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A Joyful Family Theatre Experience with Plenty of Peppa Magic Taking young children to the theatre can sometimes feel like a bit of a leap, so finding a show that’s colourful, engaging and genuinely family-friendly is always a win. Peppa Pig’s Big Family Show  at The Lowry turned out to be exactly that — a joyful, low-stress theatre trip that worked beautifully for our family. We were kindly invited to review Peppa Pig’s Big Family Show  at The Lowry on Saturday 7th February at 11am, and it turned into such a lovely family outing for us. The show was on in The Lowry’s Lyric Theatre, and we were seated in the stalls, row K, seats 15–18. We had an excellent view from these seats, with a clear sightline to the stage and plenty of space for the kids to see what was going on. Booster seats were available too, which is always reassuring — we spotted them by both side doors in the stalls (doors B and J), making them easy to grab if needed. Getting There & Facilities We travelled by tram, which couldn’t have been easier, as there’s a stop right by The Lowry. If you’re travelling by car instead, there’s a multi-storey car park just a three-minute walk away, which is really convenient for families. There was also a pram/trolley park near the cloakroom, so if you’re bringing a pushchair, you don’t have to worry about squeezing it into the auditorium. The Show Experience Although Alice (8) and Leo (6) are slightly older than the usual target age range, they’re both still huge Peppa Pig fans and were incredibly excited — especially to see baby Evie Pig  on stage. The show itself is colourful, gentle and very familiar, feeling just like stepping into a Peppa Pig episode brought to life. Alice was completely captivated by baby Evie from the moment she appeared, with the biggest smile on her face, while Leo absolutely loved the bubbles and water effects — anything involving bubbles is always a winner for him. There’s lots of audience participation throughout, but it’s done in a very relaxed and inclusive way. One of the highlights for us was musical statues. Alice isn’t usually one to join in, but as soon as they announced musical statues, she was straight up dancing and having the best time. Both kids also loved singing along, especially to the Bing Bong song, and Splish Splash in Muddy Puddles  has been stuck in my head ever since. A Lovely Staff Moment Once the show finished, we headed out — and I suddenly realised I didn’t have my phone. Panic set in, but the staff were absolutely amazing. One of the team suggested checking with the box office and said she’d look in the auditorium. While I was at the box office, she came out with my phone, which had slipped down the side of the chair. I was so grateful. Every member of staff and volunteer we spoke to was friendly, calm and genuinely helpful, which turned a stressful moment into a really reassuring one. Merchandise There was plenty of merchandise available , with a stall in the foyer as well as staff walking around inside the auditorium selling items. Some of the merch on offer included: Spinning light-up George wand – £13 Light-up dinosaur wand – £9 Dinosaur plush – £15 Teddy plush – £14 George plush in dinosaur outfit – £17 Peppa in rainbow dress plush – £19 Duck plush teether – £5 Peppa bag – £13 Peppa tote-style bag – £8 Peppa backpack – £12 George Peppa Pig Live  T-shirt – £17 Peppa Peppa Pig Live  T-shirt – £17 Peppa Pig’s Big Family Show  sticker book – £5 Peppa Pig Fun Day Out  activity book – £3 After the show, they were also selling Peppa balloons  — I didn’t catch the exact price, but they’re usually around £6–£8 . Final Thoughts Peppa Pig’s Big Family Show  was a really lovely theatre experience for our family. It’s colourful, interactive and perfectly pitched for younger audiences, while still offering plenty of moments that older siblings can enjoy — especially if they already love Peppa. Between the easy travel, helpful facilities, friendly staff and a show that kept both Alice and Leo engaged, it felt like a genuinely stress-free family day out — and that’s always a win. A joyful, bubble-filled visit to the theatre that left us all smiling 🐷✨ Peppa Pig’s Big Family Show will be showing at The Lowry until Sunday, 8th February 2026. Tickets are available for purchase through the link provided below. Click Me For more information about the show, please click the link below to visit the official website. Click Me Photo Credit - Mark Senior *Our tickets for this show were kindly gifted in exchange for an honest review.

During February half term we were looking for something fun to do that was close to home and wouldn’t cost a fortune. I came across the Spies, Lies and Deception exhibition at Imperial War Museum North and thought it might be perfect for Alice, who is currently obsessed with spies and is always pretending to be a secret agent at home. On Wednesday morning Lawrence had been working an early shift and got home at about 10:30am, and not long after that we left the house around 11:45am to catch the tram to the museum. Despite living quite close to Imperial War Museum North, I realised this was actually the first time I had ever visited. I’ve always been more interested in ancient history than wartime history, so I had never really thought about going before — but this exhibition sounded really interesting, especially for the kids. Getting There Getting to the museum by tram is really easy. There’s a tram stop right outside the museum, but on this occasion we got the MediaCityUK tram, which stops just around the corner. From there it’s only a short walk across the bridge to reach the museum. We arrived at around 12:30pm and after a quick bag check at the entrance, the friendly staff explained what was on at the museum and pointed out where the facilities were. When you walk into the main entrance, the gift shop is on the left and the café is on the right. At the far end are the toilets, and opposite them there’s a wall of lockers where you can leave coats and bags if you don’t want to carry them around the museum. You’ll need a £1 coin to use the lockers, although you do get the coin back afterwards. We had come specifically to see the Spies, Lies and Deception  exhibition, which is located on the first floor. The stairs and lifts to the exhibition are just past the shop on the left. Entering the Exhibition When we entered the exhibition, the first thing we did was watch a short animated video introduction, which sets the scene and explains the world of espionage and deception. After that we walked through into the Mission Room, where the interactive elements begin. In the Mission Room there were trench coats and hats hanging on pegs, with both children’s and adult sizes, so visitors could dress up as spies and take photos. Alice absolutely loved this and immediately wanted to try it on. Leo isn’t keen on dressing up though, so he decided to skip that part. Alice was so excited that she wanted to keep the spy outfit on while we explored the exhibition — and since it was fairly quiet I let her wear it as we walked around. The Secret Mission Trail On a desk in the Mission Room there were Secret Mission booklets and pencils that visitors could pick up. The booklet explained that your mission was to find five people hidden around the exhibition and uncover their secrets by answering questions about them. Lawrence went off around the exhibition with Leo, while Alice and I followed the trail together. Alice quickly turned it into a game of her own. In her version of the story she was the spy and I was her assistant, and we had to sneak around the museum hiding from other visitors while searching for clues. She had so much fun with this and it really brought the whole exhibition to life for her. Learning About Real Spy Stories While we were following the mission trail, we also spent time looking at the different displays and learning about real stories of espionage. The exhibition is divided into five sections: Mission Room Using Deception Uncovering Deception Being Deceived Debriefing Room There are lots of fascinating objects on display showing the creativity and ingenuity behind spy operations — including disguised weapons, hidden gadgets and forged documents. One story that particularly caught my attention was Operation Mincemeat, a daring Second World War deception plan involving fake military documents planted on a body to mislead the enemy. I actually had tickets to see the Operation Mincemeat  musical the following week, so it was really interesting learning about the real history behind the story beforehand. The exhibition also tells the story of Noor Inayat Khan, the first female SOE wireless operator sent into occupied France during the war. Her story is incredibly powerful and shows the real human risks behind espionage work. Interactive Fun One of Alice’s favourite parts of the exhibition was the camouflage wall, where visitors can put on camouflage clothing and see how well they blend into the background. She found this hilarious and spent ages trying to disappear into the pattern. The interactive elements really help bring the exhibition to life, especially for younger visitors. Completing the Mission Once Alice had filled in all the answers in her mission booklet, we headed to the Debriefing Room. Here we entered the answers into a digital screen, which helped us crack the final code word. After that we went down to the gift shop, told them the code word, and Alice was given a badge as a reward for completing the mission. She was so pleased with herself — it really made the whole experience feel like a proper spy adventure. How Long to Spend We spent about an hour exploring the exhibition and left at around 1:30pm. Most families will probably spend 45–60 minutes in the exhibition as part of a wider visit to the museum. Practical Information 📅 Dates:  29 November 2025 – 31 August 2026 📍 Location:  Imperial War Museum North, Manchester 💰 Cost:  Free entry 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Suitable for families  (reading age around 8+, but younger children can still enjoy the interactive parts) There’s also a café and gift shop at the museum if you want to make a longer day out of your visit. Final Thoughts I honestly wasn’t sure what to expect before visiting the Spies, Lies and Deception  exhibition, especially as wartime history isn’t usually my main area of interest. But we all ended up really enjoying it. The mix of real historical stories, fascinating spy gadgets and interactive elements makes it both educational and genuinely fun. For Alice and Leo, the Secret Mission trail and dressing up as spies were definitely the highlights. Watching Alice sneak around the exhibition whispering about secret missions was one of those moments that just makes a family day out feel special. If you’re looking for a free family activity in Manchester, especially during school holidays, this exhibition is definitely worth visiting. ⭐ A fascinating, hands-on exhibition that turns visitors into spies for the day — and proves learning history can be a real adventure. Watch Our Visit in Weekly Vlog #442 If you’d like to see what we got up to during our visit to the Spies, Lies and Deception exhibition at Imperial War Museum North, you can watch it in Weekly Vlog #442  below. Our trip to the museum starts at 17:42  in the video, although the vlog also includes some other moments from our week.

Some weeks feel busy, others feel slow and cosy — and this one felt like a really lovely mix of both. From bargain toy finds and happy kids, to theatre nights, creative projects and a big food win for Leo, this week was full of small moments that meant a lot. Here’s everything we got up to during our week of 19th – 25th January. ASDA Bargains & Happy Kids 🛍️ On Monday, I headed to ASDA with my dad to do a bit of shopping. Mum was supposed to come too, but she wasn’t feeling great, so it ended up just being the two of us. I mainly needed some boring essentials like new leggings and shampoo, but I ended up finding the biggest bargain ever — Rainbow Friends plushies  reduced from £7.50 to just £2.50 each . Alice has been asking for them for ages, so I got orange for Alice and yellow for Leo . When I gave them the toys, their faces absolutely lit up. They were so excited and gave me the biggest hugs. £5 very well spent, and they spent the whole evening playing together with their new toys — which honestly made my heart melt. Theatre Night at The Lowry 🎭 On Tuesday, I spent the day updating the blog and then in the evening I headed to The Lowry  to review Murder at Midnight  (gifted tickets). Performed by Original Theatre, Murder at Midnight  is a darkly comic comedy thriller written by Torben Betts and directed by Philip Franks. Set on New Year’s Eve, the play opens after a violent incident before rewinding to show how everything spirals completely out of control. At the centre of the chaos is Jonny “The Cyclops” Drinkwater, a one-eyed gangster returning home expecting celebration and reunion, but instead finding a house full of secrets, tensions and far too many people with something to hide. An undercover policeman posing as a priest, a jittery burglar in a clown mask, a clairvoyant mother and her terrified carer all collide under one roof, leading to a fast-paced story full of misunderstandings, sharp dialogue and escalating mayhem. Rather than a traditional whodunnit, the play leans into farce and dark comedy, blending crime, absurdity and theatrical excess into a night that is knowingly grisly but consistently entertaining. 👉 You can read my full review HERE Reviews, Reels & Creative Work 🎬 Wednesday was a proper home admin day. I spent the day writing up my Murder at Midnight review, creating a reel and social media posts to go with it, and also started working on something new — a brand new intro for my theatre YouTube videos. I’ve wanted to refresh my channel visuals for a while, so it felt really exciting to finally start bringing it all together and seeing it slowly take shape. York Day Trip & More Editing 🚆 On Thursday, Lawrence went on a day trip to York , where he visited York Minster  and The Yorkshire Museum , and he had a great time. While he was out and the kids were at school, I stayed home and carried on working on my theatre intro and also made an outro video  as well. It felt really productive and creative — one of those days where you actually feel like you’ve achieved something. Housework & An Exciting Delivery 📦 Friday and Saturday were mainly housework and editing days, but I did get an exciting delivery on Saturday — the stack cutter  I bought so I can make notebooks and planners more easily. I still haven’t opened it yet because life has been busy, but I’m so excited to try it out and start making more of my own stationery and creative projects. Blog Time & A Big Food Win 💛 On Sunday, Lawrence took the kids to the park while I stayed home working on my blog: https://sarahlouisemonaghan.wixsite.com/sarah-monaghan It’s almost exactly how I want it now — I just need to finish organising all the blog posts into their new categories, and I’m really happy with the new design and layout. We ended the week with homemade chicken fajitas , and we even managed to get Leo to try some , which was a huge win. He’s a very fussy eater and only eats a small range of foods, so moments like that feel massive for us. Final Thoughts 💛 This week felt like one of those really nice, balanced weeks — a mix of everyday life, creative work, theatre and cosy family moments. From bargain toy finds and happy hugs, to theatre and a fussy eater trying something new, it was full of little wins that made it feel really special. Sometimes it’s not the big events, but the small moments that really make a week memorable. Watch Our Weekly Vlog 🎥 If you’d like to see everything we got up to this week in real time, you can watch Weekly Vlog #438  — come and join us for all the behind-the-scenes moments, shopping finds, theatre nights and cosy family life.

Some weeks feel non-stop busy, and others feel calmer and creative — and this one was a really good mix of both. From a rare grown-up theatre date night and lots of behind-the-scenes blog work, to crafty experiments and helping Leo with a school project, this week was full of creative moments and little wins. Here’s everything we got up to during our week of 26th January – 1st February. Big Night of Musicals & A Grown-Up Date Night 🎭 On Monday, I spent most of the day at home editing YouTube videos while Lawrence was working an early shift. In the evening, the kids went to their grandparents, which meant Lawrence and I could head into Manchester for a proper night out — something that doesn’t happen very often. We were lucky enough to attend The National Lottery’s Big Night of Musicals  at the AO Arena, which has become one of our absolute favourite theatre nights of the year. Tickets are released for free each year as a thank you to National Lottery players, with just a small booking fee, and we’ve somehow managed to get tickets every single year since the event began. This year felt very grown-up — no kids, no school runs, just the two of us. We got the tram into Victoria Station, which is right next to the arena, and despite how busy it was, everything ran really smoothly getting inside. We were seated in Block 214, Row R, right at the back of the upper tier. We were very high up, but the view was actually much better than expected, and being near the side of the stage meant we could see everything clearly without needing to rely on the screens. The atmosphere before the show even started was incredible, with music, singalongs and a real buzz around the arena. Once the performances began, it was just non-stop magic. The opening Lion King  performance was absolutely breathtaking, with performers and puppets moving through the audience. Some standout moments for me included Sam Ryder in Jesus Christ Superstar , Ava Brennan in Oliver! , the Annie  performance with children from Oldham, and the huge singalong with The Choir of Man . One of my favourite moments of the night was the Disney medley, introduced by Alan Menken and performed by Mae Ann Jorolan, Lucy Jones and Trevor Dion Nicholas, alongside young performers from local training programmes. It was such a special reminder of what this event is really about. When we got home, Lawrence went straight to bed as he’d been up since 3am, while I stayed up filming my YouTube review — tired but still buzzing from the night. Reviews, Videos & Shrink Plastic Experiments 🎬 Tuesday was a very productive day. I wrote my reviews of Big Night of Musicals, edited my vlog and review video, and finally tried out printable shrink plastic to make charms of my theatre characters. There was a lot of trial and error involved — adjusting colour settings so the designs wouldn’t oversaturate when they shrank, and figuring out how to get my Cricut to cut them properly. I didn’t have a deep-point blade at first, so I had to use several repeat cuts, but once it worked, it felt so worth it. I baked them in my mini oven at 160°C for around 5–10 minutes, flattened them under a heavy book, and was honestly so impressed with how they turned out. Next on the list is finishing them with UV resin so they can become proper pins. Blog Work, Editing & Craft Deliveries 🖥️📦 Wednesday through to Saturday were mainly spent working on my blog and YouTube content. I redesigned some pages, rewrote older reviews so they work better on the site, and did more video editing. On Friday, I had a craft delivery arrive from Hobbycraft. I ordered a deep-point blade for my Cricut, replacement fine-point blades, and a new green mat. They had a buy-two-get-one-free offer on Cricut accessories, and I also had a 15% off code, so it felt like a really good deal. I also picked up some UV resin, a UV light, pin backs, and sublimation pen blanks, which I’m hoping to experiment with using my old air fryer. An Arctic School Project with Leo ❄️ On Sunday, I helped Leo create an Arctic habitat for school. We used a cardboard cake box, cotton balls and tissue paper for the snow and water, and a printed background. I also cut out Arctic animals on my Cricut, which he then stuck into his scene. He decided he wanted to add an igloo, so I attempted to make one using plaster cast strips. It didn’t turn out quite as planned — and in hindsight, air-drying or polymer clay would probably have worked better — but the finished scene looked great, and Leo was so proud of it. Seeing how happy he was with it made all the effort completely worth it. Final Thoughts 💛 This week felt busy but really fulfilling — a lovely mix of theatre, creativity, behind-the-scenes work and family time. From a rare grown-up theatre date night and creative experiments, to blog progress and a school project Leo was proud of, it was full of small moments that made it feel really special. Sometimes it’s not the biggest events, but the little wins that make a week memorable. Watch Our Weekly Vlog 🎥 If you’d like to see everything we got up to this week in real time, you can watch Weekly Vlog #439  below. It includes our night at Big Night of Musicals, some of my creative projects, and a glimpse of everyday family life.

Some weeks feel busy but exciting, and this one was definitely full of activity. From editing and housework to three theatre trips in one week, plus a slightly stressful moment when I lost my phone, it ended up being a week packed with memories. Here’s everything we got up to during our week of 2nd – 8th February. Editing, Housework & Theatre Nights 🎭 On Monday, I spent most of the day editing last week’s weekly vlog, which always takes longer than I think it will but is always worth it once it’s finished. Tuesday morning was mainly house chores, catching up on bits around the house, and then in the evening Lawrence and I headed to The Lowry  to review MÁM  (gifted tickets). MÁM  is a powerful dance-theatre production inspired by Irish mythology, combining contemporary dance, live music and storytelling to explore themes of motherhood, heritage and identity. It’s very atmospheric and visually striking, with moments that feel almost hypnotic. We both really enjoyed it, and it was honestly completely different to anything we’ve seen before. It’s one of those shows that stays with you afterwards because of how emotional and immersive the experience feels. 👉 You can read my full reviews here: All About Theatre review Sarah Monaghan review Wednesday was a proper home admin day spent writing both of my MÁM  reviews, creating social media posts and reels, and getting everything published across my platforms. A Solo Theatre Trip to Bolton 🎭 On Thursday, I headed to Bolton  to review The Memory of Water  at the Octagon Theatre (gifted tickets). Before catching my train, I had a quick look around Primark and then grabbed some lunch from KFC, which felt like a nice little solo outing moment. I arrived at the theatre around 1:30pm for the 2pm matinee, collected my programme and drinks voucher from the box office, and then headed up to the bar to get a drink to take into the auditorium before the show started. The Memory of Water  follows three sisters who reunite for their mother’s funeral, with the story blending humour, nostalgia and emotional moments as they confront family tensions and childhood memories. It’s a really relatable exploration of family relationships, grief and the complicated bonds between siblings. The production balanced comedy and emotion beautifully, with genuinely funny moments alongside more reflective scenes, and I found it really engaging throughout. 👉 You can read my full reviews here: All About Theatre review Sarah Monaghan review Friday was spent writing my Memory of Water  reviews and creating the social media posts and reel to go with them. Peppa Pig with the Kids 🐷💕 On Saturday, we took the children to see Peppa Pig’s Big Family Show  at The Lowry (gifted tickets), and they absolutely loved it. The show follows Peppa and her family preparing for a new arrival, with plenty of songs, colourful sets and familiar characters from the TV series. It’s designed perfectly for young audiences, with lots of interaction and moments that kept the children completely engaged. Seeing how excited Alice and Leo were throughout the performance made it really special — they were smiling the whole time. However… I did manage to lose my phone at the end of the performance, which caused a bit of panic. I went back into the auditorium to look for it but couldn’t see it anywhere. One of The Lowry volunteers said they would check inside while I went to the box office to see if it had been handed in — it hadn’t, and I was just filling out my details for them to contact me if it was found when the volunteer came out with my phone. Apparently it had been wedged down the side of the seat! I was so relieved it had been found. 👉 You can read my full reviews here: All About Theatre review Sarah Monaghan review Sunday was spent writing my Peppa Pig reviews for both blogs and creating the social media posts and reel to go with them. Final Thoughts 💛 This weekly update was definitely a busy one, but full of moments I’m really grateful for — theatre experiences, family time and even a stressful moment that ended happily. From unique dance theatre and emotional storytelling to Peppa Pig excitement and a mini phone scare, it was a week full of variety and memories. Sometimes the busiest weeks are the ones that end up meaning the most. And as always… I’m already looking forward to the next adventure ✨ Watch Our Weekly Vlog 🎥 If you’d like to see everything we got up to this week in real time, you can watch Weekly Vlog #440  — come and join us for all the theatre trips, family moments and behind-the-scenes life.

Some weeks are a lovely mix of everyday life and special moments, and this one definitely felt like that. From school science presentations and theatre trips to Valentine’s lunch and a family birthday celebration, this weekly update was full of little highlights. Here’s everything we got up to during our week of 9th – 15th February. Editing, Housework & Getting Organised 💻 On Monday I started the week as I usually do — editing the weekly vlog. As always, it took most of the day, but it’s always satisfying once it’s finished and uploaded. Tuesday was a bit of a home day. I caught up on housework and spent some time reorganising my files on my computer, which felt really productive. It’s one of those jobs I keep putting off, but it makes everything so much easier once it’s done. Alice’s Science Showcase 🔬 On Wednesday morning, my mum and I went to Alice’s school for their Science Showcase. She was so happy to see us there, which was really lovely. The children had clearly worked very hard and were excited to show the parents what they had been learning. Alice helped present an experiment about friction, using toy cars going down ramps made from different materials and measuring the distance they travelled. It was really interesting to see how different surfaces affected how far the cars rolled. All the children were fantastic and clearly proud of their work, and it was such a nice way to see what they’ve been learning in school. The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical ⚡ Later that evening we headed to HOME Manchester to review The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical  (gifted tickets). As a special treat we brought Alice with us, and she absolutely loved it. Leo stayed with his grandparents as the show has an age recommendation of 8+, so it felt like a really nice little evening out for her. The musical follows Percy Jackson, a teenager who discovers he is the son of Poseidon and is suddenly thrown into a world of Greek gods, monsters and mythical adventures. The show is fast-paced, funny and full of energy, with a great mix of humour, storytelling and music. Alice had popcorn and ice cream during the interval, which made the evening feel like an extra special treat. 👉 You can read my full All About Theatre review HERE 👉 You can read my full Sarah Monaghan review HERE Valentine’s Lunch at the Trafford Centre ❤️ On Thursday, Lawrence and I went to the Trafford Centre for an early Valentine’s lunch since he was going to be working on the actual day. We arrived around 11am and had a look around the new Haribo shop and Miniso before deciding where to eat. We were stuck between Pesto and TGI Fridays but ended up choosing TGI’s because we hadn’t been there for a while and they had a lunch offer on. Lawrence went for a burger and I chose the steak, which was delicious. After lunch Lawrence headed home to pick the kids up from school while I popped into ASDA to buy a birthday card and present for my nephew. When I got home I also wrote up my review for The Lightning Thief . Social Media & Editing 🎬 Friday was mostly spent working on the social media posts and reels for my Lightning Thief  reviews and doing some video editing. Meet the Hatter at Z-arts 🎩 On Saturday the kids, my brother and I went to Z-arts Manchester to review Meet the Hatter  (gifted tickets), and we all really enjoyed it. Inspired by the world of Alice in Wonderland , the show combines storytelling, music and imaginative staging to create a magical and playful theatre experience for children. It’s funny, creative and full of charm, with lots of moments designed to spark imagination. Both Alice and Leo were completely engaged throughout, and it was such a fun family theatre outing. 👉 You can read my All About Theatre review HERE 👉 You can read my All About Theatre review HERE   A Family Birthday Celebration 🎉 On Sunday I went to my nephew’s 2nd birthday party, which was really lovely. The party was held at a children’s play centre for under-5s and it was such a fun little venue. Peppa Pig even came to the party, which was a really nice surprise. I managed to get a photo with her so I could show Alice and Leo when I got home, as they both love Peppa Pig. Afterwards we stopped at Nando’s for dinner on the way home, which was the perfect relaxed ending to the week. Final Thoughts 💛 This was one of those weeks with a lovely mix of everyday moments and special outings — from Alice’s science showcase and theatre trips to Valentine’s lunch and a family birthday celebration. Sometimes it’s those small moments, like watching your child take part in something they’ve been learning at school, that really make a week feel special. Watch Our Weekly Vlog 🎥 If you’d like to see everything we got up to this week in real time, you can watch Weekly Vlog #441  — come and join us for theatre trips, family moments and behind-the-scenes life from our week.

February half term always feels a little busier than a normal week, and this one was packed with family days out, museums, theatre trips and a slightly chaotic pancake evening. From space toilets and spy missions to free kids’ meals and Pokémon surprises, this weekly update is definitely full of memories. Here’s everything we got up to during our week of 16th – 22nd February. Editing & Half Term Begins 🎬 On Monday, I started the week as I usually do — editing the weekly vlog. As always, it took most of the day, but I love getting it finished and uploaded before the new week properly gets going. With it being February half term, the kids were off school all week, so I knew we had a busy few days ahead. Horrible Science: Cosmic Chaos 🚀 On Tuesday, which was Lawrence’s day off work, we headed to the Science and Industry Museum Manchester to visit the brand-new Horrible Science: Cosmic Chaos  exhibition. We paid £32 for a family ticket and booked for 1:45pm, spending just over an hour exploring. The exhibition is an interactive space adventure inspired by the BBC Horrible Science series, and there was so much to see and do. The kids: Dressed up as astronauts (Alice absolutely loved this part) Took a selfie on a real space toilet Touched a real piece of the Moon Learned how astronauts eat, sleep and even go to the loo in space Tested their strength on different planets Answered Dr Big Brain’s quiz There was so much for the kids to get involved with, from hands-on activities to interactive challenges, and it kept them completely engaged the whole way round. At the end, there’s a little gift shop. Alice chose a robot arm and Leo picked a small Earth plush — both £6.99. Afterwards, we hopped on the free bus outside the museum, got off at Piccadilly Gardens and walked to the Arndale food court to get some dinner. The kids had Happy Meals from McDonald’s, and Lawrence and I grabbed a KFC. We had planned to make pancakes that evening for Pancake Day, but by the time we got home we were all exhausted after such a busy day. Spies, Beefeater Chaos & Pancakes (A Day Late!) 🕵️🥞 On Wednesday, Lawrence was doing a short shift, so once he got home we got the tram to MediaCity and visited the Spies, Lies and Deception exhibition at the Imperial War Museum North. Alice had the best time dressing up as a spy and sneaking around looking for clues. While it’s not a fully hands-on exhibition, there were enough engaging elements to keep her interested, and we spent about an hour exploring. 👉 You can read my full review HERE Afterwards, we walked to Quay House Beefeater for dinner — and completely messed up our order. Lawrence and I ordered from the saver menu and tried to use our kids-eat-free voucher, but it wouldn’t work with the saver meals. So we reordered from the main menu and used a 40% off mains voucher instead. In the end, we paid only 50p less but got less food because we didn’t get starters. Lawrence was gutted because he’d been looking forward to his starter — lesson learned for next time! We got home around 4:30pm, had a little rest, and then finally made pancakes at around 6pm — a day late, because we were too tired on Tuesday. The kids loved flipping the pancakes. Both chose chocolate spread as their topping. Alice added strawberries, and Leo added sprinkles. On their second pancake, they made smiley faces — Alice used banana for the eyes and strawberries for the mouth, with sprinkles for a beard, and Leo made his entirely with sprinkles. They both said they were delicious. Lawrence and I didn’t have any — we’re not big pancake fans! Lunch with Grandad 🍽️ On Thursday, Lawrence was working, so the kids and I went out for lunch with my dad. Mum was supposed to come too, but she wasn’t feeling well. We went to Coppice Wood Farm because the kids love the play area. We arrived around 1pm. My dad and I had the carvery, and the kids had chicken nuggets, chips and garlic bread, followed by ice cream. Because it was half term, the kids’ meals were free — which was a lovely bonus. We left around 2:30pm. When we got home, the kids watched TV for a bit while I did some work on my computer designing notebooks and planners. A Home Day & Writing Reviews 🏡 Friday was a quieter day at home. The kids played with their toys and watched some TV while I wrote my review for the spy exhibition and did some housework. It felt nice to slow the pace down slightly after such a busy start to half term. The Enormous Turnip — Rain, Puppets & The Best Day Ever 🎭🌧️ On Saturday, we were invited to review The Enormous Turnip  at Waterside Arts for the 2:30pm performance. Mum was meant to come with us, but she still wasn’t feeling well, so my dad joined us instead. We got the tram to Sale, which is always such an easy journey — the tram stop is literally just across the road from the theatre, which makes it so convenient when travelling with children. Unfortunately, the weather had other ideas. It was absolutely torrential rain, and by the time we arrived we were completely drenched! The first thing we did was head straight to the café to warm up. I got a hot chocolate (which honestly felt like the best decision ever at that moment), and my dad had a cup of tea. Sitting there together, warming up and watching families arrive actually felt like a really lovely, calm start to the afternoon. And then something unexpected happened before the show had even started. One of the characters, Raymond Chickweed, came out into the café area playing his accordion and chatting to families, asking if anyone knew where he could buy dog food. Alice absolutely loved this interaction. I could see straight away how much more relaxed she felt. When performers speak to her before a show, it really helps her confidence — she feels included rather than overwhelmed — and it makes such a difference once the performance begins. Inside the auditorium, Dottie Chickweed was also chatting to audience members, which continued that welcoming, friendly atmosphere. The show itself is such a joyful retelling of the classic story, full of warmth, humour and imagination. Mr and Mrs Chickweed plant one final seed before retirement… only for it to grow into a turnip so enormous they can’t pull it up alone. There were some brilliant puppets too — Scruffy the dog, Tiggs the cat, a tiny mouse, a caterpillar and even a singing cauliflower that got big laughs. The audience participation was fantastic, with children encouraged to clap, shout out and join in. At one point, some children were invited on stage to help operate the puppets and try to pull up the turnip. Alice joined in with everything, which was so lovely to see. When she feels safe and comfortable, she absolutely thrives — and this show created exactly that kind of environment. Leo loved it too, especially the funny moments and the puppets. But the absolute highlight came after the show. Outside, the turnip caravan was set up and the children were invited to meet the characters and have a go at using the puppets themselves. For Alice, this was the best part of the day. She loves puppets, and being able to try them properly alongside the performers made her so happy. She declared it “the best day ever,” which honestly says everything. Leo loved having a turn too and was so proud of himself. After the show, we walked over to Lawrence’s work, which is nearby, because Alice really wanted to see her daddy at work. While we were there, the kids spotted some Pokémon toys they liked, so I treated them to one each. When we got home, they played with their Pokémon toys while I made dinner, and we ended the day with a cosy evening watching TV — still talking about the enormous turnip. 👉 You can read my All About Theatre review HERE 👉 You can read my Sarah Monaghan review HERE A Restful Sunday 💛 On Sunday, we had a rest after such a busy half term week. I spent the day writing up my reviews and creating the social media posts while the kids played with their toys and had a little time on their tablets. Final Thoughts 💫 This weekly update was definitely a busy one, but full of lovely family moments — interactive science, spy missions, theatre trips, pancakes (even if they were a day late), and simple dinners out together. Half term weeks are always a bit full-on, but they’re also when we make some of our best memories. And now… we’re ready for a slightly quieter week ahead! Watch Our Weekly Vlog 🎥 If you’d like to see everything we got up to this week in real time, you can watch Weekly Vlog #442  — come and join us for our half term days out, museum fun, theatre trips and cosy family moments along the way.

It’s been a busy week here with theatre trips, World Book Day costumes, speech therapy appointments, lots of YouTube editing and even a little creative experimenting with my badge-making machine. From light-up Spider-Man school shoes to Krispy Kreme treats and filming multiple theatre reviews, this week ended up being surprisingly productive. Here’s everything we got up to during our week of 2nd – 8th March. School Shoes, Trafford Centre & Lunch at Pesto 🛍️🍝 On Monday Lawrence had the day off work, so we decided to get the bus to ASDA as Leo needed some new school shoes and I wanted to try and find a trench coat for Alice’s World Book Day costume. The theme at her school this year was spies. When we arrived I had a quick look at the Mother’s Day range. I didn’t find a present for my mum but I did pick up a card. We then headed upstairs to find Leo some shoes and luckily we found exactly what he wanted straight away — Spider-Man light-up school shoes for £20. Even better, they actually had his size in stock, which never usually happens. Unfortunately they didn’t have anything suitable for Alice’s costume. Before leaving we had a quick look in the toy section to see if there was anything we could get Leo for his birthday in April, but nothing really stood out. After ASDA we walked across to the Trafford Centre and had a browse in the Selfridges toy section. They had quite a lot of Hot Wheels and some Mario toys, but nothing we thought Leo would really play with or didn’t already have. We also popped into the Jellycat shop to see the new collection. They’re very cute, but definitely quite expensive. By this point we were getting hungry, so Lawrence and I decided to go to Pesto for lunch as we hadn’t been in a while and they have a really good lunchtime offer for £13.99. I ordered: Ali di Pollo al Forno – Tuscan style chicken wings Salsiccia Peperonata – spicy Italian sausage with peppers and potatoes Pizzetta Pepperoni – a 6” pizza with tomato, mozzarella and pepperoni Lawrence ordered: Spaghetti al Ragú Bolognese Salsiccia Peperonata Arancini – deep-fried saffron risotto balls stuffed with mozzarella We both had a Diet Coke and the food was really nice. After lunch we had a quick look in Primark to see if I could find Alice a trench coat for her costume and to pick up some school leggings for her. They didn’t have the coat in her size, but we did manage to get the leggings. Later that evening I found a spy costume on Amazon and ordered it for delivery on Wednesday. A Full Day of Editing 🎬 Tuesday was mostly spent editing YouTube videos. I’m really determined to catch up with my editing backlog at the moment, so I spent most of the day working through videos. It was quite a long day but I managed to get several finished which felt really productive. Mean Girls & Krispy Kreme Treats 🎭🍩 On Wednesday Lawrence and I went to the matinee performance of Mean Girls The Musical. Lawrence had already bought his ticket quite a while ago, so his seat was in the circle. I only decided to go a few days earlier when my parents offered to watch the kids, so my ticket was in the stalls. When we arrived I had a quick look at the merchandise stand, but I’d already bought a programme and magnet the week before when I first saw the show. When we got into the auditorium there were quite a few empty seats in the stalls, so Lawrence was able to move and sit next to me which was really nice. I absolutely loved the show again. Lawrence enjoyed it but said it’s probably not one of his favourites and he wouldn’t rush to see it again. I, on the other hand, would happily go and see it again when it comes to Liverpool. 👉 You can read my full review Here After the show we walked up to the Manchester Arndale and stopped at Krispy Kreme because they had an offer running where you could get 12 donuts for £12 by saying “Wonderful Wednesday”. Apparently the offer runs every Wednesday throughout March, so that was a nice treat for the kids when we got home. Alice’s spy costume had also arrived that day and she was very excited to try it on. It looked amazing and she was really happy with it. World Book Day & Speech Therapy 📚 Thursday was World Book Day. Alice went to school dressed as a spy and she looked absolutely adorable in her costume. Leo doesn’t really enjoy dressing up, but luckily his school’s theme was to wear something comfortable so he wore his Gruffalo top and jogging bottoms, which suited him perfectly. Leo also had a speech therapy appointment at 11:30am. He went into school for a couple of hours first, then we picked him up at 11am so he could have lunch before the appointment. The speech therapist was lovely and Leo really enjoyed the session. We were given a few sounds to practise with him before his next appointment. Afterwards we took him back to school. Filming & Uploading Theatre Reviews 🎥 Friday was spent filming my review videos for: Mean Girls Operation Mincemeat Disney On Ice I also uploaded Weekly Vlog #443 . On Saturday I uploaded two theatre videos: My Six The Musical Vlog & Review My Matilda The Musical Vlog & Review Then on Sunday I finished editing and uploaded: My Mean Girls Vlog & Review My Operation Mincemeat Vlog & Review My Disney Come Shop With Me Video It felt really good to finally make progress on my editing backlog. Badge Making Experiments ✨ On Sunday evening I also decided to try making some pocket mirror badges using my badge-making machine. At first I had a bit of trouble printing the images because I hadn’t selected the correct paper setting on my printer. Once I worked that out the designs printed perfectly. I then cut them out using my Cricut machine and assembled them using the badge maker. I’m really pleased with how the pocket mirrors turned out and I’m excited to experiment with making more. Final Thoughts 💫 This week ended up being a mix of theatre trips, creative projects and lots of behind-the-scenes editing work. It was lovely seeing Alice so excited about her World Book Day costume, and Leo did really well at his speech therapy appointment too. And after such a productive weekend of editing… I’m finally starting to feel a bit more caught up with my YouTube videos! Watch Our Weekly Vlog 🎥 If you’d like to see everything we got up to this week in real time, you can watch Weekly Vlog #444  over on my YouTube channel — including our Trafford Centre trip, theatre visits and lots of everyday family moments along the way.

Last week Lawrence and I had the lovely opportunity to attend the press night of Operation Mincemeat at The Lowry, and it turned into such a fun and memorable theatre evening together. We were invited to review the show on its press night on Tuesday 24th February 2026, with the performance starting at 7.30pm. My dad kindly dropped us off at The Lowry at around 7pm, which meant we had plenty of time to soak up the atmosphere before the show. Arriving at The Lowry As soon as we arrived, we headed inside and, of course, the first stop was the merch stand. I was really hoping to add a magnet to my collection, but sadly they didn’t have one this time. They did have a great selection though, including: Operation List of Names T-shirt — £25 Sweater — £45 Tote Bag — £15 Notebook — £15 Sticker Sheet — £5 Pin Badge Set — £10 CD — £15 Vinyl — £35 Book ( True Spy Story ) — £12 Souvenir Programme — £12 After browsing, we headed over to the press desk to collect our tickets and programme. There was a lovely press and guest area set up in the bar with drinks available — red wine, white wine, Buck’s Fizz, water and orange juice — and baskets of Operation Mincemeat  themed biscuits which we couldn’t resist trying. Lawrence and I both grabbed one while we chatted and took everything in. They’d also set up a yellow carpet with an Operation Mincemeat  backdrop, along with a telephone prop and briefcase for photos, which was such a fun touch. Lawrence and I had our photo taken before heading into the auditorium. Our Seats We entered through Door A as we were seated towards the back of the stalls in Row S, seats 23 and 24, right in the centre of the middle section. Even though we were near the back, the view was excellent — clear sightlines and really comfortable. The Show If you’re not familiar with Operation Mincemeat , it’s based on a real World War II intelligence mission involving an elaborate plan to mislead the Nazis using fake documents attached to a disguised corpse. It sounds completely unbelievable — but it actually happened. Turning that story into a musical might sound unlikely, but it works brilliantly. The show is fast-paced, clever, funny and surprisingly emotional. There’s a lot of humour, but also moments that really land emotionally, which gives the whole experience much more depth than you might expect. One of the most impressive things is that there are only five performers on stage, yet they play multiple characters throughout the show. The speed of the costume changes and character switches is honestly incredible, and you quickly forget there aren’t dozens of people in the cast. By the interval we were already really enjoying it and looking forward to seeing how the story would unfold in the second half. Interval During the interval we headed back to the press and guest area where we could get another drink. Lawrence and I both went for orange juice before heading back into the auditorium for Act Two. The Second Act The second half keeps the same energy and momentum, with some really impressive musical numbers and choreography. There’s also a particularly moving moment later in the show that completely changes the tone and brings a real emotional impact. The performance finished at around 10.10pm, with a total running time of approximately 2 hours 35 minutes including the interval. Final Thoughts Overall, Operation Mincemeat  was such a fantastic theatre experience and a really lovely night out for Lawrence and me. It’s funny, inventive, emotional and genuinely unique — one of those shows that surprises you with how cleverly everything comes together. The performances are outstanding, the music is memorable, and the storytelling keeps you engaged from start to finish. It’s easy to see why the show has received so many awards and five-star reviews. If you get the chance to see it on tour, I’d definitely recommend it. More Information Operation Mincemeat  will be touring the UK throughout 2026, so there are plenty of opportunities to catch this brilliant production if you missed it in Salford or want to see it again. For more information about tour dates and tickets, visit the official Operation Mincemeat website. If you’d like to read a more detailed review of the production, including my full thoughts on the cast, staging and music, you can also head over to my theatre blog All About Theatre here: Operation Mincemeat at The Lowry — Full Review PR — Gifted Tickets

Some weeks feel extra special, and this one definitely falls into that category. From two brilliant theatre nights to a magical family trip to Liverpool to see Disney On Ice, this weekly update is packed with theatre, family adventures and a few blogging moments along the way. Here’s everything we got up to during our week of 23rd February – 1st March . A Relaxing Start & Mean Girls in Manchester 🎭 I started Monday with a lovely relaxing bath using the Lush bath bomb Lawrence bought me for Valentine’s Day, which felt like the perfect calm start to the week. After that I spent most of the day editing the previous week’s vlog. I had hoped to get it uploaded that evening, but I ran out of time before heading out. In the evening I headed into Manchester city centre to see the first performance of the Mean Girls UK Tour at Manchester Opera House. I got the tram into town around 5pm and decided to make a little evening of it. First stop was KFC in the Manchester Arndale food court, and afterwards I had a quick wander around Primark, which had loads of new Disney items in stock. I arrived at the theatre around 6:40pm, took a few photos outside and then headed in to soak up the atmosphere before the show. As usual, one of the first things I did was check the merch stand. There were lots of fun items available, including T-shirts, hoodies, tote bags, badges and programmes. I added a magnet and a programme to my collection — which felt very on brand for me! My seat was in the Circle, Row Q, Seat 23, right at the back, but the view was actually really good. For £15, it felt like an absolute bargain. Mean Girls follows Cady Heron, who moves from being homeschooled in Africa to navigating the complicated world of American high school for the first time. She quickly learns about the school’s social hierarchy — especially when she encounters the infamous Plastics led by Regina George. The show is bright, energetic and full of pop-style musical numbers, with sharp choreography and plenty of humour. It’s the kind of feel-good theatre night that leaves you walking out with a big smile. During the interval I also realised that my brother was sitting a few rows in front of me, which was a lovely surprise. The show finished around 10pm, and I left the theatre already hoping I might be able to see it again before it leaves Manchester. Operation Mincemeat Press Night at The Lowry 🎭 On Tuesday I finished editing the weekly vlog and got it uploaded before Lawrence and I headed out for another theatre night. We had been invited to review the press night of Operation Mincemeat at The Lowry, which started at 7:30pm. My dad kindly dropped us off at the theatre around 7pm, which gave us plenty of time to soak up the atmosphere before the show. The first stop, of course, was the merch stand. Sadly there wasn’t a magnet this time, but there were lots of other items including T-shirts, tote bags, notebooks, books and vinyl records. After that we went over to the press desk to collect our tickets and programme. There was a really lovely press and guest area set up in the bar with drinks available and baskets of Operation Mincemeat themed biscuits — which Lawrence and I couldn’t resist trying. They had also created a yellow carpet photo area with an Operation Mincemeat backdrop and props like a telephone and briefcase for photos. Lawrence and I had our photo taken before heading into the auditorium. Our seats were Stalls Row S, seats 23 and 24, right in the centre near the back, but with a fantastic view. If you’re not familiar with the story, Operation Mincemeat is based on a real World War II intelligence mission where British agents used fake documents attached to a disguised corpse to mislead the Nazis. It sounds unbelievable — but it actually happened. Turning that story into a musical might seem unlikely, but it works brilliantly. The show is clever, fast-paced, funny and surprisingly emotional. What’s particularly impressive is that there are only five performers, yet they play dozens of characters throughout the show with lightning-fast costume changes. By the interval we were already really enjoying it, and the second half kept the same momentum while also delivering an unexpectedly moving moment later in the story. It was such a fantastic theatre experience and a really lovely night out for Lawrence and me. Blogging, Designing & Pen Experiments ✏️ Wednesday was spent writing my Operation Mincemeat review and preparing the social media posts to go with it. On Thursday I caught up on some housework and spent a bit of time designing musical-themed pens, which is something I’ve been experimenting with recently. Then on Friday I printed two of the designs and tried sublimating them onto pens using my air fryer. The process worked perfectly, and I’m planning to write a blog post soon showing exactly how I make them. A Magical Family Trip to Disney On Ice ❄️ On Saturday we headed off on a family adventure from Manchester to Liverpool to see Disney On Ice Presents Into The Magic at the M&S Bank Arena. This was Alice and Leo’s first time ever seeing Disney characters live, so excitement levels were very high before we’d even left the house. We started the morning by getting the tram into Manchester Piccadilly to catch the 10:54 train to Liverpool Lime Street. We arrived early, so we popped into Greggs where I grabbed a bacon roll and orange juice while the kids chose chocolate star biscuits for the train. Once on the train we found a table seat and settled in. The journey takes about an hour, and the kids were completely happy just looking out of the window the whole time. When we arrived in Liverpool we walked across to St John’s Shopping Centre for lunch. Alice and Leo had Happy Meals from McDonald’s, while Lawrence and I grabbed KFC before walking down to the waterfront and the arena. Inside the arena the kids were immediately drawn to the merchandise stands. We had planned to bring Alice’s bubble wand from home, but it had stopped working the night before, so we ended up buying a Mickey bubble wand for £33, which definitely added to the excitement once the show started. Our seats were in Block 10, Row JJ, which is in the upper tier but actually gave us a great central view of the ice. The show itself was pure Disney magic. It featured stories from: Beauty and the Beast Coco Tangled Cinderella Frozen Moana The costumes, skating and staging were incredible, and seeing the kids’ faces when the characters appeared made the whole day feel really special. Alice was especially excited to see Maximus from Tangled, while the Frozen section had lots of children singing along to Let It Go. The show finished with a big finale featuring characters from across the stories skating together before waving goodbye to the audience. For Alice and Leo’s first time seeing Disney characters live, it couldn’t have been more magical. A Quiet Sunday After such a busy week, Sunday was a much quieter day. I spent the day writing my reviews and preparing social media posts while the kids relaxed at home. Final Thoughts 💛 This weekly update was definitely a theatre-filled week, with three brilliant shows and a magical family trip to Liverpool. From Mean Girls and Operation Mincemeat to Disney On Ice, it was one of those weeks that reminded me just how much I love sharing theatre and family adventures. And seeing the kids experience Disney characters live for the first time made it even more special. Watch Our Weekly Vlog 🎥 If you’d like to see everything we got up to this week in real time, you can watch Weekly Vlog #443  — come and join us for theatre trips, a Liverpool day out, Disney magic and behind-the-scenes life from our week.

A Rainy Day, Hot Chocolate and One Very Big Turnip — Our Trip to The Enormous Turnip at Waterside Arts On Friday 20th February, we headed to Waterside Arts to see the 2.30pm performance of The Enormous Turnip, and despite the absolutely torrential rain on the way there, it turned into one of those really special family days that you just want to bottle up and keep. We got the tram to Sale, which was so easy — the tram stop is literally just across the road from the theatre, which makes such a difference when you’re travelling with children. Unfortunately, by the time we arrived, we were completely drenched thanks to the downpour, so the first thing I did was head straight to the café to warm up. I got a hot chocolate, which honestly felt like the best decision ever in that moment, and my dad got a cup of tea. Sitting there together, warming up and watching everyone arrive actually felt like a really lovely, calm start to the afternoon. And then something unexpected happened before the show had even started. A Lovely Start Before the Show While we were sitting in the café, one of the characters — Raymond Chickweed — came out playing his accordion and chatting to families, asking if anyone knew where he could buy dog food. Alice absolutely loved this interaction, and I could see straight away how much more relaxed she felt. I’ve noticed before that when performers speak to her before a show, it really helps her confidence. She feels included rather than overwhelmed, and it makes a huge difference once the performance starts. Sure enough, when we went into the auditorium afterwards, she was completely engaged. Inside the theatre, Dottie Chickweed was also walking around talking to audience members, which continued that welcoming atmosphere and made everything feel friendly and relaxed. The Show The Enormous Turnip tells the story of Mr and Mrs Chickweed, who live in a tiny shed surrounded by their prize-winning vegetables. They decide to plant one final seed before retirement… but of course, the turnip grows bigger and bigger until it becomes so enormous they can’t pull it up on their own — and they need everyone’s help to solve the problem. The story is simple, but it’s told with so much warmth, humour and imagination that it keeps children completely captivated while still being entertaining for adults. There are some really lovely puppets too — Scruffy the dog, Tiggs the cat, a mouse, a tiny caterpillar and even a singing cauliflower, which got big laughs from the audience. Watching Alice and Leo The audience participation was brilliant. Children were encouraged to clap, shout out and join in, and at one point some children were invited on stage to help operate the puppets and try to pull the enormous turnip up. Alice joined in with everything, which was so lovely to see because she doesn’t always feel confident doing that. When she feels safe and comfortable, though, she absolutely thrives — and this show created exactly that kind of environment. Leo loved it too, especially the funny moments and the puppets, and it was really nice watching them both laugh together. After the Show — The Highlight After the performance, the turnip caravan was outside the venue and the children were invited to meet the characters and have a go at using the puppets themselves. For Alice, this was the absolute highlight of the day. She loves puppets, and getting the chance to try them properly — with the performers — made her so happy. She declared it “the best day ever,” which honestly says everything. Seeing her confidence and excitement in that moment was really special. Leo loved having a go too and was very proud of himself. Moments like this are what turn a theatre trip into something much more than just watching a show — it becomes a memory. Final Thoughts The Enormous Turnip at Waterside Arts is such a joyful, family-friendly theatre experience. It’s funny, interactive, creative and genuinely heartwarming, with a lovely message about teamwork and working together. But more than anything, it was one of those days where everything just came together — even the rainy start — and we left feeling happy. We all came away smiling.

Last weekend we headed to Z-arts Manchester to see Meet the Hatter , and it turned out to be one of those really special theatre experiences that stays with you long after you leave. From the moment the lights dimmed, we were completely pulled into the Hatter’s magical world. Alice (8) and Leo (6) were absolutely mesmerised — and honestly, so was I. A Story About Imagination and Belonging The show follows the Hatter as he prepares for his famous tea party, only to discover that no one has arrived. Instead of giving up, he turns to his imagination and begins creating his own Wonderland — a journey filled with adventure, discovery and self-belief. What I loved most is how easy the story was for children to understand without it ever feeling childish. The themes of loneliness, creativity and finding confidence were beautifully woven into the experience. Alice sat completely wide-eyed watching the projections transform around the performer, and Leo barely moved in his seat the whole time — always a sign he’s totally absorbed. Visually Stunning From Start to Finish The production uses projection, lighting, music and dance together to create constantly changing worlds, and it really does feel magical. The performer appears to step into different environments — from starry skies to imaginative landscapes — and it genuinely feels like watching someone move inside a living storybook. It’s such a treat visually and sparks the imagination in a way that feels exciting rather than overwhelming for children. A Brilliant Performance The performance we saw featured Dominic Coffey as the Hatter, and holding an audience’s attention alone on stage for an hour is no small achievement. He brought warmth, humour and emotion to the role, making the character feel relatable and engaging from the very beginning. The physical storytelling was so clear that even without dialogue you always understood what he was feeling. The Moment the Kids Loved Most The ending was probably Alice and Leo’s favourite part. There’s a joyful interactive finale where children are invited to get up and dance, and both of them absolutely loved joining in. Alice proudly showed off her dance moves — and when the Hatter came into the audience and gave her a high five, she was beaming with happiness. Those little moments are the ones children remember. Our Overall Thoughts Meet the Hatter at Z-arts Manchester  is imaginative, uplifting and genuinely magical for families. It’s one of those shows that works beautifully for both children and adults — creative, visually exciting and full of heart. We left feeling inspired, happy and very glad we’d gone. If you’re looking for something a bit different for a family theatre trip, this is definitely worth seeing.