Tag Archives: London

Motown the Musical Relaxed Performance

January 11, 2019Relaxed PerformancesLondon, Motown the Musical, relaxed performance, Shaftesbury AvenueSensory Seeker

Mousetrap Theatre Projects are running their Relaxed Performance of Motown the Musical on January 22^nd 2019 at 6.30pm at the Shaftesbury Theatre. In a time of unimaginable change, a man with an unstoppable dream invented a sound that would be remembered forever. With just $800 borrowed from his family, Berry Gordy founded Motown records and launched the careers of Diana Ross and the Supremes, Michael Jackson and the Jackson 5, Stevie Wonder, Smokey Robinson and the Miracles, Marvin Gaye, The Temptations and many more.

The show is full of over 50 Motown classics such as “My Girl”, ‘Dancing in the Street’ and ‘Ain’t no Mountain High Enough’” and “I Heard It Through The Grapevine”. So expect lots of singing, dancing and overall a fantastically fun evening out for the entire family.Relaxed Performances are designed to provide an opportunity for young people with autism, learning difficulties or other sensory and communication needs who require a more relaxed environment.

Normal rules of theatre going do not apply, such as having to keep quiet or sit still. The aim is to offer a supportive, understanding and welcoming atmosphere for all. This means it can get a bit noisy inside the auditorium. If you find that the environment of the theatre becomes overwhelming, there are special arrangements in place to make your theatre experience as enjoyable as possible.

A Relaxed Performances involves:

Adjustments to sound and lighting
Free support resources to help families prepare for their theatre visit
Trained volunteers and staff to help at the event
Chill out zones within the theatre if you need to leave the auditorium
A relaxed and fun environment to enjoy the theatre as a family

Tickets are still available in Band A (Adult £20 Child £10; Front of Stalls & Front of Dress Circle), B (Adult £12 Child £6; Back of Stalls and Back of Dress Circle) and C (Adults £6 Child £3; Grand Circle – Please note that the Grand Circle may not be suitable for those with mobility difficulties or a fear of heights. There are at least 34 steps to this level and it is quite steep. Please do not apply for these seats if they are not suitable for your family), there is still a chance to attend what is positive to be an amazing evening of theatre. Unfortunately there is no longer have any wheelchair spaces available.At least one member of the family must be a young person with additional needs aged between the ages 8-25. Strictly one application per family, maximum 6 people per application. Please contact me at pinkoddballs@hotmail.co.uk if you wish to receive details of how to apply. Tickets are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, and are subject to availability.

Further resources to support your visit to see Motown the Musical will be provided soon. Resources in previous years have included an SEN resource pack, a guide to the performance and venue, a story board and a visual story. They will also be offering special pre-show workshops.

Minimum age recommendation is 8+

The show is 2 hours 45 mins (including the nterval)

Starts 6:30 pm and ends at approx. 9:15 pm

Venue: Shaftesbury Theatre, 210 Shaftesbury Avenue, London, WC2H 8DP

Bubba Gump Shrimp Co London and The Sensory Seeker

July 30, 2015ReviewsBubba Gump, Eating out, London, ShrimpSensory Seeker

Bubba Gump Shrimp Co London

Bubba Gump Shrimp Co is a restaurant influenced from the famous 1994 film Forrest Gump. A must for any fan of the film and/or seafood, Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. remains the only restaurant chain based on a motion picture property. We were reluctant to go as we are not big seafood fans but were invited as part of an experience to visit Ripley’s Believe it or Not! London. Having researched before going that there was indeed non-seafood options on the menu for the children I agreed to go.

Initial Impressions of Bubba Gump Shrimp Co London

Straight away you see the iconic bench and box of chocolates from the film, and can sit and have your photo taken (I completely missed this though as it was popular and The Sensory Seeker would not have had the patience to wait). The restaurant was up some stairs which meant that The Sensory Seeker had plenty of movement before having to sit down. There is access for wheelchair users also.

Bubba Gump Shrimp Co and The Sensory Seeker

We sat in a booth with a table in the middle and bench seating either side. There was plenty of space and the height of the table was just right for eating. We had already decided what the children were eating but a menu was given to us anyway. On the table was a bucket which very usefully contained kitchen roll – I am assuming this was because of the amount of finger food consumed – but came in really handy when The Sensory Seeker knocked his drink all over the table. The children were given activity sheets and crayons straight away – which was a big help in keeping them settled during the short wait for the food. It was a great sensory experience with so many visual touches from the film all around, and the children’s food came presented in a little boat. The food was taken well by The Sensory Seeker (he opted for the burger and chips) even when he was surprised to see that it came with an orange (which he just let us remove).

The Food at Bubba Gump Shrimp Co London

I think there is a good variety of foods to try to suit all palates:

All kids menu include French fries, fruit and a special treat. My boys went for the Bus Bench Burger (£5.50) and the Holy Moly Macaroni Cheese Pleeze (£4.50; this actually has shrimp in it but we did not realise this from the menu!).

We had a selection of the signature dishes to try:

Shrimp Shack Mac & Cheese: An adult portion of what the children received of Macaroni mixed with sautéed Shrimp, Cheddar, Jack Cheese and Parmesan Cheese. Topped with golden bread crumbs. Deep fried Calamari & Best Ever Popcorn Shrimp – both served with Red Bell peppers and pepperoncinis served with dipping sauces. Run Across America Sample: Bubba’s Far Out Dip and Chips, Chilled Peel ‘n’ Eat Shrimp, spicy Chicken Strips, Hush Pups and Mama Blue’s Fried Shrimp. Seafood Hush Pups: Tasty Shrimp and Fish with golden corn, deep fried and served with a Remoulade dippin’ sauce. Shrimper’s Heaven: Hand Breaded Coconut Shrimp, Chilled Peel ‘n’ Eat Shrimp, Fried Shrimp and Japanese style Tempura Shrimp with Fries (plus the dipping sauces). Forrest’s Seafood Feast: Forrest’s favourite meal after a day on the boat! Hand breaded Southern Fried Shrimp, Seafood Hush Pups, Fish & Chips, & Coleslaw. Bubbas After the Storm ‘Bucket of Boat Trash’: Flash fried Shrimp, Fish with Cajun Spices and a steamed cluster of Snow Crab. Served with fries. Shrimp & Veggie Skewers: Large shrimp, skewered with fresh Red Bell Peppers, Red Onion, Yellow Squash and Zucchini, chargrilled and served with Jasmine Rice and a Lemon Garlic Cream Sauce. Dixie Style Baby Back Ribs: Ribs brushed with homemade BBQ sauce, slow roasted to perfection and served with fries. Net Catch Entrée: a twist on Bubba’s Classic! Beer steamed Peel ‘n’ Eat Shrimp, along with Carrots, Celery, Corn, Potatoes and Sausage all steamed and tossed with Garlic Spice or our Secret Cajun Spice recipe.

Puddings: Key Lime Pie (Garnished with whipped cream. We make this Florida classic from scratch!), Mama’s warm Bread Pudding, homemade Biscuit topped with fresh strawberries and melt in your mouth Chocolate Chip Cookie Sundae.

My Verdict of Bubba Gump Shrimp Co London

I have to admit that a seafood restaurant is not the first place I would have thought to take my children but glad we were invited. There were options that were not seafood but also seeing me eating it encouraged them to want to try it. The food was beautifully presented and the staff were very attentive (without being annoyingly in your face) – it was the perfect balance for my family. It was a spacious venue and there were television dotted around – also great for holding The Sensory Seeker’s attention. Downstairs is also a gift shop so you can continue your experience when you go home.

13 Coventry St, London W1D 7AB – nearest Tube Station Piccadilly Circus

We received free food in order to review Bubba Gump Shrimp Co London all words and opinions are my own.

Tesco Toy Testing & A Trip to London for Our Sensory Seeker

October 15, 2013Personal Postsdays out, LondonSensory Seeker

We were delighted to be invited to London for their Tesco Toy Team Casting day in Central London. They wanted a mix of children aged between 3 to 12 years old; well I have a 4, 6 and 10 year old boy who fitted the bill. Tesco Toys include good quality games, dress-up costumes as well as traditional toys. Tesco Toy testers are required to share with the nation what Tesco have on offer. It is felt that children can be the toughest critics so Tesco Toy testers needed to be super-enthusiastic little boys and girls to be the ones responsible for putting them through their paces and being directly asked what they thought.

Tesco Toy Testing Trip to London

So off the five of us went for a long journey to London. We caught a train at just after 8am, armed with two 3Ds and a tablet, some spare clothes (in case the youngest had an accident) and some snacks.

We were a bit worried because last time we had taken the boys to London it had all been a bit much of a sensory overload for the youngest and he did not cope well. I’m not sure if he was more able to cope, as he’d been before, or if we were better prepared but I could not be more proud of him. We didn’t even need his spare clothes.

Tesco Toy Tester with Disability

In fact he was the star of our family as he got right in there with the toys – immediately spotting his favourite cowboy Woody’s hat and claiming it! He took it well when the Octonauts Octopod Playset (£31.99 from Tescos) was taken upstairs so another child could be filmed saying why they liked it, and just got on and played with something else. Note I have included a link here because I believe you need to check it out – this is going to be a firm favourite this Christmas.

He listened well to the instructions of what he was meant to do and co-operated when they took his photo. When the boys did go upstairs (I thought it best to send them up all together) we all thought he wouldn’t say anything. But then right on film my 6 year old said, “my brother can’t talk very much” and my little man piped up, “Yes, I can!” It was so funny. He didn’t say much and the guy did not really get him talking about the Octonauts Octopod Playset but he looked cute.

He really enjoyed the day and was asking over and over to go back again the very next day. Now we are waiting to see if the boys are called back to become an official Toy Tester. If nothing else he is really big on Batman lately and we discovered the Batman Imaginext Batcave.

Tesco Toy Testing over – Things to do in London

Whilst we were in London we also popped back over to the National History Museum, where little man had remembered that there were dinosaurs. He did not cope well with the crowded bridge over the dinosaurs again. We also got to go into the Princess Diana Memorial Park. This is a fantastic place and I recommend it to anyone. Not only is it a fab park but it gave us the opportunity to go to the toilet for free!!

This is not a sponsored post. My family’s transport to attend the event was covered, and the boys did receive a goody bag but writing a post was not a requirement.