Best (and worst) of London theatre for 2018...so far...and the actress in two plays on the list
01/07/2018
As the halfway mark of 2018 rushes past, it's time to reflect on the highlights and low lights of London's theatre productions so far (edit: scroll to the bottom for the most read posts).
I'm not sure whether it's a reflection of more varied programming generally or just where my interests predominantly lie these days but it's a list dominated by women protagonists and BAME stories.
Best of the big stuff (West End and off West End)
Carey Mulligan's performance is a tour de force, precise, subtle and complex. It is a devastating and brilliant piece of theatre and it's transferred to the Minetta Lane Theatre in New York Theatre where it runs until July 22.
The York Realist, Donmar Warehouse
Like My Night With Reg crossed with God's Own Country and the steamiest flirtation on stage for a long while.
Stuff with Ben Whishaw in it doesn't always make it into my best of lists but being part of the mob was at times like being at a rock concert, a rally and in the middle of a war - never thought I'd enjoy standing at the theatre.
The Great Wave, National Theatre
Had no prior knowledge about the true events this play is based on but it proved the adage that the truth really can be stranger than fiction.
The first of two appearances on this list for Patsy Ferran, Summer and Smoke was a delicate, yet tense and heartbreaking play and I'm so glad it's got a transfer to the West End. See ATG's official website for details.