Tag: Kids in Melbourne

Charlie & The Chocolate Factory is ‘Gobstoppingly Glorious’

Published on by Mrs Wilson of OzLeave a comment

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is perhaps Roald Dahl’s best-known story and has proved to be one of the most enduring children’s books of all time. The story of Charlie Bucket, the five Golden Tickets, the Oompa-Loompas and the amazing Willy Wonka has become firmly embedded in our culture since it was first published in 1964. Conservative estimates suggest the original book has sold over 20 million copies worldwide; it is now available in 61 languages. That’s pretty incredible!

Charlie & the Chocolate Factory The Musical has landed at Melbourne’s Her Majesty’s Theatre following a hugely successful six month season at Sydney’s Capitol Theatre. 

We checked it out last night and I know you’re going to love it. Whether your children have read the book or not,  now is a great time to introduce it it in truly delicious way!

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If you’re die hard Roald Dahl fans, be aware that this show tweeks the original story a little, to fit the stage. Having said that, the magic is still there in glorious Wonka style!

The orchestra create musical wizardry (and lots of goosebumps) with brand new numbers, alongside the classics of the 1971 movie,  like Pure Imagination, The Candy Man, and I’ve Got a Golden Ticket. You can’t help but sing a long..

The staging of this classic Roald Dahl story is incredible.. Yes there’s a chocolate river, there are plenty of Oompa Loompas and Mike TV gets shrunk! I know right!!!

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Lenny Thomas as Charlie

Charlie Bucket (played by Lenny Thomas last night) stole everyones hearts from the moment we met him. Lenny is obviously a talented all rounder, who enchanted the entire audience with his tenderness and his pitch perfect voice! We were all desperately willing him to get his little hands on that Golden Ticket!  Paul Slade -Smith kept all of Gene Wilders kookie traits, whilst creating a brand new, (more believable than Johnny Depp) Willy Wonka. This is a man who’s talent seems endless and who’s onstage presence is electrifying!

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The nitty gritty!

The stage adaption of Charlie & The Chocolate Factory seemed a little confused about the era it was set in. The original little Bucket shack appeared to be set a long while back (like the original story), then the other characters are introduced with Mike TV on an iPad with a mobile phone, Violet Beauregard being a YouTube sensation addicted to social media.. (Yawn). Lots more references to the modern day were thrown in too, in a rather irksome ‘pantomime-esque’ way. I thought this was a shame. Must we really modernise EVERYTHING?? LOL! IMHO!

I was also a little disappointed that adults were playing the Golden Ticket winners meaning Charlie was the only child on stage. That’s just me though!  Augustus Gloop, Veruca Salt, Violet Beauregard, and Mike Teevee have been thrust into modern day life in this adaption, still as vile as ever, but managed to create a new, vibrant and interesting take on the story!

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Charlie & the Chocolate Factory the Musical is pretty long for smaller children… 2hrs and 30 mins! The first half is a little slow to get going, however once the second half rolls round, and we enter the factory, the true Wonka magic hits the stage! We were wide-eyed when we spied the chocolate waterfall, oompa loompas and all of Wonka’s awesome imaginings! The special effects are stunning, and not like anything I’ve seen in a huge musical like this! I won’t spoil it for you… although I really really want to tell you about…. No! I can’t…..! You’ll have to go and see it for yourselves!

Despite the little modern additions, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory the Musical is huge fun for the entire family, and a must see!!!

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Poppy wanted to keys to the Wonkamobile! 

SEASON DETAILS

MELBOURNE

Venue: Her Majesty’s Theatre, Melbourne

Season Performance Times & Prices:Wed-Sat 7.30pm, Matinees Wed 1pm, Sat 2pm, Sun 1pm and 6pm* From $59.90** To 3 November

Bookings: Charliethemusical.com.au or ticketek.com.au
Groups 12+ call 1300 364 001

BRISBANE

Venue: Lyric Theatre, QPAC From 20 March 2020
Season Performance Times & Prices: Tues 7pm, Wed-Sat 7.30pm, Matinees Wed 1pm, Sat 2pm, Sun 1pm and 6pm* From $59.90**
Bookings: charliethemusical.com.au or qpac.com.au or phone 136 246
Groups 12+ call (07) 3840 7466

 

* Performance times vary weekly ** Transaction fees apply

Melbourne International Comedy Festival -Top 5 for the kids

Published on by Mrs Wilson of OzLeave a comment

The whole family can enjoy this time of year! Not only because the school holidays are fast approaching, but because the Melbourne International Comedy Festival is in town!  Hundreds of insanely talented comedians from all over the globe, have hit the streets, theatres, pubs and clubs of Melbourne, and will be sharing their gags with us  until the 21st April. There is enough fab kids comedy to keep even the most miserable kids, highly entertained for the entire stretch.

It would be impossible to see every show (although we’d love to give it a go) so get your hands on a guide as soon as possible, highlight the shows you want to see, and get planning.

I thought I’d put our (very edited, mini) list up here to give you an idea of the variety that’s out there for the kids.

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       Mr Snot Bottom’s Horrible, Terrible, Really, Really, Bad, Bad, Show

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Join the downright disgustingly distasteful Mr Snot bottom in a brand-new show as he attempts to perform the most elegantly magnificent and preciously important master-work of his career.

Expect an horrendous hour of the most appalling acting, stupidest scripts, just-dumb dialogue, pathetic pantomime and thoughtless theatre in a putrid performance of horrid humour, that will make you absolutely, utterly… love every minute!

Dates: 6th – 14th Apr 2019
Times:  Sat 6 Apr & Sun 7 Apr: 1pm;
Tue 9 Apr: 2.20pm;
Wed 10 Apr – Sun 14 Apr: 1pm
Duration: 50 mins
Venue: Melbourne Town Hall – Lower Town Hall
Location: 100 Swanston Street, Melbourne
Tickets: $18 – $68
Information: Mrsnotbottom.com
Ages: Suitable for audiences 5+

Read our review from 2017! 

Super Amazing Giant Girl – Anna Lumb & Jez Davies

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Adapted for the comedy festival and following an awesome smash-hit Australian tour, Super Amazing Giant Girl is an hilarious story of strength, fragility and triumph exploring the challenges of fitting in when you’re a super amazing GIANT – bigger than the Big Pineapple, stronger than super glue and cooler than an ice cream in the arctic!
An action packed, fast-paced and interactive theatre show for kids, Super Amazing Giant Girl created by Anna Lumb and featuring Jez Davies combines thrilling circus, absurd comedy and ingenious physical theatre and stunts at the 2019 Melbourne International Comedy Festival.
Super Amazing Giant Girl is for all little, strong people – it features an interactive hail storm throwing plastic white balls, hula-hoping while eating a banana, roller skating over bubble wrap, walking over glass bottles on tippy toes, contortion, juggling, skipping, some other really cool tricks and extremely awesome dancing. COUNT US IN!!!!
Dates: 6th – 21st Apr 2019
Times: 11.30am Tue – Sun
Duration: 45 mins
Venue: Melbourne Town Hall – Lower Town Hall
Location: 100 Swanston Street, Melbourne
Tickets: $18 – $25 plus booking fees
Information: annalumb.com
Ages: Suitable for audiences 5+

The Greatest Magic Show

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Sam and Justin are ready to amaze and excite you with the debut of their brand spanking new, hilarious magic show! They have promised us hysterical magic, breath-taking circus stunts, and a mystifying new character, The Ringmaster!  Audience participation is always an attention grabber isn’t it!? The show will feature incredible illusions, escaping from 200m of GLAD WRAP before being covered in a bucket of slime, incredible circus artistry, and invisibly shooting a very special guest out of a cannon across the stage; these are just some of the things that make this family-friendly magic show, the GREATEST! PLUS, every child who attends will receive a FREE magic wand on entry and may even be one of the lucky few to come up on stage and become a star of the show… what’s not to love?!

Dates: 7th – 20th Apr 7 Shows only (no performance Monday 15 April)
Time: 2pm
Duration: 60 mins
Venue:Melba Spiegeltent
Location:35 Johnston St
Tickets: $15 – $80 plus booking fees
Ages: Suitable for all ages

Captain Cauliflower and Marvin The Mischievous Moose (UK)

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What kind of Expats would we be if we didn’t encourage you to see some true British Comedy?? This show invites you to join the invincible Captain Cauliflower and his faithful companion Marvin on an unforgettable adventure filled with extreme silliness and unquestionable danger. He flies into outer space and swims deep under the ocean saving those in peril – but can Captain Cauliflower beat his arch-nemesis, the evil and odorous Onion Man? Now, Onion Man sounds like someone we’ve got to meet!! 

Joyous physical comedy for all the family!

British comedians Dan Lees and Neil Frost (aka The Establishment) are hailed as two of the best clowns around, adored by adults and children alike. They cleverly combine physical comedy and imaginative storytelling in a 50 minute non-verbal show that’s suitable for the whole family. This is their first time in Australia, so make them welcome, and grab your tickets before they sell out.

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FYI:  These guys sold out their entire season at Edinburgh Fringe Festival 2018. So you really must book early to avoid disappointment!

Dates: 6th – 21st April
Time: 10:45
Duration: 50 mins
Venue: The Coopers MaltHouse, Mini Merlyn
Location:113 Sturt Street
Tickets: $18-$20
Ages: Suitable for ages 5+

Comedy Club For Kids at Chadstone

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The comedy isn’t just hanging around the city! During the Easter holidays Chadstone The Fashion Capital, is hosting a whole heap of fun too!  Hosts Josh Earl and Tessa Waters (Click for our review of Tessa’s Rockstar School 2017) will be joined by a cavalcade of the best circus, musical comedy, sketch and stand-up from the Melbourne International Comedy Festival.

Your little giggle monsters are going to love this jam packed show, full of the Festival’s best! This promises to be a super-sized, massively fun show, perfect for kids aged 6 – 12!

Dates: 6th – 21st April
Time: 1:30
Duration: 60 mins
Venue: Chadstone, The Parlour
Location: 1341 Dandenong Rd
Tickets: $16.50-$21
Ages: Suitable for ages 6+

Have a fab time, fun people! Let us know if you have seen something awesome, so that we can add it to our list!! 

A child’s laugh, could simply be, one of the most beautiful sounds in the world!

Liv xxx

There’s work to be done at Sovereign Hill these school holidays

Published on by Mrs Wilson of OzLeave a comment

Hey Melbourne parents! School holidays are fast approaching and there’s so much going on, it’ll be hard for any of us to be bored! Have you visited Sovereign Hill before?

You can read about our last visit right here!!

Whether you’re a seasoned visitor or a Ballarat Gold Fields virgin, you’ll want to get all over their Easter Holiday fun!

We’ve been informed that the blacksmith needs a new apprentice, there are animals to be fed and Brown’s Confectionery Manufactory have lollies that can’t make themselves! You and the children better rush up there and get to work! 

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This Easter holidays, between Sat 6th April  and Mon 22nd April, Sovereign Hill are exploring the working life of the goldfields. Relive history and discover the lost trades with a range of exclusive workshops and free events that will transport you and the kids back to the busy goldfields of Ballarat. Genuinely a fascinating day out for all ages! 

Here is a list of the fun you and the gang can get involved in:

  • Pour your own Candle: Become a candlemaker at Hewett’s Candle Works and learn how to make your very own candle. Hear about the secrets of good candle making, and let Sovereign Hill’s experienced candlemakers guide you through the process. You get to take a candle home too!! 
  • Make your own rope: Using traditional methods, try making a rope, and then see if you can turn your rope into quoits. Will you beat Sovereign Hill’s champions at a game? We hope so!! 

 

  • Become a Blacksmith: Join Sovereign Hill’s talented Blacksmiths and try your hand at forging. You’ll all be taken through the basics of blacksmithing and learn about the history of this trade on the Ballarat goldfields. A great story to take back to school after the holidays!

 

  • Where did photography come from? Come and see a ‘camera obscura’ and learn how the romance with the captured image began. Sovereign Hill’s photographers will give you an enlightening insight into how images were created and how cameras evolved over time. This is a mind blowing for the modern day child!

 

  • Sweet Experience: Brown’s Confectionery Factory is hiring! You’ll have to get your uniforms on and help Sovereign Hill make some butterscotch lollies. Smell, touch, and roll your own lollies while learning about the sweet treats of the goldfields.

 

  • Spokes and Wheels: Watch the talented wheelwrights machine and assemble the components of a wooden wheel using the latest in 1800s wheel making technology. Then try finishing your own spoke with hand held tools.

 

  • Belt making: Back in the 1800s, everything was made by hand and even the simplest piece of clothing had a story to tell. Go back in time and join Sovereign Hill to craft your own belt using traditional methods at Sovereign Hill’s leather harness workshop.

See, we told you… there’s no way you’re going to find yourselves at a loose end this Easter! More fun to come in the next few days!! Keep it here!

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The Lost Trades program will run from Saturday 6th April until Monday 22nd April, 2019.  

**Many of the Lost Trade workshops need to be pre-booked, so to find out more, or to make a booking, visit www.thestoryliveson.com.au