James B Partridge Primary School Bangers at Lighthouse Poole Review

DISCLOSURE – TICKETS TO SEE THE SHOW WERE GIFTED TO THE REVIEWER AND GUEST FOR THE PURPOSES OF WRITING THE REVIEW

Reviewed by Maddie Reynolds

What a Night to Remember! A Nostalgic Trip Back to Our Primary School Days

What a night to remember! We had such great fun being taken back to our primary school days. It was a real fun night out, with plenty of audience participation throughout the whole evening. From the moment the show started, there was a wonderful sense of excitement, and it was lovely to see the audience getting involved and enjoying the memories that unfolded.

We arrived at the Lighthouse just before the show, and tonight we were in their concert hall. The Lighthouse is easy to get to and has plenty of parking, making it a great venue for a night out. The concert hall was a lovely setting for the show, and there was a real sense of anticipation as everyone settled into their seats.

James spent 12 years teaching music in top London schools. Outside of teaching, he is a performer and professional session singer. He has also performed at many festivals, including Glastonbury, Camp Bestival and the Edinburgh Fringe.

His ability to capture the audience was outstanding. The concept of taking us back through our childhood was incredibly clever, using song and music in so many different ways. It really was an art in itself.

Although the show started in the assembly hall, James incorporated many other aspects of childhood that had us smiling and laughing throughout. From school assemblies to familiar songs and memories of classroom life, there was something for everyone to recognise. Even if you didn’t know all the words, it didn’t matter – you were soon joining in!

Not only is James a great vocalist, but his comedic stories about school life had everyone in fits of laughter. During the show, he shared stories about each song, including many misheard lyrics that, as children, we wouldn’t have really recognised.

There were different age groups in the audience, and despite James having gone to school in the 1990s, the show appealed to everyone. It was wonderful to see so many people enjoying the nostalgia and getting involved.

The props used on stage were perfectly in keeping with the theme. James is not only a great pianist but also a talented guitarist, showcasing his musical ability throughout the evening. The combination of live music, storytelling and comedy made the show feel personal and engaging.

This show was particularly special because James grew up in Poole and went to school locally. As a small boy, he used to perform on the stage at the Lighthouse, and he clearly felt honoured to be back on that stage as an adult. He told us it was a dream come true.

What a wonderful achievement, and what a fantastic way to return to a place that holds so many childhood memories.

There were some fantastic song mashups, and he had us singing together in rounds, including Kookaburra. The atmosphere in the room was so joyful, and it was hard not to feel happy and completely engaged with the show.

This is definitely one for all ages. A great night out for teachers, friends and anyone looking for a little nostalgia, lots of laughter and the chance to be taken back in time.

If you love music, comedy and reminiscing about your school days, this is a show not to be missed!
James B Partridge is touring across the country until 23rd December 2026.

Rating: 5/5

Tour dates and tickets can be found here: jamesbpartridge.com

You can also book directly through your local theatre.

A wonderful evening of music, laughter and memories – highly recommended!