We were fortunate enough to attend a show at the Lighthouse in Poole called ‘Otto and the Robin’ this week and I’m starting to get the Theatre bug!  As always I was nervous that my 3 year old Son Sam would get bored and want to leave but generally when I’m nervous about something it pretty much always works out fine (plus I took some small cars and quiet snacks for emergency use). 

We've been to Events at the Lighthouse before however we have never attended a show and I delighted to see ours was being held in a little Theatre which was perfect for Pre Schoolers who may find a large room full of people daunting.   

The small intimate Theatre we were in had lovey comfy benches rather than chairs and this was great for us as we cuddled up together.

The show is about a man called Otto who wants to go to the Annual Piddle under Puddle Christmas Party but he’s so shy that he hasn’t been able to go for years and it takes a new friend in the form of a Robin to give him the confidence he needs.  From the moment the show started my Son snuggled up closer and we sat without moving for a long time, I almost didn’t want to breathe as I’d never seen him so transfixed.  Every time the phone rang on set he’d watch Otto squirm and burst out laughing looking at me with a great big beaming grin.  There’s a couple of great surprises in the show which Sam found hilarious and intriguing and we both loved the Robin.  The 2 actors in the show really are fantastic at bringing a simple stage to life and you could see the children were comfortable at the times when the audience needed to participate.

There’s much more about the show I could add like the parts we found funny and how it all ends but then there would be no point in you going would there?  I will add though that at the final scene I did have a few tears of joy but I’m putting that down to having a thoroughly enjoyable time with my Son plus I’m pregnant and hormonal!

Don’t be in a rush to leave at the end, the cast and the Robin were outside ready to meet us and we had a fantastic photo opportunity plus they had some very affordable souvenirs on sale which we bought.

Thanks to the Lighthouse and Angel Exit Theatre for a magical time spent with my Son, I will be thoroughly recommending your show to as many people as I can and wish you a very Merry Christmas.

If you would like to read more about the show and find out about ticket prices and availability then please visit Lighthouse Poole.

PS, apologies to anyone in the audience who could hear my son repeatedly and proudly announce that our Christmas Tree was bigger than Otto’s!

Love

Dorsetmum

xxx

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Yesterday we visited Bournemouth with friends to ride on the Santa Express, have our photo taken in the Snow Globe and take a stroll through the Gardens of Light.

We met our friends at the Winter Gardens Car Park so we could catch the Train from the Lower Gardens (just near the flyover) and perfectly timed our arrival with the first Train of the day.  The boys were all super excited and off we set for the 20 minute journey to the Triangle where we knew the Giant Snow Globe would be.  The staff on the Santa Express should be praised for their jolliness and the boys loved the Christmas music and joking with the driver, it was ‘choo choo’s’ all the way!

Once we got to the Triangle we could see the Snow Globe and was delighted that there were only a couple of families queuing.  The staff were yet again cheery and pleased to see us and within 10 minutes all 4 Mums and toddlers had their photo’s taken so we waited inside Flirt Café Bar with hot drinks for the Train to come back which we had been told would take about 45 minutes.

Once we were back on the Train we only had a short journey to the Lower Gardens where we planned to visit the Gardens of Light.  The children utterly loved the huge snowflakes on the pathway which almost looked painted on until you tried to walk over them and realised they were projected.  The Ice Rink looked fantastic and my son desperately pleaded to go Ice Skating.  I had told him that he was too young but recently I’ve seen a toddler session advertised which is Monday to Friday from 10am – 11am and includes the use of a Penguin or Seal aid.  Once I managed to get him away we visited each of the light pods and a clear favourite with all of them was most definitely ‘Under the Sea’ although we did have a good giggle at them dancing in front of the disco balls.

After the Gardens of Light we took a quick trip through the Square to ride on the Carousel (had we of been child free we could have easily headed straight for the Moose Bar though).

By now the time was getting on and our 4 little monkeys were getting very tired and hungry so we dashed to Aruba where I had already booked a table.  My friends had never visited before however we have dined at Aruba several times and knew how child friendly and accommodating they were.  Yet again the staff and food were fantastic and it still remains one of our favourite places in Bournemouth to eat.  

Good to know………..

Car Parking is Free in certain Car Parks on selected Sundays and after 4pm on selected Thursdays.  

Santa Express costs £1 per person for an all day ticket plus under 2’s are free!

The Snow Globe will only be in Bournemouth for the next few days so hurry up if you want to visit!  Entry and photo is completely free so make sure you visit for a fantastic souvenir of your day.

Thanks Bournemouth for a great day with friends!

Love

Dorsetmum

xxx

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