Ellen Cheshire

Over the years, I’ve occasionally ventured into the world of theatre reviews, but a covert assignment with The Spy in the Stalls  reignited my passion for this undercover craft. Since then, I’ve been regularly donning my disguise and stepping into the shadows, where every review is a stealth mission—uncovering the brilliance (or the flaws) hidden within each performance. This page serves as my secret dossier: a direct link to the operations I’ve carried out in the name of the

What a year. 2025 leaned hard into the joyful overlap between film, theatre, music and exhibitions – with event cinema sitting neatly in the middle. Across the year I saw 86 films at the cinema , attended 68 live performances  (concerts, theatre, talks), and enjoyed 10 event cinema screenings . Plus according to my letterboxd , I logged 941 films* in 2025 but more to follow on my year in film! *This includes lots of shorts! Theatre played a particularly strong role, with

In my first blog post, 2025: A Year of Sondheim and Storytelling , I outlined my 2025 film and theatre project: a year dedicated to immersing myself in the world of Stephen Sondheim – both through his own work and through the films that shaped his artistic vision. As part of this journey, I’m watching all 40 of Sondheim’s favourite films in chronological order. Here are the first ten, spanning a mix of countries and cinematic traditions, each revealing something about the st

2024 has been a fabulous year of rediscovery for me, as I revisited everything I saw at the theatre and cinema in 1984 with my #OTD1984EllenSaw project. This nostalgic journey has not only revitalised my love for theatre but also reminded me why it holds such a special place in my heart. While I've always loved theatre, I’ll admit I had grown a little complacent - cinema is often easier and more affordable. But this year has reignited my passion for live performance and revi

Four Films. Three Venues. Two Days. One hell of a weekend! Saturday morning I headed down the A27 to Southsea for The Frank Matcham...