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, it’s the turn of Chloe, who writes as the theatre gal.
Can you tell us a bit about yourself and how you came to be writing or creating content about theatre?
I’ve always been completely obsessed with theatre, which is why I chose to study it at undergrad and then worked with playwrights and theatre directors during my time in agenting. I was reading so many new scripts and found myself really falling in love with the process of exploring and understanding the plays in depth – figuring out what makes them tick, what works and why.
I was also at the theatre most nights of the week and wanted to document my experiences and share my thoughts on the shows I loved, so I set up my reviews page, the theatre gal. From the start, I wanted it to be a platform to champion new writing, new voices and independent productions on the Fringe and Off-West End scenes, and I feel I’ve stayed true to that goal! I then went on to study an MA in Dramaturgy, and the platform has continued to grow.
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 set up the theatre gal in 2019 with the aim of creating a space that felt honest, accessible, fun and genuinely positive. The name just felt right as it really reflects my personality and the tone of the platform, also my friends and family would often refer to me as ‘theatre gal’ as I was always the one leading the way to shows and who they’d go to for tips and recommendations, so it felt like an obvious choice!
What kind of shows do you cover, and in which geographical areas?
I mostly cover Fringe and Off-West End shows with a focus on new writing (with the occasional West End trip thrown in!). My main base is London, but I branch out to places like Brighton, Edinburgh and Dublin.
How would you describe yourself (reviewer, critic, content creator, YouTuber, influencer, other)?
I’d describe myself as a reviewer and content creator – I’m not trying to overly influence people, but more to spotlight and talk about the incredible work within the Fringe and Off-West End scenes and get more people excited about/ aware of it!
Why do you continue to engage with theatre?
Theatre resonates with me above all other art, and I think one of the most compelling elements for me is the diverse narratives that allow us to question what it means to be human in unique and transformative environments. As Oscar Wilde put it, it is “the most immediate way in which a human being can share with another the sense of what it is to be a human being.”
What’s the one thing that would make the theatre reviewing/content creating space easier for you personally, and/or for your platform?
I love supporting and amplifying the work of playwrights and theatre makers, and I care about the creative growth and longevity of new writing and emerging voices. With the theatre gal, it’s all about helping innovative, essential stories reach wider and more diverse audiences and creating conversations around work that deserves greater visibility.
I’d love more opportunities to collaborate directly with theatres, theatre companies, producers and playwrights themselves to champion and advocate for their work in meaningful, engaging and creative ways. I think by building on these relationships, we could really strengthen the connection between the work and audiences and help theatre thrive beyond traditional spaces and reach communities who might not otherwise engage with it.
Do you have a favourite show – and any you particularly dislike(d)?
I’ve seen so many fab shows, it’s so tough to pick just one, but AGE IS A FEELING by Haley McGee, which I saw at Soho Theatre a few years ago, still really sticks with me. It was so poignant and unforgettable – the way it put the audience right at the centre of exploring the ageing process felt completely unique and enlivening.
Another show I absolutely loved from Camden Fringe many years ago was THE INDECENT MUSINGS OF MISS DONCASTER 2007, written and performed by Annabel York. The witty, engaging script and visceral, immersive world created a theatrical experience that flung us into the complexities of a character juggling reality with a kind of chaotic and raucous relatability.
Also, HERDING CATS by Lucinda Coxon, which I adore – the writing is so raw and immediate, and the characters feel incredibly layered and alive. I’m obsessed with how she explores the contrast between their sleek surface-level lives and the heavy loneliness underneath it all. Oops, that was 3 faves! I’m very drawn to work like this, and I’m really passionate about feminist dramaturgical practices and theatre-making processes, as you can probs tell!!
The theatre commentary space is wide and diverse – is there any other female reviewer/content creator you would recommend, and why?
I’m good friends with Natalie from Theatre Audience Podcast, which is such a great listen – she chats about a huge range of shows in a way that’s really fun and dynamic. We’ve seen so many shows together over the years, and it feels really special to share such a love of and dedication to theatre.
What’s the biggest change you have noticed in the theatre space since you started contributing to it?
I’ve noticed more of a pull towards video/ reel content and I do dip my toe into it and want to do more (still winging it on TikTok), but there’s something about writing about a show that I really love and connect with. I think it comes from my fascination with analysing and studying plays and really sitting with what I’ve seen or read and unpacking it.
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, and I love it as a space where I can bring together writing and content to explore shows in a nuanced and expressive way. I think social media is a great tool for reaching people who might never have heard of a show otherwise, sparking that curiosity and hopefully encouraging them to go check it out for themselves.
Can you pinpoint one of your best reviews, features, or videos?
I think one of the most exciting moments has to be my interview with the legend Michael Sheen for my A PLAY IN THE LIFE OF series, where I spoke to people in the industry and asked them to imagine their life as a play. Michael is such an incredible actor and someone I’ve seen on stage many times, so it was such a treat to interview him and get such a great response from followers and readers.
One of my fave reviews I’ve written was coming out of lockdown in 2021 after seeing HARM by Phoebe Eclair-Powell at the Bush Theatre. It felt so amazing to be back at the theatre after such a long time, and I think that buzz, mixed with the intensity of the show, made it a really special and memorable experience to write about.
How can people contact you who want to promote a show?
DM me on Instagram @thetheatregal, and we’ll go from there!