Explore every episode of the podcast A & O Review the Show

This week, we head to The Other Palace for Hot Mess, a new British musical about love, relationships and serious implications for the human race if it goes wrong.

Earth has been single for a few billion years when Humanity comes along. He's exciting, ambitious and full of potential but as their whirlwind romance develops, he starts taking a little too much. We discuss whether this unlikely rom-com metaphor works, the chemistry and performances that carry an entire two-person musical, and how Hot Mess turns climate change and humanity's relationship with the planet into the ultimate toxic love story.

We also ponder some of the bigger questions: is going to the Moon technically cheating? If Humanity can survive on Mars, couldn't he survive a slightly ruined Earth? And just who does Earth date after Humanity?

Then, in Adrian's Corner, we browse the Solar System's singles to discover which heavenly body is looking for love. Expect enormous peaks, very deep canyons, extremely long-distance relationships and one former planet who's trying not to get hung up on labels.

Join us to find out why Hot Mess thankfully wasn't a hot mess at all.

This week, we're back in London and heading to the Bridge Theatre for The Oresteia, an epic modern reworking of one of Ancient Greece's bloodiest family dramas.

We dive into a spectacularly dysfunctional family plagued by murder, revenge, betrayal and an apparently irresistible urge to kill absolutely everyone. We discuss the powerhouse cast, including Mary-Louise Parker and David Morrissey, the extraordinary full-size house built on stage, and how a Greek tragedy lasting more than three hours somehow managed to keep even Adrian engrossed.

Plus, after discovering that murder, adultery and family revenge aren't exclusive to Ancient Greece, Adrian's Corner asks the question nobody knew needed answering: Albert Square or Ancient Greece?

Greek tragedy or EastEnders plotline? Sometimes, it's surprisingly difficult to tell.

Join us to find out... and maybe bring an ice cream. There are two intervals, after all.

This week, we escape London and take A & O Review the Show on the road for our first Edinburgh Fringe special!Recorded in Edinburgh itself, we dive into three very different shows from the world’s biggest arts festival. First, Legendary takes us on a deeply personal journey through identity, family, Chinese mythology and Mandopop. Then Police Cops sends us hurtling into a gloriously ridiculous American buddy-cop parody involving tragic backstories, invisible guns, an evil drug lord and a suspiciously important cat. Finally, Bliss turns the traditional fairy tale musical on its head with four princesses, a fairy godfather, a magical pink lagoon and a rather different idea of happily ever after.We discuss what worked, what didn't, what made us laugh far more than expected, and which shows we think have a life beyond Edinburgh.

Three shows, two podcasters, one slightly frantic dash for the train home. Join us for Edinburgh Fringe 2026!Chapters:00:00 Introduction

01:14 Olivia in Edinburgh

03:35 Show 1 - Legendary

05:37 Initial Thoughts Post Show Chat

06:34 Chinese Myths

07:44 Further Thoughts on Legendary

14:12: Show 2 - Police Cops

16:20 Initial Thoughts Post Show Chat

18:44 One Liners

19:55 Stereotypes

23:23 Police Cops in Space

25:23 Show 3 - Bliss

28:40: Initial Thoughts Post Show Chat

30:27 Power to the Princesses!

31:18 Family Friendly

34:53 Final Thoughts

We’re running a little later than usual this week — but for a very good reason.

We’re currently at the Edinburgh Fringe, putting together a special episode from the festival itself. So bear with us for just a few more days while we squeeze in a few more shows, questionable decisions and probably far too much theatre.

Our Edinburgh Fringe 2026 special is coming very soon!

This week, we head to London’s Soho Theatre for The Hit Machine, a new play starring Josh Radnor and Noah Galvin, set in the world of music production but driven by something far messier: family.

We discuss the chemistry between its two estranged brothers, the humour threaded through their shared trauma, and why this intimate three-person drama turned out to be much more entertaining than we expected. We also get into the live music-making, Noah Galvin’s remarkable voice, and whether the story earns its rather rapid final resolution.

Along the way, Adrian tries to separate genuine chart hits from Eurovision entries, involving disco ducks, purple people eaters and at least one song about baking a cake.

Can these brothers rediscover their rhythm and become a hit machine together? Join us to find out.

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction

01:11 Synopsis

01:50 Initial Impressions

09:10 Story & Characterisation

19:19 Set Design, Costume & Choreography

24:42 Final Thoughts

25:55 Adrian’s Corner: Chart Hit or Eurovision Entry?

This week, we head to London's West End for Oh, Mary!, the award-winning comedy that imagines the final weeks of Mary Todd Lincoln as you've definitely never seen them before.

We discuss whether this wildly irreverent American hit translates across the Atlantic and the standout performances (including a brilliant understudy stepping into Catherine Tate's role).

Along the way, we compare British and American comedy, debate whether slapstick can go too far, and in Adrian's Corner separate Presidential history from complete historical nonsense.

Did Abraham Lincoln really wrestle for fun? Did Mary Lincoln really hold séances in the White House? And did she actually shoot the President herself?

Join us to find out.

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction

01:25 Synopsis

02:13 Historical Context

04:39 Where’s Catherine Tate?

06:19 Initial Impressions & Personal Connections

07:56 Humour vs. Humor

09:10 Story & Characterisation

20:31 Set Design, Costume & Choreography

23:39 Final Thoughts

27:45 Adrian’s Corner: Presidential History or Drunk History? [Lincoln Edition]

This week, we head to London’s Old Vic Theatre for Glengarry Glen Ross, David Mamet’s Pulitzer Prize-winning drama of ruthless salespeople, corporate ambition, and enough fast-talking to make your estate agent blush.

We discuss the standout performances, the decision to cast the production entirely with women, and why we left feeling it was a fascinating revival that never quite fulfilled its potential.Along the way, Adrian discovers the baffling world of American real estate, Olivia revisits a play she first encountered at university, and Adrian’s Corner puts some legendary business slogans to the test.

Sell the sizzle, not the steak… separate the sheep from the goats… and when the customer gets prickly, get pricklier.

Join us to find out why the hedgehog might just be the next great business guru.

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction

01:14 Synopsis

02:21 Initial Impressions & Personal Connections

07:24 Story & Characterisation

15:01 Let’s Talk about the all-female cast

23:30 Set Design, Costume & Staging

32:37 Final Thoughts

33:53 Adrian’s Corner: Business Mantra or Drunken LinkedIn post?

This episode, Adrian & Olivia saddle up for War Horse at London’s National Theatre.

In this theatre review, they discuss the breathtaking puppetry, the emotional journey of Joey and Albert, and why this First World War epic remains one of the most celebrated productions in modern theatre. Along the way, Adrian revisits the original novel, questions just how far one should go for a horse, and discovers that some of the book’s most moving moments never made it to the stage.

Also featuring: military pigeons, a beer-drinking army bear, and a goose that may have stolen the entire show.

War Horse… or War Goose? Tune in to find out.

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction

00:48 Synopsis

01:50 Initial Impressions & Personal Connections

09:01 Story & Characterisation

15:18 Let's talk about Albert

21:01 Let's talk about the Novel

29:53 Set Design, Staging & Choreography

32:50 Puppetry, War Goose, Lighting & Costumes

38:27 Final Thoughts

39:33 Adrian's Corner: Real or Fake War Animal

Adrian & Olivia head to the Young Vic for Care, a moving and deeply human new play by Alexander Zeldinthat shines a light on life inside a care home.

In this theatre review, they discuss the powerful performances, the striking realism and the difficult questions the production raises about ageing, memory, independence, and the social care system. Drawing on their personal experiences, they also reflect on the emotional realities faced by families, professional carers, and the millions of unpaid carers who quietly support loved ones every day.

It’s not the easiest night at the theatre, but it may be one of the most important.

Warning: This episode looks at a show that deals with death, social care and mental health, as well as personal stories relating to these themes which some may find distressing.

If after the episode you feel like you need extra support, the BBC has a list of charities and organisations which may be able to help. You can find it at www.bbc.co.uk/actionline

Chapters:

00:00 Disclaimer

00:32 Introduction

01:49 Synopsis

03:04 Initial Impressions & Personal Connections

07:00 Story & Characterisation

15:30 Direction

18:47 Themes

27:13 Set & Staging

31:18 Final Thoughts

34:09 Adrian's Corner: Unsung Heroes of Unpaid Carers

Adrian & Olivia are back for London’s West End gloriously chaotic production of Avenue Q, the puppet-filled musical where adulthood is confusing, the internet is questionable, and absolutely nothing is suitable for children.

In this review, they revisit the cult musical comedy that blends Sesame Street-style puppetry with very grown-up problems, unpacking whether its outrageous humour, surprisingly heartfelt songs and existential millennial panic still hold up more than twenty years later.

From purpose and unemployment to bad decisions and very inappropriate puppets, there’s plenty to discuss — including how this West End revival has updated the show for 2026 audiences.

So the internet is for… podcasts? Tune in and watch to find out.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction & Life Updates

02:10 Updates

03:53 Avenue Q Show History

05:15 Personal Connections with the Show

08:35 Story & Characterisation

18:31 The Music

23:01 The Puppets, Set & Staging

29:29 Final Thoughts

31:27 Adrian’s Corner: Millennial Self-Help Podcast or Avenue Q Song?

Adrian & Olivia head to London’s West End for John Proctor is the Villain, the acclaimed new play inspired by The Crucible that’s been turning heads on both sides of the Atlantic.

Set in a small-town American high school, the story follows a group of teenage girls studying Arthur Miller while navigating friendship, feminism, reputation, and the uncomfortable question of who gets to be called a “good man.”

In this theatre review, Adrian & Olivia peek inside the auditorium to see why this emotionally charged production has become one of the most talked-about plays to hit the West End this year.

From classroom debates to Lorde-fuelled catharsis, there’s a lot to unpack.

John Proctor: tragic hero or walking red flag? Tune in to find out.

This week, Adrian & Olivia swap the West End for the National Theatre, stepping into the seductive and scandalous world of Les Liaisons Dangereuses where manipulation is an art form and romance is anything but innocent.

In this review, they delve into the performances, the backdrop, and discuss the themes of the show in amongst its dark games of power and persuasion at the heart of this classic drama.

From whispered schemes to full-blown betrayal, they ask who really comes out on top, and whether it's the audience.

A quick note for the visually inclined: our camera decided to stage its own dramatic exit for about 20 minutes. The video takes a brief intermission, but the audio carries on flawlessly because unlike certain characters, we remain committed to the truth.

So, consider yourself invited to the party… if you dare.

This week, Adrian & Olivia head to London’s West End for Operation Mincemeat, the wild musical turning one of Britain’s strangest wartime schemes into a brilliantly bonkers night at the theatre.

In this theatre review, they unpack the British humour with a U, the delightfully daring performances and the audacity of turning a top-secret WWII deception into a fast paced, laugh out loud musical.

From stiff upper lip absurdity to moments of genuine heart, they explore why this unlikely hit has become one of the West End’s most talked about shows.

Top-secret triumph or classified catastrophe? Tune in - your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to find out.

This week, Adrian & Olivia venture Into the Woods in London’s West End, where fairy tales collide, wishes come true… and then everything goes slightly, spectacularly wrong.

In this theatre review, they take on Stephen Sondheim’s beloved musical, unravelling the intertwining stories, the unforgettable score, and the not-so-happily-ever-afters lurking beneath the surface.

From princes in agony to consequences that really stick around, they explore whether this clever yet chaotic classic still casts its spell on a modern West End audience.

Agony… or happily ever after? Tune in to find out.

This week, Adrian & Olivia dive headfirst into the deliciously outrageous world of Mel Brooks’ The Producers. A film that got turned into a musical, that got turned into a film.

From over the top performances to jokes that absolutely should not work, they revel in chaos, comedy, and the sheer audacity of it all.

Is it a smash hit, or the most entertaining flop ever seen? And will Olivia be able to identify the fakes from the bonafide hit shows in Adrian's premiere round of Real or Fake, Flop or Not?

Adrian & Olivia head to one of the West End’s biggest stages for one of Disney’s biggest new musicals: Hercules. Bringing the beloved animated film to life on stage, it promises gods, monsters, and plenty of gospel-inspired showstoppers.

But does the latest outing from Disney truly go the distance? Adrian and Olivia dive into whether this mythological adventure lives up to the legend.

Hero… or zero? And more importantly will they say they’re in love? Listen in to find out and an introduction to Adrian's Shakespeare interpretations.

Adrian & Olivia return to a true West End institution Les Misérables, the longest-running musical in town.

They soak up the soaring score, the sweeping drama and, of course, the unapologetic Frenchness of it all. Does it all hold up? And why is Marius a personal bug bear of Adrian's?

Pull up a seat and join them for a lively chat about one of the most iconic shows ever to grace a West End stage.

In their second episode, Olivia & Adrian head back into the West End to revisit Oliver! - the beloved classic based on Dickens’ tale, with music and lyrics by Lionel Bart.They dive into the music, the storytelling, and the scale of this latest revival, asking whether it still packs an emotional punch in 2026. Does it feel timeless or simply of its time?So, pull up a seat, and consider yourself among theatregoers.

In their debut pilot episode, Olivia & Adrian head to the West End to review My Neighbour Totoro, the acclaimed stage adaptation of the beloved film from Studio Ghibli brought to life by the Royal Shakespeare Company.

With its award-winning puppetry and inventive staging, the production has become one of London’s most talked about theatrical events. But does the magic of the on-screen original survive the leap to the stage?

Olivia and Adrian discuss the spectacle, the storytelling, and whether the nostalgia helps or hinders the experience. And a lot of marvelling at the puppetry. Plus, a verdict from a Mum.