Author Archives: Emily Garside

I defy anyone to sit through this show and not smile just a little bit. Unless of course you have a pathological aversion to sequins, then you might want to stay away. In fact the costumes are a star in their own right in this show, with elegant ball gowns and sparkly skirts (and a fewContinueContinue reading “Putting on the Ritz”

Songs for a New World. Often the ‘Other’ Jason Robert Brown musical (after the more famous ‘The Last Five Years’) has long been a favourite of mine (for those interested it’s a hotly contested number one JRB slot with Parade)A difficult show to stage, being a revue show more than an actual musical, it’s songsContinueContinue reading “Review: Songs for A New World”

I’ll start by saying I’m both the best and worst person to be reviewing this play. Having spent 4 years immersed in HIV/AIDS theatre doing my PhD (further details on…) I freely admit I’m far too close to this topic.  A lot of the time I spent looking at the history of AIDS plays wasContinueContinue reading “Positive and new AIDS theatre”

“Tale as old as time….”It probably comes as no surprise to anybody who knows me that Beauty and the Beast is my favourite Disney film. I mean it’s about a girl who lives through books, and then gets to live in a castle with a giant library…oh and she meets a Prince as well.It isContinueContinue reading “Review: Everyman Beauty and the Beast”

Is is too much of a pun to say ‘As you like it…but I think you will?’ …ok then I won’t. But you get the idea.As You like it takes place predominantly in the forest of Arden, so it was the perfect setting with the backdrop of trees in Bute Park. Complete with occasional animalContinueContinue reading “Everyman: As You Like It”

Last night saw the opening night of show 2 in Everyman’s Festival repertoire, this time musical theatre with Neil Simon’s Sweet Charity. Set against the backdrop of 1960s New York, Sweet Charity follows the life (and many loves!) of Charity Hope Valentine (Helena-May Harrison). The girl who proclaims her religion in love, doesn’t get off toContinueContinue reading “Everyman Festival: Sweet Charity”

‘As Is’ is the first AIDS play, the first response to a crisis, from those on the front line. It could be asked why then is this still relevant over 30 years on, but it is precisely because it is that first response that gives it such drive, such impact still. And that the crisisContinueContinue reading “Review: As Is”

High Society is a really beautiful production, in the literal sense. Staged in the round once again at the Old Vic its small set makes the most of the in the round setting, and of the ensemble who conduct perfectly choreographed scene changes. From the opulent living room to a pool the world of HighContinueContinue reading “High Society, The Old Vic.”

Last night the 2015 Everyman festival opened in style with Blackadder III. It’s a tough job opening a festival but Blackadder’s hilarious Regency England adventure was perfect for the first night. Firstly though, a confession: I’ve never seen Blackadder. I am the turnip headWell I’ve seen bits. And I’ve seen quite a bit of ‘Blackadder Goes Forth’ContinueContinue reading “Everyman Festival: Blackadder III”

Firstly credit to my friend Jen for getting up at an ungodly hour, and braving a slightly scary day seat queue for this one.I’ve seen Memphis twice now, once in New York and again in London. Both times I confess it was really to see the leading man (Adam Pascal and Killian Donnelly respectively) butContinueContinue reading “Memphis lives in me.”