The show tells the story of three best friends, Effie White, Deena Jones and Lorrell Robinson, on their quest to become music stars in 1960s America and what happens to them on their way to phenomenal success.
‘I can’t help but ask: is this humour we still want or need in theatre?’ THE BOOK OF MORMON – Touring
I want to start by saying how happy I am to be back reviewing musical theatre. How happy I am the big tours are back and how overjoyed I was to be back in my home turf of the Wales Millennium reviewing a show.
‘A powerful return for the theatre’: THE BOY WITH TWO HEARTS — Wales Millennium Centre
The Boy with Two Hearts is an adaption of the book by Hamed and Hessam Amiri adapted for the stage by Phil Porter. The book which was a Radio 4 book of the week, combines the account of the family’s journey from Afghanistan to the UK, and the experiences of refugees across Europe, with a touching love letter to the NHS.
‘I applaud everyone who is trying to fill the void with creativity’: Mourning, fretting & struggling to write
I’ve struggled to write about theatre at this time. To be honest, I’ve struggled to write anything about anything. It took me weeks to get my head remotely functioning.
A Roundabout rundown: Six Paines Plough shows at Edfringe
The Paines Plough Roundabout is the most reliable, new writing venues at the fringe. With a collection of work that represents the width and breadth of the UK both geographically and thematically, this year’s offerings are universally strong.
‘Its power & its joy is in storytelling’: EMILIA – West End
It is not to diminish the historical elements, the research and indeed the politics of the play, to say that its power and its joy is in storytelling.
Emily runs down her Top 10 of 2018
Emily Garside rounds up her Top 10 shows of 2018.
‘Wildly funny, incredibly filthy’: SKIN A CAT – Cardiff
If Isley Lynn’s Skin A Cat teaches us anything it’s to be bold in talking about everything about sex, especially for women.
‘Beautifully written piece of drama’: A RECIPE FOR SLOE GIN – Cardiff
Allan Neve’s play is an exploration of a father-daughter life over the decades. Starting when daughter Lucy (Georgia Theodoulou) comes home to look after her father Charlie (Keiron Self), a series of intertwined monologues tell their story of past and present.
‘A powerful approach’: TREMOR – Cardiff Sherman Theatre
I like to spend time unpacking a play and in particular the writing a little more. So here is my not-review of Brad Birch’s new play Tremor at the Sherman Theatre.
My dirty love affair with the jukebox musical
I was the first one to declare how much I hated the idea of using existing pop music for a ‘new’ musical. I was certain that Mamma Mia! would not last long and I’d pick up some deeply discounted ticket a few months in to take a look at just how bad it was…
The Nerdy Notebook’s Favourite Theatre of 2017
Here it is a list of the 10 shows that for various reasons made a mark in 2017.
EVERYBODY’S TALKING ABOUT JAMIE – West End
This was my last theatre outing of the year, and what a way to end a year. Everyone should be talking about Jamie if they aren’t already.
TIGER BAY – Cardiff ★★★★★
Tiger Bay is a prime example of ‘deeds not words’. I am a Cardiff girl myself so to be able to return to my home City and watch the most beautifully portrayed musical, about the history of my heritage was just magical.
‘A lovely new toy for theatreland’: Thoughts on the Bridge Theatre & Young Marx
The Bridge Theatre is a lovely new toy for theatreland. Firstly, its location is spectacular – the views of London are glorious and next summer it will make for many a delightful pre-theatre drink there.
HEISENBERG: The Uncertainty Principle – West End
The idea of music existing “between the notes” seems to be the best description of Heisenberg. A bit like the principle from which it takes its name, that you cannot view a thing and observe it’s momentum at once. The music analogy is more romantic though.
THE BUSY WORLD IS HUSHED – Finborough Theatre ★★★★
It’s a rare play that gets both into your head and under your skin. Watching The Busy World is Hushed sends both a mind reeling trying to keep up with the ideas and questions posed by the characters, but also cuts to the heart with some frank, honest reflections on grief and love.
In praise of Elliott Harper: The theatre company I’ve been waiting for
It’s all exciting, and has the potential, we already know, to produce exciting work. A company that is starting with a new Simon Stephens play starring Anne-Marie Duff and Kenneth Cranham is obviously off to a pretty strong start.
OUR TOWN – Manchester
It seems everyone has a first memory of Thornton Wilder’s Our Town. Mine, in typical style is mildly embarrassing and reveals me to be the uncultured swine I so often am. It was my third year in University, which happened to be my ‘Study Abroad’ year. …
14 years, 100,000 words, National Theatre…Angels in America & me
Almost a week ago now, Prior Walter bid the Lyttleton theatre ‘More Life’ one last time. Twenty-four years earlier it had opened next door in the Cottesloe. And some 14 or so years earlier the Angel first crashed into my life. Since then it’s been a labour of love.