Northern Ballet have an excellent track record of adapting stories and this one was no different. The operative word being adapted. You will not see a raging Gaston or uppity Cogsworth in this production. This is ballet. This is class. I understood this before buying tickets so it wasn't a shock, otherwise I might have been a teensy bit disappointed...

The story felt familiar but with a contemporary twist. The arrogant Prince had a beastly spell cast upon him. Belle's father was literally stripped of house and home thanks to her sisters shopping habits. Near the family's new Forest shack, their Father suffered an attack from the Beast, so Belle sacrificed herself to save him. And voila, the Beauty met the Beast and slow romance ensued. 

This is what is fantastic about Northern Ballet. They nail the acting within a scene. You know exactly what is going on. Who needs words when expression and choreography can do it with much more beauty and drama. Pictures tell a thousand words remember. 

And it did warm my heart to see little nods to the original story. For example, Belle was always reading a book, the Beast had no table manners and they kept the endearing moment the Beast sipped tea from a saucer. 


As a huge Disney fan, I was surprised to find I really enjoyed this refreshing take on Beauty and the Beast. Northern Ballet always deliver such beautiful productions that are full of life and character and open up the world of Ballet to a new maybe unfamiliar audience. It successfully swept me away to a far away place where my inner child lives. Where happy endings come true and true love isn't so unbelievable after all.

It's definitely got me splashing for joy in anticipation of their next Disney production, The Little Mermaid!

Keep track of Northern Ballets work here https://northernballet.com/

Check out my vlog to see what unexpected thing happened in the interval! https://goo.gl/8SxrX0

A gigantic glittering disco ball hung directly over the action and highlighted the sequins in the colour bomb costumes that filled the stage. The impressive set had choreography of it's own that stylishly transformed for each scene. I have to admit, that was one clever piece of engineering. And the music exploded from the sidelines to deliver a surprisingly catchy soundtrack.

We were transported into a retro ballroom world, with a show that knew how to make fun of itself thanks to excellent comedy moments and characters. Such as 'thinks he's god gift to women and is the best dancer to ever live' competitor Ken who had me in stitches with his fake tan, white hair and outrageous swagger.

Just like in BBC's Strictly Come Dancing the leading man Scott, a Champion Ballroom Dancer, falls in love with his beginner partner Fran, who is all too ready to embrace a new style and man for that matter... Here begins a love story that reminded me of Dirty Dancing, with the 'teaching her to dance' montage and all.

Scott battled with his emotions throughout and struggled to decide if he should dance on his own terms or follow the rules to please others. A dramatic dance scene in the first half encompassed this feeling and truly knocked the air out of me as it was so powerful. It had an air of the Billy Elliot Angry Dance.

The first half finale was undoubtedly my favourite part of the whole show. Scott was introduced to Fran's family, who softly mocked his Pasodoble and ended up teaching him the passion that he lacked to pull it off. It was a strong, stylised and exciting number with Fran's family injecting some spice to match the sugar in this production.

Actually, the first half was a lot stronger than the second, but the energy and fun was never lacking throughout. The whole cast poured everything into their performances and the stage seemed electric.


Strictly Ballroom the Musical genuinely made me happy. I felt as if I was glowing by the end and that all my troubles had dissolved into nothingness. I don't think I will forget this musical in a hurry, and I would most certainly watch it over and over and over again in a heartbeat. I'm sure it'd get a much sought after ten from Len.

Next year I am actually launching a Culturebean Youtube Channel, which will reveal the girl behind the blog and follow my cultural adventures. Strictly Ballroom is the first official trip I have vlogged, and the finished edit will be online in January!

Buy tickets before it finishes on 21st January https://www.wyp.org.uk/events/strictly-ballroom-musical/

FYI This blog will remain focused on reviews and my vlog will compliment it with what I get up to before, during and after!

Image Credits: West Yorkshire Playhouse

One of the most famous ballets. One of the most famous songs. One of the most famous stories. Let me describe The Nutcracker in an oh so nontraditional way. I warn you, my take is not so magical and pleasant...


It's the night before Christmas and lots of very wealthy family and friends are giddy. The children giddy through excitement and the adults no doubt through the help of some tipples. Their tree is the size of Mount Everest, overpowering the sitting room and screams 'look how rich and respected we are'. I'm sure I can even hear the chant 'ner ner ner ner nerr' but that might be an exaggeration.

There's a young girl who's clearly not happy with her sea of presents circulating Mount Everest and begins admiring the ladies in the room, with their expensive frocks and jewellery. She even goes as far as rubbing their fabrics on her face and I'll leave it at that. She may need some therapy.

She has a brother who is most certainly the tyrant of the family, constantly teasing her and causing trouble. I suspect he is rebelling from his strict and mannered lifestyle. He's a rebel without a cause, as he does not realise just how lucky he has it, so I immediately dislike the cut of his jib and foresee a future with short spans in prison and long spans in rehab.

Now if this family wasn't looking dysfunctional enough a strange man arrives. He looks dodgy, and certainly has a few restraining orders against him. He brings some more gifts inside a large box for the bratty children, because like I said, that sea of presents is less the Pacific Ocean and more the Atlantic. I know, right!

Now this is where it gets weird as some human sized dolls jump out of the box and begin to dance. They're not the inflatable kind, which is surprising given the strangers nature. The children are then presented with the Nutcracker - dun dun dunnn. A wooden doll that can crack nuts. The brother and sister quickly fight over it and break it, because they clearly haven't been taught to share. They moan even though it's their own fault, and the party looks to be over. It's taken a broken doll to piss everyone off. How obscene.

Now this is where it gets really weird. This stranger begins to cast some spells. He thinks he's a wizard. Maybe his restraining order is against Hermione or something? The young girl returns downstairs, and I keep shouting stranger danger! She thinks this man is a magician, but I believe he has spiked the girls drink as she begins to see the toys and dolls come to life. A wave of beautiful Arabian princesses, Russian cossacks, French ballet dancers and even exotic flowers manifest in front of her eyes.

Once she's danced the night away and had a trip of a lifetime, she retells the story to her parents, who laugh off her stupidity. When really they should be consoling her and directing her to Talk to Frank for drugs counselling.

The irresponsible parents take their damaged child to bed and leave the strange man in their home. The End.

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I'm sorry if I've ruined this story for you.

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Northern Ballet created a magical performance as always. The first act was compelling and led the story where as the second act became a showcase of choreography.  I was transported into a beautiful little bubble that protected me from reality and immersed me into fantasy. Top marks and a top festive treat.

http://northernballet.com/the-nutcracker

I've heard rumours of this place.

Have you visited a store and become overwhelmed with the vast amount of products available? Or walked down the street and felt confusion from the array of advertising shouting messages at you? Or sat in the underground where all voices and sounds seem to bounce into a symphony of madness? I guess we've all experienced them on some level or another, but not to the extremity of Christopher.

Image Credit: http://www.nationaltheatre.org.uk/shows/the-curious-incident-of-the-dog-in-the-night-time-at-the-gielgud-theatre

He hates being touched. He loves the colour red. He has never left the end of his street. He distrusts strangers. He loves trains. He never lies and can solve any sum in a matter of seconds. He's a boy with an extraordinary brain.

He chances upon a curious incident; a dead dog speared with a pitch fork. He decides he will solve the mystery, but discovers much more than just the identity of the killer along the way. Through large scale projections and creative physical theatre you begin to unravel the mystery, slightly quicker than Christopher. This is the most heartbreaking thing, as you can see the pain he will ultimately feel. Thankfully the play is bubble-wrapped with many lighthearted and humorous moments, which soften the blow and remind me of that age old saying, 'if you don't laugh, you'll cry'.

This play deals with a difficult, and unfortunately taboo, subject in the most endearing and expressive way. From someone who knows very little on the issue, I left with a new found understanding and appreciation of the difficulties some families face.

Christopher is an incredible boy, the production is a true spectacle and this play is an inspiration.

Book now for performance at Gielgud Theatre, London
http://www.curiousonstage.com/ticket-information/

Shrek is a brilliant animation turned musical about an Ogre who sets off on a quest (with a talkative donkey) to save a feisty princess locked in a tower. Throw in a gang of fairytale misfits and a Lord with a small (haha) problem and you have a SHREKTASTIC show.

See my quick-fire question and answer review below:

IMAGE CREDIT: http://www.kidzcoolit.com

The fart and burp off between Shrek and Fiona.

Favourite character?
I really like Fiona because she is a strong woman with lots of opinions. She isn't afraid to stand up for herself and learns to love the way she looks.

Best song?
It has to be 'I'm a believer'. I had a dance and sing on my seat when they ended with this famous song.

The bit from the film version that WASN'T in the musical?
I love the Robin Hood forest fight, and that wasn't in the show. But the musical can't be exactly like the film because this was an 'adaptation', which basically means changing some things along the way.

The bit from the film version that WAS in the musical?
You have got to love the line, 'Ogres are like onions.' 'They smell? They make people cry?' 'No, they have layers.' I am glad they kept that in.

Which fairytale characters appear?
Lots from the film like the three little pigs, pinocchio, the gingerbread man and the three blind mice. Watch out for the tap dancing rats too!

Is there a dragon?
Yes! A massive dragon actually flies on stage and sings. It's magical, and a little scary when it roars... but luckily it doesn't actually breathe fire. Phew!

Best bit for your mum or dad?
Tell them to keep an eye out for Lord Farquaad. They will find him very entertaining.

How would I rate the show between 1-10?
11! Because there aren't many family musicals out there and I think there should be more. I want to encourage more young people to visit the theatre, because it is an unforgettable experience. This show will get you laughing your head off as you watch fairytale characters come to life on stage.

*Scottish accent* 'This is the part where you run away... and buy tickets'