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Louise Penn on Muck Rack

Louise Penn

(She/Her)
London
As seen in: BroadwayWorld, Letterboxd, TheReviewsHub, LouReviews, North West End UK, Plays International
Covers:  theatre,arts,exhibitions,books,films,archive television,fringe theatre,musicals,classic cinema
Doesn't Cover: I no longer cover education, having left academia in 2018

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Louise Penn’s Biography

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I am a theatre and arts critic, reviewer, and published writer with a particular interest in contemporary performance, underrepresented voices, and the evolving relationship between theatre and audiences. My work spans reviewing, interviews, criticism, and academic writing, and I regularly cover productions across London’s vibrant theatre landscape as well as digital performances from around the world.

In September 2025, I was invited to join the Critics' Circle, the professional association re…

Louise Penn’s Journalist Portfolio

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Edinburgh Fringe 2026 interviews - LouReviews

Edinburgh Fringe 2026 interviews - LouReviews

Read more than 160 interviews with creatives about their Edinburgh Fringe 2026 shows. The profiles range from…

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Review: BBC PROMS: FROM THE ALPS TO THE AUVERGNE, Royal Albert Hall

Review: BBC PROMS: FROM THE ALPS TO THE AUVERGNE, Royal Albert Hall

The thene of the evening is the great outdoors, with the LEO'S blending of the old and new making the audienc…

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Review: BBC PROMS: BLACK DYKE BAND, Royal Albert Hall

Review: BBC PROMS: BLACK DYKE BAND, Royal Albert Hall

Black Dyke Band brings its popular programme of classics and movie music, written or arranged for brass, to t…

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Review: COMPAŇÍA MARCO FLORES - RAYUELA, Sadler's Wells East

Review: COMPAŇÍA MARCO FLORES - RAYUELA, Sadler's Wells East

In Reyuela, Flores and his collaborators see flamenco as a game of risk, mischievousness, and arrogance. Reyu…

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Review: ZOONATION YOUTH COMPANY, Royal Ballet And Opera

Review: ZOONATION YOUTH COMPANY, Royal Ballet And Opera

ZooNation Youth Company presents two shows as part of the Next Generation Festival 2026 - a showcase for danc…

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"Pride" by Stephen Beresford London theatre review

"Pride" by Stephen Beresford London theatre review

Louise Penn on the South Bank ★★★★★ 28 June 2026 It's 1984, and the pre-show tunes and slides remind us

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Articles

Female theatre reviewers project: Louise Penn – LouReviews (me!)

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By Louise Penn
| LouReviews
Welcome back to my series celebrating female colleagues who engage with theatre as critics, reviewers, bloggers or content creators. I am using ‘theatre’ to encompass all live arts performances, and ‘reviewer’ to cover all those who add commentary on what they see. The master list is at: https://loureviews.blog/spotlight-on-female-theatre-reviewers-bloggers-critics-and-content-creators/ If you would like to be profiled as part of this project, please get in touch.
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Digital review: Caroline – a New Musical at New Wolsey Theatre

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By Louise Penn
| LouReviews
Music is the focus of Caroline the Musical, a show about the birth of Radio Caroline, the pirate broadcaster, recorded for digital presentation at the New Wolsey Theatre and directed by Douglas Rintoul. Set against a parade of hits from the 1960s, it sets out how bands and advertisers came together to target young listeners. And what a soundtrack – from the Stones to Spencer Davis, the Kinks to Lulu.
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Play review: Night City at Southwark Playhouse Borough

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By Louise Penn
| LouReviews
Max Wilkinson‘s Night City is a dramatic exploration of the highs and lows of London’s gig economy, seen through the eyes of a cab driver, a waitress and a carer. In just 90 minutes, Ebenezer Bamgboye’s fast-paced production allows a three-person cast to portray numerous supporting characters who populate the main stories of Jack (Jack Ambrose), Tia (Bex Smith) and Tamara (Helena Pipe).
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Interview

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What was your first job as a journalist?

My first article was published in 2000.

Have you ever used a typewriter?

Yes, and I have the RSA level qualifications to prove it

How is social media changing news?

By making headlines happen quickly, whether fake or real.