#theatre-review — Public Fediverse posts

🆕 blog! “Theatre Review: Hadestown”
★★★★★

Anaïs Mitchell has created something magical. I felt like giving a standing ovation after every song. Just pure theatrical joy delivered by a cast who know how to squeeze every drop of emotion from an audience.

Perhaps it was sitting right at the front of the stalls, but the opening of Hadestown feels like dinner theatre; almost cosy in its …

👀 Read more: https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/04/theatre-review-hadestown/
⸻
#musical #TheatreReview

🆕 blog! “Theatre Review: Hadestown”
★★★★★

Anaïs Mitchell has created something magical. I felt like giving a standing ovation after every song. Just pure theatrical joy delivered by a cast who know how to squeeze every drop of emotion from an audience.

Perhaps it was sitting right at the front of the stalls, but the opening of Hadestown feels like dinner theatre; almost cosy in its …

👀 Read more: https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/04/theatre-review-hadestown/
⸻
#musical #TheatreReview

Theatre Review: Hadestown

Anaïs Mitchell has created something magical. I felt like giving a standing ovation after every song. Just pure theatrical joy delivered by a cast who know how to squeeze every drop of emotion from an audience.

Perhaps it was sitting right at the front of the stalls, but the opening of Hadestown feels like dinner theatre; almost cosy in its intimacy. The first act is so busy - there are a hundred-and-one things happening on stage that it occasionally becomes overwhelming. The second act is slightly more intimate, but no less dazzling.

Having the musicians on stage lends to the feel of being in a nightclub. The stereo separation makes it easier to pick out the various musical threads and brings a lovely texture to the songs. Also, who knew a trombone could steal a show?

Lots of the cast sing in their natural accents. A roaring northern Hades versus a Mancunian Orpheus makes for quite the thrilling combination. Having subsequently listened to the Broadway cast recording, it is amazing what a positive difference it makes.

And, yes, the obligatory revolve spins the performers on a near-constant merry-go-round. When I am King of the West End, the revolve will be banned for the laze cliché that it is!

A stunning show with a killer soundtrack and a delightful set of performers.

I've written before about how the pre-show and post-show experience shapes an event. The Lyric theatre is generously sized, so plenty of space to mill about before the show, rather than being crammed into a tiny bar. The toilets weren't in too bad a condition. Once again, no set dressing in the liminal spaces. Would it have been so hard to mock up some travel posters for the eponymous station? Or have something for people to take photos with?

The themed cocktail menu was inventive but shockingly expensive, even for London prices. The programme is only a fiver and, unlike other West End shows, is full of interesting information and not just an excuse to cram in adverts - excellent value for money.

After the curtain call, we get a few more minutes with the musicians, which was delightful. On the way out there was no leaflet offering a discount on return visits (unlike Avenue Q). There is, apparently, a "Hadestown Passport" which you can get stamped every visit - although I didn't see any evidence of that.

Theatre Review: Hadestown

Anaïs Mitchell has created something magical. I felt like giving a standing ovation after every song. Just pure theatrical joy delivered by a cast who know how to squeeze every drop of emotion from an audience.

Perhaps it was sitting right at the front of the stalls, but the opening of Hadestown feels like dinner theatre; almost cosy in its intimacy. The first act is so busy - there are a hundred-and-one things happening on stage that it occasionally becomes overwhelming. The second act is slightly more intimate, but no less dazzling.

Having the musicians on stage lends to the feel of being in a nightclub. The stereo separation makes it easier to pick out the various musical threads and brings a lovely texture to the songs. Also, who knew a trombone could steal a show?

Lots of the cast sing in their natural accents. A roaring northern Hades versus a Mancunian Orpheus makes for quite the thrilling combination. Having subsequently listened to the Broadway cast recording, it is amazing what a positive difference it makes.

And, yes, the obligatory revolve spins the performers on a near-constant merry-go-round. When I am King of the West End, the revolve will be banned for the laze cliché that it is!

A stunning show with a killer soundtrack and a delightful set of performers.

I've written before about how the pre-show and post-show experience shapes an event. The Lyric theatre is generously sized, so plenty of space to mill about before the show, rather than being crammed into a tiny bar. The toilets weren't in too bad a condition. Once again, no set dressing in the liminal spaces. Would it have been so hard to mock up some travel posters for the eponymous station? Or have something for people to take photos with?

The themed cocktail menu was inventive but shockingly expensive, even for London prices. The programme is only a fiver and, unlike other West End shows, is full of interesting information and not just an excuse to cram in adverts - excellent value for money.

After the curtain call, we get a few more minutes with the musicians, which was delightful. On the way out there was no leaflet offering a discount on return visits (unlike Avenue Q). There is, apparently, a "Hadestown Passport" which you can get stamped every visit - although I didn't see any evidence of that.

A smart 15-year-old girl learns about the Constitution of the United States of America as she debates at the American Legion to earn money for college. Years later, Heidi tells us what she learned as that 15 years old in “What the Constitution Means to Me.”
#Theatre #theatrereview
https://renoarts.news/what-the-constitution-means-to-me

A smart 15-year-old girl learns about the Constitution of the United States of America as she debates at the American Legion to earn money for college. Years later, Heidi tells us what she learned as that 15 years old in “What the Constitution Means to Me.”
#Theatre #theatrereview
https://renoarts.news/what-the-constitution-means-to-me

They say that you cannot go home again, but the truth is, you can, but should you? “Qualities of Starlight” explores one man’s journey home and the emotional damage he discovers along the way.
#qualitiesofstarlight #theatrereview #communitytheatre
https://renoarts.news/qualities-of-starlight

🆕 blog! “Theatre Review: Avenue Q”
★★★★★

I'll admit, I was a little sceptical about returning to Avenue Q. I saw it on its original West End run back in… OH MY GOD I AM SO OLD! FUCK! Where did the time go?

It's always hard to know how much to update a show. Does it need constant reinvention to stay in the zeitgeist or can it be pickled forever as a classic?

"I wish I had taken more p…

👀 Read more: https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/04/theatre-review-avenue-q/
⸻
#comedy #TheatreReview

🆕 blog! “Theatre Review: Avenue Q”
★★★★★

I'll admit, I was a little sceptical about returning to Avenue Q. I saw it on its original West End run back in… OH MY GOD I AM SO OLD! FUCK! Where did the time go?

It's always hard to know how much to update a show. Does it need constant reinvention to stay in the zeitgeist or can it be pickled forever as a classic?

"I wish I had taken more p…

👀 Read more: https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/04/theatre-review-avenue-q/
⸻
#comedy #TheatreReview

Theatre Review: Avenue Q

I'll admit, I was a little sceptical about returning to Avenue Q. I saw it on its original West End run back in… OH MY GOD I AM SO OLD! FUCK! Where did the time go?

It's always hard to know how much to update a show. Does it need constant reinvention to stay in the zeitgeist or can it be pickled forever as a classic?

"I wish I had taken more pictures" was something that utterly resonated with me about my university experience. Photos were a rare commodity back when film still cost a couple of quid to develop. Perhaps today's uni students will sing "I wish I had posted less on Instagram"?

The show has been sympathetically updated. Some of the references have been modernised, a transphobic joke given the boot, and the lyrics tweaked to sometimes devastating effect. The song "Everyone's A Little Bit Racist" seems to have the most changes - and all for the better.

Parts of the show are adapted for a UK audience. Barely anyone here knows who Gary Coleman was so his intro is changed (although I guess part of the metajoke is that we all watched foreign celebrities on Sesame Street when we were growing up - so what's one more obscure cultural reference?). In the American show, the Bad Idea Bears proffer Long Island Ice Teas - that was a bit tame for UK audiences, so in the original UK run they guzzled absinthe daiquiris - a change inexplicably reverted for this limited run.

As a piece of pure entertainment it is spectacular. The laughs are genuinely non-stop and the whole auditorium rose to give the performers a well-deserved ovation. It is a tender and beautiful show which shows off the power of live theatre.

The songs are still stuck in my head and the puppetry is still amazing. Absolutely hilarious, genuinely shocking in places, utterly filthy - an excellent night out.

Pre- and Post-Show

I've written before about The art of the Pre-Show and Post-Show. With West End prices higher than ever, it is incumbent on theatres to make their shows a memorable and spectacular evening out. That can be as simple as a bit of set dressing in the foyer, or as extravagant as they can get away with.

The offering is pretty reasonable here. You can buy the T-shirt, hoodie, and commemorative socks at exorbitant prices. The souvenir programme is £8 and, while lush with photos, is pretty sparse. The original West End programme from the early 2000s had a pin-up calendar of Lucy The Slut, a bunch more funny photos, and fake autographs of the puppets.

There's a photo-booth for taking selfies, but it appeared to be broken.

It might been nice to have a few puppets placed around for people to take photos with.

One of the simplest things a venue can do is put on a themed cocktail menu. I'm surprised more shows don't do that. Who is going to turn down a glass of "The Internet Is For Pornstar Martini"?

The Shaftesbury Theatre itself isn't too cramped, even in the cheap seats. Although, at the back of the stalls, the overhang cuts off the top of the set which means you will miss a bit of action in some scenes.

While we were waiting for the show to start, the auditorium was filled with soundscape of subway cars rattling and distorted announcements. Again, fairly cheap and simple, but a nice way to build the mood.

As we exited, we were handed leaflets encouraging us to come back and bring our friends. Even better was the £10 discount on our next booking!

Considering this is a limited run, the production has done a fair job of getting the audience in the mood and rewarding them for their patronage.

Well done to all involved!

Theatre Review: Avenue Q

I'll admit, I was a little sceptical about returning to Avenue Q. I saw it on its original West End run back in… OH MY GOD I AM SO OLD! FUCK! Where did the time go?

It's always hard to know how much to update a show. Does it need constant reinvention to stay in the zeitgeist or can it be pickled forever as a classic?

"I wish I had taken more pictures" was something that utterly resonated with me about my university experience. Photos were a rare commodity back when film still cost a couple of quid to develop. Perhaps today's uni students will sing "I wish I had posted less on Instagram"?

The show has been sympathetically updated. Some of the references have been modernised, a transphobic joke given the boot, and the lyrics tweaked to sometimes devastating effect. The song "Everyone's A Little Bit Racist" seems to have the most changes - and all for the better.

Parts of the show are adapted for a UK audience. Barely anyone here knows who Gary Coleman was so his intro is changed (although I guess part of the metajoke is that we all watched foreign celebrities on Sesame Street when we were growing up - so what's one more obscure cultural reference?). In the American show, the Bad Idea Bears proffer Long Island Ice Teas - that was a bit tame for UK audiences, so in the original UK run they guzzled absinthe daiquiris - a change inexplicably reverted for this limited run.

As a piece of pure entertainment it is spectacular. The laughs are genuinely non-stop and the whole auditorium rose to give the performers a well-deserved ovation. It is a tender and beautiful show which shows off the power of live theatre.

The songs are still stuck in my head and the puppetry is still amazing. Absolutely hilarious, genuinely shocking in places, utterly filthy - an excellent night out.

Pre- and Post-Show

I've written before about The art of the Pre-Show and Post-Show. With West End prices higher than ever, it is incumbent on theatres to make their shows a memorable and spectacular evening out. That can be as simple as a bit of set dressing in the foyer, or as extravagant as they can get away with.

The offering is pretty reasonable here. You can buy the T-shirt, hoodie, and commemorative socks at exorbitant prices. The souvenir programme is £8 and, while lush with photos, is pretty sparse. The original West End programme from the early 2000s had a pin-up calendar of Lucy The Slut, a bunch more funny photos, and fake autographs of the puppets.

There's a photo-booth for taking selfies, but it appeared to be broken.

It might been nice to have a few puppets placed around for people to take photos with.

One of the simplest things a venue can do is put on a themed cocktail menu. I'm surprised more shows don't do that. Who is going to turn down a glass of "The Internet Is For Pornstar Martini"?

The Shaftesbury Theatre itself isn't too cramped, even in the cheap seats. Although, at the back of the stalls, the overhang cuts off the top of the set which means you will miss a bit of action in some scenes.

While we were waiting for the show to start, the auditorium was filled with soundscape of subway cars rattling and distorted announcements. Again, fairly cheap and simple, but a nice way to build the mood.

As we exited, we were handed leaflets encouraging us to come back and bring our friends. Even better was the £10 discount on our next booking!

Considering this is a limited run, the production has done a fair job of getting the audience in the mood and rewarding them for their patronage.

Well done to all involved!

The Heebie Jeebie JuiceBox Company is celebrating its success. But with any family-owned business, there are jealousies, and perhaps even murder. “The Murder Mystery at the Heebie Jeebie JuiceBox Company” is a fun tale with a splatter zone at Good Luck Macbeth.
#communitytheatre #theatrereview
https://renoarts.news/murder-mystery-at-the-heebie-jeebie-juicebox-company

Green by Meg Schadler at
Riverside Studios in London
is an intimate two-parter with strong acting and singing. Absorbing while you watch, it engagingly explores the perils of fame and the gap between public image and private reality. First staged at the Old Red Lion Theatre

#london #londontheatre #theatrereview

Strong revival of Arcadia: past scenes gripping, present-day strand less urgent. I felt I followed all the theory as I watched, yet somehow left the theatre with most of it vanished from my head. A confident, thoughtful staging.

#tomstoppard #arcadia #theatre #theatrereview #london

Oh Mary! is gloriously camp, silly fun: not to be taken seriously. Mason Alexander Park shines with razor-sharp comic timing and a superb voice; Giles Terera always brings flair. With its brisk length and 5.30pm start, it fits neatly after a matinee or before an evening show.

#london #londontheatre #theatrereview

The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry arrives in the West End as a triumphant musical after Chichester. You might quibble about depth and some encounters, but the emotional core lands: a journey through grief and regret told with warmth and quiet conviction.

#london #theatre #musical #theatrereview #musicalreview #haroldfry

In The Sidhe (Shee), superstition takes over common sense? The setting is in 1800s Ireland, and the Cleary family is in chaos.
~Review and Photos by Dana Nöllsch~
#Theatre #Theatrereview #Reno
https://renoarts.news/the-sidhe

In The Sidhe (Shee), superstition takes over common sense? The setting is in 1800s Ireland, and the Cleary family is in chaos.
~Review and Photos by Dana Nöllsch~
#Theatre #Theatrereview #Reno
https://renoarts.news/the-sidhe

There are two sides to every story. Hook’s Tale is the other side of the story.
Restless Artists Theatre Company
#theatrearts #theatrereview #reno
https://renoarts.news/hooks-tale

ANITO: visceral perfection

https://web.brid.gy/r/https://remarks.nz/anito-visceral-perfection/

ANITO: visceral perfection

https://web.brid.gy/r/https://remarks.nz/anito-visceral-perfection/

Maggots by Tony Craze Award winner Farah Najib is currently at the Bush Theatre. Through three actors, it powerfully explores the unseen human costs of societal neglect and it stayed with me longer than I expected.

I wrote a longer review here if anyone’s interested: https://redbuslondinium.uk/2026/02/02/maggots-bush-theatre/

#theatre #londontheatre #offwestend #fringetheatre #bushtheatre #theatrereview

Maggots by Tony Craze Award winner Farah Najib is currently at the Bush Theatre. Through three actors, it powerfully explores the unseen human costs of societal neglect and it stayed with me longer than I expected.

I wrote a longer review here if anyone’s interested: https://redbuslondinium.uk/2026/02/02/maggots-bush-theatre/

#theatre #londontheatre #offwestend #fringetheatre #bushtheatre #theatrereview

🆕 blog! “Theatre Review: The Hitchhiker’s Guide to The Galaxy - Immersive Experience”
★★★⯪☆

You've read the books, listened to the original radio performances, re-read the books, worn the t-shirt - and now it is time to be part of The Hitchhiker’s Guide to The Galaxy.

*Cue the music from Flight of the Sorcerer*

This is a 90-ish minute i…

👀 Read more: https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/01/theatre-review-the-hitchhikers-guide-to-the-galaxy-immersive-experience/
⸻
#H2G2 #TheatreReview

🆕 blog! “Theatre Review: The Hitchhiker’s Guide to The Galaxy - Immersive Experience”
★★★⯪☆

You've read the books, listened to the original radio performances, re-read the books, worn the t-shirt - and now it is time to be part of The Hitchhiker’s Guide to The Galaxy.

*Cue the music from Flight of the Sorcerer*

This is a 90-ish minute i…

👀 Read more: https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/01/theatre-review-the-hitchhikers-guide-to-the-galaxy-immersive-experience/
⸻
#H2G2 #TheatreReview

Theatre Review: The Hitchhiker’s Guide to The Galaxy - Immersive Experience

You've read the books, listened to the original radio performances, re-read the books, worn the t-shirt - and now it is time to be part of The Hitchhiker’s Guide to The Galaxy.

*Cue the music from Flight of the Sorcerer*

This is a 90-ish minute immersive experience. As well as a full cast of actors and a puppet android, there are ✨celebrity✨ voice cameos.

And songs! So many songs!

Pre Show

I'm always interested in how shows build excitement before a performance. We were encouraged to arrive early to stash our coats (a very reasonable £1 each) and soak up the atmosphere.

It mostly works! We're deposited into the pub with lots of texture. As well as multiple screens displaying a variety on in-jokes, the actors hobnob with the guests. Nifty!

Show

From a technology perspective, the show is astonishingly good. Laser display boards mixed with puppets, dry ice, surround sound, and a hundred little decorations to notice. The actors are witty and talented improvisers. They did well with the matinée audience who needed a little warming up. There's a bar halfway through the experience where you can buy a (typically overpriced) branded beer - but I'd recommend having a warm up Pan Galactic Gargle Blaster in the bar before the show.

Wandering around the Vogon ship is a sonic and visual delight. The chaos of running between the sets feels utterly on-brand for H2G2. The sets are lush and, as mentioned, the technology integrates well with the story.

So, about the story.

There is no continuity in this franchise. Canon is noticeable by its absence and you should throw most of your preconceptions of plot out of the window. This isn't a cosy retread of the books you loved, nor is it a something entirely new. Essentially it is a series of sketches ripped and remixed from various versions. It kind of felt like there was a missing segment in the show - characters disappeared (to go perform for the next set of participants) and then reappeared.

If you have even a passing familiarity with H2G2 (in any of its forms) then I think you'll enjoy it. If not, I think it is a little scattershot. 90 minutes isn't enough to build up much of the complexity or tension in the drama. That said, it is rather jolly fun and surprisingly tender.

Post Show

It isn't quite "exit through the gift shop" but not far off. I remember how the end of the Alien experience in the Trocadero had audience members running out into a public area - here it's a gentle stroll into the bar.

This is a worthy addition to the many different adaptations of Douglas Adams' opus.

The experience runs until the 15th of February at the Riverside Studios. Tickets start at, of course, £42.

Theatre Review: The Hitchhiker’s Guide to The Galaxy - Immersive Experience

You've read the books, listened to the original radio performances, re-read the books, worn the t-shirt - and now it is time to be part of The Hitchhiker’s Guide to The Galaxy.

*Cue the music from Flight of the Sorcerer*

This is a 90-ish minute immersive experience. As well as a full cast of actors and a puppet android, there are ✨celebrity✨ voice cameos.

And songs! So many songs!

Pre Show

I'm always interested in how shows build excitement before a performance. We were encouraged to arrive early to stash our coats (a very reasonable £1 each) and soak up the atmosphere.

It mostly works! We're deposited into the pub with lots of texture. As well as multiple screens displaying a variety on in-jokes, the actors hobnob with the guests. Nifty!

Show

From a technology perspective, the show is astonishingly good. Laser display boards mixed with puppets, dry ice, surround sound, and a hundred little decorations to notice. The actors are witty and talented improvisers. They did well with the matinée audience who needed a little warming up. There's a bar halfway through the experience where you can buy a (typically overpriced) branded beer - but I'd recommend having a warm up Pan Galactic Gargle Blaster in the bar before the show.

Wandering around the Vogon ship is a sonic and visual delight. The chaos of running between the sets feels utterly on-brand for H2G2. The sets are lush and, as mentioned, the technology integrates well with the story.

So, about the story.

There is no continuity in this franchise. Canon is noticeable by its absence and you should throw most of your preconceptions of plot out of the window. This isn't a cosy retread of the books you loved, nor is it a something entirely new. Essentially it is a series of sketches ripped and remixed from various versions. It kind of felt like there was a missing segment in the show - characters disappeared (to go perform for the next set of participants) and then reappeared.

If you have even a passing familiarity with H2G2 (in any of its forms) then I think you'll enjoy it. If not, I think it is a little scattershot. 90 minutes isn't enough to build up much of the complexity or tension in the drama. That said, it is rather jolly fun and surprisingly tender.

Post Show

It isn't quite "exit through the gift shop" but not far off. I remember how the end of the Alien experience in the Trocadero had audience members running out into a public area - here it's a gentle stroll into the bar.

This is a worthy addition to the many different adaptations of Douglas Adams' opus.

The experience runs until the 15th of February at the Riverside Studios. Tickets start at, of course, £42.

More than just entertainment, more than just a tearjerker, Lonely Planet is a play that everyone should see, not to be just entertained, but also to never forget what happened during the dark time of the beginning of the HIV/AIDS epidemic.
Bruka Theatre Of The Sierra, Inc Our Center
#theatrelife #theatrereview #photography
https://renoarts.news/lonely-planet

More than just entertainment, more than just a tearjerker, Lonely Planet is a play that everyone should see, not to be just entertained, but also to never forget what happened during the dark time of the beginning of the HIV/AIDS epidemic.
Bruka Theatre Of The Sierra, Inc Our Center
#theatrelife #theatrereview #photography
https://renoarts.news/lonely-planet

A hilarious, fast-paced romantic comedy with a British farcical flair. The Cottage is a laugh-out-loud, two hours of pure joy.
https://renoarts.news/the-cottage
Reno Little Theater
#theatrelife #theatrereview #photography

A hilarious, fast-paced romantic comedy with a British farcical flair. The Cottage is a laugh-out-loud, two hours of pure joy.
https://renoarts.news/the-cottage
Reno Little Theater
#theatrelife #theatrereview #photography

Once again, the Reno favorite Buttcracker is gracing the stage at Brüka Theatre. This year is Buttcracker Neverland with a bit of a pirate slant and more.
#Theatre #theatrereview ##christmas2025
https://renoarts.news/buttcracker-neverland

What happens when an Italian family gathers for Christmas? You might expect some arguing, and you’d be correct. However, in “My Big Gay Italian Christmas,” there’s also a love triangle, a closeted lesbian who isn’t fooling anyone, a cop, two nuns, a doctor, and a pregnant woman—all set against the backdrop of the biggest snowstorm in history.
#theatre #theatrereview #Christmas
https://renoarts.news/my-big-gay-italian-christmas

Each year, “The Christmas Tree Farm” is where people gather, not only to find the perfect tree, but also to find much more. These are a few of those stories.
#theatre #theatrereview
https://renoarts.news/the-christmas-tree-farm

🆕 blog! “Gig Review: Meat Loaf by Candlelight”
★★★★☆

The "…by Candlelight" concerts have a simple premise - come to a cathedral or church to hear top West End talent sing your favourite singer's songs, backed by a live band. This is a cut above your usual tribute act - they aren't trying to do impressions of the act, they're stamping their own energy onto beloved songs.

It w…

👀 Read more: https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2025/10/gig-review-meat-loaf-by-candlelight/
⸻
#gig #TheatreReview

🆕 blog! “Gig Review: Meat Loaf by Candlelight”
★★★★☆

The "…by Candlelight" concerts have a simple premise - come to a cathedral or church to hear top West End talent sing your favourite singer's songs, backed by a live band. This is a cut above your usual tribute act - they aren't trying to do impressions of the act, they're stamping their own energy onto beloved songs.

It w…

👀 Read more: https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2025/10/gig-review-meat-loaf-by-candlelight/
⸻
#gig #TheatreReview

Gig Review: Meat Loaf by Candlelight

https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2025/10/gig-review-meat-loaf-by-candlelight/

The "…by Candlelight" concerts have a simple premise - come to a cathedral or church to hear top West End talent sing your favourite singer's songs, backed by a live band. This is a cut above your usual tribute act - they aren't trying to do impressions of the act, they're stamping their own energy onto beloved songs.

It works! Mostly. This concert was in a West End theatre so the (electric) candles were only on the stage. It perhaps wasn't as intimate as some of their other concerts. But, still, I was blown away by how powerful their voices were and how loud the band was.

The first half perhaps felt a little too polished - but the second was more raucous. Lots of encouragement to get up and dance, sing along, and snap photos.

All the hits were there - with the deepest cut being "In the Land of the Pig, the Butcher Is King" and the Jim Steinman penned "Total Eclipse of the Heart".

You're never going to be able to see Meat Loaf sing live (unless he returns from the dead as foretold in prophesy) but this is a good substitute. None of the singers could individually match his vocal ferocity - but when they come together it is a thing of joy.

Meat Loaf by Candlelight is touring the UK now.

#gig #TheatreReview

Gig Review: Meat Loaf by Candlelight

https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2025/10/gig-review-meat-loaf-by-candlelight/

The "…by Candlelight" concerts have a simple premise - come to a cathedral or church to hear top West End talent sing your favourite singer's songs, backed by a live band. This is a cut above your usual tribute act - they aren't trying to do impressions of the act, they're stamping their own energy onto beloved songs.

It works! Mostly. This concert was in a West End theatre so the (electric) candles were only on the stage. It perhaps wasn't as intimate as some of their other concerts. But, still, I was blown away by how powerful their voices were and how loud the band was.

The first half perhaps felt a little too polished - but the second was more raucous. Lots of encouragement to get up and dance, sing along, and snap photos.

All the hits were there - with the deepest cut being "In the Land of the Pig, the Butcher Is King" and the Jim Steinman penned "Total Eclipse of the Heart".

You're never going to be able to see Meat Loaf sing live (unless he returns from the dead as foretold in prophesy) but this is a good substitute. None of the singers could individually match his vocal ferocity - but when they come together it is a thing of joy.

Meat Loaf by Candlelight is touring the UK now.

#gig #TheatreReview

🆕 blog! “Theatre Review: Interview (Understudy Performance)”
★★★☆☆

One of the best things about London theatre is that once in a while a show will give its understudies a chance to break out of the dressing room and soar on the stage. It's a chance to see talented performers at a discount price. What's not to like? Lucy Donnelly and Mark Sean-Byrne are both flawless.…

👀 Read more: https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2025/09/theatre-review-interview-understudy-performance/
⸻
#TheatreReview

🆕 blog! “Theatre Review: Interview (Understudy Performance)”
★★★☆☆

One of the best things about London theatre is that once in a while a show will give its understudies a chance to break out of the dressing room and soar on the stage. It's a chance to see talented performers at a discount price. What's not to like? Lucy Donnelly and Mark Sean-Byrne are both flawless.…

👀 Read more: https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2025/09/theatre-review-interview-understudy-performance/
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#TheatreReview

Theatre Review: Interview (Understudy Performance)

https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2025/09/theatre-review-interview-understudy-performance/

One of the best things about London theatre is that once in a while a show will give its understudies a chance to break out of the dressing room and soar on the stage. It's a chance to see talented performers at a discount price. What's not to like? Lucy Donnelly and Mark Sean-Byrne are both flawless. His slouched frustration plays against her manic dream pixie self-loathing. The stage is gorgeously laid out - allowing the performers to dance around each other.

The Mayor of London passed a law a few years ago which said that every theatre performance needs to incorporate a live video backdrop. That's the only explanation for that particular cliché's ubiquity. But here it actually makes sense! We see social-media star Katya going live to her legion of followers, and her face is blown up a million pixels wide, dominating the stage. At times, the waveforms of the characters' voices undulate along the back wall. It is hypnotic.

It's such a shame that the dialogue is so inept and the plot so ridiculous. The characters' emotions change because the plot needs them to - not because of anything that has actually happened. I get that the play is called "Interview", but that doesn't mean every line of dialogue needs to be a question, does it? Finally, there's no reason for any of the plot to happen.

At its core is a good question about the tension between new-media and old. Whether selling parasocial relationships is whoreish behaviour (and if that matters)? Are pale-stale-male journalists the enemy? Or does their tragic backstory absolve them of responsibility?

Unlike, say, Mamet's Oleanna there's no he-said/she-said. There isn't a lot of ambiguity about what is and isn't happening. The final "twist" is works well but, again, there's no reason for it to happen. The whole play lacks a sense of why.

The play is on until the 27th of September. The performances are stunning, the staging innovative, the sound design is excellent. It's just a pity the play itself is a bit underwhelming.

#TheatreReview

Theatre Review: Interview (Understudy Performance)

https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2025/09/theatre-review-interview-understudy-performance/

One of the best things about London theatre is that once in a while a show will give its understudies a chance to break out of the dressing room and soar on the stage. It's a chance to see talented performers at a discount price. What's not to like? Lucy Donnelly and Mark Sean-Byrne are both flawless. His slouched frustration plays against her manic dream pixie self-loathing. The stage is gorgeously laid out - allowing the performers to dance around each other.

The Mayor of London passed a law a few years ago which said that every theatre performance needs to incorporate a live video backdrop. That's the only explanation for that particular cliché's ubiquity. But here it actually makes sense! We see social-media star Katya going live to her legion of followers, and her face is blown up a million pixels wide, dominating the stage. At times, the waveforms of the characters' voices undulate along the back wall. It is hypnotic.

It's such a shame that the dialogue is so inept and the plot so ridiculous. The characters' emotions change because the plot needs them to - not because of anything that has actually happened. I get that the play is called "Interview", but that doesn't mean every line of dialogue needs to be a question, does it? Finally, there's no reason for any of the plot to happen.

At its core is a good question about the tension between new-media and old. Whether selling parasocial relationships is whoreish behaviour (and if that matters)? Are pale-stale-male journalists the enemy? Or does their tragic backstory absolve them of responsibility?

Unlike, say, Mamet's Oleanna there's no he-said/she-said. There isn't a lot of ambiguity about what is and isn't happening. The final "twist" is works well but, again, there's no reason for it to happen. The whole play lacks a sense of why.

The play is on until the 27th of September. The performances are stunning, the staging innovative, the sound design is excellent. It's just a pity the play itself is a bit underwhelming.

#TheatreReview

🆕 blog! “Theatre Review - Show:Girls”
★★★★☆

Is it offensive to call a burlesque show "charming"? Sure, it is a funny and mildly titillating evening, but Show:Girls is suffused with such good natured charm that it is hard to describe it as anything else.

Unlike Gallifrey Cabaret which puts on a plethora of variety acts, this is a rather stripped down production.

The central conceit is that…

👀 Read more: https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2025/08/theatre-review-showgirls/
⸻
#TheatreReview

🆕 blog! “Theatre Review - Show:Girls”
★★★★☆

Is it offensive to call a burlesque show "charming"? Sure, it is a funny and mildly titillating evening, but Show:Girls is suffused with such good natured charm that it is hard to describe it as anything else.

Unlike Gallifrey Cabaret which puts on a plethora of variety acts, this is a rather stripped down production.

The central conceit is that…

👀 Read more: https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2025/08/theatre-review-showgirls/
⸻
#TheatreReview

Theatre Review - Show:Girls

https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2025/08/theatre-review-showgirls/

Is it offensive to call a burlesque show "charming"? Sure, it is a funny and mildly titillating evening, but Show:Girls is suffused with such good natured charm that it is hard to describe it as anything else.

Unlike Gallifrey Cabaret which puts on a plethora of variety acts, this is a rather stripped down0 production.

The central conceit is that two acts have been accidentally double booked. One, a high-class opera singer, the other a low-down burlesque performer. HI-JINKS ENSUE!

Bellinda Williams has the voice of an angel and Elsie Diamond has the body of a devil1. They teach each other the secrets of their art form which leads to the most unlikely mash-up I've seen in some time; Opera Burlesque.

It is exactly as batty as it sounds. Each of them attempting to Eliza Doolittle the other to the great merriment of the audience.

I'm sure there's something profound to say about the origins of opera and its intersection with courtesan couture, or how empowering it is to play dress up with your friends, but I was too busy laughing to think of anything that intellectual.

As befits a fringe show, it is rather short and I could have easily enjoyed more. There seem to be a few revivals of cabaret de l'érotique2 within London's now-sanitised Soho. Most, like this, are fairly tourist friendly and unlikely to draw the wrath of The Lord Chamberlain. Perhaps we'll see them on the Royal Variety Show next?

There's only one thing which bothers me, and that's the origin of one of the marquee quotes. One of the performers is mentioned thusly:

famously described by Danny Dyer as having “a good old fashioned pair of Lils”.

I'm reasonably familiar with Cockney Rhyming Slang and its step-sibling Polari, and I can't find anything even close to that.

• Cockney:
  • Lilian Gish - fish. A somewhat unlikely comparison.
  • Lilly The Pink - drink. Although I suppose a pair of "pinks" might make sense?
  • Little And Large - margarine. I guess "Little" might be heard as "Lil"? And Ms Diamond's are not exactly on the smaller side.3
• Polari:
  • Lills - hands. I have no evidence that her hands aren't old fashioned.
  • Lilly Law - police. Perhaps Mr Dyer was comparing the shape of a bobby's helmet to the size and shape of…?4

Either way, Show:Girls is performed sporadically - keep an eye on their websites for the next performance. The entrance fee isn't too expensive, but in exchange you'll receive your fair share of thruppeny bits5.

1. Sorry! ↩︎

2. Look, there's no way to write about these things without sounding like a bit of a seedy old man, OK! ↩︎

3. That's yer actual French, y'know! ↩︎

4. Look, you try writing about this without sounding like Sid James! ↩︎

5. Probably best to stop there, eh? ↩︎

6. At this juncture, please imagine a giant shepherd's crook protruding from the wings and dragging me off stage. ↩︎

#TheatreReview

Theatre Review - Show:Girls

https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2025/08/theatre-review-showgirls/

Is it offensive to call a burlesque show "charming"? Sure, it is a funny and mildly titillating evening, but Show:Girls is suffused with such good natured charm that it is hard to describe it as anything else.

Unlike Gallifrey Cabaret which puts on a plethora of variety acts, this is a rather stripped down0 production.

The central conceit is that two acts have been accidentally double booked. One, a high-class opera singer, the other a low-down burlesque performer. HI-JINKS ENSUE!

Bellinda Williams has the voice of an angel and Elsie Diamond has the body of a devil1. They teach each other the secrets of their art form which leads to the most unlikely mash-up I've seen in some time; Opera Burlesque.

It is exactly as batty as it sounds. Each of them attempting to Eliza Doolittle the other to the great merriment of the audience.

I'm sure there's something profound to say about the origins of opera and its intersection with courtesan couture, or how empowering it is to play dress up with your friends, but I was too busy laughing to think of anything that intellectual.

As befits a fringe show, it is rather short and I could have easily enjoyed more. There seem to be a few revivals of cabaret de l'érotique2 within London's now-sanitised Soho. Most, like this, are fairly tourist friendly and unlikely to draw the wrath of The Lord Chamberlain. Perhaps we'll see them on the Royal Variety Show next?

There's only one thing which bothers me, and that's the origin of one of the marquee quotes. One of the performers is mentioned thusly:

famously described by Danny Dyer as having “a good old fashioned pair of Lils”.

I'm reasonably familiar with Cockney Rhyming Slang and its step-sibling Polari, and I can't find anything even close to that.

• Cockney:
  • Lilian Gish - fish. A somewhat unlikely comparison.
  • Lilly The Pink - drink. Although I suppose a pair of "pinks" might make sense?
  • Little And Large - margarine. I guess "Little" might be heard as "Lil"? And Ms Diamond's are not exactly on the smaller side.3
• Polari:
  • Lills - hands. I have no evidence that her hands aren't old fashioned.
  • Lilly Law - police. Perhaps Mr Dyer was comparing the shape of a bobby's helmet to the size and shape of…?4

Either way, Show:Girls is performed sporadically - keep an eye on their websites for the next performance. The entrance fee isn't too expensive, but in exchange you'll receive your fair share of thruppeny bits5.

1. Sorry! ↩︎

2. Look, there's no way to write about these things without sounding like a bit of a seedy old man, OK! ↩︎

3. That's yer actual French, y'know! ↩︎

4. Look, you try writing about this without sounding like Sid James! ↩︎

5. Probably best to stop there, eh? ↩︎

6. At this juncture, please imagine a giant shepherd's crook protruding from the wings and dragging me off stage. ↩︎

#TheatreReview

🆕 blog! “Theatre Review: Sluts With Consoles”
★★★★⯪

Let's see if this post makes it through the spam filters!

Sluts With Consoles is a brilliant two-hander. Girly-twirly pick-me Player One and Gothy just-one-of-the-boys Player Two are locked in mortal - and emotional - combat. They represent the duality of the female gaming experience. Is it better to be feminine or…

👀 Read more: https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2025/08/theatre-review-sluts-with-consoles/
⸻
#gaming #TheatreReview

🆕 blog! “Theatre Review: Sluts With Consoles”
★★★★⯪

Let's see if this post makes it through the spam filters!

Sluts With Consoles is a brilliant two-hander. Girly-twirly pick-me Player One and Gothy just-one-of-the-boys Player Two are locked in mortal - and emotional - combat. They represent the duality of the female gaming experience. Is it better to be feminine or…

👀 Read more: https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2025/08/theatre-review-sluts-with-consoles/
⸻
#gaming #TheatreReview

Theatre Review: Sluts With Consoles

https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2025/08/theatre-review-sluts-with-consoles/

Let's see if this post makes it through the spam filters!

Sluts With Consoles is a brilliant two-hander. Girly-twirly pick-me Player One and Gothy just-one-of-the-boys Player Two are locked in mortal - and emotional - combat. They represent the duality of the female gaming experience. Is it better to be feminine or feminist? Is gaming an escape from the cliques of teenage oppression, or just another form of self-deception?

That all sounds a bit heavy-handed, but it is a hilarious show. It perfectly observes modern gaming tropes and how we all evolve our gamer styles.

Throughout, it asks a very specific question; "does a single stuck pixel spoil the entire view?" That is, what are we prepared to tolerate in order to live in our fantasy world? Older brothers swiping our power-ups transmogrify into incel-gamers shouting slurs. Who cares if we're having fun, right…?

As with any powerful piece of theatre, it's unlikely to be seen by those who have the most need of its message.

Nevertheless, it is an entertaining and amusing show with a +20 battle-damage buff.

The show is touring throughout the year and it is absolutely worth seeing if you have any interest in gaming.

#gaming #TheatreReview

Theatre Review: Sluts With Consoles

https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2025/08/theatre-review-sluts-with-consoles/

Let's see if this post makes it through the spam filters!

Sluts With Consoles is a brilliant two-hander. Girly-twirly pick-me Player One and Gothy just-one-of-the-boys Player Two are locked in mortal - and emotional - combat. They represent the duality of the female gaming experience. Is it better to be feminine or feminist? Is gaming an escape from the cliques of teenage oppression, or just another form of self-deception?

That all sounds a bit heavy-handed, but it is a hilarious show. It perfectly observes modern gaming tropes and how we all evolve our gamer styles.

Throughout, it asks a very specific question; "does a single stuck pixel spoil the entire view?" That is, what are we prepared to tolerate in order to live in our fantasy world? Older brothers swiping our power-ups transmogrify into incel-gamers shouting slurs. Who cares if we're having fun, right…?

As with any powerful piece of theatre, it's unlikely to be seen by those who have the most need of its message.

Nevertheless, it is an entertaining and amusing show with a +20 battle-damage buff.

The show is touring throughout the year and it is absolutely worth seeing if you have any interest in gaming.

#gaming #TheatreReview

🆕 blog! “Theatre Review: Being Mr Wickham”
★★★★★

Mr Wickham is ready to set the record straight. Celebrating the 250th anniversary of Jane Austen’s birth, Adrian Lukis, who starred in the renowned BBC TV adaptation of Pride and Prejudice, returns to the role of Mr Wickham.

Join Pride and Prejudice’s most roguish gentleman, George Wickham, on the eve of his sixtieth birthday, to lift th…

👀 Read more: https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2025/08/theatre-review-being-mr-wickham/
⸻
#TheatreReview

🆕 blog! “Theatre Review: Being Mr Wickham”
★★★★★

Mr Wickham is ready to set the record straight. Celebrating the 250th anniversary of Jane Austen’s birth, Adrian Lukis, who starred in the renowned BBC TV adaptation of Pride and Prejudice, returns to the role of Mr Wickham.

Join Pride and Prejudice’s most roguish gentleman, George Wickham, on the eve of his sixtieth birthday, to lift th…

👀 Read more: https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2025/08/theatre-review-being-mr-wickham/
⸻
#TheatreReview

Theatre Review: Being Mr Wickham

https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2025/08/theatre-review-being-mr-wickham/

Mr Wickham is ready to set the record straight. Celebrating the 250th anniversary of Jane Austen’s birth, Adrian Lukis, who starred in the renowned BBC TV adaptation of Pride and Prejudice, returns to the role of Mr Wickham.

Join Pride and Prejudice’s most roguish gentleman, George Wickham, on the eve of his sixtieth birthday, to lift the sheets on what exactly happened thirty years on from where we left him… And discover his own version of some very famous literary events.

You remember "Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead", right? Take two minor characters from a famous play and weave a tale around their misadventures. This is in much the same vein. A one-man show where we get to spend time with Pride & Prejudice's most clubbable old rake in order to better understand why he was such a scoundrel.

There's a lovely bit of intertextuality in having Adrian Lukis both write and perform as Wickham. For people of my age, he is Wickam. Sure, he's no Darcy in a dripping wet shirt, but played the perfect bounder and cad.

The Jermyn Street Theatre is the perfect venue for these tall tales. An intimate room where we're slowly drawn in to the confidences of a master manipulator. Behind the twinkling smile there is, be in no doubt, a predator.

Wickham lives off his charms and it is no wonder that the audience is eating out of the palm of his hand within minutes. His outrageous name dropping is all part of the seduction.

Of course he has been viciously abused in literature; done dirty by those envious of his success. Yes, he is a bit of a rascal but - and his eyes flirt with us at this point - isn't that what makes a man interesting?

Adrian Lukis doesn't redeem the villain; he indulges him. It is a delight to spend an hour in his company, hearing the old sot reminisce about old conquests, and catching up with the Bennet gossip. But you'll walk away wondering if you're any closer to the truth or have just been beguiled like some many others.

There's an interesting bit of media rights discussion to be here as well. Famously, the actors who play James Bond aren't allowed to wear a tuxedo in other movies lest they be confused with 007. All of Jane Austen's works have long since passed out of copyright - but is the character of Wickam based on the book version of the 1990's screen version? There's no portrait of Julia Sawalha on the wall, so you'll have to make your own mind up on that count.

I do wonder how many other other actors will take the opportunity to revisit their star turns? The nostalgia roadshow rumbles on.

Mr Wickham is in residence until the 30th of August and I have no doubt that you will find his company most agreeable.

#TheatreReview

Theatre Review: Being Mr Wickham

https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2025/08/theatre-review-being-mr-wickham/

Mr Wickham is ready to set the record straight. Celebrating the 250th anniversary of Jane Austen’s birth, Adrian Lukis, who starred in the renowned BBC TV adaptation of Pride and Prejudice, returns to the role of Mr Wickham.

Join Pride and Prejudice’s most roguish gentleman, George Wickham, on the eve of his sixtieth birthday, to lift the sheets on what exactly happened thirty years on from where we left him… And discover his own version of some very famous literary events.

You remember "Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead", right? Take two minor characters from a famous play and weave a tale around their misadventures. This is in much the same vein. A one-man show where we get to spend time with Pride & Prejudice's most clubbable old rake in order to better understand why he was such a scoundrel.

There's a lovely bit of intertextuality in having Adrian Lukis both write and perform as Wickham. For people of my age, he is Wickam. Sure, he's no Darcy in a dripping wet shirt, but played the perfect bounder and cad.

The Jermyn Street Theatre is the perfect venue for these tall tales. An intimate room where we're slowly drawn in to the confidences of a master manipulator. Behind the twinkling smile there is, be in no doubt, a predator.

Wickham lives off his charms and it is no wonder that the audience is eating out of the palm of his hand within minutes. His outrageous name dropping is all part of the seduction.

Of course he has been viciously abused in literature; done dirty by those envious of his success. Yes, he is a bit of a rascal but - and his eyes flirt with us at this point - isn't that what makes a man interesting?

Adrian Lukis doesn't redeem the villain; he indulges him. It is a delight to spend an hour in his company, hearing the old sot reminisce about old conquests, and catching up with the Bennet gossip. But you'll walk away wondering if you're any closer to the truth or have just been beguiled like some many others.

There's an interesting bit of media rights discussion to be here as well. Famously, the actors who play James Bond aren't allowed to wear a tuxedo in other movies lest they be confused with 007. All of Jane Austen's works have long since passed out of copyright - but is the character of Wickam based on the book version of the 1990's screen version? There's no portrait of Julia Sawalha on the wall, so you'll have to make your own mind up on that count.

I do wonder how many other other actors will take the opportunity to revisit their star turns? The nostalgia roadshow rumbles on.

Mr Wickham is in residence until the 30th of August and I have no doubt that you will find his company most agreeable.

#TheatreReview

🆕 blog! “Theatre Review: Girl from the North Country”
★⯪☆☆☆

I have rarely been this bored during a West End Show. Conor McPherson seems to have fundamentally misunderstood what makes an engaging drama and, simultaneously, what makes for an enjoyable "jukebox musical".

The writing is like an exaggerated soap opera script which consists solely of angry people asking…

👀 Read more: https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2025/08/theatre-review-girl-from-the-north-country/
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#musical #TheatreReview

Theatre Review: Girl from the North Country

https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2025/08/theatre-review-girl-from-the-north-country/

🆕 blog! “Theatre Review: Storehouse - Truth Lies Here”
★★★☆☆

An abandoned warehouse in Deptford hosts one of the most audacious, ostentatious, and sumptuous shows I've ever attended. An immersive theatrical experience which is lush with texture, ambitious in scope, and yet - somehow - slightly less than the sum of its parts.

The pre-show is exemplary. You're handed a lanyard …

👀 Read more: https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2025/08/theatre-review-storehouse-truth-lies-here/
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#TheatreReview

Theatre Review: Storehouse - Truth Lies Here

https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2025/08/theatre-review-storehouse-truth-lies-here/

An abandoned warehouse in Deptford hosts one of the most audacious, ostentatious, and sumptuous shows I've ever attended. An immersive theatrical experience which is lush with texture, ambitious in scope, and yet - somehow - slightly less than the sum of its parts.

The pre-show is exemplary. You're handed a lanyard with a room number and make your way through the imposing set until you find your waiting room. It is like if the TV show Severance had come alive. A congenial host signs you in, there's digitally manipulated news to watch, and some world-building lore to get you started. It's a small and friendly pod - maybe a dozen of you - frantically trying to work out what's going on.

And then - just like The Crystal Maze - you're deposited into a new zone. I don't want to give any spoilers, but the sets are outstanding. Beautifully decorated, intricately designed, and fully of fiddly-bits to investigate. It is clear a lot of money has been spend on this show. And that's kind of the problem - the sets and design are so expensive and yet the story is so weak.

The Storehouse holds every bit of information from the Internet. And something is going wrong. And there's a mysterious founder. And there are some heavy-handed clues. And then on to the next room. It's a 90 minute experience with no interval (and cramped portaloos outside) which means the story never really gets a chance to breathe.

It's trying to say something about fake news and media literacy, but it is all rather garbled and lost. Perhaps I'm showing my prejudice, but I don't think any Brexit voters or conspiracy theorists are spending their evenings inside an experimental theatre production. Even if they are, the world-building is so complex and the plot so flimsy, that I'm not sure it would change their mind.

A lot of care and effort has obviously gone in to this production. Every room feels unique, all the gadgetry and multi-media sensations are well integrated. There's a little bit of puzzle solving but (again, because of time constraints) it's mostly resolved by a cast member saying "Do you remember? It's like the big obvious clue we saw in the last room!"

The ending is intense - almost spell binding. It blows apart the 4th wall and becomes something halfway between communal relief and spiritual enlightenment. But, sadly, there's no catharsis of applause. The players vanish and we never get a chance to thank them. A shame because the cast are excellent - they have the tough job of presenting exposition, shepherding the audience, and improvising with us. They rattle through the technobabble with ease and fully embody their weird roles.

As for the post-show - another triumph. Deposited into a bar with interesting cocktails and a gorgeous view. Blinking into the sunlight, we are handed pamphlets about our experience, which seems like an apt metaphor.

It is absolutely worth visiting Storehouse. Go with an open mind, get involved, and try not to think too hard about whether any of it makes any sense.

#TheatreReview