Attractions

Royal Opera House: 'La Boheme' at a cinema near you

La Boheme at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden and in a cinema near you. God not opera you’re thinking… All mountainous women and no action. Well, not any more, it isn’t. Rather, it’s young singers, who act properly, in edgy sets with humour thrown in. Boheme (1893-5) has a touch of the Dickens, in that it is a gritty social commentary, mocking all strata of society: the rich old…
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Attractions

Show review: Demon Dentist written by David Walliams

The David Walliams’ brand is always going to deliver precisely what you expect, in greater or lesser degrees, and this production of Demon Dentist written by David Walliams and adapted by Neal Foster edges towards one of the better deliveries. Overall, the casting is particularly inspired in this production. Zain Abrahams, who plays newsagent Raj, deserves particular mention for his warm and…
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Attractions

CHORAL Music: Petite Messe Solennelle by Rossini

Sung by The 1885 Singers, based in All Saints, Putney. This Mass is Romcom-meets-God !! Possibly about as irreverent as the film ‘Life of Brian’ which retold the life of Jesus as a musical. Rossini wrote his last great work  for friends, and said himself he wasn’t sure if it was sacred or sacrilegious. The Pope banned the orchestral version with female voices. And you can understand: you…
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Attractions

THEATRE REVIEW: My Neighbour Totoro

My Neightbour Totoro is at the Barbican until 21 January 2023. Totoro is a kind of Japanese Winnie-the-Pooh and has become a legend both in Japan and around the world. The film by Miyazaki dates from the 80s, but is set in 50s Japan, in the countryside.  This first ever staging of the film is a triumph. I even dressed up as a Totoro, accompanied by my Japanese husband, Tadashi,  and teenage…
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Attractions

Best Plants for a Dementia-Friendly Garden

Loveday & Co, an award-winning provider of specialist dementia and senior care in the UK, has realised the power of plants and has made beautiful sensory gardens for their Members to enjoy. Their newest property, Loveday Abbey Road, has a world-class sensory Dementia-Friendly garden which is an enclave of tranquillity for Members, staff, friends and family to enjoy. Around 850,000 people in the UK…
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Attractions

London with teens: Madame Tussauds

When your child becomes a teenager, be prepared as a parent to get a few NOs when you suggest going out with mum and dad. I have been looking at attractions in London that might be appealing to teens and Madame Tussauds received a warm welcome from London Mums’ teen reporters Alice and Diego (both 16). I gather from their joint review of Madame Tussauds that they had a blast: Teens’…
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Attractions

Show review: Cages at Riverside Studios, Hammersmith

London Mums’ contributor Jo Mackeson attended Cages, a new show at Riverside Studios and sent me her review:    “With the sombre song ‘Cages, Cages’ going around in my head today, I realise that last night’s performance has had a far greater impact on me than I gave it credit for at the time.  I found myself being more excited about this event than I have been about any experience in…
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Attractions

West End show review: German Cornejo's Tango After Dark at Peacock Theatre 11-22 October 2022

Breathtaking. Sexy. Timeless. I am certainly biased because I dance tango and I love Argentina, but Tango After Dark has to be the most spectacular tango show on the planet right now. Following the success of Wild Tango back in May,  World Tango Champion German Cornejo returns to Peacock Theatre (Sadler Wells) with his superb dance company.    His new choreography is based on traditional…
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Attractions

TATE Modern review: Cecilia Vicuña's hanging mobiles 11 October 2022-16 April 2023

Today’s TATE Modern visit was about as far away from the apples and pears upstairs – aka Cezanne’s exhibition – as you can get. Hanging the full height of the turbine hall, were two ghostly apparitions. And to be very frank, I felt a bit non+ed. Think giant Jurassic jellyfish meets Miss Havisham’s wedding dress (in Dickens’ Great expectations) meets spring-look Dementor meets…
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Attractions

Is London a LGBT - Friendly Place?

When it comes to traveling abroad or moving overseas, learning if the destination is an LGBT – Friendly place is a critical factor in the eyes of many. Many would even consider it a dealbreaker. After all, a lot of it comes down to one’s own personal safety, which is completely understandable. With Europe being a hot place to visit, many are curious to learn more about its culture, beliefs…
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