Monday 26 July 2021 at Leeds Playhouse. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ There’s no doubt that Edith Piaf’s life and talent were extraordinary. With such tragedy in her life, it makes perfect sense that such melancholy should have found its way under her skin and into her music, but this take on her life story from Pam Gems certainly... Continue Reading →
Review: A Little Night Music At Leeds Playhouse
Thursday July 1, 2021 at Leeds Playhouse. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ It’s always a thrill to see a celebrated giant of the musical theatre world for the first time, and this production does not disappoint. With a story inspired by an Ingmar Bergman film, book by by Hugh Wheeler and music and lyrics by the great Stephen Sondheim,... Continue Reading →
Interview: Linus Karp Talks “how to live a jellicle life”
Following two sold out runs, Linus Karp’s "how to live a jellicle life: life lessons from the 2019 hit movie musical 'cats'" is heading out on tour and is set to play at 21 venues across the UK (until March 11th 2022). Billed as “a silly, stupid and queer show all about my love for... Continue Reading →
Review: The Greatest Play in the History of the World (Touring)
June 1st, 2021 at York Theatre Royal. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ A good story told with great charm, that’s what The Greatest Play in the History of the World... is. It’s energised storytelling which refuses to let any lulls form and instead, ploughs onwards with a combination of great comic delivery and a recurring sense of gravity nestling... Continue Reading →
Review: The Handlebards’ Romeo & Juliet (Touring)
Tuesday May 25th 2021 at York Theatre Royal ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ This ‘very loose’ re-telling of Romeo and Juliet is a treat - mostly because the cast offer that special kind of ‘we are having the time of our lives up here’ magic, but also because it’s a glowing reminder of just how malleable Shakespeare texts can... Continue Reading →
Interview: Francesca Caruso Talks Religion, Clowning & Solo Show Pater Noster
Francesca Caruso’s solo show, Pater Noster, has just enjoyed an online run via the Command Fringe Festival and is set to be available for audiences again very soon. Here she shares insights into her love of clowning and bouffonnerie and the personal experiences of religion which prompted her to explore Catholicism and its rituals in... Continue Reading →
Spotlight On: All-Time Top Ten Shows*
*to date... August 2020 Remember when going to packed, bustling, lively theatres was a thing? You know, we’d collectively shut out the world with the closing of the doors and the dimming of the lights; we’d spend more than twenty minutes without a phone in hand; we’d let ourselves be completely taken in by the... Continue Reading →
Spotlight on: The Best of LGBTQ+ Stories & Characters on Stage
June 2020 Just in the nick of time, I’m marking the last few hours of Pride Month with a look at some of the best examples of theatre productions celebrating and exploring LGBTQ+ stories, characters, history and culture. From accosting social commentary to joyous sequin-clad drag queens to moving takes on body dysmorphia and transgender... Continue Reading →
Interview: Stephen Foster & Chuck Pelletier Talk The Green Room
The Green Room is a musical comedy about four friends navigating the turbulent waters of theatre college. With book by Stephen Foster and Rod Damer and music and lyrics by Chuck Pelletier, the show has seen considerable success and enjoyed productions in the US (including Off-Broadway), Canada and Ireland. With Coronavirus closing theatres for the... Continue Reading →
Interview: Vamos Theatre’s Rachael Savage
Vamos Theatre is the UK's leading full mask company. Founded in 2006 by Artistic Director Rachael Savage, the company create work which goes straight to the hearts of audiences, beautifully balancing the light with the dark to tackle complex subject matter in accessible ways - and all while showcasing the fantastic craft of mask theatre.... Continue Reading →