Comedy, classic texts, and side-splitting chaos: we chat to the revered Slapstick Picnic

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Comedy, classic texts, and side-splitting chaos: we chat to the revered Slapstick Picnic

Slapstick Picnic – the clue’s in the name – puts on outdoor theatre performances with a very untraditional twist. Think classic texts made wickedly fun by delightful comedic genius. Think joyous slapstick moments, a handful of actors playing ten or twenty characters, side-splitting laughter… and your very own picnic (with as much wine as you like) to top it all off. 

As for the backdrop to these chaotic literary adventures? That could be the stunning gardens of a stately home, the bustling centre of Covent Garden, a Roman Amphitheatre... or any number of other impressive destinations near you. These guys do have almost 50 tour dates in the calendar this summer, after all.

What else to expect? Immersive fun – bags of it. Seriously talented performers; seriously intelligent writing; seriously inventive productions; props made from picnic baskets… oh, and the occasional interruption from a peacock, or some other comically apt farmyard animal. (The animals aren’t planned, by the way. Such are the perils of performing out in the open, against a backdrop of beautiful summer sunsets. And on the topic of weather – the occasional unplanned downpour also only adds to the fun.)

Needless to say, this really is a theatre experience like no other. If you’re intrigued to know more – and how could you not be? – read on for our interview with producer Paul, one of the brilliant brains behind Slapstick Picnic (who, as if that weren’t impressive enough, is also one of The HandleBards, a touring collective of Shakespearean actors that travels around the UK by bicycle, props in-tow.)

Here, he talks all things slapstick comedy, tells us about the group’s raucous production of Peter Pan this summer, and imparts some very solid words of wisdom for budding performing arts enthusiasts.

Here we go 👇.

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Mythology, weddings, and Proms in the Woods: This is Thorington Theatre one year on

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Mythology, weddings, and Proms in the Woods: This is Thorington Theatre one year on

Picture this: a natural amphitheatre carved into the ground by a WWII bomb, shrouded by beautiful woodland. A soundtrack of birds warbling and wildlife rustling in the nearby trees. Filling out the sustainably coppiced timber benches of the theatre; a hushed audience, waiting in eager anticipation for the magic that’s about to unfold before them.

It can only be Thorington Theatre – the unique oasis that gives the concept of outdoor theatre a new, irresistibly ethereal lease of life.

Born in 2021, this nature-shrouded host to the performing arts was the “result of good timing”. Speaking to us last year, Oscar Brennecke-Dunn, Theatre Manager at Thorington Theatre, told us how “locals had always felt that the landscape [...] was crying out to be transformed.” When the pandemic hit, it turned out that some local carpenters had time on their hands. At the same time, the farm the amphitheatre is situated on had chestnut trees in need of coppicing. And of course, at the same time as that, there was a rising demand for outdoor venues… enter: a genius new theatre crafted from sustainably sourced timber.

As if all that weren’t impressive enough, the venue has always placed an impressive amount of emphasis on sustainability, having been built with the smallest carbon footprint possible.

Now, one year on from our first chat with Oscar, and as Thorington Theatre is about to enter another busy season of plays, comedy, weddings and much more, we get the low-down on how things are going.

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Meet Becky, Founder of Legs Body Finish – the wine club with a full-bodied difference

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Meet Becky, Founder of Legs Body Finish – the wine club with a full-bodied difference

Legs Body Finish is a wine tasting events business with a big difference. Several differences actually – the most refreshing of which has to be its dedication to lightheartedness and fun over cliched snobbery. (Note the opening line on its ‘about’ web page: “We love wine… the taste and the effects.”) 

Then there are the club’s wine tasting events for mums and dads – called Champers & Pampers, naturally – which have us raising our arms to the sky asking how on earth no one has thought of this before. Genius. 

There’s a Sip & Savour Supper Club too, which sumptuously combines thought-provoking food with equally as impressive wine. 

There’s nothing not to love about Legs, Body Finish, so we’re sure you’ll enjoy reading what founder Becky Jackson has to say in this event creator spotlight👇.

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Event spotlight: 5 empowering events we’re celebrating this International Women’s Day 

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Event spotlight: 5 empowering events we’re celebrating this International Women’s Day 

As International Women’s Day (IWD) comes around each year, we find ourselves getting seriously inspired by the incredible events popping up on our platform here at Ticket Tailor.

“Together we can forge women’s equality,” promises the IWD website, and we believe it’s events like these👇 that well and truly give this statement legs. From the dimly-lit story reading evenings that celebrate women writers, through to the tequila-fuelled dance nights and eye-opening panel discussions; these female-focused happenings really do come in all shapes and sizes. 

Of course, they all have one thing in common: a steadfast commitment to celebrating the dazzling, no-holds-barred brilliance of women. And through it, each event – no matter how big or small – takes us one step closer to a more gender equal world. That’s pretty powerful stuff, we’d say.
So, without further ado, here are five brilliant events we’re celebrating this International Women’s Day. We hope you find them as inspiring as we do… who knows, maybe this time next year you could be seeing your own event featured on the list! 

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Talking to Laura Letters Life – on turning a passion into a thriving creative & wellbeing business

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Talking to Laura Letters Life – on turning a passion into a thriving creative & wellbeing business

Laura Edralin discovered calligraphy after a period of stress in her own life, and quickly realised there was an invaluable connection between the calming practice and mental wellbeing. Since then, against the backdrop of the pandemic, she’s gone from working full time as an Events Producer to running her own thriving calligraphy business.

Laura Letters Life offers a range of workshops, courses and events to individuals and businesses, delivering 100 workshops to over 1000 people over the past two years. Laura’s also recently completed her Wellbeing Coaching qualification, and has just launched Sparkle & Script, an evening of wine tasting and calligraphy in London. Through it all – her mantra of core values remains steadfast: Calm, Create, Connect. 

Here, she tells us all about her inspiring journey. 

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Meeting Show Aloha Land – probably one of the most festive Christmas events in the world, ever

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Meeting Show Aloha Land – probably one of the most festive Christmas events in the world, ever

Imagine Willy Wonka’s factory meets every festive scene from every Christmas movie ever. Then throw in adventure activities, sparkling train rides, spectacular lighting displays, and a whole lot of snow – all nestled away in a sprawling magical wonderland on the island of Hawaiʻi... 

…You’re getting close to picturing the epic Show Aloha Land. There’s more, too. Giant bubble machines, delicious food, human snow globes. The list goes on. In case you were wondering, yes, this fantastical, festive feast of Christmas fun is a huge hit. But the really crazy thing is that it only started in 2020, with the first ever event accruing $500,000 in donations and sponsorship – all of which went to good causes. 

Read on to find out how a charity drive during the pandemic snowballed into one of the most spectacular Christmas events of all time, IOCLHO (in our Christmas-loving honest opinion).

Here, we chat to one of the masterminds behind Show Aloha Land, Aryn Nakaoka, to find out what it’s all about 👇.

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Event Spotlight: Transgender awareness week

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Event Spotlight: Transgender awareness week

As Transgender awareness week comes to an end, we’re celebrating some of our fave inclusive events.

What is Transgender awareness week?

Taking place on November 13-19 every year, Transgender awareness week brings awareness to issues being faced by the transgender community. Transgender awareness week culminates in the Transgender Day of Remembrance, a day of tribute for transgender people who have died due to widespread transphobic violence.

There are so many inspiring events and initiatives highlighting allyship, and shining a light on the lived experience of trans people. We’re lucky to be able to share some of our favourite positive events using Ticket Tailor.

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8 crucial things to know about running a food and drink festival – from people who’ve done it

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8 crucial things to know about running a food and drink festival – from people who’ve done it

Thinking of running your own food and drink festival? Hats off to you, we say! 🎩

Whether you’re a wine connoisseur, craft beer enthusiast, or all-out foodie (perhaps all of the above?) – running a festival to celebrate your favourite fare can be a rewarding and profitable experience. It can also provide the perfect opportunity to raise money for charity, so if you’re looking for a very fun (read: tasty) way to do a good deed, you’re in the right place.

Here, we chat to two successful food and drink festival creators to find out all about how to run an event like this as smoothly as possible.

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Thorington theatre: A sustainable approach to events 

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Thorington theatre: A sustainable approach to events 

Sustainability from the start: We talk to Oscar Brennecke-Dunn, Theatre Manager of new outdoor Thorington Theatre nestled in Suffolk woodland.

Established in 2021, Thorington is a theatre like no other. This hidden gem makes use of a natural amphitheatre (a result of a WWII bomb!), and was constructed with the smallest carbon footprint possible. This focus on sustainability didn’t stop there.

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How One Dad Turned A Kids’ Day Out Into A Thriving Business With 30+ Venues

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How One Dad Turned A Kids’ Day Out Into A Thriving Business With 30+ Venues

FunWithTrains is a kids’ events business that sees little ones playing with gigantic train tracks across over 30 venues in the UK. It’s family run, and prides itself on providing great fun entertainment for kids without breaking the bank – not least because adults go free!

Read on to find out about how Joga Shocker turned an afternoon out with his son into a successful events business (that also happened to survive a pandemic…)

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