SMALL STAGE, BIG HEART, AND EVEN BIGGER VOICES

By Tanya Howard | Founder, The Live Review London · @glamglitzlondon ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Press Invite

A ladies’ room in Seattle might not sound like the setting for an emotional rollercoaster. And yet Stalled: A New Musical at King’s Head Theatre delivers exactly that. With a female-led creative team and a powerhouse cast, this new musical explores the messy, beautiful reality of motherhood, identity, and moving on. And trust me on this, you’re going to want to bring tissues, you’re going to need them!

Set in a bouji Seattle bathroom, Stalled introduces a diverse group of women who each bring their own struggles and secrets into the stalls. From a frazzled mother trying to connect with her neurodivergent daughter to a fiery teenage poet. A queer computer scientist struggling with her identity and a woman holding in a heart-breaking secret. The show weaves together their stories with a mix of humour, heart, and unfiltered honesty.

Leading the cast is Lauren Ward as Maggie, and let me just say, wow! Her ability to convey raw emotion while belting out a powerful ballad is something to behold. One moment she’s breaking your heart, and the next, she’s hitting notes that make you sit up a little straighter. Josie Benson as Cynthia also stands out with her commanding stage presence and smooth, soulful vocals.

TEARS, LAUGHTER, AND RAW EMOTION, STALLED DELIVERS IT ALL

Grace Venus brings a beautiful authenticity to her role as the neurodivergent Emma, portraying the character with sensitivity and depth. The entire cast delivered compelling and heartfelt performances, with each actor having a moment to shine. While there were a few times when I expected a full throttle belting moment that didn’t arrive, the emotional weight of the performances more than made up for it.

The King’s Head Theatre is an intimate venue, but Stalled made every inch of the stage count. The staging is clever, using the bathroom as both a literal and metaphorical backdrop for the characters’ emotional journeys. The confined space mirrors the feeling of being “stalled” in life, making the moments of emotion release even more powerful.

Stalled is not your average night at the theatre. The show is a refreshing and much-needed celebration of women’s voices, with a story that feels both deeply personal and universally relatable. It doesn’t shy away from the messiness of life but instead embraces it with warmth, heart, and raw honesty. Don’t say I didn’t warn you about bringing your tissues, and prepare to be moved.

Stalled: A New Musical is running at King’s Head Theatre until Sunday 23 March.

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Photo Credit: Johan Persson