★★★★ REVIEW: The Little Big Things (@sohoplace) | the new West End musical

[@amandastumpff5252]

I have muscular dystrophy and use a scooter or wheelchair 100% of the time, and I so desperately wanted to go into musical theater when I was younger, but I was actually told by a director once that if I could not dance my way across the stage, I could never go that route, which broke my heart. I wish they would have been opportunities like this when I was a kid because I think I would have drastically changed what I decided to do after high school. It really is so important to have trailblazers pave the way for you and to see people like you up on the stage and represented. I personally cannot begin to tell you how powerful that is. And it’s even more important for others to see people with differences represented so that they make opportunities and room for everyone.

[@MsJaytee1975]

Amy Trigg is a disabled goddess. She’s a brilliant writer as well as a great actress. A weird contrarian part of me likes that this is a four star show and not a five star one. There’s often pressure on disabled people who are in any professional environment to be better than everyone else, to justify why we’re there. I like that this is receiving praise and criticism, it normalises our inclusion. Btw, I really appreciate you calling the show uplifting rather than inspirational.

[@livywoodward8666]

She was absolutely hilarious! I loved how her character had so much to her, she was funny, sexy and a great support to Henry.

[@emmabeeden248]

As a disabled person who adores musicals I never thought I would see a musical about disability acceptance featuring actual disabled people playing disabled characters with personalities, relationships and stories. I was really concerned it was going to be full of 'inspiration porn' but I loved it! You could tell so many of the jokes/lines were written by disabled people as they were so real to life!

[@Deano_P]

Saw this last night and absolutely loved it. Since having my left leg amputated in August, I use a wheelchair and the venue is perfectly accessible. The show was awesome and full of energy and so many paralels with my own disability experience. 😊

[@matthewplampton955]

I've never been in a audience before where everyone seemed to be collectively crying. Heart wrenching and warming show. Absolutely loved it.

[@katecavill]

I'm so looking forward to seeing this. Thanks for the insightful review as always. Its so fantastic to see the movement towards greater inclusivity in casting and as someone who is a wheelchair user and has aspirations of becoming a professional actor, this gives me hope and drive to keep pushing forward!

[@Showtunediva]

I want to thank you Ellie and Aeron for reviewing this musical. I have a vision impairment,cerebral palsy and an autism spectrum disorder. We need more musicals like this. If it comes to Broadway I’d absolutely go to see it. Love you MickeyJo!❤️

[@thomasscottwilliams6672]

I became disabled at the age of 40, and it turned my life upside down and shook my family to the core, a really tough transition, now in a wheelchair suffering severe chronic pain and my career ended and I had to learn to accept how to be me that is me now, a five to seven years transition, I became a completely different person from who I was before, really unrecognisable.

[@martinpascoe6296]

Several months ago I bought a ticket as I was keen to experience the theatre itself (having worked with the architect many years ago) No idea of the show itself. I came out saying WOW WOW WOW. Loved the show. Great music well produced. Clever set design for theatre in the round. Excellent cast and emotional acting/singing. I saw it again last night for the 7th time. About to close tomorrow so wont be able to go again but have loved every performance.

[@richardmccarthy9580]

I saw it last night…..thought it was fantastic…..listened to other audience members who were confirming they were attending on the final day on 2 March. Having listened to your review again I empathise with suggested improvements (albeit your comment regarding seeing the first and last line of each chapter…..went to see Les Mis afterwards….where jumping years/decades is virtually common place !). Ps Royal Exchange in Manchester could be an alternative venue for the show

[@ajmalaika1287]

I read the book a while ago I had no idea it was becoming a musical still the poster popped up. Excited for the review and love the poster design 😍

[@emt387]

So I seem to be in the minority but as someone with a similar injury to Henry, this musical made me feel kind of icky. I LOVED the representation on stage - it's such a talented cast - but actually really didn't love the levels of toxic positivity that this show puts out. I liked the narrative around the reconciliation of pre/post injury selves and the portrayal of how a family is affected by SCI - this felt very real and relatable to me - but I do think the story glosses over too much of the grieving process. The message kind of felt like it was just 'think positive thoughts and you will accept everything and be applauded for 'getting over' you disability'. I'm sure lots of people will feel seen just by having this story in the west end but for me it's just another Disability story for the non-disabled gaze. Amy Trigg was FAB though - will be keeping an eye on what she does next - her character Agnes was more interesting than HF for me.

[@liviealwitt552]

I was able to rent this from national theater at home and I thought it was great. I loved the how the focus was completely on him and had some focus on the family. I also loved Henry after the accident opening the show. I recently had surgery and can't walk for eight weeks so I kinda of needed this story. I was in a good deal of pain and this story Brough the in so much that I forgot about my pain.

[@binyisyis]

I was directly behind you as we all sloooowly filed out of the theatre, I wanted to say hello but I was too chicken 😂 Always love your videos and commentary.

[@BradTea]

I loved this when I saw it in December 23. The song 'One to Seventeen' was incredibly moving.

[@joolaine]

Interesting! My audience must‘ve been a very emotional one because people were crying right from the beginning and all the way through. There are loads of impactful moments in the first act! The mother‘s song at the very least!

[@lonmar0612]

I saw this between Christmas and new year 2023. Within 2 weeks I went to see it again. I've literally never seen a show a second time so quickly. I thought this show to be absolutely incredible. It touched me in a way no other show has. It made me think differently about life in general. Linzi Hately just broke me several times, Amy Trigg has such an eye for comedic timing and is just sensational. And Ed Larkin and Jonny Aimes were just incredible too

[@francescahughes1024]

As a wheelchair user you've just convinced me to book tickets. I'm excited to see it!

[@didocoley7807]

An excellent review; I couldn't agree more with most of what you said!

[@livywoodward8666]

I totally agree with your thoughts on this show. I did feel that some parts of the score were a little repetitive and the sound effect used when the theatre was bathed in colour was a bit cheesey. But it was a really uplifting and emotional show. It was wonderful to see disabled actors on stage using wires and other special effects, showing this absolutely can be done and really showing off the talent. I personally loved the way the wires were used to show the accident and to essentially bring the audience into the sea with him. Unfortunately our show had to pause for a good ten minutes due to a technical fault but I'm just glad it wasn't anything to do with the actors wires!

[@Anthony-nj6gt]

I saw it yesterday and I thought it was brilliant. Amy Trigg was outstanding.

[@harrybrook3406]

Gracie doesn’t have a lower arm amputation. She’s had one arm since birth.

[@Upndouin]

Absolutely loved it!!!!!!! Much much much better than DEH

[@PTBP-CB]

I've been seeing this while walking round soho a lot recently and i said i'd wait to see it until i saw your review. think i might see it now.

[@JohnMcGinty]

No captions for the Deaf/Hard of Hearing people, like me? Would you be kind to add them? Thanks! @TheJohnMcGinty

[@Upndouin]

CC is turned on, you just need to tap on it (unless it was not enabled when you posted)

[@_Claire_Louise_]

I would absolutely love to see this but unfortunately I'm not going to be able to 😢 as a wheelchair user and someone that's followed Henry for a long time it is right up my street. Unfortunately I already had one London trip and show booked during its run before it was announced and I can't afford another one (in money or energy) and I'm gutted about it because I would love to support it. Hopefully with the theatre being accessible back stage there will be more shoes with wheelchair using actors that I can see in the future

[@fittydee]

It’s going until march now, hoorfully perhaps you can plan a trip at some point x

[@_Claire_Louise_]

@@fittydee Yes! As soon as I saw the news we started looking at when we can go, very happy about them extending

[@fittydee]

@@_Claire_Louise_ soo happy for them, im soo glad you might get the chance, hope you love it and have a great trip

[@_Claire_Louise_]

@@fittydee thank you 😊

[@kayleighsparks3025]

Do you think it will tour?

[@markj9w90]

Loved it and will Be going back before it finishes ! Great story as a wheelchair user myself ❤

[@fittydee]

It’s now extended yay to march

[@mcslaggers4999]

I will agree the music is hit or miss. A few songs i repeat but the rest meh

[@ThatsJustMyBabyDaddy]

Can't wait to see this.

[@TheMrdominator1997]

Such an odd crossover though, never thought rugby lads would be singing in a musical