Written by Hollie for Theatre & Tonic Disclaimer: Gifted tickets in exchange for an honest review. Set in two contrasting parts of Liverpool in the 1970s, this story of family, trust and friendship tells the story of twins separated at birth, who are brought up in very different circumstances. One is kept by their mother Mrs Johnstone and one is given away. As a pair that goes together, how will the boys do throughout the years and what legacy will they leave?  With book, lyrics and music by Willy Russell, Blood Brothers is probably one of the most notable musicals produced by Bill K ..read more

Written by Zoe for Theatre & Tonic Disclaimer: Gifted tickets in exchange for an honest review. From either side of the Big Pond, Dougal and Robin couldn’t be more different from one another. Robin is cool, calm, and collected. She’s sharp and fiercely independent. Whereas Dougal, in the words of Robin, is ‘a golden retriever with no boundaries’. He’s funny, naive, and to Robin’s dismay, overtly positive. So, what will happen when their worlds collide in New York. Two Strangers. One city. Four cakes. What could possibly go wrong… Jim Barne and Kit Buchan’s Two Strangers (Carry A Cake Acro ..read more

From the nationally acclaimed British theatre company Deafinitely Theatre comes a striking new world premiere inspired by the extraordinary experiences of deaf people living with dementia. The Promise is a production written by Paula Garfield and Melissa Mostyn and combines the company’s renowned style of combining British Sign Language and English into their work. At the heart of the production is profoundly Deaf Australian born artist and performer Anna Seymour who today chats with Theatre and Tonic about her journey. 1. To begin with Anna, can you tell us a little bit about what inspired y ..read more

Jonah Williams as Jamie and Anna McAuley as Cathy. Written by Natasha for Theatre & Tonic Disclaimer: Gifted tickets in exchange for an honest review. Last night I attended a staging of The Last Five Years, Jason Robert Brown’s 2001 song cycle about two young people who fall in love, get married - and experience the disintegration of their relationship. The show took place in a studio theatre in the East Midlands town of Mansfield, but despite the unassuming set and reasonably-priced bar, I felt I could have been in the West End due to such an exquisite performance (that was immediatel ..read more

Alex Hill in Why I Stuck A Flare Up My Arse for England, photo credit: Jack Stacey Written by Penny for Theatre & Tonic Disclaimer: Gifted tickets in exchange for an honest review. In Southwark Playhouse’s Large performance space, the atmosphere is electric. The lighting is low and the bare stage has a backdrop of England flags, some have seen better days, they’ve all seen some action. A couple of crates, also covered with the Cross of St George, and a podium are the only bits of furniture on the set. The writer and performer of Why I Stuck a Flare Up My Arse for England, Alex Hill, burst ..read more

Written by Cathie for Theatre & Tonic Disclaimer: Gifted tickets in exchange for an honest review. A hop, skip and a jump away from the bustling neon glow of Piccadilly Circus lies the fabulous Crazy Coqs Zedel. As you walk down the lushly decorated staircase it’s easy to believe you are going back in time to the heyday of 1920’s. This cabaret Sunday act is Andrew Pepper of House Pepper. This is a welcome return to London for Andrew Pepper (he’s been in Paris don’t you know) and he grasps this opportunity with a flamboyant grace. Greeting the audience with a cheerful “hello Coqs!” in a co ..read more

Written by Cathie for Theatre & Tonic Disclaimer: Gifted tickets in exchange for an honest review. It is human nature to judge. Many studies say that we form set opinions and create a ‘box of expectations’ about every stranger we encounter within 1 minute. Even Shakespeare discusses the 7 stages of life from mewling schoolboy to withering dotage. Therefore Little Boxes, a one woman show performed by Joann Condon, does not seek to invent what is new but seeks to explore and redefine her own boxes. The show showcases the fragile cardboard boxes that form Condon’s life, both work and family ..read more

Debbie Arnold and Rachel Fielding in Calendar Girls. Photo by Andreas Lambis Written by Eleanor for Theatre & Tonic Disclaimer: Gifted tickets in exchange for an honest review. Calendar Girls is a touching and comedic true story about a group of women from Yorkshire who raise money for their local hospital by producing a nude calendar. This iteration of the story is written by Tim Firth (the screenwriter of the popular 2003 film), directed by Sally Hughes and is currently performing at the idyllic Mill at Sonning in Berkshire. Although there were a few elements of the production which c ..read more

Written by Russell for Theatre & Tonic Disclaimer: Gifted tickets in exchange for an honest review. OSO Theatre in Barnes, if you've never been, is a modern theatre on the beautiful Barnes Common, bang in the middle of the middle-classiest part of South West London. The epi-centre for ladies-that-lunch and where yummy mummies roam free and the Gillet-to-pink trousers-ratio is higher than anywhere else on the planet. But what a lovely theatre it is. From the moment you arrive, the lovely box office lady and the super friendly bar staff make you feel very welcome and much appreciated. Wow t ..read more

Written by Jacqueline Edinburgh’s Festival Theatre is one of Scotland’s oldest and largest performing arts spaces and has hosted some of the biggest and best shows the city has ever seen. It is one of three venues owned by the Capital Theatres group and is the second largest theatre in Edinburgh (behind ATG Entertainment’s Edinburgh Playhouse). The Festival Theatre is currently home to the Scottish premiere of Hamilton, and I was lucky enough to snag a ticket for a backstage tour to learn more about the ‘Room Where It Happens’! Theatre tours at this venue run as often as possible, with dates ..read more