This evening's PR team and the circle will be informed. Thankfully the (appalled) reviewer to my other side was kind enough to switch for the second act.

She felt compelled to make an exception tonight, asking if lever think I should book two seats. l asked why and she clarified it would be git my, "excess width."
I pointed out how rude this was and was met with a snarky, "yes, but true.

So tonight | was sat next to another reviewer, a member of the critics' circle, who despite having met me and proving on multiple occasions she knows my name, generally doesn't acknowledge me.

Writing prompt: “A power outage.” I’m starting to revisit work of mine from the past few years – a lot of flash fiction, short pieces based mostly on prompts found or given online. To kickstart my plan to share more ori…

Revisiting my fiction writing with a new post:

Flash-fiction based on the prompt, "A power outage."

samwaitewriter.wordpress.com/2025/01/13/w...

“Since everyone else is doing it!” – Theatre Favourites from 2024 For the last couple of years, my writing – my life, really – has revolved largely around the theatre. As a contributor for All That Dazzles, I’ve spent a little over two years rev…

Making 2025 the year of writing, starting simple with some of the shows that stuck with me most in 2024:

samwaitewriter.wordpress.com/2025/01/07/s...

I'm so glad people are doing these honestly, not to put negativity out there but to openly address the issues found with the work

Review: Road Show (Upstairs at The Gatehouse) ⭐️⭐️ A lesser-known Sondheim musical following the infamous Mizner brothers.

While it's always a pleasure to see Sondheim's rarer works produced, this revival of 'Road Show' at Upstairs at the Gatehouse's strong ensemble and firm direction can't counter the show's deep-rooted issues.
Read @samwaite92.bsky.social's ⭐️⭐️ review here: www.allthatdazzles.co.uk/post/review-...

Review: Cyrano (Park Theatre) ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ An aching, sensual, and wholly original take on Cyrano de Bergerac.

Achingly sensual and outstandingly original, this queer spin on 'Cyrano' is a fabulous addition to the Park Theatre's festive season, boasting a wonderful cast and a well-honed wit.
Read @samwaite92.bsky.social's ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ review here:
www.allthatdazzles.co.uk/post/review-...

Review: La bohème (Royal Opera House) ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Puccini's timeless and tragic opera returns for the festive season.

As stunningly sung as it is spectacularly staged, 'La bohème' at Royal Ballet and Opera is an extraordinary revival of this most beautiful and enduring of tragedies.
Read @samwaite92.bsky.social's ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ review here:
www.allthatdazzles.co.uk/post/review-...

Review: The Legends of Them (Royal Court Theatre) ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ A unique theatrical experience exploring the life and tragedies of an entertainment icon.

The triumphs and tragedies of Sutara Gayle's ever-evolving life & career are shared openly at the @royalcourt.bsky.social , where 'The Legends of Them' makes a powerful, well-deserved return to the London stage
Read @samwaite92.bsky.social's ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ review here:
www.allthatdazzles.co.uk/post/review-...

Panto Review: Peter Pan: The Outrageous Drag Panto (Phoenix Theatre) ⭐️⭐️⭐️ A marvellously messy drag spin on the boy who never grew up.

Spectacular stars find themselves in a marvellous mess as Tuck Shop take the West End by storm with their all-singing, all-dancing, all-drag 'Peter Pan'
Read @samwaite92.bsky.social's ⭐️⭐️⭐️ review here: www.allthatdazzles.co.uk/post/panto-r...

Review: The Pirates of Penzance (London Coliseum) ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ A bonafide classic proves once again why it's so enduringly popular.

The very model of a classic comic opera, Mike Leigh's refreshingly reverent and fabulously funny production of 'The Pirates of Penzance' makes a welcome return.
Read @samwaite92.bsky.social's ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ review here:
www.allthatdazzles.co.uk/post/review-...

Big night at The London Coliseum for English National Opera's 'The Pirates of Penzance' 🏴‍☠️🏴‍☠️🏴‍☠️

Review to follow on @allthatdazzles.bsky.social ✨

Panto Review: Pinocchio (Theatre Royal Stratford East) ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Stratford East's annual pantomime returns for another roaring success, no strings attached!

Continuing their decades-long winning streak, Theatre Royal Stratford East offer up a technicolour delight with this year's endlessly charming and utterly heartfelt panto, 'Pinocchio'
Read @samwaite92.bsky.social's ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ review here: www.allthatdazzles.co.uk/post/panto-r...

Review: Alice in Wonderland (Brixton House) ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Alice’s adventure on the London Underground makes a stirring return to Brixton.

This South London spin on 'Alice in Wonderland' makes its return to Brixton House Theatre, bringing to life an epic underground adventure for all the family.
Read @samwaite92.bsky.social's ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ review here:
www.allthatdazzles.co.uk/post/review-...

Another night at the beautiful Brixton House for 'Alice in Wonderland'
Always excited to see shows here, but lyrics by Gerel Falconer really sells this one!
Look out for my review soon on @allthatdazzles.bsky.social ✨

Panto Review: Aladdin (Lyric Hammersmith Theatre) ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ This classic tale gets a Hammersmith-centric update with magic to be unearthed in the middle aisle of a discount superstore!

With chart-topping hits, a trip to the centre aisle of Lidl, and a Dame to end all Dames, 'Aladdin' at @lyrichammersmith.bsky.social made all of @samwaite92.bsky.social's wishes come true.
Read his ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ review here:
www.allthatdazzles.co.uk/post/panto-r...

Whatever it is, give it to me yesterday.

Chu: I want you for the role.
Yeoh: I can't sing.
Chu: Doesn't matter, I want you anyway and you can just speak the lines.
Audience: Why did she take the part if she can't sing?

Because the handful of lines Morrible sings in the whole score suddenly matter??

Review: King James (Hampstead Theatre) ⭐️⭐️⭐️ Rajiv Joseph’s exploration of male friendship, and the connective power of sports.

Loyalties of sports teams and long-time friendships are tested in 'King James', a solid production from Hampstead Theatre bolstered by strong acting and nuanced design.
Read @samwaite92.bsky.social's ⭐️⭐️⭐️ review here: www.allthatdazzles.co.uk/post/review-...

Already a big fan of the set design for 'The Purists' at the Kiln Theatre

Look out for my review this weekend on @allthatdazzles.bsky.social

Back downstairs at Hampstead Theatre for 'King James' because if there's one thing I know, it's sports!🏀

Look out for my review this weekend on @allthatdazzles.bsky.social ✨

Four days later, the "publicly" is still killing me.

Can your uncle not promote his own club?

It’s a no from me.

That word already means something pretty darn specific.

I don’t want to skeet here, publicly.

One of these things is not like the others

Oh good, I can beg people to acknowledge my writing here as well

A drawing of an older lady with two strands of pearls and wild, untamed hair. Text on the canvas reads, "give your anxiety a silly name. Mine is called Blanche. This is Blanche."

This seems like a good way to relaunch myself.
Artist is Robbie Williams, yes that one.