@writeralison.bsky.social
Freelance journalist/writer✍️📚 in Birmingham. News, reviews, theatre.♥️ Wild swimming, museums🏛️. Bylines: Scotsman, Birmingham World, The Mirror, Weekend Notes YouTube: Best Museums In The World https://youtube.com/@bestmuseumsintheworld?si=3NhhN87GO7nhCpCO
I'm in heaven after press night of dreamy Top Hat Musical UK Tour at Birmingham Hippodrome. Big romantic dance numbers, sets and costumes plus tap dance to die for. Charming show created by Chichester Festival Theatre. Leads Phillip Attmore and Amara Okereke are fabulous. Til Sat ⭐⭐⭐⭐ #reviewsky
03.03.2026 22:38 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
Latest UK yougov poll shows majority of those asked don't support the action US has taken against Iran. Only 28% are in favour in British poll. Full results here...
yougov.com/en-gb/daily-...
What an adventure! Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson musical at Birmingham Hippodrome is a fun, high energy journey amongst Greek gods to 70s disco underworld. Catchy songs, great special effects & talented likeable cast including @thedannybeard.bsky.social as Mr D. Til Sat. ⭐⭐⭐⭐ #reviewsky
24.02.2026 23:00 — 👍 1 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0So inspiring! Seeing the actual William in person on the night was emotional too. He's so humble
20.02.2026 18:48 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
The Boy Who Harnessed The Wind balances troubles of climate issues & political corruption with joy. African dance, music & song bring Malawi to life. Real Will in audience at Swan Theatre on press night plus @adrianlester.bsky.social & Chiwetel Ejiofor.Til Mar 28 then Soho Place ⭐⭐⭐⭐ #reviewsky 2/2
20.02.2026 18:38 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
Blown away by world premiere of @the-rsc.bsky.social musical The Boy Who Harnessed The Wind. Life-affirming & heartfelt based on true story of teen William Kamkwamba saving his Malawi village from famine by creating a wind turbine. A rollercoaster of emotions to inspirational finale 1/2 #reviewsky
20.02.2026 18:32 — 👍 2 🔁 1 💬 2 📌 0
This glorious new photography exhibition by @andyhollingworth1.bsky.social features Britain's best-loved comedians & is at Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery's Gas Hall. I photograph comedians! runs til May 31. Watch a private tour Andy gave me here #suggestsky: www.youtube.com/watch?v=PYt5...
19.02.2026 14:29 — 👍 1 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
It's #pressnight for long-awaited The Battle at Birmingham Rep.This fictional account of Blur v Oasis race for no 1 in 1995 is funny, charming and essence of Britpop era even at its most surreal. Fantastic nostalgia, music, pop culture & characterisations.Til Mar 7 ⭐⭐⭐⭐ #reviewsky #theatresky
17.02.2026 21:59 — 👍 1 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
Review of Whitney White's new feminist musical reflection on Shakespeare @whatsonstage.bsky.social. All Is But Fantasy only on @the-rsc.bsky.social Other Place, Stratford Upon Avon til Feb 21. Sharp script and even stronger songs #reviewsky #theatresky
www.whatsonstage.com/news/all-is-...
Robin Hood panto at Birmingham Hippodrome is glitzier than ever. Icon Christopher Biggins steals the show in his 60th panto, Faye Tozer delights with Steps hit &
Matt Slack leads madcap irresistible fun with Gok Wan. Crazy costumes, dazzling dance routines & big laughs til Feb 1 ⭐⭐⭐⭐ #reviewsky
Family show The BFG is here for Christmas @the-rsc.bsky.social & from first scene, you're in for something special as puppetry, wit & technical wizardry combine to create something glorious & magical. Til Feb 7 before @chichesterft.bsky.social
#reviewsky here: www.weekendnotes.co.uk/the-bfg-at-t...
#pressnight for new @the-rsc.bsky.social family show The BFG & it's truly mesmerising. Brings all the magic, wit & charm of Roald Dahl's classic to life using puppets with actors in similar vein to War Horse. Jaw-dropping effects esp when dream catching. It's a superb must-see #reviewsky ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
10.12.2025 07:35 — 👍 1 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
Full #reviewsky of The Forsyte Saga @the-rsc.bsky.social at Swan Theatre in Stratford Upon Avon on Weekend Notes. Bare stage but sound effects, lavish costumes, clever lighting and acting bring era and passionate plot to life. Til Jan 10. #theatresky
www.weekendnotes.co.uk/the-forsyte-...
V motivated after insightful journalism @nujofficial.bsky.social masterclass today on using Freedom of Information for articles. Run by @severincarrell.bsky.social from @theguardian.com & Rob Edwards of @theferret.scot who have real passion for unearthing public interest stories with FOI like these
08.12.2025 16:27 — 👍 4 🔁 0 💬 2 📌 0
I saw The Forsyte Saga @the-rsc.bsky.social showing in 2 parts at Swan Theatre til Jan 10. It's epic tale of love, power & obsession from Victorian England to 1920s. Feels lavish despite minimalist staging. Part 1 has more momentum & drama(can be seen as a standalone) while Part 2 concludes the epic
07.12.2025 09:47 — 👍 1 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
The Nutcracker ballet is back at Birmingham Hippodrome & this gem by Birmingham Royal Ballet is truly magical. Peter Wright's mesmerising choreography is perfect with timeless Tchaikovsky music & divine costumes & dancing.
A truly sublime Christmas show that enchants year after year.Til Dec 13⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I caught Sherlock Holmes & 12 Days of Christmas world premiere at Birmingham Rep & it's ingenious, hilarious murder mystery. Fantastic characters by comics behind Penny Dreadfuls @humphreyker.bsky.social & David Reed. Every festive ingredient in sharp script.Til Jan 18⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ #theatresky #reviewsky
21.11.2025 10:40 — 👍 2 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
Christmas at Blenheim Palace has opened with a Wicked theme transporting visitors to Oz and an illuminated trail - here's a first look inside @blenheimpalace.bsky.social
#reviewsky #suggestsky
www.weekendnotes.co.uk/christmas-at...
Yes he had good tips. Said his cover letter to agent included where his book would sit in book shop, which readers aimed at, what other books people would buy with it, basically doing a pitch they could give to publishers. Also recommended Stephen King's On Writing as best book if want to write
07.11.2025 08:20 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
Fascinating to hear British murder mystery writer Tom Hindle at Bromsgrove Library on how he moved from PR job to get an agent and now has series of gripping crime thrillers. He's fresh talent @penguinbooksuk.bsky.social
with new book out in Jan - A Killer In Paradise set in Costa Rica #booksky
Midsomer Murders is now on stage & I caught UK tour at MalvernTheatres. Stars Midsomer's Daniel Casey progressing from Troy to Barnaby. Crazily eccentric, quirky beyond belief & here's why it's dead cert to win over #midsomermurders fans. Til Sat. #reviewsky 👇
www.weekendnotes.co.uk/midsomer-mur...
#Outlander star
@samheughan63.bsky.social
headlines ingenious & bloodthirsty new #Macbeth for
@the-rsc.bsky.social
at The Other Place Stratford-upon-Avon until Dec 6. Gangland Glasgow in 1990s in immersive pub setting. Here's #Reviewsky on what it's like: www.weekendnotes.co.uk/macbeth-at-r...
Pagan ritual, headless horseman & ancient Egyptian world with the wow factor - read all about what to expect at this year's family-friendly #Halloween At @blenheimpalace.bsky.social that's on til Nov 2. #reviewsky www.weekendnotes.co.uk/halloween-at...
27.10.2025 15:08 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
Jane Austen's Emma at Malvern Theatres til Sat by @theatreroyalbath.bsky.social. It's satisfying romantic antidote to winter's night. Sprightly & traditional with full on Regency glamour. @oxfordplayhouse.bsky.social @chichesterft.bsky.social next. #reviewsky
www.weekendnotes.co.uk/jane-austens...
At @the-rsc.bsky.social for Cyrano de Bergerac #pressnight & seen the most staggeringly perfect performance by @adrianlester.bsky.social. Emotional, romantic, funny, this play with Susannah Fielding & Levi Brown has it all. A must-see in Stratford Upon Avon til Nov 15.⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ #reviewsky #theatresky
07.10.2025 22:46 — 👍 4 🔁 1 💬 0 📌 0
Exciting relevant modern take on Shakespeare's Measure For Measure @the-rsc.bsky.social til Oct 25 in Stratford Upon Avon. About hypocrisy of politicians opening with images of Donald Trump & Prince Andrew. Adam James & Isis Haimsworth thrill as leads⭐⭐⭐⭐
www.weekendnotes.co.uk/measure-for-...
Finally seen 2:22 Ghost Story at Malvern Theatres & now understand what the hype is about. It's a lively, clever, slick show with subtle nods to famous thrillers & ghost stories. Keeps you guessing. Charming cast of Stacey Dooley Kevin Clifton Grant Kilburn & Shvorne Marks. Til Sat ⭐⭐⭐⭐
#reviewsky
#blacksabbath The Ballet is back for a new UK tour by Birmingham Royal Ballet and feels different after the death of #ozzyosbourne. Here's why... #reviewsky from
opening night at Birmingham Hippodrome with surprise appearance by @tonyiommi.bsky.social www.weekendnotes.co.uk/black-sabbat...
Gotta love Banksy
#activism #blueskycommunity
www.bbc.com/news/article...