Welcome to the third 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 Theatrical Wheelie (Emma).
Can you tell us a bit about yourself and how you came to be writing or creating content about theatre?
Hi, I’m Emma from Theatrical Wheelie. I have four children, some of whom share my love of theatre. I have an autoimmune disorder, which means I now use a wheelchair. I’ve always loved theatre, but over the past 13 years of accessing venues as a wheelchair user, it’s become clear that not all “accessible” spaces are equal. That realisation pushed me to start sharing my experiences and highlighting what access is actually like in practice.
If you have your own platform, when did it start, and how did you come up with the name?
I created Theatrical Wheelie when I was trying to find a way to combine theatre reviews with honest insights into accessibility. I wanted a name that reflected both theatre and my lived experience as a wheelchair user, and it felt like a natural fit.
What kind of shows do you cover, and in which geographical areas?
I mainly cover musicals and theatre across London and the North of England. Regular locations include Leeds, York, Bradford, Sheffield, Sunderland and Manchester.
How would you describe yourself (reviewer, critic, content creator, YouTuber, influencer, other)?
I’d describe myself as a reviewer. At the moment, I focus on Instagram, but I’m hoping to expand into a dedicated website in the future.
Why do you continue to engage with theatre?
Because I truly believe theatre should be accessible to everyone. It’s such a powerful and important art form, and everyone deserves the chance to experience it.
What’s the one thing that would make the theatre reviewing/content creating space easier for you personally, and/or for your platform?
More training on how to efficiently use and link platforms would make a big difference. I’d also like to keep improving my writing and develop a way to present accessibility information clearly, so people can quickly understand what to expect from a venue. Building a dedicated website is also a big goal for me.
Do you have a favourite show – and any you particularly dislike(d)?
I mainly love musicals. Some of my favourites include Next to Normal, The Book of Mormon, Waitress, Falsettos, and Fun Home. There aren’t many I strongly dislike, but I do find that poor accessibility can really impact my experience. For example, when wheelchair spaces limit the view of the stage or place you too far away, it can detract from the show. One example for me was Titanique, where I couldn’t see the front of the stage. As it’s quite interactive, I felt I couldn’t fully engage with it, which affected my overall enjoyment.
The theatre commentary space is wide and diverse – is there any other female reviewer/content creator you would recommend, and why?
I really enjoy Adventures in Theatreland. She’s friendly, approachable, and always happy to chat, which makes her content feel really welcoming and engaging.
What’s the biggest change you have noticed in the theatre space since you started contributing to it?
One of the biggest changes I’ve noticed is how many others share the same accessibility challenges. There’s a growing awareness and conversation around this, which feels really important.
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’m mainly active on Instagram at the moment, but I’m looking to expand onto other platforms in the future.
Can you pinpoint one of your best reviews, features, or videos?
I’m not sure I have a single “best” review, but I’m currently working on uploading a backlog of videos, which feels like a great way to revisit and share more of my experiences.
How can people contact you who want to promote a show?
You can contact me via email at theatricalwheelie@icloud.com or through Instagram.
Thank you, Emma!