ESP Magazine

08/12/2025

For one night only The Met Lounge went back in time to when the venue first opened as Annabelles Nitespot in Peterborough in 1975.

DJs Dave King and Tom Bryan (Brian Pearce) were back on the decks to play some dancefloor classics from 75-83.

It was a great night, which has so far raised £2,500 for Prostate Cancer Research with the money still coming in!

08/12/2025

Paddles at the ready! Entries are now open for the 2026 Peterborough Dragon Boat Festival in aid of Sue Ryder Thorpe Hall Hospice.

Get set for a fantastic day of fun, fundraising, and fierce competition on the water! The organisers NewWave Events are delighted to announce that entries are now open for the 2026 Peterborough Dragon Boat Festival, set to take place on Saturday June 20, at the Peterborough Rowing Lake.

ESP is once again proud to be the Media Partner for this amazing Peterborough event along with PCRFM.

A sell-out success year on year, the festival has raised hundreds of thousands of pounds for Sue Ryder Thorpe Hall Hospice over its long history, cementing its place as a cornerstone event in the city's calendar.

This year’s festival is once again supporting Sue Ryder Thorpe Hall Hospice, bringing the community together to raise vital funds for their essential palliative care and support services. The event promises an unbeatable blend of corporate team building and community spirit, offering local businesses, groups of friends, and public services a fun-filled challenge for a fantastic cause. We take part every year and always have an incredible day!

The festival will be a full day out for all the family. Beyond the pulse-racing dragon boat action, the shores will be alive with a host of entertainment, including a funfair, catering stalls, a bar, a Dragon Workshop, face painters and caricaturists to add to the fun. The celebrations will also feature a spectacular flypast.

There’s plenty to compete for! The festival will award trophies to:
• The top three fastest crews.
• The best-placed mixed crew (requiring a minimum of 5 female paddlers).
• The crew raising the most money for Sue Ryder Thorpe Hall Hospice.
• The ‘best dressed’ and most enthusiastic crew.

All members of the top three finishing crews will also receive medals. For teams seeking a premium experience, enhanced Silver and Gold packages are available, which can include a dedicated team gazebo and other benefits. The team raising the most money for Sue Ryder Thorpe Hall Hospice will be awarded the charity trophy and receive a special prize for the whole team to enjoy from Alamo Paintballing.

The dragon boat racing is the centrepiece of the day – a fantastic team sport where no prior experience is needed. Each team is provided with a boat, paddles, and a professional helm; all you need to bring is 10 paddlers, a drummer, and plenty of energy!

Key Information for Teams & Charities:
• Event: Peterborough Dragon Boat Festival 2026
• Date: Saturday, 20th June 2026
• Location: Peterborough Rowing Lake, Peterborough
• Charity Partner: Sue Ryder Thorpe Hall Hospice
• Team Entry: Standard entry £700 + VAT per team – enhanced Silver & Gold packages available.
Enter today: https://dragonboatevents.co.uk/peterborough-dragon-boat-festival/

05/12/2025

Big news from Queensgate Peterborough...

🌟 The moment we've all been waiting for is finally here… 🌟

Something very exciting is coming to Queensgate!

Mark your calendars — a major announcement is dropping, and trust us… you won’t want to miss this.

The countdown begins.
Stay tuned. 👀✨

04/12/2025

There are few better places to enjoy the timeless tale of Ebeneezer Scrooge than the atmospheric Peterborough Cathedral so don't miss out on seeing A Christmas Carol.

Operation Moonlight Theatre Company is bringing us their version of Charles Dickens’ tale over two evenings on December 15 and 16 and it should be the perfect festive family night out.

Follow miserly Scrooge as he embarks upon a journey through his past, present, and future to finally find redemption and appreciate the true meaning of Christmas.

There’ll be dazzling musical sequences and authentic period costumes in a special production that will definitely get you in the festive spirit.

Book your tickets now on www.peterborough-cathedral.org.uk/all-events

04/12/2025

It's perfect weather for a trip to the Zoo(tropolis) - keep the kids entertained at the cinema! ESP's reviewer Mike Clarke (and son) recommend this new movie...

FILM REVIEW: ZOOTROPOLIS 2 (PG) ESP RATING: 4.5/5

This sequel to 2016’s Zootropolis has just reminded us how magical a trip to the movies can be.

In a year where cinema has been crying out for a true family-friendly blockbuster with heart, humour and real craft, the latest Disney animation has bounced onto screens – with a genuine cinematic buzz.

In what may go down as one of the toughest years for movies – both in quality and box-office takings (bar the recent Wicked: For Good of course) – this animated sequel is not only breaking records, but doing so deservingly. This is a film that feels like it was made with care, confidence and, above all else, love.

There’s no heavy-handed modern messaging being forced into the story. No obvious box-ticking studio interference. No sense of a script stitched together by too many competing voices. Instead, what we get is something refreshingly rare: a sequel that understands exactly what made the original special and simply builds on it.

We return to the bustling animal metropolis as optimistic bunny Judy Hopps (voiced by Ginnifer Goodwin) and mischievous fox Nick Wilde (Jason Bateman) find themselves back on the beat. When a mysterious new arrival threatens the fragile balance of Zootopia, the duo are pulled into a fast-moving investigation that tests their partnership in new ways.

Alongside returning favourites such as Chief Bogo (Idris Elba) and pop icon Gazelle (Shakira), the film introduces standout newcomers too – including a brilliant turn from Ke Huy Quan’s (Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom) villainous reptilian antagonist.

But what truly elevates Zootropolis 2 is its writing. It’s sharp, self-aware and confidently paced. It knows its core audience ‘inside out’ – while also rewarding adults with clever asides and perfectly pitched humour. Just when the dialogue risks becoming a little too talk-heavy, a slick and well-timed action sequence swoops in to lift the energy right back up.

I took two seven-year-olds with me to the screening – a reliable real-world ‘barometer’ for any family film. While many children’s releases this year have struggled to hold their attention, this time they were completely glued to the screen from start to finish. No fidgeting, no whispering, no wandering eyes. And looking around the packed cinema, it was clear that wasn’t just true for the kids – audience members of all ages were fully invested.

Visually, the film is bursting with colour and imagination once again. Zootopia still feels like a living, breathing city, overflowing with movement, background gags and tiny visual details that reward repeat viewings.

But it’s the emotional heart of the story that lands the biggest impact. At its core, this remains a film about trust, identity and learning to grow together – handled with warmth, sincerity and a refreshing lack of preachiness.

This is, without question, the best Disney film in a fair while. And while that statement may not carry the weight it once did, trust me when I say this one is truly worthy of your time and your cinema ticket.

Whether you’re heading along as a family – or you’re simply a grown-up who still loves a great animated adventure – this absolutely delivers.

ESP Rating: 4.5/5

Mike Clarke

Showcase Cinema de Lux Peterborough & ODEON Cinemas Luxe Peterborough, Out Now
Voice Cast: Ginnifer Goodwin, Jason Bateman, Ke Huy Quan, Andy Samberg, David Strathairn, Shakira, Idris Elba, Fortune Feimster, Patrick Warburton, Danny Trejo, Alan Tudyk, Jenny Slate & Bonnie Hunt
Running Time: 1 Hr 48 Mins
Directors: Jared Bush & Byron Howard

Film Review Venue: Showcase Cinema De Lux Peterborough

For all the latest film information & showtimes at Peterborough’s Showcase Cinema De Lux & Odeon Luxe Cinemas go to www.showcasecinemas.co.uk and www.odeon.co.uk

03/12/2025

Tis the season for eating out with friends! ESP's food writer Kelly Jackson says the Tap & Grill at The Farmers, Yaxley offers the perfect blend of delicious Indian, Nepalese and British classics, good service and plenty of choice...

ESP Food Review: & Grill at The Farmers

Whether you prefer British pub grub or are partial to exotic flavours from Asia, the Tap & Grill at The Farmers, Yaxley has something for all taste buds.

A new Pan Asian menu was unveiled around five months ago, with a whole host of popular Indian and Nepalese delicacies on offer during the evening. Alongside the new menu, old pub favourites including fish and chips, beef burger and chips, and steak are also available.

ESP was invited to sample the Tap & Grill’s British/Indian menu – and we were spoiled for choice! To get a proper feel for a variety of foods, we decided to opt for a selection of Indian and British starters, followed by one Indian main and one British.

Choosing the starters was a tough decision as there are so many delicious-sounding foods. In the end we went for tempura prawns in a sweet chilli sauce, which had a lovely tang, lamb seekh kebab seasoned with herbs and spices, chicken tikka (grilled to perfection!) and chicken momo (Asian dumplings), which came with a tangy dipping sauce. They are ideal for sharing with family or friends, especially when getting together for Christmas celebrations.

The next decision was which main meal to have. After much umming and ahhhing on my part, I selected the classic butter chicken – tender chunks of chicken in a creamy, tomato sauce. It has lots of flavour and was mild, so perfect for those who don’t like spicy curries. I paired it with pilau rice. On recommendation of the staff, my partner opted for a honey-glazed duck dish – a new offering on the British side of the menu. It came with dauphinoise potatoes, roast root vegetables and red wine and cranberry jus. As we were keen to try the Halloumi fries, we also had this served at the same time as the mains.

Despite being full with the amazing food, we were tempted by dessert – I had an Oreo cheesecake and my partner a lemon meringue pie, both served with ice cream. Cold and hot desserts are available.

The Farmers was always popular for its carvery, and this is still available every Sunday between 2pm and 7.30pm. A daily lunch menu, where you can choose from a variety of mains or lighter bits such as jacket potatoes, wraps and sandwiches, is also provided.
A unique selling point of the Tap & Grill is its combination of evening British pub classics side by side with Indian cuisine – it means someone in the dining group can choose fish and chips, while others a curry, keeping everyone happy!

The Tap & Grill at The Farmers is located in Broadway, Yaxley.

For more information or to book a table, visit: www.tapandgrill.co.uk

They offer a special Christmas menu, are holding party nights throughout December and will be open on Christmas Day and Boxing Day if you fancy taking a break from cooking!

03/12/2025

The Wonder of Christmas experience ends this week at Peterborough Cathedral so don't miss out on your last chance to see it for yourself.

The Christmas Tree Festival will continue through into January but the magical lights experience ends this Thursday!

Book to see it here: https://peterborough-cathedral.org.uk/event/save-the-date-the-wonder-of-christmas-immersive-light-and-sound-display/

Photos: ChrisBrudenellphotography.co.uk for ESP Magazine

02/12/2025

We're sad to hear that Only Fools and Horses star Steven Woodcock has had to withdraw from this year's The Cresset pantomime Beauty and the Beast due to illness.

Having met the rest of the cast though, we're sure it'll still be an amazing show and can't wait to see it! Second Star Productions never disappoint.

Joe Connors has stepped into the roles of Beauty’s Father and The Mayor.

His stage credits include Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat, Grease, Hair, Much Ado About Nothing, Billy Liar, and an international tour of Annie. He's a highly experienced pantomime performer and has taken on numerous leading and villainous roles across major productions. Joe has also appeared in television, film, and commercial work, including campaigns for ASDA and Escape Lounges.

Performances of Beauty and the Beast begin on December 13 and run until New Year’s Eve at The Cresset in Bretton, Peterborough.

https://www.cresset.co.uk/shows/beauty-the-beast-pantomime/

30/11/2025

FILM REVIEW: NOW YOU SEE ME – NOW YOU DON’T (12A) ESP RATING: 3/5

The Horsemen Juniors breathe new life into the magical franchise.

After a nearly-decade hiatus the the leading ‘Horseman’ J Daniel Atlas (Jesse Eisenberg) re-appears to enlist a trio of young illusionists – Charlie (Detective Pikachu’s Justice Smith), Bosco LeRoy (The Holdovers’ Dominic Sessa) and June (Borderlands’ Ariana Greenblatt) – after they stage a fake Four Horseman magic show, to mirror their traditions of exposing amoral activity.

After Daniel receives a tarot card from the secret magic society known as the Eye, he teams up with the newcomers as they target dangerous money-laundering criminals via an audacious diamond heist involving Rosamund Pike’s ruthless corporate head-honcho Veronika Vanderberg.

They are soon aided by Merritt (Woody Harrelson), Jack (Dave Franco), Henley (Isla Fisher), Lula (Lizzy Caplan) and Thaddeus (Morgan Freeman), when the situation goes ‘south’ and they are hunted down in France.

And what is generally paint-by-numbers stuff, is kept compelling enough by all the affable characters on show – with added freshness from the youngsters who implement their own individual style to proceedings. The ‘twisty’ finale in Abu Dhabi – just like with the others – is also fun to see it unfold.

If you’re a fan of the series, this isn’t dramatically different in tone than the solid first two entries, but commendably gives the illusion of a potential new trilogy revamp – just with a 2025 ‘lick of paint’ to the hocus pocus.

Which shows this franchise still has a few more tricks up its sleeve yet.

ESP Rating: 3/5

Gavin Miller

Showcase Cinema de Lux Peterborough & ODEON Cinemas Luxe Peterborough, Out Now

Cast: Jesse Eisenberg, Woody Harrelson, Dave Franco, Rosamund Pike, Isla Fisher, Justice Smith, Dominic Sessa, Ariana Greenblatt, Lizzy Caplan & Morgan Freeman
Running Time: 1 Hr 52 Mins
Director: Ruben Fleischer

Film Review Venue: Showcase Cinema De Lux Peterborough

For All the latest film information & showtimes at Peterborough’s Showcase Cinema De Lux & Odeon Luxe Cinemas go to www.showcasecinemas.co.uk and www.odeon.co.uk

30/11/2025

FILM REVIEW: WICKED – FOR GOOD (PG) ESP RATING: 3.5/5

After a meandering start, this second instalment of the musical juggernaut springs into life to provide a fitting finale to the two-parter.

It ends up being just about the equal of the first film, even if the lack of memorable toe-tapping numbers seen last time round, have to be replaced with an emotional underbelly to pull it through its weaker moments.

And it works. The last hour in particular is very enjoyable. And being 25 minutes shorter than its predecessor makes it a bit more palatable to the casual film-goer too.

Set several years after the first movie, Elphaba Thropp (Cynthia Erivo) – now notoriously known as the Wicked Witch of the West – is living as a fugitive, only coming ‘out of the shadows’ to cause havoc when she sees an opportunity to try and reveal Jeff Goldblum’s fraudulent Wizard of Oz, and turning activist to save the ‘voiceless’ animals of the kingdom.

Complete with new ‘bubble carriage’ – to give the illusion that she actually has ‘magical’ powers – Glinda the Good (Ariana Grande) is now Oz’s darling, despite being manipulated behind the scenes by the wizard, and Michelle Yeoh’s Madame Morrible.

And when Glinda announces her engagement to surprised prince Fiyero Tigelaar, it sets off a series of events – also involving Elphaba’s paraplegic younger sister Nessarose (Marissa Bode) and her munchkin servant Boq (Ethan Slater) – that leads to iconic Kansas-based girl Dorothy being swept into the Land of Oz, as Elphaba is backed into a ‘no-win’ situation.

Not being privy to the musical myself – so can only judge the two parts from a film standpoint – the way 1939’s The Wizard of Oz is blended into the latter events of the movie definitely proves to be a welcome nostalgic addition, as the origins of Lion, Tin Man and Scarecrow are revealed.

And even though there’s a lack of the same major musical sequences that empowered the original, there’s still one or two – particularly ‘For Good’ toward the climax – that still makes this stand out too.

Even though it arguably benefits at points from more actual ‘acting’ over ‘singing’ – as Erivo and Grande continue to shine in their lead roles.

As with films that have been ‘cut in half’ the opening salvo does mean this sequel does take a while to get going – but when it does there’s a really wicked time to be had here.

ESP Rating: 3.5/5

Gavin Miller

ODEON Cinemas Luxe Peterborough & Showcase Cinema de Lux Peterborough, Out Now

Cast: Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Jonathan Bailey, Michelle Yeoh, Ethan Slater, Marissa Bode, Colman Domingo & Jeff Goldblum
Running Time: 2 Hrs 17 Mins
Director: John M Chu

Wicked: For Good Is Currently Screening At Peterborough’s Odeon Luxe (also available on Imax) & Showcase Cinema De Lux

For all the latest film information & showtimes at Peterborough’s Showcase Cinema De Lux & Odeon Luxe Cinemas go to www.showcasecinemas.co.uk and www.odeon.co.uk

29/11/2025

Elf School at the Nene Park Winter Festival!

Running from now right through until the 23rd of December, Elf School is the beating heart of this magical winter experience - and it’s surrounded by lots of free festive areas, making it a brilliant family outing whether you’re attending Elf School or simply soaking up the atmosphere.

I took my 7-year-old son, and truly, the magic began from the car park. As we pulled into Nene Park, we saw all the lights glowing in the distance, and his response was a wide-eyed, breath-taking “WOW!” From that very moment on, he loved discovering what was around every corner. The whole trip felt truly festive from start to finish.

We grabbed a snack, found plenty of stalls and seating, and were entertained by a singer performing on the stage, which really added to the atmosphere. Little Man absolutely loved going on the fun house.

And then, of course, came the main event… Elf School - what a great idea!

Every child is given their own booklet, and with every new section discovered - each one featuring a new activity or fun game - their book is stamped. Once all the areas are completed, the games have been played and all the pages stamped, it’s finally time to meet the big man himself, Santa Claus, where a gift and a certificate are waiting.

Before seeing Santa, children also get to write a letter and make their own reindeer food, adding yet another magical touch. There is so much to do, everything looks fantastic, and they have truly gone all out this year.

Elf School is immersive, interactive, and absolutely bursting with Christmas spirit. I highly recommend it.

Mike Clarke

For full details and to book your tickets, visit: https://www.nenepark.org.uk/event/nene-park-winter-festival-2025

29/11/2025

First look at Winter Festival by Nene Park Trust – we think it’s just magical!

This year’s lights display and festive fun at Ferry Meadows is a brilliant event for the whole family – the new Elf School concept is a wonderful way to entertain the kids and the talented Elves from RAW Theatre Productions are the jolliest crew to help Santa make this an amazing event.

There was more to it all than we expected – our reporter Mike Clarke and son will be reviewing Elf School soon – but the lights are stunning and look magical in this country setting. There are lots of fun things to try, it’s all very interactive and the cheeky Elves keep you smiling as well as the wandering entertainers.

You need tickets for Elf School but anyone can visit the Yuletide Yard area for free where we found some great chalet cabins packed with goodies and some brilliant entertainment on stage which will change regularly so you can always make another visit. There was a wonderful singer belting out Christmas tunes when we popped down for the preview.

It’s a good place to pick up some unusual gifts too, either from the cabin stalls or the Visitor Centre and enjoy some tasty treats.

The Winter Festival is definitely a treat we can recommend – it makes an ideal Christmas event and it’s right on your doorstep so don't miss out.

For all the details and to book for Elf School visit: https://www.nenepark.org.uk/Pages/Category/winter-festival