Sitting In The Cheap Seats

Oleanna is a small play with a big reputation. Running at a little under 90 minutes it nonetheless carries a lot of weight. It’s been called “a me too play before me too even existed”, which isn’t far from the mark, so it speaks to current audiences and, from the snatches of conversation I overheard leaving the Mast Mayflower Studios it’s a piece that provokes a lot of thoughts.

The Donmar Warehouse are back with another season full of interesting new pieces, classics and some star casting to boot. Read all about it here:

Who doesn’t want to be in the room where it happens? Anyone who has seen Hamilton, whether onstage or via the recording of the Broadway production on Disney Plus, can’t fail to have wondered what it was like to be part of a show that is as much a movement as a mere musical. A production promoting conversation about race, about immigration and about one’s place in the wider world. Heady subjects given the political turmoil of recent years!

To be back in a theatre, for the first time this year, is a wonderful feeling. To be visiting a space you haven’t before is even better and to see an excellent cast perform an acclaimed play (that you are seeing for the first time) makes for a pretty much perfect Monday!

The Christmas musical at Mill at Sonning is a must for every theatre fan in the south and, after a year without being able to visit we can’t wait to go back for dinner and a cracking night’s entertainment! Read on for full casting and creative info:

I’ve been lucky over the past couple of years to regularly be able to take part in press availability for England Women and to talk to players alongside head coach Simon Middleton . Mids is one of rugby’s good guys, an affable Yorkshireman who is refreshingly open and honest in an increasingly media savvy sport. I’ve often thought it would be interesting to sit down one on one and really pick his brains on the status of his team and his thoughts for the future so after this years Six Nations I made arrangements to do just that.

The days are warming up (allegedly), crowds are returning to stadiums and for the Allianz Premier 15s it’s play off time! The top four teams across the league face off on Saturday with the two winners travelling to Gloucester the following weekend where one team will be crowned league champions. In previous seasons Harlequins Women have played the bridesmaids to Saracens Women but both teams will fancy their chances and with home advantage this weekend they’ll be hoping to fend off Wasps Ladies and Loughborough Lightning respectively. I caught up with four forwards from across the teams for an insight into the games this weekend.