Home - Theatre Village

This Week’s Spotlight: My Brother’s A Genius At Sheffield. Credit Chris Saunders

Ey up, welcome to Theatre Village.

If you’ve just wandered in, don’t worry — you’re not late and you’ve not missed the interval. This is Theatre Village, a little corner of the internet where theatre isn’t just reviewed or reported on, it’s lived in.

In our village, every street has a theatre.
The baker’s a lighting designer.
The mayor once played Hamlet.
And the local pub? Always full of playwrights arguing over Chekhov and chips.

Now, I should probably introduce myself. I’m Grace Hatchell — part-time theatre obsessive, full-time deliverer of news, gossip, reviews and the occasional strong opinion, all tucked neatly into my satchel. I spend my days wandering from fringe venues to regional powerhouses, poking my nose backstage, chatting to artists, and bringing back stories worth sharing. Now then, full transparency: Theatre Village belongs to Andrew — the guvnor — I just do the legwork, the legwork, and the legwork.

Theatre Village is a fictional place — but the shows, people and productions we write about are very real. We cover independent theatre, regional work, fringe gems, big nights out, and the voices that don’t always shout the loudest but deserve to be heard. You’ll find honest writing, curious conversations, a bit of backstage gossip, and a genuine love for live performance — without the snobbery or the velvet-rope nonsense.

Whether you’re a theatre-maker, a regular audience member, or someone who just likes the smell of old programmes and ghost lights, you’re very welcome here. Have a wander. Check what’s landed in my satchel this week. And if you see me lurking near the stage door, mind your business — I’m working.

What’s In Grace’s Satchel This Week?

Town by town, city by city- Grace Delivers

Scotland

Birmingham

Sheffield

London

North East

Why Theatre Village Exists

Theatre Village exists because theatre doesn’t only live in grand foyers or five-star write-ups. It lives in village halls, black boxes, touring vans, church basements, and late-night conversations after the curtain’s come down.

This is a space for the shows that take risks, the artists still finding their feet, and the stories that might otherwise slip past unnoticed. We write about theatre with care, curiosity and warmth — championing independent, regional and fringe work alongside bigger nights out, without the snobbery or velvet-rope nonsense.

Here, theatre is part of everyday life. It’s something you wander into, talk about, argue over, and carry home with you. That’s why Theatre Village exists — to celebrate live performance as something lived, not just reviewed.

Theatre Village

What’s In Grace’s Satchel This Week?

You may have missed

Is Papatango Quietly Saving New Writing in the UK?

Who Put the Fairies in Charge?

Popcorn, sparks… and bringing the girlfriend

Can a teenage outsider still speak to us now?