Author: Leyla Demirel

Hi! I am a British-Turkish nurse, writer and occasional actress. I can usually be found either in a theatre, a bookstore, reading or watching Formula 1. Probably with a piece of baklava close by too. Be sure to also check out my other website, https://one-day-at-a-time.co.uk/.

10 Minutes and 38 Seconds in this Strange World: A Story That Will Stand the Test of Time | Book Review

~ Leyla Demirel ~ 3 Comments

Hello…friends? I have been writing in various capacities for over 10 years now and I still don’t know how to open a new blog post. "Hello, friends" feels nice but then if you’re a random stranger, is that too intimate? I mean I’ll gladly be friends with anyone but I don’t know if that means … Continue reading 10 Minutes and 38 Seconds in this Strange World: A Story That Will Stand the Test of Time | Book Review

All-singing, all-dancing fun and escapism | Shrek The Musical Review

~ Leyla Demirel ~ 3 Comments

Following their peek into the rehearsal room, BATS’ production is up and running full steam ahead in Basingstoke’s Haymarket Theatre until the 19th of November. I was fortunate to be invited to their finished show to see how it fares up to the rehearsal, and it was a colourful energetic performance that brought a huge … Continue reading All-singing, all-dancing fun and escapism | Shrek The Musical Review

Basingstoke Amateur Theatrical Society Welcomes You To Duloc | Shrek The Musical Rehearsals are Underway!

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A mixture of fairytale creatures from pigs to a fairy, a princess, and show-themed t-shirts galore all in an echoey church hall…it can all only mean one thing: there’s another show being rehearsed! Basingstoke Amateur Theatrical Society (BATS) are back in the room rehearsing their next musical; this time it is the family fun show … Continue reading Basingstoke Amateur Theatrical Society Welcomes You To Duloc | Shrek The Musical Rehearsals are Underway!

The Book Thief Musical | The World Premiere of a New and Unforgettable Piece of Theatre | Theatre Review

~ Leyla Demirel ~ 1 Comment

The Book Thief always has - and probably always will be - my all-time favourite book, joint with The Great Gatsby and The Kite Runner. I read it first when I was 15 or 16 and was entranced and obsessed. Markus Zusak’s storytelling amazed me and ever since I’ve always been inspired by his writing … Continue reading The Book Thief Musical | The World Premiere of a New and Unforgettable Piece of Theatre | Theatre Review

The Prince: Remarkable and Touching; Bringing Shakespeare into the 21st Century | Theatre Review

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Abigail Thorn & Mary Malone as Hostspur & Jen. Photo credits to Mark Senior. Show: The Prince Venue: The Southwark Playhouse, London Running until: 8th October 2022 Star Rating: ★★★★ Running at London's Southwark Playhouse, The Prince, written by Abigail Thorn and directed by Natasha Rickman blends Shakespeare and fantasy in a unique way that … Continue reading The Prince: Remarkable and Touching; Bringing Shakespeare into the 21st Century | Theatre Review

The Trials at the Donmar Warehouse Review: An Uncomfortable Truth Everyone Needs To Hear | Theatre Review

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Photo rights to original creators. Show: The TrialsVenue: The Donmar WarehouseWriter: Dawn KingDirector: Natalie AbrahamiRunning until: 27th AugustRating: 5 Stars Set 18 years into our future, The Trials is a play where the older generation who are deemed to have a large carbon footprint are put on trial for their complicity in the climate change … Continue reading The Trials at the Donmar Warehouse Review: An Uncomfortable Truth Everyone Needs To Hear | Theatre Review

Demetrius Wakes: The Shakespeare sequel you didn’t know you needed | Theatre Review

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Show: Demetrius Wakes Venue: The Old Red Lion Theatre, London Running until: 19th August 2022 Star Rating: ★★★★ Everyone knows A Midsummer Nights Dream; arguably one of Shakespeare’s best works and an example of true theatre: magic, mayhem, crossed lovers, people turning into donkeys and loving people they’re not supposed to, laugh until you cry … Continue reading Demetrius Wakes: The Shakespeare sequel you didn’t know you needed | Theatre Review

The Prince and the Witch: The Book that Feels Like a Fairy Story for Adults | Book Review

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I am a firm believer that just because we grow older, that doesn't necessarily mean we have to grow up. That we can still read stories with heroes and villains, good and evil, witches and princes and magic and mystery and adventure. In short, that we can still read books like The Prince and the … Continue reading The Prince and the Witch: The Book that Feels Like a Fairy Story for Adults | Book Review

The Not So Chosen One: A Good Choice for a Magical Read! | Book Review

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Magic schools are not a new concept in literature. You know the drill. Someone reaches an age in their life, they have someone show up and tell them they're special, magical, and need to come to a secret school to harness their power. And occasionally, this person will be the 'chosen one' to defeat a … Continue reading The Not So Chosen One: A Good Choice for a Magical Read! | Book Review