FIVE STAR REVIEW Adventures in Moominland at Southbank Centre

Five stars

There is something truly magical about the Southbank Centre’s latest immersive exhibition. Adventures in Moominland takes visitors on a relaxing, calm and wonderful journey through forests, woodland, lakes and mountains to explore and find out more about the world of Tove Jansson’s famous creation, Family Moomintroll.

It starts by visitors entering through a giant page in a book, a doorway that takes you into what feels like an underground cave. This cave leads to another room or area which leads on to another scene, and so on.

In small groups you go through each area with a guide who is on hand to answer questions, as well as listening to an audio narrative by Sandi Toksvig and written by children’s author Laura Dockrill.

Sandi’s voice is particularly soothing though you can hear the cheekiness and humour come through as she describes the places you visit, some of the artefacts and the tales themselves.

Each room or scene you go into is different and they focus on different aspects of the Moomins, these rather curious looking creatures, and of Tove herself, but all feature original drawings, paints, books and other artefacts from Tove’s studio in Helsinki and her family island of Klovharu.

More than half of the objects in the exhibition are being shown in the UK for the first time including some of the very earliest Moomintroll dolls, Tove’s painting palette and flower headdress.

There are also sketches and magazine articles as well as furniture from her studio. The drawings are particularly beautiful.

Throughout the tour, you get to know the Moomins, how they were created and began life, first as a character to be feared but then as a character that inspires peace and understanding. It’s also a chance to find out more about Tove’s inspiration for these delightful characters, and their development through her stories. 

But there is also a chance to find out more about Tove herself, what inspired her, the relationship she had with family, friends and lovers not to mention the social, economic, political and cultural backdrop of the time which defined the narrative of the stories.

The stories were written during the Second World War and Moominvalley offered a refuge from the hardship and terror of what was happening in the world at that time. 

The exhibition is interactive and immersive and has been richly observed and lovingly created. It is utterly delightful and entertaining as well as educational and there is so much to enjoy and explore during the hour long tour. It also doesn’t feel rushed so there is plenty of time in each setting to explore and get to know the Moomins better.

And it doesn’t matter if you are a Moomin fan or have never met them before, this exhibition is designed for everyone - and will delight anyone, young or old - and comes highly recommended.

Adventures in Moominland is on at Southbank Centre until April 23. It is part of Nordic Matters, a year long exploration of Nordic art and culture at Southbank Centre. Tickets from £12. Visit www.southbankcentre.co.uk for full listings.

Up at the O2

ONE of the best ways to really see London is to do so from a height. It is here that you get to see the extraordinary size of this great city not to mention the landmarks, parks and other buildings that make up the skyline. 

To do so there are of course South London attractions such as the London Eye and the Shard, both of which afford fabulous views.

However, if you have seen and done both of those and want to try something a bit different and have a bit of adventure thrown into the mix, and see London from a different perspective, why not climb your way to the top of the 02 in Greenwich?

After scaling the roof of what was once called The Dome, you are afforded a 360 degree view stretching for miles and even on a cloudy day there is nothing quite like it.

The Up At The 02 experience is an exhilarating and at times quite bouncy walkway which is 380 metres long and suspended 52 metres above ground level. It is also two metres above the surface of the 02 tent canvas and has a maximum gradient of 28 degrees on the up climb and 30 degrees on the descent.

I’ve heard a lot about the walk from friends who have done it and raved about it so, as I live not too far away, I thought I should try it out. And so last week I persuaded my husband Martin to join me on the expedition.

We arrived at 10am for our briefing with about a dozen others. The briefing is the most important part of the two hours because the guide takes visitors through the all important safety procedures.

We were all given a gilet - complete with a pocket for our smartphones or cameras - as well as a pair of sturdy boots with extra grip and a harness. We were not allowed to take anything else with us except our phones and were told these were to be put safely in the pocket until we got to the top. 

We were also advised to keep a reasonable distance from the person in front and behind as we were going up - to avoid the domino effect if we fell over or tripped. Fortunately on our visit we all managed to stay upright!

Once the briefing was done we were checked over to make sure we were properly suited and booted, the harness secure and our phones safely stored and then we were led to the base of the climb.

With a gradient of 28 degrees the first bit of the climb is actually quite steep and looking up from the bottom it did look a bit daunting.

After the obligatory official picture our harnesses were attached to a wire that runs from the platform at the bottom to the viewing platform at the top and then back down the other side via a trolley type clip. Our guide Martin, showed us how to make the pulley run along the wire and how to stop it.

Once we were all attached safely and securely we were able to begin our ascent. The flooring was surprisingly bouncy - though we were under strict instructions not to unleash our inner child and use it as a trampoline! But it was quite an odd sensation to begin with and was almost like being at sea, bobbing up and down on the waves.

The initial part of the climb was steep - and quite breezy - and we had to keep waiting at certain points along the way up for others to catch up. It was easier than it looked though and while we were waiting it gave us a chance to look down and see the 02 complex below us.

It wasn’t long before we were all at the top, unhooked from the wire and were able to go and take in the view - and to take some selfies.

And what a vista it was. The city spread was out below us with the sunlight glinting on the windows of the buildings in all directions and with the river Thames snaking its way round the peninsula.

Our guide, Martin, said every time he comes up to the top the view changes and we could see why. There is so much construction and development going on around the 02 complex with housing, hotels and offices being built. Sadly it won’t be long before many of these are so tall they obscure some of the views of other notable landmarks across the river and further down and up stream.

However, on that day, despite the cloud, we could see for miles - including the tower blocks that make up Canary Wharf, the historic landmarks in Greenwich and even as far as City Hall, St Paul’s Cathedral and the striking red Obelisk at the Olympic Park. On a good day you can see 15 miles in all directions.

To get our bearings all the way round the circular viewing platform are maps and boards featuring notable buildings with key information about them.

Not only was it fascinating to see the city from a different perspective it was pretty awesome being on top of what was really a tent!

We had about 15 minutes to take in the impressive views, take some pictures and find out more about the area around us before we had to get hooked up again to begin our descent to terra firma.

It felt even steeper going down but with small steps and holding on tight to the wire and the rail we all made it safely down to the bottom.

It was a great experience, enjoyable and fun, and perfect for all the family to get involved in and have a go at - although you have to be at least 10 years old to take part and reasonably fit.

However, a word to the wise, I would recommend going sooner rather than later given the incredible amount of construction and development taking place to make sure you see this great city in all its glory.

Up At The 02 takes place at the 02 throughout the year. Adults cost £14.70 and children cost £7.35. 

Visit www.upattheO2.co.uk or call the box office on 0208 463 2680 or email boxoffice@upattheo2.co.uk for full listings, times and prices.

Days out - Leeds Castle

THE long summer holidays can prove a tricky time when it comes to keeping the younger members of the family occupied.

But while there is plenty to entertain them in and around South London there is also much to see and do if you venture a little further afield.

Leeds Castle for example is one such place that is positively bursting with history and as a day out it is hard to beat.

Nestled in rolling countryside near Maidstone in Kent and just an hour out of London it boasts an historic building to look around, spectacular vistas, acres of grounds to explore, an adventure playground, a maze, beautiful and well kept gardens and a multitude of seasonal activities to keep even the fussiest entertained.

It also prides itself on being “the loveliest castle in the world” so to see if it lived up to this accolade,  I took my husband Martin and two children, Lucy and Tom on a day trip to find out.

From South London it is relatively easy to get there. In a car it takes about an hour and is well signposted. But even those without a vehicle can still make a visit thanks to regular trains to Bearstead Station and then a shuttle service direct to the front gates.

Once there it is hard not to see why it has been judged so highly by those who visit, as the castle, although not as big as say Warwick, certainly looks the part with turrets, an impressive facade and its setting on an island in the middle of a lake is spectacular.

In fact it is beautiful and even on the somewhat drizzly day we visited the view across the lake was stunning and quite breathtaking.

It also has a fascinating history - originally listed in the Domesday Book as a Saxon manor, it was subsequently home to many a King and Queen over the intervening years and was latterly lived in by the Angle-American heiress Lady Baillie.

Thanks to her lifelong love of the place, it is now managed by the Leeds Castle Foundation as she wanted to ensure that it should be enjoyed by everyone.

It is the Foundation who have kept it open to the public and they do so throughout the year though opening times vary slightly depending on the season.

Buying a ticket in advance is a good plan to avoid queues at the ticket office. And what’s great about the entrance ticket is that it is valid for a year so you can come back as many times as you like. This makes it extremely good value - not least because, as we found, there was so much to see and do, we didn’t have time to explore everything on offer that day. 

Thus you don’t have to rush and can instead take your time and make a note of all the things you want to see when you come back.

And as well as just a visit during the day, the Castle hosts activities and events throughout the year and especially so in the summer months with classical music concerts and firework displays in the evenings as well as jousting tournaments during the day.

We began our visit with the rather long walk up to the Castle itself. The path takes you from the car park up a winding path through what feels like woodland before it opens out onto the superb vista of the Castle and the lake.

As we walked up we were greeted by swans, both black and white, ducks and their offspring and a whole multitude of other birds. And a word to the wise, make sure you wear appropriate footwear - it can be slippy, muddy and uneven under foot.

We started off by looking round the Castle itself. The first stone castle on the site was built by a Norman baron but in 1278 it came into the possession of Queen Eleanor of Castile, the first wife of Edward I and remained a royal residence for the next 300 years. After that it was a private home before it was sold in 1926 to Lady Baillie who set about transforming and restoring it to make it a wonderful if rather large family home.

And these days, as well as a place to visit it also hosts weddings, receptions, meetings and other events throughout the year.

To get into the Castle, you have to walk through the Barbican gate and then down some steps and round by the lake’s edge to the cellar. This is the oldest part of the Castle and it is sunk into the foundations of the original Norman building. 

From there you walk up into the main part of the building and a route which takes you through the state rooms.

A guide is on hand in each to answer questions and talk about the paintings, the furniture or the room itself and there are also helpful guides that you can take around with you not to mention audio guides - all of which bring the visit to life. 

The rooms are grand without being ostentatious and most feature huge open fireplaces and windows out onto the lake. I particularly liked Lady Baillie’s rooms including her amazing bathroom.

The chapel too was another of my favourites as was the enormous and rather grand stone staircase.

Although not huge, it is steeped in history and through a combination of the various guides on offer, it was fascinating to find out about the building, who lived there, what it was used for and how it has changed over the years.

After immersing ourselves in the history of the house and finding out about those who had made it their homes over the years it was time to get outside.

And there is much to see. We had great fun getting lost in the maze - in fact it got a bit nerve-wracking at one stage as we all got split up and none of us could find our way out for a while! 

The maze itself was planted in 1988 and features 2,400 yew trees. To get out you can either retrace your steps or find the middle and then go down to a grotto which was designed by Vernon Gibberd and features a sculpture of the giant Typhoeus. The grotto leads you out back into the gardens.

Then it was a 30-minute presentation by the keepers of the birds of prey who entertained the large crowds with a display of the tricks and dexterity of these fascinating birds. Among those who were shown off were Broc the Harris Hawk, Mercedes the American Kestrel and Mozart the European Eagle Owl.

It was incredible to see them so close, swooping high into the trees and above them and then show off their hunting skills.

As well as all this we just about had time to take a wander around the gardens and for the kids to have an ice cream and run off some steam in the adventure playground before taking in The Dark Sky Experience, a short immersive exhibition about Henry V and the Battle of Agincourt.

It was a brilliant day and although we didn’t manage to see everything - such as having a punt on the moat, a visit the Dog Collar Collection, and explore all the 500 acres of the parkland - we covered most of it and have promised to return.

Although we took our own lunch, there are plenty of places to get both hot and cold food and drink and for those who want something to remember their visit by there is of course a gift shop with all manner of food, toys, games and cards and to suit most pockets.

Leeds Castle is open all  year round. Tickets cost £24.50 for adults and £16.50 for children and are valid for a whole year. Visit www.leeds-castle.com for full listings.

Real to Reel: A Century of War Movies, Imperial War Museum

IN the 100th anniversary year of the release of The Battle of the Somme film, it is perhaps fitting and certainly timely for an exhibition that looks at and examines how wars of the past 100 years have provided inspiration to film and documentary makers.

Real to Reel: A Century of War Movies, which has just opened at the Imperial War Museum, is an interactive and immersive exhibition which goes behind the scenes of some of the war films that have captured the imagination of audiences across the generations.

Featuring some of the most celebrated and provocative war movies from the past 100 years, it shows how film-makers have used war’s inherent drama to translate stories of love and loss, fear and courage, triumph and tragedy into blockbusters for the big screen.

Alongside 200 items including a combination of film clips, costumes, props, scripts, sketches and designs, the IWM opens up its own extensive collections to bring original archival material and artefacts to new audiences.

Accompanied by immersive audio-visual installations, the exhibition will explore the film-making process and how war movies have shaped popular perception of conflicts.

It will also include items from iconic films such as The Dam Busters, Where Eagles Dare, Apocalypse Now, Battle of Britain, Das Boot, Casablanca, Jarhead, Atonement and War Horse.

It has been put together by historian and curator Laura Clouting who says that it has proved a fascinating subject to bring to the museum’s visitors.

“IWM has wanted to go back to look at the subject of war films for a while,” she says. “We felt it was important because the cinema is one of the main ways of getting a visual impression of what war can be like.

“What this exhibition does is explore the enduring fascination of war on the big screen, and why film makers have been inspired to make such movies and how these stories have influenced our understanding of war.

“It has been a fascinating process putting it all together and delving into the archives here at the IWM to bring out some items which we don’t normally see. It represents a unique opportunity to see these items which as well as our own include props and costumes from other organisations.

“What was important when creating the exhibition was to make sure there is a real mix and breadth to it - so it features the impact of documentary film such as the Battle of the Somme film as well as blockbuster Hollywood films.

“In 1916 the Battle of the Somme film was put together for audiences who did not know what was going on in the front. It is important to remember that cinema was very new during the First World War and people were desperate for news. They had been used to getting it through newspapers but film became a way of getting a sense of what their loved ones were going through. It was an important way of understanding what it’s all about to live through war.

“The equipment they used was very heavy and they had to go to a position of safety to shoot it. In fact some of the scenes were recreated elsewhere, but it was an incredibly important film and really paved the way for what has come since."

There are five sections which make up the exhibition - Introduction: the war film genre; Inspiration: why are war films made? Making a film: how do film makers bring stories of war to life? Release and reception: what impact do war films leave? and Finale: through a montage of final scenes and endings drawn from films across the century, this section shows how film-makers put an end to their war stories.

All of them explore how war has proved a profoundly compelling subject since the earliest days of cinema.

And while many might think that war films are just about the battles, it provides a chance to prove that this is not the case - and in fact that war can act as a backdrop and scene setter.

“War shapes peoples’ lives in ways that are far beyond the battlefield,” says Laura. “For example Casablanca is not about any battle but war was the backdrop for the story and it determines the course of that love story.

“The biggest surprise for us when collating all the various parts of the exhibition was that although we have all seen or have heard about a lot of war films, when we began to dig we realised just how many there are.

"And equally fascinating is that we see the way films have changed over the years - for example the sense of futility, waste and terrible slaughter in World War One had gone by the time it comes to World War Two.

“And of course some have been much more heavily covered than others. World War Two for example is a case in point, as is the Vietnam War - both have provided inspiration for films both fiction and non fiction.”

Laura hopes that the exhibition will fascinate both those who are film buffs as well as those who have not seen any war film.

“We want it to be approachable for everyone,” she says. “It is a big exhibition and is visually very striking and there is much for people to enjoy and take away whether they are avid film fans or are new to the subject.

“It’s an opportunity to understand the inspiration behind the films and there will be something there for everyone.”

Real to Reel: A Century of War Movies is on at the IWM, Lambeth Road until January 8, 2017. Tickets cost £10 for adults and £5 for children. Visit www.iwm.org.uk or call 020 7416 5000 for full listings.

Imagine Children's Festival back at the Southbank Centre

THE life and work of one of Britain's greatest storytellers is to be the centrepiece of a major children's literature festival.

Readings, workshops, performances and a new interactive experience celebrating the centenary of the birth of Roald Dahl will be the undoubted highlights at this year’s Imagine Children's Festival.

Imagine is back at the Southbank Centre for a 15th year and will take over the 21-acre site for two weeks from February 10.

As well as the homage to Roald Dahl, Imagine will be packed full of events spanning theatre, dance, art, music and installations alongside readings and workshops with some of the country’s top children’s authors.

Among those taking part will be David Baddiel, Judith Kerr, Rastamouse, Cressida Cowell, Mary Hoffman, Laura Dockrill, Cerrie Burnell and Ben Bailey Smith.

For the fourth year in a row children will play a major role in the organising and running of Imagine. The Mini Festival Makers, a group of children from eight local primary schools, have helped programme, promote and produce key events throughout the two weeks.

They have worked alongside programme director Tamsin Ace who says she’s excited about what this year’s festival has to offer.

“It’s been a lot of fun putting it all together,” she says. “Every year we try and tweak and develop it a bit and this year we wanted to bring in and involve more kids.

“They are only eight and nine and have made lots of suggestions, will run the building, take tickets and work in the box office.

“To have them run the building with us and have them involved in the process has been invaluable. They are the best people to be involved – they underpin the very essence of what Imagine is all about – a festival by children for children.

“It also gives them great experience of what it's like to work in the arts. We always see performing roles with people on stage but there is a whole range of jobs within the creative industries which being involved in this festival will give the children a chance to see and experience.”

This year more than half the programme will be free of charge offering families and schools access to literature, music, theatre, poetry, dance, interactive installations, workshops and a whole lot more besides.

“We want people to come along and dip their toe in and try things out and see what it’s all about,” says Tamsin.

“Stepping into a big building like this can be intimidating so we hope that by making many of the events and activities free it encourages people to come in and see what’s on offer.

“Everyone loves stories, being read to or reading to someone. This year we have some fantastic authors coming in to do readings and Q&As. Laura Dockrill will be one I can’t wait to see but we have so many it’s hard to choose.

“We’ve also got a lovely end to each day with a bed time story. It’s always really busy, crazy and overrun with families during the festival so we thought that this year we would invite different authors to come in and read their favourite bedtime stories.

“It’s been inspired by the BBC’s Cbeebies Bedtime Hour and I hope it will bring a sense of calm to the building.”

Elsewhere Tamsin says there are plenty of things to see and do. Author Judith Kerr will be in conversation about Mister Cleghorn’s Seal, her first illustrated novel in 37 years, Michael Morpurgo’s I Believe In Unicorns will be brought to life by theatre company Wizard Presents, Theater Gnaffel will present their double bill of Roald Dahl’s Little Red Riding Hood and The Three Little Pigs performed by life size puppets, the Fantastical Story Factory will bring their improv comedy-inspired show which gets the audience to decide what happens next and there will be an interactive reading experience hosted by Michael De Souza, co-creator of Rastamouse.

There will also be plenty of workshops giving children the opportunity to try their hands at a range of activities including making animated films, clay sculpture, writing poetry, illustrations and learning sign language.

But for Tamsin the undoubted highlight will be the events focusing on Roald Dahl.

“This year is extra special because it is the centenary of Roald Dahl’s birth and we wanted to celebrate that so we have a range of events inspired by his amazing legacy,” she says.

“Everyone has read him and I think what makes his books stand the test of time is that he believes in children as being the most powerful and important people within the narrative.

“His books are quite dark and nasty people get their comeuppance in them but children love that sense of naughtiness and he’s a brilliant mischief maker.”

The centrepiece of the celebrations is a new interactive experience The Wondercrump World of Roald Dahl, commissioned by Southbank Centre in partnership with Wales Millennium Centre.

The experience takes visitors on a magical journey through seven different immersive worlds that explore the writer’s life and the world of his iconic books.

Featuring exclusive archival material from the Roald Dahl Museum and Story Centre, including original manuscripts, personal letters, drawings, photographs and cherished objects, the exhibition offers a unique insight into the inspiration behind some of his best loved characters and stories.

The exhibition will launch with Imagine on February 10 and will run until July 3, before travelling to the Wales Millennium Centre.

Other highlights of the Roald Dahl celebrations include a performance of his final book The Minpins accompanied by live animation and the music of Sibelius performed by the London School’s Symphony Orchestra.

And for fans of Matilda, Dahl in a Day will see a whole host of people reading this iconic story throughout the day accompanied by dance, illustration and music.

“Working with archive material from the Roald Dahl Museum has been extraordinary and a real privilege,” says Tamsin.

“But the whole festival has been amazing to work on. To have so many events and activities dedicated to reading and literature, I hope it inspires a new generation of storytellers."

Imagine Children's Festival is on at the Southbank Centre between Wednesday February 10 and Sunday February 21. Visit www.southbankcentre.co.uk/imagine for full listings.

Vault Festival preview

DEEP under the streets of South London, a series of tunnels are about to play host to a six-week festival of dancing, music, theatre, circus, comedy and cabaret.

Said event is the Vault Festival, back for a fourth year, and this time organisers say it’s bigger and better than ever.

Boxman, LoopsEnd, The Mmorpg Show, The Princess and the Pea, Pirates of the Carabina, Comedy Club 4 Kids, Trgyve Wakenshaw, Felix Hagan and the Family and The Misfit Analysis are just some of the many performers, shows and attractions which can be found in the eight performance spaces in the Leake Street tunnels underneath Waterloo, which also includes three bars and a restaurant.

The festival is co-directed by Andy George who says he anticipates about 40,000 people will come down into the depths to explore what’s on offer over the six weeks from January 27.

“It’s grown exponentially since we launched in 2012,” he tells me. “The first year we had 9,000 people come over a three week period.

“This year we are running for six weeks and we are expecting 40,000 people through the door to see and take part in 150 shows and events – it’s mad but fun and exciting and we are really looking forward to it.”

Between 50 and 60 per cent of the acts taking part applied to do so with the rest through invitation. It is a system that Andy says gives the audience a chance to see a broad range of talent – from those who are new to the circuit, and to the festival, to those who are more established and some who have done Vault before.

“This year we were inundated with applications,” he says. “It was really difficult because people had clearly invested so much time and thought in them.

“It’s hard on the soul as you want to give people the best opportunity you can so the process was tough.

"But it's great that Vault has now become an established brand and has been so successful."

He puts this success down to a combination of sourcing the best talent, giving it a community feel and the unique nature of the venue.

And with ticket prices averaging the £10 to £12 mark, Andy says it also represents great value for money.

"The reason we started was to create a fair platform for people to create and present work where the financial risk isn't all on their shoulders," he explains.

"We want it to work as much as they do. From an audience point of view part of the fun of it is the excitement of going underground. It's an unusual venue - a bit like escaping down Alice's rabbit hole.

"Money is also still tight for many people so we want to make Vault as accessible as possible which means keeping ticket prices as low as we can."

This year he promises an "incredible" and packed line up that has "plenty for everyone".

“We don’t have any headliners which means all the acts have equal billing," he says. "I think we have something for everyone and I’m really proud of that.

“Some are returnees which is great to continue the relationship but there are many new acts which we are really pleased to bring to new audiences.

"For me it's all one big highlight," he adds warmly. “However, I am looking forward to Bpolar show which is coming from Israel in the first week and is doing a visual re telling of the Diary of Madman. It’s the first year we have been able to curate and bring in work from outside the UK so it’s a landmark show.

"Then there is Echoes by Henry Nayler and Gilded Balloon which is an interlinking story about modern jihadi brides and Victorian colonialists which I am looking forward to and then we have cabaret act Denim which is here for a two week run.

“In terms of comedy we have Loren O’Brien who is very funny and one to watch. I'm also looking forward to the physical comedy of Squidboy."

As well as the main programme, this year the team has introduced the first Vault Film Festival which will include both long and short form screenings, drama, documentaries and animation and which Andy says has already had "an astonishingly positive response".

Not only that, from 10pm Vaults Lates kicks off with a series of events including barnstorming ceilidhs, an all night silent disco, a New Orleans Mardi Gras or a Valentines Ball.

"What’s great is that you can come down at about 6pm and see some comedy or drama, have something to eat, or a drink at the bar, and then stay and enjoy a cabaret or music and dancing making it a whole night event," says Andy.

And following on from last year’s success, Mini Vault is also back, to make sure that the younger members of the family are catered for - including newborns and toddlers.

This side of the festival is co-directed by Rose Alexander who says that it has doubled in size from last year’s debut and has an emphasis on fun.

"We were delighted that there was such a fantastic reception last year as it was the first children’s event in that space," she says.

"The tunnels are amazing and will feel transformative so it’s the perfect place for a party, and people especially kids, find it such an adventure.

"This year we have got three weekends of fun with a variety of events going on, some of which are free and some of which are ticketed.

"We also wanted it to be aimed at the whole family rather than just at children with an emphasis on the whole family having fun together, so to programme along those lines has been really exciting."

Among the many highlights is poetry by Roger McGough, music from BAC Beatbox Academy, comedy from Comedy Club 4 Kids and circus magic from Pirates Of The Carabina.

Elsewhere Rose says there are mime artists, fancy dress and face painting and a chance to make costumes.

"Big Fish Little Fish is doing a big family-friendly rave and then we are launching Under The Sea Mini Rumpus which will take over the entire space - it's going to be an amazing club event for all the family.

"There is lots of live music and this year there is a more carnivalistic gipsy feel to the festival. We have circus and an opportunity to learn circus skills, marching bands, installations and light shows and a soft play area for babies plus lots of amazing storytelling.
"We've also got loads of workshops as we wanted to encourage families to come in and stay and play all day.

"It’s going to be like a secret party that everyone is invited to!"

Vault Festival takes place in the Leake Street tunnels, Waterloo, between January 27 and March 6. visit www.vaultfestival.com for full listings.

Go Ape review

ANYONE with young kids will know how much energy they have – they are like dogs, they need to run and bound about. They are also for the most part pretty fearless.

So, what to do when you’ve exhausted all the parks, adventure playgrounds and soft play areas?

Well, help is at hand in the form of Go Ape. For those not familiar, Go Ape is one of the country’s leading forest adventure companies where days out are about having fun and living life at full throttle with family and friends.

There are 28 Go Ape adventures dotted around the country all set in one of Britain’s many and spectacular forests.

They consist of assault courses complete with zip wires, rope ladders, wobbly crossings, bridges, tunnels and swings and all about 10m off the ground.

No two courses are the same, they can vary between an hour and three hours long and all have height and age restrictions. What they all promise though is the wow factor and an adrenaline rush unlike anything else.

The Go Ape adventure began in 2001 when founders Tris and Becs Mayhew were on holiday in France with their six-month old baby. They came across a French family swinging through the trees and from the looks on their faces, it was clear all of them were having the time of their lives.

It inspired Tris and Becs enough to quit the London rat race and Go Ape was born. Now, 28 locations later they are still adding adventures including Forest Segway Experience safaris, Zip Trekking Adventure and Tree Top Junior courses for kids.

It was this last activity that I thought might be good to try out and so last weekend husband Martin and I took our two kids, Lucy aged 10 and Tom aged six to Bedgebury Forest near Tunbridge Wells to see if we could entice them up into the trees for an hour.

The Tree Top Junior course takes kids on the same kind of adventure as the adult version but specially tailored to their abilities.

First up we had to read the safety instructions very carefully – we were tested by one of the instructors before we were allowed up the steps – and then we were given harnesses. Onto this was fastened a wire with a metal trolley which ran along the zip wire - that was our safety net.

Then, when we were ready to be let loose, we were allowed up the steps and into the trees to begin our adventure.

There were two routes to go round - the first was designed to be short enough to ease us in and get us used to it, the second a bit longer and slightly more challenging.

Looking from the ground up it didn’t seem too bad – indeed it looked like a piece of cake. What could be difficult about stepping off the small circular platform that surrounded the tree and onto a series of planks that seemed an alarming distance apart from one another before reaching the next tree and its circular platform?

As it happens, in my case, quite a bit. I made the fatal mistake of looking down and had a really bad case of vertigo.

Knees quaking, hands sweating and practically frozen to the spot, I ended up retracing my steps and spending most of the rest of the hour on terra firma - much to my embarrassment and annoyance.

Lucy was also very nervous at first and almost followed me down the steps. However, to her credit, she was coaxed round the course after a pep talk by Tess, one of the brilliant instructors. Before long she was up and around both the routes like a pro.

Despite Tess’s valiant efforts, she couldn’t persuade me to take my foot off the platform and although I did try again, it just wasn’t to be.

Tom however had no such problems. He may be small but he was very agile, like a young gazelle, nimbly negotiating his way round both routes. The first was a short route to get to grips with the wobbly nature of the crossings. Most consisted of planks of wood attached to wires although one was made up of just a net – had that been the first one I’d come across I might just have had more confidence to give it a go. The final leap into the unknown was the zip wire which looked a lot of fun and the kids gave it a great big thumbs up.

The second route was a bit more challenging and included a single wire much like a tightrope between the trees which you had to walk across. To help you do that, grab ropes were suspended from another wire at regular intervals - it was by far the most tricky to negotiate and wasn't for the faint hearted!

This route was about double the length of the first and also finished with the zip wire.

Tom was a natural and he raced through in no time at all. Indeed I lost count of the amount of times he went round both routes.

Martin was initially a bit unsure and nervous but he too got round both routes although he admitted the tightrope wa a bit hairy.

Most of the kids there were having a great time – and the amount of laughter and squealing with delight, particularly when they’d got round was great to hear.

One mum told me that she comes fairly regularly because she wanted to get over her own fear of heights and not pass it on to her children.

And although I was not brave enough to do it - for which I'm somewhat embarrassed about - it was a great day out nonetheless and I would heartily recommend it. The hour zipped by all too quickly but there was no reason to rush off because Bedgebury Forest offers so much else to do so you can make a whole day of it.

There are plenty of walks for various abilities, bikes can be hired to ride on specific routes and there are two adventure playground areas as well as a lovely cafe.

As for the Go Ape challenge, I am determined to conquer the fear and one day hope to do the adult course which is also at Bedgebury and which appeared to have plenty of happy customers.

And as for the kids, at the end of the hour both Lucy and Tom got a certificate to show they’d conquered the course, and both immediately said they wanted to do it again. Praise indeed.

Go Ape has adventures all over the country. Visit www.goape.co.uk/ for full listings and prices.

Against Captain's Orders - National Maritime Museum

FIVE STARS

IF you’ve ever fancied yourself as an explorer, detective or sailor, an interactive show at the National Maritime Museum gives you a chance to be all three.

Against Captain’s Orders is a show which is about as immersive as they come, blending performance, storytelling, adventure and intrigue and is designed for all the family but especially those aged between six and 12.

It has been conceived and put together by theatre company Punchdrunk who have plenty of experience in staging innovative and immersive theatre and this shows off their not inconsiderable talents to the full.

I took my two kids, aged six and 10 to the show and we weren’t disappointed.

On arrival our 30-strong audience was split up into four nautical groups and asked to don the corresponding life-jackets - Midshipmen, Salvage, Ship’s Watch or Navigation.

Although we were never separated from the other groups and went through the 50-minute adventure together, it did allow us to do certain tasks according to our group.

We were met by curator Arthur and Glan (played on our visit by Matthew Odell and Sammy Kissin) who were to take us on our adventure.

It starts off in a pretty ordinary way. We were escorted through a dark door and in our groups were invited to sit in small wooden boats. Each had a mast and within each mast is one of the National Maritime Museum’s treasured exhibits and artefacts – in ours was a pair of drumsticks – each pertinent to the story that was about to unfold. The other boats had a glass bottle with a letter inside, a telescope or sextant.

As Glan and Arthur begin their story and encourage us to find out more about our objects Glan decides – against Museum orders – to take the bottle out of the mast. It is then that the fun begins for as she tries, the objects vanish and the museum appears to go into lockdown with sirens, tanoy announcements and a mist that starts swirling ominously.

As the sound effects begin to get louder we are herded out of the boats and through a door that takes us to the Dispatches Room where our adventure really begins.

This is the first of many rooms we get taken too and explore and it is amazing.

It is strewn with artefacts, objects, maps, papers, and Bertha, an enormous machine in the centre with lots of buttons to press, flashing lights and noises.

We are charged with finding the telescope in amongst all the other objects but we are given clues to do so.

Once found it goes into Bertha and we are taken to the next room. And so it goes on until all four objects are safely returned to the museum’s stores.

It is fascinating not least because of the impressive sets – something at which Punchdrunk excels. The attention to detail is incredible with each room stuffed to the gunnels with props a plenty. We were also taken down a rabbit warren of endless corridors and through the multitude of rooms including one full of maps and globes with a giant compass which we had to use to find the artefact, past the swashbuckling parrot room, evident from the coloured feathers spilling out from underneath the door, and even one which seemed to be made up entirely of sails hanging from the ceiling which we had to navigate our way through - with no real idea of where we were going.

It was dark at times, some rooms smelled, there were loud noises, crashes and bangs, ghostly drumming, it was disorientating and disconcerting and for some of the younger members of the audience, my six year old included, sometimes a bit frightening.

Indeed towards the end when we had but 90 seconds to get out before the museum locked us in, was tense for all of us! Would we get out alive? My six year old had his doubts.

But it was undeniably exciting and a huge amount of fun. Not only that we really felt as though we were on an important mission and thanks to the interactive nature of it we all felt included – indeed even the adults got a bit competitive wanting to be the one to find the rooms’ hidden treasures!

It was brilliantly put together, had a lovely story to it and was a proper adventure that not only entertained but allowed us to use our imaginations and our brains to look for clues so we could find the objects and get out in one piece.

As we had been commanded to be right at the beginning by Glan, we were brave, we were loyal and we were true - and we’d do it all again in a trice!

Against Captain’s Orders is on at the National Maritime Museum, off King William Walk, Greenwich until August 31. Tickets cost £19.75. Visit www.rmg.co.uk/ for full listings.

REVIEW - Shrek's Adventure!

FIVE STARS

THE popular film Shrek has delighted audiences across the world and spawned several sequels. It is now an imersive storytelling attraction too thanks to the new Shrek's Adventure that has sprung up on the South Bank.

And for someone who is a bit cynical about such attractions, it is quite something - and I mean that in a positive way.

The attraction, which has just opened, plunges visitors into the Kingdom Of Far Far Away where they meet Shrek, Donkey and all the other characters from the films and it is all brought vividly to life.

It combines live action, a really brilliant 4D bus ride to get to the Kingdom as well as plenty of fantastic special effects and lots of interaction for kids and their adult companions.

Everyone who goes on the tour is invited to play their part in the adventure as a story unfolds before them with lots of twists and turns along the way.

It starts with a ride in a bus - which is absolutely great. Piloted by Donkey, we flew through the air, circled over London, dodged witches on broomsticks, saw flying pandas and plenty of other creatures before we inadvertently crashed in the forest.

From there we had to make our way through the trees to find Shrek. Along the way we went through a series of rooms with their own adventures - the best being the room of mirrors which was truly stunning - it was designed as a maze and everywhere we went we were confronted with mirrors and no idea which way to go. It was a bit scary but lots of fun and really imaginative.

Elsewhere there were crystal balls, a swampy toilet, the Muffin Man's House, Princess Fiona, Pinocchio, bubbling cauldrons, magic spells and wizardry plus lots of jokes, laughter and mystery and intrigue as we went through the 90 minute adventure.

It was brilliantly put together, incredibly atmospheric and really brought the story to life.

And after the adventure there is a chance to meet some of the characters from other films such as Kung Fu Panda, the Penguins of Madagascar and the dragon from the film How To Train Your Dragon in what is known as the Arrivals Hall.

It was enchanting, fun, engaging and my kids, aged six and 10 absolutely loved it.

Shrek’s Adventure! London is at County Hall on the South Bank next to the London Aquarium and the London Dungeon. Tickets cost from £18.72. Visit www.shreksadventure.com for full listings, times and prices.

Brockley Open Studios

A GROUP of talented artists are throwing open their doors to the public on Saturday (july 5) as part of an annual three day exhibition.

Now in its 22nd year, the Brockley Open Studios is a chance for people to come and have a look at the work of painters, sculptors, ceramic artists, photographers, printers, leather work, metalwork and textile makers who live and work in the area.

It will be an opportunity to meet the artists, see them at work and buy or just browse their pieces.

Many of those whose work will be on display are former Goldsmiths and Camberwell Art Schools graduates.

All the studios are within walking distance of each other.

The annual event, which started in 1992, will this year run from 2pm to 8pm on Saturday and Sunday, and 5pm to 8pm on Monday July 7.

Thirty six artists and their studios will be open over the three days.

Visit www.brockleyopenstudios.co.uk for full listings.

London Sealife Centre

TAKING the kids on a journey to dive the world’s oceans is a non starter for most families. Despite being beautiful, fascinating and being home to some of the most amazing creatures on earth, they are not places where you can easily take small children.

Which is where the London Aquarium comes into its own.

Based on the South Bank next to the London Eye in the former County Hall, it is home to one of Europe's largest collections of global marine life all housed in a very pushchair and wheelchair friendly environment.

Although not cheap, it’s packed with 2 million litres of water housing 500 species of interesting sea creatures from sharks to seahorses, rays to rockpools, turtles to crocs and frogs in 14 themed areas over three floors.

It is also full of interesting facts and figures courtesy of information panels and videos not to mention advice about how people can support its conservation work.

As well as all this in the last couple of years it has been expanding its operation to include a section on the rainforest with a fierce looking caimen crocodile, piranhas, red tailed catfish and the Poison Arrow Frog, and the Antarctica exhibition which features the beautiful Gentoo Penguins.

Its latest exhibit, Claws, is no less of a crowd pleaser and as its name suggests, features some stunning species of crustaceans.

Although it’s only a small part of the overall experience it is pretty impressive and the gigantic Japanese Spider crab is undoubtedly its star billing.

These incredible and quite beautiful looking crabs live at the bottom of the ocean and can grow to an amazing 12ft long. They move very slowly and have very long legs.

It also features the blue lobster, pink shrimps and some slightly smaller crab species which visitors can see in giant tanks and through a tunnel display so they can be seen from every angle.

In common with other areas of the Aquarium there are plenty of displays detailing pertinent information about those in the tanks plus a giant mechanical claw which shows the inner workings of a crab’s claw.

Elsewhere, interactive features give visitors the chance to feel the hardness of the crabs’ shells and the sharpness of the serrations on their claws.

It’s a fascinating exhibition and added to the rest of the Aquarium experience will keep kids of all ages enthralled for hours.

The Sea Life London Aquarium is open seven days a week. Tickets are £21.60 for adults, £15.90 for children. Family tickets and special behind-the-scenes packages also available. Visit www.sealife.co.uk/london for more information.

A Grand Day Out - on a budget

AS any parents of young children will testify, going out even for a day requires a level of planning that is akin to a military operation.

Making sure you have enough food, water, snacks, money, spare clothes, wet weather gear - the list is endless.

It can also be expensive - travel, entrance tickets to museums or other attractions, food, drinks, snacks and a visit to the gift shop - it can all mount up.

But it need not be like this. With a veritable cultural and entertainment feast right on our doorstep I was determined to prove that living in South London need not mean bankruptcy to keep the little darlings entertained.

Eager to put this theory to the test, I embarked on a visit to the South Bank on Sunday last week with my two children - Lucy, eight, and Tom, four - to see if it was possible to enjoy a day out without it costing me the earth.

We set off from our home in Brockley armed with sun cream, packed lunch, snacks and water in a rucksack that wouldn't have looked out of place on a trek to the Himalayas.

Our one day travelcard cost £7.90 - not bad considering it would have taken us anywhere within zones one to six.

Once at Waterloo we walked up to Southbank Centre pausing to see the skaters in the Undercroft and some of the street entertainers along the way.

For those on a budget, the Southbank Centre offers the perfect opportunity to have fun and spend little in the process.

Every day there is something on within the complex which you can enjoy for free - whether it's a workshop, exhibition, performance or even just sitting in its riverfront café to eat your sandwiches and watch the world go by.

And Sunday was no exception. Under the umbrella of Festival of Neighbourhood the weekend was devoted to Urban: Celebrating Street Culture featuring a series of BMX, Parkour and dance workshops and demos as well as a chance to take part in some of the performances.

So the three of us joined the huge crowd on the Royal Festival Hall terrace and had fun busting some moves and grooves to a mix of street dance, hip hop and breakdance tunes which were being blasted out via an enormous sound system.

We were also wowed with a BMX bike demo inside in the Clore Ballroom where a group of professionals showed off their skills and tricks and Tom had a go at some of the free basketball workshops.

As well as all the Urban cool there was plenty more to see and do.

 

 

This included Beano Town tucked underneath the Queen Elizabeth Hall. This interactive, and free, exhibition pays homage to the legendary comic The Beano which celebrates its 75th anniversary this year.

 

 

Despite having never had the pleasure of chortling at the antics of its characters, Lucy and Tom wasted no time in getting stuck in - from playing table tennis to looking at the comics, climbing on the sculptures and trying on wigs and Dennis the Menace jumpers. They also added their names in the tree house.

Elsewhere we explored the walkways by the Queen Elizabeth Hall to see the allotment project, Queen's Walk Window Gardens. This included a trail of 60 wheelbarrows full of plants, as well as a roof garden created in partnership with Cornwall's Eden Project, the herb garden on the Riverside Terrace and the other giant installations and sculptures around the complex.

 

 

Perhaps the most fun to be had were the fountains outside the Royal Festival Hall. Both kids dived straight in and trying to dodge the jets of water without getting soaked was all part of the deal with much merriment to be made in doing so.

 

 

 

 

And before we had to go home there was just enough time to build a sandcastle in the specially created beach down on the river front opposite the skateboarders in the Undercroft.

 

 

Apart from the travel card, the only other thing I parted with my cash for was an ice cream for Lucy and an ice lolly for Tom - both bought at the market outside Canteen at the back of the Royal Festival Hall.

At £2.50 each it wasn't as eye wateringly expensive as it could have been, and given I'd spent nothing all day save for the travel card, it wasn't too bad.

We didn't buy lunch because we bought our own which we ate outside whilst soaking up the atmosphere.

By about 5pm we were exhausted, covered in sand, but having had a lovely time.

And while the South Bank isn't the only place where you can do things on the mega cheap, there can't be many institutions which will allow you to eat your own sandwiches in its building whilst listening to or watching some free concerts or performances.

And not only did I not hear the words "I'm bored" the entire day, the kids loved it so much they want to go back this weekend. Result

Beano Town is on until Sunday, September 8. Entrance is free.

Check www.southbanklondon.com and www.southbankcentre.co.uk for full listings of events throughout the holidays.