A Talented Irish Dance Production

30 years of standing ovations. But did I get it?

Lord of the Dance certainly delivered on talent, energy and spectacle.

Before the performance even began, a stage-filling tribute to 30 Years of Standing Ovations set the scene, flanked by images honouring Naomi Flatley, Michael Flatley’s late wife and a former lead performer in Lord of the Dance.

A talented dancer who had followed her passion from a young age, Naomi’s life was cut tragically short. It was a poignant tribute to a woman whose own story was woven into the legacy of this production.

But despite the audience’s enthusiasm, I left feeling a little perplexed.

A magical flute player seemed to guide us between good and dark forces, with the story revolving around the Lord of the Dance belt. I’d expected more vibrant costumes and colour, but the production felt unexpectedly dark. 

The dancers were undeniably energetic and talented, and the audience was more than ready to applaud — with regular encouragement along the way! Yet, for me, the storyline fell short. And with the music so loud, we struggled to hear the toe-tapping rhythms that are such a magical part of Irish dance.

So, was it a spectacular performance that simply didn’t connect with me, or was I missing something?

I raised this recently in one of our shortest ever podcasts, because I just didn’t get it.   But sometimes, the most interesting theatre conversations begin with a difference of opinion. 

Is Cinema Streaming Worth It?

There’s something magical about London’s West End. In the glow of marquee lights on a chilly evening.  For me, there is a tangible excitement waiting to be explored before an audience settles into their seat. .

But what happens when you desperately want to see a West End musical and getting there just isn’t possible?

On this one occasion, the answer was watching Hadestown the Musical at my local cinema. It was an opportunity to experience a highly anticipated stage production without the expense and logistics of travelling to London.

Why I Wanted to See Hadestown the Musical

Drawn in by its soulful reputation, and imaginative storytelling it was something I had been looking forward to experiencing in person.

However, when I started looking at booking tickets, reality intervened. Between diary commitments, ticket availability and the cost of travelling to London, I realised I might not get to see the show live on stage until late next year.

But, when I discovered a streamed performance of Hadestown coming to my local cinema, rather than wait, I booked my ticket, grabbed my car keys.   And honestly, it was most definitely a performance worth considering for anyone who loves theatre but struggles with a West End Theatre visit, but there are pro’s and con’s to consider.

The Benefits of Watching West End Theatre at the Cinema

One of the biggest advantages of cinema screenings is convenience, time, cost, security, safety.

• Convenient travel: A straightforward 20-minute drive from home.
• Free parking: Plenty of available spaces without worrying about expensive city-centre parking.
• A more affordable outing: My ticket cost £25, considerably less than the combined cost of a West End theatre ticket and travel.

No waiting on a platform in the dead of night and blustery winter weather to contend with.  To the contrary, I had the most comfortable centre stage seat, and a 20 minute drive home.

The big screen camera can bring a cinema audience much closer to facial expressions, costume details, and subtle details that you might miss in a theatre audience.

The Downside: Can Cinema Recreate the Atmosphere of Live Theatre?

In a word… or two?   Absolutely not!

Although I thoroughly enjoyed Hadestown, there was one significant difference I couldn’t ignore.

No atmosphere. No energy. No applause.  No standing ovation.  Little connection.  No gasps.  No collective reaction.  The cinema remained silent throughout.

It was so dark, I couldn’t see others in the cinema, hence can only assume that they were engrossed in this theatre streaming at the cinema – but for me, that difference mattered.

So, whilst a cinema screening of a top West End Theatre Performance, and a great alternative to live theatre, it could never replace my love of a live theatre performance.

It’s also worth noting, if you have a cinema membership, before booking checking your cinema membership terms, because National Theatre and other cinema programmes may be classed as a “Special Event” – which can be excluded from member discounts.

.For reference, although my Hadestown The Musical Ticket cost £25, I considered it worthwhile for the opportunity to experience a production I might otherwise have waited months to see.

Is Watching Hadestown at the Cinema Worth It?

Yes, I have no regrets about choosing the cinema of this occasion.   I experienced soulful music, storytelling, and Hadestown The Musical without any inconvenience or expense of travelling to The West End.

But if you’re love theatre atmosphere, being part of a live audience, connection, anticipation, applause, and standing ovations, then a cinema screening may not be for you.

Personally, on this occasion, I left feeling that my £25 cinema screening ticket had been worth it – but I won’t be making a habit of it! 

Have You Watched a Theatre Musical at the Cinema?

What did you see?  Have you booked a screened performance since?  Does the convenience make the ticket price and logistics more accessible for you personally? 

Share your experience in the comments, and check out Beyond the Spotlight UK Podcast about this performance.

Sometimes, Life Takes Us on an Unexpected Journey

Back in 2013, when I started the original group, my intention was simple: to bring women together through theatre, live entertainment and friendship.

But I quickly learned that women were joining for more than a show.

Often, there were bigger changes happening behind the scenes. Because sometimes, life doesn’t follow the path we imagined.

Children grow up, relationships change, we lose loved ones, and we can find ourselves in unfamiliar territory, unsure where to turn. Sometimes, we simply need to try something new — something that’s just for us.

From the outside, our theatre trips and live entertainment adventures might have looked like a day out. But for some women, they were about putting responsibilities aside, having something to look forward to, connecting with others and laughing out loud until our sides hurt.

Today, Culture Calendar UK has turned a corner of its own. Those experiences, memories and reflections are helping to shape a new chapter through the Beyond the Spotlight UK podcast.

I’m exploring the stories behind live entertainment, the importance of human connection and the lessons we discover through lived experience — including the stories that go far beyond the stage.

You can follow Beyond the Spotlight UK on Substack and Spotify to discover more, or visit our Digital Downloads Page for tailor-made guides for Gen Z and Gen X women for visiting theatre and live entertainment.

Reviewing Live Entertainment Through a Different Lens!   YOURS!

We love the West End, big screens, and big stages.

Traditional reviews and press coverage do a great job recommending what to watch. But what about the rest of the story?

Beyond the Spotlight UK isn’t here to rewrite the rulebook—it’s here to add a new layer by simply turning the mic around to look at live entertainment through a different lens.  Yours!  A audience-led perspective and audience lens.

From the thrill of going solo to the unscripted realities of what happens off-stage, Culture Calendar love to explore the audience experience, based on many years of organizing trips to theatre and live entertainment. 

Culture and Performing Arts doesn’t stop when the curtain drops – to the contrary: often the conversations are only just getting started!

What Really Stops Us?

Would you? Be honest.  You find a show you really want to see. The reviews look good. The date works. The theatre looks beautiful.  But there’s one problem.  Nobody else is free.  So what do you do? Wait for someone else? Miss the show? Or consider going to the theatre alone?  For many people, the hardest part isn’t the performance. It’s everything surrounding it.

What stops us going to the theatre alone?

“Will I feel awkward?”

Walking into a theatre alone when everyone else appears to be with someone can feel uncomfortable — particularly if you’ve never done it before.

“Where should I sit?”

Choosing a single theatre seat can raise more questions than you might expect. Where will you feel comfortable? Does the position matter? What should you consider before booking?

“What will I do on my own?”

The journey. Arriving at the theatre. The interval. Getting home afterwards.  Suddenly, going to see a show isn’t just about the show.  “Is it safe?”

For some people, travelling to and from a theatre alone is another important consideration. The venue, location, timing and journey home can all affect how comfortable you feel.  And then there’s perhaps the biggest question: “Will I actually enjoy going to the theatre alone?”  Going to the theatre alone doesn’t mean missing out.  In fact, the reason many people consider a solo theatre trip is very simple:

Nobody else is free — but you really want to see the show.

You shouldn’t have to wait for someone else’s diary, interests or availability to line up before you can experience live entertainment.  But if you’re hesitating, there’s probably a reason.

What would you need to know before booking that ticket?

Culture Calendar’s Solo Theatre-Goer’s Guide was created around those very questions — from choosing your show, venue and seat to considering the practicalities of going to the theatre on your own.

It doesn’t simply tell you to “just go”.  It helps you explore the questions you may be asking before you do.  Because sometimes the biggest barrier isn’t finding something wonderful to see.  It’s knowing whether you’re ready to go alone.

Find out more about Culture Calendar’s Solo Theatre-Goer’s Guide here.

Theatre Magic: Music, Dancing and Laughter.

There are some films that never really leave us, and Dirty Dancing effortlessly transported us back to the classic story, but this time the story was told on stage.

I knew I was in for a healthy dose of nostalgia. The music, the dancing, the romance and, of course, memories of the fabulous Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey in the original 1987 film.

But what I wasn’t expecting was quite how much fun I would have along the way.

The moment the familiar music begins, you are straight back to Kellerman’s and that unforgettable summer of 1963.

There are songs you recognise immediately, plenty of high-energy dancing and those moments that everyone in the audience is waiting for. You can almost feel the anticipation building as Johnny and Baby’s relationship develops.

The choreography brings an energy to the stage that simply can’t be replicated on a television screen. The ensemble keep the action moving, while Johnny and Baby’s developing relationship provides the emotional heart of the story.

And then there are the characters.  Baby, Johnny, and one very entertaining sister.

But I particularly enjoyed seeing Baby’s sister Lisa given her moment in the spotlight.

Lisa’s audition is so funny, especially because her singing and dancing are deliberately so bad! It is one of those scenes where you find yourself laughing because you already know what is coming — and yet it still works.

When Lisa finishes her audition and receives huge applause, you can’t help but join in.

It is a lovely reminder that Dirty Dancing isn’t only about Johnny and Baby. The supporting characters bring plenty of humour and personality to the story too.

And beneath all the fun, there is a serious message.

Baby’s summer at Kellerman’s opens her eyes to a world beyond the comfortable life she has known. The story touches on prejudice, inequality, social class and standing up for what is right.

So underneath the music, laughter and romance, there is a surprisingly strong moral storyline.

The memories we make along the way

One of my favourite moments actually happened during the interval.

I met two lovely mothers who were enjoying the show with their daughters.

There was something really special about seeing them making a day of it together. Four women, sharing a theatre experience that will hopefully become one of those memories they talk about for years to come.

Yes, we go to see the performers.  We go for the music, the dancing, the story and the spectacle, but one of the reasons I love live entertainment is also about the people we meet.

The conversations we have and the memories we create along the way.

Have I had the time of my life?

Well, I certainly had a very enjoyable time!

Dirty Dancing: The Classic Story on Stage delivers the nostalgia, the music, the dancing, the romance and plenty of laughs. If you loved the original film, you will find a warm, familiar nostalgic shared audience experience, filled with brilliant dancing, memorable music, nostalgia, and laughter.

And perhaps that’s why Dirty Dancing The Musical continues to have such enduring appeal.

Some stories entertain us.  Some remind us of another time, and some make us smile while reminding us that the best memories are often the ones we create together.

Now, where did I put my dancing shoes?

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The Night I felt Theatre had followed me home

I rarely book to see anything with a dark side.

Give me musical theatre, concerts, dance, live entertainment or a good story with plenty of warmth, and I’m usually there. Horror? Not so much.

And yet, after watching Daniel Radcliffe in The Woman in Black, curiosity got the better of me. I booked a theatre ticket.

How much atmosphere was created with so little

Arthur Kipps, a young solicitor, travels to a remote house to deal with the estate of a deceased woman. Despite warnings from the locals, including the dangers of the causeway and the changing tide, he continues towards Eel Marsh House, where the real story begins to unfold.

There was darkness. A distinct chill, and a dimly lit candlelight on stage.  Surrounded by thousands of people – I felt completely alone, and with the sound of something coming from upstairs – Arthur goes to investigate, taking nothing but a small candle light.

Entering a room filled with porcelain-faced dolls, their gowns covered in cobwebs, Arthur discovers an empty rocking chair … rocking, as though someone has just left abruptly.

A loud shreaking sound, and a glimpse of a troubled face staring back at him through the window (on the second floor) … A shadow that doesn’t look human.

I kid you not …. I felt scared.  Unlike watching a horror movie at home, I couldn’t pause it, turn the lights on, or wander into the kitchen for a cup of tea, never mind hide behind a big cushion. I was sitting inside the story.

Just to add more drama, the theatre I had visited had a train line running underground, and the vibration of the trains roaring down the track was vibrating through my feet.

The Woman in Black – not only a production proving that great storytelling doesn’t always require a huge cast, or elaborate special effects.  Instead, it uses sound, lighting, movement, timing, and perhaps the audience imagination.

And then I went home…

I have owned a rocking chair for years, and that night – my imagination had suddenly become more sinister. Was it rocking on its own?  Probably not!  Did I sleep with one eye open the whole night long – quite possibly.

Perhaps that’s the greatest compliment I could give The Woman in Black.  This eerie performance and story telling stayed with me (and my rocking chair) Dramatic. Spellbinding. Hypnotic. Gripping… and quite terrifying especially for those that do not gravitate towards the dark.

Now that’s Theatre.  Highly recommended.

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What a contradiction of modern life. 

Messages, video calls and social media allow us to stay connected with people wherever they are the world over.  Yet, despite being more digitally connected than ever, many of us can feel surprisingly socially disconnected or even isolated.

Working from home, busy lifestyles and spending more time online can make it increasingly easy to stay within our own little bubbles. Communication is now just the touch of a button. But genuine social connection still takes time, effort and, quite often, getting out of the house.

There was a time when making plans meant actually speaking to someone.  Meeting for coffee, going to the cinema, booking theatre tickets, or just arranging a walk.

But now, a quick message replaces conversation, and a social media post can replace a catch-up.  We can spend an evening scrolling through other people’s lives without moving from the sofa.

This is one of the reasons I love live entertainment.  There is something magical about sitting in a theatre, concert hall, or stadium waiting for a live performance.  Sitting amongst a crowd singing together, or laughing together – it can be such a rush of energy.  A rush of emotion.

What made you laugh might not have been their funniest moment. It might have been a song you barely knew, but simply a trigger to days gone by, a person, a memory – and that’s the beauty of a performance.  

Let’s not underestimate having things to look forward to.  Having a date in the diary can lift an ordinary week. Somewhere to go. Someone to meet. Something new to experience.  It can take us out of our routines and occasionally out of our comfort zones.

Ofcourse finding your tribe can be the difficult part.  Circumstances change.  Friendships end.  Families become busier.  Work life balance can be challenging.  People move, and without realising one day we may find ourselves with less to look forward to. 

Finding people we genuinely resonate with isn’t always easy, so connection needs to become intentional.  Often experiences happen when we leave the house.  When we sit beside someone we have never met before.   Perhaps we laugh at the same joke, or share a difference of opinion about something we watched together on the way home. 

Call me old-fashioned, but it turns out that making the effort, showing up, and sharing an experience is sometimes the best way to connect, finding somewhere to go, and someone to go with.

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