""`This is special. There are so many influences and ‘charms’ at work on the bracelet that is this astonishing show. We are horribly aware that there may be an awful lot more truth in these songs than we suspect. 'Cherry the Amazing YoYo Girl' is perhaps Holt’s most Tiger-Lilies-influenced grotesque: a clever, Lisztian Mephisto waltz, dished up for good measure with dollops of the Hungarian Rhapsodies. And then we return to a Joyce Grenfell-like recitation with the hideous history of ‘Arabella Dare’: a warning voice, indeed, directed at real people who take on the wild beast that is The Media and seek to tame it. Elegant ambient sounds then move us into the world of one of her most appealing characters, ‘Chanel, the Labelled Girl’ – a browse around the seven deadly sins, with the ghost of Lotte Lenya at our elbow. Holt shifts us to The Little House on the Prairie, where we hear her perfect pioneer woman song: ‘O, Little Grey Hair’ – a wistful blues, which she self-accompanies on the musical saw, a perfectly executed act that she makes seem about as comforting and reassuring as playing chopsticks with an angle-grinder.

And that is Tanya Holt, people. As far as I can tell. If and when somebody gets around to recording her – and someone really, really should – we will play, and replay, re-replay these numbers, and – I suspect – remain always as mysteriously enchanted by them as at our first encounter with them."
Britishtheatre.com ***** February 2017

"Blunt, colourful, classy and unafraid. Cautionary Tales is mandatory viewing for everyone. The piece is lighthearted and fun but the gravity and vital resonance of the subject matter is capable of bringing the audience to the edge their seats."
Broadwayworld.com ***** February 2017

"A highly entertaining 90-minutes that is always moving and often very funny. Definitely one to watch".
EverythingTheatre.com, February 2017

"A more than satisfying production, sympathetic and good-natured even when dealing with serious and gritty topics. A gratifying theatrical experience."
LondonTheatre.com, February 2017

"Cautionary Tales for Daughters may sound like a feminist show but its appeal is wider and musically the variety of styles impresses. This is a musical evening which is as intellectually pleasing, as it is fun."
CurtainUp.com, February 2017

"Thank you so much for a really super performance last night in Canterbury. I absolutely loved the show – great writing, brilliant music in so many different styles. A perfect balance between light and shade – and very sensitive handling of the serious issues." Rosie Turner - Festival Director 1/11/2016
Canterbury Festival, October 2016

“Think Hilaire Belloc does Caitlin Moran. Gut-punchingly beautiful"
The Times, 2015

“Holt is a razor-sharp satirical songwriter. The advice offered is universal and utterly contemporary.

Salient warnings about tattoos, advice on the dangers of gender stereotyping, the gentle humour of Cherry the Amazing Yo Yo Girl speaks sagely on the links between low-self esteem and eating disorders.

Acutely on message.

The Stage Verdict: A witty, deceptively sharp song-cycle delivered with confidence and class.
***** The Stage, August 2015

“There’s plenty for girls to worry about these days – from tattoos to eating disorders to abusive relationships – and Tanya Holt, a mother herself, deals with the difficulties brilliantly in this witty and important show.

She constantly navigates the balance of comedy and truth and that is the show’s success. Important issues are given the gravity they merit; sexual harassment and domestic abuse are dealt with sensitively and insightfully.

Beautifully sung. A show that is dark without ever being heavy”
**** Broadway Baby, August 2015

“ ‘I want her to be wary of how things can go so wrong, say some nasty things in the comfort of a song’ “ sings Tanya Holt (about her daughter), and she does just that.

Drawing parallels between swimming in dangerous seas and staying with a dangerous partner, Red Flags Are Flying is beautifully sung with a haunting warning.

A Worthie Man of Garish Towne tells of a man who needs to get his 3 daughters off his financial back. One becomes a seamstress, one a baker and the third seeks her fortune in the world of show business ending up in a 14th century version of the Big Brother House, ‘partially famous and utterly shameless’ she sinks ‘from B list to Z’.

The show ends on an optimistic note with Yesterday Is Here Again, which sends our daughters a powerful message – Get on with it! This show will make you laugh but it will also make you think. Do go!”
***** Edinburgh Reporter, August 2015

""Immaculate"
***** Musical Talk, 2015

"A delightful 55 minutesl"
**** TV Bomb, August 2015

“Tanya Holt is a fierce satirist… behind her whimsy and humour there’s a sharp bite. Songs often take a dark turn and pressures on young women today, from slut shaming to victim blaming are tackled with ferocity and wisdom. There’s beauty here too; ‘Ip Dip Sky Blue’ about indecision plaguing a woman to a lonely old age, turns playground rhymes into modern fairytales.

It’s a message we’ve heard often enough but not often with such wit and warmth.”
Fest Mag, August 2015

"Superb. Strong and thought provoking. A must See"
North East Theatres (via Twitter), August 2015

"Wonderfully performed. Hilarious and moving in equal measure. Great."
Nottingham Playhouse (via Twitter) August 2015

"engages us without resort to feminist resentment or vitriol. The use of multimedia is fabulously successful. The acting/singing is first class. Do not miss this one.
Frank Letcher (USA) audience review on Edfringe.com, August 2015

"Absolutely wonderful. Charming, funny and a couple of tears. One of our best Edfringe moments yet."
Fiona Stygall (via Twitter) August 2015