‘Feminist and empowering’: Why every generation falls for Ballet Shoes From a 1936 children’s story to a beloved audio-book, TV film, and finally a play... three critics dig into the enduring appeal of the Fossil sisters

Why has a 1936 children's book about going on the stage proved so enduringly beloved?

Three generations of Ballet Shoes fans and theatre critics - Susannah Clapp, @hollywilliams.bsky.social and @izlew.bsky.social - excavate their memories and ask if the NT's new production can live up to them

Robin Hood and the Christmas Heist, Rose Theatre Kingston review: A Christmas adventure for Robin of Sherwood There’s an enjoyable political bite to the Rose’s Chris Bush penned Christmas show

⭐️⭐️⭐️ for Robin Hood and the Christmas Heist! More Christmas shows should mention anarcho-socialism, IMO www.timeout.com/london/theat...

Jack Whitehall doesn’t deserve a Christmas special The comedian's Amazon one-off is part sketch show, part improvisational exercise and part travel programme. It's chaotic and forgettable

Bah humbug, etc

Off The Fence: Live from the Cotswolds And we watch an octogenarian down a pint

In this weekend’s Off The Fence, you can find me on musing on Stroud, the concept of ‘cool’ and my mum’s strange dog walk interactions with Liam Gallagher @thefence.bsky.social thefence.substack.com/p/off-the-fe...