🎭 Robin & Jane In The Stalls | Episode: Blood Brothers (UK Tour – Belfast Grand Opera House) 🎭 This week, Robin and Jane are back In The Stalls for one of the most iconic British musicals of all time — Willy Russell’s Blood Brothers. Currently touring the UK, the show is playing at Belfast’s Grand Opera House until 8th November. It’s a special episode: this is Jane’s very first time seeing Blood Brothers — and Robin’s 15th (!!). Expect laughs, nostalgia, a few tears, and a deep dive into why this show continues to captivate audiences decades after its debut. They’ll be chatting about the timeless story of the Johnstone twins, the emotional power of Russell’s writing, and the unforgettable performances from Vivienne Carlyle (Mrs Johnstone), Kristofer Harding (Narrator), Sean Jones (Mickey), Joe Sleight (Eddie), and Gemma Brodrick (Linda). 🎶 Featuring classic numbers like Bright New Day, Marilyn Monroe, and the tear-jerking Tell Me It’s Not True, Blood Brothers truly earns its nickname — The Standing Ovation Musical. 👉 Tune in for: Robin’s seasoned take vs. Jane’s first impressions Discussion on why Blood Brothers still hits home today Favourite moments, performances, and production highlights 📍 Blood Brothers – UK Tour 🗓️ Belfast Grand Opera House | Running until 8th November 🎟️ Visit goh.co.uk for tickets 💬 Join the conversation: Have you seen Blood Brothers? Was your reaction as emotional as ours? Let us know in the comments! 🔔 Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review — it really helps us keep the theatre chat alive! #BloodBrothers #TheatreReview #WillyRussell #UKTour #BelfastTheatre #MusicalTheatre #RobinAndJaneInTheStalls #TheatrePodcast #WestEndClassic #BillKenwright

🎭 Robin & Jane In The Stalls | Episode 50 – Denouement at Belfast’s Lyric Theatre 🎭 This week, Robin & Jane step into the near future – or maybe the end of it – as they review John Morton’s Denouement, now running at the Lyric Theatre, Belfast until 15th November. It’s 2048, Armageddon is on the horizon, and Edel and Liam are spending their final hours together in a remote Irish farmhouse. As the world crumbles outside, they cling to memories, bicker over everything and nothing, and reveal what it really means to love — and to live — when time is running out. In this episode, Robin & Jane dive deep into: The darkly comic tone of Morton’s writing The powerful performances by Anna Healy and Patrick O’Kane The haunting, absurd humour that makes Denouement both heartbreaking and hilarious Why this world premiere might be one of the Lyric’s boldest productions yet 💬 Plenty of debate about whether some things are better left unsaid… even at the end. 👉 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your theatre fix! 🎟️ Denouement runs at the Lyric Theatre, Belfast until 15th November – don’t miss this extraordinary new play. #TheatreReview #Podcast #Denouement #LyricTheatreBelfast #JohnMorton #RobinAndJaneInTheStalls #IrishTheatre #TheatrePodcast #NewWriting #ApocalypticDrama

🎭 Robin & Jane In The Stalls | Theatre Review Podcast 🎭 Episode Title: The Upside Down House – Tinderbox Theatre Company @ The MAC, Belfast This week, Robin & Jane are back in Belfast at The MAC to see Tinderbox Theatre Company’s brand-new production The Upside Down House — running until 2nd November. 💔 A first love story, one last time. Heartfelt, hilarious, and wildly imaginative, The Upside Down House takes audiences on a time-bending journey through love, memory, and the struggle to let go. When OLDER returns to the abandoned house of his youth, he comes face-to-face with the memory of his first love — vivid, funny, and impossible to ignore. As the house begins to collapse, so does the line between past and present, pulling him into a dreamlike maze of nostalgia, heartbreak, and what might have been. Join Robin & Jane as they share their thoughts on this striking piece of new writing — from its inventive staging and emotional performances to the powerful storytelling that stays with you long after the curtain falls. 🎧 Tune in, subscribe, and step In The Stalls with us! 📍 The Upside Down House 🕰️ Running until 2nd November 🏠 Presented by Tinderbox Theatre Company at The MAC, Belfast 👇 Listen now and join the conversation: #TheatreReview #TheUpsideDownHouse #TinderboxTheatre #TheMACBelfast #RobinAndJane #InTheStallsPodcast #IrishTheatre #BelfastArts #TheatrePodcast

The Belfast International Arts Festival is in full swing, and Robin & Jane are back In The Stalls with a brand new episode you won’t want to miss. This week, they shine the spotlight on “Ottilie” – the international premiere of a powerful one-woman show from Rathmore Productions, running at the Grand Opera House until 24th October. 🎤 Who was Ottilie Patterson? Blues trailblazer, international star, and the voice that brought the Deep South to Northern Ireland. Written by Richard Clements, directed by Matthew McElhinney, and starring the brilliant Jolene O’Hara, Ottilie is a poetic and passionate reimagining of the life of Northern Ireland’s greatest blues singer, with live music arranged and performed by Zak Irvine. 🎶 From childhood blues discoveries, to touring with Chris Barber and sharing stages with icons like Muddy Waters and Sister Rosetta Tharpe, Ottilie’s story is as rich and soulful as her voice. In this episode, Robin & Jane explore: The emotional core of the production Jolene O’Hara’s powerhouse performance The role of live music in storytelling Why Ottilie is a must-see at this year’s festival 🎧 Whether you're a theatre lover, a music enthusiast, or just looking for something unforgettable this October – this is the episode for you. 👉 Hit play now and take your seat In The Stalls! #Ottilie #BIAF2025 #InTheStalls #TheatrePodcast #NorthernIrishTheatre #OttiliePatterson #JoleneOHara #ZakIrvine #BluesLegend #BelfastTheatre #GrandOperaHouse #RathmoreProductions #LiveTheatre #FestivalHighlights

In this episode, Robin & Jane are back in the stalls as Belfast International Arts Festival kicks off! 🎉 They’ve just seen Unreconciled at the Lyric Theatre – a powerful and unforgettable solo play by Jay Sefton and Mark Basquil, directed by Geraldine Hughes. Set in Philadelphia, Unreconciled tells the true story of a young actor cast as Jesus in a school play run by a parish priest. What follows is a deeply personal, often hilarious, and ultimately heartbreaking account of surviving trauma, confronting the past, and reclaiming one’s voice. With striking honesty, vulnerability, and flashes of unexpected humour, this one-man show takes the audience on a journey through memory, family, faith, and the difficult road toward reconciliation. 🎧 Tune in as Robin & Jane unpack the performance, the production, and the emotional weight behind this remarkable story. #BIAF2025 #Unreconciled #LyricTheatre #TheatreReview #SoloShow #RobinAndJaneInTheStalls #BelfastTheatre #JaySefton #GeraldineHughes #InTheStallsPodcast #TrueStory #SurvivorVoices

Robin & Jane are back in the stalls — and this week, they’re sleuthing their way through a gripping night at the theatre with Inspector Morse: House of Ghosts, now haunting Belfast’s Grand Opera House until Saturday! 👻 🕵️‍♂️ This first-ever stage adaptation of the legendary detective series brings a brand-new mystery to life: a young actress collapses mid-performance, and what begins as a routine investigation spirals into something far darker, dredging up ghosts from Morse’s own past… ⭐ Starring Tom Chambers (Father Brown, Strictly Come Dancing) as the iconic Inspector Morse ✍️ Written exclusively for the stage – with all the twists, turns, and tension you'd expect But the real mystery? What did Jane — a lifelong Morse devotee — make of the stage version? And can Robin, be won over by the brooding Oxford detective? 🎧 Tune in now to this week’s episode of Robin & Jane In The Stalls for their take on: The atmosphere & adaptation Tom Chambers’ take on Morse Whether the story holds up for die-hard fans and first-timers 👀 Don’t miss it — especially if you're thinking of catching the show before it closes this Saturday! 🎙️ Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts & wherever you get your theatre fix. 📍Inspector Morse: House of Ghosts is playing at the Grand Opera House, Belfast — until 𝙎𝙖𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙙𝙖𝙮 𝙤𝙣𝙡𝙮! #InspectorMorse #TheatreReview #RobinAndJane #HouseOfGhosts #GrandOperaHouse #TomChambers #StageMystery #TheatrePodcast #BelfastTheatre #MorseFans #InTheStalls

🎭 Robin & Jane In The Stalls | Belfast International Arts Festival 2025 Preview | Theatre Review Podcast This week on a special episode of Robin & Jane In The Stalls, we're diving headfirst into one of the biggest cultural events on the calendar — the Belfast International Arts Festival! 🌍🎨🎶 As the festival prepares to take over the city from 14 October – 9 November, Robin and Jane preview some of the standout shows and must-see performances lined up for this year's incredible programme. From bold new theatre to breathtaking dance, global voices in literature, powerful visual art and more — we’ve got your guide to what not to miss. Whether you're a local theatre-lover or planning a visit, join us as we spotlight the artists and performances that will turn Belfast into a global stage this autumn. ✨ Belfast International Arts Festival 2025📅 14 October – 9 November🎟️ Full festival info & tickets: www.belfastinternationalartsfestival.com 🔔 Don't forget to like, subscribe, and hit the bell so you never miss an episode of Robin & Jane In The Stalls! #BIAF2025 #TheatrePodcast #ArtsFestival #BelfastTheatre #TheatreReview #RobinAndJane #LiveArts #FestivalPreview

Robin & Jane In The Stalls are back — and this week, they’re pitch-side at Belfast’s Lyric Theatre for a powerful new play: THE PITCH 🏐 Set in East Belfast, The Pitch tells the story of three unlikely friends — Robbie, Melissa, and Deren — whose lives collide on a patch of turf that means something different to each of them. Gaelic football, identity, culture, and community all clash and connect on this contested ground, as the shadow of a United Ireland referendum looms. Robin & Jane are diving deep into this timely, thought-provoking production.Is it a game-changer? Or did it miss the goal? 🧐 🎧 Tune in to find out what they really thought — from the performances to the politics, and everything in between. 📍THE PITCH runs at the Lyric Theatre until Sunday — don’t miss your chance to see it live!  

This week on Robin & Jane IN The Stalls, our favourite theatre-loving duo head behind bars at Belfast’s Grand Opera House for a gripping performance of The Shawshank Redemption — running until Saturday only! 🔒 Based on Stephen King's powerful novella, this stage adaptation takes us deep inside Shawshank prison, where injustice, resilience, and an unlikely friendship between Andy Dufresne and Red light the spark of hope in the darkest of places. With an incredible cast featuring Joe McFadden (Strictly, Holby City), Ben Onwukwe (London’s Burning, RSC), and Bill Ward (Coronation Street, Emmerdale), this production is packed with emotional punch, tension, and moments that will stay with you long after the final curtain. 🎧 Tune in now as Robin & Jane share their unfiltered thoughts, favourite moments, and whether this adaptation breaks free of the shadow cast by the iconic 1994 film. Is this one worth a trip to the stalls? They’ve got the verdict! 👉 Listen wherever you get your podcasts.🎟️ And don’t forget — The Shawshank Redemption runs in Belfast only until Saturday!

This week, Robin & Jane took their seats at Belfast's Lyric Theatre for Dear Arabella by the legendary Marie Jones – and wow, do they have thoughts! Three women. Three lives intertwined by love, regret, and the quiet power of a simple, random act of kindness. There's Jean, feeling the walls close in as she cares for her difficult mother… Elsie, still struggling to connect with the man her husband became after the war… and Arabella, a widow haunted by the ghosts of what could’ve been. With Dear Arabella, Marie Jones once again proves her magic: her signature humour and emotional insight shine through as everyday moments ripple into life-altering consequences. 💭 What did Robin & Jane make of the performances, the writing, and the beach setting? 🎧 Tune in now to the latest episode of Robin & Jane In The Stalls to find out! Available wherever you get your podcasts. 🎟️ And don't miss your chance to see Dear Arabella at the Lyric Theatre – running until 12th October.

This week, Robin & Jane are donning their sequins and stepping into the hauntingly glamorous world of Follies, Northern Ireland Opera’s bold new production of the Sondheim classic at Belfast’s Grand Opera House. ✨ A crumbling theatre.🕰️ A reunion decades in the making.👻 Ghosts of the past — and songs you won’t forget. But here’s the question: Does this new take on the legendary 7-time Tony Award-winning musical hit the high notes — or lose its mind? 👀 Tune in as Robin & Jane pull back the velvet curtain to give their thoughts on everything from the staging to the standout performances (and yes, that iconic score). Whether you’re a Sondheim superfan or just theatre-curious, this is one episode you won’t want to miss. 🎧 Listen now wherever you get your podcasts.📍 Catch Follies at the Grand Opera House, Belfast — on stage until Saturday only!  

This week, our intrepid theatre reviewers Robin & Jane took their seats at The Sanctuary Theatre Belfast for Ulster American by East Belfast’s own David Ireland — and what a night it was!  A Hollywood actor. An ambitious English director. A Northern Irish playwright.The stage is set for collaboration… but egos, politics, and power struggles turn this dark comedy into a powder keg. How far will each of them go to be heard? Robin & Jane dive into the performances of James Boal, Caroline Curran, and Andrew McClay, unpack the biting satire, and explore how Ireland’s script fearlessly tackles big themes like privilege, identity, and consent — all in the space of one unforgettable evening.  Don’t miss their full review — streaming now on all podcast platforms!  Catch Ulster American at The Sanctuary Theatre Belfast, running until 6th September.Book your tickets here: https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/brightumbrella/ulster-american-by-david-ireland/e-yejrkv

This week on Robin & Jane In The Stalls, our dynamic theatre-loving duo took their seats at Belfast's Grand Opera House for one of the most beloved music tribute shows of our time — The Simon & Garfunkel Story. But did it live up to the global hype? 🌍🎶 With over 50 countries visited and more than 20 performances in London’s West End, including the legendary Palladium, The Simon & Garfunkel Story promises an unforgettable night of nostalgia, stunning visuals, and timeless hits like Mrs Robinson, Cecilia, Bridge Over Troubled Water, and Homeward Bound — all performed by a full live band alongside powerful storytelling and original film footage. 🎤📽️ ✨ But what did Robin & Jane really think? Find out in the latest episode — available now wherever you get your podcasts! 🎟️ And if you’re feeling inspired, you can still catch the show this September at venues across the UK: 📍 Sep 10 – Liverpool (Empire Theatre) 📍 Sep 11 – Lytham (Lowther Pavilion) 📍 Sep 12 – Southport (The Atkinson) 📍 Sep 13 – Chesterfield (The Winding Wheel) 📍 Sep 14 – Gateshead (The Glasshouse) 📍 Sep 16 – Wimbledon (New Theatre) 📍 Sep 17 – Portsmouth (Theatre Royal) 📍 Sep 18 – Bridgwater (McMillan Theatre) 📍 Sep 19 – Aylesbury (Waterside Theatre) 📍 Sep 20 – Potters Bar (Wyllyotts Centre) Let us know if you’ve seen the show — or plan to!

This week on Robin & Jane In The Stalls, we’ve taken a trip to Belfast’s Grand Opera House to catch Mother Of All The Behans, starring the phenomenal Imelda May — and wow, what a night at the theatre!  Following two sell-out runs in Dublin, this one-week-only engagement in Belfast is not to be missed. Imelda May shines in this powerful and moving tribute to Kathleen Behan, mother to the legendary Brendan Behan. From the book by Brian Behan & adapted and directed by Peter Sheridan, this production is a  is an entertaining journey through the social history of Dublin and the Behan family history.  . From a life of hardship and resilience to  becoming a celebrated public figure through her singing, storytelling and appearances on radio and television.   Kathleen’s story is brought to life through songs, humour, and grit  & is a celebration of womanhood, motherhood, and Irish spirit.   Tune in to our latest episode to hear our full review, our thoughts on Imelda’s performance, and why this show is the perfect mix of history and heart.  Mother of All the Behans runs at the Grand Opera House until Saturday — grab your tickets while you can!  

This week on Robin & Jane In The Stalls, our intrepid theatre duo took their seats at Belfast’s Grand Opera House to catch the gripping new production of The Girl On The Train – and trust us, they’ve got thoughts 🎤👀 Adapted from Paula Hawkins’ international bestseller, this thriller takes us deep into the mind of Rachel Watson, whose daily train ride becomes anything but routine when she witnesses something shocking through the window. With Laura Whitmore in the spotlight and a plot packed with twists, this play keeps you guessing right to the final scene. Tune in as Robin and Jane unpack the performances, the staging, and that jaw-dropping final act. Did it live up to the hype? Is it worth jumping on the next train to see it before it ends this Saturday? 🎟️🚆 🎧 Listen now wherever you get your podcasts – and let us know, did you guess the ending?  

This week on Robin & Jane In The Stalls, we pack our factor 50 and head to sunny Spain (well... in spirit!) to review Holiday Flush by Rosemary Drama Group   Set in June 1982, this hilarious play sees two Belfast families jet off to the Costa Blanca in search of sun, fun, sangria… and maybe a Northern Ireland win against Spain in the World Cup! But of course, things don’t go quite to plan – with delayed flights, holiday romances, blistering sunburn, and a poolside disaster!   Expect: Chaotic travel Holiday Romance 80s nostalgia (and sunburn) Football fever Laugh-out-loud moments   Robin and Jane break down the performances, the storytelling, and just how many 80s throwbacks they could count in one show! Listen now wherever you get your podcasts!   Want to catch the show? Portrush Town Hall – 13th–16th August Courtyard Theatre, Ballyearl – 23rd August

This week on Robin & Jane In The Stalls, we're swapping the velvet seats for prison sheets as we head to Belfast’s Lyric Theatre for The Tunnel – running until 16th August! Set in Long Kesh Prison, 1976, The Tunnel is a gripping and deeply human drama. Academy Award-winning director Terry George teams up with Brassneck Theatre Company for the Irish premiere of this thrilling masterpiece  Escape plans. Heavy construction. A tunnel beneath it all.But what are they really digging – a path to freedom, or their own graves? Tune in as we unpack the tension, the politics, the performances – and ask the big question: what would you do behind the wire?  Listen now wherever you get your podcasts.

This week on Robin & Jane In The Stalls, we’re heading to The MAC, Belfast, where Everybody’s Talking About Jamie — and trust us, you will be too! 💃🌈 Brought to the stage by the Alfie Boe James Huish Academy of Theatre Arts, this bold and beautiful production isn’t your average youth musical. Directed by James Huish, it’s a timely and heartfelt celebration of identity, courage, and self-expression — arriving just as Belfast Pride 2025 kicks off. 🏳️‍🌈 ✨ 🎧 Listen now as we dive into why this production is one not to miss. 🎟️ Catch it at The MAC until Saturday! 

This week on Robin & Jane In The Stalls, our dynamic duo don their fishnets and step into the time warp as they head to Belfast’s Grand Opera House to see the one and only Rocky Horror Show!  Following its sell-out run in August 2023, Richard O’Brien’s legendary rock ‘n’ roll musical is back — and it’s just as gloriously outrageous as ever! With over 35 million theatregoers worldwide, this cult classic tells the tale of sweethearts Brad and Janet, a broken-down car, and one wild night inside Dr. Frank’n’Furter’s eerie mansion.  From sequins to sci-fi, Adam Strong shines as the fabulously wicked Frank’n’Furter, and Robin & Jane are here to dish all the deliciously naughty details. Is it a show worth shouting "Dammit, Janet!" for? Tune in and find out!   The Rocky Horror Show runs in Belfast until Saturday 26th July – don’t miss your chance to join the party!  Listen now wherever you get your podcasts – just search Robin & Jane In The Stalls!

This week Robin & Jane have been to The Mac to see the new play, What Did You Do For Ireland, Da? by Bronagh Diamond. The play tells the story of one family from the New Lodge Road and their 17 year-old son, Jamie as he struggles to make sense of his sexuality and the world around him.