And yet more theatre

As the end of March creeps towards us I’m looking at almost two months of theatre since my last update. And one of those was just for pleasure: a trip to London to see Inside Number 9: Stage Fright. So great to see those two on stage again: they are brilliant. And there always at least one twist that you just don’t see coming – I don’t care what anyone says, there is no way to anticipate some of the things they come up with. A great night out. Thanks to my mum for the Christmas present.

Among the many theatre critic visits are: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Peter James’ Picture You Dead, a play about menopause called Mid Life, and a totally sublime Macbeth from the unique This is my Theatre which was at my top spot for March for a couple of days until The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe completely blew me away. It was magical, phenomenal and breath-taking. I would have gone again every night that week if I could have. This was one of those moments where hubby Andy was very happy that I brought him along – he does not enjoy everything I take him to!

I’ve also been completely flattened by the illness. Not anything huge and serious but just enough to stop me in my tracks and stop me from doing all the things I want – and need – to do. It’s hugely frustrating and annoying. A bit like trying to climb a really long hill on a really rubbish old bicycle which doesn’t seem that steep, but after you’ve been doing it a few days, it makes you feel like crap and gasp for air. I still don’t have my voice back properly although I’ve gone from Barry White to Demi Moore (via a stereotype adolescent boy with his voice breaking) – all of which are an improvement – I think..? Blasted chest infection. I know it’s a chest infection and not just a cough, because of the rattle and crackle when I breathe in. I feel so exhausted all the time because of not getting to breathe deep enough. Hurry up and go already! I have a full week of stuff I need to do!!!

The Snow Queen and Mixie

I’ve seen so much great theatre recently. It makes my little heart happy. And most of the time I love crafting a review about it. I mean I want to wax lyrical about things I’ve seen, so why not do it in writing?

The Snow Queen produced by This Is My Theatre was one of those. Gorgeously magical and ethereal and yet grounded. They have a style all of their own which I absolutely love. It reminds me of reading Famous Five books when I was little: taking you to a place where your imagination can still play with what you are seeing. My Brighton Source review is here.

Then I’d actually bought a ticket to see a production at New Venture Theatre: NVT, not with the intention of reviewing, but just because I wanted to see it. But I was so taken with it that I spoke to the director afterwards and offered to review, which he was delighted with. So my intended night off didn’t pan out as planned, but writing about it was so worth it: it helped me process what I’d just seen, as I sat in the theatre after it finished and said out loud “someone needs to explain to me what I’ve just watched…” BUT, thinking about it, sleeping on it, I was fired up with ideas and concepts. It’s more abstract than things I usually go for as I love a good story more than anything, but having said that, this was exceptional. My Brighton Source review is here.

Both productions are still available to see – if you’re quick, so enjoy the read!