat 18 at 10 am, 1 & 4 pm
Sun 19 at 10 & 1 pm

TUES 21 – WED 22 OCTOBER PRINCES HALL, ALDERSHOT
Tues 21 & Wed 22 at 1 & 4 pm www.princeshall.com

SAT 25 – SUN 26 OCTOBER WYCOMBE SWAN, HIGH WYCOMBE
Sat 25 & Sun 26 at 10 am, 1 & 4 pm www.wycombeswan.co.uk

WED 29 – THURS 30 OCTOBER FAIRFIELD HALLS, CROYDON
Wed 29 & Thurs 30 at 10 am, 1 & 4 pm www.fairfield.co.uk

SAT 1 – SUN 2 NOVEMBER NEW THEATRE, CARDIFF
Sat 1 & Sun 2 at 10 am, 1 & 4 pm www.newtheatrecardiff.co.uk

WED 5 – THURS 6 NOVEMBER G LIVE, GUILDFORD
Wed 5 & Thurs 6 at 1 & 4 pm www.glive.co.uk

SAT 8 – SUN 9 NOVEMBER ALEXANDRA THEATRE, BIRMINGHAM
Sat 8 & Sun 9 at 10 am, 1 & 4 pm www.atgtickets.com

WED 12 – THURS 13 NOVEMBER GRAND OPERA HOUSE, YORK
Wed 12 & Thurs 13 at 1 & 4 pm www.atgtickets.com

SAT 15 – SUN 16 NOVEMBER CORN EXCHANGE, CAMBRIDGE
Sat 15 at 4 pm www.cornex.co.uk
Sun 16 at 10 am, 1 & 4 pm

WED 19 – THURS 20 NOVEMBER ST GEORGE’S HALL, BRADFORD
Wed 19 & Thurs 20 at 1 & 4 pm www.bradfordtheatres.co.uk

SAT 22 – SUN 23 NOVEMBER GROVE THEATRE, DUNSTABLE
Sat 22 at 1 & 4 pm www.grovetheatre.co.uk
Sun 22 at 10 am & 1 pm

Further tour dates to be announced

04/11/201326/01/2014 by jo

Peppa Pig’s Big Splash Heads to the West End for Christmas 2013!

Peppa Pig’s Big Splash West End schedule has been announced – it’s the latest in the Peppa stage shows – we saw last years Treasure Hunt show which was brilliant fun!

The Peppa Pig’s Big Splash West End dates run from the 5th December to 5th January 2014, and is Peppa’s third and longest tour. It is covering a massive 47 weeks and heading to over 80 theatres, with the biggest advance of over £1 million to date on tour opening, and her fourth consecutive West End Christmas season.

The nursery roof is leaking and Peppa and her friends need to fix it quickly. They set up a fete to raise the money for Mr Bull to do the repairs. There’s plenty of fun to be had as Peppa, George, Mummy and Daddy Pig, as well as Danny Dog, Pedro Pony and Suzy Sheep put up bunting, run stalls and organise a great day out. There’s also a Champion Puddle Jumping competition judged by Mr Potato where everyone gets wet and Peppa needs to find her Golden Boots. Another all-singing, all-dancing adventure full of songs, games and muddy puddles is guaranteed for all the family!

Peppa Pig and other characters are performed on stage with puppets and brilliant sing-a-long songs from BAFTA award-winning composer Mani Svavarsson. Richard Lewis adapts and directs this brand new show, following his previous successes with the first two Peppa Pig stage shows and the recent Ben & Holly’s Little Kingdom tour. Matt Lewis is lyricist, Simon Scullion is designer, Matt Haskins is lighting designer, Ian Horrocks Taylor is sound designer and Andy Booth is music director.

PEPPA PIG’S BIG SPLASH WEST END CHRISTMAS SEASON 2013 – 2014

CRITERION THEATRE
Piccadilly Circus, London W1V 9LB

THURS 5 DECEMBER – SUNDAY 5 JANUARY
www.peppapiglive.com
BOX OFFICE: 0844 847 1778

PLEASE NOTE: Babies, 0 – 12 months of age, at the date of performance (not at the date of booking) are admitted free of charge if they are sitting on an adult’s lap. If a seat is required for a baby, it must be bought at the child rate. All children from 1 years upward must have a ticket.

THURS 5 – SUN 8 DECEMBER
Thurs 5 & Fri 6 at 11 am & 2.30 pm
Sat 7 at 11 am
Sun 8 at 12 pm & 3 pm

MON 9 – SUN 15 DECEMBER
No performances on Mon 9 & Wed 11
Tues 10, Thurs 12 & Fri 13 at 11 am & 2.30 pm
Sat 14 at 11 am
Sun 15 at 12 noon & 3 pm

MON 16 – SUN 22 DECEMBER
No performances on Mon 16 & Wed 18
Tues 17, Thurs 19 & Fri 20 at 11 am & 2.30 pm
Sat 21 at 11 am
Sun 22 at 12 pm & 3 pm

MON 23 – SUN 29 DECEMBER
No performances on Wed 25 & Thurs 26
Mon 23 & Fri 27 at 11 am & 2.30 pm
Tues 24 & Sat 28 at 11 am
Sun 29 at 12 pm & 3 pm

MON 30 DECEMBER – SUN 5 JANUARY
Mon 30, Tues 31 & Fri 3 at 11 am & 2.30 pm
Wed 1 & Sun 5 at 12 noon & 3 pm
Thurs 2 & Sat 4 at 11 am

20/10/201326/01/2014 by jo

Up and Down the Stage Play – a new Theatre Experience

The Ga Ga Theatre Company are a new company who have adapted one of Oliver Jeffers books into a show for children. Yesterday we headed to Clapham Picturehouse to see Up and Down the Stage Play – and had a lovely time!

‘Up and Down’ is one of H’s favourite books and the sequel to ‘Lost and Found’. It’s fun to read and a fine story about the value of friendship – the penguin wants to fly, finds a way, loses the boy, realises penguins aren’t meant to fly and realises that he’s happiest with the boy anyway.

So how do you make this into a great stage show?

Keep it simple – lots of plain dialogue – “up”, “down” and occasional questions – a parachute over the audience that the adult help move as the boy and the penguin play while staying faithful to the book. Both actors were excellent, great facial expressions and straight away you knew it was the boy and the penguin, I didn’t feel like it took time to get used to it.

There are just the two actors and a simple musical score. Questions such as “Have you seen the penguin?” encourage the children to join in and point or shout which way they saw it go. There’s lots of waving and including the children in the show which had H overcoming any shyness she might have initially had. I liked the attention to detail – things in the book which are seen in passing feature, and of course there’s a game of backgammon in there!

‘Up and Down’ has a really simple set – boxes which have various props or convert into the boy’s plane, and in the background the artwork from the book projected onto the screen.

‘Up and Down’ the stage play lasted about 40 minutes without an interval, and mixing live theatre with projections and original music worked really well. It’s suitable for babies and children up to the age of seven. Under 2’s go free.

‘Up and Down’ is showing right now at the various Picturehouse venues around London until early November. The Ga Ga Theatre Company are planning to do more shows like this, so keep an eye on their Facebook and Twitter pages – they have a Pinterest board too which I hope are ideas for future shows!

We were given tickets to review the show, all opinions are our own. Apologies for the quality of the photos, I didn’t want to take many so we could sit back and enjoy it!

17/04/201317/02/2019 by jo

Aliens Love Underpants – On Stage and On Tour

Possibly one of the funnier titled books you’ll come across in the first few years of your child’s life are the Underpants series from Claire Freedman and Ben Cort – especially the first book, ‘Aliens Love Underpants’

“Aliens love underpants
Of every shape and size,
But there are no underpants in space
So here’s a big surprise!”

If you’ve not read the book, the gist is that Aliens really do love Underpants and come down from space to steal them from your washing line!

So what makes more sense than to get the ‘Aliens Love Underpants’ book onto the stage? Big Wooden Horse who have done many fantastic productions for kids (‘Stuck’, ‘The Way Back Home’, ‘Don’t Let The Pigeon Drive The Bus’ and more) have it on tour from July until September 2013 – the dates are here.

If you head over to the official site there are activity cards to download – worth checking out, and Twinkl also have some fantastic printable resources over here

The zany and hilarious tale based on the best-selling children’s book is delightfully brought to life on stage for the very first time. With stunning effects, madcap action, original music (and lots of aliens of course!) this fantastically fresh and funny production will delight the whole family.

The total running time is 50 minutes, no interval. Suitable for children aged 3 and up – for lots of fun Aliens stuff go to www.aliensloveunderpants.com – also there could be a possibility of signed performances, so keep an eye out!

Tour Dates Scheduled

VENUE	DATES	BOX OFFICE	BOOK ONLINE
RADLETT ARTS CENTRE	Wed 24 July	01923 859291	CLICK HERE
GLIVE, GUILDFORD	Thu 25 – Sat 27 July	08447 701797	CLICK HERE
NORWICH PLAYHOUSE	Mon 29 – Tue 30 July	01603 598598	CLICK HERE
ROSE THEATRE, KINGSTON	Thu 1 – Sun 4 August	08444 821556	CLICK HERE
NOTTINGHAM PLAYHOUSE	Sat 24 – Sun 25 August	01159 419419	CLICK HERE
THE CAPITOL, HORSHAM	Tue 27 – Wed 28 August	01403 750220	CLICK HERE
ST GEORGES HALL, BRADFORD	Fri 30 – Sat 31 August	01274 432000	CLICK HERE
THE HEXAGON, READING	Sun 1 – Mon 2 September	01189 606060	CLICK HERE
CIVIC THEATRE, DARLINGTON	Sat 7 – Sun 8 September	01325 486555	CLICK HERE
THEATRE SEVERN, SHREWSBURY	Tue 10 – Wed 11 September	01743 281281	CLICK HERE
THE MARLOWE, CANTERBURY	Fri 13 – Sun 15 September	01227 787787	CLICK HERE
ST ALBANS ARENA	Mon 16 – Tue 17 September	01727 861078	CLICK HERE
ASSEMBLY ROOMS, TUNBRIDGE WELLS	Fri 20 – Sun 22 September	01892 530613	CLICK HERE
ARTSDEPOT, LONDON	Fri 27 – Sat 28 September	020 8369 5454	CLICK HERE
WYCOMBE SWAN THEATRE	Fri 25 – Sun 27 October	01494 512000	CLICK HERE
CORN EXCHANGE, CAMBRIDGE	Mon 28 – Tue 29 October	01223 357851	CLICK HERE
THE HAYMARKET, BASINGSTOKE	Thu 31 October – Sat 2 November	01256 844244	CLICK HERE
BUXTON OPERA HOUSE	Sun 10 November	08451 272190	CLICK HERE
DERNGATE THEATRE, NORTHAMPTON	Mon 11 – Tue 12 November	01604 624811	CLICK HERE
MAYFLOWER, SOUTHAMPTON	Fri 15 – Sat 16 November	02380 711811	CLICK HERE

17/04/201326/03/2018 by jo

Peppa Pig’s Big Splash! Coming to a Theatre Near You!

One lasting memory H has from last year which she’ll constantly go on about and howl with laughter at, is going to see Peppa Pig’s Treasure Hunt live last year, when we were close enough to the front that George cried and it landed on her tights – so imagine our excitement when a new Peppa show was announced – and it starts this October! (which feels like a way off, but will be here in no time, I’m sure)

Fresh from the huge successes of previous tours Peppa Pig’s Party and Peppa Pig’s Treasure Hunt comes Peppa’s brand new show, Peppa Pig’s Big Splash. Opening at the Orchard Theatre in Dartford on 24 October, this touring production will travel throughout the UK and into Ireland until summer 2014. The tour will also include a fourth consecutive Peppa West End Christmas season (details will to be announced) and it will be the biggest ever to date.

Peppa Pig returns live on stage with puppets and brilliant sing-a-long songs from BAFTA award-winning composer Mani Svavarsson. Richard Lewis adapts and directs this brand new show, following his previous successes with the first two Peppa Pig stage shows and the current Ben & Holly’s Little Kingdom tour.

Peppa Pig’s Big Splash is produced by Fiery Angel and Limelight Productions (Fiery Light), the team also behind the recent tours of LazyTown Live!, Roald Dahl’s The BFG, the previous two Peppa Pig tours and the current tour of Ben and Holly’s Little Kingdom.

Martin Ronan, Executive Producer, said, ‘Fiery Light are delighted to be presenting their third live Peppa show in 2013-2014. Following the huge success of Peppa Pig’s Party and Peppa Pig’s Treasure Hunt comes the biggest tour yet for Peppa. Touring the UK & Ireland for 47 weeks, Peppa Pig’s Big Splash will be a fun-packed experience for all Peppa fans. To date Peppa Live has played to almost 650,000 people and as we approach the 10th anniversary of Peppa being a family favourite, we hope the new show will thrill fans up and down the country’.

PEPPA PIG’S BIG SPLASH

TOUR DETAILS:

THURS 24 – SUN 27 OCTOBER 2013 ORCHARD THEATRE, DARTFORD
Thurs 24 at 4 pm www.orchardtheatre.co.uk
Fri 25 at 1 & 4 pm
Sat 26 at 10 am, 1 & 4 pm
Sun 27 at 10 am & 1 pm

WED 30 – THURS 31 OCTOBER NEW THEATRE, CARDIFF
Wed 30 & Thurs 31 at 10 am, 1 & 4 pm www.newtheatrecardiff.co.uk

SAT 2 – SUN 3 NOVEMBER CONCERT HALL, CROYDON
Sat 2 at 1 & 4 pm www.fairfield.co.uk
Sun 3 at 10 am & 1 pm

TUES 5 – WED 6 NOVEMBER G LIVE, GUILDFORD
Tues 5 at 1 & 4 pm www.glive.co.uk
Wed 6 at 10 am & 1 pm

SAT 9 – SUN 10 NOVEMBER GROVE THEATRE, DUNSTABLE
Sat 9 at 1 & 4 pm www.grovetheatre.co.uk
Sun 10 at 10 am & 1 pm

TUES 12 – WED 13 NOVEMBER NEW ALEXANDRA THEATRE, BIRMINGHAM
Tues 12 at 1 & 4 pm www.atgtickets.com
Wed 13 at 10 am & 1 pm

FRI 15 – SAT 16 NOVEMBER WYCOMBE SWAN, HIGH WYCOMBE
Fri 15 at 4 pm www.wycombeswan.co.uk
Sat 16 at 10.30 am, 1 & 4 pm

WED 20 – THURS 21 NOVEMBER HEXAGON THEATRE, READING
Wed 20 at 1 & 4 pm www.readingarts.com/thehexagon
Thurs 21 at 10 am & 1 pm

SAT 23 – SUN 24 NOVEMBER GRAND THEATRE, BLACKPOOL
Sat 23 at 1 & 4 pm www.blackpoolgrand.co.uk
Sun 24 at 10 am & 1 pm

2014

SAT 18 JANUARY LIVERPOOL EMPIRE
1 & 4 pm www.atgtickets.com

WED 22 – THURS 23 JANUARY CREWE LYCEUM THEATRE
Wed 22 at 1 & 4 pm www.crewelyceum.co.uk
Thurs 23 at 10 am & 1 pm

SAT 25 – SUN 26 JANUARY NEW THEATRE, HULL
Sat 25 at 1 & 4 pm www.hullcc.gov.uk/hullnewtheatre
Sun 26 at 10 am & 1 pm

WED 29 – THURS 30 JANUARY CHARTER THEATRE, PRESTON
Wed 29 at 1 & 4 pm www.prestonguildhall.com
Thurs 30 at 10 am & 1 pm

SAT 1 – SUN 2 FEBRUARY PRINCES HALL, ALDERSHOT
Sat 1 & Sun 2 at 10 am, 1 & 4 pm www.princeshall.com

WED 5 – THURS 6 FEBRUARY THE ALBAN ARENA, ST ALBANS
Wed 5 at 1 & 4 pm www.alban-arena.co.uk
Thurs 6 at 10 am & 1 pm

SAT 8 – SUN 9 FEBRUARY ASSEMBLY HALL THEATRE, TUNBRIDGE WELLS
Sat 8 at 1 & 4 pm www.assemblyhalltheatre.co.uk
Sun 9 at 10 am & 1 pm

WED 12 – THURS 13 FEBRUARY DE MONTFORT HALL, LEICESTER
Wed 12 at 1 & 4 pm www.demontforthall.co.uk
Thurs 13 at 10 am & 1 pm

SAT 15 – SUN 16 FEBRUARY CIVIC THEATRE, DARLINGTON
Sat 15 & Sun 16 at 10 am, 1 & 4 pm www.darlington.gov.uk/arts

WED 19 – THURS 20 FEBRUARY THEATRE ROYAL BRIGHTON
Wed 19 at 1 & 4 pm www.atgtickets.com
Thurs 20 at 10 am & 1 pm

SAT 22 – SUN 23 FEBRUARY CLIFFS PAVILION, SOUTHEND
Sat 22 & Sun 23 at 10 am, 1 & 4 pm www.southendtheatres.org.uk

WED 26 – THURS 27 FEBRUARY GORDON CRAIG THEATRE, STEVENAGE
Wed 26 at 1 & 4 pm www.gordon-craig.co.uk
Thurs 27 at 10 am & 1 pm

SAT 1 – SUN 2 MARCH CORN EXCHANGE, CAMBRIDGE
Sat 1 at 1 & 4 pm www.cornex.co.uk
Sun 2 at 10 am & 1 pm

FRI 7 – SAT 8 MARCH DERNGATE, NORTHAMPTON
Fri 7 at 4 pm www.royalandderngate.co.uk
Sat 8 at 10 am, 1 & 4 pm

WED 12 – THURS 13 MARCH CORN EXCHANGE, KING’S LYNN
Wed 12 at 1 & 4 pm www.kingslynncornexchange.co.uk
Thurs 13 at 10 am & 1 pm

SAT 15 – SUN 16 MARCH HACKNEY EMPIRE
Sat 15 & Sun 16 at 10 am, 1 & 4 pm www.hackneyempire.co.uk

More tour dates to be announced

29/11/201206/01/2015 by jo

Room on the Broom live on Stage

Room on the Broom is in the West End for Christmas – and shares a theatre with Thriller! We got a bit confused at first, but it also explains the early show – which, by the way was utterly delightful and really good fun.

You’re probably already familiar with the Julia Donaldson book, and if you’re like me you’ll be wondering how it transfers onto the stage. It had the most original start of all the plays we’ve seen this year – all four main characters came out about ten minutes before it was due to start and played hide and seek around the chairs, running around, chatting to kids in the audience and making it all quite fun. I was charmed!!

They all eventually made it back onto the stage, their story continues a little longer (complete with comedy snoring – always guaranteed to make three year olds and upwards giggle) until one of them says “Hey, what’s that in the sky up there?” and the Room on the Broom story as we know it starts.

There’s just four actors on stage – all of them have main roles and swap when the puppets are concerned. The Witch and the Cat are the actors in costume, one thing I noticed was even when the story was on another actor they still retained their characters – the cat doing cat-like things. The dog, frog and bird were all puppets – all hand operated by the actors brilliantly. If one actor wasn’t looking after a puppet they became a narrator, reading out sections from the book that you’ll recognise – ohh and the ‘whoooosh!’ bit was pretty good too!

The dragon was brilliant, very welsh and funny. The witch quoted two lines of ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ which us oldies sniggered about – and best of all, H loved it – her favourite bit was the dragon.

There was a little bit of audience participation, and I could see H joining in – singing and shouting when prompted.

The production lasted 55 minutes, possibly slightly longer with the hide and seek bit at the start and it flew by. I’ve got the song about the spell STILL stuck in my head (“Ziggety zaggety zoggety zoom, we’ve got a most magnificent broom”), I wish I’d bought the album with all the songs which was on sale at a very reasonable £8. The merch stand was really well priced too – we got a Room on the Broom witch on a stand, and a programme – costing £6 in total.

All in all, it was a brilliant morning, a really lovely set and really well done – full credit to the actors for being so brilliant and funny.

If you’re thinking about going to see Room on the Broom, don’t delay! It’s on in the West End through Christmas until the 13th January, with most performances at 11am, plus a couple of 1pm ones – check this link for more details. It’s suitable for age 3 and up – though our performance did have some younger kids in there.

Watch the trailer here –

Room on the Broom Live

Tall Stories

We received our tickets for ‘Room on the Broom’ for free, all opinions are our own!

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