The Covid 19 Variations is a brand new concept which charts the last two years of the pandemic through a mixture of music teamed with video and still images to create a mega mix of content that takes you through every emotion.

Compiled by a quartet of creatives, the production takes the form of a beautiful 19-part soundtrack which has been teamed with somewhat voyeuristic video content. It allows the audience to see what happens when a celeb's mask slips and they're forced to close their front doors and live a 'regular' life during a national lockdown.

Featuring everyone from Kim and Kanye to Boris Johnson, Wills and Kate and even The Queen herself (all played by lookalikes) I went into this blind with only a couple of sentences telling me what was about to unfold.

Top marks go to the composer, Richard Thomas who has written a gorgeous score, developed from titles and perceptions and played exquisitely and masterfully by Phillip Edward Fisher. BAFTA award winning film maker, Alison Jackson was responsible for the accompanying video montage. Rising to fame by shooting similar content, Jackson opened her archive to the creatives and it must have been like a kid being locked in Disney World!

The shooting technique and angles were mesmerising and, accompanying Thomas' score the 24 minutes of content on show this evening was just brilliant. Funny, heart warming and reflective, it spoke for everyone in the audience in some way tonight.

Sean Foley, The Rep's artistic director is the man responsible for getting the show on stage and it's a credit to him and to the theatre that they're creating and sharing creativity like this which, according to the Q&A after the show, only came about because of shared diagnosis of Covid-19.

It's fair to say this show is different - and polarising. You either love it or you hate it, but what i certainly does offer is a cathartic space to take stock of what we've been through as a nation...and have a bit of a sly giggle too!

The Covid-19 Variations plays at Birmingham Rep until Wednesday 9th February 2022. For more information and to book tickets, you can visit birmingham-rep.co.uk.