What’s on our shelves: Heathens, Heavens, Sorcery, Subreddits and Strong Female Leads…

Performance: The Crucible by Arthur Miller 

Globe Theatre, London

With the youngest away at scout camp last week, my wife, teenage daughter, and I grabbed the rare opportunity for a grown-up(ish) evening out and headed to Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre to see The Crucible. I’ve always been a fan of powerful storytelling, and Arthur Miller’s witch trial classic certainly doesn’t pull its punches—but seeing it performed at the Globe was something else entirely.

Delivered in a traditional style, the production made full use of the Globe’s stunning space. If you’ve never been: it’s open air, built from wood, and full of atmosphere. You feel right in the middle of things—close enough to see every flicker of doubt or fury on the actors’ faces. The tension and emotion were real, raw, and uncomfortably relevant. There were definitely a few moments that sparked proper conversations with our teenager afterwards (always a bonus!).

It was one of those rare nights where the setting, the story, and the company all came together just right. If you ever get the chance to see a show there, go. Just maybe bring a cushion—it’s authentic, but your backside will know it.

Martin Renvoize, Head of Development and Community Engagement – Open Fifth

Book review: Celebrating lonely, misunderstood women – two tales of survival and self discovery

The Other Bennet Sister by Janice Hadlow offers a fresh and empathetic look at Mary Bennet – the often overlooked middle sister from Pride and Prejudice. In Austen’s original Mary is portrayed as socially awkward, overshadowed by two beautiful, socially adept sisters (and two foolish ones!). Hadlow gives Mary her own voice and journey, and we see her in a new light. Austen fans will appreciate the clever echoes of Pride and Prejudice as Mary embarks on her own path to happiness. 

In A Bird in Winter by Louise Doughty a woman walks out of her job – and life – to go on the run. As she flees, evading her pursuers, the novel becomes as much a psychological exploration as a thriller. Her flight is not just a physical escape but also a journey into self reflection and discovery.  

I’d also like to recommend two subreddits. The first, r/BooksThatFeelLikeThis, enables community members to upload images and words so that others can recommend books and authors that fit the vibes. This is how I discovered A Bird in Winter (another user had enjoyed The Other Bennet Sister and was looking for a book similar in tone). The second, r/WhatsThatBook, is a place for people to share what they remember about a book (for those who have worked with the public in bookshops and libraries, yes, sometimes they can only remember the colour of the book jacket!).

Val Skelton, Administrator – Open Fifth

Performance: My Neighbour Totoro presented by Joe Hisaishi and the Royal Shakespeare Company

In Collaboration with NIPPON TV and IMPROBABLE, adapted by Tom Morton-Smith from the feature animation by Hayao Miyazaki, Studio Ghibli.

29 April, Gillian Lynne Theatre.

As I was in London for the CILIP LMS Showcase at the end of April, I took the opportunity to get myself a ticket for My Neighbour Totoro. I do love a Studio Ghibli film and was quite excited to see how they would get Totoro on stage. It did not disappoint. Totoro was incredible. Everything from the size of him, his fur and how they had him move was just beautiful. The cat bus!!!!! I was in the third row of the stalls so when it first came out it felt like it flew straight over my head. The chickens!!!!! I watched the whole thing with a massive grin on my face.

Helen Symington, Sales Executive – Open Fifth

Musical: The Book of Mormon by Trey Parker, Robert Lopez, and Matt Stone

16 May, Prince of Wales Theatre, London

If, like me, you’re a fan of The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City, The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, and South Park, The Book of Mormon is a must-see. It’s laugh out loud funny, wonderfully camp, and abundant with social commentary, as can be expected from Trey Parker and Matt Stone. 

We were fortunate to have front-row seats (and at very reasonable prices), where, due to the low stage, we got to see all of the action and every detail up close. To the extent that when Elder Price (Blair Gibson) and Elder Cunningham (Conner Peirson) arrived overseas for their mission, I was marvelling at the realistic make-up job that had Elder Price dripping in sweat, so unadjusted to the warmer climes. After an unscheduled technical intermission, it turned out that Gibson was very very unwell, hence the sweat, and was replaced for the remainder of the performance. May this be a credit to Gibson’s fantastic performance, the show must go on! 

The stand-out performance for me came from below-stage in the orchestra pit. The ebullient Leo Munby, Musical Director and Keys musician, was a joy to be in the presence of. He appeared to be enjoying the show just as much as the audience, despite no doubt attending it countless more times. This was true for all of the performers – their delight and passion for what they’re doing was contagious. 

The musical is touring the UK this summer.

Lauren Purton, Marketing Executive – Open Fifth

TV series: Godless created, written and directed by Scott Frank

Jack O’Donell and Jeff Daniels star in this miniseries set in the 1880s’ American West. Our focus is on a small mining town that lost almost all its men to a mining accident in the year previously. The performances are amazing, and no punches are spared in this picture of a harsh almost ungovernable world, but still, there is sweetness and hope to be found. I just wished it was a bit longer, only 7 episodes.  9/10

Streaming on Netflix.

Sam Goldsmith, Business Development Manager – Open Fifth

Event: Over 3o+ Club at Limelight, Belfast

I’m from Northern Ireland and as a teenager spent many of my Saturday nights out in Belfast, partying in each of the major clubs at least once over the years. Two of my friends from school and I went to the Limelight’s Over 30’s Club; getting there as the doors opened at 5pm and staying until we were kicked out at 9pm. There are three rooms, each playing different genres of music: golden oldies in one, a guy with a guitar doing covers in another, and the main room that covered everything from pop hits through to dance beats. Four solid hours of dancing with just a few breaks to check out the other rooms and I loved every minute of it.

My only complaint was that towards the end the music did get a bit dance-y for my taste. I would have preferred more of a mixture but that didn’t stop us from dancing right up until the end, just like all those years ago.

Helen Symington, Sales Executive – Open Fifth

Video game: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 developed by Sandfall Interactive and published by Kepler Interactive

This game was honestly incredible.  I’m blown away at the narrative behind it.  The game is honestly a masterpiece.

I am highly critical of games staying too long and this is the perfect example on how to stay for the right amount of time.  I chose to stay in the world longer.  I chose to do all the end-game content before taking on the final boss.  And yet I don’t feel like that was a wasted journey or time.

I near completed the game 100% but I didn’t quite do that.  I don’t want to be an achievement hunter on this game, I wanted it to be right for me.

The story from start to end was thrilling, and had me wondering and guessing what was the actual story behind the setup.

The prologue was the best prologue I have ever played.  It set up the narrative and hooked you in within the first 45 minutes.  That is something not many games can achieve.

This hook wasn’t even the reason for me to continue playing to the end, the introduction of new ideas or new motivations throughout as you explore and get deeper into the game was what kept me moving ever onwards.

Honestly this is a true masterpiece and I dare say has added a new choice or layer to turn-based games for the foreseeable future.  This is the type of game that I can say is genre defining.

Maybe we are looking at this generation’s Chrono Trigger.  Only time will tell.

Ryan Henderson, System Administrator – Open Fifth

Book: The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi by Shannon Chakraborty 

If you loved the ‘Daevabad Trilogy’ by the same author, this is as good if not better. The premise is a Mediterranean set in Crusade times when the tales of magic and sorcery are prevalent. Our titular hero is a female middle-aged ex-pirate, dragged back to her old life. We start where her legendary exploits are overblown and romanticised but events conspire to ensure that legend will continue. The main character is a refreshingly flawed but charismatic woman, who will break every rule to get back to her daughter. Aspects of Sinbad tales with a fresh twist, and I am very much looking forward to the next instalment.

Sam Goldsmith, Business Development Manager – Open Fifth