Louise Penn (LouReviews)
banner
loureviewsblog.bsky.social
Louise Penn (LouReviews)
@loureviewsblog.bsky.social
London-based theatre & arts critic.
Member of Critics' Circle.
-loureviews.blog
- BroadwayWorldUK
- NorthWestEnd UK
Bit of a quiet theatre week coming up:

Facility 111 - @VoilaFest

After Sunday - @bushtheatre

The Gardening Club - @NewWimbTheatre

Possum Trot - @TheatreAtTabard

Plus - Star Wars The Force Awakens @RoyalAlbertHall

Thanks to all relevant PRs
November 9, 2025 at 7:07 PM
A teaser for my upcoming videos highlighting my #theatre year - stay tuned!
November 8, 2025 at 10:39 PM
Remembering the wonderful Alain Delon, who was born on this day in 1935.

Noted film star in France and internationally, and a cultural icon for more than six decades.

#filmsky #cinemasky #moviesky
November 8, 2025 at 9:05 AM
This coming week's theatre:

Kindling @parktheatrelondon.bsky.social

The Night Before Wedding Day @TheatroTechnis

Crocodile Fever @arcolatheatre.bsky.social

Midsomer Murders @richmondtheatre.bsky.social

Period Parrrty @sohotheatre.bsky.social

Emilia @QuestorsTheatre

Thanks to the PRs!
October 25, 2025 at 10:41 PM
Happy birthday to Catherine Deneuve, born on this day in 1943!

Luminous in many films in France and the USA - over 100 films to date - she really is a cinema icon.

#film #cinema #movies
October 22, 2025 at 7:44 AM
The coming week's theatre:

@MichaelRosenYes Getting Through It

India Blog @bushtheatre.bsky.social

Hindle Wakes @QuestorsTheatre

Little Red Riding Hood @ROH_London (for BWW)

Eulogy @lambethfringe.bsky.social

Bloody Mary & the Nine Day Queen #uniontheatre

Many thanks to all relevant PRs.
October 19, 2025 at 11:38 AM
Remembering George C Scott, born on this day in 1927.

Films of note: The Hustler (1961), Patton (1970), They Might Be Giants (1971).

#films #cinema #movies
October 18, 2025 at 7:44 AM
Remembering Angela Lansbury on what would have been her 100th birthday!

Stage, film & TV legend who moved to the USA as a teenager.

I will never forget her in Blithe Spirit in the West End leaping over furniture - in her 80s!

#theatersky #filmsky #moviesky #theatresky
#cinemasky
October 16, 2025 at 7:51 AM
Remembering Gary Bond, who died on this day 30 years ago.

On stage: Joseph, Che (Evita), George (Aspects), Cats showcase, Just So.

On film: Wake In Fright, Zulu.

On TV: Great Expectations (1967).

Grá buan.
October 12, 2025 at 8:47 AM
The coming week's theatre plans:

Goodbye, Earl @lambethfringe.bsky.social

The (Curious Case of the) Watson Intelligence #draytonarms

#MJTheMusical

Fanny @kingsheadtheatre.bsky.social

Ragdoll @jstheatre.bsky.social

Many thanks to all relevant PRs!
October 9, 2025 at 3:58 PM
Theatre next week:

Four Sisters
Lifers
Death on the Nile

Entertaining Mr Sloane £

Plus Gilbert & George exhibition.

Thanks as ever to all relevant PRs.
October 2, 2025 at 12:21 PM
Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious!

Happy 90th birthday to the glorious Julie Andrews.

Practically perfect as Mary Poppins and everyone's favourite nun.
October 1, 2025 at 10:49 AM
Re-introducing myself and my website.

I'm a professional arts critic, a member of the Critics' Circle & supporter of the Fringe Theatre Awards. I'm honest, friendly & constructive.

My website is LouReviews.blog - I also review for Broadway World & North West End. I am open to other collaborations.
September 28, 2025 at 6:47 PM
Remembering Anthony Newley, born on this day in 1931.

Star of stage, screen and records. Gurney Slade on TV, Idle on Parade on film, Scrooge on stage, songs like 'What Kind of Fool Am I?'. Wrote 'Feeling Good'.
September 24, 2025 at 8:14 AM
Remembering Colin Blakely, born on this day in 1930.

He was Dr Watson to the Holmes of Robert Stephens, Jesus in Dennis Potter's Son of Man, and one of the suspects in Murder on the Orient Express.

#filmsky #cinemasky #moviesky
September 23, 2025 at 3:31 PM
Remembering beautiful Greta Garbo, born on this day in 1905.

Born in Sweden, Hollywood career ran from 1926 to 1941. A huge star with 'perfect facial proportions'.

New to her? I recommend Ninotchka (1939) and Queen Christina (1933).

#filmsky #cinemasky #moviesky
September 18, 2025 at 7:45 AM
The coming week's theatre:

Cow/Deer @royalcourt
The Code (for BWW) @swkplay
Naraku/Abyss @coronettheatre
The Truth About Blayds @finborough
A Number @QuestorsTheatre

My thanks to all relevant PRs, as ever.
September 13, 2025 at 8:02 PM
Remembering Jeremy Brett, who died on this day in 1995.

TV's Sherlock Holmes, also films War and Peace (1956), My Fair Lady (1964). A definitive Max de Winter in Rebecca (1979).
September 12, 2025 at 8:31 AM
Happy birthday to William Devane, born on this day in 1939!

Notable in Family Plot (1976), Yanks (1979), and From Here To Eternity (1980). 200+ episodes as Greg in Knots Landing.

#cinemasky #filmsky #moviesky
September 5, 2025 at 7:40 AM
Happy birthday to Elizabeth Ashley, born on this day in 1939!

Picks of her work: The Carpetbaggers (1964), Golden Needles (1974), Split Image (1982), lots of TV/stage.

She's had quite a life.

#filmsky #cinemasky #moviesky
August 30, 2025 at 7:49 AM
If you've enjoyed my reviews, previews, etc, please consider supporting me by donating to my Ko-fi.

I am a solo theatre/arts reviewer with no regular income & do not charge for any of my coverage.

Look for the green button or sidebar link on my website, or:

ko-fi.com/loureviewsblog

Thank you 😀
August 21, 2025 at 9:53 AM
Remembering David Farrar, born on this day in 1908.

Picks of his work: Black Narcissus (1947), The Small Back Room (1949), The Late Edwina Black (1951).

#filmsky #cinemasky #moviesky
August 21, 2025 at 9:43 AM
Happy birthday to Ann Blyth, born on this day in 1928!

Picks of her work: Mildred Pierce (1945), Another Part of the Forest (1948), Kismet (1955).

#filmsky #cinemasky #moviesky
August 16, 2025 at 8:08 AM
Remembering Dorothy Mackaill, who died on this day in 1990.

Noted silent and pre-Code film actress who was born in Britain but went to Hollywood.

Retired in 1937 but made occasional TV appearances later in life.

#filmsky #cinemasky #moviesky
August 12, 2025 at 6:15 PM
Remembering TV stalwart Bernard Hepton, who died on this day in 2018.

Hard to pick from a career that hardly ever took a wrong turn but Colditz, Secret Army, Life & Loves of a She-Devil, An Inspector Calls, Robin Redbreast, for starters.
July 27, 2025 at 9:05 AM