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With no big names or celebrity performers, the real draw of Soul Sister at the Savoy Theatre is its telling of the Ike and Turner story against the backdrop of her legendary and extremely stageworthy songs.

Starring Emi Wokoma and Chris Tummings in the lead roles, the production which transferred from Hackney Empire, has a lot going for it.

A talented cast, the singing was top class, but with songs like Private Dancer, Simply the Best and River Deep, Mountain High hitting the audience hard and fast, a slight lack of development in the script meant the play was in danger of becoming a Tina Turner tribute concert.

Which is not necessarily a bad thing, but myself and my friend who joined me on the night, would have loved to have seen some further – and deeper – development in the script.

Wokoma who works hard to take on the characteristics of Tina, while still managing to make the songs her own, is undoubtedly the star of the show and ultimately keeps it from being the feared tribute concert. She’s definitely one to look out for in the future.

Soul Sister is at the Savoy Theatre until September 29, before touring the UK.

Media Mummy rating: 3 out of 5 stars.

 

 

HOW’S your new year going so far? Still a few days left until the kids go back to school? Yeah, I feel you…

Well it may help to know that Hyde Park’s Winter Wonderland is running a Family Fun Day on Sunday (January 6) where a number of activities are free for visitors. Every little helps right?

The little ones can get their faces painted for free, take part in balloon sculpting workshops and pick up some circus skills. There’s also a Santa Parade and Teletubbies meet and greet, as well as comedy performances and a magician entertaining the crowd.

And as the event is specifically aimed at children, the site is also alcohol-free for the day.

Visit the site for more information on exactly what’s available www.hydeparkwinterwonderland.com/family-fun-day

With a voice cast boasting the likes of Rob Schneider, Heather Graham, James Corden, Bill Nighy and Colm Meaney, it’s no surprise a crowd of VIPs and their children braved the cold to enjoy a Sunday morning screening of latest Lionsgate offering Norm of the North.

Singer Una Foden stepped out with her three year old mini me, daughter Aoife Belle – the pair clad in matching denim ensembles.

Other celebrities taking part in the ‘fun in the foyer’ activities included Cherry Healey, Justin Lee Collins and former X Factor contestants The Brooks, before TV presenter Kate Garraway introduced the film to a packed screening room at London’s Empire Leicester Square cinema.

In the film Schneider voices a dancing polar bear who can speak to humans, tasked with saving his Arctic home from property developers.

My six year old enjoyed the film but a big part of that was probably due to the soundtrack – which included Walk to the Moon’s catchy Shut Up and Dance – rather than any riveting storyline.

While the animated offering is not on a par with Disney’s Frozen which is of course loved by children and adults alike(!), I did find myself sniggering at some of the jokes. And judging from the reaction of children at the screening, they also seemed to find the film amusing.

Norm of the North hits UK cinemas on March 18.

www.normofthenorth.co.uk

 

 

IF you follow my posts, you’ll know I’m a huge fan of Aveeno Baby, it works fantastically on my son’s skin and I have no complaints!

Now the brand has teamed up with baby food expert Miriam Cooper, aka Mimi’s Bowl, to mark Allergy Awareness Week with two yummy recipes suitable for even the most sensitive of tiny tummies.

A perfect partnership, Aveeno Baby’s range of skincare products are specially designed using oats to be gentle on your little one’s skin – the latest Dermexa range has been created for eczema-prone skin.

While Miriam works to show how you can create healthy and simple meals for the family at home, especially when introducing your baby to solids for the first time during weaning.

Weaning is when you may start to notice your child’s skin becoming irritated due to allergens, so these two recipes from Mimi’s Bowl are allergen-free #winning.

For more information visit www.mimisbowl.com. Aveeno Baby products are available to buy at all major retailers.