By Grace
Lovelies, one of the most common questions that pops into my satchel (somewhere between the fan letters, flyers and the occasional rogue biscuit) is this: “Grace, what kind of shows do Theatre Village actually review?”
Here’s the truth: we’re not picky villagers. If it’s live theatre, we’ll give it a whirl — but our real heartbeat is with the independents. The underdogs. The brave creatives who’ve cobbled together something magical with not much more than determination, grit, and maybe a mate with a dodgy smoke machine. That’s where the Village thrives.
We’ve got a soft spot for Musicals (because who doesn’t love a belter of a showtune?) and Comedy-Horror (nothing like a shriek followed by a giggle to keep you on your toes). But more than that, we adore a clever theatrical twist. Take Lady Macbeth Played Wing Defence — Shakespeare and netball, together at last! Honestly, you couldn’t make it up.
And then, of course, there are those plays that just grip you by the collar and won’t let go. The kind with scripts so sharp they cut through the air, stories that make you laugh, cry, or shuffle to the edge of your seat because you simply have to know what happens next. We love a good piece of theatre that’s engaging, enthralling, and above all well-written. A strong script is the beating heart of any production, and when it’s paired with great performances — well, that’s when the magic really happens.
Comedy? Now that’s a cheeky beast. It’s subjective, isn’t it? What has one person howling might leave another sitting there like they’ve swallowed a lemon. So when we review comedy, we look at the whole performance: how the performer engages the audience, whether the jokes land, if the material feels fresh and original. A cheeky pun can only get you so far, darling.
And while the spotlight is usually on grassroots theatre, don’t think we ignore the big stages. We’ve reviewed circus shows and even dipped our toes into the West End — yes, including Back to the Future, though tragically no hoverboard was offered to me afterwards.
Bottom line? Theatre Village won’t knock you back based on genre alone. We’re here for passion, risk-taking, and stories that are burning to be told. If you’ve got something new and you’re desperate to share it, sling it into Grace’s satchel and let us know.
Because in this little Village, there’s room for everyone to take centre stage.