A film review by Kate O’Brien. 

I sat down to watch Rocky knowing absolutely nothing about the plot aside from the fact that there would be a fight and a training montage. It felt like one of those films that even though I hadn’t seen it yet, I was aware of it. I knew Rocky. I was not expecting to enjoy the film as much as I did. I was not expecting it to be so funny, and I certainly wasn’t expecting the film to make me cry. I knew I’d enjoy it. My thoughts going into watching this film were “It’s a classic, I’m sure I’ll like it.” 

Now I want to talk about why I believe that everyone should watch Rocky at least once. 

You may be wondering why this is the film that I’m discussing on Valentine’s week, a fair question, as a sports drama may not necessarily inspire many to have romantic thoughts.

I’ve chosen to discuss Rocky this week because I think that the underdog figure is ultimately, and inevitably, a romantic one. I also think that the relationship between Rocky and Adrian in the film is extremely sweet. Adrian has one particular line in this film that moved me to tears, and I do also want to talk about how much I enjoyed the quiet, comfortable progression of their relationship in this film. 

Rocky came out in 1976. The film was directed by John G. Avildsen. 

The film was written by Sylvester Stallone, who also starred in the film as Rocky. 

Set in Philadelphia, this film follows Rocky Balboa, a poor loan shark debt collector and fighter as he gets the opportunity to fight for the world heavyweight championship title. 

Rocky was a huge success. It is a film that gained status as now it is an iconic piece in pop culture. This film launched Sylvester Stallone’s career and it also created a template for what sports movies would look like. 

Please note, I am discussing the plot in this review, so there will be spoilers. 

I want to discuss why I felt this film connected with me (and wider audiences), the way it did because when you think about what actually happens in the film, it is not packed with plot points. This film was the highest grossing film in 1976 and yet Rocky doesn’t even win the heavyweight championship title. Why does everyone care so much? 

We all care so much because Rocky is not about winning. Yes it is a sports film, yes the fight scene is the climax of the film, but it was never about Rocky winning. Rocky himself states that he does not actually have any strong desire to win this fight, he does not care about winning the title, but he does deeply care about going the distance. He wants to finish the fight even if he loses, he wants to complete every round. He cares deeply about doing something good. He wants to be more than he is. He wants to prove that he isn’t a bum. I believe this is why his story resonates with so many people. Rocky is a quiet, shy, kind of bumbling character. He loves to box. He loves animals. He loves his family. He wants to go on a date with Adrian, the shy woman who works at the pet shop. 

Rocky is a true underdog. In so many ways he is so ordinary, his wishes are so “everyday ordinary”, by this I mean that he doesn’t wish for huge, improbable things like winning a huge amount of money or having ten cars etc. He wishes for relatively normal, everyday things.

This is what makes him so endearing. We root for him because there is a relatability found in his ordinariness. We can all relate to loving our pets and maybe hoping to get a date with the person we have feelings for. These small, ordinary wins are often the things that make us feel the best, and so we root for him to have his wins. 

Something that struck me as very interesting while watching is that the plot somewhat mirrors why this film turned out to be such a success. Apollo Creed is the heavyweight boxing champion and he is supposed to fight to defend his title, but his opponent has to drop out due to an injury. 

Creed proves to be an excellent judge of what will bring the most publicity to the match. 

He feels that giving a local, unknown boxer the opportunity to win the title will generate interest and attract massive attention from the public. He is right. He even loves Rocky’s boxing nickname, “The Italian Stallion”, stating he can picture it on film posters. Creed knows that an audience will love a rags to riches story so he proceeds with his plan, confident in the spectacle it will create. 

The film is now often described as a Cinderella, rags to riches story, and in it, Creed is also profiting off of the popularity of rags to riches stories, and this struck me while I was watching it. 

I find it really interesting that within the plot there is a conversation about how rags to riches stories are popular, and then the film itself became so popular because it is a rags to riches tale, and this film also paved the way for more rags to riches, motivational sports films to come about. 

I find that mirroring really fascinating. It’s funny how we, the wider audience who love this film, mirror the public in the film who love the fight. 

I want to talk about the appeal of the underdog, and why I would argue that the underdog is a romantic figure. There is a fantastic article entitled The Appeal of the Underdog (2008) by Nadav P. Goldschmied, David A. R. Richards, and Joseph A. Vandello, that I found when I was studying quest narratives. Underdog figures feature prominently in quest narratives. This article presents the idea that audiences root for underdogs because ‘The desire to see disadvantaged entities succeed is based on people’s strong motivation to see just outcomes.’(Vandello, Goldschmeid and Richards, 2008). The article also states that ‘A mediation analysis supported the interpretation that underdogs are seen as exerting more effort than advantaged entities.’ 

This is an idea that as a viewer I can get behind. It is a point that must be considered carefully, because coming from an advantaged background doesn’t automatically mean that the advantaged individual does not have the talent and won’t put in the work, however one must always acknowledge that the disadvantaged individual can have the same amount of talent if not more, and put in the same amount of work, if not more, than the advantaged person, but still not have access to the same opportunities. 

In Rocky, Creed is clearly a very talented boxer, he’s trained to be where he is, he’s also got an incredible team behind him and at times it seems he cares more about the spectacle of the match than the match itself, but the point I’m making here is that no one is suggesting that Creed shouldn’t be in the ring, but we care more about Rocky being in the ring, because we feel that Rocky had a harder time getting there. Rocky would have most likely never gotten the opportunity to be in the ring if it weren’t for this media idea. It is a once in a lifetime shot, and it arguably means much more to him then it does to Creed, so therefore he is the one that we root for. Rocky is the one that we care about. For Creed, despite the title being up for grabs, this is another match, whereas for Rocky this is a chance to change his life. 

Underdog figures often appear to have more heart and more passion than their counterparts, and this is why we root for them, but I would argue this is also why they’re romantic figures. It’s much more satisfying when the unlikely candidate triumphs over the person who assumed they didn’t have to exude any effort. In romantic plots where we see an “unlikely” love interest placed in opposition to the “obvious” love interest, what usually happens is that the underdog will be portrayed as more sincere, as a better listener, as a much more thoughtful and caring person than the obvious choice. The underdog will be dismissed throughout the film due to their status, and obvious choices are usually wealthier or have a higher level of formal education, but the point that connects all the dots in this trope, the idea that you will be able to spot time and time again, is the idea that the underdog may be poorer and may not be as well educated, but they have more heart. They’re kinder. They’re more genuine. The underdog having more heart makes them the true richer one. 

Rooting for a poor underdog with a heart of gold is much easier and much more satisfying than rooting for a rich, cold, snob. If you want to watch a scene that puts all of these ideas into practice, watch the scene in Titanic where Jack Dawson joins the rich passengers for dinner in the first-class dining hall. He’s wearing a borrowed suit, he’s being judged by the wealthy, they’re scoffing at him while expecting him to be oh so grateful for the invitation to dine with them. In this scene, Jack gives a rousing speech about how lucky he truly is, he puts the stuffy, judgemental Cal in his place, and audiences can’t help but cheer for him in this scene. We know that he’s nicer than Cal, we know that Cal is being awful to him in this scene, we know that Cal thinks he’s nothing, so when we get to watch Jack stand up for himself and deliver a heartfelt, passionate speech, we cheer.

In Rocky, a character trait that I really enjoyed was the fact that Rocky does not get swept away in the spectacle at any point. Sometimes in stories that feature an underdog, there can be moments where they get swept up into the popular frenzy and momentarily forget about the people who have cheered them on all along. It’s easy to do because when you’re working hard for so long and you’re underappreciated, it is easy to imagine that recognition feels nice. Sometimes the fact that recognition came with strings gets overlooked until the underdog realises who has been there for them all along, and they return to their true friends. This is a common trope, although it doesn’t happen in every story. It doesn’t happen in Rocky. 

Rocky is humble. He is well aware of the fact that certain people like Mickey the trainer, didn’t give a damn about him before the match. Mickey did not give Rocky the time of day before he was selected to fight Creed. He had no interest in training him despite Rocky looking up to him. 

When he offers to train Rocky, he expects him to immediately accept his offer and be grateful for the attention and help, but Rocky has an incredible speech in which he asks why does Mickey have a sudden interest? Why didn’t he care before? Ultimately, Rocky does accept Mickey’s offer, but I admire his self-awareness in these scenes. 

At the beginning of the film, it is made clear that Rocky has feelings for Adrian, the shy woman who works in the pet shop. Rocky always tries to make her laugh by telling her a joke. Adrian is Paulie’s sister, and Paulie and Rocky are friends so Paulie insists that he will help arrange a date between Rocky and Adrian. 

I love Adrian. She is very sweet and extremely shy. I didn’t expect her character to almost move me to tears, but I really felt for her. Adrian is played by Talia Shire, and for the majority of the film, her beauty is downplayed. She’s a beautiful actress, but Adrian is a character with absolutely no self-confidence, and for most of the film she’s dressed in drab, dull clothes that wash her out and completely overwhelm her frame. She dresses like someone who wants to hide and this is apt, for Adrian desperately wants to remain unnoticed. Everyone in this film is cruel to Adrian, aside from Rocky. Her brother Paulie is so mean to her, while thinking he can order her around, and other characters mock Rocky for wanting to take her on a date. Shire’s performance is beautifully subtle, there are times very early on where it seems like she has no interest at all and the exchange is painfully awkward, until she gives the smallest smile, or a quick glance, or a small amount of eye contact, all so subtly indicating that she does like Rocky, but she has no confidence for these encounters. 

As a modern viewer watching this film for the first time in 2024, it is easy to point out which aspects would be tweaked if there was ever to be a remake. I want to say now, this is not a film that needs to be remade, this is one of many that we should leave alone, however it is easy to identify which aspects would be modernised. Paulie sets up the first date between Rocky and Adrian, and comically Rocky keeps asking if Adrian knows about it. This turned out to be a fair question, because Adrian in fact, did not know about it. Paulie pressures her to go on the date, and she spends most of it quiet although the pair do bond when Rocky takes her ice skating and they have the entire ring to themselves. Later, at Rocky’s apartment, she does state that she’d like to go home, and Rocky does attempt to keep the conversation alive. Again, it is a scene that needs to be watched carefully because Shire gives off the smallest indications that she doesn’t actually want the date to end despite saying she should go. The scene ends with a tender moment. Rocky tells her that she is very beautiful, and her reply is telling. She asks him not to tease her. In my opinion, this line tells us everything we need to know about her self-esteem and why she’s so shy, she does not believe she is beautiful, and she feels vulnerable because she wants to ensure that Rocky isn’t teasing her like everyone else does, that this date wasn’t some big, elaborate joke or a lost bet. When Rocky assures her that he isn’t teasing her, she is the one who initiates a passionate kiss. After this scene, their relationship quietly grows and grows. 

From this point on, Adrian gets more and more confident, and she becomes much more casual about expressing affection for Rocky. They hold hands, they sit together, and even though there is never a big announcement about the fact that they’re a couple, it is clear that their relationship has progressed. I love this. It is quiet, natural, and sweet. During a big press conference, Rocky is once again unbothered by the crowd he is attracting, he simply wants to give a shout out to Adrian, and when he, Paulie, and Adrain watch him on the tv, he’s the most excited about her seeing that he shouted her out. It is very cute. Rocky never belittles Adrian, and he never overlooks her during the training process, he never gets swept up in the glitz of it all. When Paulie disrespects her, Rocky defends her. Adrian also has the newfound confidence to defend herself, which is a fantastic moment. 

Paulie is jealous of Rocky’s success, and one drunken night he picks a fight with Rocky and Adrian. In this fight, he tells Adrian that she owes him, that she is a loser. She has had enough. She screams back at him, telling him that she owes him nothing. She cooks for him, cleans for him, takes care of him, and that he always makes her feel like a loser. But she is not a loser. Hearing Adrian state that she is not a loser after everyone made her feel like one was a very poignant moment, and it did make me tear up. I loved seeing her gain self-confidence. It’s not hard to imagine that there were many times that Paulie yelled at her and talked down to her and she didn’t have the courage or self-belief to stand up to him, but now she does, and it is a brilliant moment. Adrian is an underdog too, so we easily root for her just as much as we root for Rocky. 

There is a scene in which Rocky explains why Adrian means so much to him. “She’s got gaps, I got gaps, together we fill gaps, I don’t know.” (Rocky, 1976). I love this line. It is so simple, it is so sweet, it perfectly sums up how two people can do so much for each other. 

So moving to the end of the film. The fight scene is big. There’s a huge crowd, the event is a success before it has even begun. Creed is a true showman, and Rocky is ready to go the distance. I love that Rocky doesn’t win. This may sound odd, but if he wins then I think the point about how it was never about winning would be lost. Rocky set a personal goal. He wanted to go the distance and he did. He lasted all fifteen rounds, despite injuries, despite tiredness, he goes the distance, and he gets some good punches in there too, gaining Creed’s respect. He may not have won the fight, but he achieved his own personal goal, so he did win. Winning can be a very personal thing, and it can mean different things to different people. Much like how quests are about the journey rather than the final destination, I think that a major theme of Rocky is that just because you didn’t win the prize, that doesn’t mean you didn’t win at all. 

Winning, losing, Rocky doesn’t care. The film ends with him screaming for Adrian. He’s gone the distance, the crowd is going wild, everyone is cheering, there are cameras in his face. He just wants Adrian. He’s screaming for her, she’s trying to get to him through the chaos. Finally the pair reunite and the film ends with Adrian and Rocky telling each other “I love you.” 

It was the perfect ending. He went the distance, he earned a life changing amount of money, and he got the girl. Rocky won. 

I would highly recommend Rocky if you haven’t seen it. It is funny, poignant, and it tells a story about perseverance and gaining confidence. The fight and the boxing are the perfect backdrop to all of the personal development that we see play out on screen. We see a lovable underdog rise to a challenge and go the distance alongside a shy woman gaining her own voice. We watch them fill gaps, and we cheer for them as they do. 
Follow me on Instagram @katelovesliterature for all updates about what is #ComingUpNext.

Gods Don’t Cry by Ellen Ryan. Illustrated by Conor Merriman.  

A review by Kate O’Brien 

I described Ellen’s first book Girls Who Slay Monsters as a collection of passionate stories, passionately told. The bar was set extremely high, Gods Don’t Cry is the perfect book to come next. 

I said that Girls Who Slay Monsters would inspire all readers, but I thought it would particularly inspire and even comfort young girls. I’d have loved to read a book like this when I was thirteen. 

Gods Don’t Cry is an ideal counterpart, as this collection of tales about Irish Gods showcases how there are many different, many amazing ways to be masculine. Just like there are many different ways to describe girlhood, manhood is just as complex. Gods Don’t Cry highlights how boys can be strong in different ways. There is more than just one way to be brave. 

Gods Don’t Cry is a collection of heroic tales, written in Ryan’s evocative, almost lyrical style. 

She expertly weaves old and new, illustrating how old tales can still be impactful to today’s readers. 

Each story is short and easy to follow, and brought utterly to life by Merriman’s striking illustrations. Merriman uses such rich colours, burning reds, and bare trees, expertly mixing light and dark in a way that catches the eye so brilliantly. There are pages that I’d love to frame as a painting because they’re so striking. 

While I personally believe that all books are for all readers, I do hope that young boys pick up Gods Don’t Cry and I hope that they enjoy it. Just as it is crucial for young girls, it is so important that young boys understand that they can be whatever they want to be. They can be sporty and they can love reading, and they can enjoy games, and they can love school, and while these sound like trivial examples, sometimes adolescents are made to feel insecure about the smallest things. 

Strength has layers, bravery has layers, compassion has layers, and there are many ways to be heroic. Ellen Ryan captures the multidimensions of our emotions so fantastically. 

It is always a pleasure to read her work. 

If you haven’t read Gods Don’t Cry yet, I can’t recommend it enough. 

Happy New Year everyone. 

There is so much to come on Katelovesliterature.com so stay tuned! 

My Favourite Books of 2023 

By Kate O’Brien. 

Another year is coming to an end. Next week I’ll be publishing my last piece of 2023 and then I’ll be taking a break before getting back into it in the New Year. 

It has been a busy year filled with books. Seeing as everyone is winding down for Christmas, I decided that I wanted to share my favourite books of 2023. 

I’ve got a mix of fiction, classics, and children’s picture books that I loved and I’ll be sharing them in no particular order. 

Without further ado, here are my favourite books of 2023. 

The Land of Lost Things by John Connolly.

I thoroughly enjoyed this sequel to The Book of Lost Things. 

Connolly’s unique twists on classic fairy tales are a treat to read. He expertly builds fantasy worlds filled with friends and foes. Poignant, adventurous, and filled with intrigue, I was delighted by this book this year. It is one of my top reads. 

Scissorella by Clare Helen Walsh. 

Sticking with the fairy tale theme for a moment, a picture book that I loved this year was this artistic take on Cinderella. Walsh’s take beautifully tells this classic tale through pop ups and cut outs, ideal for anyone who loves theatre or puppetry. It is a beauty on my bookshelf, and I’d highly recommend it if you’re looking for a gift for a young fairy tale lover. 

Tiffany & Co. The Story Behind the Style by Rachael Taylor.

This is another beautiful book that would be a lovely gift. When I spotted the iconic Tiffany blue cover I had to investigate and I was delighted to find this amazing book all about the iconic brand. Filled with history and stunning photographs, I loved learning more about how Tiffany & Co. became the cultural staple that it is today. There is no mistaking the reputation behind those little blue boxes. 

Monster Island by Freddie Alexander. 

Returning to fantasy now, I loved the premise of this book. What would happen if the monsters under the bed were real after all? Sam is about to find out when she moves in with her grandad. I really enjoyed this book. The thing that I love most about this book is that it is the perfect “starter scare”, for younger readers. Great for kids who want to experience a little thrill, I’ve been recommending this book again and again. 

Girls Who Slay Monsters by Ellen Ryan. 

Another amazing read. I absolutely loved this book. From the beautiful illustrations to the stories that Ellen Ryan has brought to live, this book was a treat. I described it as a book of passionate stories that are passionately told in my review and I stand by that. In this book, Ellen Ryan has brought female agency to the centre of her work. I’d have loved to read something like this when I was thirteen, and I believe this book will comfort and inspire young readers. 

My review of Gods Don’t Cry by Ellen Ryan will be my first review of 2024. 

A Little Princess by Frances Hodgson Burnett. 

I’ve spent the last year and a half writing my master’s dissertation, and I spent lots of time reading and studying A Little Princess. I read this story for the first time when I was young. I’ve come back to it many times throughout the years and after receiving my master’s degree, it will always have a special place in my heart. If you have not read it, I would highly recommend it, especially if you like period pieces. 

These are just a few of the books that I enjoyed this year, but when I sat down to write this list, these were the books that immediately came to mind. If you have not read them yet, then I hope you’ve got some new inspiration about what you’ll read next. 

#letstalkaboutliterature 

It won’t be long now until Santa comes!

I hope you will find some gift inspiration here for the literary lover in your life or maybe you’ve been inspired to grab yourself a festive treat!

Make sure you are following me on Instagram if you don’t already @katelovesliterature for all updates about what is #ComingUpNext here on Katelovesliterature.com and for all the festive fun that December will bring!

Cinderella at The Gaiety. 

A review by Kate O’Brien. 

We went to the panto! Oh yes we did! 

The other night we went to the beautiful Gaiety Theatre to see Cinderella. It was such a fun evening. We had a ball, no pun intended. A long time ago I wrote a piece about the community atmosphere that is created in the theatre. I love the idea of a group of people coming together to experience the same show and yet everyone will leave with their own perspective and opinions. That is one of the best things about live theatre. 

Seeing Cinderella in the Gaiety was no different. It was really lovely to be part of one of the earlier audiences for this show. Seeing kids get so excited and have such a great time was really fantastic. There is still a long run left so if you get a chance to go to the 150^th Gaiety panto, I’d highly recommend it. 

Before I talk about the show itself, I want to take a moment to talk about why I love the story of Cinderella. I’d also like to briefly talk about the impressive history of panto. 

I’ve just submitted my master’s dissertation, and I won’t go into too many details about that, but I will say that the entire project focused on Cinderella tales. It is probably very obvious that I am a big fan of the tale. I’ve always loved the story of Cinderella. It has been my favourite fairy tale since I was young. I know there are hundreds of adaptations, and I know the story has been criticised in many ways throughout the years (my dissertation touches on these topics), but I think overall, it is a story that is filled with more nuance than it is often given credit for. It is a simple tale that has the potential to carry a lot of depth. It is a story that is filled with magic and hope. The rags to riches scene will always be one of my favourite scenes. It is pure magic. 

When I was a drama student sitting yearly speech and drama examinations, one of the requirements was that we had to have a broad knowledge of theatre history. We studied many different time periods, looking at how theatre has changed and developed through time. The history of panto or pantomime is a fun subject to learn about, and I highly encourage doing some research if you’re interested in learning more about how pantos came to be. 

Pantomimes can be traced back to the 16^th century. The origins of pantos are often linked back to Commedia dell’Arte, an Italian form of theatre. This type of theatre took place outdoors, and featured dance, music, and masked characters. 

I would argue that the following five features can be classed as conventional staples of pantomime … 

• Slapstick comedy 
• Music and dance (usually incorporating popular music from the year the piece is performed).
• Stories are usually fairy tales and folktales that have been adapted to include pop culture references 
• Repeated character tropes that audiences are familiar with (for example, every panto has a dame). 
• Audience participation (particularly call and response) is encouraged. Young kids are encouraged to boo the baddies and cheer for the goodies and they have to let the characters know when there is trouble ahead. “She’s behind you!!!” 

What is a panto dame? 

The panto dame is a brilliant part. It is an extremely over-the-top, comedic, female character that is traditionally played by a man. In The Gaiety’s 2023 production of Cinderella, the dame role is filled by the larger-than-life Nanny Scrumptious, nanny to the Prince. Played by the amazing Joe Conlan. 

Panto is so much fun. It is, in my opinion, one of the best kinds of theatre. I say this because I believe that for a lot of people, going to the panto is their first time to ever go to the theatre. So many people have told me that some of their favourite Christmas memories involve going to the panto in the winter. It really just sets off the festivities. It is fun, it is loud and unpredictable. It is a type of theatre that encourages singing along and shouting back, which is a great way to get the young kids in the audience excited. Pantos are also a fantastic way to get young kids engaging with a story. They really connect to the characters onstage, and due to the talented casts drawing them in, they become utterly enchanted by the goings on in panto land. They boo the wicked stepsisters, they cheer for Cinderella, they eagerly and earnestly shout out to help the Prince find the girl who left her glass slipper behind. Pantos encourage pure joy and wonder, and I hope to always love them as much as I always have. 

The other night in The Gaiety was magical. The entire cast was absolutely fantastic. 

I want to take a moment to mention Michael Joseph as he was just brilliant in the role of the lovely Buttons. Buttons is a great character. He is lots of fun, and full of heart, and Michael has an incredible voice. We especially loved his performance. Ciara Lyons is lovely as Cinderella. Her voice is sweet and strong, and she had a very charming presence onstage. 

We were rooting for her to get her happily ever after. 

Bravo and congratulations to the entire cast and crew who make the show happen every night. It is no easy feat. The show is non-stop, high energy, and filled with magic from start to finish. Every member of the cast was brilliant. The dancing from the ensemble was full of energy, they really brought the show to life. We loved seeing everyone having a great time onstage, especially the younger members of the cast. The kids were just fantastic. It is great to see young people who clearly love what they’re doing brimming with talent. 

I couldn’t recommend going to see Cinderella in The Gaiety enough. It would be a perfect family night out, ideal if you want to bring your young children to something magical this Christmas. I would also recommend going with friends or for a date night like we did. I wanted to see the show because of my love for the story, and to mark the end of an era in my life after studying different versions of Cinderella for so long, but all of that aside, it was great fun to just be big kids for a few hours. 

If you get the chance to see it, go and have an absolute ball! 

Be sure to follow me on Instagram @katelovesliterature if you don’t already for all updates about what is #ComingUpNext on Katelovesliterature.com. 

Theatre Trips I Enjoyed in 2023

By Kate O’Brien 

Live theatre, is anything more special? If you have been following me for a while then you already know that a night out at the theatre is my perfect night out! It is definitely a pricier treat, but I think it is absolutely worth the splurge. I’ve never regretted a night at the theatre. 

Last year I was incredibly lucky as I got to see so many shows, and I happily gave myself some extra treats because I missed being able to go to live shows when everything was closed. 2023 was not quite so busy, however I have still been incredibly fortunate because I’ve been able to see some fabulous shows this year. 

It is that time of year where I’m starting to reflect and round up before publishing my 2023 Literature Lover Inspired Gift Guide … so without further ado, here are the Theatre Trips that I Enjoyed in 2023! 

I have been to five live shows this year, soon to be six as I am counting down the days until I go to The Gaiety Panto! I am dying to see Cinderella. I know it will be so festive and lots of fun. It is the start of my festive season and our night out at the panto will kick off my Christmas tidings. Keep an eye out because I’ll be publishing a review asap … I’m really looking forward to embracing the magic and wonder. 

Let’s rewind to February of this year. I had the pleasure of seeing Blood Brothers in the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre. I adore Blood Brothers. It is my absolute favourite show. It is simply a masterpiece. It is so striking. The music, the story, the phenomenal cast, who I have had the pleasure of seeing twice now during this run … I cannot say enough good things about Blood Brothers. Funny, witty, poignant, and heartbreaking. It is a must see show. This show gets a special mention because I have been lucky enough to have seen the amazing Sean Jones as Mickey four times now. He is an incredible actor, and I just want to take a moment to give him a special mention. He has been playing the role of Mickey for twenty-three years, and I’ve heard and read different things about this being his last tour. So if I got to see him during his last run of this role, that is amazing, and I feel very lucky that I got to see him play this part more than once. 

This show means a lot to me. I studied it thoroughly during my final year in drama classes, and in many ways I credit Blood Brothers for helping me develop a deep appreciation for the arts, an appreciation that has led to so much of my current studies and work … What Sean Jones does in act two of this show, the way he has the audience in the palm of his hands, the way he has everybody paying attention in utter silence, it was stunning to witness. Blood Brothers is a show that I will never miss. If you have the opportunity to go and see it, don’t walk, run. 

In March we went on a lovely trip to London where we saw The Phantom of the Opera. 

We had a ball in London. We explored Soho, went to see one of the homes of Charles Dickens, and we went to see the notorious opera ghost at Her Majesty’s Theatre. This show is beautiful. It is a true spectacle from the lavish costumes to the sweeping score, and of course there is the matter of a falling chandelier. The staging of this show is simply beautiful, and the attention to detail is something to behold. We had a ball. I’d highly recommend this show if you’re looking for a treat in the West End. 

The third and final musical we went to see in 2023 was Dirty Dancing The Musical! This show dazzled at the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre. It was sexy, steamy, electric, and so much fun! Ideal for those who love the movie, but want a fabulous night out. The stage was exploding with talent as the wonderful dancers lit up the stage. We all know the story, we all know the love affair, we all know the unforgettable score, and of course the famous lines. Am I going to say it? You bet! We had the time of our lives. Dirty Dancing is a must see onstage! I’m so thrilled that we went to see it. 

This year we also got to attend two live concerts. The Rock Orchestra performed in the Helix and we went to a Candlelight Concert in St. Andrew’s Parish Church. The very talented Avoca String Quartet performed a tribute to The Beatles. 

Both evenings were absolutely fantastic. There is nothing like the sound of a live orchestra/live instruments echoing through the halls. Personally I am a big fan of the strings. It was brilliant to hear songs we know and love played by an incredibly talented group of musicians. The Rock Orchestra was a mix of instrumental and vocal performances, whereas the Candlelight Concert was strictly instrumental, but we thoroughly enjoyed both evenings out. 

I would highly recommend concerts like this if you’re trying to decide on the perfect date night activity, or if you’re looking for a fun, musical night out with friends or family. The tickets were reasonably priced and we enjoyed every second. The Candlelight Concert in particular was visually stunning too. The name may give it away, but the entire venue was filled with flameless candles. So the atmosphere was just gorgeous. It made for a perfect night. 

Tickets to shows like this would also make a great gift for music lovers… but I’ll be talking more about ideal gifts in my Literature Lover Inspired Gift Guide very soon. 

Make sure you’re following me on Instagram @katelovesliterature for all updates about what is #comingupnext 

I am ready for the festivities to begin. Roll on December!