Welcome to the next 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 Ruth (Instagram: reviewedbyruth) who is currently part of the team at All That Dazzles.
Can you tell us a bit about yourself and how you came to be writing or creating content about theatre?
I’ve worn a few hats over the years, from police officer to primary school teacher, and now I find myself teaching geography at secondary level, while also being mum to three teenage (and nearly adult) boys.
Theatre and music have always been part of my life, but it wasn’t until my children grew more independent that I rediscovered my love of live performance. Suddenly, evenings became my own again, and I found myself drawn back to the buzz of the stage. I immersed myself in the world of theatre reviewing, reading as many reviews as I could from a wide range of voices and
platforms. Along the way, I began to understand what resonated with me – not just in the shows themselves, but in the way they were written about.
It didn’t take long to realise that I had strong opinions about what I was watching. That feeling was especially powerful after seeing productions like Benjamin Button and Kenrex at Southwark Playhouse, which left me wanting to shout from the rooftops about how extraordinary they were. Frustratingly, I had no platform to do so, and that’s where my reviewing really 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 only began reviewing this year, and I’ve been incredibly lucky to write for the very supportive Daz Gale at All That Dazzles. I’m grateful to him and the rest of the ‘Dazzlers’ for giving me such a welcoming and safe space to find my voice as a reviewer.
I’d actually been following Daz since the early days of his website, always appreciating the humour and balance in his writing. His reviews felt honest, insightful, and refreshingly accessible and were exactly the kind of tone I was drawn to. So, I decided to take a leap and reached out to ask about becoming a reviewer, and I am very grateful for the opportunities I’ve had since then.
What kind of shows do you cover, and in which geographical areas?
I’ll happily watch and review just about anything. I’m particularly drawn to new writing, musicals, fringe theatre, and folk music-inspired productions, as well as actor-musician shows. Above all, I love work that centres strong female characters or explores feminist themes.
Since I started reviewing, I’ve found myself seeing far more plays than ever before, and this is something I’m thoroughly enjoying as I continue to broaden my perspective and tastes. I’m based just south of London, on the Hampshire/Surrey border, which means I regularly review across London as well as in venues in Richmond, Reading, Woking, and plenty of places in between.
How would you describe yourself (reviewer, critic, content creator, YouTuber, influencer, other?)
A reviewer – and an honest one. I always look for the strengths in a show, while still being open and considered about what doesn’t quite land.
Why do you continue to engage with theatre?
I continue to engage with theatre because I value the arts and the freedom of expression they represent, especially in a world that can often feel quite dark. Theatre allows people to tell stories, to connect, and to create something truly magical through words and performance.
What’s the one thing that would make the theatre reviewing/content creating space easier for you personally, and/or for your platform?
For me, the main challenge is the travel side of reviewing and particularly getting to and from venues late at night. I often have to think carefully about routes and safety, and anything that made that aspect easier would be very welcome.
Do you have a favourite show – and any you particularly dislike(d)?
This is a really hard one! I absolutely loved The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, and I recently really enjoyed Ballad Lines at Southwark Playhouse. My standout plays would include Vincent in Brixton at The Orange Tree Theatre in Richmond and Kenrex at Southwark Playhouse.
I’m not a huge fan of the word ‘dislike’ when it comes to theatre, but there are definitely shows I’ve connected with less, and those reviews are available on the website. I do sometimes get frustrated, though, when productions feel a little underdeveloped or rushed into staging, as it can feel like they haven’t had the time to fully grow and respond to feedback.
The theatre commentary space is wide and diverse – is there any other female reviewer/content creator you would recommend, and why?
I’m still very much discovering the world of theatre reviewing, but I enjoy reading work by Adventures in Theatreland and Theatre and Tonic. I appreciate the different perspectives they bring, and I’m finding more voices I connect with all the time as I continue to explore the space.
What’s the biggest change you have noticed in the theatre space since you started contributing to it?
One of the biggest things I’ve noticed is how supportive the community is. Even when reviewers have different perspectives or don’t fully agree on a production, there’s a real sense of respect and openness to different viewpoints.
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 most active on Instagram. I do also have a Twitter account, but it’s not a platform I particularly enjoy using these days, so my activity there is limited.
Can you pinpoint one of your best reviews, features, or videos?
I don’t currently produce features or videos, but I am proud of a recent review I wrote for The Witch and the Whistleblower at The Glitch. It was a more challenging piece to write, as the premise is strong but I felt the production still needed time to develop. I’m always mindful that anything less than a four/five-star review can sometimes be perceived as negative, so I try to strike a careful balance between highlighting strengths and offering constructive, thoughtful observations. I was pleased with how this review achieved that balance without losing honesty or fairness.
How can people contact you who want to promote a show?
It is best to go via All That Dazzles contact@allthatdazzles.co.uk . You can request me to review specifically if you’d like, but any of the team are great, and we cover a lot of shows, so coordination is easier centrally.
Thanks, Ruth!