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Review: Sleeping Beauty, Belgrade Theatre

Posted on November 23, 2025November 23, 2025 by admin

Sleeping Beauty, Belgrade Theatre, Coventry

By Clare Brennan.

Nothing says Christmas quite like a pantomime and Sleeping Beauty – Belgrade Theatre’s gift to you this festive season – is a real treat.

From the moment you take your seat you’re surrounded by colour, the dazzling curtain offering a tantalising taste of what’s to come.

Sleeping Beauty, Belgrade Theatre, Coventry

It’s Wendi Harriott as sequin-clad diva Carabosse who sets the scene for our journey through this fairytale land, her villainous voice and soaring vocals filling the theatre to the rafters.

But from there it’s the genius of writer and director Iain Lauchlan and comic partner Craig Hollingsworth which really gives this show its sparkle. This duo, who star as Nanny Fanny McWheeze and Mumbles respectively, has worked together at the Belgrade for the past 13 years and it really shows – every joke and every comic moment is pure polished perfection.

Sleeping Beauty, Belgrade Theatre, Coventry

They clearly love performing together as much as the audience loves watching them and their passion for pantomime sets this show apart from many others. One moment in particular brought the house down – almost literally – a moment of split-second brilliance which we’ll be talking about for a long time to come!

The whole company works their socks off to entertain, in particular Aonghas Ewen as Azurial was a total delight. The staging and scenery are fabulous and the lighting and little tricks take this show to the next level.

Sleeping Beauty, Belgrade Theatre, Coventry

This is flawless family comedy at its absolute best. It’s Christmas wrapped up with a great big bow.

The show runs at Belgrade Theatre in Coventry until 3rd January. Tickets are available HERE.

Review: Sherlock Holmes And The Twelve Days of Christmas

Posted on November 22, 2025 by admin

Birmingham Rep, Sherlock Holmes, review

It’s Christmas in Victorian London but in the West End, a flurry of performers are suddenly dying mid-scene.

Scotland Yard rules out foul play… until the world’s greatest consulting detective, Sherlock Holmes, discovers an intriguing link to The Twelve Days of Christmas. The game is afoot!

The writers, Humphrey Ker and David Reed (who also play Holmes and Watson, respectively) have a long collaborative history to draw on, including as improvisers, Edinburgh Festival Fringe successes and as part of the sketch troupe ‘The Penny Dreadfuls’.

Birmingham Rep, Sherlock Holmes, review

It’s a madcap adventure that doesn’t take itself too seriously and one in which the audience are quickly swept up by.

Introduce original songs by legendary musical theatre duo Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber – and a stellar cast – it more than lives up to its promises of being an unmissable, laugh-out-loud festive murder mystery.

Also hunting down the fiend, we are introduced to new female supersleuth Athena Faversham; played supremely by Helena Wilson.

Birmingham Rep, Sherlock Holmes, review

The hapless Inspector Lestrade is well captured by John Kearns while Margaret Cabourn-Smith is suitably bossy as Mrs Hudson, the matriarch of 221A Baker Street. Cameron Johnson plays it large as Arthur Stone and Susan Harrison is a scene stealer as Ernie the Cockney paperboy with menaces!

A well-designed and constructed set, combined with visual gags, makes for the perfect backdrop for this delicious serving of festive fun.

If, like me, your kids have grown out of pantos (and so have you) but you’re looking for a festive feelgood show to kick off your Christmas season, 221b Baker St is the place to be for mischief, mayhem and a Partridge in a Pear Tree!

Birmingham Rep, Sherlock Holmes, review

This is a gem of a play, musical theatre and panto all wrapped into one glorious package, encapsulating the very best of theatre. Anyone would be thrilled to unwrap it this Christmas.

An absolute cracker of a show from start to finish. You’ve plenty of time to catch it. It runs at Birmingham Repertory Theatre until January 18th. Click here for times, tickets and more.

You can bet on a top night at Warwickshire distillery!

Posted on November 17, 2025 by admin

Warwickshire Gin Company, Leamington — **David Blick invites visitors to roll the dice.**

Gambling and alcohol are actively encouraged at a local distillery, which is offering visitors the chance to win their entire purchase for free – all on the throw of a dice!

People who take part in one of Warwickshire Gin Company’s three experiences leading up to Christmas, will be made an offer they can’t refuse – roll a six on a single throw of the dice and walk away with an unlimited amount of pre-ordered drinks on the house.

Owner David Blick said: “As a popular destination for our customers new and old, we wanted to add some more fun to our experiences. Something inclusive and easy to play. As many guests make a purchase making use of their visitor 10% discount, adding some added jeopardy would be great fun.

“So we have added the dice game, where a guest can win their order for free if they roll a six. In our first weekend alone we had a couple of winners, who were very excited.

“To play you just need to attend one of our three experiences before the end of 2025 and at point of purchase you will have the chance to take your order away for free!”

Warwickshire Gin Company, Leamington

The distillery’s popular visitor experiences are: Gin Tasting, Cocktails at The Distillery and Afternoon Gin & Tea.

At the Gin Tasting Experience you can learn all about the distillery process and inspiration behind the company as well as enjoy seven tastings from their gin, rum and vodka range and four complimentary drinks of your choice.

In the Gin & Afternoon Tea Experience you are able to try a number of their gins, selection of sandwiches, scones, and delectable desserts all perfectly paired with your gin of choice.

The Cocktails At The Distillery Experience gives you the chance to try WGC’s gins and enjoy 3 cocktails of choice from their menu.

Those not lucky enough to roll the magic number are still entitled to 10% off all purchases from the distillery shop, which includes anything from their gins, rums or vodka collections or the range of build-your-own branded gift bundles, including spirits, goblet, mixers and gin or rum-infused chocolates.

Warwickshire Gin Company, Leamington

The business recently shot to the envied top spot on Tripadvisor thanks to over 170 five-star reviews from visitors. Internationally it’s also made its mark, achieving the “Travellers’ Choice Award” which puts the Warwickshire distillery in the top 10% of businesses listed in the world based on reviews.

The inspiration behind the award-winning drinks collection comes from a desire to capture a moment in history, developing flavours to fully represent the county’s own unique story and bringing the range of hand-crafted flavours to life.

These include Leamington on Parade, inspired by the true story of circus elephant trainer Sam Lockhart in the 1880s; The Kingmaker – named after Richard Neville 16^th Earl of Warwick and Peeping Tom – inspired by the legend of Coventry’s Lady Godiva.

Find out more about the experiences HERE.

Stratford Town FC targets Molly Ollys with This Year’s Christmas Campaign

Posted on November 14, 2025November 14, 2025 by admin

Molly Ollys, charity, Stratford Town Football Club — Rachel Ollerenshaw and Olly The Brave are pictured with Steven Burge, STFC Commercial Manager.

Stratford Town Football Club is proud to announce its support for local children’s charity Molly Ollys with this year’s Christmas Campaign, helping bring comfort, joy, and special memories to children with life-threatening illnesses and their families.

Molly Ollys, founded in memory of Molly Ollerenshaw, works tirelessly to support children facing serious health challenges by providing emotional support, therapeutic toys, and granting wishes that help make difficult days a little brighter.

This Christmas, Stratford Town FC is joining forces with Molly Ollys to raise awareness and funds through a series of initiatives, including a donation drive day where the team from Molly Ollys will join Stratford Town FC at the Arden Garages Stadium for the match against St. Ives Town FC on Saturday 13^th December. Part of the day will see the first team take the field for their pre-match warm up wearing special Molly Ollys shirts.

The club will also be encouraging members and supporters to get involved by purchasing Molly Ollys products from their Clubhouse and website shop, or simply spreading the word about the charity’s vital work.

“Community is at the heart of everything we do at Stratford Town FC.” said Chairman Jed McCrory. “We’re honoured to support Molly Ollys this Christmas, the charity is so meaningful and emotive. Their team make a significant difference to children and families across the UK, and we are looking forward to building strong ties with them with this

Christmas Campaign and future initiatives.”

As well as providing more than 4,300 wishes to date, Molly Ollys donates therapeutic toys and books to both children directly and to hospitals throughout the UK.

Olly The Brave is a therapeutic toy that helps children understand their treatment journey. Along with a set of books from the charity’s exclusive Olly The Brave series, stock the lion and books now been handed out to more than 70 hospitals or health centres to distribute to children undergoing treatment. Olly has his own Hickman line and a detachable mane which helps to explain and normalise the effects of chemotherapy.

Part of more than £5m raised to date, has also been used to fund the first consultant in paediatric palliative medicine at Birmingham Children’s Hospital and pay for the training of a further two consultants.

Co-founder Rachel Ollerenshaw said: “When Jed and his team approached us to be their charity Christmas partner, explained how they’re embedded within the community, in particular working with hundreds of children, we didn’t think twice about getting involved.

“Working with Stratford Town Football Club throughout December and raising vital funds in the lead up to Christmas, will not only help us start to build a long-term relationship with the football club, but will also assist Molly Ollys as we continue to support children across the UK with life-threatening illnesses.

“We’re really looking forward to matchday on 13^th December and can’t wait to see the team warm up in their Molly Ollys training tops. Meeting the supporters, sponsors and volunteers of the club is important to us as we aim to increase awareness to people who may not know of the work we do. Fundraising has been particularly tough over the past couple of months and we really need help to maintain our levels of service”

Fans can support the campaign by donating at Stratford Town FC and at home matches throughout December and visiting the Molly Ollys website HERE.

Also, there are Christmas cards and gifts that can be purchased from the Molly Ollys website shop and Stratford Town Clubhouse.

Much-loved children’s novel set to be huge festive favourite

Posted on November 7, 2025 by admin

The BFG, RSC, Christmas

The BFG has been announced as this year’s big festive production at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon.

Based on Roald Dahl’s beloved children’s novel, this magical new stage adaptation by Tom Wells (The Kitchen Sink, Jumpers for Goalposts) will enjoy a 10-week run between November 25th-January 31st.

One extraordinary night, a young orphan named Sophie is snatched by a giant and taken far away to Giant Country.

There she learns that human-eating giants are guzzling ‘norphans’ the world over. But she soon discovers that her new friend, the BFG, is different – he’s a dream-catching, snozzcumber-munching gentle soul who refuses to eat humans.

While other giants terrorise the world, the BFG ignites Sophie’s imagination, and they devise a daring plan to save children everywhere. In the end, the smallest human bean and the gentlest giant prove that a dream can change the world.

John Leader is stepping into the oversized shoes of Roald Dahl’s beloved character, the BFG. He said: “I’m absolutely thrilled to be playing such an iconic character who means so much to so many people. Everyone has their own picture of the BFG, so it’s really exciting (and a bit surreal!) to help bring him to life on stage.

“It’s a real joy to be collaborating with Daniel and such a talented team of creatives on this story, and I can’t wait for audiences to experience it. Having grown up in Birmingham and trained at Stratford College, coming back to the RSC for a role like this honestly feels very special – a real full-circle moment.”

John was last seen with the RSC in The Merry Wives of Windsor and The School for Scandal, both in 2024. His previous theatre credits include Wuthering Heights, Peter Pan and War Horse at the National Theatre, A Monster Calls at The Old Vic and The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe at the Bridge Theatre.

The BFG, RSC, Christmas — **John Leader**

Director and RSC Co-Artistic Director Daniel Evans said: “Finding the actor to play our eponymous hero, BFG, has been a giant undertaking in so many ways. We knew that this crucial bit of casting was an essential piece of the puzzle. After all, it is the BFG, alongside Sophie and The Queen, who are the main trio of our story. Through each other’s friendship and allyship, they find the imagination and the strength to defeat the human-guzzling giants and save children everywhere.

“John Leader brings immense warmth, generosity and humility to the role – all essential qualities for our BFG. He also has a gleaming and vivid imagination. John will be working alongside a highly skilled team of puppeteers as part of a cast of eighteen, to bring Tom Wells’ magical new script to the stage and we look forward to sharing more exciting casting news within the coming weeks.”

Joining Daniel and Tom on the creative team is Puppetry Designer and Director, Toby Olié; Set Designer, Vicki Mortimer; Costume Designer, Kinnetia Isidore; Lighting Designer, Zoe Spurr; Video Designer, Akhila Krishnan; Illusions, Chris Fisher; Composer, Oleta Haffner; Sound Designer, Carolyn Downing; Choreographer and Movement Director, Ira Mandela Siobhan; Puppetry Co-Designer, Daisy Beattie; and Senior Set Design Associate, Matt Hellyer. The Casting Director is Christopher Worrall CDG; and the Children’s Casting Director is Verity Naughton CDG.

Tickets for The BFG are available from £16. Discounts are available for Over 65s, Disabled People and Carers, Families, UK School and College Groups and Groups of 10 or more. Terms and conditions apply. See the website HERE or call the Box Office on 01789 331111 for more details and to buy tickets.