A visit to one of Bath’s theatrical gems for some classic Shakespeare About a thousand years ago, along with hoards of children my age, I studied Macbeth for my English O Level. Back then I remember being relieved that we were lucky enough to get the one with witches, murders, betrayal and even a beheading....
Category: Reviews
Review – A mum’s view of the five-week Baby Massage Course
Charlotte Braithwaite and Monty share their experiences on this popular massage course My son was four weeks old when I visited a health visitor and told her how he seemed to be uncomfortable, pained and was finding it difficult to burp. The health visitor recommended baby massage so I signed up for the next available...
Review – Gaslight at the Theatre Royal, Bath
A visit to the opening night of a psychological thriller based on Victorian domestic values and terrible secrets The ingredients are all there – the atmospheric setting, the many tiered characters, the repressed emotions, the secrets… From the earliest moments, Gaslight promises so much to the capacity audience on its opening night at the Theatre...
Review – The Music Of Cream at Komedia
Ian Waller goes in search of a little musical education for his 13 year old daughter One of the important roles of a parent or carer is to make sure that our children know a good tune when they hear it. We all know that the music we were brought up with is the best...
Review – Comedy night with Paul Foot at Pound Arts in Corsham
A parent’s night out in Corsham to see the bonkers comedy of Paul Foot This was something new for us – a comedy night out at Pound Arts in Corsham. We’d been across to Pound Arts for all sorts of other events, from children’s craft sessions to cinema, art exhibitions and lunch in the cafe,...
Review – Rumpelstiltskin at The New Room, Bristol
Amy Thwaites and her daughter enjoy a new production of a classic family tale My daughter and I both love stories – reading, writing and performing them. When we heard that Bristol-born theatre company Insane Root had adapted the Brothers Grimm’s Rumpelstiltskin for the stage, we jumped at the chance to see it. The company...
Review – The Upbeat Beatles at Komedia Bath
We deserved it – all parents and carers do – an occasional night out without the children and not worrying too much about bedtimes and school the next day. So with the babysitter booked, we headed off to Komedia in Bath to watch The Beatles live! Well, no, not THE Beatles, but rather The Upbeat...
Review – Friday night family meal at Alice Park Cafe
An early evening family meal with its very own children’s play area very close by When it comes to facilities for children, Alice Park Cafe takes some beating. Situated right next to a cracking play area and acres of open space, it’s ideal for families who would like to combine some outdoor play time with...
Review – The Lion King at the Bristol Hippodrome
We’ve just enjoyed a fantastic night of family theatre at the Bristol Hippodrome Just WOW! The Lion King at the Bristol Hippodrome is quite simply outstanding and among the best theatre we have ever seen! From the earliest moments (whatever you do, do not be late to your seat) and throughout each scene, the audience...
Review – family lunch at Temple Street Canteen, Keynsham
There’s a wonderful selection of coffee shops and eateries along Keynsham High Street, but for one family, the pick is the excellent Temple Street Canteen, just a little further along from the library We’d first heard about the Temple Street Canteen when we read that it had teamed up with the Keynsham Rotary Club to...
Review – The Life I Lead at the Theatre Royal, Bath
Ian Waller enjoys a fascinating and hugely entertaining show about the life of Disney favourite, David Tomlinson, in a one-man show starring Miles Jupp As a child I loved David Tomlinson in Bedknobs and Broomsticks, playing the old magician who finds out that his spells, in fact, really could work. He was just as wonderful,...
Review – Marvel Avengers S.T.A.T.I.O.N. in Cardiff
Steve Myers and his family get up close with the Hulk, Captain America, Iron Man and their buddies in a shopping centre in Cardiff It turns out that the Hulk isn’t such a bad chap. Simply press the right buttons, and he’ll soon be smashing, banging and crashing at your command, before settling down again...
Review – Carters Steam Fair comes to Bath
The best fair around is paying a welcome visit to Bath’s Victoria Park and we’ve been along to enjoy the fun The boys were spoilt for choice – which ride to enjoy next? They had already taken on the challenges of the Dodgems and Jets, while the Victory Dive Bomber was looking like the favourite...
Review – A family out at Il Ponte Ristorante Italiano in Bradford on Avon
The first time that we’d really noticed Il Ponte Ristorante Italiano in Bradford on Avon was when we’d passed by paddle boarding along the river, waving to the diners using the outdoors seating area. This time, we’d changed places, swapping our boarding gear for smarter, eating out attire for a family meal out. Il Ponte...
Review – Horrible Histories: Terrible Tudors at the Bristol Hippodrome
We love Horrible Histories – the TV programmes, the books and the stage shows, and we can’t wait to see the new film too! Has there ever been a better way of bring history to life for children – and their parents as well? The great news is that the stage show is back with...
Review – The Lion King at the Little Theatre Bath
What better way to welcome in the summer holidays than a family visit to the Little Theatre cinema in Bath to watch the new version of The Lion King “Shh, it’s about to start.” Nowhere but the cinema does this request work with young children, but such is the magic of the anticipation and atmosphere...
Review – a family visit to Paella Thursday at Tapas Revolution
A family visit to Paella Thursday at Tapas Revolution in Bath “Here, that paella’s not what you think,” suggested a friend after his first visit to Spain. “It’s not got a crust or anything.” We were hoping that our children’s first experience of paella in a restaurant might be a bit more successful. The signs...
Review – The Maize Maze at Whitehall Garden Centre
Liz Lowe and her family enjoy getting lost at this summer attraction near Lacock My five-year-old daughter Isla loves mazes, but I have no sense of direction, so we got down to Whitehall Garden Centre’s Maize Maze as soon as it opened. My plan was to get around before the maize grew too high to...
Review – Giffords Circus is coming to town
Susy Douch and her family run away to join the circus, for the day… When I mentioned to friends that we were going to Giffords Circus, they were all very positive and I was pretty sure a fun afternoon was in store. We were certainly not disappointed! Giffords Circus is a small, traditional English circus...
Review – Blithe Spirit at the Theatre Royal Bath
It doesn’t take a fortune teller to note that the stars are perfectly aligned for Noel Coward’s Blithe Spirit at the Theatre Royal Bath to be a huge success. Here we have one of the master storyteller’s most popular and successful plays, with a wonderful cast and a fabulous theatre. No wonder that there wasn’t...
Review – Wallace & Gromit: Musical Marvels at The Bath Forum
OK, right from the start I admit that my family and I are all huge fans of Wallace & Gromit. So when we heard that Wallace & Gromit’s Musical Marvels was coming to The Bath Forum, we knew we had to be there. Here was a chance to see the live debut of Wallace’s very...