Category Archives: Parenting

Review: The Midnight Gang, Chichester Festival Theatre

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The Midnight Gang, Chichester Festival Theatre
Until 3 November. Box Office: 01243 781312 www.cft.org.uk

Never knowingly understated, David Walliams took his seat to loud applause from the audience on press night. By the curtain call, when he praised the cast and creative team behind the adaptation of his book, the cheers practically took the roof off. Quite right too. His story didn’t just jump from page to stage, it took flight – literally.

Set in Lord Funt Hospital, Matron rules the children’s ward with a rod of iron. A rod of iron dipped in cement and covered in titanium. Looking like Doris Day but without a glimmer of sunshine in her soul, her young patients know the risk they are running in escaping her clutches to indulge in secret midnight antics.

Aided and abetted by the hospital’s porter, superbly played by Dickon Gough (was it just my imagination or were there shades of Walliams in there?), the poorly children live out their wildest fantasies, reminding us that when something we yearn for is out of reach, dreams can be the next best thing.

The children are fabulous. We saw Cody Molko as Tom, Jasmine Sakyiama as Amber, Rafi Essex as George, Felix Warren as Robin and Cerys Hill as Sally, but I gather that their opposite numbers (Tumo Reetsang, Albi Stisted, Cooper Snow, Fibian McKenzie and Anjali Shah) are every bit as talented.

Jenny Dale is a glorious gorgon as Matron. With the bedside manner of Nurse Ratched, her swooning over Tom’s headmaster (Tim Mahendran) during The Punishment Will be Severe is one of many highlights.

With lovely performances also from Lucy Vandi, Matthew Cavendish and Marilyn Cutts, lots of doubling up means that the cast appears bigger than the reality. Collectively they manage quick changes – of costume and character – with impressive and seamless speed.

Simon Higlet’s ingenious set is a joy, full of surprises and magical elements. Music by Joe Stilgoe provides agreeable accompaniment, but it is words rather than music that are his greater accomplishment. Astute, witty and dexterous, notably in So Many Questions which sees a beleaguered doctor trying to fill out an admission form, his sparkling lyrics are marvellous.

Tender, funny and thrilling, Bryony Lavery’s adaptation retains all the heart and humour of Williams’ book and sprinkles precisely the right amount of theatrical magic into the story.

Director Dale Rooks is to be congratulated. A stunning show for all the family, The Midnight Gang is an absolute tonic. I urge you to get dosed up.

From a child’s perspective – Lily B (14) says:

The Midnight Gang is an action-packed story with memorable characters. Comedic, cheering and cleverly staged, especially with the flight of a naked grandma, Matron was my favourite. Child-hating, chocolate loving and power crazed, she was the perfect love-to-hate character. A great show for children and their families, I especially liked the messages to let your imagination run free and to be kind to each other. Definitely five stars!

Little Splashers by Hape – Review

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How many parents – and grandparents  – look forward to that time when you can dunk the little ones in the bath and know that bed time is just around the corner. It’s a lovely time of the day, for many reasons, but bath toys are always a welcome addition along with the bubbles. I’m already a huge fan of Hape products but the new Little Splashers range is wonderful. First of all, no scissors or screwdrivers needed to prise these colourful creatures from the packaging. A mere second to peel away the sticker and the package pops open with a little pressure in the right place – an added bonus. I loathe packaging.

The toys themselves appear larger that others I’ve come across and perfect for little hands. We tested the cheery red octopus, the green puffer fish, a crab and a starfish. Two sea creatures in each pack.

They quickly fill with water and squirt from different places – the starfish from every point, the octopus from every arm. Our little testers had lots of fun whether they were empty or full of water. The fish and star fish have suckers which means they can stick on the side of the bath so there were lots of different opportunities for play.

Far and above the kids enjoyment I really rated the addition of removable pieces that allowed me to empty out all of the water and properly dry the inside of the toys. So much more hygienic. A really lovely addition to bath time.

 

Hape Teddy and Friends Bath Squirts, Suitable for 0 months +, £12.49 

Swimming Teddy was the cause of lots of fun and laughter. Smiley Teddy with his swimsuit and rubber ring sped across the bath, powering through the bubbles. A lovely size to hold and easy to use – a few turns of the button on his back sets his legs kicking through the water. Great fun to be had before bedtime.

 

Hape Swimmer Teddy Wind-up Toy, Suitable for 12 months +, £9.99 

 

Nature Fun by Hape – Review

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We’re just loving these great eco friendly HAPE toys made from bamboo, the fastest growing plant in the world. The NATURE FUN range is perfect for tempting the kids outside. We particularly love the FLOWER PRESS DIY KIT aimed at children 5 years and up.

Who doesn’t enjoy kicking through the autumn leaves and taking a handful home to press and keep. With the HAPE FLOWER PRESS KIT kids can use flowers and leaves to create a beautiful art gallery.

The set comprises wooden boards and bamboo sheets in which to capture those precious treasures they’ve found on their treks in nature.

HAPE have extended the play value by including sheets with line drawings of dragons, princesses, hot air balloons and an assortment of other pictures for budding artists to paint and decorate, encouraging their creativity.

A well constructed set, it includes paint and a brush to get kids started. A really lovely gift and a fabulous way to get kids interested in the beauty of the world around them.

HAPE Flower Press Art DIY Kit £11.71 from Amazon

 

Also in the NATURE FUN RANGE is the Hide and Seek periscope.

Made from sustainable bamboo and featuring a handy wrist strap the Hape Persicope is great for young adventurers and explorers. Hide away and peek around corners and over walls without being seen. Great for looking down rabbit holes!

Hape Hide & Seek Periscope £13.98 from Amazon

 

Strictly Briks Stackable Baseplates

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These Strictly Briks baseplates are a clever idea. There are 36 colours to choose from and they work with all bricks. The people behind Strictly Briks have over 20 years experience in the toy industry. The baseplates are brilliant and allow vertical construction. Children love them. Highly recommended.

Strictly Briks Baseplates are available here.

Strictly Briks Big Briks Review

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Kids loving building bricks. I think this is one of the truest sentences in life. So this big set of bricks from Strictly Briks went down well with the toddler. It is an 84 piece set with 4 different colours. They work with all large bricks so you can mix and match brands. This is a great starter set and really lets your childs imagination go wild. Recommended.

Strictly Briks 84 piece set available here.

 

Frost Loves The Hape Discovery Box

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Frost loves The Hape Discovery Box. It keeps little ones entertained for hours. Colourful and well made, it lets little ones play and learn at the same time. It packs a lot in considering what little space it takes up. Brilliant. 

Worth £32.49 from Amazon. Suitable for 24 Months + Five sides of activities keep little hands in constant motion including wire bead maze, abacus, mirror, color wheel and spinning face, a wonderful learning and play station.

 

The Perfect Gadget Helping Babies Sleep: Rockit

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Frost took the Rockit with us when we went on holiday and were very happy indeed. It rocks the pram just so and baby falls into a peaceful sleep. We managed to enjoy a good meal while the Rockit took over parenting duties. Highly recommended for frazzled parents everywhere. A great invention.

Travelling tech for weary infants and worn-out parents.

Pack this on your pram to stop their sleepless nights (and your arm ache) with this ingenious gadget the Rockit – Portable Baby Rocker.

Soothe your babies tiresome tantrums and help them drift off to sleep with the Rockit device, designed to gently rock the pram with it’s adjustable speed setting and thirty minute automation.

This astronomical inspired baby gismo is ideal for new parents to put their baby to sleep wherever they are as it’s universal bracket is easily adjustable to any pram or pushchair.

Keep moving and snoozing with this simple space like product for bouncing babies. The super-quiet motor ensures your baby isn’t disturbed, and it’s even rain showerproof suitable for inside and out.

The liberating Rockit assists busy adults by freeing up their hands for those tricky moments where you’re unpacking the food shopping or enjoying a coffee with friends.

As seen on Channel 4’s TV show Buy It Now – just £39.95 now at Prezzybox.com.

 

Matt Dyson, inventor of Rockit said: “Rockit was designed by three dads with seven children between us. Nick Webb came up with the initial concept when his three-month-old daughter Abby refused to sleep in the pushchair at the supermarket checkout.

 

“He noticed this problem affected other weary parents but couldn’t find a product available on the market that was cost effective and portable to help.  One evening he had a lightbulb moment. He took an old printer apart, salvaged the motor and soldered together a simple circuit. The resulting prototype worked and the very next day Abby remained asleep even when the pushchair stopped moving.

 

“After two years of hard work and support from the Design Council, Rockit has now become an award winning product that is helping babies to sleep all over the world.”