Mrs Browns Boys D'musical

We like watching Mrs Browns Boys so we got tickets and the four of us and a family friend went to see them live at Resorts World Arena, Birmingham.  My kids were asking which way we need to go from the car park to get to where the show was and was amazed to discover that despite this venue being built 39 years ago, it's had many names over those 39 years, and the fact that I am a Brummie born and bred and have never left the area, that I have never been here before.  Maybe I need to get out more?

We were supposed to be in the middle of the section right in front of the stage, about half-way back but when we got there we discovered that the stage was moved forward compared to the original seating plan which meant we were on the second row from the front.

We all had a great time, I thought my 15 year old was going to wet herself laughing, my 12 year old didn't get all of the jokes but she got most of them and was pulling shocked funny faces, as most young teenage kids do, but we all had a great time and would highly recommend going to see the show if you have a sense of humour.

Its Panto time again!

It's that time of the year again when we take the family to Birmingham Hippodrome Theatre to see the annual Pantomime... oh not it's not, oh yes it is...

This year it is Peter Pan and unfortunately Jimmy Osmond, who was playing Captain Hook, suffered a stroke on 27th December and was rushed to hospital, where he received lots of care and was well looked after.  Darren Day, one of my favourite entertainers from my teenage years, stepped into the role and done a great job.  Lots of ad-libbing and poking fun at each other by the cast, a really fun and enjoyable night out.

Wicked!!

Just got back from an evening out at Birmingham Hippodrome Theatre to see Wicked.  This kids had no idea where we were going until we parked up and started walking towards the theatre, or what we were going to see.  We kept it a big big surprise.

I have to say that this show is absolutely amazing with some fabulously colourful and creative costumes.  It stars Amy Ross as Elphaba, Helen Woolf as Glinda, Adam Sidwell (Steven Beale from Eastenders) as Fiyero, Kim Ismay (Claudia from Not Going Out) as Madame Morrible, Steven Pinder (Max Farnham from Brookside) as The Wonderful Wizard of Oz and Doctor Dillamond, Emily Shaw as Nessarose and Iddon Jones as Boq.

If it comes to a theatre near you, try to go and see it, you won't be disappointed.

Cinderella!!!!!!!

Took the family to see Cinderella at Birmingham Hippodrome Theatre this evening.  This year it stars Matt Slack (as usual) playing Buttons, Beverley Knight as The Fairy Godmother in her first ever Panto, Danny Mac as Prince Charming, Suzanne Shaw as Cinderella, Ceri Dupree and David Dale as The Ugly Sisters, Gary Watson as Dandini and Robin Colvill and James Brandon from The Grumbleweeds, which is now no longer a 5 member group as I remember them in 70's and 80's and only consists of original member Robin and new boy James who joined in 2013.

It was great night with Matt acting the fool as always, a fair bit of ad-libbing and giggling by cast members and audience interaction.  Looking forward to next year's Panto now.

Billy Elliott The Musical at Birmingham Hippodrome Theatre

As a family we love going to the theatre to watch shows, especially musicals and Pantomimes when we can afford to do so.  We're not really into the heavy theatrical plays.

We saw that Billy Elliott was coming to one of our local theatres and decided to book tickets, even though we had a bit of doubt about our youngest seeing it due to the amount of swearing in it as she is only 10 years old, but we're really glad that we did.

Everyone enjoyed themselves and it was a local lad, Lewis Smallman, playing the role of Billy on the night we went to see it.  An amazing show that I would definitely go see again in the future.  Many apologies for the terrible photo of me with the show programme, it was very late when we got back in so this photo was taken just after midnight and at least you only have to look at half of my face.

One of my shawls, a famous actress and a New York stage.

Earlier this month I got a surprise sale of one of my higher priced shawls and when I saw the address that I was sending it to I got quite excited and was intrigued to find out what it was going to be used for.  The address was the Costume Department at A Theatre For A New Audience in Brooklyn, New York.  I looked them up online, of course, and discovered that they have a Facebook Page, which I started following in the hopes of finding out what happens to the shawl that I made and they purchased.

Suddenly a set of photos appeared on their page, amazing photos featuring my shawl being worn by Kecia Lewis, who has previously starred in Law & Order, Crossing Jordan and Blue Bloods to name a few, and she is currently in The Skin of our Teeth, a production at Theatre for a New Audience which also stars David Rasche, who has previously starred in Sledge Hammer, Blue Bloods, Ugly Betty and many others.  I quickly messaged them and gained permission to use their photographs to show off and promote my shawls.  That is so kind of them because these photos are amazing.

(c) Gerry Goodstein

(c) Gerry Goodstein

(c) Gerry Goodstein

(c) Gerry Goodstein

(c) Gerry Goodstein

The New York Times wrote an article about the play and you find that here

I certainly feel very privileged to have supplied them with an accessory for their Costume Department and supplying theatres and such like is something I had not even considered before.  It has certainly made my year to date.

If you like the shawl, you can find it available in other colours in my Etsy store, in colours such as Lilac, Royal Blue, Bright Green, and Turquoise with other colours planned to be made later in the year.