On Thursday 21 May an article by Sonia Friedman made it to the Telegraph, 'Theatre stands on the brink of ruin' that genuinely brought me to tears. This article served as a stark reminder that these are frightening and uncertain times for the future of British Theatre. For the last couple of months we've been discovering new ways to enjoy theatre from the comfort of our homes, whether that's participating in a musical quiz with your friends or filling your evenings with a show (or two) streamed thanks to theatres up and down the country. Although it's definitely not been the same and I cannot wait to sit in an auditorium again. 

However, the amount of content out there and keeping up with it is overwhelming, to say the least. But something has been launched recently that will definitely be a game-changer in the upcoming weeks and months. Thespie is the brand new home for theatre and is exactly what all thespians need to immerse themselves into. This platform wants to be home to the most trusted way to access lots of the theatre, all in one place and right at your fingertips. 

Launched recently, this new theatre discovery platform showcases more than just 1,000 theatre shows. There's are also some great resources for you to dig into including podcasts, student guides, playlists, activities, and more. Thespie allows us as a community to still be connected to theatre and the arts until it's safe for us to sit in the audience again. 

There's a whole host of theatre shows to dig into that will keep you busy for hours. Venues such as the National Theatre, Sadler's Wells and the Royal Court Theatre have their performances listed here. shows like Fleabag and Hamilton are here too! What makes Thespie such a unique discovery platform is that users can filter shows to their individual genre preferences, browse for specific moods, and build a bespoke menu of theatre experiences you can enjoy at your leisure. 

Thespie is the platform we've all been after to organize ourselves better amongst the amount of content on offer right now. I've loved scrolling through the hundreds of stuff and digging into whatever my heart requires. Theatre may not be the same for a while, but there are ways that we can certainly keep it alive! Thespie is an excellent platform and I would recommend that you dig in and see what it has to offer! 

Every year I love finding out what productions are heading into the theatres across the East and West Midlands for the year ahead. I wrote managed to see 5 of the shows on my 2019 theatre bucket list and this new decade has definitely motivated me to nail it with the shows this year. I did as much research as I could to find the shows I am buzzing to see during the year and I'm sure there will be more announcements during the year that will add more shows to my bucket list.

Until then here's just 10 of the shows I'm really excited for that are heading into theatres around the region this year!

Identical

Nottingham Playhouse 31 July - 22 August

A new musical based on the novel The Parent Trap by Erich Kastner is heading to Nottingham Playhouse in the summer. It's the world stage musical premiere of the classic story of twin girls separated at birth but reunited at a summer camp ten years later. I'm excited to see what this production has to offer with Sir Trevor Nunn directing it and George Stiles and Anthony Drewe creating the new score. I mean I love the Lindsay Lohan movie from 1998 so I wonder what this production has to offer!

Sh!t-Faced Shakespeare: Romeo and Juliet

Nottingham Playhouse 23 Oct

For one night only at the Nottingham Playhouse as part of it's UK tour, the internationally acclaimed, multi sell-out fringe phenomenon with one of Shakespeare's most loved plays: Romeo and Juliet. This hilarious combination involves one cast remember being selected at random and given four hours to drink before every show! I mean I have no idea what to expect but the concept sounds hilarious and what a way to bring classical theatre to life. 

Everybody's Talking About Jamie

Royal & Derngate, Northampton 10-14 March

The Alexandra, Birmingham 16 - 21 March

Theatre Royal, Nottingham 20-25 April

Curve, Leicester 29 June- 4 July 

Layton Williams will be bringing his charisma and love to the role of Jamie when it embarks on a UK Tour in 2020, giving the chance for hundreds of people to see the smash-hit musical from London that's on everybody's lips! Although I haven't seen the musical before, I love the soundtrack and saw the BBC3 documentary based on Jamie's story when it was first aired too. Based on a true story, it follows a 16-year-old teenager as he overcomes prejudice, beats the bullies and steps out of the darkness to become a drag queen. 

Read more: The Play That Goes Wrong Review

Once
Belgrade Theatre, Coventry 10-14 Mar
Theatre Royal, Nottingham 6-11 Apr
The Alexandra, Birmingham 1-6 Jun
Curve, Leicester 15-20 Jun

Based on the critically acclaimed short indie film, Once, tells the uplifting yet yearning story of a Dublin street busker and a Czech musician - who unexpectedly fall in love. We follow their relationship across five short days, big changes happen to both of them in little ways. It's also known for its original score, Falling Slowly is one of the songs I know well from this show. It's very much a love story and definitely has the potential to be just like Amelie for me from last year.

Read more: 10 Thoughts Whilst Watching Dreamgirls. 

Curve, Leicester 26 - 30 May

Patrick Ness' piercing novel A Monster Calls is brought vividly to life in the Olivier award-winning production by visionary director Sally Cookson. We follow thirteen-year-old Conor and his mum who have managed to get by since his dad moved away. But now his mum is unwell, his grandmother won't stop interfering and the kids at school won't look him in the eye. Then, one night, Conor is woken by something at his window. A monster has come walking and to tell Conor tales from when it walked before. When he is finished, Conor must tell his own story and face his deepest fears. This production looks spectacular and I can't wait to see visually what they've done to bring this story to life.

2019 has been an incredible year when it comes to the theatre. I've definitely reviewed more shows in 2019 than any of the other years since I began and I'm captivated by everything the theatres in and around the East Midlands. At the end of each year, I love to sit down and reflect on those shows and try to create a list of 10 which are my favourite, 10 shows which have stuck with me way after the curtain goes down.

I finally compiled my list of shows whilst sipping on a tea in London's Theatre Cafe which is a spot I'd like to spend more time in next year. It made me feel so inspired for the year ahead.

Last year I did this on Twitter by sharing a feed of the 10 shows but this year I want to reflect on it in a blog post like in 2017 (read it here) as it's the perfect time capsule as years go by. We also enter a new decade in 2020 and that excites me because there are loads of fantastic performances to look forward to! You can read what's on my 2020 Theatre Bucket List if you want a flavour for what I'm excited for in this new year. 

Until then let's dive in and discover what 10 shows made my 2019. This is in no chronological order either, I just wanted to share the 10 shows I loved from this year above all of the others I was blessed to see. 

Kinky Boots closed in West End at the beginning of the year so I was desperate to bag a ticket when I heard that it would be touring in the UK. It was well worth the wait because not only did I get the opportunity to see it once, but twice! Kinky Boots is one of a kind in the musical theatre world if you ask me and most certainly stands as a strong individual. It not only has a powerful message at the heart of it but there's also the glitter, glamour and hot choreography to put on an unforgettable show. 

I still listen to the soundtrack regularly and wish for more time to watch it over and over. Although the tour is sadly over I am thrilled it is being screened in the cinemas next year!

Read my review of Kinky Boots.  

AD – in collaboration with Darwin Escapes.

Stratford-upon-Avon is a medieval market town set in the beautiful rural Warwickshire countryside, an hour's drive from Leicestershire and is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Britain. The town is mostly known as the birthplace of 16th-century writer William Shakespeare but it also has much more to offer to visitors. Stratford has stunning riverside settings, historic houses for you to explore, a famous theatre, a booming street market, as well as excellent shops and restaurants. 

The last time I visited the RSC was to see their spectacular production of A Christmas Carol so we were delighted to be making another trip here recently. Darwin Escapes kindly invited us to head to Stratford-upon-Avon for a very different experience at the theatre. Not only were we able to sample one of their fantastic summer productions in the venue but we were able to take a Behind The Scenes tour and relish in a pre-theatre meal too! 

Darwin Escapes are a fantastic company that offer 22 hand picked locations from across the UK for holidays. Each of the parks have their own individual character and approach but each share the same ethos of Darwin Escapes. So whether you are looking for a holiday as a family or single holidays, short or long breaks, city or beach holidays; they will have something for you! 

We weren't able to attend the Behind The Scenes tour in time on our visit but it's a fantastic opportunity for those theatre fans to get a glimpse behind the magic they see on stage. They run most days of the weeks and in small groups so that your experience is personal and more informative towards your curiosity of what you'd like to get from the tour. 

PRE-THEATRE DINING

Other than heading to any of the many restaurants surrounding the theatre for your pre-theatre dining, the RSC offers two options of where you can dine with them. There's the stylish, award-winning Rooftop Restaurant which is situated on-site at the RSC theatre on the third-floor or you can head to the contemporary and quirky atmosphere of Susie's Cafe Bar. Both of the venues do offer excellent seasonal menus for you to enjoy. 

For our visit we visited the Susie's Cafe Bar, just a stones throw away from the theatre. The theatre menu is available Monday-Saturday from 4.30-7.00pm. The menu costs £14.95 for two courses and £18.95 for a three course dinner. The staff served our meal's promptly to ensure we would dine comfortably and be in our seats ready for the show on time. 

For starters we enjoyed the pea and ham hock terrine, served with apple chutney and crisp breads. The sweetness of the apple chutney really complimented the more savory flavours from the terrine and crisp breads. It was really tasty, considering it's not a dish I would usually offer and it was great to use this opportunity to try something new. 

My main course was a leg of corn-fed chicken served with summer cabbage, bacon and wholegrain mustard mash. This dish is also gluten-free and exceptionally tasty. The meat was tender and fell off the bone making for an enjoyable dish and the wholegrain mustard mash is definitely something I'd like to make at home because it was delicious. 

TIME FOR THE SHOW.

We headed along the riverside in good time to get back to the Royal Shakespeare Theatre to enjoy a production of As You Like It. The theatre, which produces around 20 productions a year performs Shakespeare's plays, as well as works by Shakespeare's contemporaries and plays from today's writers too. 

The first permanent building to commemorate Shakespeare's works in the town was built back in 1827. Although the structure we see now in Stratford-upon-Avon has only been opened since 2010 following on from a huge transformation. It really is the foundations of some of the most iconic plays to have graced the stage. In the RSC all of the work begins here; from the bare bones of workshops and theatres, designing and building the sets, the costumes and the props all start here. The plays are rehearsed and performed in one of their three theatres; the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, the Swan Theatre, and the Studio Theatre at The Other Place. It really is the hub for Shakespeare in this country and it's easy to see why audiences flock here year after year to see the classic work for themselves. 

For the production of As You Like It, Kimberley Sykes directs this playful and passionate version of Shakespeare's much-loved romantic comedy. I absolutely loved watching the show! As You Like It has beautiful staging, showing the vast space that the Royal Shakespeare Stage has to offer. It follows the story of Rosalind who is banished with her best friend Celia on a journey to a world of exile like no other. She catches the eye of a love-struck Orlando who is also forced from The Court into the Forest. Their paths collide and will love conquer all, or is it merely a madness? As You Like It contains plenty of humour, musical influence but fantastic articulation of the Shakespeare language.

The play has been directed to capture every individual character within this story, and in a superb fashion! We loved every moment of this play and it reignited our need to see more plays at this venue because we do love them every time we visit. 

Some of the upcoming productions I am excited for at the venue are The Boy in The Dress at Christmas at The Taming of the Shrew (on until end of Aug 2019). 

If you'd like to see As You Like It for yourself, it's on until the 31 August so book your tickets before it's too late!

If you'd like to find out more about visiting the Royal Shakespeare Company in Stratford-upon-Avon, you can visit their website here that has all the details. 

I've been reviewing theatre on this blog for 4 years now, first of all where have those years gone! I absolutely love writing about this niche, particularly as I decided not to pursue a career in the sector around the same time. I took my Dance degree at Coventry University did a couple of professional jobs and found that writing about this sector was more of my bag! I absolutely love the theatre and so writing about it is one way of keeping my foot in the door, continue to feed my passion and also enjoy what I do full-time, which is work in a primary school. I'm super fortunate that in the last 4 years I have worked with a staggering amount of different theatres around the region as well as being invited to the home of theatre in the UK, London. 

Being a theatre blogger is truly fantastic, I get to see lots of shows and write about them afterwards but there's also the challenges it presents too! I wanted to share my experiences, the realities of being a theatre blogger for the past 4 years because I know people always wonder how I do it and what I think about it so why not share your experiences.

Photo Credit: KM Photogenic

I wanted to start with the positives, being a theatre blogger presents fantastic opportunities. I love being able to see some of the hottest UK tours, Kinky Boots and Avenue Q are just scratching the surface for the rest of the year as well as the stuff local companies are producing. I also get to create other content like interviews with cast, rehearsal insights and backstage tours which allows me to capture other aspects of the theatre other than what you see on the stage. We know that productions are a huge team aspect and I love being able to capture that through my blog and its what I want to do more and more of!  

Being able to see productions of all genres means I get to see so much variety! I have opened my eyes to so many different types of theatre throughout the past 4 years and I'm so grateful. I wouldn't have seen Shakespeare a few years ago but now I am really engaged in it and would happily see more of it in the future.

What's super fortunate is that with my reviews comes a plus one which means I can bring someone to the theatre. For me and my mum theatre is a shared passion so it's great fun to enjoy that with her, my sister enjoys seeing different shows and such. For my boyfriend, who had only seen a couple of shows prior to our relationship has been catapulted into seeing lots of shows (and many surprise him!) I love that I can share something I enjoy with him. I have begun taking my new colleagues to the theatre too, which is great fun. They get to see what I do outside of the capacity of working with children and I like sharing that with them.

I have had lots of messages throughout the years that my reviews and opinions have encouraged people to book their tickets. I mean that's what its all about, isn't it?

Photo Credit: KM Photogenic

One of the challenges for me as I balance blogging with a full-time job is the late nights after the theatre. Sometimes I don't get home until 11pm from a show in Birmingham (and because I'm usually high on the energy from the performance) it can be difficult to get a sensible nights sleep before work in the morning. 

I wonder why I'm so unfit when actually I'm always rushing to a theatre after work. Sometimes I finish at work just before 6 and have to be at the theatre before 7:30 so it's usually a McDonald's for tea and a quick freshen up in the car on the way.  

Because I write my review once I'm home from work the next day sometimes my initial thoughts on the performance are lost and I find it hard to construct the review I want to. It's therefore important for me to carry around a notebook with me so that I can always jot down something quickly. It can take me a long time to create my review but it's really important I create a review I am 100% with before posting it online. It's as important for it to reflect my opinions truthfully as well.

One of the biggest realities I've learnt since becoming a theatre blogger is organisation - without it I wouldn't be able to balance everything. It's key that I organise a month ahead on what shows I'll be reviewing so that I can do all the bits I need to do for my review. This includes obtaining press photos, doing my contextual research and cast research and also organise the time around that night so that I have the time to review the show afterwards. I sometimes have shows on in succession over three days in a row so this organisation is paramount for me.

I love being part of the theatre blogging community and it's fantastic! I love sharing my reviews with likeminded individuals and reading their reviews too. It often creates positive discussion, especially if there's news of new tours coming out!

Overall, being a theatre blogger is a positive experience. It has taught me the importance of communication, portraying your voice truthfully and to find ways of having a passion without making it something that can only be successful through a career. I've done a good job doing that during the last 4 years and I'm excited to see what it continues to be during the upcoming months and years.

The beautiful Cardiff city skyline. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com

As the capital of England, London is thriving for theatre in the UK. But as the capital of Wales, Cardiff is definitely a thriving city, full of so much culture and creativity, it’s a great place to visit for any theatre lover.

The city is crawling with nooks and crannies and there are theatres everywhere – you just need to know where to look.

Cardiff Theatre Blogger, Sophie, is here to give you the lowdown on where to find theatres, no matter where you are in the city.

Centre of Town

The Centre of town is definitely the first place to look for the quantity of theatre venues.

New Theatre

Located just opposite Pryzm and near the famous carousel, The New Theatre is a beautiful old theatre that offers a wide range of theatre for its audiences. From Agatha Christie’s The Mirror Crack’d, to Bill Kenwright’s Ghost, David Walliams and Horrible Histories for the kids and Panto for the whole family, the New Theatre has it all!

The Other Room at Porter’s

If you’re looking for some fringe theatre, look no further than The Other Room at Porter’s. Porter’s is a bar with Thursday nights dedicated to musical theatre singalongs. The Other Room is a small space within the bar that puts on Welsh-based and homegrown fringe theatre that is hugely entertaining and doesn’t break the bank.

Motorpoint Arena

Frequently home to bands and popstars who tour the UK, The Motorpoint Arena is also a theatre space. Last Christmas, The Motorpoint hosted Elf the Musical and this year will be home to How the Grinch Stole Christmas – The Musical, as well as Disney on Ice!

Sophia Gardens Open Air Theatre Festival

One of the best events in the theatre that Cardiff has to offer, the Everyman Theatre’s Open Air Festival is held in the middle of Sophia Gardens in town every summer. From 27th June – 3 August 2019, this year’s festival will include productions of Hi-de-Hi, Much Ado About Nothing and Jesus Christ Superstar, as well as a number of singalong cinema events. Not to be missed!

Cardiff Bay

If you’re looking to venture away from the hustle and bustle of town, there is no better place to look than the beauty that is Cardiff Bay. With a wide range of restaurants to choose from and a scenic view of the harbour, Cardiff Bay is a great place to be, and it has great theatre to offer.

Wales Millennium Centre

As the National Arts Centre for Wales, Wales Millennium Centre is truly a spectacle in Wales. If the exterior of the building is not impressive enough, the shows they have one must be. From Matilda, to Wicked, Les Misérables and Kinky Boots, Wales Millennium Centre is home to some of the biggest hits on tour. The Centre also has a small 250-seat studio to present smaller works and a Cabaret Bar to be host to music, comedy and cabaret nights, supporting homegrown Welsh talent.

The Glee Club

If you live in, or have visited, Nottingham, Oxford or Birmingham, you may have already visited The Glee Club. If not, not to worry – Cardiff has one too! Tucked away among some restaurants and bars in the Bay, The Glee Club is primarily a comedy club, but also offers theatre and music events.

Cathays

Cathays is primarily a student location to live, but don’t let this put you off if you aren’t a student.

Sherman Theatre

The Sherman Theatre won the Olivier in 2018 for regional theatre of the year and it’s not hard to see why. With very accessible prices and a wide range of shows to offer, the Sherman Theatre is a great one for everyone to visit. Their recent production of Stephen Sondheim’s Company was sold-out and their upcoming season with the deal of a pie and a show for £12 is bound to be great.

Canton

Just the other side of the river from the centre of town, Canton is a beautiful part of Cardiff with an iconic theatre and arts centre.

Chapter Arts Centre

Chapter is a favourite for those in Canton especially; it is a real community building that prodcues some great work. As well as being a theatre, It is also an art gallery, coffee house, pub and so much more. Its recent production of Les Miserables, making commentary on Brexit looked amazing, and with upcoming comedy, family and political shows, Chapter is a great place to visit.

Roath

On the other side of the city from Canton, Roath is an area which shouldn’t be forgotten.

The Gate

The Gate is a community arts centre, much like Chapter, and they also have a varied programme of arts, classes, music and theatre performances in The Pulpit café bar.

So there you have a mini-roundup of some of the best theatre spaces in the capital of Wales. Whether you’re after big-hitters, or fringe, works in development or full-scale productions, comedy, poetry, drama, musical, drag or more, Cardiff is the place to try!

Don't forget to check out Sophie's fantastic blog, OneWomanWestEndShow.