Welcome back to my 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 feature Emma at LondonTheatreThings!
Can you tell us a bit about yourself and how you came to be writing or creating content about theatre?
I started really to document my theatre trips on Instagram. I see a good percentage of shows on my own, so it was a way of expressing my thoughts on what I had seen.
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 just use Instagram and initially thought about the name ‘mstheatreaisleseats’ as I tend to like sitting on an aisle. My daughter thought this was incredibly cringeworthy and recommended against it.
I had bought us tickets to see Stranger Things: The First Shadow, as my daughter was a big fan, and then I committed to watching the first 4 series in a short space of time, and my daughter suggested LondonTheatreThings. Though it is probably not the most unique name!
What kind of shows do you cover, and in which geographical areas?
I love most theatre genres: musicals, plays, fringe, dance, etc! I’m based in Greater London but also do some outings to other theatres during the year.
How would you describe yourself (reviewer, critic, content creator, YouTuber, influencer, other?).
I’m just a lover of all things theatre and enjoy identifying what worked for me! I try to be honest but not overly negative, as putting on a theatre piece is more impressive than commenting on it.
Why do you continue to engage with theatre?
I love theatre because of the way it can make me feel and think. From a straightforward jukebox musical that gives joy to something more thought-provoking, it just makes me focus for a period of time and can create lasting memories.
What’s the one thing that would make the theatre reviewing/content creating space easier for you personally, and/or for your platform?
More ticket loyalty schemes! The prices of tickets do seem to have increased, with even restricted view seats pretty expensive.
I get why star ratings are important to shows, but sometimes this seems to be the main focus when I think it is quite a blunt summary of how you found a show.
Do you have a favourite show – and any you particularly dislike(d)?
For me, it is more about theatre memories, seeing a big old school production of 52nd Street and being mesmerised by the dancing and costumes as a child. A dramatic production of Medea with Diana Rigg, where these huge metal shutters fell down to reveal the bodies of the children.
More recently, having to try and hold back my emotions when seeing Guess How Much I Love You or feeling the electric atmosphere with my kids watching Leslie Odom Jnr in Hamilton.
The theatre commentary space is wide and diverse – is there any other female reviewer/content creator you would recommend, and why?
Lots of great creators out there. I enjoy Rachel Reviewed and her highlighting Black theatre shows. I also like to check the opinions of RevStan, the fun reels of Lisa in the Theatre, and for an American fix – Connie and the Theatre.
What’s the biggest change you have noticed in the theatre space since you started contributing to it?
I’d say ticket prices – some of these can be so expensive and if you want to go as a family it can be a serious investment but is great when you do come across something affordable!
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?
Just Instagram. I think all voices/opinions are interesting to hear.
Can you pinpoint one of your best reviews, features, or videos?
Not sure any of my posts are literary classics, but hopefully useful/interesting to some!
How can people contact you who want to promote a show?
Feel free to DM me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/londontheatrethings/
Thanks, Emma!