My favourite theatre of 2024 (and least favourite)
28/12/2024
I managed to pack in more than 70 theatre visits this year and saw some cracking plays. And some that didn't quite ignite.
My favourite plays of 2024
(In no particular order - links through to written or video reviews):
Oedipus, Wyndhams Theatre (booking until 2 Jan 2025)
Laughing Boy, Jermyn Street Theatre
Shifters, Duke of Yorks Theatre
When It Happens to You, Park Theatre
Little Foxes, Young Vic (booking until 8 Feb 2025)
Cyrano, Park Theatre (booking until 11 Jan 2025)
For Black Boys... Garrick Theatre
Waiting For Godot, Theatre Royal Haymarket
The Importance of Being Earnest, National Theatre (booking until 25 Jan, 2025)
Least favourite plays of 2024:
Machinal, Old Vic Theatre - I'm a feminist, but...I found the central female character extremely irritating. Sorry, I know a lot of people really liked this play. It's the second production I've seen, and I had a similar response the first time, so nothing to do with the Old Vic.
Bluets, Royal Court Theatre - I've seen a similar live video effect used really well, and you can certainly admire the technical brilliance, but not even Ben Whishaw could elevate this above tedious. It was only 80 minutes, and I was bored.
White Rabbit, Red Rabbit, Soho Place - gimmicky, odd, tonally all over the place, but I did get to see Miriam Margoyles on stage. I think she lost patience with it about three-quarters of the way through, and so did I.
Player Kings, Noel Coward Theatre - This felt like a vehicle purely for Ian McKellan to milk the laughs at the expense of the rest of the cast and play. And he wasn't that funny.
How was your theatre year?
Latest theatre reviews:
Cat On A Hot Tin Roof, Almeida Theatre ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ booking until 1 February (sold out but check for returns)
The Little Foxes, Young Vic Theatre booking until 8 February ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️