REVIEW: To Kill A Mockingbird at MK Theatre

Production truly brings the classic novel to life on stage

To Kill A Mockingbird is at MK Theatre until March 14. 

The book has delighted fans for generations, and now there’s a play to keep audiences entertained. For those of us who loved To Kill A Mockingbird from our school days, you do feel a little apprehensive about seeing the production. Could it possibly do the novel justice? 

But you don’t need to be concerned. The play is firmly rooted in the book and pays homage to the beautiful words of Harper Lee, truly bringing the tale to life on stage. Even if you don’t know the book firsthand, the themes of racial prejudice and fighting for what you believe are still relevant today. 

To Kill A Mockingbird follows the story of a black man wrongly accused of rape in a close-knit Southern community, all told through the eyes of a child. The three children, Rosie Boore, Billy Price and Milo Panni, were excellent in their observations of the adults’ behaviour. 

Overall, the cast was brilliant, but a special mention should go to Daniel Betts, who played one of the most famous characters in English literature and the moral compass of the story, Atticus. As he says, “you never really know a man until you stand in his shoes.”

A wonderful evening. Until Saturday. 

DEBBIE HALL

Mothers Day Gift Ideas

If you haven't got round to getting your mum a gift for mothers day, don't panic, you've still got time and we've got a few ideas for you... If you've got a copy of this month's Phonebox magazine, flick to pages 34-35 to get some great inspiration for mother's day gifts, many of which you can buy locally...

Personalised and handmade gifts always have that certain special touch, and homemade gifts can also help when there isn't much money to be spared. Gifts don't have to necessarily be material, why not treat your mum to a nice meal, or a day trip out. If you're the artistic type you could sew, paint or create something really unique for your Mum this year.

If all else fails, chocolates or flowers (or both!) tend to go down well, and if your Mum's a gardening fan then why not get a potted plant or even seeds as a twist on buying flowers, that way they'll last and will be a constant reminder of the gift you gave her.

Pinch punch, last day of the month...?!

Welcome to the last day of March! April sounds so much more spring like, I'm beginning to get excited for summer...because April means spring, and spring means it's nearly summer, you see the logic?!

Regardless, it should hopefully be a sunny month coming up, I know we often get a bit of a cold and snowy spell in this month, but also we can get heatwaves, that's what we're hoping for this year, it's been far too long and cold a winter to keep it going into April! The blossom has been out a while now, and as long as the frost stays away we can expect to be seeing more flowers and blossom...and all things summery around outside.

Time to did into the Phonebox magazine and follow our latest walk (have a look at the online copy here) and enjoy some real spring-time scenery!

Sport Relief

It's that time of year again, and today marks the official start of Sport Relief! Although you've probably seen merchandise in the shops and adverts on the TV and radio for the last month or so, today actually kicks off the Sport Relief weekend.

Events are taking place across the country, with the Sainsbury's Sport Relief games; the swimathon, the mile and the cycle, which are taking place in a number of locations, allowing for everyone who wants to get involved to do so. Sponsorship raised through these events goes towards the work Sport Relief are doing, which helps people both at home in the UK and abroad, helping create safer lives, stronger communities, healthier finances, better futures and a fairer society. In the UK, Sport Relief provide young people with shelter and protection for those living on the streets and suffering domestic abuse, and further afield providing communities with clean water and life-saving vaccinations.

As well as the big three Sainsbury's games, there will be numerous other events and activities taking place across the country today and over the weekend. Today will be a big one for schools and workplaces I reckon, with various sponsored events taking place all in aid of Sport Relief. There's a song that's been written with the idea of getting it sung in school assemblies, some schools will be holding Sport themed events which the children have been fundraising for, as well as fundraising sales, mufti days and more!

How do you feel about the event? It's clearly a great way of raising money and helping loads of great causes, but is it a bit too hyped up or do you think that's just the necessary way of getting the message across to thousands of people at the same time? We'd love to hear your thoughts on Sport Relief, let us know if you're doing anything for the weekend in order to raise money. Or maybe you're the less sporty type and are planning on watching the night of Sport Relief TV tonight (7pm)… I know which I'll be doing!

Sarah

Spring?!

Are we beginning to see a glimmer of Spring? I know it officially isn't springtime until the end of March (at least) but the evenings and mornings are beginning to get lighter and this is very good news indeed! The past few days I've been woken up by the sun shining in on my face, which as much as I love my sleep and don't like to be interrupted, definitely makes a welcome change from trying to get up in the dark! I even saw a bit of blue sky today…shocking I know!

It really does have an effect on your mood though, doesn't it?! Leaving work in the sunshine rather than the dark makes you feel like you've still got a few hours left to enjoy the day, rather than feeling the need to crawl inside by the fire with a duvet! The worry in the back of my mind is the reminder that we have often had snow as late as April… I'm hoping we've missed out on that weather this year but maybe that's being a little too hopeful! It looks for now that it's just rain, rain and more rain in store, fingers crossed this sun stays about, we sure need it to dry up all this flooding!

Sarah

Olney Pancake Race

We're counting down to the big event in March, the Olney Pancake race. One month to go as of yesterday, excitement is building as advertising gets out and people start practicing for the big race… I assume they'll be practicing anyway, with such great prizes on offer! Prizes this year range from Six Nations rugby tickets, to football tickets and vouchers. With such a limited number of spaces available, 25 to be precise, we're guessing most of them have already been snatched up by the Olney ladies wanting to compete and catch a moment of fame. The highly famous event attracts numerous reporters and onlookers every year, and so this year is set to be no different. We're looking forward to it!

Find out more here