Tag: West End

“You will be found” – Lessons from the Musical Dear Evan Hansen

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I got to see the musical Dear Evan Hansen on their UK tour last month – it’s a show I’ve both wanted to see for a long time, yet also been sceptical about watching. I’d read the book and watched the film, both of which made me sob, and I didn’t hugely want to bawl my eyes out in the middle of the theatre. But it was absolutely phenomenal. Yes, I did cry a bit, but I didn’t make a fool of myself.

It is a show that isn’t afraid of the darker, more taboo subjects – when you hear the plot it seems strange that it would make a good show, but it absolutely does. It delves into the theme of mental health (in particular depression and suicide), loneliness, and the power of connection with others. It is an emotional show, that teaches the audience that, they too, can be found.

  1. You are not alone – the song that is most well known is “You Will Be Found” – a song I fell in love with the first time I heard it. It reassures people that even in their darkest moments, there is always someone who cares. Evan begins by feeling invisible, but he discovers throughout that others feel the same and also yearn for the same sense of connection that he does.
  2. It’s okay not to be okay – the mental health theme that is prominent portrays struggles with honesty and remind us that it’s okay to admit when things aren’t going well and to seek help. Vulnerability is a strength, not a weakness.
  3. Authenticity matters – yes, Evan’s decision to fabricate a relationship with Connor in order to comfort his grieving family isn’t a particularly thought through thing, but it comes from a well-meaning place. We are shown that pretending to be someone you’re not has consequences, but that opening up and being true to ourselves helps to foster connections with others, and there will be people out there who accept us for us.
  4. Words and actions have power – the letter that Evan writes becomes a symbol of hope for so many people. Small gestures of kindness and honesty can make a significant impact. However, we also have to be mindful that our words and actions can hurt, as well as uplift, others.
  5. Connection heals – the characters in Dear Evan Hansen are all yearning for connection in one form or another. Their shared pain and support helps them begin to heal.
  6. Grief is complex and personal – there is no right or wrong way to grieve. The Murphy family all grieve in their own way and process what has happened in different ways – the song Requiem demonstrates this perfectly.
  7. Seek help when you need it – Evan struggles in silence for a lot of the show, but his journey demonstrates the importance of seeking support. We don’t have to face our challenges alone, even though at times it feels this way.
  8. It’s okay to start over – by the end of the show, Evan acknowledges his mistakes, embraces the truth, and is beginning to rebuild his life. It is never too late to grow, change or start again. Everyone makes mistakes and they don’t have to define us as long as we learn from them.

If you haven’t seen the show I thoroughly recommend it – or watch the film. I think there’s a lesson for everyone in it. Just remember to have some tissues handy!

All my love,

Anna x

“You’ll find that I’m unshakeable” – Lessons from the musical Six!

mendingthebrokenLeave a comment

It’s no secret that I adore musicals – I’d be sat in the audience of a different show every night if I could! I’ve been incredibly lucky to see a lot of shows both on tours and in the West End and I particularly love it when I can come away with a new perspective on things in my life. I’m a big fan of cheesy quotes and will apply them to my life whenever I can. The musical Six is a firm favourite (top 5 – I can’t narrow it down any more than that!) and it is a show that I come back to time and time again because of the lessons it teaches – it’s catchy, witty and empowering, but also teaches some valuable life lessons. So, in no particular order, here are some of my key takeaways from the show!

  1. You can own your story – your story doesn’t belong to the people who have hurt you. It’s yours to reclaim and reshape however you want. Each of the queens in the show reclaim their narrative and turn their status of ‘ex-wife’ into a platform for empowerment. They learn to embrace their past, even the messy parts, and rewrite their story for themselves and no one else.
  2. Don’t compare your struggles – the queens initially compete for who suffered the most, but they eventually realise this comparison is futile and that all their pain is valid. Invalidating someone else’s pain doesn’t make your pain more significant – most things in life are subjective and we can support one another, rather than fighting it out for who had it worst.
  3. Celebrate your strengths – each queen highlights her unique personality and skills. Catherine of Aragon is defiant and sticks to her morals, whereas Anne Boleyn uses humour and is a cheeky character – our individuality is what makes life exciting!
  4. There is empowerment through community – by the end of the show, the queens form a sisterhood as they realise they are stronger together. This demonstrates the importance of lifting each other up, especially in a world where people are often pitted against one another. The song “I don’t need your love” highlights the solidarity of women taking back their power.
  5. Challenge the narrative – history is often told by the victors, leaving others voiceless. In changing the narrative, the queens are reclaiming their agency, which is something we can do too. Catherine Howard is often remembered as being promiscuous, but Six reframes her story, showing people that she was actually a victim of exploitation, abuse and manipulation – not the side of the story people often remember. We, too, can question the narratives that have been told to us – whether thats in history, culture, or our personal lives.
  6. Find joy in your journey – despite their tragic circumstances, the queens find joy in their stories. Yes, life is hard, but finding humour and creativity in difficult times can help us heal and move forward.
  7. Learn from history, don’t repeat it – the show critiques the systems that oppressed the queens – patriarchy, toxic power dynamics, the erasure of women’s voices. The queens stories are cautionary tales in how we need to recognise patterns of injustice, speak up, and work toward a better future.
  8. Know your worth – the song ‘Six’ is a celebration of the individuality of each of the queens and their worth apart from Henry VIII. They declare “we’re one of a kind, no category,” rejecting the idea that they have to fit into anyone else’s box.

Remember: you are inherently valuable – not because of your relationships, your status, or anyone else’s opinion, but because you are uniquely you.

All my love,

Anna x