Emma's Theatrics

Twenty years after its West End debut, Avenue Q is back for an anniversary celebration at the Shaftesbury Theatre. Over the years, the show has received widespread acclaim, its name spoken with near-universal reverence among musical theatre devotees. Suffice it to say that expectations were high for this reviewer - and they were not disappointed. The story follows Princeton (played by Noah Harrison) - a fresh university graduate with a BA in English - as he moves to Avenue Q

“A Dashing Antidote for Life’s Sorrows” In recent years, West End stages have become a home to numerous musical revivals, some enchanting the loyal fans and the demanding London audiences more than the others. However, a recent addition to the mix, Kinky Boots directed by Nikolai Foster , with book by Harvey Fierstein , is without a doubt one of the former - a revival that will knock you off your feet and make you want to dance all night long! Kinky Boots tells the story o

Many a time has this reviewer been lucky enough to witness a famous classic musical for the first time. You know, those shows everyone raves about for years on end and you just can’t seem to fit into your schedule? Waitress is one of those shows for this reviewer. When I started reviewing in the summer of 2023, this show was just finishing a successful UK and Ireland tour (if I remember correctly). Never to be seen again. And yet, rumours of a much anticipated return filled s

Based on the notorious 1992 movie with Whitney Houston , The Bodyguard returns for yet another tour of the UK. It follow the fictional story of Rachel Marron, an international superstar, as she is being targeted by an anonymous stalker. Bodyguard Frank Farmer is subsequently employed to ensure Rachel’s safety, as well as that of her sister and 10-year old son. Having had its previous tour swept up in controversy surrounding audience behaviour in theatres, expectations for th

Sondheim’s iconic creation Into the Woods returns to the London theatre scene, and with a cast packed full of some of the industry’s finest artists, this production arrives more than primed for success. Fortunately, it largely delivers. Having never seen a live staging of Into the Woods before — though familiar with the divisive film adaptation — this reviewer found herself surprised by the tone of the piece. Darker than expected, yet far more comedic, the musical strikes a

Based on the timeless classic by Louisa May Alcott , Jo follows the story of the March sisters as they come of age during the American Civil War. It is a classic for a reason: a story of sisterhood, love, and - most importantly - of finding one’s own path, whatever that may be. Little Women is one of, if not my favourite, stories of all time. The 1994 film adaptation carried me through some of my darkest days, reminding me of the joy found in human connection and the quiet

We all know, by now, the story of the six famous New York friends. FRIENDS was not just a hit sitcom but a cultural phenomenon, redefining television comedy and leaving a legacy that continues to resonate decades later. Its influence on the genre is undeniable, with characters, catchphrases, and storylines firmly embedded in popular culture. To parody something so beloved and iconic is no small feat; it comes loaded with expectation and the ever-present risk of falling short

Charing Cross Theatre returns this year with another adult pantomime, Beauty and the Beast (A Horny Love Story) - a camp, spirited twist on the classic fairy tale. The story follows the son of a petrol-station owner in the quaint town of Lickmanochers and his unexpected encounter with a once-proud prince, now transformed into a beast. As with any panto, exaggeration is part of the charm. Here, however, the production occasionally tips into excess, at times losing the very c

Most of us are familiar with the music of The Kinks , whether by name or simply by recognising one of their iconic tunes. Yet far fewer of us know the band’s full story—how it began with brothers Ray and Dave Davies and grew into one of the most influential British groups of the 20th century. Their legacy reaches far beyond a playlist of hits, and Sunny Afternoon aims to trace the emotion, conflict, and ambition behind that legacy. Over the past two years of reviewing, thi

The hit West End jukebox musical Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story has embarked on a new UK tour, once again delighting audiences with its iconic musical catalogue. The show follows Texas-born musician Buddy Holly as he breaks away from the conventions of country music and ventures into the emerging world of rock ‘n’ roll in the 1950s. At a time when this genre was still seen as rebellious—and even taboo among older generations— Buddy Holly and the Crickets helped to revolution

Based on the chart-topping hits of the multi-million-selling pop phenomenon Steps, Here & Now follows four friends and co-workers who make a pact to have the perfect “summer of love.” Naturally, things don’t go quite as planned. Set in a brightly lit supermarket, Better Best Bargains, the production makes clever use of its setting to create a vibrant, high-energy backdrop for the story. Despite its dynamic choreography and enthusiastic performances, the musical ultimately le

The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical, based on Rick Riordan ’s hit book series, is back after a successful run at The Other Palace — and this time, it’s heading out on a UK tour. The show is, as the name suggests, is based on the first novel of the Percy Jackson series. The story follows Percy, who is thrown into a world of gods, monsters, and destiny. Accused of stealing Zeus’s lightning bolt, Percy and his friends set off on a high-stakes quest across America — fi

Hot Mess , is a new original musical co-written by Jack Godfrey (Music and Lyrics) and Ellie Coote (Book). Also directed by Coote , the musical has found a temporary home at the Southwark Playhouse Elephant after a sold out and critically acclaimed run at the Birmingham Hippodrome (where the play was commissioned and produced) and the Edinburgh Fringe earlier this year. Hot Mess is a two handler musical, revolving around the relationship between Earth ( Danielle Steers ) a

The elegance and wit of Irving Berlin ’s Top Hat are stepping back into the spotlight with a new nationwide tour. First adapted for the stage in 2011, this musical reimagining of the 1935 Hollywood classic — complete with additional orchestration by Chris Walker — continues to capture audiences with its blend of romance, humour, and irresistible rhythm. The story follows the dashing Broadway dancer Jerry Travers as he travels to London to open a new show — only to find him

13 Going On 30 , a new musical adaptation of the 2004 rom com movie, makes a splashy and bold premiere at the Manchester Opera House. Directed by Andy Fickman , with book by Josh Goldsmith and Cathy Yuspa , the musical features music and lyrics by Alan Zachary and Michael Weiner . The musical, filled with joy and nostalgia translates wonderfully on stage, creating a feel good evening of musical theatre. 13 Going On 30 follows the story of 13 year old Jenna Rink, who desperat

Love Quirks follows four roommates with very different troubles as they navigate the emotional rollercoaster that is early adulthood....

Beginning its fifth year on the West End, Back to the Future: The Musical continues to thrill audiences with high stakes technical stunts, impressive choreography and unwavering energy. Having seen the show twice before, this reviewer did not expect to see so many subtle changes in characterisation. The introduction of Brian Conley as Doc Brown and Maddie Grace Jepson as Lorraine Baines imbued the performance with a renewed vitality, offering a genuinely refreshing interpre

The scene is 1985 Dublin and Conor Lawlor ( Sheridan Townsley ) is struggling, as is most of the country at the time. From financial...

Review written by Oviya Thirumalai The Addams Family , a beloved musical based on the comics and TV series of the same name, returns to delight audiences in a new UK tour. Directed by Matthew White , the tour brings the iconic kooky family to stage again, allowing for a new wave of theatre-goers to enjoy the musical. The musical, with music and lyrics by Andrew Lippa and book by Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice , is a charming tribute to the Addams Family . Despite having s

The London theatrical scene has received the much anticipated transfer of the 2023 musical The Great Gatsby, now appearing on both the...