From the opening scenes it was clear that it wasn’t going to be a workaday re-tread of the film. Much of the dialogue is original, mixed in with trademark Linehan cleverness plus pratfalls. The set’s incredible and seems to have a life of its own even when there are no actors on the stage – I won’t spoil it for you, but the effects of passing trains and the staging of the heist are both very special set pieces.

It’s been perfectly cast, with Marcia Warren as Mrs Wilberforce, Clive Rowe as One-Round and Ben Miller as Louis Harvey. The pacing is deftly done, and the laughs never stop. We loved it.

I’ve heard that some of the shows have already sold out, but do go if you can find a ticket. If you’re on a tight budget, try your luck for day tickets or box office returns on the day.

Want to win? Email [address removed - comp closed] as quick as you can with ‘Tickets’ in the subject line, and remember to leave your name and mobile number – we MUST be able to contact you at 5pm tomorrow afternoon if you’re the lucky winner of the two tickets, so we can make arrangements with the box office in good time.

Many thanks to aka for providing this excellent prize. Now get emailing!!

T&Cs: Competition closes 5pm on Thursday 24th November. Winner chosen from emails using random.org. NO ALTERNATIVE TIMES OR DATES AVAILABLE. No cash alternative, prize not transferable. Winner must be able to collect and use tickets for 10pm La Soiree performance of at Camden Roundhouse.

It’s a huge project that aims to promote sustainable living in a fun and interesting way, and I was keen to see all their creative and green ideas and that handy little side-effect: saving money. The whole event is set on The Mall in Clarence, Lancaster and Marlborough Houses and Gardens and the surroundings are very grand and beautiful.

What struck me most is that there are so many companies working in this arena now, and also the range of interesting non-profit projects seems to have expanded. There are lots of celebrities involved, from Alan Titchmarsh to Vivienne Westwood, who seem to have helped add a sprinkle of glamour to subject matter that’s often stereotyped as dull or cranky.

I really enjoyed the artworks that were scattered around the entire arena, and my favourite exhibits were the human-powered dance floor, the stylishly designed Pallet House Project and the amazingly varied produce in the kitchen garden. There were also different performances, demonstrations and talks scattered around the arena, so there should really be something to appeal to most people.

There’s a farmers’ market and assorted food and drink to keep you going, and if they run the event next year then I really hope they put together some kind of large tea pavillion as it would create a perfect focal point and add to the atmosphere.

If you’d like to know more about Start, the group behind this event, you can find them over at www.startuk.org.

You can hang out at home with some music or a good book, scarfing down home made ice lollies and granitas, or sipping some cloudy lemonade or ginger beer. If you have outside space then a few tea lights twinkling away in old jam jars are all you need to sit out on warm evenings.

Or head to any of the parks with a cheap rug or mat and a home made picnic. I know there are a few park poseur types who spend a fortune on blankets, hampers and fancy plates, but it can all be done on a shoestring and to hell with keeping up with the Joneses. The only thing that’s really worth spending a little extra on is a good vacuum flask that keeps things piping hot (or icy cool, if you prefer) and is leak-proof and fairly robust. Have a quiet one with the papers, or add plenty of friends and a few beers, it’s perfect either way.

When the weather’s warmer you can take off and do loads of different free walks, ranging from a short slacker-ish ramble to a full-on yomp, depending upon your preference. You can also get out of town for very little with various special travel offers and off-peak advance fares. I recently had a return trip to Brighton for £5, which made for a perfect day out, including a wander down the seafront and some loafing about on the beach.

While the big ticketed day and weekend festivals get a lot of press, there are also hundreds of free events to get yourself along to, with happenings to suit every taste. There’s always something free to try down at the Southbank, and there are plenty of outdoor fairs and festivals that have heaps of stalls and entertainments and cost nothing to attend, from Lewisham People’s Day to Notting Hill Carnival.

The main collections of most museums and art galleries are free, and many regularly have late evenings which are filled with interesting creative programmes (the easiest thing is to sign up for their mailing lists). Or head out to some or free or subsidised gigs, outdoor theatre, or even the BBC Proms (prices start at around £5).

Who cares if we’re broke, let’s have fun anyway.

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The programme ranges from recent blockbusters and arthouse films right through to short films and animation, and they also have regular themed evenings with double bills and guest speakers. The Roxy plays host to a variety of film festivals as well, and if that’s not your thing then you might be interested to hear that they hold comedy and live music evenings, and use their four-metre-wide screen for big sporting events like the football and rugby. Card sharps love the place for its regular poker nights too, which are often sponsored by different brands of bourbon and other drinks.

Speaking of drinks, there’s a wide range of well-chosen wines and beers on offer, plus a small but perfectly formed cocktail menu, and teas and coffees. If you get peckish you can have food brought to your table while the movie’s playing. They serve reasonably priced bistro fare, light bites and, of course, icecream. Or you may prefer to try out one of the many favourably-reviewed nearby restaurants or gastropubs instead.

If you want to get a good seat for the evening’s performance, make sure you get down to the Roxy with plenty of time to spare before the film begins. For this week’s film programme, see their website for full details.

The Roxy Bar and Screen, 128-132 Borough High Street, London, SE1 1LB. Nearest tube station: Borough.
Telephone: 020 7407 4057
www.roxybarandscreen.com

This article by Penny Golightly originally appeared on the Lastminute.com blog.

You can easily spend hours here wandering from stall to stall, taking in the atmosphere and visiting the excellent surrounding cafes, pubs and restaurants. The only drawback is that you can also end up spending a lot more money than you thought you were going to. How can you enjoy a day at a place like Borough Market if you’re travelling on a shoestring or feeling the pinch in the run-up to payday?

I’ll happily agree that some things are worth spending the extra on, whether that’s Freedom Foods, Fairtrade goods, or good old expertise and panache. For example, the organic small-estate and cooperative coffees from the Monmouth Coffee Co cost about the same as drinks from the big chains, but to me they represent better value and I think they taste better too.

If you go around all the stalls and shops, chances are you’ll be offered enough free tasters to make up a substantial mid-morning or mid-afternoon snack if you time your visit right, although it’s best not to be too cheeky. If the weather’s good you can buy yourself a delicious take-away snack or picnic ingredients to eat in the grounds of Southwark Cathedral or Tate Modern, rather than going for a full-price sit-down meal somewhere. A perfect way to end the day is to head to the Old Vic or Shakespeare’s Globe for a spot of theatre, both are great venues too.

When it comes to shopping, I have two favourite stalls for bargains. The first is fruit and veg merchants Elsey & Bent, who are a little less chi-chi than some of the other greengrocers at Borough and consequently have lower prices. They also stock plenty of seasonal foods, which tend to become cheaper when large amounts hit the markets. On a similar note, the £1-table at the Pays D’Auge Fromages stall is a don’t-miss part of the market. They sell off ripe French cheeses that are still perfectly good for eating, and many foodies would say that’s when they’re are at their best. Happy eating!

Borough Market opening hours: Thursdays: 11am – 5pm, Fridays: 12 noon – 6pm, Saturdays: 8am – 5pm.
www.boroughmarket.org.uk

This article by Penny Golightly originally appeared on the lastminute.com blog.

The recession hit local casinos hard, so they want your business. Haggle down room prices or get upgrades, and ask for ‘comps’ (freebies), ‘funbooks’(voucher booklets) and discounts to get extra gambling credit, and free/reduced tickets for shows, drinks and meals. Many supply free bottles of spirits or sparkling wine on arrival too, or have cocktail happy hours. Avoid their room service and wi-fi charges – head to coffee shops to get online for nothing – and scan free local magazines for extra coupons.

Free entertainment rules in Vegas. Dancing fountains outside the Bellagio play every half hour in the evening, but for something kitschier try the erupting volcano outside the Mirage, performance artists in Circus Circus, Elvis and Marilyn impersonators in Imperial Palace, pole dancing croupiers in Planet Hollywood or animatronic statues in the Forum Shops’ fountains. Or just walk around The Venetian, Paris Las Vegas or Caesar’s Palace gawping at the decor.

The best views are from the top of the Stratosphere Tower at sunset. Don’t get fleeced catching the main elevator to their funfair: ask staff to show you the other (free) elevator for the top floor cocktail lounge. Sip perfectly-mixed Manhattans or martinis, then take the lift and stairs a couple of floors to the viewing deck.

If you’re gambling, set an amount and stick to it, or play risk free at casino gambling lessons where they show you the rules of blackjack, poker and roulette. Play slowly, and enjoy the free waitress-service drinks (tip a dollar per drink to keep ‘em coming).

Enjoy deluxe dining for less with lunchtime and set menu meals, or fill up with quality buffet breakfasts and forget lunch (try Spice Market Buffet, the Bellagio, or Paris Las Vegas). Cheaper eats include ‘Wichcraft deli and Fashion Show Mall diners. Want to catch a show after dinner? Buy same-day discounted tickets from Tix4Tonight.

For big brand shopping bargains, catch the CAT shuttle bus to Las Vegas Premium Outlets at the top end of the Strip where they have everything from Calvin Klein to Levi’s. Beauty fans should also head to Sephora in the Venetian for cult purchases and own-brand products. Finally, cheap souvenirs can be found all over town, my favourites being 1950s-style drinking glasses, ex-casino packs of cards and zany fridge magnets. Because what happens in Vegas doesn’t have to stay in Vegas…

This article by Penny Golightly originally appeared on the lastminute.com blog.

There’s a street market here that dates back to 1778, and currently sells mainly fruit and vegetables at down-to-earth prices. Other stalls sell gourmet cakes and bread, cheese, fresh fish and household goods, with opening hours of 8am to 5pm, Monday to Saturday. You might even want to try your hand at haggling with the stallholders if you aren’t shy.

Fashionistas can visit the Bang Bang Clothing Exchange at number 9 to trawl through the hand picked selection of vintage, designer and high street pieces. It’s well worth putting up with the trendier-than-thou shop assistants for the chance of picking up a special garment or two.

Berwick Street’s also famous for its record exchanges and shops. Collectors can while away many a happy hour browsing through vinyl, CDs and memorabilia at places like Sister Ray http://www.sisterray.co.uk/ at number 34-35 and Vinyl Junkies http://www.vinyl-junkies.com at number 94.

Craft fans and anyone who can handle a sewing machine will find plenty to inspire them in the many small fabric and accessories emporiums that run alongside the market. Shop around to find the best prices, and pop into The Berwick Street Cloth Shop at number 14, Borovick Fabrics at number 16, or Cloth House at number 47.

The street’s lined with cafes and shops too. Grab a serious caffeine fix in the tiny Flat White coffee bar at number 17, or try the much loved veggie Beatroot Cafe at number 92 for a healthy hot snack or salad.

Berwick Street, W1, London. The nearest tube stations are Tottenham Court Road and Oxford Circus.

This article by Penny Golightly originally appeared on lastminute.com.

When I want to eat beautiful food in sophisticated surroundings, but the finances don’t quite stretch to a fancy lunch or dinner, I head for a deluxe tearoom. The Wolseley cafe-restaurant on Piccadilly is a particular favourite of mine and is ideal for meeting friends, treating relatives, spotting celebrities or impressing a date.

The building was originally designed as a luxury car showroom in the 1920s, and has been beautifully converted into a European-style grand cafe with most of the original Art Deco features still intact, including the marble floors, huge windows and high ceilings. It’s light years away from your local greasy spoon, and serves breakfasts, lunches, and evening meals as well as gorgeous afternoon teas.

The place is very popular, so it’s advisable to book ahead unless you don’t mind waiting for a while in the busy bar by the door. The staff are efficient and friendly rather than stuffy, and they will seat you as soon as they can.

The menu covers bistro fare, Eastern European comfort foods, seafood, and, best of all, high teas and Viennoiserie. Given the quality and ambience it’s reasonably priced. On my last visit the waiter allowed me to split one afternoon tea between two people, which meant that we had a plate of finger sandwiches, scones with clotted cream and jam, a choice of teas, and a small selection of pastries to share. It was more than enough for both of us, and our taste of the good life came in at below £10 per person. Worth every penny.

Tea at the Wolseley is held daily 3.30pm – 6.30pm, apart from Saturdays (3.30pm – 5.30pm).

The Wolseley, 160 Piccadilly, London W1J 9EB. Telephone: 020 7499 6996

This article by Penny Golightly originally appeared on the lastminute.com blog.