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.

Grooving on down the road

ANYONE into hip hop is in for a treat this summer with an exhilarating new dance adventure for the whole family.

Following the success of hit shows Into The Hoods and Some Like It Hip Hop, the award-winning ZooNation Dance Company is back at the Southbank Centre with a re-working of the much loved story of The Wizard Of Oz.

Written and directed by ZooNation founder and award winning choreographer Kate Prince, Groove On Down The Road showcases the not inconsiderable talents of some of the company's young dancers aged between 10 and 19.

But whereas the original story was set on a farm in Kansas, Kate's version is brought bang up to date and is relocated in an urban classroom.

It is here where Dorothy's adventure begins and where her relationship with Toto, Scarecrow, Tin Man and Lion develop.

And although they dance their way down the yellow brick road, it is not to Oz but through a fantastical urban world - and with a pair of ruby trainers in lieu of the ruby slippers.

But it was not a desire to re-work the original story that was at the forefront of Kate's mind when she decided to create the show.

"I have a group of four boys aged between 15 and 17 who are part of ZooNation and are the most spectacularly talented group of young men I have ever worked with," she enthuses as we chat ahead of the show's opening on Saturday.

"They are just incredible and I was looking for something to showcase their talents which meant I needed a story with four lead characters.

"I also had Portia who is one of the girls playing Dorothy and she's an amazing dancer too so I wanted to include her - and in the end it just made sense for the show to be based on The Wizard Of Oz."

So why the classroom?

"I set it in a classroom because I wanted to highlight the importance of including the arts in education," she explains.

"The importance of creativity and the arts within education is enormous - especially for those kids who feel alienated in some way - and they should have equal importance within the curriculum.

"The Scarecrow for example, who doesn't have a brain, is dyslexic but hugely intelligent in a different way that isn't appreciated within the education system.

"So, it's a chance to explore some of the issues kids face and how important the arts are to their self esteem and confidence," she adds.

"This has been proved through the work we are doing in ZooNation. By getting kids dancing it improves their self esteem and personalities and makes them feel they can achieve something. It has so many benefits."

As well as a great story, the show will feature a fabulous score with a mix of music by Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, Justin Timberlake, and Jose Gonzalez.

"Telling the story through dance is fantastic and so the music is incredibly important obviously," says Kate.

"But there is a real range as the production will feature some incredible hip hop, body popping, street dance and contemporary movement from the cast.

"They are just phenomenal and I'm so proud of them - many have been at the company since they were very young, having been inspired by seeing some of our other productions which is fabulous," she adds.

"And they work so hard - some get up at 5am every Saturday and travel from all over the country just to come and train in our classes. They are truly inspiring."

And for the young cast to be part of such a show a dream come true.

"I'm so excited," says Portia Oti. The 11-year-old from Bexley will join Arizona Snow to share the role of Dorothy.

"I am really thrilled and it's a dream come true for me. To be on the Southbank stage will be amazing," adds Portia.

"It's a lovely family show to be in and I think the audience will love it because of the way Kate has created the characters - there is a lot of laughter especially when the Lion does his dance!"

And 17-year-old Michael Ureta agrees.

The teenager from Tooting plays the Tin Man and says the audience will be moved by the stories behind the characters.

"You get to see some of the troubles young people face," he says. "I'm the Tin Man who hasn't got a heart and it explores the reasons behind that.

"The audience will see he's a bully and how he learns to be friendly.

"I went to see Into The Hood when I was about 13 and loved it. It really inspired me to want to dance so I joined the company and went to their classes.

"I've been with the company for five years and love it - we learn different forms of dancing and it's hard work but great fun and for me to be in this show is just amazing - the best experience of my life!

"To share the stage with all my friends doing something we all love doing will be the best feeling!"

Groove On Down The Road is on at the Queen Elizabeth Hall, Southbank Centre, from Saturday, August 10 until Sunday, September 1.

Tickets from £10. Visit www.southbankcentre.co.uk or call the box office on 0844 847 9910.

Interview with Chris White of The Straits

SOUTH London boasts many famous alumni but surely somewhere towards the top of the list must be the legend that is Dire Straits. The band, who've enjoyed phenomenal success around the world, and had their fair share of staff comings and goings, played their first gig in Deptford back in 1977. They even have a commemorative blue plaque at the original birthplace of the group, Farrer House in Church Street, such is their fame.
Between 1977 and their split in 1995, they sold more than 120 million albums worldwide, played to packed out arenas across the globe, performed at Live Aid in 1985 and won numerous gongs including four Grammys and three Brit Awards.
Now they are back – albeit under a new name, The Straits, and with an altered line-up - and coming to the Albany in Douglas Way as part of a small UK tour.
Speaking ahead of the gig, saxophonist Chris White says the band is looking forward to coming home.
"It's great to be back in Deptford where it all began," he says. "We are really excited about it."
Appearing with Chris will be Alan Clark on keyboards, drummer Steve Ferrone, Mick Feat on bass, singer Jamie Squire, guitarist Adam Phillips and lead singer Terence Reis.
But what of founder Dire Straits members Mark Knopfler and John Illsely?
"Alan (Clark) was asked if we'd like to do a charity gig a couple of years ago at the Royal Albert Hall," explains Chris.
"Although we all still keep in touch, John was doing solo work and Mark didn't want to play Dire Straits stuff anymore so we put the band together without them, gave ourselves a new name, and did the concert.
"Afterwards we thought that was it but it went so well we've been together ever since playing across Europe and South Africa. 
"We're even working on some new material. 
"From one gig it's turned into quite a thing," he laughs modestly.
Originally from Bristol, the 57-year-old took up the sax by chance.
"I dabbled with the violin at primary school but although I could play I didn't really like it. When I was about 13 I remember seeing someone play sax on TV and I was sold. "I went to school the next day and said I wanted to play it and the teachers found one in a sack in a cupboard.
"My maths teacher gave me some lessons and within a month I knew that was it. I was so lucky I found it otherwise it could all have been very different for me," he laughs.
Leaving school he headed to college in London, eventually meeting Mark and joined Dire Straits in 1984 living for the best part of 20 years in and around Brockley and Sydenham.
The rest rest, as they say, is history and – in the 30 years since then - Chris has performed with virtually everyone who is anyone in music, including Mick Jagger, Paul McCartney and Ray Charles.
"I've been lucky to work with some great people," he admits.
"I played Knebworth with Robbie Williams. That was huge. I think he's a great entertainer.
"One of the highlights with Dire Straits was playing Romeo & Juliet in Israel at sunset and everyone got their lighters out. That was pretty special."
Live Aid too holds a place in his heart. "Going out on stage at Wembley to do Live Aid was amazing," he enthuses. "It was my 30th birthday and such a fantastic day. So many people were there and the feeling of goodwill was amazing.
"I was living in Sydenham at the time and I watched it on the TV before we went up to Wembley. It was a unique event."
Not only that, after their set they went to the arena next door and did another gig - as part of a tour the band was in the middle of.
"There were lots of people drifting in and out after they had finished their Live Aid sets. Sting, Francis Rossi, and Hank Marvin all dropped in and played with us that night. It was great." But now his thoughts are very much back with The Straits and their upcoming Albany gig.
"It's fantastic to be playing in Deptford again. I live in Berkshire now but still come back here quite a bit as it's such a great place to be, really buzzy and lively and I've got fond memories of living and working here.
"Being at the Albany again will be amazing, too. You are up close and personal and can see people's faces - it's quite nerve-racking!" And although they are now very much The Straits, fans will recognise most of the music.
"Mark wrote some stunning songs - Brothers in Arms, Romeo & Juliet and Telegraph Road - they are all amazing and we'll be doing them all - pretty much how Dire Straits did them back in the day. But there will also be some surprises.
"It's going to be fantastic," he promises.
The Straits played at the Albany in Douglas Way on Saturday, March 9, 2013.

Snow White

THERE are moments with pantos when you boo, hiss, shout, cringe, sing, cry laughing and dance.

And Snow White and the Seven Dwarves at the New Wimbledon Theatre had all these elements and more.

Boasting a star studded line up with the likes of Warwick Davis, Jarred Christmas and the King of rock 'n' roll's ex herself, Priscilla Presley, it ticked most of the panto boxes.

While it may have lacked a panto dame, it more than made up for this with silly, corny jokes, cheesy songs, a wicked queen, a prince charming and a beautiful princess and seven dwarves, one of whom is obsessed by British paralympian swimmer Ellie Simmonds.

It also had plenty of gloriously hammy acting, a few fluffed lines and a fair bit of add-libbing, not to mention the funniest Gangnam style dance routine I've seen on the panto circuit this season.

The costumes were amazing and the set was as sparkly as the stars in the show having had more glitter thrown at it than you would find in a children's collage set.

Priscilla was the wicked queen and although not always looking entirely comfortable in the role, particularly when hoisted in the air on wires and floating perilously over the stage dispensing wickedness, she delighted the audience with a rendition of Trouble from Elvis's repertoire.

Pacing the stage and sporting a fabulous dress which was cut to the thigh, she was adept at whipping up the audience with malevolent glee and attracted plenty of boos and hisses.

Jarred Christmas was hilarious as her right hand man Herman the Henchman and his attempt at a Geordie accent was one of the funniest things I've seen and heard.

Warwick Davis as Prof, self-imposed leader of the dwarves was brilliant and stole the show with his Gangnam song and dance routine.

But perhaps the best was saved til last when just before the curtain came down, the cast got the entire audience on its feet for a rendition of the Blues Brother's classic Everybody Needs Someone To Love. Fabulous!

Snow White and the Seven Dwarves is on at the New Wimbledon Theatre until January 13.

Tickets from £10. Call the box office on 0844 871 7646

Aladdin with Lily Savage

FOR organisers, housing panto Aladdin in a pop-up tent within the O2 in Greenwich must have seemed like a good idea at the time.

However, with tip up plastic chairs on gantry style seating, a severe chill running through said tent and one bar to serve all 1,900 audience members this supposedly good idea must have vanished as quickly as Aladdin's genie appeared from his bottle.

Fortunately, the show has Lily Savage as its star attraction to warm things up and from the moment Paul O'Grady's alter ego came on stage, was greeted by a cheer as loud as the concert playing in the nearby O2 arena.

The story is a familiar one. Lily Twanky's husband has died leaving her nothing more than a launderette in old Peking. To his brother he's left a ring. Lily heads off to Peking with her son Aladdin in tow and it's here he meets the emperor's daughter, falls in love with her and tries to make the feeling mutual. Along the way he encounters the genie, gets locked in a cave and has to defeat the evil Abanazar, brilliantly played by Darren Bennett.

With lavish sets, spectacular costumes, fabulous musical performances and a big cast this was a panto which was as much about style as it was substance and the flying magic carpet was a highlight.

Lily Savage is of course the main draw and she didn't disappoint giving a hilarious mini stand up routine at one point, a few ad libs sprinkled about and an unscripted wardrobe malfunction which left her face down on the floor with her shoes in Abanazar's costume, and the rest of us and the cast crying with laughter.

However, despite all this, it felt more like a West End musical rather than a traditional panto as although most of the classic ingredients were there including a baby elephant in lieu of Dobbin, it lacked the main one for me - laugh a minute silly, saucy jokes. And at three hours it's too long for even the most un-fidgety kids.

That said, Darren Bennett along with Issy Van Randwyck as the Slave of the Ring and Jon Lee as Aladdin put in great performances and it was a real treat to see Lily in all her acidic, bitter, eye-rolling, hilarious glory.

Aladdin is on until Saturday, January 5.

Tickets from £19.50. Call the box office on 0844 856 0202.