Dirty Rotten Scoundrels is currently playing at the Savoy Theatre and is based on the hit comedy film starring Sir Michael Caine. Set on the French Riviera, we follow the story of two con men that compete for a bet to swindle a millionaire soap heiress.

I get excited about going to the theatre when a) I’m about to see a show I already know off by heart and therefore I know I’m going to love it, and b) when I know absolutely nothing about the show I’m about to see other than it involves an absolute stellar cast. Last night’s show was certainly the latter, and I wasn’t disappointed.

Dirty Rotten Scoundrels is a huge farcical musical led by three time Olivier and Tony award winner Robert Lindsay and comedy legend Rufus Hound. I was particularly impressed with their onstage partnership as they both commanded the stage with such a warm, charismatic and playful energy. So much so that at times they did corpse, but this made their characters seem even more endearing and one of the aspects of this show that was particularly unique was their direct relationship with the audience. Throughout the whole show it felt that the audience were in on all of their jokes and were discovering and uncurling the plot alongside them both. It was superbly directed that way, as the pair of them had the audience eating out of the palm of their hand and we so wanted them both to succeed despite the fact that they were conning the rather goofy and clumsy Christine (played by the beautiful soprano Kathryn Kingsley).

Samantha Bond is probably one of my favourite TV actresses, particularly as “Aunt Rosamund” in Downton Abbey, so I had high expectations from her performance. She certainly is a fabulous actress and brought great humour to the show, confident vocals and even a dance routine or two. I have to admit I found her a bit wooden and lacking in ‘spark’ during her movement sequences, but I later read that this was her first musical theatre show so perhaps dance classes haven’t been top of her list of priorities in the past. She wasn’t heavily featured in the show, but provided us with a cheeky side story so there was no question that the audience would ever lose interest with such a lot of action taking place, twist after twist.

This show provided a fantastic evening’s entertainment, with a strong ensemble delivering brilliant choreography, upbeat numbers and constant humour throughout both acts. It’s not an absolute must see as there isn’t any content that is particularly thought provoking or revolutionary, but for a chilled out evening to escape the busy lives we lead, this show won’t let you down. I award it with a generous 4 stars and urge you to see it with this current star-led cast as I feel that they really make the show the extravaganza that it is.

I can only speak for myself of course, but the fact that they received an impressive standing ovation on a Monday night pretty much says it all!

Jigsaw Performing Arts is dedicated to developing performance skills, promoting self-expression and building confidence. We offer performing arts classes for children aged between 3 – 18. Find your nearest school by entering your postcode into the search on our home page. 

Why is Dance Important?

This guest blog was written by Isabelle, who teaches dance at Jigsaw Balham, Jigsaw Bexleyheath and Jigsaw Croydon!

Dance has been a huge part of my life for as long as I can remember. Many of my fondest childhood memories are of being in the vibrant heat of the dance studio learning new moves or bustling backstage amongst friends, in hushed anticipation for the ever exciting prospect of performing.

I was introduced to teaching as part of my practice whilst studying dance at State University of New York. Being a part of facilitating classes that provide joyous memories for young people has been an extremely rewarding part of my work ever since. I have been teaching dance at Jigsaw since 2016 when I relocated to London to undertake a Master of Fine Arts Degree in Choreography at Trinity Laban Conservatoire, and I am delighted to give some insight into our wonderful classes.

During a dance class, time is allocated for energetic, creative play, interaction with others and moments of quiet focus. These separate elements interweave seamlessly to build a varied and compelling learning platform that will enrich any child’s development, from early years all the way up to adolescence.

As the dance class begins, there is always a buzzing energy among the students as they ready themselves for the exhilarating hour of jumping, twisting and stretching that is about to commence.

The room is filled with excited chatter as bodies quickly ready themselves by pushing their belongings to the side and finding a space to move in, eagerly waiting for today’s pop song to warm up to.

Participation in performing arts and physical practice within a group setting enables children to engage with a sense of belonging and recognise the importance of community. During a dance class we regularly perform in front of each other, and equally learn how to be a supportive and respectful audience. When a child experiences what it feels like to be both a performer and an audience member, they learn to be compassionate towards others and themselves.

Mutual sharing of our skills in a safe and structured space allows a child’s confidence to blossom, and collectively we begin to recognise the importance of practice and progress over perfection. Instilling inclusivity and kindness during our learning establishes a solid foundation for social interactions and bonding throughout the day at Jigsaw. As a teacher, it’s amazing to witness the strength of the friendships that flourish in this environment.

Having fun and socialising while we dance at a young age can shape the positive associations we have with physical exercise for life.

Children who participate in dance understand and appreciate movement as an exhilarating, sensory experience that awakens our bodies and allows for absolute freedom of expression, in a way that counterpoints our usual verbal outlets. Movement that incorporates play, improvisation and spontaneity benefits young dancers as helps them build their own spatial awareness, coordination and choreographic creativity as they grow accustom to freely stringing together movement phrases.

As well as being physically liberating, dance also contributes to mindfulness, which is particularly beneficial for our teenage students who are approaching adulthood and facing all sorts of challenges, such as increased responsibilities and exam pressures. The structure of a dance class recognises the benefits of repetition and routine – therefore bringing about a sense of stability and a space away from the usual every day, where any worries can be left at the door.

When learning specific dance technique, there is an air of concentration and perseverance amongst dance students as they work hard to conquer detailed footwork, contemplate the effects of their posture and recall set routines. Words cannot describe the elated feeling of successfully landing a jazz leap or completing a full circle pirouette for the first time. Reaching milestones when learning dance technique gives children a sense of pride and achievement that sparks an inner desire for continued progression. Moments of triumph like this, shape young people into becoming enthusiastic, ambitious and resilient individuals. It is truly amazing to see these qualities shine through in our brilliant students at Jigsaw each weekend!

Jigsaw Performing Arts is dedicated to developing performance skills, promoting self-expression and building confidence. We offer performing arts classes for children aged between 3 – 18. Find your nearest school by entering your postcode into the search on our home page. 

We have a fantastic competition for a Jigsaw student to win tickets to The Comedy About A Bank Robbery at the Criterion Theatre! Read on to see how to enter…

Win tickets to see five-star show The Comedy About A Bank Robbery!

Breaking into its fourth year, Mischief Theatre’s smash-and-grab hit The Comedy About A Bank Robbery is a fast, fabulous comedy caper and the funniest show in the West End.

Summer 1958. Minneapolis City Bank has been entrusted with a priceless diamond. An escaped convict is dead set on pocketing the gem with the help of his screwball sidekick, trickster girlfriend… and the maintenance man. With mistaken identities, love triangles and hidden agendas, even the most reputable can’t be trusted. In a town where everyone’s a crook, who will end up bagging the jewel?

Book now for this dynamite comedy. It would be criminal to miss it!

★★★★★ ‘This is the funniest show in the West End’ – The Telegraph
★★★★★ ‘This fast and fabulous comedy caper is a joyful night out’ – The Times

For your the chance to win a family ticket, answer this question:

“What would you do with a priceless diamond?”

Send your answers to en*******@ji*********.uk with the subject line ‘Bank Robbery Competition’.

Include which Jigsaw school you attend.

Deadline: 5:30pm, Friday 8th November.

(Please note, the show is recommended for those 11+)

The Comedy About A Bank Robbery is playing at the Criterion Theatre until November 2020. For more information and to book tickets (from £10) call 03333 202 895 or visit bankrobberycomedy.com

Terms & conditions: One winner will receive a family ticket (four tickets, minimum one adult) to see The Comedy About A Bank Robbery, at the Criterion Theatre, valid for Tuesday to Thursday performances from 19 November to 13 December 2019 and 7 to 30 January 2020. Subject to availability. No cash alternative. Travel and accommodation not included.

Jigsaw Performing Arts is dedicated to developing performance skills, promoting self-expression and building confidence. We offer performing arts classes for children aged between 3 – 18. Find your nearest school by entering your postcode into the search on our home page. 

When you need a break from the usual rotation of animated family favourites, try introducing your children to some classic musicals!

What’s great about these classic musicals is that, unlike many other classic films, they can be broad, funny, colourful and fast-paced enough to hold younger ones’ attentions. Even if they don’t sit still for the whole film, or can’t quite follow the plot, the musical sequences are normally very entertaining just by themselves.

Annie Get Your Gun (1950)

Frank Butler, the sharpshooting star of Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show, loses a shooting challenge to Annie Oakley who becomes his rival when she joins the show.

The two main characters in this broad comedic musical often act like petulant children themselves, boasting in one number ‘Anything You Can Do, I Can Do Better!’ There’s some enjoyable Wild West show stunts, and the whole film carries the message that women can compete in the same sports that men can (and sometimes, they’re actually better!).

There is a questionable musical number that you might want to fast-forward through (‘I’m an Indian, Too’), but otherwise the film is colourful, fast-moving and fun.

Singin’ in the Rain (1952)

While the jokes about Hollywood’s transition from the silent era to sound will fly over their heads, there’s still plenty here for younger viewers to love.

Many of the catchy songs (repurposed from earlier films) have become classics and the dancing is some of the best ever committed to film. ‘Make ‘Em Laugh’ and ‘Moses Supposes’ are especially goofy, energetic and anarchic. Overall, even in the quieter moments, there’s an infectious sense of joy to the entire film and a charm to the main trio of performers – Gene Kelly, Debbie Reynolds and Donald O’Connor – that’s irresistible.

Do watch out for the long fantasy sequence in the middle of the film, which is spectacular in itself but, being completely divorced from the plot, might cause some attention spans to drag. But otherwise this is a film that’s still fun for the whole family.

Kiss Me Kate (1953)

A musical about a musical – a director entices his ex-wife to appear in his new show and then has to stop her from leaving half-way through. There are also some gangsters (silly rather than scary) who infiltrate the show, with hilarious slapstick results.

The costumes are outlandish and colourful, the dance numbers are surreal and spectacular as they were originally designed and shot in 3D (plus a young Bob Fosse makes an appearance), and the plot is easy to follow but not that important for enjoying the rest of the film.

The Music Man (1962)

The most charming con man alive brings music to a small Midwestern town. When he’s exposed, the town spare him because of how much he has enriched their lives.

Younger viewers will enjoy how “Professor” Harold Hill outsmarts the school board by causing them to constantly break into song, as well as the story of shy child Winthrop (a young Ron Howard) being drawn out of his shell through music.

There’s a wholesome message at the centre of it all – that anyone can sing, anyone can enjoy creating music! – and the parade that closes the film is an explosion of colour and music.

What classic musicals do your children enjoy? Let us know on Facebook or Instagram! 

Christmas is a magical time of the year! From family gatherings, roast dinner and giving gifts it’s a holiday season full of fun and celebration. There are lots of magical shows across the country this time of year, so we thought we would compile a list just for you – with a Jigsaw twist! Read about the Christmas shows this holiday season featuring our talented students and teachers.

Nativity! The Musical

Adapted for the stage by Debbie Isitt, this festive musical has all the sparkle and shine of the original films. Join Mr Maddens and his teaching assistant Mr Poppy as they try to mount the best school Nativity musical St Bernadette’s School has ever seen.  Featuring guest appearances from Danny & Dani Dyer and Jo Brand this show promises to leave you with the feel-good factor from start to finish. Did you know, our very own Sofia Beswick from Jigsaw Arts Management is in the cast too!

See it at Eventim Apollo from the 19^th-31^st of December 2018.

The Bodyguard (UK Tour)

Former Secret Service agent turned bodyguard, Frank Farmer, is hired to protect superstar Rachel Marron from an unknown stalker. Each expects to be in charge – what they don’t expect is to fall in love. The smash-hit West End musical starring Alexandra Burke and Rachel Marron also features Jigsaw Arts Management student Noah Burnett. Catch him in theatres across the county including Cardiff, Glasgow, Liverpool, Belfast, Southampton and Milton Keynes to name a few!

The show tours from 3^rd December 2018 – 17^th August 2019.

A Christmas Carol

Visit the Chickenshed Theatre for a magical and brilliantly uplifting retelling of the unforgettable story of Ebenezer Scrooge, that “squeezing, wrenching, grasping, scraping, clutching, covetous, old sinner”. Follow his spooky encounters over the course of one incredible night, and his journey ultimately to become the friendly, charitable man who “knew how to keep Christmas well”.

Jigsaw Reviews Competition Winner Thomas Coyne of Jigsaw Croydon will be reviewing the show next month. Watch this space! (Update: read his review here!)

Beauty and the Beast

When an arrogant prince is cursed to live as a terrifying beast until he finds his true love you would think that he would be doom forever. “Oh no he’s not!” We hear you shout, and you would be right to think so. This Christmas see our very own Melissa Coleman from Jigsaw Balham and Ilford as Belle and meet a host of other characters along the way including a good fairy, a nasty witch, the prince, and of course Dame Dotty Doughnut and Muddles who looked after the palace and the prince.

See it at The Broadway Theatre Barking from the 29^th November – 31^st December 2018.

Robinson Crusoe (Pantomime)

Our very own Performing Arts Teacher from Jigsaw Harrow, Meg Blowey will be treading the boards in schools and community theatres across Essex this Christmas as Robinson Crusoe. Can Robinson manage to survive a shipwreck, life on a desert island and win Polly’s heart?

Touring from 24^th-21^st December.

Which of these great Christmas shows will you be watching?

Jigsaw Performing Arts is dedicated to developing performance skills, promoting self-expression and building confidence. We offer performing arts classes for children aged between 3 – 18. Find your nearest school by entering your postcode into the search on our home page. 

Christmas Present ideas for Children who Love Performing

Holiday shopping is in full swing, but what to get for those children whose main interests are acting, singing and dancing? It can be hard to connect these interests with Christmas presents that the recipients will actually appreciate and enjoy. Hopefully our guide will help!

Christmas present ideas for children who love to perform

Theatre tokens

Theatre tokens have no expiry date and can be used at a range of venues across the country. There’s something for everyone – we believe you’re never too young to enjoy a trip to the theatre.

The best part about theatre tokens actually comes after the gift is given. You can involve the child or children who receive them in researching shows near you and deciding what to spend them on to see.

Acting out board games

Charades is a great game for those who like to act out, and there’s nothing like a board game to bring everyone together with family fun. What’s more, this version for kids includes picture cards, meaning even non-readers can take part.

Then The Story Telling Game will engage their creative skills, getting them to incorporate a word into a continuation of an ongoing story. Similarly, Hasbro’s Cranium Junior incorporates a variety of challenges into moving around the board, including performing.

Sing-A-Long Musicals on DVD/BluRay

This Christmas Present bring the experience of singalong screenings to your home. From classics like The Sound of Music to recent hits like The Greatest Showman, there are plenty of DVDs and BluRays of musicals that

Make sure to buy the Sing-Along edition or, if in a pinch, you can turn on the standard subtitles when those big musical numbers arrive and flick them off again for the dialogue scenes.

If you’re looking for inspiration, check out our list of our favourite musicals from our 20th Anniversary celebrations. And, if you want to go the extra mile, pick up the relevant song book too, so they can have the lyrics and notes in front of them.

Plays on film

For older or more literary-minded children, there are a wealth of filmed plays you can watch and discuss together. These have certain advantages over going to theatre – it’s much easier to pause to take a loo break!

Studying plays at school often misses the crucial fact that they are written to be performed (and enjoyed). A great production can transform tricky language on the page, even Shakespeare, making plays more accessible and fun. Good starting points are The RSC, The Globe, or the streaming service Digital Theatre.

There are also plenty of movie adaptations of plays that preserve the original language. However sometimes these use the use the opportunity to be more graphic, so be sure to check any parental guidance before buying.

Alternatively, there are entirely contemporary adaptations, including a whole run of teen movies taking inspiration from the Bard. (10 Things I Hate About You is The Taming of the Shrew; She’s the Man is Twelfth Night; Warm Bodies is a zombie-themed spin on Romeo & Juliet.)

These could be a great entry point for growing their appreciation of the theatre, helping your child discover how people retell and reinvent stories for new generations.

Jigsaw classes

We couldn’t help ourselves – with booking now open for Spring term and more schools than ever before, a two-week trial of dance, singing and drama classes at Jigsaw is a perfect Christmas present for your child who loves performing!

You can find your nearest Jigsaw school by entering your postcode into the search on our home page. 

Christmas Gift Guide for last minute ideas! Did you just realise you forgot someone on your Christmas list? Or is someone’s stocking is looking a little empty? Postage can be tricky in the lead-up to Christmas and cash can be a little impersonal. Luckily, there are plenty of other options if you’ve left some of your Christmas shopping to the last minute… 

Theatre tokens 

While we’ve loved catching up on all the filmed shows from home, it’s great to see signs that theatre will be back in 2021. 

The main benefits of theatre tokens is that they are accepted in over 260 venues across the country (here’s a map) and never expire – even tokens bought back when they started in 1984! 

So pick some up – gift cards can be mailed, found in many high street retailers, or emailed – and start planning your next theatre trip together.

Or, if you’re happy waiting for sunnier weather, check out our list of the UK’s best outdoor theatres for inspiration! 

Support your local bookshop 

There are several platforms where you can order books and other gifts while supporting your local bookshop.

With Hive.co.uk you can order books and collect them at your local independent bookshop, or get them delivered to your home. A portion of the order goes to supporting the bookshop. 

Bookshop.org is originally an American site that recently launched a UK version. You can choose your local bookshop and, again, a portion from your order will go to them. If you don’t choose a specific shop, the money is pooled and divided between all the shops on the platform. 

What’s also great is that bookshops and authors on Bookshop.org have profiles where you can see their personalised recommendations, perfect if you’re stuck for inspiration. For example, check out these very specific lists:

• New and Bestselling Books about Friendship, Family and Self-belief for 8+
• Our Favourite Alice in Wonderland editions
• Our Favourite Mysteries for Under-11s

(Bookshop recommend ordering by 16th December for delivery before Christmas, and Hive recommend before the 18th for 2nd class delivery.)

Take in shows at home all year round

The Disney+ streaming service is currently offering a gift option, allowing you to gift a year’s subscription delivered (via email) on a date of your choice. (The recipient can then activate it when they like.)

Along with the expected Disney classics and Marvel and Star Wars films, it’s also the easiest way to experience the stage phenomenon Hamilton, with a filmed version with the original Broadway cast debuting this summer. They also recently released a  Taylor Swift concert to accompany her album folklore. 

There are also several theatre-specific streaming services offering gift options for Christmas, including BroadwayHD (American but available in the UK), Marquee TV, and National Theatre at Home. Great for inspiration and catching up on shows they might have missed (or never had the chance to see in the first place!). (Not all shows will be suitable for all ages!)

Jigsaw vouchers!

Of course, we can’t go without mentioning Jigsaw vouchers, available this year for the first time! Give the fun of dance, singing and drama classes to the children or teens in your life.

No prior experience is needed. Our classes develop children’s confidence, self-expression, focus and social skills, while they have fun and make lots of new friends. This is a gift that will create memories to last a lifetime!

To find out more about giving Jigsaw as a gift, get in touch with your nearest Jigsaw, using the search on our home page to find your nearest school.

Jigsaw Performing Arts is dedicated to developing performance skills, promoting self-expression and building confidence. We offer performing arts classes for children aged between 3 – 18. Find your nearest school by entering your postcode into the search on our home page. 

Family films and Christmas film season has definitively begun with – what else? – London-set festive rom-com Last Christmas, currently in cinemas, and highly-anticipated Disney sequel Frozen II out next! We thought it was about time to continue one of our Christmas traditions, and bring you our list of the best family films to watch this season!

Remember to check ratings and parental guidance at the BBFC website to make sure it’s suitable for your family.

Les Misérables: The Staged Concert – live in cinemas 2nd December, encore 7th & 8th

“I dreamed a dream in times gone by…” This might run too late on a Monday night for the younger ones (it is epic in length!). But this live broadcast of the staged concert version of Les Mis will be great fun for those who can’t make it to see it in person.

From one of the longest-running, most successful musicals of all time, this concert performance features an all-star cast, including Michael Ball, Alfie Boe, Carrie Hope Fletcher, Matt Lucas and John Owen Jones. Find out where it’s screening near you here.

Jumanji: The Next Level – 13th December

Who would have expected an updating of the Robin Williams board-game-come-to-life original, a staple on VHS, would have felt so fresh and fun? Well, the first (or rather, second) Jumanji was a runaway hit, so prepare yourself for ‘the next level’! All the cast return from the previous installment, with the addition of Danny DeVito!

Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker – 19th December 

A.k.a. Episode Nine. Plot details have been kept under wraps, but this promises to be the conclusion not only to the current trilogy but the entire ‘Skywalker saga’ that began with A New Hope in 1977. Will Finn, Poe and Rey finally defeat the First Order? Is the evil Emperor Palpatine actually back?

Star Wars used to be a staple of the summer, but the new trilogy has become quite the Family films tradition, with all three releasing in December!

Cats – 20th December

Hot on the heels of Star Wars is Tom Hooper’s (the film of Les Misérables) star-studded adaptation of Andrew Lloyd-Webber’s musical. The cats themselves, a blend of real performers and computer graphics, look a little… strange… but that’s perhaps in keeping with the offbeat visual style of the show, which was a very unlikely mega-hit on the West End and Broadway back in the ’80s.

The cast is a proper transatlantic affair. Here’s just a smattering of names:

• Judi Dench
• Ian McKellen
• Idris Elba
• James Corden
• Jennifer Hudson
• Jason Derulo
• Rebel Wilson
• Ray Winstone

Taylor Swift collaborated with Lloyd-Webber himself on a new song. But we’re also very excited to see Andy Blankenbuehler’s choreography (of Hamilton fame!). Bringing the dance pedigree are Francesca Hayward & Steven McRae (principal dancers at the Royal Ballet) and French hip-hop dancers (and identical twins) ‘Les Twins’.

Playing with Fire – 26th December

Ah, Boxing Day. A day of rest – and leftovers! What better way to spend the afternoon or evening than watching John Cena play a tough fire-fighter faced with his biggest challenge to date… taking care of three unruly children!

Word on this film has been mixed, but Cena has proven his talent for comedy, and his wrestling background is perfect for this kind of silly slapstick.

Don’t fancy leaving the house?

Catch up with our Christmas film recommendations from last year, which will now be available to view at home!

Or our favourite films about Christmas:

And if the acting, singing and dancing in any of these films inspire your children, Jigsaw Performing Arts Schools offer dance, singing and drama classes for 3-18-year-olds that make for a perfect Christmas present! Booking is open for Spring term. Find your nearest school by entering your postcode into the search on our home page. To enquire or to book your child’s place please call our friendly Head Office team on 020 8447 4530 or email enquiries@jigsaw-arts.co.uk for more information.

Certificates and Congratulations

At Jigsaw Arts we love to celebrate the achievements of all our students, and what better way than with certificates, medals and trophies? Annabel received her first certificate for 1 year at Jigsaw’s 3-4s class’s show this weekend and she looks over the moon.

Across the whole of Jigsaw Stevenage it’s show term, and that means costumes on, props at the ready and the excitement of performing on the stage under the lights!

Annabel’s mummy has this lovely comment to say about show term, “Annabel was telling a complete stranger outside Sainsbury’s all about her show today and the Wizard of Oz – she was full of it and brimming with excitement!” So were we!

We are so proud of all our students over the last two weeks who performed from our Performing Arts classes for 3-4s and 5-6s. Their costumes were wonderful, they performed with confidence and got the round of applause all their hard work deserved.

Well done everyone!

Jigsaw Stevenage runs on Saturday mornings. To enquire or to book your child’s place please contact Polly on 01438 518336 or email st*******@ji*********.uk. Visit Jigsaw Stevenage for more information.