Alice Ella takes us back to her teenage years, reflecting on the beginnings of her experiences with ME, PMDD, ADHD, IBS and POTS after countless doctors insisted she was fine, even though she knew she wasn’t. She tells us frankly how ill, unheard and increasingly frustrated she felt and still feels. In CHRONICALLY SICK, HORMONAL…
MRS GARY BREATH written and performed by Ellie Ross. ★★★★★
Annie, played by the hilariously sharp Ellie Ross, is turning 34. She enjoys her job, has loads of friends and is perfectly happy with her life, but it’s still not enough for her parents. Their constant pleas for her to find “a bit of stability” come with a tempting ultimatum – they’ll release a huge…
RING RING by Gary Owen.
Inspired by Arthur Schnitzler’s LA RONDE, the play unfolds as a series of chance meetings and relationship realities, all loosely interlinked. The ensemble, Iwan Bond, Leisa Gwenllian, Izzi McCormack-John, Tiger Tingley and Alfie Todd do a fantastic job at guiding us through vivid moments where the intricacies of various dynamics, both old and new, are exposed….
LITTLE BROTHER by Eoin McAndrew. ★★★★
We open in Belfast in the middle of the night. Niall (Cormac McAlinden) calls his older sister Brigid (Catherine Rees) and although she can’t see him, we witness as he repeatedly breaks down while trying to maintain a normal conversation with her. After hanging up, he flicks a lighter and sets his own hand on…
OPENING LINES… Interview with Mirren Fia – director of SEX AND GOD.
Welcome back to OPENING LINES where I’m switching things up – this week I chatted to the lovely Mirren Fia, a director (not a writer!) who’s adapted SEX AND GOD by Linda McLean. Running during Edinburgh Fringe at Stephenson Theatre at theSpace @ Surgeons’ Hall til 23rd Aug. Tickets available here. Step into the captivating…
BODY COUNT written and performed by Issy Knowles. ★★★★
Having just watched the 1000 Men and Me: The Bonnie Blue Story documentary on Channel 4, it feels like BODY COUNT couldn’t have arrived at a more relevant moment. The Channel 4 doc follows OnlyFans content creator Bonnie Blue, who has stirred huge controversy with her public stunts – most notably, one in which she invited 1,000 men to…
OPENING LINES… Interview with Alice Mogridge – writer of POUR DECISIONS.
Welcome back to OPENING LINES, the interview series that puts playwrights centre stage by diving into the world of new writing and original work. Each interview explores the creative process, the challenges and triumphs of developing new ideas and work for the stage, why new voices and stories are essential to the future of theatre…
DEAR ANNIE, I HATE YOU by Sam Ipema. ★★★★
This autobiographical show tells the powerful story of Sam Ipema’s diagnosis with a brain aneurysm at the age of 20. Through her journey, we’re taken on the emotional and physical battle she faced, brought vividly to life in a really creative and compelling way with the aneurysm itself being personified as ‘Annie.’ Annie is embodied…
OPENING LINES… Interview with Jen Tucker – writer and director of BOG BODY.
Welcome back to OPENING LINES, the interview series that puts playwrights centre stage by diving into the world of new writing and original work. Each interview explores the creative process, the challenges and triumphs of developing new ideas and work for the stage, why new voices and stories are essential to the future of theatre…
THE GREAT GATSBY by F. Scott Fitzgerald – adapted by Mark O’Sullivan and directed by Kelly Ann Stewart. ★★★★★
It’s always a treat to visit the Roman Theatre in St Albans – the atmosphere is buzzing and the outdoor setting brings a wonderful sense of spontaneity and excitement. It’s 1929 and we’re in the Green Light Club – we meet our charismatic host, Texas (Rochelle Jack) who shines throughout with magnificent, commanding vocals and presence. She…
the theatre gal 