Lawrence and I were lucky enough to attend Big Night of Musicals again this year, and it’s honestly one of our favourite theatre nights of the year. One of the things that makes it so special is how the tickets work — each year, around 12,000 free tickets are released as a thank you to National Lottery players. You can book up to four tickets, pay a small £2 booking fee per ticket, and just need to show proof of a National Lottery product on the night. We’ve been incredibly lucky and have managed to get tickets to every Big Night of Musicals since it started, which still feels a bit mad when I think about it. One year we actually missed out on both of the main ticket releases, but on the day of the show we checked again and managed to grab returned tickets — and they ended up being floor seats! So it’s always worth checking closer to the event, and even on the day itself, because you just never know what might pop up. AO Arena Manchester Entrance This year felt very grown-up for us — no kids, no school runs, just me and Lawrence heading into Manchester for a proper date night at the AO Arena. We got the tram into Victoria Station, which is literally right next to the arena, and even though it was absolutely packed with people, everything was surprisingly smooth. You walk straight through body scanners, get your tickets scanned, and suddenly you’re inside this huge buzzing space full of excited theatre fans. We were sat in Block 214, Row R, right at the back of the upper tier, so we were very  high up… but actually the view was much better than I expected. Because we were near the side of the stage, we could see everything really clearly and didn’t even need to rely on the big screens. Before heading to our seats, we tried to get some water near the main entrance — massive mistake. The queues were enormous. We ended up walking round to the concession stands near our block where it was much quieter… although we did pay £8 for two bottles of water, which still feels outrageous 😂 but when you’re not allowed to take anything in, you don’t really have a choice. The View From My Seat in Block 214 Row R Seat 18 The Atmosphere Before the show even started, the atmosphere was amazing. There was a DJ, then comedian Johnny Cowling warming up the crowd with singalongs like Sweet Caroline  and We Will Rock You , and lots of cheering and clapping. There were also some really lovely moments celebrating local theatre heroes, which I always think is such a nice part of this event — it’s not just about big stars, it’s about real people and communities too. Then Jason Manford came on as host to chat to the audience and set the tone for the night, the orchestra tuned up, and you could feel the excitement building around the arena. Lawrence and I having a great time at the Big Night Of Musicals The performances The show opened with The Lion King, and honestly nothing could have prepared me for how good it was. Puppets and performers came walking through the audience, with towering giraffes, gazelles and even a huge rhino on stage, and I just sat there grinning like a child.. It was easily my favourite performance of the whole night — I’m such a sucker for puppets and big theatrical spectacle. The Lion King performing at The National Lottery's The Big Night Of Musicals There were so many brilliant moments, but a few real standouts for me were: Sam Ryder singing Gethsemane  – his voice was unreal. Actual goosebumps. Ava Brennan in Oliver!  – so emotional and beautiful. The Annie performance with the kids from Oldham  – genuinely heartwarming. The Choir of Man  – which turned into the biggest singalong of the night. One of my favourite performances of the night was the Disney medley, which was introduced by Alan Menken via a pre-recorded video message. It included Mae Ann Jorolan singing Colours of the Wind , Lucy Jones performing Part of Your World  (which gave me instant chills), and Trevor Dion Nicholas singing Tale As Old As Time . What made it even more special was that they were joined by young performers from the Royal Northern College of Music, The National Youth Music Theatre, and The Lowry Centre for Advanced Training. Seeing professional West End stars sharing the stage with local students was such a lovely reminder of what this event is really about. Lucy Jones, Mae Ann Jorolan and Trevor Dion Nicholas performing a Disney Medley The full line-up Here’s the full list of shows and performers who appeared at Big Night of Musicals 2026: The Lion King  – West End cast Oliver!  – Ava Brennan as Nancy Miss Saigon  – UK tour cast Annie  – La Voix as Miss Hannigan, with Wild Things Performing Arts Sunny Afternoon  – UK tour cast The Producers  – West End cast Disney medley  – Mae Ann Jorolan, Lucy Jones & Trevor Dion Nicholas Paddington The Musical  – Victoria Hamilton-Barritt Jesus Christ Superstar  – Sam Ryder The Choir of Man  – with Infant Hercules Choir & Jason Manford Wicked  – Emma Kingston & Zizi Strallen I’m Every Woman: The Chaka Khan Musical  – Alexandra Burke Final thoughts Overall, it was such a special night — funny, emotional, uplifting, and a real celebration of musical theatre. From the huge opening number to the big singalong moments, it felt like one of those evenings that reminds you exactly why live theatre is so magical. It’s the kind of event you’ll always remember. If you missed it in person, Big Night of Musicals airs on BBC One on 21st March and will be available on BBC iPlayer after broadcast. And honestly? I’d go every year if I could. 💜 Big Night of Musicals is exactly what it promises to be — a big, joyful reminder of why I fell in love with theatre in the first place. If you’d like to see more of the night, including little clips from the performances and our full experience at the arena, you can watch my vlog below 💜

Some weeks are all about big adventures, and others are more about the little everyday moments — and this one was a really lovely mix of both. From a rare midweek shopping date and mini golf with family, to self-care baths and a cosy Frozen movie afternoon, it felt like one of those gentle, feel-good weeks. Here’s everything we got up to during our week of 16th – 22nd June. A Midweek Shopping Date in Manchester 🛍️ On Tuesday, Lawrence and I headed into Manchester city centre for a rare midweek shopping date — something we don’t get to do very often without the kids! Our first stop was Pop Mart, where I was on the hunt for Disney Princess blind boxes and Lawrence was hoping for Marvel ones. Sadly, nothing tempted us enough to buy this time, but it was still fun to browse. We then popped into Primark and spotted the new Winnie the Pooh and Pixar collections — so cute and very tempting! But we were sensible and stuck to essentials: Socks Leggings for Alice A Pokémon water bottle for Leo I also had a little browse around Miniso and absolutely loved their Toy Story blind boxes and a pink handheld fan I nearly bought… but somehow managed to resist! Lunch was a cheeky KFC, followed by a very dangerous stop at Krispy Kreme, where we picked up a box of 12 donuts for £12 — far too good to pass up. We ended our trip with a quick stop at B&M, then jumped on the tram home feeling very pleased with ourselves (and slightly sugared-up). Editing, Tea & A Little Self-Care 🛁 Wednesday was much quieter and honestly quite needed after a busy day out. I stayed home catching up on video editing, drinking lots of tea and ticking things off my to-do list. That evening, I treated myself to a long, relaxing bath using one of my favourite Lush bath bombs — the perfect midweek reset. There’s just something about a cosy bath that makes everything feel a bit calmer. Mini Golf, Melting Weather & Costco Hot Dogs ⛳🌭 On Thursday, we headed to the Trafford Centre for a belated Father’s Day treat for my dad — a game of mini golf at Paradise Island Adventure Golf with my parents and brother. We had such a laugh, even though I came joint last with Dad 😅 The only downside was the heat — it was so  hot and there was no air conditioning, so we were all absolutely melting by the end! After mini golf, we popped into ASDA to grab some white T-shirts for Alice, then headed to Costco where I couldn’t resist their legendary £1.50 hot dog and drink combo. Honestly, one of the best bargains going. A Cosy Frozen Afternoon ❄️🎬 We ended the week on Sunday with a really cosy family afternoon at home, watching Frozen: The Musical on Disney+. Alice and Leo were completely captivated, and I may (definitely) have sung along to Let It Go  — again. It was such a simple, quiet way to finish the week, all snuggled up together on the sofa. Final Thoughts 💛 This week felt like a really gentle, easy-going one — full of small treats, family time and cosy moments. From shopping and donuts, to mini golf and Frozen singalongs, it was one of those weeks that didn’t need anything big or dramatic to feel special. Sometimes it’s the little everyday moments that really make a week feel lovely. 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 in real time, you can watch our Weekly Vlog below — come and join us for shopping trips, mini golf, cosy family moments and lots of everyday magic.

Craft a fun and fluffy DIY lamb piñata using recycled cardboard and simple craft supplies Looking for a fun Easter craft or a unique party decoration? This homemade lamb piñata  is full of charm—and sweets! Plus, it’s eco-conscious, using recycled cardboard destined for the bin. With some tissue paper and creativity, you’ll have the perfect party centrepiece in no time. ✂️ What You’ll Need: Recycled cardboard (large enough for your lamb shape) White tissue paper Coloured card (for the face, bow, ears, nose, etc.) String Masking tape Scissors or craft knife Hot glue gun Pencil 🧰 Step-by-Step Instructions 1. Draw and Cut the Lamb Shape Start by sketching the shape of the lamb on the cardboard. This will be the front  of your piñata. Carefully cut it out. Then, place that cut-out onto another piece of cardboard to trace and cut the back . 2. Create the Sides Cut several strips of cardboard about 2 inches wide . These will make up the sides of your piñata. Using masking tape , attach the strips around the back piece of the piñata, bending them to follow the curves. Leave a gap at the top —this will be your opening to add sweets and treats. 3. Assemble the Piñata Once the sides are secure, tape the front piece on top. Your lamb should now look like a 3D shape with an opening at the top. 4. Decorate the Face Cut shapes from coloured card  for the lamb’s facial features—eyes, nose, ears, and bow. Stick them onto the face using a hot glue gun . 5. Fluff It Up! Rip white tissue paper into strips and scrunch them into little balls. Glue them all over the front  of your lamb to give it a woolly, fluffy look. For the back and sides , you have options: Cover them in more scrunched tissue (takes longer) Paint them white Or do what I did and simply stick plain white paper  on—quick and effective! 6. Add String for Hanging Punch holes on either side of the top gap. Thread string through and tie it tightly  so you can hang your lamb piñata up safely. 🎉 Time to Fill and Smash! Pop in some sweets and surprises through the top opening, and you're all set! It’s ready to hang, play, and enjoy. 💡 Crafting Tips: Let the kids help scrunch tissue or choose colours. Recycle where possible for a budget- and planet-friendly craft. This design can be adapted for other animals—just switch the shapes! 📷 Want to See the Lamb in Action? This lamb piñata featured in our Easter vlog on YouTube —check it out to see it in action with the kids! 🎥

What a week it’s been! In this week’s vlog, we’ve packed in a whirlwind of fun – from theatre trips and trampoline jumps to baking sweet treats and celebrating a very special Easter Sunday. 🎭 Room on the Broom and a Busy Tuesday at The Lowry On Tuesday, I had the joy of taking Alice to see Room on the Broom  at The Lowry – a magical experience (tickets were kindly gifted in exchange for a review). While we enjoyed the show, Lawrence took Leo to Oxygen, the amazing indoor trampoline park at Media City. After the show, we grabbed a quick McDonald’s dinner, and since Leo was tired, Lawrence took him home while Alice and I caught the new Minecraft Movie  at Vue Cinema. Double the screen time, double the fun! ✍️ Wednesday Writing & An Evening Mystery Wednesday was a quieter day spent writing up theatre reviews, before heading out with my mum to review Picture You Dead  at The Lowry (another lovely gifted experience). 🐑 Thursday Piñata Making & A Trip to Bolton The Easter party prep began in earnest on Thursday as I started creating a lamb-shaped piñata – a special request from the kids! I managed to build the structure before hopping on a train to Bolton to review The 39 Steps  at the Octagon Theatre (gifted tickets once again!). 🍪 Friday Baking and Piñata Decorating We had a relaxed Friday filled with Easter baking! The children helped me make Easter biscuits and cupcakes, and I added the finishing touches to our woolly piñata masterpiece. 🌿 Saturday Theatre & Grown-Up Time On Saturday, we took Alice and Leo to see Plant  at Waterside Arts in Sale (tickets gifted). It was such a thoughtful, sensory-friendly show. That evening, Lawrence and I enjoyed a meal out with friends and returned home to transform our house with Easter decorations for the big day ahead. 🐣 Easter Sunday – Bonnets, Baskets & Garden Games Easter morning arrived with lots of excitement! Alice and Leo discovered their Easter baskets and eggs laid out on the table. After breakfast, they decorated their Easter bonnets, while I prepped food for our Easter party. We hosted a fab garden celebration with friends and family – complete with an Easter egg hunt, piñata smashing, pin the tail on the bunny, and a ring toss game. After our guests left, Leo got cosy and painted the Easter suncatcher he’d received in his basket. 🎥 Watch the Full Vlog Below! 💬 Let’s Chat! Have you celebrated Easter with a piñata before? Or caught any brilliant theatre shows lately? Let me know in the comments! 📲 Follow Along Want more weekly vlogs, reviews, and behind-the-scenes peeks at our family life? Make sure to subscribe on YouTube  and follow on Instagram  for daily updates!

Join me and my family this week as I jump straight back into the theatre scene after our holiday! We’re starting this Weekly Update on a Saturday, as it was our first day back from our break, and it turned out to be a brilliant way to kick things off. This week, I travelled to three different theatres across the North of England to review a trio of unforgettable shows. 🌟 Saturday – Leeds Playhouse: A Thousand Splendid Suns I took a solo trip to Leeds to see the harrowing yet powerful A Thousand Splendid Suns  (gifted tickets). After a relaxed train journey and a tasty Nando's lunch, I found myself deeply moved by the emotional performances and storytelling. → Read the full review 🌟 Wednesday – Octagon Theatre Bolton: Pride & Prejudice Midweek, I travelled to Bolton for a fresh and funny take on Jane Austen’s classic (gifted tickets). From sipping a lemonade in the bar to laughing through the show. → Read the full review 🌟 Thursday – Manchester Opera House: Come Fall In Love (Again!) Yes, I loved Come Fall In Love  so much the first time that I went back for more! I had a brilliant aisle seat in the circle and the view was perfect. Afterwards, I squeezed in some Father’s Day shopping—until an unexpected injury cut my filming short! → Read the full review Whether you’re a theatre fan or just here for the life updates, this week was packed with culture, laughs, and a few mishaps. Watch the vlog below to follow along with my week ⬇️

🚀 A Week Full of Family, Fun & Everyday Magic This week was extra special in our house – Leo turned six! 🎂 From baking and crafting to celebrating with family and sneaking in a night at the theatre, it was a whirlwind of Toy Story fun, party prep, and making magical memories. 🎂 Monday – Baking the Magic The week kicked off with me in full-on baking mode. I made Leo’s birthday cake, cupcakes, and biscuits  shaped like some of his favourite Toy Story characters. The kitchen smelled amazing, and the excitement in the house was already building! ✨ Tuesday – Decorating & A Night at the Theatre On Tuesday, I transformed the bakes into something truly special. Leo’s cake was a two-tier Toy Story masterpiece  – the top tier decorated like Woody’s outfit, and the bottom tier inspired by Buzz Lightyear. 🚀 I also wrapped his birthday presents, ready for the big day. That evening, I headed to The Lowry  to review Boys From The Blackstuff . Alan Bleasdale’s classic was brought back to life in a gripping new production. With raw emotion, humour, and a striking set, it was an unforgettable piece of theatre (gifted tickets). When I got home, I decorated the cupcakes and biscuits, including Forky, Buzz, Woody, and the Toy Story aliens. They turned out so fun and colourful! 👾 Wednesday – Piñatas, Treats & Party Prep Wednesday was all about creativity. Using cardboard boxes, masking tape, tissue paper, and glue, I crafted a homemade Toy Story alien piñata . 👽 I also made rice crispy treats  and fun alien-shaped chocolate lollies  for the party bags. The excitement was really starting to bubble! 🎉 Thursday – Leo’s 6th Birthday Party! The big day! While Leo was at school, I created custom cupcake toppers, straw toppers, and even a Toy Story T-shirt  for him to wear. Meanwhile, Lawrence got busy setting up the decorations. When Leo got home, he opened his birthday presents before we welcomed grandparents and uncles for his family party. We tucked into party food, played games like pass the parcel, and had a great time smashing the alien piñata. 🎈 Of course, no party is complete without singing Happy Birthday  and cutting into that Toy Story cake. Leo’s smile said it all – it was the perfect celebration. 🛁 Friday – A Well-Earned Rest After all the excitement, Friday was a reset day. We cleaned up after the party, and I treated myself to a relaxing bath with a Lush bath bomb I’d been saving from Mother’s Day. Bliss! 🌼 The Weekend – Slowing Down The weekend was calm after such a busy week. I caught up on video editing and enjoyed some much-needed downtime with the family. 💖 📹 Watch Our Weekly Vlog #406 Want to see all the birthday fun, Toy Story party magic, and theatre moments for yourself? Check out our Weekly Vlog #406 below ⬇️ 📌 Final Thoughts This week was all about celebrating Leo turning six  with a Toy Story bash to remember, and I loved every minute of it. Between baking, crafting, partying, and a theatre trip, it was busy but full of joy – exactly the kind of week that makes our family blog so special. ✨ If you’d like to see everything we got up to, don’t forget to watch our vlog at the end of this post! 🔗 Related Content 📝 Review – Boys From The Blackstuff at The Lowry 🎥 Watch More Vlogs on My YouTube Channel 💬 Leave a Comment Have you thrown a themed party for your little ones? I’d love to hear your ideas and tips – drop them below!

Our week (28th April – 4th May) was bursting with fun, creativity, and loads of theatre magic! From relaxing Lush baths to not one, not two, but four theatre shows , plus an unforgettable trip to Z-arts, we’ve packed this vlog with memories you won’t want to miss. 🎂 Self-Care & Drama The week kicked off with a bit of well-earned “me-time” – cue one fizzy Lush bath bomb! Later, Lawrence and I headed to The Lowry  for Death of a Salesman  (gifted tickets). It was deep and powerful – a little slow-paced for me, but the acting? Absolutely stellar. ✨ A Magical Mary Poppins Wednesday Wednesday was a total treat! I saw Mary Poppins The Musical  at the Palace Theatre Manchester – and let me tell you, when Mary flew through the audience, I had goosebumps. Truly magical. Then it was time for lunch (hi KFC!) and a quick dash to HOME Manchester  for the hilarious North by Northwest  (gifted tickets). That show had me giggling all the way home! 🎈 Balloons, Beats & Family Adventures Saturday was one for the kids – I took them (with my brother in tow) to Z-arts  for The Giant Balloon Show  while Lawrence was at work. The 80s hits, the dancing, the wild balloon tricks – it was total sensory joy and the kids haven’t stopped talking about it. 📚 The Baddies – A Julia Donaldson Delight On Sunday, we wrapped up our week with a theatre trip to see The Baddies  at The Lowry  (gifted tickets) – and WOW. It might just be our favourite Julia Donaldson stage adaptation yet. Fun, spooky, and so imaginative – the kids adored it! 🎥 Watch the Vlog Ready to dive into all the fun? Click below to watch Weekly Vlog #407  on YouTube and don’t forget to like, comment and subscribe to follow our theatre-loving, family-focused adventures. Thanks for reading!  If you're looking for fun things to do in Manchester with kids, love theatre as much as we do, or just enjoy following our family's creative chaos – you're in the right place. See you next week! #FamilyVlog #ManchesterTheatre #Zarts #JuliaDonaldson #FamilyFun #TheBaddies #MaryPoppinsMusical #GiantBalloonShow #ParentingBlog #WeeklyVlog

Welcome back to the blog! Last week was packed with family fun, delicious food, birthday celebrations, and more Manchester-based adventures that we can’t wait to share with you. 🎳 Bowling, Mini Golf & Mum’s Birthday Fun On Tuesday, we celebrated my mum's birthday with a belated day out at King Pins in Trafford Palazzo. We played a hilarious round of bowling (spoiler alert: I came last and Mum won!) followed by mini golf — same result, but loads of laughs! We grabbed a quick lunch at KFC before I dashed off to do the school run. 🎭 A Knight's Tale at the Manchester Opera House Thursday brought a theatre-filled afternoon! I headed into Manchester to catch A Knight's Tale  at the Opera House for the matinee performance. I had a front-row seat and enjoyed the show even more the second time around! My parents came too (though we weren’t sat together) and loved it. Later that evening, Lawrence caught the evening show for his first viewing — he thought it was a great, a faithful adaptation of the film! 🧵 Lunch at Stitch Café & Museum Fun Saturday was all about family time! We took the tram into Manchester and had lunch at the new Stitch Café  inside Primark. It was super cute and delicious — Alice, Leo & myself had ham and cheese toasties while Lawrence tried the Kalua Pork Hawaiian grilled cheese. Lawrence and I got a slice of passionfruit & lime cake along with a mango lemonade, and The kids got some adorable Stitch-themed treats. After lunch, we headed to the Science and Industry Museum  where Alice and Leo had a blast exploring the experiment zone. It’s such a brilliant space for kids to learn while having fun. 👪 Wrapping Up the Week It’s been a lovely, adventure-filled week with a great mix of theatre, food, and quality family time. If you haven’t already, check out the vlog below for all the highlights! Thanks for reading — and don’t forget to subscribe to my YouTube channel and follow along for more everyday magic. ✨

💫 A Week of Family Fun, Music & Manchester Rain! This week was one of those that had a little bit of everything — birthdays, bowling, musicals, shopping, and of course… a good old-fashioned Manchester downpour! Tuesday was my dad’s birthday, so while Alice and Leo were at school, my parents, brother, and I went for a little daytime celebration at King Pins in the Trafford Centre. We started with a game of bowling — and I should  have come second, but there was a funny mix-up with the scoring! I accidentally took my brother’s last go and scored a spare, but my points got added to his total instead. He ended up finishing higher, but if it had been scored correctly, I’d have nabbed second place! We followed up our bowling fun with a round of crazy golf (which I actually won 🏆) before heading to Nando’s for a tasty birthday lunch. It was such a lovely day, full of laughter and a few friendly competitions! 🎭 Midweek Magic – Steps, Primark & Private Lives! Wednesday brought plenty of sparkle as I headed to the Manchester Opera House for Here and Now – The Steps Musical . It was pure fun from start to finish, filled with nostalgia and glittering 90s hits. I absolutely loved it 👉 you can read my full review HERE I then dashed home so that Lawrence could go and enjoy the evening performance too — yes, it was that good! On Thursday, Lawrence had the day off work, so we decided to pop into town for a little wander around Primark and B&M. We picked up a few bits, but just as we were heading home, the heavens opened. It was like a monsoon!  🌧️ We got completely drenched — one of those moments that’s so ridiculous, you can’t help but laugh. After a quick outfit change at home, we picked the kids up from school, Then I headed out again, I grabbed a KFC for dinner, and I jumped on the train to Bolton to review Private Lives  at the Octagon Theatre. It was such a witty and well-performed show 👉 you can read the full review HERE 🏡 Weekend Wind-Down After such a busy few days, the weekend was all about slowing down and spending time together. The kids did some homework, built epic train tracks around the living room, and watched some TV while I caught up on editing and review writing. Sometimes, those quiet weekends are exactly what you need — a little reset before another busy week ahead. 🌟 Final Thoughts From strikes and spares at the Trafford Centre to Theatre, monsoons, and moments of calm — it was a week that had it all. Life with kids is never boring, and even when plans go sideways (or soggy!), there’s always a little magic in the mix. 💖 Until next time — here’s to more family fun, everyday adventures, and maybe a little less rain! 🎥 If you’d like to see everything we got up to this week, check out our weekly vlog below!

✨ A Week of Theatre Magic, Festive Prep & Family Memories 17th – 23rd November This week was a lovely mix of real life, festive preparation, and unforgettable theatre trips, ending with a Christmas experience we’ll treasure forever. From powerful plays and iconic musicals to festive shopping and a magical Santa train ride, it truly felt like the countdown to Christmas had begun. If you enjoy family days out, theatre adventures, and everyday moments that turn into lasting memories, this was one of those weeks. 🎄 Festive Shopping & City Centre Lunches We started the week with a trip into Manchester city centre , on a mission to find Alice a Christmas outfit. Primark was our first stop, where we browsed the children’s clothing alongside their ever-growing festive gift selection. After shopping, Lawrence and I grabbed lunch at KFC , where Lawrence tried their Stranger Things  burger with its very eye-catching red bun — definitely one of the more unusual fast-food choices we’ve seen! 🎭 Theatre Highlights at The Lowry 🎬 The Talented Mr Ripley That evening, I headed to The Lowry with my mum to review The Talented Mr Ripley  (gifted tickets). Dark, gripping, and psychologically tense, the production had us hooked from start to finish. The performances built a constant sense of unease, making it a thoroughly absorbing watch. Sharing a theatre trip with my mum always makes the experience extra special — especially when the show gives you plenty to talk about afterwards. 👉 Read my full review: https://www.allabouttheatreuk.com/post/review-the-talented-mr-ripley-the-lowry-17-11-2025 🎶 Blood Brothers On Tuesday, Lawrence and I returned to The Lowry to review one of our all-time favourite musicals, Blood Brothers  (gifted tickets). No matter how many times I see it, the emotional impact never fades. From the storytelling to the music and performances, it was powerful, moving, and heartbreaking in all the right ways — a reminder of why this musical continues to resonate so strongly with audiences. 👉 Full review: https://www.allabouttheatreuk.com/post/review-blood-brothers-the-lowry-18-11-2025 🏠 Midweek Life Admin & Catch-Ups From Wednesday to Saturday, things slowed down. These were quieter days spent catching up on housework, writing reviews, scheduling social posts, and editing YouTube videos. Not the most glamorous side of content creation — but very necessary! 🚂 A Truly Magical Santa Special Sunday was without doubt the highlight of the week. We travelled to Bury  with my parents to experience the East Lancashire Railway Santa Special , and it was absolutely magical. From the festive atmosphere to the attention to detail, it felt like stepping straight into a Christmas storybook. Watching the children’s excitement made it a truly unforgettable family memory. 👉 Read my full review: https://www.allabouttheatreuk.com/post/review-santa-special-train-ride-the-east-lancashire-railway 🚌 Bury Transport Museum Fun After the train ride, we visited Bury Transport Museum , which you can access for free with your Santa Special ticket. The children loved exploring the buses, miniature railway, and wooden train sets — especially Leo, who we could barely persuade to leave! 🍕 A Perfectly Real Ending After such a busy and magical day, we realised we had no food in and everything nearby was closed — so we ordered Domino’s pizza and garlic bread , relaxed on the sofa, and called it a night. The perfect cosy ending to a brilliant week. Thank you so much for reading 💜 Weeks like this really remind me why I love documenting our everyday moments – because sometimes, ordinary weeks turn into extraordinary memories. ✨ Here’s to more theatre nights, festive adventures, and family magic ✨ 🎥 Watch Our Weekly Vlog If you’d like to see everything we got up to this week, you can watch Weekly Vlog #432  below.

24th – 30th November Some weeks feel like a juggling act between everyday life, creative projects, and a little bit of magic — and this was definitely one of those weeks. From birthday preparations and crafting to cinema trips and powerful theatre, our week was busy but full of moments that made it special. 🎁 BIRTHDAY PREP MODE ACTIVATED We started the week with full focus on Alice’s upcoming birthday. I filmed a “What I Got Alice for Her Birthday” video and then wrapped all of her presents, ready for the big day the following week. There’s something so satisfying about having everything prepared early — especially when there’s still lots of party prep to come! 🎬 WICKED ON THE BIG SCREEN On Tuesday, while the kids were at school, Lawrence and I treated ourselves to a cinema date and headed to Vue at Printworks to watch Wicked: For Good  on the IMAX screen. Wicked has always been one of my all-time favourite musicals, so seeing it transformed into a film felt incredibly special. The movie itself was fantastic — emotional, magical, and visually stunning — and it really did justice to the stage show. I also couldn’t resist picking up a Wicked-themed popcorn tin, which felt like a fun little keepsake from the day. After the film, we grabbed lunch at KFC before heading into Manchester city centre for a bit of shopping. I popped into Lush and treated myself to a few bath bombs from their Wicked collection, then visited Lindt to pick up some chocolates for Lawrence’s birthday — including the new tiramisu and shortbread flavours. A quick stop at Miniso followed, where I found a few Stitch bits ready for Alice’s Stitch-themed birthday party. 🎭 THEATRE NIGHT: THE RED SHOES  AT THE LOWRY Later that evening, I headed to The Lowry to review Matthew Bourne’s The Red Shoes (gifted tickets). The production was visually stunning and emotionally powerful, with Bourne’s signature storytelling shining through movement and design. It’s one of those shows that completely pulls you into its world — dramatic, beautiful, and haunting in equal measure — and it stayed with me long after the curtain came down. 👉 Read my full review here: https://www.allabouttheatreuk.com/post/review-matthew-bourne-s-the-red-shoes ✂️ CRAFTING, CREATING & PARTY PREP Wednesday was a crafty one. I made sticker sheets for Alice’s party bags and decorated the bags ready for the party. I also made a start on Alice’s angel piñata for her Stitch-themed birthday celebrations — one of those projects that always looks messy halfway through but comes together in the end! I didn’t film much on Thursday or Friday, but those days were spent finishing the piñata, catching up on housework, editing videos, writing reviews, and scheduling social media posts — the behind-the-scenes side of content creation that keeps everything ticking along. 🎄 A CHRISTMAS CLASSIC IN BOLTON On Saturday, I travelled to Bolton to review A Christmas Carol at the Octagon Theatre (gifted tickets). This production delivered all the warmth, atmosphere, and festive spirit you’d hope for from such a beloved story. With strong performances and a timeless message, it felt like the perfect way to step into the Christmas season — thoughtful, moving, and full of heart. 👉 Read my full review here: https://www.allabouttheatreuk.com/post/review-a-christmas-carol-octagon-bolton-29-11-2025 📝 A QUIET SUNDAY TO WRAP UP THE WEEK Sunday was spent doing what I do best after a busy theatre week — writing up my A Christmas Carol  review, creating social media posts and reels, and getting everything ready to share. A quieter end to a very full week. 🎥 WATCH OUR WEEKLY VLOG If you’d like to see everything we got up to — from cinema trips and crafting to theatre nights and birthday prep — you can watch Weekly Vlog #433  below. Thank you for reading 💜If you enjoy weekly family updates, theatre trips, crafty moments, and everyday magic, don’t forget to check back next week for another update. ✨ Christmas is well and truly on its way! ✨

The first week of December in our house is always all about birthdays before Christmas — two celebrations back-to-back before we even start properly thinking about the festive season. And this one was especially busy — packed with birthday celebrations, festive shows, and lots of family time. It was one of those weeks where every day felt full, but in the nicest possible way. A Calm Start Before the Chaos 🛁 Monday began with a rare quiet moment — a relaxing bath to ease into what I knew was going to be a very busy week. It didn’t stay calm for long though, because I quickly switched into full birthday prep mode for Alice’s party. I spent most of the day baking biscuits, decorating cupcakes, and decorating Alice’s birthday cake. I love doing things like this for the kids — it’s a lot of effort, but it always feels worth it when you see how excited they get. That evening, I headed into Manchester to HOME to see the UK premiere of Freaky Friday The Musical  (gifted tickets). I had such a brilliant time — it was fun, energetic, and exactly the kind of feel-good musical you just can’t help smiling through. 👉 You can read my full review HERE Once I was back, it was straight back into party prep — finishing the cake, making chocolate lollies for the party bags, and chocolate sticks for the party too. It was a late one, but everything was finally ready. Alice’s Birthday & Stitch and Angel Party 🎂💕💙 Tuesday was Alice’s birthday, and we all woke up feeling excited (and slightly tired!). While Alice was at school, Lawrence and I decorated the house for her Stitch and Angel themed party — balloons, banners, and lots of pink and blue everywhere. When she got home from school, she got changed into her birthday outfit — a T-shirt I had made that said “Alice is 8”  with Stitch and Angel on it, along with some leggings. She then opened her presents, and while Alice and Leo played with her new toys, I started preparing the food for the party. My children and I are fussy eaters (autism), so I always keep party food quite simple. We had lemon and herb chicken, chorizo and peppers skewers, BBQ chicken, chorizo and peppers skewers, potato wedges, chicken goujons, pizza, sausage rolls, and garlic bread with cheese, along with the usual snacks and crisps — Alice’s favourite food is crisps, especially Skips. We also had all the sweet treats I’d made, including cupcakes, biscuits, and chocolate sticks. Once the guests arrived, we ate the food and then played some party games. We played pass the parcel, musical chairs, and musical statues, and everyone had a go at trying to get sweets out of the Angel piñata I made. At the end of the party, everyone went home with a party bag full of goodies and a piece of cake. It was so lovely seeing her surrounded by everyone she loves, and she had the best time. Watching her enjoy herself so much made all the baking, decorating, and late nights completely worth it. Midweek Reality & Tattoo Drama 😅 Wednesday was mostly about cleaning up from the party, while Lawrence headed off to get his tattoos done — which were for his 40th birthday and Christmas present. When he got home, he told me they’d only managed to get one tattoo done and that he had to go back the next day for the second one. He’d originally told me it was going to cost £450, and he’d already spent about £100 on aftercare products and new clothes to accommodate the tattoos while they healed… so when he then told me it was going to cost another £450, I was not impressed  — especially as I’d also bought him concert tickets to see Amy Macdonald for his birthday. Let’s just say… he’s not getting any birthday or Christmas presents next year 😂 I spent the rest of Wednesday writing my review for Freaky Friday The Musical  and creating a reel and social media posts for it, so I could get everything shared while it was still fresh. A Big Theatre Milestone 🎭 On Thursday, Lawrence headed off again to get his second tattoo done. They’re on his calves and quite big, so it took most of the day and he didn’t get home until around 4pm. While everyone else was out, I baked a small batch of cupcakes and biscuits for Lawrence’s birthday party at the weekend. When the kids got home from school, we had our dinner, then Leo went to his grandparents, while Lawrence and I took Alice to the press night of The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe  at The Lowry (gifted tickets). The show started at 7pm, so we arrived around 6.30pm and headed to the press desk to collect our tickets and programme. They also said we could choose a gift from a selection of the show’s merch — I think the options were a beanie hat, keyring, magnet, or a lion plush, and of course Alice picked the lion plush. We then took some photos at the photo opportunities, including a replica of the wardrobe itself and a giant Aslan head made from flowers, before heading into the auditorium to take our seats. We were in the stalls, Row J, seats 16–18, and the view from those seats was fantastic. At the interval, Alice was super excited to get some ice cream — she chose chocolate, and she was really excited for the second act because she wanted to see Aslan the lion. It was such a special night, and even more special because it was Alice’s first time seeing a full-length play. She was completely captivated from start to finish — the set, the costumes, the music, everything just worked its magic. Seeing her so engaged and excited was honestly one of my highlights of the whole week. It felt like such a milestone in her little theatre journey. Once we got Alice to bed, I stayed up late writing my review for The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe  and creating social media content for it, because I wanted to get everything shared while it was still fresh. 👉 You can read my full review HERE Creative Friday & Festive Theatre 🎅 On Friday, I designed some musical theatre themed cupcake and biscuit toppers for Lawrence’s party and printed them onto icing sheets using my edible printer. I then cut them out and added them to the cupcakes and biscuits I’d made the day before, which was really fun to do. That evening, I took the children to Waterside Arts in Sale for the press performance of Father Christmas , based on the book by Raymond Briggs (gifted tickets). My brother came with us, as Lawrence was heading to see Amy Macdonald at the O2 Apollo Manchester, which was his birthday present from me. The show started at 6pm, so we arrived around 5.30pm. We had some photos at the photo opportunity, then looked at the merch — I ended up buying two Snowdog plushes, one for each of the kids, which were £10 each. On the way into the auditorium, the children were given a little paper bag with a carton of milk and a Santa cookie inside, which was such a lovely surprise and they absolutely loved the cookies. We were sat in Row J, seats 9–12, and had a great view. It was a really sweet, festive show and such a nice way to kick off the weekend. Once I got the kids to bed, I stayed up late writing my review for Father Christmas  and creating the social media content for it too, so everything was ready to share. 👉 You can read my full review HERE Lawrence’s 40th Birthday Party 🎉 Saturday was Lawrence’s 40th birthday, and we spent the morning decorating the house for his party. We went with a gold and black colour scheme, blowing up balloons and putting up streamers. I then made the party food while Lawrence relaxed and played with the children. When the guests arrived, we enjoyed the food and had a really nice time catching up with friends we hadn’t seen for a while. It was relaxed, fun, and a lovely way to celebrate such a big birthday. King Pins & A Cosy Ending 🎤🎳 On Sunday, the children went to their grandparents, while Lawrence and I headed to King Pins in Manchester to continue the celebrations with friends. When we arrived, it was lunchtime, so we ordered some food — I had salt and pepper chips, Lawrence went for loaded fries, and we got some garlic bread to share. We had rented the karaoke party room for half an hour, so we were able to eat in there. The karaoke was so much fun, but 30 minutes definitely wasn’t enough! After that, we did duckpin bowling, tech darts, and shuffleboard, and it was such a fun afternoon. It really did feel like the perfect way to round off such a full-on but happy week. When we got home later on, my parents dropped the kids back home, we got them settled into bed, and then collapsed on the sofa and watched some TV, feeling completely exhausted after such a busy week. A Week to Remember ✨ This week was full of birthdays, theatre, family time, and little creative moments, and even though it was busy and tiring, it was one of those weeks I know I’ll always look back on fondly. The kind of week that reminds me just how much I love these ordinary-but-not-so-ordinary family days. 💜 Watch Our Weekly Vlog 🎥 If you’d like to see everything we got up to this week in real time, you can watch our Weekly Vlog #434  below