In my theatregoing career, I’ve seen hundreds of shows and had some really wonderful and memorable experiences, especially with musicals. I can’t speak for every fan, but I find that whilst every show you see is memorable in its own unique way, certain shows just stay with you. They get under your skin, you think about them often and fondly, and want to shout from the rooftops about what they mean to you and share them with the world.

So, this is me, doing just that for one of mine: The Grinning Man. Originally staged by Bristol Old Vic in 2016 before transferring to London’s Trafalgar Studios the following year. The show is an adaptation of the 1869 novel The Man Who Laughs by Victor Hugo, telling the story of Grinpayne, a young man determined to find out who is responsible for disfiguring his face into a permanent grin and unlocking the secrets of his past. He’s joined by a cast of characters that include Dea, a spirited young woman who is blind and sees the world better through the stories told to her, the wolf Mojo, and the deliciously dark and sarcastic clown Barkilphedro.

To my regret, I only managed to see the show once in Bristol (darn limited wheelchair space), so I was overjoyed to see it 3 times when it transferred to London. (You can see my full thoughts on that version here) Borrowing a phrase from the show… all my earthly woes were riddled with worms of unspeakable joy to see it in its original Bristol iteration this week as part of the Bristol Old Vic at Home series.

Revisiting a piece you love after a period of time is a curious and lovely thing – all the emotions come flooding: the comfortable familiarity, the pride that you’ve seen it grow and develop, the unbridled excitement that it’s getting a wider audience and the hope they come to love it like you do.

Most of all, you’re reminded why you love it and that came back to me in waves, and there’s so much I love about this show. First and foremost: it’s unlike anything else I’ve ever seen, not only in plot but also because of Toby Olié and Finn Caldwell’s amazing puppetry design and direction, as well as Jon Bausor’s design.

The show is dark, twisted and a little bit naughty (orgies and exotic breakfast dances come to mind!) but it’s also got warmth, wit and wisdom by the bucketload and there’s a playfulness that abounds in the direction and the sense of collaborative effort. There were elements that didn’t make it to London too that I’d forgotten about so that first viewing was a surprise in some ways!

In my experience, theatre fandom can be an unusual beast – I have friends that I know I wouldn’t trade for the world but find that you do get pockets of toxicity and there are certain shows that though I love them, I’ve never felt particularly welcome or like I belong among the other fans. Here with The Grinning Man, the love we have for the show astonishes me and the creative talent is dizzying; I’m so proud to be a small part of that. My heart is regularly full to bursting knowing that the love for the show extends to its cast and creative team, just listen to Sean Kingsley in the Q/A some of the cast and creatives did after the first stream… knowing so obviously that the team enjoy their work on a show just makes me adore it all the more!

This show pushed me to remember why new work is so important to theatre, and that sometimes a gamble as an audience member to try something new can and will pay off in a whole multitude of ways: I’m immensely grateful for the performers this show has brought into my life, for their presence offstage as well as on: Louis Maskell gives incredible hugs, I’ll never forget Sean Kingsley’s first and last words to me, and I want to bottle Leo Elso’s energy and smile and take them with me everywhere. I cannot wait to support such a wonderfully kind, warm, generous & talented bunch with all of their endeavours in the future!

I know the fans like myself are eager for a return of the show, and everyone seems willing, we’ll just have to see what the future holds.

I guess, what I’m trying to say, very inarticulately is a huge thankyou to everyone involved. It’s a joy and privilege and I’m still smiling – always.

You’ve got until midnight on July 3rd to catch The Grinning Man – head on over to the Bristol Old Vic’s website!