Scotland

Bliss – Grand Theatre: The Pleasance Courtyard

From the Olivier Award – winning producers of Cabaret and Benjamin Button, BLISS a musical fantasy story which follows four sister princesses who are locked up in a Tower under the caring protection of their father. Time spent studying and their desire to experience the world outside the castle, overwhelms them and they embark on a scheme to leave.

Chasing Comets and encounters with a fairy Godfather, Prince. Piper, Carmella, Faye and Holly soon discover that life on the outside is not exactly kind.    

At its heart, the musical explores the fragile collision between innocence and adversity, placing its characters in a world where anything less than perfection can feel like failure. What begins with hope, naivety and the belief that achievement is simply a matter of trying hard enough is gradually tested by a reality that demands flawlessness. The result is both moving and unsettling: a story about the pressure to be perfect, the cost of falling short, and the courage it takes to remain true to oneself in a world that seems to value achievement over authenticity. It is in this tension between innocence and an unforgiving ideal that the musical finds its most powerful voice. The subliminal messaging works.

This is a high energy production, it’s fast and needs to settle into its pace. The set design by Jason Ardizzone-West staging was very impressive and the movement of the set was smooth and flowed well with the storylines. Warning of bright strobe lighting and in a small venue was quite dazzling.

The soundtrack will attract a following as the music is super catchy and relatable.     

Lively and Beattie’s musical is ‘Blissfully sublime’ sailing in on the successes of Wicked, High School Musical and Frozen. BLISS has hit all the right notes.

Creative Team:

Book, Music and Lyrics by Emma Lively and Tyler Beattie

Directed by Sheryl Kaller

Choreographer Olivier nominee Josh Prince

Features 17 West End performers 

Reviewer: Michelle Knight

Reviewed: 28th August 2026  

North West End UK / Theatre Muse UK Rating:

Rating: 4 out of 5.

Michelle Knight

Recent Posts

Wicked – Apollo Victoria Theatre

Wicked is currently the ninth longest-running West End show in history, having been a staple…

23 minutes ago

Shatter Resistant – Greenside @ George Street

The audience enters the dimly lit basement. It’s a humid day and I’m pleased to…

28 minutes ago

David Correos: Noise Zealand – Monkey Barrel Comedy

David Correos’ show feels like hanging out in a state of delirium in your mate’s…

32 minutes ago

Collateral Damage – theSpace @ Surgeons Hall

This week I’ve spent sixteen hours on buses commuting in and out of Edinburgh. You…

36 minutes ago

Blip Blarp: An Alien Love Story – Just The Tonic at The Mash House

Confident, rehearsed, and gloriously unhinged, Blip Blarp lands on Earth with an ambitious mission: conquer…

43 minutes ago

Berliner Philharmoniker Residency — Usher Hall

The Edinburgh International Festival closed in spectacular fashion with a performance by the world-renowned Berliner…

49 minutes ago