As lockdown has meant my theatre-loving heart is unable to see any new productions, I figure now is the perfect time to revisit and review some of the ones I've managed to see and loved.
Earlier this year I was lucky enough to get cheap tickets to see Waitress with my lovely friend and fellow theatre enthusiast Jarrod. I must admit I had gone into the show not really knowing what to expect and had only really known that the music was written by Sara Bareilles as in the singer of Love Song which was a bop back in 2007 when it was released. I also had a vague sense it revolved around baking from the promo images, so I dubbed it as an experience 'Pie'm so excited for' (sorry I'll see myself out) 🥧 and it certainly didn't disappoint, and has climbed its way into my heart as a little slice of enjoyable theatre delight.
The show follows Jenna, a waitress at a local diner who is known for her pie-making skills. We follow her through a series of challenges and unexpected experiences including an abusive marriage, pregnancy and pie baking. The hot new Doctor Pomatter arrives in town, which complicates things further, and you follow Jenna and her fellow waitresses Dawn and Becky as they go through the motions of adulthood's uncertain relationships and life throwing a spanner in the works.
In the performance I saw, the titular role was played by Desi Oakley, who led the 2017 US tour, playing opposite David Hunter's Pomatter. The chemistry was believable, and the pair duet and interact in a guilty indulgent manner that left me a bit giddy - just like being on a sugar rush. Made from the finest ingredients - two strong leads, a fabulous ensemble cast plus catchy music and a fun set to boot - it's no wonder Waitress serves up rave reviews. The story is by no means a showy blockbuster - there are no big cast ensemble dance pieces or fancy fireworks, but it's got healthy dosing of sugar, butter, flour and heart, just like the ingredients of Jenna's pies. There is a certain feelgood quality to the show with equal parts comedy and tragedy mixed together to serve something warm and delicious to enjoy (okay I will stop with the baking euphemisms now). There are enough wish-fulfilment elements to add a certain 'fairy godmother' aspect to an otherwise realistic story about a woman's unwilling acceptance of impending motherhood and a relationship you sense might not quite last.
There is a certain likeability and imperfection to the characters (very much like Sally Rooney's books, I'm looking at you Normal People) whereupon they appear genuinely flawed and human, not apart from you and I in the audience. It really made me feel more immersed in the performance rather than a surveyor of the story. There are also some hilarious over-the-top acted out sex scenes (including a Civil War re-enactment) that made me belly laugh, and songs that enchantingly follow the fluctuations and highs and lows of Jenna's life in a way that feels organic rather than forced.
I found myself shimmying in my seat to Bad Idea before almost sobbing at She Used to Be Mine, both excellent examples of Bareilles' ability to convey emotion whether that's charged lust or deep sadness. There's a tongue-in-cheeky guilty giddiness and silliness to some scenes, but the cast seamlessly interchanges from these to ones of token seriousness that sensibly tackles the theme of an abusive relationship, affairs and doing the right thing. There are vulnerability and kindness, and climatic realisations that things don't have to stay the way they are.
The mixture of themes and music genres explored in the show may not seem like the most likely of combinations - but like the concoctions of ingredients in Jenna's pies, blueberry bacon anyone? - it seems to work together in harmony. So what do you get if you mix messy love lives, pastry, light relief and a killer soundtrack to boot? A little slice of theatre magic, that's what.
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| Disclaimer: This blog post feature items that been gifted to me, and these will be marked with an asterisk (*) Thank you to the relevant publishers and Netgalley for the copies. |
Hello! As you may have noticed there was a little break in posts from me whilst I took some well needed time off work and basically made the most of being outside in the sun rather than at my desk. For this weeks' post, I'm highlighting the books I've read during July. Just like last month, I've read a mixture of genres so there should be something to cater to any taste if you're looking for recommendations too! I certainly made the most of the free time I had last month as I managed to get through 8 books and there are some real gems including Dolly Alderton's fiction debut, a new Poirot story, and a Christmas love story, yup Christmas in July.
Safe by Jane Adams (*)
Rated: 2/5 🌟
Seventeen-year-old Lauren is on the run from her father Kyle Sykes, who tried to force her into a marriage with Charlie Perrin, a known criminal. The Perrin and Sykes names are renowned for heading up organised criminal gangs, and this marriage was meant to cement the two families together in power.
We follow Lauren as she seeks help from her uncle Harry Prentice, uncover why she needs help from DS Petra Merrow and how she can help DI Clarke pin down the men who’ve got away with murder before (literally).
The book starts dramatically, but the pace seems to dwindle a little from there and it wasn’t as action-packed or as shocking as I was expecting. Whilst there are twists and reveals of information, the ending was a little cliche and I kind of guessed how it would come to a peak. I did like that the story centred around the fleeing for safety, and that the main protagonist was a female trying to escape a family loyalty she never wished to be part of. I also enjoyed the switching of perspectives from her, to Petra Marrow and to the DI investigating the case.
A Bicycle Built for Sue by Daisy Tate (*)
Rated: 3/5 🌟
The story follows Sue, an NHS 111 call centre operator who finds herself recently widowed. We also follow the stories of Raven - a self-dubbed big-boned goth - who is one of Sue’s colleagues, Kath who is part of a husband and wife presenter duo from a breakfast TV show and Flo, an elderly lady struggling to cope with retirement. All of their lives begin to intermingle and you soon discover that they made be unlikely friends, but they’re important parts of each other’s growth.
The women’s lives overlap as they embark on a charity bike ride to raise money for a mental health charity. Along the way the women find themselves pushing their physical limits, challenging their mental state, and also re-evaluating what they want from life. Essentially a story about a physical journey is actually a story about how so many different women experience self-discovery. This isn’t a glossy and romantic filled book. It covers grief and hardships, suicide, and bullying amongst other topics and it’s a heart-wrencher. Each character really does go through emotional turmoil and it really does highlight the value and difference an emotional support system makes.
The Killings at Kingfisher Hill by Sophie Hannah (*)
Rated: 4/5 🌟
The Killings at Kingfisher Hills follows M Poirot, and Inspector Catchpool from Scotland Yard, on their journey to a luxury estate / gated community - Kingfisher Hill - via luxury passenger coach from London. He has been summoned by Richard, a member of the Devonport family, to solve the murder of his brother Frank, of which his fiancée Helen is due to be hung for. However Poirot is asked to conceal his identity from the rear of the Devonport clan, and understandably the mysteries unfold from there including a hysterical coach passenger refusing to board because of an omen of death, further concealed identities, a terrible board game, and another murder.
There’s a labyrinth style plot that unfolds much like in Agatha Christie’s Poirot work, but this has been reimagined by Sophie Hannah. We play catch-up to the story from Catchpool’s perspective and there are hints and red-herrings aplenty through the course of the story and it felt like even my old grey matter was being put to the test! There is an amusing camaraderie between Poirot and Catchpool that makes it almost fun, especially as Poirot encourages Catchpool to catch-up in his findings thus producing a long list of questions that the reader has thought of too. This reminds me of Murder on the Orient Express which I read last year, as there are crossed alibis, non-linear timeline discoveries, and a host of some-what “irrelevant but relevant” details are uncovered and prove vital for the motive of the murder.
This was definitely an enjoyable read and it’s got a certain wit and spark to it that is irrevocable in a murder-mystery starring Poirot.
Ghosts by Dolly Alderton (*)
Rated: 5/5 🌟
Centred around millennial and food writer Nina, Ghosts looks at the landscape of life in your thirties. That life can be summarised as a loss of friendships, a dwindling pool of eligible bachelors, and a revised look at your life as your expectations haven’t been met quite yet. After her break up with long term partner Joe, Nina downloads the dating app Linx to help her find love, as she’s feeling the pressure as she’s one of the last singles she knows apart from her friend Lola.
This book delicately looks at the feelings of responsibility and relationships - in dating, friendships, and family territories. It is a heartfelt and emotionally challenging story to read but it’s got a rawness and a vulnerability to it. There’s witty and astute comments woven into the narrative and a plethora of relatable observations made by Nina. I found myself empathising with her and Lola’s tales of modern dating, being caught up in the more nostalgic elements as Nina reflects on her life and choices she’s made. It’s a story of love - modern dating, female friendships, and the enduring and sometimes not ideal love we build with our family. As the title suggests, this is a story about being ghosted. Ghosted by love interests who disappear thanks to the digital era dating scene where your paths never really have to cross. The ghosts of old friendships and differing life choices and the judgment that comes with the decisions made by someone you thought was so similar, and how your life differs from theirs. And also in this novel, ghosts of the past - as Nina’s dad is suffering from Dementia - and her relationship with her parents suffers as a result, especially with her mum who is struggling to see her husband slip away.
There is a richness and depth to the characters and a charm that comes with exploring human emotions and the psyche that Dolly Alderton has done so well. It’s thoughtful, emotional and at times laugh out loud funny. I thought I’d be disappointed by the ending as things appeared to be resolved easily, but I wasn’t - I was charmed, it was great that Nina finally got something good (or realised she had it good all along).
Olive by Emma Gannon (*)
Rated: 3/5 🌟
Olive is a thirty-something who doesn’t want kids. She’s part of a group of friends - Bea, Cecily, and Isla, who’ve navigating exams, university, and things that life throws at them together. She faces hardships - society casts judgment and she ends her long-term relationship because she doesn’t think she’ll feel maternal any time soon. She faces the adjustment of her closest friends trying to have a baby through IVF like Isla or parenting a brood of excitable children in the case of Bea, and welcoming a new baby dubbed OAP like Cecily and feels out of sorts compared to her friends. The topic of motherhood and being childless is handled well and is definitely at the forefront of this novel.
The non-chronological timeline gives you an insight into the relationships of Olive and her best friends. We see the shared experiences and history, placed starkly beside the differences in their current life. There’s drama with partners, child-free events and bust-ups that will be familiar to every friend group.
My only dismay is that it felt really slow-building and never really went anywhere so the latter half of the book felt a little flat especially after I raced through the beginning and the ebbs and flows of Olive’s life. This is like Dolly Alderton’s Ghosts meets Anna Hope’s Expectations. A rich tale of women’s lives and the pressures society puts upon them. It's a refreshing take on a 'chick-lit' that isn't centred on the cliche 'happy ever after' of a baby and a husband and is more reflective of a modern woman and her ability to choose what her happy ending looks like.
Meet Me In London by Georgia Toffolo (*)
Rated: 3/5 🌟
Set in Chelsea on the precipice of the opening of a new Russel & Co department store in time for Christmas, aspiring designer Victoria meets businessman Oliver Russell by falling head over heels .... literally, there’s a spilled box of ribbons, flailing limbs, and a possible concussion. Tasked with the opening of the latest store in his family empire, Oliver tackles the looming deadline of opening day with the interference of his mother who is dying for him to settle down and introduce a nice girl to his family. Thus a The Proposal style plan is hatched where Victoria plays a doting fake fiancée and in exchange gets to show off her bridal collection at a fashion show during the department store opening. There are family dinners, run-ins with relatives, secrets, and ever-growing feelings that might mean things aren’t as fake as they should be.
As a fashion graduate, I loved the descriptions of Victoria - bar girl and designer - and her dress sense and designs. I also adored that she taught underprivileged teenagers about fashion and provided them with opportunities they wouldn’t have otherwise. I liked that this book tackled wider issues too like infertility and looked into the long-lasting effect an accident can have on different friends/women. However, my criticism of this book lies in the blatant nods of their attraction - countless times it’s mentioned that the pair think about having sex with one another, or how attractive they think each other is, or how much they want to kiss each other or be more than a fake romance. It felt so forced and a little juvenile and tedious like a constant reminder of THEY FANCY EACH OTHER in case you’d missed it the previous 200 times. There’s also a hospital scene which is really rather emotional which is ruined by the pair imagining having sex right there in the room with the patient... yikes. There are also unrealistic parts like the fact Victoria can afford a 2 bed flat in central London and support underprivileged kids and buy fabric for her design business, all on a part-time bar salary.
That being said I do love a cliche romance where you know how the story is going to end right from the offset so this did feel comforting and warming for my soul. I also love a fake romance trope and bearing witness to the pair realising it’s both a little more real than they realise.
The Twelve Dates of Christmas by Jenny Bayliss (*)
Rated: 4/5 🌟
Set in Blexford, on the cusp of London, Kate Turner is a thirty-something singleton. Designing fabrics for Liberty, baking for her childhood friend Matt's cafe The Pear Tree, and being close to her family and best friend Laura means she's kept busy, and there's been no real-time for love. Laura ropes Kate into a 'Twelve Dates of Christmas' scheme, 12 festive dates with eligible bachelors from the local area, and London - it essentially combines Kate's love of Christmas, with something she hasn't had time for; men. The premise is participants will choose from a selection of dates, including in Blexford Manor where Laura works, and be matched up with another lucky singleton in hopes of finding love for the festive season.
There's plenty of laugh out loud moments (I'm looking at you, weeping vegan), cringe date encounters (including an aptly name Richard, (view spoiler) and Christmas cheer, and the spirit of a close-knit community is captured completely. The characters and pacing were great, and it was a book I really felt comforted and cosy reading, which is exactly what you want in the run-up to Christmas (even if I am writing this in July!).
Kate was a great protagonist - sharp-witted, a take-no-prisoners attitude, ounces of camaraderie, she's independent, fiercely loyal, and has the dependency and warmth you'd want from any friend. It was interesting to see her relationships with each of the characters, and the gossip-train of village life. I also liked the sometimes-hilarious, sometimes-awful experiences she had on the 'Twelve Dates of Christmas' or 'Twelve Days of Shagmas' as it gets dubbed. It is a little predictable in parts but I did love the build-up to see if my predictions were correct and the ending would be as heartwarming as I imagined (which, spoiler, it was).
Cow Girl by Kirsty Eyre (*)
Rated: 3/5 🌟
This contemporary comedic story follows Billie, a lesbian biochemist who is forced to up sticks and move back from her lab-life in London, to the British countryside to help run her family farm. It’s in the middle of nowhere, there are over 100 cows and it’s put a spanner in the works of her PHD aspirations.
The basis of the plot centres around Billie’s life which now consists of a Dad in recovery from a tumour, an interfering Grandma, dairy farming and relationship drama including a hot french scientist, an ex-girlfriend and a love/hate relationship with a bovine vet. There’s a strong family and community element to the story, and homophobia and prejudice are tackled head-on by Billie by those in the Yorkshire village she now calls home. She’s surrounded by a host of charming secondary characters like her friends from London, and the villagers.
The “leaving London for country life” reminded me a little of Sophie Kinsella’s My Not So Perfect Life, and whilst this book does have some charm, it didn’t quite hit the same as the usual chick flicks I like to read. It’s a great debut novel from the author, and the farm/cow puns were spot on humour - I just felt a bit of a disconnect and couldn’t fully emerge into the story
And there we have it! My round-up of my recent reads, have you got any of these on your 'to read' list too?
Kisses,
Chlo
