ATC’s sixth annual Winter Lab for bold work and new ideas

★★★★ "Smith delivers a powerful emotional jolt with ‘Don’t Explain’, characterised by finely shaded dynamics and phrasing of great expressivity."

"When Nishla & Tom met in Manchester in 2019, they quickly realised they had made a rare musical connection."

"Someday my Prince Will Come is slow and dreamy. The surprise, off-key, note at the end is perfectly in context wistfully suggesting her prince has not yet arrived."

"This was highly inventive string writing, including a section of trading fours in “Tea For Two” with the rhythm section – which, with the quartet sat opposite the band, came across as something of a musical boxing match won out by the strings."

"her song writing is incredibly relatable for her generation, and at times jaw-droppingly funny."

★★★★ "(Nishla's) exquisite voice serves as a grounding motif for the piece; omnipresent throughout the performance, she is illuminated during scene transitions and brings the show to a gripping crescendo"

★★★★ "Nishla Smith beguiles us with her hauntingly beautiful vocals throughout and has a natural holistic presence..."

★★★★ "Wistfulness and yearning hums through the air. Nishla Smith sings slow, melancholy verses of “Dirty Old Town” that drift across the stage like the smoke."

★★★★ "The device of the singer observing, and sometimes duetting with the characters, most effectively in a stirring, closing rendition of Dirty Old Town, contributes to a woozily off-kilter atmosphere."

"We are pleased to offer vital and timely financial support to four artists through the Peter Whittingham legacy..."

"Best supporting performance (in a musical or play) Nishla Smith, Kes, an Octagon Theatre and Theatre by the Lake co-production"