Female theatre reviewers spotlight: Lindsay – fairypoweredproductions

Welcome to the start of a new series celebrating female colleagues who engage with theatre as critics, reviewers, bloggers or content creators. I am using ‘theatre’ to encompass all live arts performances, and ‘reviewer’ to cover all those who add commentary on what they see.

The master list is at: https://loureviews.blog/spotlight-on-female-theatre-reviewers-bloggers-critics-and-content-creators/

If you would like to be profiled as part of this project, please get in touch.

Today, I turn my attention to Lindsay, founder of fairypoweredproductions.

Can you tell us a bit about yourself and how you came to be writing or creating content about theatre?

I fell into reviewing by accident! It’s a long story, but basically I joined Twitter to see a friend’s baby photos and saw a competition to be a theatre reviewer.

At the same time, I was a mature student with the OU but doing some face-to-face tutorials at Teesside University, and I saw an advert at Teesside looking for theatre reviewers. It was fate, and so it began!

If you have your own platform, when did it start, and how did you come up with the name? If you write for one or many platforms, which was the first and how did you become involved with it?

I started to do fairypowered in January 2025. My kids came up with the name as we were driving home from somewhere, and there was a sticker on the car saying “powered by fairydust”, they decided I was fairypowered.

I started out just on my website (www.fairypoweredproductions.com), and as I worked out what I was doing, I added in Facebook, Twitter/X, Instagram, etc.

What kind of shows do you cover, and in which geographical areas?

I’m lucky enough to have many wonderful people who review for fairypowered, and we cover a wide area – from Aberdeen down to Portsmouth and a lot of areas in between.

We do all kinds of theatre and performance. My lovely fairies all have different tastes – some like opera, some dance and a couple only like pantomime.

How would you describe yourself (reviewer, critic, content creator, YouTuber, influencer, other)?

I am a reviewer. I go to a show, and I review it. One of my rules is that there is always something to praise – be it the acting, writing, music, costume or scenery.

And if there are any negatives, then be constructive. A lot of time and effort has gone into that show, and we should always be positive, even in our negatives.

Why do you continue to engage with theatre?

There is nothing, and I do mean NOTHING like live theatre. Being in the audience and being captivated, spellbound by that live performance happening right there in front of you, sometimes just inches from your eyes.

What’s the one thing that would make the theatre reviewing/content creating space easier for you personally, and/or for your platform?

Comfier seats! I’m semi-retired now and only review a few shows personally. I have very painful arthritis, and theatre seats can be very uncomfortable.

I do attend the cinema to see things like National Theatre Live, and I can recommend the comfy recliners.

Do you have a favourite show – and any you particularly dislike(d)?

It’s not fair to mention shows I disliked, because it’s all personal taste. I love Titanic the Musical. I think Danielle Tarento produced a thing of beauty with that show, and I live in hope it will tour again.

I have a very special space in my heart for any show by Mischief. I saw The Play That Goes Wrong at the Old Red Lion, and the cast outnumbered the audience – I knew that they were going to go on to greatness.

Likewise, SIX, which I saw in a room in a hotel in Edinburgh Grassmarket during the 2017 Fringe. Even though it was the original student production, I knew that it was destined for success.

The theatre commentary space is wide and diverse – is there any other female reviewer/content creator you would recommend, and why?

Theatre and Tonic, Shows with Soph, Ellie Talks Theatre are a few I can think of off the top of my head, and of course, any of the ones who write for fairypowered.

What’s the biggest change you have noticed in the theatre space since you started contributing to it?

There is a lot more variety of shows since I began, and a lot more diversity and inclusion. Plus, of course, shows no longer need a theatre space – they just need a space, be it a church hall, empty shop or a chippie.

And which social networks are you most active on? If you are not on any, what is your opinion of their place in theatre reviewing/content creation?

I don’t do TikTok; anything that would involve seeing me or hearing me is not my thing. I’m happier to share on Facebook, X and Instagram. I’m just a humble reviewer.

Can you pinpoint one of your best reviews, features, or videos?

That’s not for me to say – with such diverse tastes, there is always beauty to be found somewhere by someone.

How can people contact you who want to promote a show?

I can be messaged via social media or emailed at lindsay@fairypoweredproductions.com.

Thank you, Lindsay!