Notes From Row H

Till the Stars Come Down

17/09/2025

West End Theatre Review – Theatre Royal Haymarket

A transfer from the National Theatre, Till the Stars Come Down is playing at the Royal Theatre Haymarket until the 27^th September 2025.

Set on the day of Sylvia (Sinéad Matthews) and Marek (Julian Kostov)’s wedding, this play covers many themes – all of which make it very topical. At its centre, this show is a family drama – there are, of course, typical wedding shenanigans, relationships, and hilarity, which are obviously very fun and sometimes very emotionally intense. What was a surprise for me, was the very topical underlying theme of immigration: particularly how people perceive immigrants – both consciously and unconsciously. This makes the viewing of this show very refreshing, because amongst the obvious ‘wedding’ themes, there are undercurrents of something more menacing, which are skilfully dripped into the plot, and are just enough to make both the characters and the audience feel uncomfortable and reflective.

This is very clever writing by Beth Steel (The House of Shades, Ditch, and Wonderland), because she manages to beautifully balance the funny moments – particularly with Aunty Carol (played by Dorothy Atkinson) – with high and intense emotions which come from all sides of the table. All the actors shine through with their individual performances, and it is these which give the show its life and soul.

The set design by Samal Balak (Quiet Songs and Sons of the Prophet) and the lighting design by Paule Constable (Ballet Shoes and Nye), immerse the audience into the setting and accentuate the emotions of the characters. One of the most unique aspects of this show, is that there are seats for the audience around the sides of the stage which helps to give the play an added feeling of intimacy.

This show is a mixture of hilarity and moving moments and offers a fantastic opportunity for an audience to experience an explosive family drama on the West End.

Written by Helena Featherstone
Anne Boleyn: The Musical

12/09/2025

Theatre Review – Hever Castle

Performed in a purpose-built outdoor auditorium in the grounds of Hever Castle, Kent, this new musical is centred around Anne Boleyn’s life and her rise in the Tudor court. It is told by Anne herself, which gives the show an extra layer of personality.

No matter if you know your Tudor history like the back of your hand, or if you are at the ‘Divorced, Beheaded, Died’ stage, this show has something for everyone. From stunning vocals to the immersive incorporation of the actual Castle and its grounds into the narrative, this has all the makings of a show that could be (and hopefully will be) on the West End or on tour in the future. In particular, Emily Lane shines as Anne Boleyn and her talent is mirrored in Mark Goldthorp, who plays Henry VIII. The vocals of Joshua Oakes-Rogers and Kim Ismay (as George Boleyn and Joan, respectively) are also phenomenal.

The talent on display on the stage is only half the reason why this musical is so special: the other half is the setting itself – it is almost like another character. Throughout the show, you could see horses galloping through the grounds behind the stage, maypoles, people running, and projections onto the castle. This is what makes this show so unique.

It was my first time seeing an open-air theatre show, so even though it became clear that headphones were essential (due to the size of the auditorium and the fact that it was outside), it was a bit bothersome at first. It would have been beneficial to have been told beforehand about the use of headphones, so it would not have been much of a shock. That being said, it was very needed and they did not take away from the performance: if anything, they aided it because the full vocal talent of this cast was able to be appreciated.

The musical is written by Rebecca Night (Fanny Hill, and as a producer, Legacy and The Two Week Wait) and Sam Kenyon (Swallows & Amazons, A Midsummer Night’s Dream). They are supported by the set and costumes, which are designed by Robert Innes-Hopkins. The show is produced by Belgian-based Historalia Productions, and Anne Boleyn: The Musical marks their first-ever UK production.

Written by Helena Featherstone
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

30/08/2025

West End Theatre Review – The Ambassadors Theatre

Created and written by Jethro Compton and Darren Clark, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button initially played at the Southwark Playhouse and following a very successful run there, transferred to the Ambassador’s Theatre in October 2024.

At its core, this musical revolves around Benjamin Button as he navigates the mysterious predicament of aging backwards. Set when World War One is ending and covering major events in the 20^th Century like the Apollo Moon Landing and World War Two, this musical moves away from the short story written by F Scott Fitzgerald in 1922, and is set in a Cornish fishing village. At its centre, it is a love story between Benjamin Button and a Cornish bar maid, Elowen, (played by John Dalgliesh and Clare Foster respectively), which is narrated by The Strangers, who guide the audience through Benjamin’s life. This gives the show an enchanting and traditional folky feel – which makes the viewing experience magical and enthralling.

There is often talk about the so-called ‘Triple Threat’, and if ever there was a time to use the term, it would be to describe the insanely talented group of actor-muso performers that make up the company of The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. I have never seen such incredible work than I did on that stage: the ensemble were here there and everywhere, often playing instruments whilst singing beautiful songs and dancing – all the while telling a beautiful, funny, heartwarming, and at times heart wrenching story of time, love, and loss.

Compton and Clark’s music, score and storytelling are woven together in a beautiful way, and they are lovely such ear worms that you won’t mind singing them day in day out! The set, which is also designed by Compton, immerses the audience in the Cornish fishing village and is very cleverly used when the scene changes to the local pub The Pickled Crab, boats, or Benjamin’s house. Sometimes it is very refreshing to have a musical that does not have scene changes and requires the audience to use their imagination – it really immerses you in the story.

This show has put actor-muso shows back on the West End where it belongs, and I hope that, in the future, more shows like this are able to showcase such talent that this ensemble has. It is quite frankly one of the best pieces of theatre I have ever seen.

Written by Helena Featherstone
The Comedy About Spies

17/08/2025

West End Theatre Review – The Noel Coward Theatre

Running in the Noel Coward Theatre until 5^th September 2025, Mischief’s Comedy about Spies departs from their beloved ‘Goes Wrong’ genre and delves into something that is more akin to The Comedy about a Bank Robbery – their West End smash hit from 2016.

Directed by Matt DiCarlo (Play that Goes Wrong, Moulin Rouge) and penned by Henry Lewis and Henry Shields, and featuring many of Mischief’s OGs, The Comedy about Spies is a show that cements Mischief as one of the best comedic troupes in London.

Set during the Cold War, the play is centred around The Piccadilly Hotel and spies from the CIA (Dave Hearn and Nancy Zamit) and KGB (Chris Leask and Charlie Russell) who are trying to find the illusive ‘Project Midnight’ which will (apparently) stop the war in its tracks. What follows is a hilarious series of events, which will leave even the most austere M15 agent beaming with joy.

It would not be a Mischief show without added chaos, so mix in some unwitting civilians: a baker called Bernard (Shields) and his partner Rosemary (Adele James), a wannabe actor (Lewis), and hotel manager (Greg Tannahill), and you have a recipe for mistaken identities, linguistic misunderstandings, groanworthy puns, and incredible physicality.

Along with the tremendous set designs created by David Farley, costumes designed by Deborah Andrews, and lighting designer Johanna Town, the play rockets along taking the audience through a wild ride of hilarity, intruige and fast paced gags. Whether it be in MI5 itself, on the tube, in the Piccadilly Hotel, or a submarine, this play succeeds in making an audience lose itself in a world of espionage and humour – and maybe even cry with laughter!

In a typical Mischief way, Lewis and Shields have managed to balance chaos and carnage with the ability to tell a fantastic story.

With something for everyone, this show promises to be one of Mischief’s best yet, and I for one, cannot wait to see what they come up with next.

Written by Helena Featherstone