Basingstoke Amateur Theatrical Society are ready to Sparkle and Shine! Presenting: Nativity the Musical!

~ Leyla Demirel ~ 1 Comment

Photo provided by and used with permission from BATS. Christmas is shining in the distance, approaching at a rapid pace, and what better way to get that holly jolly feeling than a trip to the theatre? This November, BATS (Basingstoke Amateur Theatrical Society) are bringing the magic of Christmas to the Haymarket Theatre stage with … Continue reading Basingstoke Amateur Theatrical Society are ready to Sparkle and Shine! Presenting: Nativity the Musical!

All About You | A heartwarming, warm hug of a book. A book for the hopeless romantics. | Book Review

~ Leyla Demirel ~ 1 Comment

A lighthearted romance featuring fake dating, childhood ‘enemies’ to lovers, with adorable characters to warm your hearts? Sounds like a recipe for a wonderful romance book to me - All About You by Shaina Veronica.  I was fortunate enough to have been sent an e-arc of this book to read and review before the release, … Continue reading All About You | A heartwarming, warm hug of a book. A book for the hopeless romantics. | Book Review

Theatre News: Pentabus Presents…ArtFlicks – New British Writing, Free to Watch on TikTok!

~ Leyla Demirel ~ 2 Comments

Pentabus Theatre are a theatre company who I have previously featured on this website, reviewing their play-turned-short film The Silence and the Noise, and the play Driftwood. Both of these plays were online for audiences to watch for free; not only did this promote new British talent - something which I believe we can never … Continue reading Theatre News: Pentabus Presents…ArtFlicks – New British Writing, Free to Watch on TikTok!

There Are Rivers In The Sky | A mesmerizing, unique and unforgettable story | Book Review

~ Leyla Demirel ~ 1 Comment

An intricately woven journey, There are Rivers in the Sky is Elif Shafak’s newest book, coming out on the 8th of August. An entrancing, moving, and unforgettable book, it may not even be a bold statement to say this is a contender for one of Shafak’s best books to date. Book: There Are Rivers In … Continue reading There Are Rivers In The Sky | A mesmerizing, unique and unforgettable story | Book Review

Hiding Him | A Cosy, Endearing and Heartwarming Read | Book Review

~ Leyla Demirel ~ 1 Comment

Adam Hattan who is primarily known for his YouTube channel, is now putting pen to paper with his debut novel, Hiding Him. I was fortunate enough to have been sent a copy of the book in advance of the release, and I had such a wonderful time reading it! A cosy, endearing and heartwarming read, … Continue reading Hiding Him | A Cosy, Endearing and Heartwarming Read | Book Review

Surfacing | A Haunting and Poignant Piece of Theatre | Review

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A dark exploration of one therapist's own personal struggles with her mental health, Surfacing is a chilling play currently running at Omnibus Theatre until 1st June before going on to Guildford’s Yvonne Arnaud until 8th June.  Disclaimer: I was gifted press tickets to the show in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts in this … Continue reading Surfacing | A Haunting and Poignant Piece of Theatre | Review

Why have One Show When You Can Have Many? | Basingstoke Amateur Theatrical Society Presents ON WITH THE SHOW!

~ Leyla Demirel ~ 1 Comment

Basingstoke Amateur Theatrical Society (BATS) are gearing up to take the Haymarket Theatre stage once more in their next show. Except this one is not like the others. The thing about amateur dramatic companies is that they are limited on the shows for a plethora of reasons. However, there is a way around that…who says … Continue reading Why have One Show When You Can Have Many? | Basingstoke Amateur Theatrical Society Presents ON WITH THE SHOW!

Driftwood | A Sensitive and Intimate Piece of Theatre | Theatre Review

~ Leyla Demirel ~ 3 Comments

Previously on this website, I shared my thoughts on Pentabus Theatre’s The Silence and The Noise, an excellent piece which has since gone on to win the Off West End Award for Best Online Production (Read my thoughts on that show here): Pentabus Theatre continues to make fantastic theatre accessible, whilst also celebrating their 50th … Continue reading Driftwood | A Sensitive and Intimate Piece of Theatre | Theatre Review

Jaded | A Truthful, Impactful and Crucial Book | Book Review

~ Leyla Demirel ~ 1 Comment

Fiction can be a great form of escapism, yes, but it can also be a fantastic tool to tell crucial stories and to help people gain further insight and understanding into human emotions and complexities. Into lives that are unlike their own. Jaded, the debut novel from Ela Lee, is one such book that tells … Continue reading Jaded | A Truthful, Impactful and Crucial Book | Book Review

Just For One Day | A Crucial Piece of Theatre, Unlike Anything Ever Before | Theatre Review

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Live Aid. One of, if not the biggest and most memorable cultural event of the past half-century. A flag-bearing event for a hugely important cause, and now the story of the latest production to take over the stage at London’s Old Vic Theatre. With the world as it is, there may never be a more … Continue reading Just For One Day | A Crucial Piece of Theatre, Unlike Anything Ever Before | Theatre Review