A family show with Pirates and Dinosaurs, what’s not to love!!!

We’ve been to see Pirates of the Pavilion at the Weymouth Pavilion the last 2 years so we already knew it would be a great show and each year seems to get better with more gags and special effects than ever before. 

 

 

I took my son Sam who is 6 and now the perfect age for a show like this.  He never once complained of being bored and at times he laughed so hard and loud that I thought he’d fall off his chair!

This years summer panto see’s the pirates travel back to the Jurassic period and they have to fight the evil Blackhead and find their way back home.  Expect lots of songs along the way and some pretty spectacular Dinosaur appearances including a Pterodactyl which literally flies high and comes out over the front few rows of the audience. 

Some of the cast we recognised and loved and the new actors did a really great job too.  Our favourite will always be Seadog Billy, he doesn’t need to say a word and he still makes us laugh.  Every Panto needs a joker and he plays it so well with his slapstick humour and general goofiness.

 

Dorset based Twins FX have yet again put on some fantastic special effects to make sure this isn’t just your average show and be prepared for the aaawwwssss when the little pirates from a local theatre and dance school come out to do their part.

With lots of traditional panto audience participation, belly laughs and familiar songs I promise the whole family will leave the theatre smiling.

 

 

If you would like an excellent souvenir of your visit then you can buy a ticket and have your photo taken with the cast and baby Dinosaur at the end.

 

 

Pirates of the Pavilion is created by Made to Measure Productions who also produce the Christmas Panto and I honestly can’t recommend the shows enough.  Pirates of the Pavilion will be performing matinees and evening shows on selected dates up until 29 August 2018.  For full details and to book tickets, please visit the Website or call 01305 783225.

 

 

• Tweet

 

I was recently asked to try a couple of recipes for M&S to celebrate the summer berry season and with it being one of my favourite places to shop I was only too happy to oblige.

 

I knew 2 desserts would be too much for our little family so I timed the baking with us going on holiday to Devon so we could share them with the Grandparents.

My chosen recipes were a no bake strawberry and passionfruit cheesecake and a raspberry and coconut traybake.  I won’t lie, I was nervous I’d do something wrong but actually both recipes were very easy to make and looked pretty darn good if I dare say so myself.

 
I started by making the cheesecake base and then while that was in the fridge I quickly mixed the ingredients for the raspberry and coconut traybake.  You have to bake it in a low oven for quite some time and add the raspberries and coconut near the end.  I will admit that I cooked it for longer than the recipe stated because I thought it wasn’t cooked enough but I really didn’t need to.  No one complained about the crispy edges though haha.

While the traybake was cooling down I beat the cream cheese, icing sugar and vanilla extract before adding the cream, lime juice and zest and then smoothed that onto the base ready to go back in the fridge.

Once we reached Devon and the kettle was on we all tried the raspberry and coconut traybake which was delicious with our cup of tea.  I was surprised the raspberries held their shape and it still tasted great even though I used desiccated coconut instead of the flakes stated in the recipe.

 

 

As the sun was shining we had a BBQ in the evening and after we ate I decorated the cheesecake with strawberry slices and passionfruit.  This one for me was the winner!  I’ve made a few cheesecakes before but I think this is definitely my favourite and everyone else was pretty impressed too.  The flavour combinations are just perfect with the sharp lime and passionfruit and sweetness of the strawberry.  The recipe made a good 10 servings and it was all gone in less than 2 days.  I even caught my husband with his head in the fridge and a spoon in his hand!  Apparently he couldn’t be bothered to get a plate haha.

 

I can thoroughly recommend you have a look on their website for more mouth drooling recipes.  I now want to have a go at making their Rhubarb and Custard Pavlova, Elizabeth Sponge Cake, Chocolate Nut and Berry Slice and the Eton Mess Meringue Cake.

Although I got all the ingredients from M&S in Poole you can also get them from Castlepoint in Bournemouth too.  M&S is passionate and committed to the sustainable sourcing of quality British ingredients.  They have worked with some of their berry suppliers for over 40 years and is proud to work with farmers who have been farming for generations.

I'd love to know if any of you have a go at making one of their recipes.  Any slices in the post for taste testing will be gratefully received and devoured in seconds.