Same Same but Different at Birmingham Hippodrome's Patrick Studio

If you enjoy contemporary dance with an ethnic twist, Same Same but Different is a great family show. It has been created with a number of primary schools in Birmingham and mixes colour, dance and story together.

The show began with the three performers inside large pieces of colourful material. Children watching had their imaginations captured as we watched the dancers move into different shapes and configurations. When the performers eventually popped out they were surprised to find the audience watching. They greeted us with waves and high fives which immediately drew the audience into the performance.

Highlights of the performance were the acrobatic movements performed by the dancers Aakanksha, Laura and Mickael. As they tumbled and twisted to the music the audience was left to interpret what they were showing with these movements as they explored the times when we feel different and the times that we belong. The title of the show ‘Same Same but Different’ may be familiar to some. It essentially means similar but not the same thing and was a fitting title for the theme of the show.

The dancer Mickael bought beat box and breakdance to the performance. This was well received by the children watching. But eventually he became the comic stoodge. His bones creaked as he struggled to play the guitar and he was left out when the other performers danced with bells and he sulked. He ended up getting the biggest laughs though as he was rocked, folded and tickled by the other performers once back inside his colourful material at the end of the show.

After the show, as a bonus, we headed out into the foyer to take part in a printing workshop. Little Lady really enjoyed this and used stamps, paint and sequins to produce a colourful banner. The Hippodrome frequently offers additional free workshops linked to performances. These are great in turning a shorter theatre trip into a day out. The workshops are often very popular and sometimes have to be booked so check the website carefully for details.

Special thanks to Birmingham Hippodrome for inviting us to their press performance.

Same Same but Different runs at Birmingham Hippodrome until Saturday 23^rdFebruary and is suitable for ages 5+ Tickets £10, concessions £8 and family tickets available.

Relaxed performance Tuesday Sat 23 Feb 11am & Tue 26 Feb 1pm £7.

https://www.birminghamhippodrome.com/calendar/same-same-but-different/

Comments

Michael Morpurgo's Farm Boy @ Lichfield Garrick

The author Michael Morpurgo is a brilliant story teller and his Farm Boy story is no exception. This production has at its core a story that hooks you in and keeps you captivated. A grandfather and his grandson talk you through stories from their family that intertwine with the history of World War One and life on a farm. This play had parts that made me smile and chuckle but more parts that gave me goosebumps and a ripple of emotion. When grandfather made a confession and called on his grandson to help him, I was hooked waiting to hear the burden that he had born for his entire life. No spoilers though, come and see the play for yourself. The music in Farm Boy is an original score written by Matt Marks. It enhanced the story telling evoking memories and pictures in my mind. This combined with the strength of the story is clearly the reason the show has been at the Edinburgh Fringe and 'off Broadway' in New York. Throughout the show, there are just two actors on the stage: Gran

Midlands Family Days Out in 2023

Many of you love planning family days out. So what's better than viewing a year ahead? I will update this post to share great days out around the West Midlands for families. Many of the events that I share are either free or low cost. Feel free to book mark the this page to see new information as the year progresses. Also find me on Instagram @capablechild January Lunar New year Celebrations fill the Bullring and Grand Central with performances on Saturday 21st January. These continue in Birmingham's Southside on Sunday 22nd January with food stalls, family activities and performances. We have joined in these celebrations in previous years and my children loved the lively, bright dancing. https://www.birminghamhippodrome.com/save-the-date-lunar-new-year-celebrations-return-to-birmingham-in-january/ February Dippy the Dinosaur arrives in Coventry at The Herbert Art Gallery. Tickets are free but expect them to go fast! Over half term there are family activities including crafts

Beauty and the Beast @ Lichfield Garrick

“That was so funny I nearly wet myself!” Such was my 11 year old daughter’s review of the Lichfield Garrick’s 2023 Christmas Panto - Beauty and the Beast. Truth be told, although I hopefully have more bladder control than that, I was in pretty close agreement with her. I’m not sure which part of the show was the most hilarious. It may have been the obligatory slapstick gunge and slide routine making pudding in the Beast’s castle kitchen. However, Figgy the animated (and socially borderline) Greek statue was in hot pursuit. Had I been the unsuspecting gentleman who sat on the front row I may have found the audience participation rather less comedic (he loved it really!!!). What I do know though is that by the end of the evening my sides hurt, I’d become seriously dehydrated and my daughter and I were ready for the festive Christmas season to begin! You may wonder how Beauty and the Beast could pass for panto? However, Sam Rabone’s annual Pantomime dame, reappearing as Belle’s hideously

Capable Child

Search This Blog