It’s hard to believe that thespyinthestalls.com has now been around for over four years. Starting off single-handedly reviewing a couple of shows, we’re now covering fifty plus performances a month. This growth couldn’t have been achieved without our wonderful team of volunteer reviewers. They come from all walks of life with many different backgrounds – united by their love of theatre. Usually you only get to see a name credit at the end of their reviews, but here we now get to meet some of the team.
Emily
Hello! My name is Emily and I live in London. I have been writing for thespyinthestalls.com for a few months now. It’s been an absolute joy! I am a Drama and Playwriting student, so I love to analyse plays and productions. I covered a few shows up in Edinburgh Fringe this year which really enriched my experience there. I graduate at the end of the year and hope to continue writing and working in the Theatre. There’s something about the theatre that is magic – it’s exciting to see what will unfold. I’ve seen some excellent shows through thespyinthestalls. I recommend it to anyone who is interested in theatre, writing or expressing opinions!
I’ve been reviewing for thespyinthestalls.com for seven months now, and I’m so glad that I took it up! There’s so much fantastic theatre on show in London and writing reviews has given me the opportunity to go to venues and see plays that I never would have known about. It’s great to feel plugged into London’s theatre scene and have the platform to shine a spotlight on smaller productions that don’t always get the attention that they deserve.
I graduated from my MA in The Reception of the Classical World last year for which I wrote about how the portrayal of the ancient world in popular media is used as a didactic tool. Now, I work full-time at a cultural education charity called Art UK. I am passionate about widening participation and making the arts accessible to everyone. Reviewing fits well around my job and gets me out and about rather than slumped in front of the TV after a long day at work! I spend the rest of my time visiting museums and galleries, going on long walks and getting involved in cultural events.
This photo was taken in the lobby of the Bridge Theatre after watching their immersive production of A Midsummer’s Night’s Dream. Definitely one of the best things I’ve seen this year!
I’ve been reviewing for thespyinthestalls.com for just under a year and my only regret is not starting sooner! Two of my main passions are theatre and writing, so it made sense to combine the two and find a site to start writing for.
I like the fact that reviewing has allowed me to visit a variety of different theatres and see shows I wouldn’t have necessarily known about otherwise. When I’m not working as a charity fundraiser or writing for thespyinthestalls.com, I enjoy performing with a North London based musical theatre company and singing and playing guitar.
When I retired from working three years ago I looked at what I wanted to focus my time on and attending more theatre shows was on my list. In my first year I saw around a hundred shows in the West End and London Fringe as well as in my local Cambridge area.
To keep abreast of activity in the theatre world I followed several accounts on Twitter including thespyinthestalls.com. It was by following this account I became a reviewer; how it happened was I won a competition to see Adam & Eve and Steve. The show was terrific and I messaged to thank the site for the tickets. In their reply they asked if I knew of anyone who would be interested in reviewing. I thought – well I see a couple of shows a week, I believe I know the difference between good and not so good, so why not have a go?
Following the usual trial I had my first show to review – The Cardinal at the Southwark Playhouse. I thoroughly enjoyed the show but rather than coming away with my wife having a general ‘what did you think about that?’ chat, I was on my own with a pressing review to write. I must confess that I found it really difficult at first and spent many hours trying to get my thoughts onto the computer screen. But I did it, pressed send and after a few tweaks from the team my first review was available to the world. It was an exciting moment for me.
Since then I have seen the website grow and have completed almost thirty reviews seeing some quite amazing productions … along with only a couple that didn’t quite hit the spot. Whilst I’m a couple of hours away from most London venues I try my best to fit in as many as my rather full diary allows. I am also pleased to have introduced a regional reviewer to the site.
I don’t usually hang around for photos or autographs after shows, but got this snap of me and the very talented Lucy Penrose who was starring in Judy! at the Arts Theatre. In conclusion it is great fun being a reviewer for thespyinthestalls.com.
We turn down more shows than we actually get to review, this is because we just don’t have enough reviewers to cover everything we’d like to. We’re always looking for reliable people who would be interested in joining our team.
“some clear standouts which promise a festival full of fun”
The Great Yorkshire Fringe runs from the 19th July – 29th July and boasts everything from comedy to dog shows. Tonight, at the Leicester Square Theatre we are treated to snapshots of some of the comics who will gracing the stages of York in the coming weeks.
Ian Smith
Ian Smith is the evening’s compere, consistently energised and doling out funny doses of audience interaction between acts. He also has a show at the Fringe, ‘Craft’ which looks set to be great fun if tonight is anything to go by. Between acts we are also treated to short films created by ‘Sh!tfaced Shakespeare’ in which drunken actors explain the plot of a Shakespeare play in two minutes, a taster of the fun their full productions have in store.
Rahul Kohli
There are some clear standout performances of the night. Rahul Kohli is a definite favourite, “a Geordie Indian man” by his definition. As he says, “I look like an ethnic but sound like a racist.” His humour is topical, vibrant and bitingly funny and he uses comedy to talk about racism in an accessible and witty way. Reginald D. Hunter is one of the festival’s headliners and it is obvious why. He’s American, for which he apologises, but he lives in England because at least English racists won’t shoot you, not before writing a bunch of letters anyway. Again, clever and topical, Hunter is warm, comfortable and personable onstage and his full show will definitely be a joy to watch. John Pendal’s act doesn’t pack quite the same impact but it is a charming and playful set that discusses queer relationships in an easily accessible way, and Pendal presents as deeply likeable. Dougie Walker’s comedy is narrative based or “art” depending on who you ask, clever and full of good impressions, I was left wanting to know more. Ben Pope (yes, that’s short for Benedict) also looks like one to watch out for. His humour is fast-paced and self-deprecating, and the combination is fantastic.
Harry and Chris
Musical comedy makes up a substantial part of the evening. Harry and Chris describe themselves as a “comedy-rap-jazz duo” and it’s certainly an effective combination. Witty and playful, the pair are a clear talent. This is a slick performance laced with clever wordplay that leaves me wanting more, certainly one to look out for at the Fringe. Charlotte Brooke is another talented musical comedian, who wittily discusses her favourite food group, gluten, and her decision to substitute running with Netflix. Relatable, warm and playful, she has a lovely presence onstage, and is again, one to watch out for. Mitch Benn opens the show with his musical comedy act. It’s a clumsy start, but his song about the epidemic of Ed Sheeran goes some way to making up for it.
Alice Fraser
Not every act shines tonight. The Thinking Drinkers’ show is a pub crawl through time, complete with a shot of Yorkshire gin for the audience. Their act is a mix of weak word play and technical tasting notes that doesn’t quite work in their ten minute slot. Perhaps across a longer slot their act will be showcased better and they are keen to remind us that you do get five drinks during their show! Paul Sinha is an openly gay Asian man, quizzer and comedian, and his comedy is well-observed and clever, although his delivery is not as sharp as some of the people he is sharing the stage with tonight. Craig Campbell and Alice Fraser are two acts who show clear potential and come armed with lovely energies and some strong material each but in their limited time slots both fail to stand out from the extensive line up of comics. Next up, comedy historian Robert Ross will be interviewing the legendary Tony Slattery during the Fringe, with the sole condition that Slattery is not at all prepared on what he will be asked. The result is initially a bit too rambling and directionless although a shirtless onstage fight finale is a strange but entertaining end to the set. Paul Foot’s set is equally bizarre, full of quirky musings that will make you rethink everything you think you know about what comedy is. As he says, “You’re laughing but you don’t know why.”
This is a varied night and there are some clear standouts which promise a festival full of fun that really has something for everyone.
Ian Smith
Rahul Kohli
Harry and Chris
Alice Fraser
