If you don't ask, you don't 'net'!

 

 

If you've got any spare Sainsburys Active Kids Vouchers The 22nd Boys' Brigade would love to hear from you.

 

Last year the kind folk in Bearwood donated so many vouchers The Brigade were able to purchase a large pop up Velcro target board which all the youngsters love using and this year it's a new badminton net that they're after.

 

So please remember next time you're in Sainsbury to pick up the vouchers and hand them over to The Boys Brigade. 

 

You will find their contact details on their Facebook page right here! The offer finishes on 5th May so get collecting.

 

 

Peter Pan Goes Wrong @ The REP, Tuesday 27th January 2015



Laurence Pears as Captain Hook in Peter Pan Goes Wrong. Photo by Alastair Muir



 

If you’re the kind of person who heads straight for the ‘bloopers’ feature on a DVD or who prefers watching It’ll Be Alright On The Night to a night on the town then this production is pretty much perfect...or maybe that should be imperfect. Yes, rather than striving to avoid fluffed lines and failing sets Peter Pan Goes Wrong positively embraces them, revelling in the glorious chaos that results.

‘Performed’ by the fictional Cornley Polytechnic Dramatic Society (actually the appropriately titled Mischief Theatre, creators of the West End hit The Play That Goes Wrong) as the title implies the show revolves around a performance of the J M Barrie classic Peter Pan that goes wrong. Very wrong. In fact short of the entire stage collapsing into the bowels of the building it’s difficult to imagine how you could cram more misfortune into two hilarious hours. If you’ve ever been involved in any kind of amateur dramatics some moments may be painfully familiar, bits of set collapsing, stick on facial hair coming adrift, sound effects getting mixed up, one of the cast setting themselves on fire...okay maybe the last one’s a little more unusual but I guess it happens.

James Marlowe as Bill Jukes, Naomi Sheldon as Tiger Lily, Cornelius Booth as Starkey and
Harry Kershaw as Mr Smee in Peter Pan Goes Wrong

 

It’s all rather brilliantly choreographed but you can’t help but imagine that the entire cast and crew must be carrying the odd bruise or six. Not since the days of silent films has so much slapstick been crammed into one show and the writers/producers have wrung as much comedy gold from the actors and set as possible ensuring that the action never...er...’peters’ out from start to finish. This is one of those rare shows where every performance is a stand out but Cornelius Booth deserves a special mention his portrayal of the oldest Darling child in history, as does Naomi Sheldon for a particularly frantic performance as ...deep breath...Mary Darling, Lisa, Tinker Bell and Cecco. At the heart of it all is Laurence Pears who manfully tries to keep the show going, gradually losing his last threads of sanity along the way. Leonie Hill mines her inner Kate Bush for all she’s worth too and she barely takes a step without adding some fabulously OTT flourish of the limbs.

In short it’s a wonderful concept for a show, brilliantly executed and if you’re in need of a laugh, a proper laugh that is, a laugh that threatens to polish you off at times, Peter Pan Goes Wrong is just so right.

Peter Pan Goes Wrong is on at The REP until Sunday February 1^st.

 

Tockets...whoops...see, it’s contagious...ahem...TICKETS here.

 

Big Bench Appeal!

 

Warley Woods Community Trust needs your help with this year’s Big Bench Appeal! 

 

Viv Cole, Warley Woods Trust Manager explained that following on from the success of last year’s appeal this year they are busy trying to raise funds to replace the benches in the play area which have been sadly vandalised. 

 

To help Warley Woods raise the money  please get involved by taking part in the 2^nd Bench March on Saturday 7^th March. 

 

Perfect for all you Warley Woods lovers, dog walkers and keep fit fans get the details you need right here!



The Holy Trini-tea

 

Not that we’re counting or anything but it’s good to hear that Bearwood Chapel are opening their Community Café in 3 days time.

Yes that’s right this coming Saturday.  Mark the 24^th January in your diary Bearwood.

We caught up with Dave, Bearwood Chapel’s pastor, to find out more…

”We're planning a little "Open Day" for the café on the 24th January.  We'll open up the café so people can have a look in between 10:00am and 1:00pm. 

It's not an "opening day" there's still a little way to go but we are almost there.  The project has taken longer than we would have originally liked/anticipated but as a local church we believe that God is in control of timing and sometimes it's best to take a little longer and learn patience.

At the same time, we've been encouraged by the support and interest shown by other local people and we want people to have a chance to see where we've got to.  The café now has machinery installed, tables and chairs set up and just needs a few finishing touches to the décor.  We've got sign off from the Building Inspector and are now getting volunteers trained up."

On the 24^th Bearwood Chapel will be serving teas, coffees and biscuits.  No charge but donations welcome. Everybody is welcome to drop-in.

 

 

 

Spice Up Your Life!

Photo courtesy of Bearwood Blog

Good news for Bearwood foodie lovers!

Azadi opened last month and already have seen lots of interest in their Persian cuisine.  The restaurant is based on the corner of St Mary's Road and Lightwood Road  where the sadly missed Azzari Too’s used to be.

Their prices are very reasonable and the menu includes many culinary delights which will warm you up on these cold wintry nights.

Book a table today to avoid disappointment!

 

Thimblemill Library January 2015 Calendar

2015!  Seriously...how can that be???!!!  If like us you enjoyed Christmas just a bit too much (too many mince pies, turkey leftovers and glasses of bubbly!) it was a bit of a shock getting back to reality, especially as everything just feels that little bit tighter.
 
The leftovers are all finished now though so the healthy eating diet started yesterday. If you're on a bit of a health kick too why not check out how Thimblemill Library can help with your New Year's resolutions with their Cook and Eat Programme?  You'll get to learn how to cook a healthy 2 course menu for £2.50 so your purse as well as your waistline will feel much better.
 
Thimblemill Library is also there for your other New Year’s resolutions.  There are music lessons, computer courses and plenty to keep you fit and active.

Perfect for the New Year and a New You!