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
From my previous posts, you've probably spotted I'm a bit of a reader. Ever since I was little, my nose has always been firmly planted in a book and this continues to be the case especially as my London commute lends itself perfectly to some reading time and also it's my favourite form of non-screen related downtime. During lockdown I was reunited with my beloved bookcase of favourites including my stash of much-loved romance / chick lit novels. I like to read a variety of genres, and mainly stick to fiction as a form of escapism, and one of the perfect forms for me is a good ol' chick-lit. In this post I've rounded up a couple of my favourite authors who's easy going storylines and the promise of a happy ending (of some sort) keeps me coming back for more
Cecelia Ahern
Sophie Kinsella
Zoë Folbigg
Back when I interned at Fabulous Magazine (psst you can read about my experience here) I took advantage of the bookshop in the cafeteria and orchestrated a book swap with a friend who was interning at another magazine which led me to the discovery of The Note based on a true story of one little note to a man on the train and how it changed a woman's life. It's actually the story of how Zoë met her husband but with a few editorial liberties. Since then I've read all of her other books - The Distance and The Postcard - and they all follow relatable female characters who are down on their luck experiencing the highs and lows of life. I love a good 'journey' story, especially if it's one of realising your self-worth, discovering things about yourself and loved ones, or learning to be a better person and that's exactly what these stories do.
Beth O'Leary
Jojo Moyes
Kisses,
Chlo
We all know I am a sucker for a good round-up post, and since the weather hasn't been the best and things have only just begun to re-open, I've been watching a lot. So today's post sums up five things I've been watching recently, that you might enjoy watching too!
Hamilton
Disney+
If you follow me on Twitter, or know how much I love theatre, then it will come as no surprise that when the Hamilton film dropped on Disney + I was all over it quicker than the words-per-minute in some of the raps in the show. It tells the story of Alexander Hamilton aka the guy who helped establish the US' first two central banks (Bank of North America and the First Bank of the United States), founded the New York Post, was the first Secretary of the Treasury for George Washington, wrote 51 out of 85 Federalist papers, basically started a revolution and is one of the founding fathers of America. All his history but told in song with some nods to other parts of American history, uhhh yes, please!
From my previous post you might've seen I adore National Treasure, which covers some of the other Founding Fathers like Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson, so I'd always had Hamilton on my radar but the elusiveness (and price) of the tickets meant until now I'd never managed to see it in full glory, and oh boy was I missing out. The staging, the music, and that exceptional cast and costumes have my heart a-singing, not to mention the songs - special shout out to my current faves Helpless, Satisfied, Wait for It and the icon that is King George III's You'll Be Back complete with that shoulder shuffle.
Love Island Australia
ITV2 / ITV Player
It comes as no surprise that I am one of those people who adores the drama that you're guaranteed in a 9pm showing of Love Island, and since the UK one wasn't going ahead, I have been sinking my teeth into the Australian counterpart. Whilst there's not quite as many dates or games - I'm looking at you the baby challenge - there is drama aplenty. Shock re-couplings, a hot Australian cast and a truth bike that is just basically a bike that gives you an excuse to be savage - GENIUS TELEVISION. Whilst I am aware of how superficial the concept is, not to mention the lack of representation and diversity, I am a sucker for a trashy reality show about love. I am so sad that it finished on Tuesday but you can bet I'll be watching the next season of Love Island, and yes I am excited about it. If you've never watched it before, get yourself onto the ITV Player to catch up - it's binge-worthy.
Dynasty
Netflix
If the level of drama in Love Island wasn't obvious, it's nothing compared to the trashy delights that surround the lives of the Carrington clan in Dynasty. Based on the characters from the original 80s show, Netflix's title follows the life of socialite and aspiring businesswoman Fallon Carrington, and her family's escapades. There's everything from covered up deaths, missing siblings, a businessman Lothario father who's done some dodgy dealings and his endless rota of new wives (who all seem to be called Crystal) a brother-in-law turned gay best friend, and family staff that have more secrets than a Poirot suspect. The over-the-top scenarios, picture-perfect cast and bizarre occasional-musical episodes mean it's a perfect form of escapism entertainment.
Hannibal
Netflix
Last but not least, and in complete contrast to the other things I've been watching, I've recently delved into the TV series and psychological thriller that is Hannibal. My lovely friend Emily had recommended me this in the past and its one that had remained on my 'to watch' list for a while, and after reading my way through a more chick-lit lately, I wanted to get my thriller fix through the screen rather than the page. The show follows Will Graham, a criminal profiler who's recruited by the FBI to help investigate a serial killer in the Minnesota area. Whilst working, Will is asked to be supervised by forensic psychiatrist Dr. Hannibal Lecter, and each episode follows a different case. Learn from my mistake, this is not one to watch with your dinner - but it is a gripping and fascinating show, and you really see Will empathise with the murders. It's an interesting view into the psyche of killers and the reasoning behind their actions so if you're after something suspenseful and a crime orientated thriller, this one might be for you.
Bake Off: The Professionals
Channel 4 / 4 On Demand
Another thing you've likely seen me raving about is my love of a good baking and cooking show. I deliberated between including Celebrity Masterchef here too but since we're only a few episodes in, and I've committed more time over the past few weeks watching Bake Off: The Professionals (sorry Masterchef I still adore you). Much like The Great British Bake Off, the professionals version pits baking hopefuls against one another in a set of challenges, the only difference is the contestants are duos of professional chefs from the world of patisserie. Challenges included making different variations of sweet treats, big bakes or petit gâteau aka the tiny cakes you see in fancy bakeries, to making chocolate centrepieces that wouldn't be amiss on a Hogwarts banquet table. There's usually drama - smashed sugar elements, under-baked components and even the occasional argument between team members - and the beloved OTT presenters to make it teeth-achingly saccharine viewing - magnificent. Top tip, make sure you have something to eat whilst watching otherwise it will make you ravenous!
And there we go, five things I've been watching that you might want to watch too! If you've got any recommendations, do let me know
Kisses
Chlo
On Sunday, I made myself some chocolate orange cookies to accompany a viewing of Hamilton on Disney+. I posted about my bake on my Instagram story, and on Twitter, and so many people asked for a recipe so considering I adapted a couple I'd seen online to make these little bits of deliciousness, I thought I'd post it here on my blog!
I utilised Tanya Burr's cookie recipe and basically swapped in my favourite bits to make a delicious (not just for Christmas) chocolate orange treat. The recipe can make around 10 cookies (depending on how large you make them) and you can also freeze it for future cookie emergencies!
So without further ado...
INGREDIENTS
200g Unsalted Butter (at room temp)
300g Caster Sugar
1 Large Egg
275g Self-Raising Flour
75g Cocoa Powder
A dash of milk (optional)
1 Terry's Chocolate Orange
THE METHOD
- Preheat your oven to 200 degrees C (400 degrees F or gas mark 6). Then line two large baking trays with grease-proof paper
- Using a wooden spoon, cream together your butter and sugar. This is so much easier to do if the butter is at room temperature and means you don't have to work those muscles quite as hard!
- Once your butter and sugar have combined together, add in the egg and mix well
- Add the flour to the mixture (in stages) until it's combined
- Add in your cocoa powder, and continue to mix. If the mixture is looking a little dry at this stage, add in a splash of milk. I've personally not had to do this but if your mixture is struggling to hold together to form a dough, this will help
- Now it's time to add the chocolate
and eat some before it goes in the mix. I personally break the chocolate orange segments into two and use my hands to distribute it throughout the mixture. Keep aside 5 segments which can be halved to top your 10 cookies - Now it's time to separate your mixture into evenly sized balls- you can use an ice cream scoop to keep them more consistent in size, or judge it by eye. They should roughly be about the size of your palm
- Add your dough to your baking tray - they will spread so keep them evenly spaced and not too near one another or the edge of the tray. At this point, break up your remaining chocolate orange segments and add a piece to each mixture (like I've done in the picture below)
- Bake in the oven - on the middle shelf - for 11 minutes. They will not look cooked when you remove them, but trust me they will be the perfect gooey consistency so as tempting as it is, do not leave them in for longer than necessary.
- Leave for approx 40 minutes before moving them otherwise they will fall apart, and then tuck in!
The cookies are best stored in an air-tight container and will last approx 4-5 days (if they're around for that long!) whilst they're still gooey and chewy.
Let me know if you decided to make these, and be sure to send me a picture over on Instagram or Twitter!
Kisses,
Chlo
This month, I was meant to be seeing Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, but due to Coronavirus, this has been postponed. I thought this provided the perfect opportunity to review and revisit my previous trip (to Hogwarts).
Let's adjust my time turner, and flashback to the summer of 2017, where I eagerly joined the queue of 100,000 plus to bag myself tickets for the next instalment in the Harry Potter series. I'd purposely not read much into it but some fantastic reviews, and amazing production shots later, my heart was set on going. As the time rolled around in June last summer, I took one of my best friends Jarrod along (he also did a review linked here) and we had - if you'll excuse the pun - a magical time!
Before the show, we stopped off at The Theatre Cafe on St Martin's Lane, which had a special Harry Potter display (hence the photo of the house badges above!) before we headed off.
If you're unfamiliar with the story, the play is split between 2 parts - and myself and Jarrod saw both part 1 and part 2 on a Sunday. Without giving any spoilers Harry Potter and the Cursed Child tells the story of Harry Potter, and his friends, and children 19 years after the events of Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows. With classic favourite characters like Hagrid, Hermione and the beloved Severus Snape, you'll also hear and see other familiar names and elements like the Hogwarts Express and a Time-Turner.
The story follows Albus Potter, son of Harry and Ginny, as he embarks on his first year at Hogwarts School for Witchcraft and Wizardry. You follow along as he makes an unlikely friend in the form of Scorpius Malfoy, the son of Harry's school enemy Draco. The pair tackle the unfamiliarity of the wizarding world with the same awkwardness and bravado as I tackled high school, ah memories.
The spell effects are restrained yet perfect - just the right hint of the magic you see and love in the films including spell-work, dementors and the entrance to the Ministry of Magic are all cleverly shown on stage. There's astonishing on-stage costume changes, quick-witted characters and even water scenes, plus moments that left me with my mouth agape and my bum on the end of my seat. Imogen Heap's soundtrack is simply exquisite (don't believe me? Check Spotify)
The Palace Theatre in London is the perfect home for the show - beautiful, expansive - yet still intimate - and it has a real sense of old English about it which automatically makes you feel cosy. There are old-fashioned wallpaper and plush seats (tiny spoiler here - the setting of the theatre even temporarily lends itself as part of the show).
The two parts certainly cram in a lot of action, and its a visceral emotional experience having J.K. Rowling's much-loved characters in front of you giving an incident-packed performance. The show is almost broke up into episodes with fleeting scenes at different, recognisable moments in time and memorable locations. It's real and tangible and surpassed the expectations I had from reading the script book.
A must-see for every Harry Potter fan, and I hope you enjoyed my (relatively) spoiler-free review, and if you see it too remember to #KeepTheSecrets
Kisses,
Chlo
A must-see for every Harry Potter fan, and I hope you enjoyed my (relatively) spoiler-free review, and if you see it too remember to #KeepTheSecrets
Kisses,
Chlo
