Winning big with Birmingham Hippodrome!

Last year Michelle Parker won our big Facebook competition of 2012, grabbing a pair of tickets to a production at Birmingham Hippodrome every month for a duration of 12 months.   Before using her last tickets Michelle recently took the time to tell us about winning such a big prize and her 12 months experiencing what Birmingham Hippodrome has to offer…

Birmingham Hippodrome

I wouldn’t say I am obsessed with entering competitions, but there are a few that just pop out and demand a sneaky look. I am a big fan of the Birmingham Hippodrome, visiting regularly with friends and family to see musicals, dance and ballet, BRB and Matthew Bourne‘s dance extravaganzas among my favourites. Needless to say I could not resist entering the chance to win a years supply of Hippodrome theatre tickets. 

Ben Wooldridge (press & PR) got in touch on the 2nd February, 2 days before my birthday, to inform me that I had won the competition. I was excited beyond belief and literally spent the whole afternoon ‘whooping’ and marvelling in my good fortune, lucky lucky me!  The first show and prize collection was due the following Tuesday, 8th February, sadly I was unable to attend as I was 37+ weeks pregnant and very uncomfortable, so I sent my daughter and a family friend to see the show and pick up the prize bundle on my behalf.  

Tracie Bennett in End of the Rainbow

The arrival of baby Martha in early March mean’t me missing a few more shows. My biggest disappointment was not being able to see WNO’s Turandot, I have always desperately wanted to see an opera, it is still on my list of things to do! But thankfully friends and family members benefited from attending in my absence. My daughter took one of her friends to see Thriller as a birthday treat. I was glad the tickets went to ‘good homes’.

One of the biggest surprises and a show that I probably would not have booked to see was End of the Rainbow starring Tracie Bennett as Judy Garland. Tracie was absolutely brilliant, the whole show was one great big emotional roller coaster, I would definitely go again and again!  Another  highlight for me was BRB’s Nutcracker, a firm favourite and something of a family tradition now. I made the most of this Christmas treat by using the meal for two, also part of the prize, my husband and I had a wonderful meal and were privileged to see another fabulous performance.  I’m now looking forward to my first ever panto next week.

 A big thank you to Birmingham Hippodrome for the most wonderful prize!

There is still time to win with our big competition of 2013 on facebook with the GOLDEN TICKET - giving you the opportunity to win a pair of tickets to win tickets to 24 productions worth over £1,900! CLICK HERE to find out how, but hurry – the competition closes at 12.30pm on Fri 27 Jan.

Panto spreads a smile even outside of the theatre…

 Ben Wooldridge tells us about a rewarding week at work…

There are many things that I enjoy about my job, but the last couple of days have to be among the most rewarding having  taken some of the stars of our pantomime, Cinderella to visit some very special children.

Asif gives Cinders a kiss at Birmingham Childrens Hospital

Panto is always an extremely busy schedule for the cast, but performers are always willing to give up their time before or between shows to make a special visit to some outstanding charities to see the work that they do and the people they benefit.

Last Thursday, Kathryn Rooney (our Cinders) and Dan Burton (the dashing Dandini) joined me on a visit to Birmingham Children’s Hospital. Appearing on the wards in full costume, the panto stars took time to meet and greet with patients, their families and staff  before heading back to the theatre for the matinee performance. We met some great kids on our travels, especially cheeky little Asif who you can see giving  Cinderella a kiss on the cheek! Birmingham Hippodrome will this year again be supporting the hospital by offering patients and their families free tickets to see Cinderella as part of the ongoing Panto Appeal made possible by kind donations from the public when booking tickets.  Thanks to everyone who has donated – you make this possible.

Henry and family meet Basil Brush at Acorns Childrens Hospice

Following on from Thursday’s magical trip, I then had the pleasure of escorting the one and only Mr.Basil Brush to Acorns Childrens Hospice in Selly Oak;  Acorns cares for nearly 600 children who have life limiting or life threatening conditions.  We had a great time chatting to the children at the hospice and Basil made a fantastic friend in Henry who showed our fox round the centre.

All in all it proved to be a memorable highlight of my time working at Birmingham Hippodrome and one that I look forward to repeating this time next year!

Cinderella ends Sunday 29th January.