Reviews

That rarest of creatures - an intelligent, perfectly formed, sublime musical with something profound and uplifting to say - is as rare as the wildflower its heroine is named after. And yet (after years of waiting for some of us Musical Theatre Tragics), here it is at the beautifully refurbished Chapel off Chapel, with the  acclaimed award winning production from Blue Saint Productions, and we are all the better for it.

Steel Magnolias by Robert Harling is a heart moving, gripping play that kept me enthralled for the entire two hours of the performance.

Canterbury Theatre Guild, not renowned for presenting plays, put on a production with some incredible performances. Not to be mistaken with the film version starring Dolly Parton, the play includes just the seven women characters from the movie set in a Louisiana hair salon in the mid 1980s.

This is a gripping performance that will have your toes tapping and pull at your heartstrings all at the same time. Helen Yotis Patterson has written a truly exceptional piece of theatre and found true kindred spirits in her co-performers, Maria Mercedes and Artemis Ioannides.

Amelia Ryan is sassy, sexy and super fun. Tapping into society’s perception of beauty and perfection, and smashing the absurdity of it all, she quickly establishes herself as a strong, free-thinking woman of the 21st century. Paying homage to the women that have come before her, such as Gloria Steinem, Maya Angelou and Madonna, Ryan is passionate in her need to let her audience know that we are right where we should be and we are blessed.