Everything Theatre Reviews, interviews and news for theatre lovers, London and beyond
Lily Middleton reflects on another year reviewing at ET
As we near the end of 2024, social feeds are heaving with everyone’s yearly round ups: picture-postcard snapshots from another highly successful year. Or so we’re led to believe. Whilst my 2024 had big, life-changing highs (like getting married in the pub!), it’s also had its challenges. I was in the bizarre situation of not living at home for the first four months due to structural issues at my flat. And my career’s been turbulent, to say the least, involving a supposed dream job that didn’t quite go the way I hoped, and a big decision that still fills me with excited goosebumps and nervous rumbles. The terrifying step to make time for what I love. To take that risk. To see what happens next!
In amongst all these big, momentous, life-changing events, I’ve been grateful for the escapism theatre has once again provided. Whilst I haven’t got to as many shows as I hoped (sorry editors), those that I did make it to provided just the tonic I needed. As you take your seat, and the lights go down, there’s not much you can do about day job stress. Or wedding planning. And if you’re lucky enough to see something brilliant, all external worries disappear.
It’s one of the many things I love about this wonderful world, and writing reviews is another joyful outlet for me, a chance to relive what I’ve just seen, and a stress-free opportunity to play with words. I’m often so overflowing with thoughts that my reviews are written before I even get home.
In the spirit of sharing our highlights of 2024, here are just a few of mine.
Whilst the year had a slow start in terms of shows that blew me away, that all changed in March when I headed to Brixton House for Oedipus Electronica. I can still feel that sense of fear, true visceral fear, that I struggled to control. I had to keep telling myself I was safe, I was in a theatre. Now, whilst this might not have been the jolliest of evenings, it was incredible. Re-reading my review takes me right back to that feeling I had on the night. The power of theatre, at its finest!
One of the best things about Fringe theatre in London is discovering how many venues are tucked away all over the place. It’s even better when you realise they’re walkable from your home, as I found when I reviewed Unexpected, Unexplained and Totally Glitchy , which was part of the Wandsworth Arts Fringe in the summer. Who knew there was a tiny theatre under Putney Bridge! Whilst the show, and the venue, could benefit from a little polish, it was one of my highlights for its ambition. It educated me about functional neurological disorder (FND), but also had me crying with laughter.
Proving how theatre can lift you out of real life and the complications it throws at us, back in October I headed to the Sadler’s Wells Peacock Theatre for TUTU. I didn’t feel quite myself on my way to the theatre, but I carried on regardless and was rewarded with the most wonderful evening watching the sheer brilliance of Philippe Lafeuille’s choreography, which brought me a huge chunk of joy. It later transpired I was having a bad reaction to some antibiotics, so it’s a miracle I got through that show! And I’m so glad I did, as the joy of remembering the performance kept my spirits up through quite a nasty few days.
Whilst we at ET love to focus on Fringe theatre, some of us also hold a soft spot for the big musicals – the blockbusters if you will. They all have to start somewhere, and many of the team were at the first fringe performances of shows that now grace West End stages. So, I have to end my year of highlights with the Wicked film. It’s not an original thought, but it’s true. I’ve never enjoyed a cinema experience so much in my entire life, and I really don’t know how I’ll wait a year for the next. When a film so perfectly takes a beloved stage show, and keeps the spirit of theatre alive throughout, it’s like Christmas come early for us musical lovers.
Here’s to an incredible year of theatre, and to the rest of the team at Everything Theatre. And let’s hope that whatever life throws at us in 2025, we’ll keep being transported by the talent and skill of theatre-makers across the country and around the world.
Want the chance to espace into theatre with Lily? We receive way more review invites than we can manage every month, so are always on the lookout for new reviewers. Interested? Then you can find out more information here.
