The Wedding Singer at The New Theatre Cardiff Review

If there's one thing I love doing, then it's going to a theatre and watching a musical. When the New Theatre got in touch to see if I'd like to attend The Wedding Singer, I jumped at the chance for a mummies night out.

The Wedding Singer has always been an iconic film for me and I personally think it has been Adam Sandler's best movie to date. There was also something special about the chemistry between him and Drew Barrymore. Whenever I watch the film I am filled with laughter, tears and of course a good sing song. So how would the musical compare to the film?

For those that don't know the story, It's set in the 80's and is about a wannabe rockstar, Robbie Hart who is a wedding singer. He is set to marry Linda but is jilted at the alter which sends him into despair. He starts a friendship with sweet Julia who is a waitress at the wedding venue he performs at. Their friendship blossoms but Julia is engaged to Glen who is filthy rich and extremely arrogant. Robbie realises that Glen is cheating on Julia but will the truth be revealed and their true feelings exposed before it's too late?

This musical production is directed and produced by Nick Winston who has an accolade of musical theatre shows behind him. The main cast is as follows:
Jon Robyns as Robbie Hart
Cassie Compton as Julia 
Ray Quinn as Glen
Ruth Madoc as Grandma Rosie
Roxanne Pallett as Holly
Ashley Emerson as Sammy
Samuel Holmes as George 

Before the musical started I felt transported back to the 80's with various clips from that decade showing on a big screen (which is part of the set). We were then shown a Back to the Future style image projecting today's date and a date from 1985 which indicated the shows start.

The show starts with a bang with an impressive set, lighting, costumes and of course music.

My favourite part of the production has to be the cast. Every body exceeded my expectation in their roles. Jon Robyns was outstanding as Robbie Hart. You felt an instant connection with him and you were routing from him from start to finish. His charm and comical nature had me hooked. His vocals were brilliant. When he sang 'Somebody Kill Me', he had the audience singing along with him and laughing at how well he had portrayed it. That is a pivotal part of the film and Jon was able to do it the justice it deserved.

The chemistry between Robbie and Julia was great. Their harmonies complimented one another perfectly. Cassie played the role of sweet and innocent Julia wonderfully. Even though the character is shy and quiet, it didn't stop Cassie's stage presence shining through.   

One of my favourite roles in the show was that of George played by Samuel Holmes. I warmed to him instantly. He was a comedy genius in the production.

The set, lighting and costumes blew me away. I genuinely felt like I was in the 80's. The hair and fashion were on trend for that era and the props and adverts took you right back.

I was surprised not to hear the same songs from the film as the music is one of the parts that make that film magical but I have to say I didn't miss them. Sandler's own songs 'Somebody Kill Me and Grow Old With You' feature but the rest are originals for the show. The songs were catchy and a great balance of solos, duets, upbeat and ballads. The choreography was superb and a particular favourite part of mine was seeing some of the Thriller dance moves.

Overall, I loved the show. You don't need to have seen The Wedding Singer to enjoy the musical production as it's a show in it's own right. Those that have seen the film will not be disappointed. It was a hit with all of us.

Image taken by Cathryn of Cardiff Mummy Says. From left to right is, Jo from First Time Valley Mum, Sally from TeddyBears and Cardigans, Alina from We Made This Life, Kerry (me) from All about a mini Norris, Georgina from Pixie Does and Cathryn from Cardiff Mummy Says.

The show is running at the New Theatre Cardiff until Sunday 4th March. You can book your tickets here, Book. It runs for approximately 2 hours 35 minutes and is recommended for ages 12 plus (although I will say there are a few scenes which are a little rude so it may be better for older children).

You can also view the rest of the tour dates here, The Wedding Singer.

*Thank you to the New Theatre for providing tickets for the show. All opinions are my own*





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Be in the Picture - February 2017

Welcome back to the Be in the Picture Linky hosted by myself and Alana from http://www.baby-holiday.co.uk/. This is our 2nd month of the link up and we have loved seeing your pictures on instagram and in your blog posts. You can read my post from last month here, Be in the Picture - January 2017.

Be in the picture puts you in the frame. We want to see any pictures featuring you. I know I am terrible for getting infront of the camera as I am usually taking the pictures. I am trying to change that.

Here are some of my favourite pictures from February. These first 3 were taken at home when the girls and I were just messing around. I actually love them. They are so natural and real.

This one was taken on a stroll along Cardiff Bay. Eva was in gymnastics so hubby, myself and Ophelia grabbed a chance at getting some fresh air.

This was actually taken last night at the Vale hotel. We were staying there overnight and this was our walk back to our room after dinner. Ophelia still isn't walking confidently. I just love it when she holds my hand and decides to toddle. Although this was a pretty epic toddle for such a small person. She was determined to walk the whole way.

Now it's time to add your pictures and posts. I'm looking forward to seeing them.

There are a couple of rules to linking up:

• Share a post with one or more photos and you have to feature in them 
• Comment on both hosts posts and a couple of others - Linky's work when we share the love
• Grab our badge and add it to your post
• Use #BeinthePicture on instagram and twitter so we can like and share your posts

 

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An InLinkz Link-up

15 Winnie the Pooh Quotes for Mindfulness

If you're a regular reader of my blog then you will know that I have suffered with postnatal depression (PND) for a long time. I still haven't talked about it in full on my blog but I delve in and out of it. One thing I learnt from my cognitive behavioural therapy (cbt) is mindfulness. 

I still don't practice mindfulness as much as I should but I am getting there. One thing I like to do is to read positive quotes. I also like to write them down on random pages of my notebooks or diaries which then always puts a smile on my face when I come across them.

I am a huge Disney fan. I was a Disney kid and i'm now a Disney adult. Disney is my happy place. There are so many inspirational quotes in all Disney films, books and from Mr Walt Disney himself. 

Today i'm sharing some quotes from Winnie the Pooh and A.A Milne that help me with my PND and mindfulness. To be honest they are fab quotes for life in general but these ones really put a smile on my face when I am down. They are perfect for reflecting on love, attitude, self worth, patience, judgement, you name it there's a quote for every thought and feeling. 

1) You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem and smarter than you think

2) The things that make me different are the things that make me

3) Sometimes the smallest things take up the most room in your heart

4) Always watch where you are going. Otherwise you may step on a piece of forest that was left out by mistake 

5) Weeds are flowers too, once you get to know them 

6) Love is taking a few steps backward maybe even more, to give way to the happiness of the person you love

7) If you live to be a hundred, I want to live to be a hundred minus one day so I never have to live without you

9) Piglet - How do you spell love?
    Pooh - You don't spell it, you feel it.

10) Rivers know this: there is no hurry. We shall get there someday

11) Some people care too much, I think it's called love

12) You can't stay in your corner of the forest waiting for others to come to you. You have to go to them sometimes

13) If there ever comes a day when we can't be together, keep me in your heart. I'll stay there forever 

14) A day without a friend is like a pot without a single drop of honey left inside

15) I think we dream so that we don't have to be apart for so long. If we're in each other's dreams, we can be together all the time.

There you have it. I hope that made you smile. Which one is your favourite?


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Save money on your spring wishlist from Joules

There are snowdrops and daffodils making an appearance and the days are getting longer which means spring is on its way. This has got me thinking about my spring/summer wardrobe and i've been browsing lots of sites for inspiration on how I can update it. As you can imagine I now have a huge wishlist (seeing as i've been browsing for the whole family) and it'll cost me a fortune to get everything on it. I've also been looking at ways I can save money through sites such as My Favourite Voucher Codes. I've always said i'm a self proclaimed shopaholic so any discount I can get makes me very happy. I'm also a big fan of free delivery. 

There are lots of stripes and florals around which are a key trend this year. When I think of florals and stripes I instantly think of Joules which is one of my favourite shops. It's the perfect place to get some timeless key pieces that will last a long time. I managed to find some fab discount codes here, https://www.myfavouritevouchercodes.co.uk/joules.com so I can now get something for all of us. 

I've picked something out for myself, hubby, Eva and Ophelia. I like us to be matchy so i've gone for a pink, blue and yellow palette which are perfect spring colours.

I've chosen a gorgeous top from their new in section which costs £29.95. It's nautical themed with blue stripes but it has lovely blue and yellow floral detailing. It'll look great with jeans and pumps or with a denim skirt. 

Image taken from Joules website 

For hubby i've picked out a pink stripe shirt for £59.95. He doesn't wear pink often but I think it really suits him. It looks lovely and light for the upcoming summer months and will look great with jeans or chinos.

Image taken from Joules website

I adore the children's clothes from Joules. They always wash incredibly well. They may cost more than other shops but when I know they last I don't mind buying them and especially when I can find a discount codes, https://www.myfavouritevouchercodes.co.uk/joules.com.

For Eva I have picked a classic nautical style summer dress for £24.95. This will be able to be passed down to her sister when she is bigger. It just screams summer and I can see her now walking down a promenade with an ice cream in her hand and this dress floating in the breeze. 

Image taken from Joules website

For Ophelia i've picked a pink striped t-shirt style dress which costs £14.95. It will be perfect for wearing on it's own or over a pair of jeans.

Image taken from Joules website

As you can see everything i've picked compliments each other and they are things that we'll be able to pull out next year. 

I always look for discount codes when shopping online as let's face it, when you're shopping for the whole family, any saving is a blessing in disguise. Do you look for discount codes to save money? What do you think of my picks?

*This is a collaborative post*

Let's get honest about the Terrible Twos, The Threenager Years and the Feisty Fours

When people warn you about how parenting is tough they tend to tell you about the sleepless nights, the lack of a social life, how hard the birth will be and so on but I can't recall anyone ever telling me about the different behavioural stages. The health visitor comes and tells you about different milestones they should be hitting at various ages but why oh why don't they warn you about the hard behavioural stuff. Why in all the books and manuals do they not gear you up ready for the onslaught so that you don't feel like you're the world's worst parent and you are out of control?

So let's be straight. You will encounter The Terrible Twos, The Threenager Years and the Feisty Fours (this is where we are currently).

The Terrible Twos:
The first thing i'm going to tell you about this phase is that it actually doesn't start at two. It can hit anytime from about 18 months, possibly earlier.

The terrible twos are usually the epic tantrum phase. Everything you do or say is usually wrong and this is met with endless screaming, shouting and more often than not it is usually in public. 

This is also the I am going to make myself as rigid as possible phase. You know when you are trying to pick them up or remove them from said epic tantrum and they just turn themselves into a statue, a total dead body weight. They fling themselves back and will stay there for as long as it takes.

At this age they also understand that noise and their actions have an effect on others. This is why i'm sure they become as loud as possible. I can sort of sympathise with it because at this age they often can't communicate their needs and wants fully but my goodness do they have to be so difficult with it.

You will probably be very familiar by now with the word no except it's not coming from your mouth anymore, it's coming from theres. Everything you ask them is met with a a very firm, very shouty NO. 

The Threenager Years:
My oh my did we struggle with these years. These years are about the time your child must realise they are their own person and they start to assert and demand their independence.

You still have tantrums except this time they are more like a battle. They are a battle of the strong willed. Parent vs child. These tantrums aren't just crying they are a bit of answering back, a lot of no's and of course the standing still and not moving battle. I wrote about one of these battles last year, The Final Showdown.

Three is also when the attitude phase starts. You may note some hands on hips stances, a lot of pointing and a lot of bossiness. 

Let's talk about clothes. Wasn't it nice when you could pick a lovely matching outfit for your child and they would sit there and look adorable? Well kiss that phase goodbye cause at this age you are met with your own little fashionista and their desire to dress up is uncontrollable. 
They will take a very long time to get dressed. I mean choosing an outfit (most of the time non matching) takes its time and of course you have to try a million different things on to find the perfect outfit for the day.
If normal clothes aren't the desired pick for the day, then you'll probably find your child dressed in whatever fancy dress costume they can find and of course it is totally acceptable to wear them wherever you are going. Try and get them to take it off and you are back to point number 1 of having an epic tantrum/battle on your hands.

This is also the start of the negotiating years. You will miss the days when you could take them wherever you wanted, make them any food and they'd eat it, put them in the bath and put them to sleep. Remember when all you had to do was sing a lullaby and rock back and forth before bedtime, well those days are distant memories. You will now be negotiating with your threenager on how many more stories they will be read or you'll be met with 'just 10 minutes more'. They also become food critics. I missed the days when my daughter would just throw the food on the floor and let the dog have it. In the threenager years she would tell me how rubbish it tasted or negotiate something better with me. If you make me spaghetti then I will eat all of it! Hmph!!!! 

The Feisty Fours:
This is where we are currently at. I'm pretty sure my daughter has been replaced by some miniature version of a combination of Beyonce and Nicki Minaj. My goodness has she got some sass and attitude. She is a girl that knows what she wants and when she wants it. When she addresses me i'm pretty sure I can here 'Just a Girl' by No Doubt playing in the background. 

We are only one month into this age and I have broken down about it pretty much every week so far. I've drank a lot of wine and cried on a few occasions. That's right, my feisty four year old has bought me to tears because she can and she knows she can.

At this age they could be working for MI5. They are hardcore. Little mini assassins and manipulators. They know how to play you and believe me they will. If there's two of you parenting, they will play you off against each other.

The feisty fours are the not listening stage. They have got this down to a fine art. Don't get me wrong every age involves not listening but this age really is selective hearing at its best.

The tantrums/battles become wars. If you disagree with them this could go on for days. They don't forget things at this age. Things will be brought back up time and time again and used against you.

So there you have it. Can you relate? I'm sure it won't stop there and every age to come will have some difficulties. Bring on the next few years, it can't get much worse, can it?







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Valentine's Blogger Interview with Pushing The Moon

Next to feature on my Valentine's blogger interview series is the lovely Cat from: http://www.pushingthemoon.com/

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1. Are you married, engaged or in a relationship and for how long?
Yes! I’ve been married to Rob for Four years, and we have been together for 11 in total.

2. Where did you meet?
We met in Manchester, at a meet up for a band we both liked

3. Where was your first date?
In the most romantic place you could imagine – the pub in Stanstead Airport!

4. Describe your partner in 3 words

Loveliest man ever

5. What are the things you love about them the most?
He has such a kind heart. He makes me laugh like no other. He has stuck by me through some very tough times. He is an amazing father to our two kiddies. And I still think he’s bloody gorgeous.

6. What has been the most memorable day you’ve had with them?

That would have to be the day we became parents.

7. Do you celebrate Valentine’s Day?

Yes! Every year. I’m a hopeless romantic at heart.

8. If Yes, what do you normally do?

We take it in turns on Valentines day to cook a fancy meal – it’s my turn this year!

9. What has been the best and worst Valentine’s gift or card you’ve ever received?

When I was 18 and out with my ‘then’ boyfriend and other friends at a club night on Valentines night. My ‘then’ boyfriend got very drunk and took great pride in telling everyone who asked that he hadn’t bought me a present and that ‘Catherine’s Valentines card is still in the shop!’ – he became my ex-boyfriend that night.

10. What’s your ideal date night?

A night away at a lovely hotel just down the road where we live. They do the loveliest food ever! We haven’t been for nearly a year – must book a break there soon!

11. What’s your favourite romantic film?

I’m a sucker for a rom com, and will cry at most things – but the ‘I’m just a girl, standing in front of a boy, asking him to love her….’ Line from Notting Hill. Gets. Me. Every. Time.

12. What’s your favourite love song?
Into My Arms by Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds.

13. What’s your favourite love quote?

It’s not an obvious quote about love but, to me, it is completely and utterly about love. It’s from my favourite book – The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King. And it’s about the love between two friends:

“Come, Mr. Frodo!' he cried. 'I can't carry it for you, but I can carry you.”

14. What is the most romantic place you’ve ever visited as a couple and where would you like to visit?

We spent a few days in Prague many years ago. Rob’s family are from the Czech Republic and it was lovely to spend time there exploring what is a wonderfully romantic city!

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