Michael Rosen: Getting Through It at The Old Vic Review
Written by Ziwen for Theatre & Tonic
Disclaimer: Gifted tickets in exchange for an honest review
Michael Rosen's name is already well known to many. He is a British children's author and poet who has written over 200 books, including We're Going on a Bear Hunt and The Sad Book. On the afternoon of October 19, 2025, with a light rain falling, he arrived at The Old Vic to present his solo performance Getting Through It.
In this performance, he shares stories drawn from his own life experiences. The first story, The Death of Eddie, recounts the loss of his 18-year-old son and the emotions he went through. The second story, Many Kinds of Love, presents to the audience his 48-day stay in the intensive care unit after contracting COVID-19 during the early stages of the pandemic. However, rather than a one-man show, it felt more like a radio play, or even an audiobook brought to life before the audience.
The stage was set in a minimalist style - a small circular platform covered with a carpet, furnished only with a single table and chair. As soft, calming music played in the background, Michael Rosen stepped onto the stage holding a thick stack of papers filled with his stories. He took his seat and began to read under the gentle glow of dim lighting.
Because Rosen needed to read his stories from the pages in front of him, there was limited eye contact with the audience, which at times slightly reduced the sense of connection. However, as he continued reading, he gradually grew more relaxed. By the second story, the audience often burst into laughter at his words. Throughout his performance, he carried a steady energy and natural warmth - an easy, genuine presence. Watching him perform felt almost like listening to a father telling bedtime stories to his children - except these children had all grown up.
As I watched the stack of read pages grow on the table and the pile in his hand shrink, I realized the story was coming to an end - and for a moment, I found myself reluctant for it to finish. Throughout his storytelling, there were scattered moments of everyday life, small details that sometimes seemed to stray from the main event, yet always remained deeply connected. His language was not complicated, in fact, he often used the simplest of words to convey vivid, deeply moving emotions. He rarely described pain directly, yet the feeling was always present. It’s precisely because his writing is so full of feeling - warm, wise, and touched with a quiet humor - that whether read from the page or spoken aloud, it resonates with the audience.
Getting Through It played at The Old Vic on 19 October.
★★★★
