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Review: Melanie Bracewell at the Hen & Chicken – ‘inventive, solid gags and big laughs’
NZ Taskmaster winner Melanie Bracewell comes to south Bristol on the brink of what reports are suggesting could be spring, specifically to the Hen and Chicken studio on the heels of a successful UK tour in 2024. This time around, she’s touring her sold-out Edinburgh Fringe show Attack of the Melanie Bracewell. After a ten minute…
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‘Wicked’ review: ‘an interesting riff on a stage classic’
This review is riddled with spoilers. On a dark autumn evening many moons ago, I walked into a local pub to attend a freshers’ social for my university’s musical theatre society. I bought a drink from the bar and sat down at one of the tables where the group was gathered. Finishing his conversation, an…
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Review: ‘The Devil Wears Prada’ at the Dominion Theatre – ‘fun and flashy but ultimately disappointing’
A sequel to The Devil Wears Prada may be inching its way back to screens, as I wrote about here, but in the meantime a musical has made its way to the stage. An initial 2019 version was delayed several times due to the production needing more time and the pandemic, and following a poorly-reviewed…
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Review: ‘Nish Don’t Kill My Vibe’ at the Bristol Beacon – ‘exhaustingly funny onslaught of rage’
It had been so long since I’d been to the Bristol Beacon that they’ve had a full refurbishment, which lasted many years and cost many hundreds of thousands of pounds. A vermin removal service even partially blamed it for our student flat’s mice problem in 2018, claiming the works were disturbing the long-entrenched mice communities…
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Review: ‘I Gave You Milk to Drink’ at the Bristol Old Vic – ‘knowing wit and cynicism’
Last time I saw Fern Brady perform, I was livid. I’d just paid £6 for a Mr Whippy – with a flake – at the Bristol Comedy Garden and was feeling suffused with rage at the absurd con that is food stalls at events where attendees can’t leave and come back in. And at there…
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Review: ‘Why Are You Laughing?’ at the Alma Tavern – ‘sardonic and weary’
Pierre Novellie comes onstage at the Alma Tavern Theatre with no support act and minimal warning. Stand-ups aren’t known for their extravagant onstage fashion – why bother when you’re performing as yourself in the back of a pub – and in black jeans and hoodie, for a second Novellie could be mistaken for a put-upon…
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‘The Devil Wears Prada’ sequel announced
Earlier this month, while the Tories were finally leaving office and a faint breath of a happier future glistened temptingly on the horizon, it was announced that a sequel to the 2006 film The Devil Wears Prada was in the works. The story will allegedly centre on antagonist Miranda Priestley, as iconically portrayed by Meryl Streep, as…
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Review: ‘A Chorus Line’ at Sadler’s Wells Theatre’ – ‘a feast of classic songs and pure talent’
This review contains spoilers. It wasn’t until after seeing A Chorus Line and doing some research for this review that I discovered exactly what an institution the show is, and its incredible level of success. Despite initial doubt that a minimalist show without a lead performer featuring the varied stories of an ensemble would attract…
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Review – ‘Chris Fleming Live: On Stage’ at the Leicester Square Theatre – ‘hilariously, relentlessly funny’
I booked to see Chris Fleming’s show on minimal information. I’d seen his brilliant viral video, ‘Company is Coming,’ which to date has over 14 million views. More recently, I listened to his interview on fellow comedian Mike Birbiglia’s podcast. When I saw his UK shows advertised, I thought I should book one, because as an American,…
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Review: ‘Two Strangers Carry A Cake Across New York’ at the Criterion Theatre – ‘tender and vivid’
This review contains mild spoilers. Two Strangers Carry a Cake Across New York is five years old; initially called The Season, it debuted in 2019, with a new production starting at The Kiln Theatre four years later. It then transferred to The Criterion at the beginning of 2024, with both runs having been extended due to demand.…
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