Olivia Garrett

Olivia Garrett is a senior digital writer at Radio Times whose work sits at the intersection of entertainment news and practical guidance on tickets, subscriptions and consumer tech. She focuses on West End and London theatre while also covering streaming, gaming and devices in a clear, service-first format. Across entertainment and family leisure, she turns complex pricing, availability and product choice into straightforward, actionable information.

West End and live entertainment coverage

Garrett’s core beat is contemporary theatre and live entertainment, especially major West End productions and London stages.

She reports on new shows such as the announced stage musical of The Greatest Showman at Theatre Royal Drury Lane and the original stage adaptation of Nanny McPhee, tracking premiere dates, creative teams and production plans. She follows the lifecycle of individual productions, from early announcements to setbacks, including coverage of the cancellation of Sunday in the Park with George after the departure of Ariana Grande and Jonathan Bailey.

Her theatre coverage extends to casting and touring developments, with pieces on Les Misérables arena tours, Donny Osmond’s casting in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat, and Stranger Things and Modern Family actors making West End debuts. She writes round-ups of standout shows, such as every West End and London theatre production receiving five-star reviews in 2026, and guides to what is on at major venues like the Savoy Theatre and the Harold Pinter Theatre. These articles combine programming information with practical details on where the theatres are, what seats are best and what is coming up next.

Garrett also produces features and interviews around stage adaptations and musicals. Her work includes exclusive pieces on new versions of Silence of the Lambs, including how adaptations address controversies from the original film, and interviews with performers taking on demanding West End roles. She has reported on projects like the Live Aid musical Just For One Day, bringing in perspectives from artists and producers to explain how iconic events and films are being reimagined for the stage.

Ticketing guides and deal-led service journalism

A substantial part of Garrett’s output is ticketing and deal-focused service journalism across live events and attractions. She writes how-to guides for securing tickets to major theatre shows, concerts and special events, including London Theatre Week offers, ballots for Wimbledon 2027, Soccer Aid at Stamford Bridge and MLB London Series games.

These pieces break down key dates, price tiers and booking routes so readers can understand exactly when and how to buy.

Her coverage of attractions includes detailed deal round-ups for places such as Chessington World of Adventures, Warwick Castle, safari parks, aquariums and other UK family destinations, highlighting autumn offers, Halloween events and seasonal promotions. She tracks ticketing schemes and passes, explaining the cost and benefits of products like the Merlin Annual Pass and limited-time half-term deals that bundle free park entry with purchased passes. Across these articles, she consistently foregrounds value, pointing out ways to save on entry fees, transport and add-ons.

Beyond outings, Garrett writes about subscription and broadcast deals, covering Sky Glass, Sky Sports, NOW TV, Netflix and Paramount Plus offers. She details bundle options, discounts and trial periods for UK audiences, often timed around sports seasons or new streaming releases.

Her work in this area gives readers a clear picture of how to reduce ongoing costs while still accessing live sport, films and series.

Streaming, gaming and consumer tech explainers

Garrett’s entertainment beat includes regular coverage of gaming, consoles and digital services framed through saving money and choosing the right product. She writes guides on how to save on Xbox Game Pass Ultimate in the UK and how to reduce the cost of PlayStation Plus membership after price rises, setting out membership tiers, renewal strategies and discount opportunities.

Her articles on refurbished PS5 consoles and limited-edition hardware such as Marvel’s Wolverine PS5 bundles explain the trade-offs between new and refurbished devices, stock availability and where to buy safely.

Her tech and commerce pieces extend into smartphones, connectivity and home entertainment. She has covered releases such as the Samsung Galaxy A55 and A35, mobile data offers like cut-price Lebara plans, and guidance on which devices support Disney+.

In these articles she focuses on practical questions readers face, such as compatibility, cost over time and the best way to combine multiple services or devices.

Garrett also writes explainers connected to entertainment franchises, including how to read all the Dune books in order and how to buy collectible items like a Star Wars Millennium Falcon coin from the Royal Mint. These pieces blend fandom knowledge with purchasing advice, connecting readers’ interest in specific series or films to concrete information on editions, formats and reputable retailers.

Family entertainment, toys and days out

Alongside her work at Radio Times, Garrett writes extensively on family-focused entertainment, toys and days-out planning. She produces round-ups of the best family Halloween events, Christmas attractions and festive days out, including guidance on theme parks at Christmas and family activities in cities such as Glasgow.

These articles specify ticket options, age suitability and timing, allowing families to compare experiences and plan ahead.

Her product coverage centres on children’s audio devices, toys and seasonal gifts.

She reviews and compares items such as Yoto Players, Yoto cards, Tonies characters and new Toniebox designs, explaining features, price points and where to pre-order or buy in the UK. She writes gift guides including the best toys for three-year-olds, top Christmas toys, stocking fillers and reusable or beauty advent calendars aimed at teens and parents.

In several cases she has produced partnered content with brands like LEGO, using that format to showcase new LEGO Pokémon sets and Smart Bricks in a way that still foregrounds practical detail and suitability for young users.

Garrett’s family coverage also touches on trends and cultural context, such as the rise of “romantasy” fandoms, capital cities and early-2000s power couples influencing baby names, and the psychology behind viral toy crazes. These pieces show she can move beyond straightforward product selection to analyse why particular toys or themes resonate with children and parents at a given moment.

Format and approach

Garrett’s output is dominated by service-led formats: “how to get tickets”, “best deals”, “offers” and “everything you need to know” guides. She uses clear structure and direct language to set out dates, prices, booking steps and product specifications, making complex ticketing systems and subscription options easy to navigate.

When she turns to reviews or features, such as her assessment of London’s newest Egyptology exhibition Ramses and the Pharaoh’s Gold or immersive dining experiences, she maintains the same focus on what the experience is, who it suits and how to access it.

Across theatre, tech and family leisure, Garrett’s distinguishing trait is the way she blends entertainment expertise with commerce detail. She treats live shows, streaming platforms, consoles and days out as things people need to understand in practical terms, not just cultural ones, and her reporting reflects that priority.

This makes her coverage particularly relevant where an entertainment story involves ticketing, pricing or product choice that readers must navigate themselves.