Robin & Jane In The Stalls

Robin & Jane are back — and this week they’re heading to The MAC to catch a blazing new production of Animal Farm from Tinderbox Theatre Company — running until 28th February, so there’s still time to grab your tickets!

Based on the iconic novel by George Orwell, and adapted & directed by Patrick J O’Reilly, this production is already making waves as one of The Irish Times’ 20 headline plays of 2026.

But this is not the Animal Farm you studied at school.

Four women are detained after a protest in Belfast. Under interrogation, instead of answering questions, they begin quoting Orwell. What follows is a fierce, gripping clash around free speech, propaganda and censorship. As tensions rise, the interrogation room splinters — and Orwell’s text erupts into a visceral theatrical world where the protesters bring the story roaring to life.

Over 80 years since Animal Farm first shook the page, this bold reimagining feels urgent, sharp and unmistakably of the moment.

In this episode, Robin & Jane discuss:

How this adaptation reframes Orwell for 2026

The power of performance in confined spaces

The production’s political punch

And whether this riotous reinvention lives up to the hype

Tinderbox Theatre Company launches its 2026 season with energy, imagination and bite.

🎟️ Running until 28th February at The MAC Belfast — don’t miss it.

Come and join the riot — and join Robin & Jane In The Stalls for the full review!

🎭 New Episode Out Now – Robin & Jane In The Stalls! 🎙️

This week Robin & Jane head to Belfast's Lyric Theatre to experience the powerful new production of The Human Voice – running until 28th February.

Set in contemporary Belfast, this bold reimagining of Jean Cocteau’s seminal play brings its emotional intensity into a world that never stops ringing.

Starring the phenomenal Nicky Harley, this gripping solo performance follows a mental health phone operator caught between two impossible conversations. On one line, she’s supporting a caller in immediate crisis. On the other, she’s living through the devastating end of her own relationship.

One call can change a life. One call can change your life. As professional duty collides with personal heartbreak, the lines blur in a raw, intimate portrait of resilience, connection, and the quiet bravery of simply showing up — even when everything inside you is falling apart.

In this episode, Robin & Jane discuss:

✨ The impact of this contemporary Belfast setting

✨ The intensity of a solo performance

✨ How the production handles themes of mental health and responsibility

✨ Why this might be one of the most emotionally affecting pieces of theatre this season If you’re planning a visit to the Lyric — or just love thoughtful theatre conversation — this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

🎧 Listen now, subscribe, and let us know your thoughts in the comments. Have you seen The Human Voice?

#TheatreReview #RobinAndJaneInTheStalls #LyricTheatre #TheHumanVoice #BelfastTheatre

🎭🎶 Robin & Jane At The Opera! 🎶🎭

This week on Robin & Jane In The Stalls, we head to Belfast’s iconic Grand Opera House for Lyric Opera Ireland’s sparkling new production of The Barber of Seville – running until Saturday!

Lyric Opera returns to Belfast with this irresistible masterpiece, bursting with colour, fizzing with humour and packed with non-stop action.

We’re transported to 18th-century Seville where love is in the air, chaos is around every corner, and the wily Figaro is juggling schemes faster than you can say “Figaro! Figaro! Figaro!”

All of it is wrapped in Gioachino Rossini’s virtuosic, melody-filled score – a bel canto classic stuffed with arias, duets and ensembles you’ll instantly recognise.

We discuss:

✨ The dynamic debut of Australian baritone Morgan Pearse

✨ Italian bass-baritone Matteo Torcaso’s Lyric Opera debut

✨ The resonant Don Basilio from Canadian bass Trevor Eliot Bowes ✨ American tenor Randall Bills returning as the dashing Count Almaviva

✨ Belfast’s own Sarah Richmond as a perfectly matched Rosina

✨ Ryan Garnham’s double turn and Sandra Oman’s delightful Berta Plus, we explore the work of internationally renowned bel canto specialist Carmen Santoro and Artistic Director Vivian Coates, whose colourful, fast-paced direction brings a chaotic day in Seville vividly to life.

Whether you’re an opera aficionado or opera-curious, this episode is your backstage pass to one of the most joyful works in the repertoire.

🎧 Tune in now, subscribe, and let us know — are you team Figaro?

#RobinAndJaneInTheStalls #AtTheOpera #TheBarberOfSeville #LyricOperaIreland #GrandOperaHouseBelfast

Robin & Jane are back in the stalls — and this time they’ve been to see The Importance of Being Earnest at Belfast’s beautiful Lyric Theatre!

In this latest episode of Robin & Jane In The Stalls, we dive into Oscar Wilde’s comic masterpiece — a razor-sharp satire of Victorian society packed with tangled romances, sparkling wordplay, and the most deliciously absurd cases of mistaken identity.

From Jack and Algernon’s double lives between London high society and the countryside, to misplaced handbags and uproarious revelations, we’re unpacking:

🎩 Our thoughts on this fresh Lyric revival

With a brilliant ensemble cast breathing new life into Wilde’s larger-than-life characters, this is a production that proves Earnest remains one of the greatest comedies ever written.

If you love theatre, sharp humour, and lively post-show chat, this episode is for you.

👉 Watch now, like, comment, and subscribe to support the podcast — and let us know if you’ve seen the show at the Lyric!

#TheatreReview #RobinAndJaneInTheStalls #OscarWilde #BelfastTheatre

🎭🎙️ NEW PODCAST EPISODE 🎙️🎭

Robin & Jane have been back In The Stalls this week at Belfast’s Grand Opera House, where they caught the hilarious new show Maggie’s Menopause — running until Saturday!

Fresh off the back of 2025’s smash hit Maggie – All 4 Plays in One Hilarious Show, the Muffsta returns… and this time she’s navigating the

world of the menopause. 🥵👠

Hot sweats? ✔️

🔥 Menopausal Muff like you’ve never seen her before! 🔥

Written and produced by award-winning Leesa Harker, directed by international director Andrea Montgomery, and starring the brilliant Caroline Curran, this show is fearless, filthy, and laugh-out-loud funny.

🎧 Listen now to Robin & Jane’s latest review and hear what they made of it — and if you’ve seen Maggie, tell us what you thought!

#RobinAndJaneInTheStalls #MaggiesMenopause #BelfastTheatre #GrandOperaHouse #TheatrePodcast #ComedyTheatre #MenopauseOnStage

🎭 A very special episode from Belfast’s Lyric Theatre! 🎭

This week on Robin & Jane In The Stalls, Robin & Jane head to the iconic Lyric Theatre Belfast to celebrate a landmark moment in Northern Ireland’s cultural history — 75 Years of the Lyric Theatre and the opening of the major new exhibition A House of Play.

Recorded at the Lyric itself, this episode dives into the story of a theatre that has shaped generations of artists, writers and audiences. Robin & Jane meet Clare O’Malley, granddaughter of the Lyric’s visionary founder Mary O’Malley, who reflects on her grandmother’s legacy and the fearless spirit that gave the theatre life back in 1951.

They’re also joined by Claire Murray, Head of Marketing & Development, who gives us a sneak peek at the exciting programme of events planned as part of the anniversary celebrations.

A House of Play: 75 Years of the Lyric Theatre Belfast opens to the public this week and runs from 30 January to 8 November 2026. Curated by Kim Mawhinney, the free exhibition charts the Lyric’s journey from Mary O’Malley’s home on Derryvolgie Avenue to its role today as Northern Ireland’s only producing theatre and a vital creative hub. The exhibition places Mary O’Malley firmly at the heart of the story and highlights the Lyric’s influence on artists such as Seamus Heaney, Brian Friel, Helen Lewis, John Hewitt and Sam McCready.

Expect stunning artworks from the Lyric’s historic New Gallery, rare editions of Threshold magazine, a recreation of the original home theatre, archival treasures, and a newly commissioned artwork by Colin Davidson.

The opening week is packed with special performances, music, poetry, talks and screenings featuring guests including Medbh McGuckian, Anne Devlin, Colin Davidson and more. ✨

Whether you love theatre, Irish arts history, or stories of creative risk and imagination, this is an episode not to miss.

👉 Listen now, subscribe, and join us in celebrating 75 years of a true house of play.

For exhibition details and opening week events, visit www.lyrictheatre.co.uk

#RobinAndJaneInTheStalls #LyricTheatreBelfast #AHouseOfPlay #IrishTheatre #TheatrePodcast #BelfastArts #MaryOMalley #TheatreHistory 🎟️🎶

🎭✨ Robin & Jane In The Stalls – Belfast Gets Its Party On! ✨🎭

This week on Robin & Jane In The Stalls, we’re heading to Belfast’s Grand Opera House for a big, bold, feel-good night out with HERE & NOW – The Steps Musical, running until Saturday!

Get ready to move your feet and feel the beat as Robin & Jane dive into the brand-new jukebox musical packed with the iconic hits of pop legends Steps. Hailed as “the biggest jukebox hit since MAMMA MIA!” (The Sun), this show is a full-on celebration of love, friendship, and chasing that happy ending 💃🕺

It’s Friday night, the vibe is right, and Caz and her fabulous friends are dreaming of the perfect summer of love. But when happily-ever-after turns out to be a lie, romance goes off the rails, and hearts are on the line… will love finally get a hold on them, or is it time to take a chance on a brand-new ending?

Featuring wall-to-wall bangers including 5, 6, 7, 8, One for Sorrow, Better The Devil You Know, Deeper Shade of Blue and more, this is pure musical heaven (The Star on Sunday).

Produced by Steps, ROYO, and Pete Waterman, it’s a night of nostalgia, laughs, and feel-good fun.

🎧 Watch & listen now for Robin & Jane’s full review, reactions, and all the theatre chat you love.

👍 Like, 💬 comment, and 🔔 subscribe so you never miss a seat in the stalls!

#RobinAndJaneInTheStalls #HereAndNowTheMusical #StepsMusical #TheatreReview #GrandOperaHouseBelfast #MusicalTheatre #JukeboxMusical #TheatrePodcast

Robin & Jane take a look back at the best theatre moments of 2025!  

Plus who will Robin & Jane award Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Director, Best Musical & Best Overall Theatre Production to?? 

 Robin & Jane In The Stalls – A Christmas Carol (Lyric Theatre,

🎭 Robin & Jane In The Stalls — Episode: Faust-ish at the Lyric Theatre, Belfast 🎭

This week on Theatre Review Podcast: Robin & Jane In The Stalls, our reviewers head to Belfast’s Lyric Theatre to experience Faust-ish — Big Telly’s wickedly inventive reimagining of the Faust legend, running until 9th November as part of this year’s Belfast International Arts Festival.

🔥 Fresh from Off Broadway, where Big Telly picked up Best Production for Granny Jackson’s Dead, the company is back on home turf — and this time, the devil’s got a Northern Irish accent.

💬 Join Robin and Jane as they unpack this devilishly funny, fast-paced, and fabulously farcical new production. Expect talk of torchlit search parties, political satire, sharp humour, and that trademark Big Telly mix of mischief and heart.

Can Faith Hughes — a 45-year-old MLA trying to fix the world — bargain her way back to her lost soul? Or has Lucifer already won? Tune in for insights, laughter, and plenty of craic from the stalls!

🎧 Listen now for their full review, behind-the-scenes chat, and all the theatrical gossip you love.

📍 Faust-ish runs at the Lyric Theatre, Belfast, until 9th November — don’t miss your chance to see it!

👇 Subscribe, like, and drop a comment if you’ve seen the show — we’d love to hear your thoughts!

#TheatreReviewPodcast #RobinAndJaneInTheStalls #BigTelly #Faustish #LyricTheatreBelfast #BelfastInternationalArtsFestival #NITheatre #TheatreReview #Podcast #BelfastArts #FaustReimagined #IrishTheatre