Mates blogger: The Family Stage


The Family Stage is one of over 45 theatre bloggers who are part of the MyTheatreMates collective. This page features The Family Stage's posts on MyTheatreMates. Take a look at our full list of theatre bloggers and our aggregated feed of all our Mates' posts. We’re always looking for new theatre bloggers. Could that be you? Learn about how to join us.
The Family Stage
The Family Stage is a blog following the lives of two musical mad mums who are attempting to sustain their theatregoing habit after adopting two little girls. Born out of Mummy’s indecision over whether to become a theatre blogger or mummy blogger, it attempts to straddle the boundary between the two worlds. But with family life revolving around extracurricular activities of the performing arts variety, and weekends filled with family theatre, Mummy finds that her musings remain distinctly stagey. When the munchkins are in bed, Mummy and Mrs Mummy take it in turns to go to grown-up shows, ensuring that they have something to talk about besides children.
The Family Stage on FacebookThe Family Stage on Twitter


The latest from The Family Stage on MyTheatreMates

View Post

‘It’s a compelling concept’: SNOWFLAKES – Park Theatre

In London theatre, Opinion, Other Recent Articles, Plays, Reviews by The Family StageLeave a Comment

We’re partial to a dark and twisty grown-up show so our interest was immediately piqued by the press release for Snowflakes, a black comedy promising a cross between Black Mirror and Inside No. 9. Exploring themes of morality, justice and revenge, Robert Boulton’s debut play offers a dystopian take on trial by social media, where the consequences of cancellation are distinctly more permanent than being hounded off Twitter.

View Post

‘It’s brilliant to see underrepresented voices brought to life’: ALFIE’S FIRST FIGHT – Touring

In Children's theatre, London theatre, Opinion, Other Recent Articles, Plays, Regional theatre, Reviews, Touring by The Family StageLeave a Comment

Oliver Sykes’ debut children’s novel is inspired by growing up as a keen amateur boxer in a single parent family on the breadline. Having long been a passionate advocate for underrepresented voices, Sykes brings his own personal experiences to the page in Alfie’s First Fight, which promises to be a cross between Jacqueline Wilson and Rocky Balboa.

View Post

‘Powerful & thought-provoking’: FOX – Touring

In London theatre, Opinion, Other Recent Articles, Plays, Regional theatre, Reviews, Touring by The Family StageLeave a Comment

Following a run at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in 2019, and a Covid-induced hiatus, Katie Guicciardi’s FOX is finally out on tour. Inspired by real-life events, this witty one-hander offers a candid insight into the isolation of new motherhood. Mummy joined a room full of tiny humans and their grown-ups for a baby-friendly performance of FOX at Greenwich Theatre.

View Post

‘Fantastically fun production’: THE FLYING BATH – Little Angel Theatre

In Children's theatre, London theatre, Musicals, Opinion, Other Recent Articles, Plays, Reviews by The Family StageLeave a Comment

Overall, The Flying Bath at Little Angel Studios is a fantastically fun production which has pretty much everything you could ask of an early years show. It’s a brilliant celebration of the joys of imaginative play and the unique dynamic of sibling relationships. It will no doubt inspire its young audiences to get creative at home, but be prepared to have a very messy bathroom afterwards.

View Post

‘Electrifying evening of fear & laughter’: CIRQUE BERSERK! – Riverside Studios

In Circus, London theatre, Opinion, Other Recent Articles, Reviews by The Family StageLeave a Comment

Overall, Cirque Berserk! at Riverside Studios does exactly what is says on the tin, offering up a real circus experience in a theatre setting. While it doesn’t quite have the same atmosphere as the Big Top (and some acts feel a little constrained by the comparatively small performance space), it’s every bit as thrilling as its tented counterpart.

View Post

’An enjoyable trip to Neverland’: The Further Adventures of Peter Pan: The Return of Captain Hook – Fairfield Halls

In London theatre, Opinion, Other Recent Articles, Pantomimes, Reviews by The Family StageLeave a Comment

Peter Pan flies into Fairfield Halls this Christmas with a brand new adventure for all the family. The Further Adventures of Peter Pan: The Return of Captain Hook features a star-studded cast led by EastEnders bad boy Ricky Champ as Neverland’s very own baddie, Captain Hook.

View Post

‘Brilliantly inventive adaptation’: SCROOGELICIOUS – Theatre Peckham

In London theatre, Musicals, Opinion, Other Recent Articles, Plays, Reviews by The Family StageLeave a Comment

Adapted by Geoff Aymer (the writer of last year’s excellent production The Wonderful), with Theatre Peckham’s artistic director Suzann McLean once more at the helm as director, Scroogelicious re-imagines the miserly protagonist as a property developer responsible for the gentrification of Peckham.

View Post

‘Often hilarious & surprisingly moving’: AN IMPROBABLE MUSICAL – Hackney Empire

In London theatre, Musicals, Opinion, Other Recent Articles, Reviews by The Family StageLeave a Comment

When you book tickets to a musical you would ordinarily expect to see a highly polished, carefully choreographed production where every line, step and song has been rehearsed a hundred times. Not so if you’re heading to Hackney Empire for An Improbable Musical, a show which will be improvised before your eyes.

View Post

‘Enthralling, emotional & impactful play’: APPLES IN WINTER – Playground Theatre

In London theatre, Opinion, Other Recent Articles, Plays, Reviews by The Family StageLeave a Comment

Apples in Winter is an enthralling, emotional and impactful play which will no doubt appeal to anyone with an interest in the criminal justice system but will resonate for so many more. A remarkable piece of theatre which offers a voice to an often-ostracised group of people and will hopefully open up important conversations about justice and forgiveness.

View Post

‘Gets the environmental message across in an entertaining way’: DINOSAURS & ALL THAT RUBBISH –Touring

In Children's theatre, London theatre, Opinion, Other Recent Articles, Plays, Regional theatre, Reviews, Touring by The Family StageLeave a Comment

This year sees the 50th anniversary of Michael Foreman’s classic story Dinosaurs and all that Rubbish, a cautionary tale about environmental destruction which remains as relevant as ever. Back in the 2021 lockdown, Roustabout Theatre adapted the popular picture book into a three part online series. They’re now back with a live stage version of the story, which is out on an autumn tour following an Edinburgh Fringe run.

View Post

Taking the family to the Edinburgh Fringe? The Family Stage is here to help

In Children's theatre, Edinburgh Festival, Features, Festivals, Musicals, Opinion, Other Recent Articles, Plays, Regional theatre, Reviews, Scotland, Touring by The Family StageLeave a Comment

We are wading through the ‘What’s On’ directory on the Edinburgh Fringe website to help you get to grips with it all. In the first of our Edinburgh Fringe previews, we’re focusing on the shows we’ve seen before. Whether you’re taking a toddler or teenager, you will find a show with the Family Stage seal of approval in our tried and tested list below.

View Post

‘Inspiring, empowering & uplifting musical’: Fantastically Great Women Who Changed the World – Touring

In London theatre, Musicals, Opinion, Other Recent Articles, Reviews, Touring by The Family StageLeave a Comment

Kate Pankhurst’s best-selling picture book Fantastically Great Women Who Changed the World is filled with fascinating facts about some of the amazing women who have changed the course of history. And it’s now been adapted into a musical by a creative team of wonderful women.

View Post

‘Brilliantly entertaining’: THE MINISTRY OF LESBIAN AFFAIRS – Soho Theatre

In London theatre, Musicals, Opinion, Other Recent Articles, Plays, Reviews by The Family StageLeave a Comment

When we received the press release for Iman Qureshi’s latest play, The Ministry of Lesbian Affairs, our interest was immediately piqued just by the name. And when we read on and discovered that it was a heartwarming comedy about a lesbian choir, it was clear that this was going to be just up our street.

View Post

‘Will inspire children to find the superhero inside themselves’: AIDY THE AWESOME – Touring

In Children's theatre, London theatre, Musicals, Opinion, Other Recent Articles, Regional theatre, Reviews, Touring by The Family StageLeave a Comment

The Gramophones are a female-led company making contemporary theatre that puts women and girls centre stage. They are currently on tour with Aidy the Awesome, an aerial theatre show for ages three to eight which aims to break down gender stereotypes and offer young girls funny, feisty and strong role models.


More from The Family Stage

See the latest posts from The Family Stage's own website

Click here