Tag: west end

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REVIEW: Every Brilliant Thing – sohoplace

 TW: Mention of mental health, depression, and suicide. 

 Written by Duncan MacMillan and Jonny Donahue, the play tells the story of a child who shares their experience growing up with a mother who suffers from depression. We learn that the mother has attempted to take her own life, and so the child comes up with an idea – create a list of everything worth living for.

Things like ice cream, water fights & staying up late, it becomes a long list of various brilliant things, no matter how big or small! The show moves through the child’s youth, into adulthood, where we notice that things become more mature and emotional. I remember when ‘falling in love’ received a big ‘awwww’ from our audience. 

The subject matter is tough but important. It highlights how we talk about depression and suicide, and the reasons to keep going. It’s a beautiful reminder that joy can be found in even the simple moments. What makes Every Brilliant Thing unique is the audience. They’re a key part of the show, as they are chosen to read out numbers from the list or even joining the performers on stage to play characters in the story.

With five performers performing over the next few months…Comedy icon, Lenny Henry, took to the stage on the evening I went! Lenny is effortlessly charming and so naturally funny. His performance felt authentic, as if we were hearing his personal story, a testament to his engaging stage presence! He has an aura that draws us all in. It’s humorous, and heartfelt; we laugh and smile with him as he performs this interactive play.

At first, I was unsure about audience participation but it works beautifully. The show acknowledges the sensitive themes and allows room for empathy. We are encouraged to imagine the experience through the perspective of a child, and also end the stigma around talking about mental health.

Despite the larger scale venue, the show felt quite intimate I felt a really sweet sense of community & support. There were raucous applauses for the brave audience members who improvised on stage alongside Lenny – I loved it! And what’s special about the play is that every performance will be different!

I left reflecting on my own brilliant things. I actually used to keep a gratitude journal, and while I don’t have it at the moment (inspired to start one again!), I do try to ask my close ones, “What are you grateful for this week?”

Every Brilliant Thing plays at sohoplace until 8 November!

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The Stage Debut Awards 2023

On Sunday 1st October 2023, I attended The Stage Debut Awards. The Debut Awards highlight breakthrough actors, writers, directors, designers, composers/lyricists across 8 categories.

I had the amazing opportunity to meet the award nominees, guest performers, and hosts. I loved speaking with them, learning about their journey & their excitement to be part of this joyous ceremony! 

Here are my interviews from the evening:

Emily Benjamin – Guest performer, Alternate Sally Bowles in Cabaret

How does it feel to be at The Stage Debut Awards?
Emily: It’s really fun! I keep looking around, recognising all the people I’ve been fans of for years of my life – because I’m stagey. I’m performing at the same event that Rachel Wooden is performing at! I used to listen to her when I was a teen – I think she’s incredible! 

How does it feel to be a part of Cabaret?
Emily: It’s hugely important! I’m so thankful to get to tell a story, that’s scarily relevant in today’s world. The director, Rebecca Frecknall, said very early on, that to make dangerous work, we had to create a safe environment. Building this show is both dangerous and incredibly beautiful. I couldn’t be more thankful to be part of it!

What are you looking forward to in 2024?
Emily: I’m starring in a new musical called Bronco Billy at Charing Cross Theatre, that opens in January! I’m looking forward to telling a new story and reaching a new group of people.

Last question – what’s your favourite ever musical?
Emily: The Last 5 Years – Jason Robert Brown!

Bukky Bakray – Nominee for Best Performer in a Play for Sleepova at Bush Theatre

How does it feel to be nominated?
Bukky: It’s nice, I feel humbled. It was mad to be in the theatre, as I’m not training, so to be nominated with so many incredible people – I just feel really humbled!

How was the whole experience working on ‘Sleepova’? 
Bukky: It was everything I would have hoped it to be. I feel like that was because it was at the Bush [Theatre]. I’m really grateful to have a debut at that theatre. Everyone was really cool, beautiful environment!

What are you looking forward to this evening?
Bukky: I’m with Kosar Ali. We started all of this together and she also had a debut play this year. It’s nice to share this experience with her.

Elan Davies – Nominee for Best Performer in a Play in Imrie at Sherman Theatre

How does it feel to be at The Stage Debut Awards?
Elan: It’s been so cool. It’s nice to be recognised. I’m at the beginning of my career. It’s cool to be in a room with people I look up to.

Can you tell us more about ‘Imrie’? 
Elan: It’s a fully Welsh language play in Cardiff, then it toured Wales. It’s about two teenagers growing up during that transitional period where you go from teenagers to adults. Both characters feel othered in two different senses; my co-star, Rebecca Wilson, figuring out her queer identity, and my character figuring out her mixed-race roots. It was all performed in the Welsh language, which was really cool.

I wanted to go on to this project as I’d never read anything like this in the Welsh language. It platformed voices that aren’t necessarily platformed at the moment in Welsh. 

Elan Davies went on to win the Best Performer in a Play award!

Congratulations! How were you feeling, in the moment, when your name was announced?
Elan: I was crying with no tears! (laughs) It was a heave of exasperation, joy, gratitude, and a lot of emotions! I was surrounded by my family, which was the best thing about it.

I had an unconventional entrance into the industry. I left school at 17 and started working and getting into the room as much as I could. I’m still at the beginning, but it’s a massive thing to be recognised at this stage!

Emily Ling Williams – Director of A Playlist for the Revolution at Bush Theatre

What did it mean to be part of ‘A Playlist for the Revolution’?
Emily: It was incredible – one of the best experiences of my life. I worked with AJ Yi from the start. The creative team, and the actors, all coming together and making the show was really exciting! And telling a story with an all-Asian cast, about something political and also something beautiful, fun, a human story. It embraced music, love and happiness – it was such a joyful experience from beginning to end.

Myself, AJ and the designer were all working collaboratively – AJ and I were raised on rom-coms so we wanted to make it as romantic as possible! Bush Theatre was incredible. The team were amazing. I don’t think you could have a better debut show experience. They were kind and supportive from the get-go – it was a dream!

Emily Ling Williams went on to win the Best Director award!

Congratulations! How did it feel when your name was announced?
Emily: Unbelievable! I was so shocked! When they said “Hong Kong”, I was like ‘what?!’.

How are you going to celebrate?
Emily: Champagne, enjoy my dessert, tell my mum! 

I’m so happy for you! Do you have any advice for aspiring directors?
Emily: I came up through the Young Vic. I applied for an Introduction to Directing course at Young Vic. It was a free 2-week course. They supported me and helped with my first and second jobs in theatre. They’ve been amazing! Find those courses and theatres that are helping Directors – just apply and see!

And shout to the Bush Theatre!
Emily: Shout out to Bush Theatre – they take a chance on people. Lynette and Dan, the whole team are incredible. They give you the opportunity to make a great show!

The Winners in Full:

Best Performer in a Play (Sponsored by Cabbells):

● Elan Davies for Imrie at Sherman Theatre, Cardiff

● Isobel Thom for I, Joan at Shakespeare’s Globe, London

Best Performer in a Musical (Sponsored by Carnival Cruise Line):

● Jessica Lee for Miss Saigon at Crucible Theatre, Sheffield

Best Director: (Sponsored by Arts Council England)

● Emily Ling Williams for A Playlist for the Revolution at Bush Theatre, London

Best Designer (Sponsored by Wimbledon College of Arts, UAL):

● Andrea Scott (video) for My Neighbour Totoro at Barbican Theatre, London

Best Writer (Sponsored by Sonia Friedman Productions):

● Anoushka Lucas for Elephant at Bush Theatre, London

Best Composer, Lyricist or Book Writer (Sponsored by Crossroads Live):

● Michael R Jackson for A Strange Loop at Barbican Theatre, London

Best West End Debut Performer (Sponsored by TodayTix)

● Rose Ayling-Ellis for As You Like It at @sohoplace

Best Creative West End Debut: (Sponsored by Trafalgar Entertainment)

● Tingying Dong (sound designer) for The Crucible at National Theatre and Gielgud Theatre

● Rob Madge (writer) for My Son’s a Queer, (But What Can You Do?) at Garrick Theatre and Ambassadors Theatre

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Welcome to Rachel Reviewed!

Hey, I am Rachel, a 20-something-year-old Ghanaian-Londoner! I’ve finally decided to create a blog, showcasing all things to do with theatre, music, books, and travel! It is quite a lot, but these are the hobbies I have loved over the years!

Theatre

My first experience of theatre was in secondary school studying Performing Arts. I was the student who wanted to emulate the lifestyle I had seen in the High School Musical movies – randomly bursting into song and dance. At 15, we went on a school trip to see ‘Wicked’ which further made me fall in love with the theatre. Post-pandemic, I have been fortunate enough to go and watch some brilliant shows on and off West End. I love a showstopping musical with dazzling choreography, just as much as a dramatic play with minor props and an intense script! I have written reviews, created Instagram Reels/TikTok’s and even partied at a Musical Theatre Rave. If you want to read and learn more about theatre – keep an eye on this blog!

Music

Can you remember your first concert/festival? I saw an artist named Daley at KOKO in Camden. It was my favourite memory, and I was in awe of how great they sounded live! I shortly discovered festivals, only ever attending non-camping ones in London. Leaving a Calvin Harris set covered in dust, headbanging in the rain to Chase & Status, hugging strangers during Major Lazer – a dream (for some!). The pandemic had put a stop to many big festivals I loved and attended regularly – SW4, Lovebox – I will never forget you! But I vow to get back into it. Music has always been a huge part of my life. On my previous blog, I shared songs that I had On Repeat This Week – this included throwback tracks, songs from adverts, and recommended songs! So, I will be bringing that feature back on Rachel Reviewed.

Books

I often wonder how I was able to finish books in one day. With the rise of social media and our phones grabbing most of our attention, I have not had the best of luck getting back into reading. However, I am determined to! I remember being so excited about visiting libraries and taking part in the Summer Reading challenges. Jacqueline Wilson became a strong favourite, as did Judy Blume – I loved these coming-of-age novels. I’m keen to read more books from Black authors. After reading, Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi, which shared a tragic yet beautiful story of Ghanaian ancestry, I was amazed at how wonderful Gyasi had written this. My Goodreads list is ever-growing, and I hope to share more of my thoughts here!

Travel

My all-time favourite hobby is travelling, and I cannot wait to do more of it! I want to share my favourite destinations, travel tips and reviews of all the places I have flown to (or taken a train, staycations are the new thing, right?!).

I also want to share advice on travelling as a lone female. I was grateful for all the blogs I came across that listed handy tips for solo travellers and would love to do the same! I have already uploaded a few highlights from my trips to Curacao and Lisbon – check them out here!

You can find me on:

Instagram @rachelreviewed

TikTok @rachelreviewed

Twitter @rachelreviewed

Or contact via email at rachelreviewed @ gmail.com