Most of us all know the story of the Nativity; for many, it's a staple of Christmastime in Britain, along with mince pies, selection boxes, Wizzard and tinsel. We've all known the thrill of being picked to play Mary or Joseph, and the crushing disappointment – or relief! – of being the tree, or one of a whole flock of sheep.
This month I had the absolute joy of being invited to run two workshops for the Mayflower Young Writers on how to write theatre reviews.
Nothing says 'poetry is for everyone' more than having a world-class showcase of the word form right on your doorstep. Here in Hampshire we have the wonderful Winchester Poetry Festival, which does just that.
Last weekend I had four shows in a row; this means four late nights, four ways of saying a show was good (or bad!), and four more programmes to add to my collection. It was intense, and tiring, but so, so worth it!
It's incredible how one woman on a bar stool can captivate an audience for almost two hours solid with just pure and simple storytelling, no props and minimal sound effects. It's a testament to Waller-Bridge's performance, which has the audience in limbo somewhere between heartbreak and hilarity.
Ladies, gentlemen, and those who haven’t made their mind up yet…you are in for one hell of a ride! This is a production with both soul and sole.
This is not fluffy poetry. It's filled with Emily's feelings; her wants, needs, regrets. There's pain, darkness, and guts galore.
Directed by Michelle Smith, Silent Mind is an informative and emotional production that follows four different strangers whose paths cross at one train station, all embarking on journeys of self-discovery and change.
There are so many days out and places to visit in Hampshire that, even after living here for almost a decade, I’ve yet to explore. The Watercress Line is one of these. So when the team there got in touch with me to see if I wanted to go along to 'War on the Line' to see what it was all about, I jumped at the chance.
The classic story has come to life, leaping from the page and onto the stage and bringing all the magic of Roald Dahl and Quentin Blake with it, and a few new treats to boot.
