Welcome to the fifth in a 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 Ellie Talks Theatre.
Can you tell us a bit about yourself and how you came to be writing or creating content about theatre?
I started making theatre content during lockdown. Like most other people, I had a lot of free time and theatre had always been my biggest fixation. Without being able to see theatre, making videos became the next best thing. From there, when theatres reopened, I had already made a small platform for myself to jump off and start reviewing.
What kind of shows do you cover, and in which geographical areas?
For the past few years, I’ve been reviewing mostly London theatre with the occasional jump across county lines to see some exciting regional theatre. This month, however, I made my first international theatre trip to New York, and I’m so excited to start reviewing all the shows I saw on and off Broadway.
How would you describe yourself (reviewer, critic, content creator, YouTuber, influencer, other?).
I think it’s very common to see those labels blurred. It’s very easy to describe me as a reviewer, influencer, content creator, etc. I love wearing many hats! I would always lean towards calling myself a content creator. It feels like the best fit for the variety of videos I made.
Why do you continue to engage with theatre?
I love theatre. It’s just hooked me for so long. Trends will always come and go, and shows, while it’s sad to say goodbye, will always close for new ones to come in. There’s always something new to discuss and engage with.
What’s the one thing that would make the theatre reviewing/content-creating space easier for you personally, and/or for your platform?
I think reviewing would be so much easier if I yapped less. My reviews are starting to become 40 minutes long! But that’s why I love creating for YouTube – I don’t have to worry about word limits. I get to speak for as long as I want and in as much detail as I want about these shows.
Do you have a favourite show – and any you particularly dislike(d)?
It’s pretty common knowledge on my channel that I have such a fondness for Come From Away. I think that musical is so life-affirming and showcases the very best of humanity, even if it came from a moment of great tragedy.
For a show I disliked, I’ve never been the biggest fan of Blood Brothers, despite it having some really strong moments and a great finale song. Theatre, however, is always about reinvention, and the beauty of that is sometimes you’ll see a show you didn’t like and years later they’ll revive it and suddenly it will make sense for you. I’m hoping someday I can give another chance to some shows I haven’t particularly enjoyed.
The theatre commentary space is wide and diverse – is there any other female reviewer/content creator you would recommend, and why?
Rachel Reviewed is a delight of a person, and I think that is so perfectly channelled through every video she makes. I love her to pieces.
What’s the biggest change you have noticed in the theatre space since you started contributing to it?
When I started making videos, theatres weren’t open, so I guess that? 😂
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?
My main platforms are YouTube, with Instagram and TikTok for short-form content. I review across all three, but my main focus will always be YouTube. I think all of them work well for the type of reviews I make, allowing me strong flexibility to speak for as long as I want.
Nowadays, I know people will often gravitate to short-form content, but I love YouTube. I love watching YouTube, and I love making long-form content. How many times can I say that I love talking?
Can you pinpoint one of your best reviews, features, or videos?
I’m so proud of my game show series. I get to platform so many fun creators and just play. While I love them all, I have a real soft spot for Musical Family Fortunes.
How can people contact you who want to promote a show?
The best way to contact me for reviewing or promoting a show is to email me at ellietalkstheatre@gmail.com.
Thank you, Ellie!