Author Archives: Emily Garside

As Angels in America is a two part play, it seems only right to review it in a two part blog. The first part, detailing my emotional reaction to it, having been the ultimate in over invested (by writing an entire PhD on it) can be found here and indeed if that wasn’t enough, some thoughts onContinueContinue reading “Angels in America- National Theatre”

I had to do a Kushner and give this post a long subtitle.When I called my PhD thesis “Angels at the National” (I write terrible titles I know) I never thought I’d be able to say it again. Of course, the Gods like to have a laugh at my expense so mere months after IContinueContinue reading “Angels at the National (a reflection before the review)”

In the first of a couple of more reflective pieces, I think about the plays that I wrote my PhD on- Angels in America and Rent, as they end up once again in the spotlight. For more PhD waffle see my sister blog The Mucky PhD (you can find the PhD itself online too if so inlcined) AsContinueContinue reading “Angels at the National, Bohemians on tour and PhDs”

“Something about always”That’s the line I always think of when I think of La Cage Aux Folles. For some people the height of romance is the heroics of Les Mis, or the doomed love affairs of War and Peace. For me it’s two homosexuals (one transvestite, one regular) on the French Rivera. It had beenContinueContinue reading “La Cage Aux Folles- New Theatre Cardiff”

It was at once like coming home to an old friend and falling in love all over again.This isn’t a review really, although I will write about the production, it’s my collection of thoughts, reflections and mostly feelings after returning to something that has been intrinsically a part of my life for a long time.ContinueContinue reading “Without You- Thoughts on Rent”

“Wales? I thought that was a town in England”Raise your hand if you’re from Wales and an American has said that to you…One of Chris Harris’ spot on observations about being Welsh, and the world and Welsh in the world in ‘Golf Course War Machine’. The play follows Pippa, a 24-year-old from Tredegar staging aContinueContinue reading “Golf Course War Machine- No Boundries Theatre, Cardiff”

As a member of Sororitas choir, based in Cardiff, I along with many other choirs across the city and beyond were invited to take part in a ‘Mass Choir’ as part of the City of the Unexpected. So after learning the songs (two newly written pieces and some medleys) and one slightly mad rehearsal withContinueContinue reading “City of the Unexpected (A Choir-eye-view)”

If this was my actual Groundhog Day I’d happily spend hundreds of days there. The new musical from Tim Minchin manages to be both utterly uplifting as well as emotionally affecting.For those who missed the 1993 film starring Bill Murray, it follows cynical weatherman Phil Connors, who is sent to report on ‘Groundhog Day’ whichContinueContinue reading “Groundhog Day-The Old Vic”

Pinter plays can be a frustrating experience, the infamous pauses, the obtuse writing, it can be a fascinating evening but also a frustrating one if executed poorly. Of course there was no real fear of poor execution from two masters of the stage in Patrick Stewart and Ian McKellan. Their double act, supported by fineContinueContinue reading “No Man\'s Land- Cardiff”

Pinter plays can be a frustrating experience, the infamous pauses, the obtuse writing, it can be a fascinating evening but also a frustrating one if executed poorly. Of course there was no real fear of poor execution from two masters of the stage in Patrick Stewart and Ian McKellan. Their double act, supported by fineContinueContinue reading “No Man’s Land- Cardiff”