Play Me is a compelling, thought-provoking book that mixes crime with music, the serious issues with comedy. Dark anger is palpable, the humour offers a light. Play Me is a book with these juxtapositions that truly works. It’s no wonder it was a Finalist of the Page Turner Awards 2025.
AxMan Flyn is a rock singer based in Camden, London, with an opportunity to star in a “peace” concert on a Caribbean island. Customs are soon onto him due to his luggage holding a substance that could be drugs. What ensues is a jailbreak, looting and a president’s assassination in a coup and a whole lot more mayhem that takes readers on a twisty journey.
The pace is fast and entertaining, yet thought-provoking. There is fun with music such as “Stick It To The Man” and covers punk, heavy metal and rap, being quite anti-establishment, which makes sense when you read the book. As for the charity gig, it isn’t all that it seems…
The book is thought-provoking in that it covers some political points like hunger and what is exported, whilst people, where it is produced, can’t always eat nor afford it. There are also people who run a country into the ground, where there is an abundance of resources, but no one is seeing the benefit.
Capitalism and entrepreneurship is prevalent. Meet Jamie, who has many companies in many types of genres of business. He would make a good “dragon” for BBC’s Dragon’s Den. There is also a darker side of capitalism observed when it come to advising governments, where Merideth is met. She is more dangerous than you could ever imagine and lives are at risk.
Pirates, readers are reminded, are still in existence. It isn’t on the news so much anymore, so it feels quite important it is highlighted in the book, as there used to be incidents reported, but now almost forgotten. What Dania experiences in her encounter with them is shocking, but very well written.
Play Me will toy with your emotions and why not find some songs in the aforementioned genres to fill the room for a truly immersive experience when you pick up the book.
Inside No9 By Steve Pemberton and Reece Shearsmith
Review by Louise Cannon
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 5 out of 5.
Inside No.9 hits all the right notes from start to finish.
It starts with one of the best and surprising ways to capture an audience’s attention. It has the best short play before the main show about theatre etiquette. It’s one that could be replicated in every theatre before shows. It’s jaw-droppingly amazing with tensions rising, reaching an incredible crescendo. Then the main event begins.
Inside No9 is cleverly quirky, witty and at times scary. It’s a genius stage version of the tv series Inside No9.
Starring the original creators Reece Shearsmith and Steve Pemberton with a scene of a different unexpected guest star for each performance, who are not told in advance what they’re going to have to do. The ad-lib and how they get around it is funny and all good fun natured. Apparently the list of people wanting to be part of this extraordinary play was exceedingly long.
From screen to stage, this play translates very well onto the stage. The premise is putting on a show, the theatre is haunted and there’s a superstition that you will learn about pertaining to your theatre, so far from the usual and more well-known theatre superstition.
There are many references to past, present actors and comedians and a future show and theatre in general. Some songs also bring levity in a quirky sort of way. There are some dark, strange goings on occur too in a hammerhead horror type of way.
If you haven’t seen the tv series before, it’s a bit like The Tales of the Unexpected but with darker twists. The series can be caught on IPlayer.
Inside No9 translates very well from screen to stage with the fast-paced, darkly humorous writing. The premise is putting on a show, the theatre is haunted, many references to past, present actors and comedians and a future show and theatre in general. There are some songs that bring levity in a quirky sort of way. Some dark, strange goings on occur too. I may have jumped a couple of times lol. It’s all strangely enjoyable. Inside No.9 hits all the right notes and leaves you on a high as you leave the theatre.
Meet Tommy Cooper, Bob Monkhouse and Eric Morecambe in a dressing room. Sounds a bit surreal, right? But this is where a sparkling kind of magic occurs. They’re not just funny, but they’re funny, funny, see the show to get the reference. The Last Laugh is performed by:
Damien Williams plays Tommy Cooper Simon Cartwright plays Bob Monkhouse Bob Golding plays Eric Morecambe
I saw The Last Laugh at the Theatre Royal, Glasgow which is what this review is based on. I first saw it and reviewed at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. It is on a grand tour, more details later in this piece. I don’t often go to see a show more than once. This is that good and finely honed. I have written a new review to give you something different to read. Just shows, there’s a lot to glean from this show, but no spoilers… I also have a whole extra bit to reveal… I thought The Last Laugh deserved a second viewing in a bigger theatre to see how it faired. I am so pleased to say, it still has the same magic, if not more and is on tour now. See details about how you can get your hands on tickets too after the synopsis and my full review below…
Synopsis
The Last Laugh sees three legendary comedians – Tommy Cooper, Eric Morecambe and Bob Monkhouse – sitting in a dressing room, discussing the secret of life, death, comedy and what it means to be funny. Written and directed by the award-winning Paul Hendy and starring Edinburgh Fringe-legend Bob Golding as Morecambe, Damian Williams as Cooper and Simon Cartwright as Monkhouse, The Last Laugh is warm, funny, nostalgic and poignant.
Review
3 actors walk into a dressing room… They’re not just funny, but they’re funny, funny (see the show for that reference).
From the moment Damien Williams walked on stage as Tommy Cooper, (check out the feet) with the famous chuckle that builds and builds, it got off to a strong start. This strength never dipped throughout the show. By the time Simon Cartwright as Bob Monkhouse and Bob Golding as Eric Morecambe enter the theatre dressing room, the atmosphere is palpable and the compelling nature of this play gets even stronger.
There are some lovely, heartwarming touches, not only between the comedians who are being played, but also with a montage of pictures and chat about other comedians who have also dearly departed the earthly stage.
The repartee as they try out their acts and just chat feels so realistic, as do the mannerisms, personalities, costume and make-up. There are parts that the audience are subtly made aware of about the state of the comedians health, and perhaps not so subtly in Tommy Cooper’s at times, but at times, it is nuanced, with an expression, a certain positioning of the body. Damien Williams carefully lets you see beyond the laughter and at the same time, Simon Cartwright and Bob Monkhouse are also doing something noticeably funny at the other end of the stage. There’s something sophisticated and clever about how this all works. There are fantastic references to each of the shows Tommy Cooper, Bob Monkhouse, Eric Morecambe were in.
The talent doesn’t stop there. There’s music from a ukulele and songs to be heard, all done live by the actors.
The poignancy, the sacrifices the partnerships they have or in Monkhouse’s case, had is not only fascinating, but draws you closer to each of them as the actors allow you a glimpse into their inner thoughts and emotions. There are moments when it gets quite deep and then suddenly switches to another joke.
The actors always look like they’re having a ball on stage and the audience were all enjoying themselves too. The energy and passion they bring leaps off the stage and is palpable in the auditorium of the theatre.
I feel like I could write more, but I don’t want to give away any spoilers.
There is a newly added interval and the second half brings a Q&A session, which they all handled magnificently. They are passionate about who they’re playing and it just oozes from stage to audience.
The way it ends is cleverly done and follows from the poignancy that appears throughout the show. There is a bit of a bittersweetness to it all because of course none of the comedians are alive, but if they were, I think they’d approve. I like to think so anyway because the actors have done them and the audience justice. They’ve also given dead comedians a new lease of life in a considered, thoughtful manner. I feel this show will go from strength to strength and I think the actors could play more of these “old-timers”.
We were informed about the tour going on this year and the following year. I was in awe by it last year. I am still in awe this year and how this has grown from the Fringe to the West-end to New York and back to touring in the UK is deserved. can’t praise the concept, the writing nor the actors highly enough!
This is a show you can easily watch again and still be highly entertained.
Discover further information about how you can also see The Last Laugh here: Tour Dates and Booking
The old girls just want to have fun. I really like these books showing people having fun and being full of life and spirit as they get older. It gives hope and pure escapism. I have enjoyed books by Maddie Please before, so I am pleased to be able to review another.
Blurb
Don’t miss the hilarious novel from the #1 bestselling author, Maddie Please, author of the brilliantly funny, Old Girls on Deck!
A fresh start with a French twist!
Joy Chandler had one simple wish: a nice, drama-free family reunion. But instead? Daughter Sara announces she’s getting divorced and seems determined to drown her sorrows in wine, while son John and his perfect wife Vanessa casually drop the bombshell that they’re moving to New York—without so much as making her a cup of tea!
So, with her patience gone, Joy packs her bags and heads to France to visit her free-spirited sister Isabel. Isabel’s potato farm might be rustic chaos but the sisters soon find themselves sloshing red wine, rediscovering their wild sides, and laughing until their sides hurt.
Before long, Joy has a new job, a new man, and a life that’s looking très magnifique. Turns out, drama isn’t so bad…when it comes with red wine and a side of sisterly mischief! Because these golden girls just want to have fun!
A glorious uplifting and hilarious story about living life to the full and always, always having fun! Perfect for fans of Judy Leigh and Dee Macdonald.
Review
Life is changing, there’s a divorce and a surprise move to New York. There’s hope for those moving onto different stages in life, even though family isn’t always appreciative. There’s adventure and fun to be gained.
Sister’s Making Mischief brings wonderful escapism and light as we age. I am not quite middle-aged at time of writing this but I sure am enjoying the storytelling that depicts middle-aged people. Maddie Please’s writing is in a style that is easy to relax into and lose yourself in the story of other people’s lives.
In this particular book, there’s humour and charm that is uplifting. It’s a book I recommend to ease the weight of the day.
Pimlico People is great for those looking for something a bit different. I jumped at the chance to review because I’ve volunteered in various charities and continue to do so. When I saw the author was wanting to donate his royalties to support homeless, I jumped at the chance to tell you all about it. So, join it all below as I close the blog tour. Pimlico People is the 3rd in the series, but it works perfectly well as a standalone. Find out more about it below, including a link where to purchase it.
ALL THE AUTHOR’S ROYALTIES WILL BE GIVEN TO SUPPORT CHARITIES FOR THE HOMELESS
Pimlico People is the third book in the Gods Galore series about the Olympian Gods in the 21st Century.
The Goddesses Artemis and Hebe are staying in Central London to obtain a better understanding of the lives of ‘normal’ people.
To their surprise, they soon encounter a plot to blow up a foreign embassy. Add to that a sophisticated operation involving the theft of valuable paintings from a major art gallery, and the two goddesses begin to question what a ‘normal’ life is all about.
Meanwhile, in the Underworld Cerberus encounters another dog who, amazingly, only has one head! How will they get on?
A mixture of Comedy, Fantasy and Criminality, Pimlico People should appeal to readers of Terry Pratchett and Rick Riordan (Percy Jackson).
Review
Godesses Hebe and Artemis find themselves in London. This is a humorous, fantastical book that shows how people might be perceived by these Goddesses as they try to discover “normal” human life and what it entails. What they stumble across is some high criminal activity in the art world and plots to blow up an embassy. Luckily there are also some mere mortals that are useful and can help everyone out in trying to save the day.
There is also a different sort of underworld with Cerberus, a dog who wants to make friends with a mortal, earthly dog. A revenge on the owner story unfolds at this point.
Pimlico People, whilst entering something quite absurd, does, because of this, have some rather humorous qualities to it alongside some action-packed capers. It all becomes an entertaining read. It’s also interesting to think about how someone other worldly might see human life.
It’s definitely good for those wanting something rather original in their reading repertoire.
Rupert Stanbury is a Cambridge graduate. He was born in Manchester but has lived most of his adult life in Central London. He has always been an avid reader and recently decided to take up writing himself. His books have one overriding objective which is TO MAKE PEOPLE LAUGH. His first book, Gods Galore, was published in November 2021 and his second one, The Four Horsemen, in April 2023.
Have You Got Anything Stronger By Imogen Edward-Jones
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 4.5 out of 5.
If you like Bridget Jones or Motherland, you’ll like and appreciate the humour of Have You Got Anything Stronger. Thanks to Welbeck Publishing for a copy for review, which you can find below…
Blurb
‘I fell over laughing’ Claudia Winkleman
Sharp and furiously funny, Have You Got Anything Stronger? is a new novel about being married with two children — and having a husband whose t*ts are bigger than yours.
We follow a year in the life of four best friends as they navigate careers, friendship, love, sex, money, children, and question their harassed realities.
Why did they get married? Do they like their children? Does lemon in your vodka and tonic count as one of your five a day? Does life ever, you know, slow down?
Between running late, meetings, pick-ups and drop- offs, it’s clear the hamster wheel never really stops turning and the question eventually must be asked . . .
Is this it?
For fans of Why Mummy Drinks, this next-generation Bridget Jones’s Diary will resonate with women who, between running late for playdates, meetings and Ocado deliveries, have realised that the hamster wheel never stops turning, and it may be too late to crash out.
Review
Well, I am a fan of Bridget Jones’s Diary and humour, so gave this book a try. It is true, the “hamster wheel” never stops turning, no matter where you are and how else your life looks like, whether you’ve got kids or not or other responsibilities, this book is relatable with comedic moments throughout. It also shown the cliques some women get themselves into and believe in, which was a good reflection of how things can sometimes be. It reflects pretty well how some parents can be with their kids and then running around for pick-ups and drop-offs and more…
There’s the quips that many of us have used, like joking about fruit being one of your 5 a day when it’s a bit stuck in something alcoholic.
All in all a funny, but reflective look at some women’s lives and how some of them act. If it truly isn’t you, you probably know someone who the characters are like.
Bookmarks and Stages by Lou 