Category: Review

The Belgrade Theatre bursts into a riot of colour, sass, and Dolly‑powered defiance this week with 9 to 5 The Musical – a feel‑good, high‑energy production that proves just how timeless its message of solidarity really is.

Inspired by the much-loved 1980s film, 9 to 5 The Musical is a joyful story about friendship, courage and standing up for what’s right, all set to toe-tapping tunes by the late great country music legend Dolly Parton, which have you humming long after the curtain falls.

What begins as a bright, nostalgic trip into late‑70s office culture quickly becomes a sharply observed, irresistibly fun celebration of women rewriting the rules.

At the heart of the show are its three leading ladies – each delivering performances that are as charismatic as they are vocally impressive. Violet’s no‑nonsense pragmatism, Judy’s wide‑eyed vulnerability and Doralee’s whip‑smart charm form a dynamic that feels both familiar and freshly energised. Their chemistry is effortless, their comedic timing razor‑clean, and when their harmonies lock in, the auditorium lifts.

Doralee, in particular, is a standout: funny, fierce, and far more layered than the caricature her boss assumes she is. Judy’s transformation from timid newcomer to empowered woman is beautifully paced, while Violet’s leadership anchors the trio with warmth and bite.

No production of 9 to 5 works without a truly odious Franklin Hart Jr., and Coventry gets one with gusto. The performance is gloriously grotesque – equal parts swagger, sleaze, and slapstick. His scenes are played with such exaggerated bravado that the audience delights in every downfall he suffers. It’s cartoonish in the best possible way, a satire of toxic masculinity that still lands with contemporary relevance.

The Belgrade’s staging is slick, colourful, and cleverly modular, shifting from cubicles to living rooms to fantasy sequences with seamless ease. The choreography is punchy and playful, leaning into the show’s comedic heart while still delivering polished ensemble numbers.

The band, tucked neatly into the scenery of the show, keeps the pace driving forward with Dolly Parton’s unmistakable musical DNA. The title number is, unsurprisingly, a crowd‑pleaser, but it’s the quieter moments of character growth that give the production its emotional weight.

Despite its glitter, humour, and camp theatricality, 9 to 5 remains a story about workplace inequality, misogyny, and the power of collective action. The Belgrade’s production never loses sight of that. It balances the fun with a clear-eyed understanding of why this narrative continues to matter. The result is a show that feels both nostalgic and pointedly current.

9 to 5 The Musical at the Belgrade Theatre is a joyous, big-hearted triumph – very funny, empowering, and packed with standout performances. It’s a night of theatre that sends audiences out grinning, humming, and maybe feeling just a little more ready to take on the world.

A sparkling, feel-good hit with real bite and the timing feels right with the show playing the best possible tribute to the late Parton’s musical legacy.

It plays until Saturday, with matinees on Thursday and Saturday and tickets are available HERE.

Coombe Abbey has never been a venue that does things by halves. Its Sunday Lunch-Inspired Afternoon Tea is yet another example of the estate’s flair for theatrical dining and playful indulgence.

Served on Sundays (of course!) in the hotel’s light-flooded Garden Room, the experience feels special on this summer’s afternoon. It’s the kind of setting that encourages you to slow down, lean in, and savour.

But was this creative twist on two much-loved British traditions a quirk too far? No. It was a fun experience.

Where most afternoon teas begin with dainty sandwiches, on the day we were there, a serving board of delights was presented to us consisting of a miniature Yorkshire pudding filled with tender slices of roast beef and creamed horseradish sauce. They’re warm, crispy (just how I like them!) and unapologetically hearty – an affectionate nod indeed to the enjoyed Sunday ritual.

Alongside them, lemon and thyme roast chicken, maple glazed pigs in blankets, duck fat roast potato truffle, cauliflower cheese gratin, cheese scone, chicken and stuffing sandwiches and, some may say surprisingly, a mini fish and chips supper! It’s a line-up that feels generous, if not perhaps well-balanced, with each item echoing the flavours of classic English dishes without being completely true to the Sunday Lunch theme per se.

This didn’t worry me in the least as each culinary component was a real treat for the tastebuds – and, as someone whose always had more of a savoury tooth, this is my preference to the usual cakes and patisserie overload of your standard Afternoon Tea fare.

That said, of course, some sweetness is always welcome after Sunday Lunch – and a (as they should be but rarely are) very crumbly apple crumble and cube of sticky toffee pudding with butterscotch sauce satisfied our craving without feeling like overload.

Service is polished but personable, with staff leaning into the playful concept while maintaining the Abbey’s signature sense of occasion. Hot drink refills are prompt and bottomless, and I was particularly impressed with their extensive coffee blends menu – not just the tea stealing the show here!

All in all, Coombe Abbey’s Sunday Lunch-Inspired Afternoon Tea is a charming reinvention of two beloved traditions. It’s imaginative without being overly gimmicky, indulgent without being overwhelming, and firmly rooted firmly in the estate’s talent for storytelling through food.

There are several Afternoon Tea themes currently on offer at Coombe, including Abbot’s, Monk’s, Knight’s and even a version for the children! (What a great idea) But this one certainly wins in the ‘unique’ stakes.

And don’t go under the illusion that you’ll leave feeling less satisfied than after the standard Sunday Lunch. In fact, go hungry to get the best from it.

Sunday Lunch Inspired Afternoon Tea is served on Sundays in four sittings between 12.15pm and 3pm, priced at £45 per person, with pre-booking recommended due to high demand.

For more information or to book, visit HERE.

Tallinn is a city that feels like it’s been sketched from two different dreams: one medieval, one modern.

Its Old Town – all cobbled lanes, spired churches and honey‑coloured stone – is a UNESCO‑listed wonder that looks almost too perfect to be real. But step beyond those ancient walls and you’ll find a city pulsing with creativity, digital innovation and a Nordic‑Baltic cool that’s entirely its own.

Beyond the Old Town lies Telliskivi Creative City, Tallinn’s hipster‑industrial playground of street art, indie boutiques, concept stores, craft breweries and design studios. It’s the city’s creative engine – youthful, bold and buzzing with ideas.

While nearby, the Balti Jaama Market is a modern food hall and shopping space that blends local produce with global flavours. It’s the perfect place to sample Estonian delicacies or grab a coffee before exploring the neighbourhood.

But nature lies at the city’s edge and Tallinn’s coastline offers peaceful beaches, pine forests and quiet walking trails. Pirita Beach is a favourite in summer, while the nearby Kadriorg Park – home to the elegant Kadriorg Palace – is a serene escape year‑round.

The city’s compact size makes it easy to blend culture, nature and dining into a single day without ever feeling rushed.

Tallinn is a city of contrasts – ancient yet innovative, cosy yet cosmopolitan, calm yet creative. It’s a place where you can sip mulled wine in a medieval square, admire cutting‑edge digital art an hour later, and finish the day with a sunset view from the TV Tower.

It’s charming, clever, and endlessly surprising – a Baltic gem that rewards both slow wandering and curious exploration. And I fell deeply, madly in love with it.

Here are some of my personal highlights from our woefully short three-day visit. . .

Lennusadam Seaplane Harbour – Billed as ‘one of the most magnificent maritime museums in Northern Europe’ – and I wouldn’t argue! This jaw-dropping 8,000 m²  hangar space delivers on the ‘wow factor.’

Highlights include the authentic submarine Lembit (one of two mine-laying subs built for the Republic of Estonia before World War II) and the steam-powered icebreaker vessel Suur Toll (originally built for the Russian Empire in 1914.)

Fat Margaret Museum and Visitor Centre – a UNESCO World Heritage complex cleverly curated into an impressive exhibition telling towering tales of the sea. Joint admission ticket for both these museums represents excellent value.

Pop & Contemporary Art Museum (Poco) – PoCo opened its doors in Tallinn in 2023, transforming over 1,000 m² into a living, evolving canvas for global pop and contemporary art. The museum began life as a personal obsession of Estonian tech pioneer Linnar Viik but is now home to hundreds of works from artists who reflect the world we live in.

The space brings together paintings, sculptures, glass works, documentary material and site-specific installations, reflecting on the intertwined histories of Helsinki and Tallinn.

And last but most definitely not least. . . Tallinn Telephone Tower – At 314 metres the tallest building in Estonia, Tallinn Telephone Tower was opened on 11th July 1980. This followed its selection as the site of the Olympic sailing events in Moscow’s year as Summer Olympics host.

Tallinn TV Tower is also one of the most important symbols of the restoration of Estonian independence, as it was the site of numerous events sparked by the Estonian Supreme Council’s decision of 20th August 1991 to declare Estonia re-independent.

The 170-metre-high observation platform was open to visitors until November 2007,  reopening again in April 2012 after undergoing a full renovation.

The architects’ vision called for a new entrance structure, which adds grandeur and preserves a clear view of the tower. What became the highest observation platform in Northern Europe was opened on the 22nd floor, a modern interactive exhibition designed and the public areas given a thoroughly modern makeover.

This is also the year the highest panoramic restaurant in Northern Europe opened on this floor.

If you want to make your Tower experience unique however, you can walk around its edge! Not one for me but, if you’re brave enough, the Edge Walk, available April-October, must be the most breathtaking way to take in those aerial views around the tower’s full perimeter.

There is plenty to explore inside however, from the TV Tower History Exhibition to VR Flight Around The Tower Experience, offering a thrill level well suited for those who, like me, prefer to keep their feet firmly planted.

But it’s the TV Tower Café-Restaurant that, for me, will actually live on as the most memorable part of this visitor experience, offering a chance to dine above the city in a space that blends modern design with sweeping views . It’s one of those rare places where the setting becomes part of the meal. On a clear day, the horizon extends all the way to Helsinki!

But don’t make the mistake that this experience is style over substance. The food stands out as prominently as the tower itself. Inspired by Estonian nature and the changing seasons, the menu offers seasonal dishes crafted from the finest ingredients sourced from local, small-scale producers. Each dish tells its own story, combining genuine local flavours with a modern approach.

I would go as far as to say, this is one of the best culinary experiences I’ve been lucky enough to encounter – and easily one of the most surprising.

Fine dining with an even finer view. Now that has to be a winning recipe for tourists and locals alike.

If the skies aren’t cooperating, the tower offers a charming Good Weather Guarantee: visit on a day with poor visibility, get your ticket stamped, and return within two months free of charge.

A Tower admission ticket is required to secure one of the dining best spots in town – but I am not at all surprised to learn that it’s a foodie destination in its own right and if I were local, I’d be ascending these lofty levels of culinary excellence time and time again.

Learn more HERE.

The best way to get the most out of your stay in this beautiful city is with a Visit Tallinn Card. Find out more HERE.

This was the second part of my two-centre holiday in Helsinki and Tallinn. Read all about Helsinki HERE.