Emma's Theatrics

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

Spitfire Girls shines a light on the unspoken heroes of the Second World War - the women who fought stereotypes and deep rooted misogyny to serve their country. The show follows two women as they enlist to join the Air Transport Auxiliary (ATA), flying planes from factories to deliver them to the Royal Air Force during the war. Whilst these women were not on the front lines of the fighting, their job was essential in assuring the security of the soldiers who were. Although t

There’s a quote in the show’s programme that reads “Our age is the age of the refugee, the displaced person, mass immigration.” We live in terrifying times. Uncertain and uncomfortable times. When the status quo is constantly being challenged, corruption is reaching far and wide and our reliance on human bonds is stronger than ever. A story like The Beekeeper of Aleppo perhaps never felt more relevant than it does right at this moment. It follows the story of Nuri ( Adam Sin

All I want is a room somewhere I can listen to this music, all day, every day. Oh, wouldn’t that be loverly? Every theatre lover understands the deep affection for cinema — and more specifically, for movie musicals. From Bernstein’s iconic West Side Story to Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Carousel , or even Pasek and Paul’s La La Land , these are the stories where characters burst into song not out of realism, but out of emotional necessity. There is, one might argue, no feeling

This famous American psychological thriller follows the story of Thomas Ripley (played here by Ed McVey ), a young man tasked with persuading a fleeting acquaintance to return home from Italy at the request of his wealthy family. Ripley travels to Italy under the financial care of the Greenleafs, intent on completing what seems, at first glance, to be a straightforward assignment. Yet as he settles into the languid glamour of sun-soaked Italy, he finds himself drawn into a ti

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

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

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 sell-out, Irish-inspired Christmas concert returns for another UK tour, bringing festive cheer to audiences nationwide. Blending pop favourites, classic carols, Irish dance, and Celtic hits, A Fairytale for Christmas promises an evening that’s hard to forget. Having previously reviewed Seven Drunken Nights: The Story of the Dubliners —created by the same team as this production—I was pleasantly surprised by how much effort had gone into making A Fairytale for Christmas a

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

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

War Horse takes the suburb writing of Michael Morpurgo and translates it to the stage, transporting the audience to the farmlands of England in 1914 and to the trenches of France during the First World War. Based off the book by Michael Morpurgo ‘ War Horse ’ follows Albert Narracott and his horse Joey and they’re forcibly separated by the First World War. Act One takes place in the English farmlands as the audience watches how Joey and Albert became a pair, whilst Act Two

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

Perhaps one of the most popular theatrical works in the United Kingdom – JB Priestley ’s An Inspector Calls sets off on tour to stun audiences across the country. The story follows a stereotypical upper class family around a dining room table as they celebrate the engagement of the family’s only daughter – Sheila Birling - to the son of a prominent businessman – Gerald Croft. The diner is then interrupted by the arrival of a police Inspector, coming to inquire about the rece