As 2023 promises a raft of new West End openings (each with their own distinct potential to dazzle or disappoint), Stuart King looks back at the productions which impressed him over this past year.
2022 began with the Omicron variant sweeping through casts and companies prolonging uncertainty and disquiet after two difficult years for the theatre industry. But there was also a resolute weariness towards all matters Covid, and a gritty determination to see the bright lights reinstated and the magic of theatre once again bringing joy and entertainment to millions.
With so many productions worthy of mention, I have limited my personal selection to 15 which for one reason or another engendered hope and optimism for the future of the industry — even allowing for arts funding cuts, austerity measures and economic constraints on the ticket-buying public.
10 in no particular order
- RIDE — Charing Cross Theatre’s female Phileas Fogg escapade, displayed quality songs and the wit deserving of a much longer future run for this musical by Freya Catrin Smith and Jack Williams. (August)
- DON PASQUALE — Royal Opera House dazzled with Paolo Fantin’s pared-down set accentuating the comic elements of Donizetti’s joyous, finger-wagging masterpiece. (May)
- AFTER THE END — Theatre Royal Stratford East delivered Dennis Kelly’s claustrophobic apocalyptic yarn with a powerfully layered capacity to disturb. (March)
- MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING — National Theatre Lyttelton’s pacy and colourful rendering barely put a foot wrong at its Sicily riviera setting. (July)
- CRUISE — Apollo Theatre hosted Jack Holden’s super-energised reflection on the AIDS crisis from his youth. (August)
- TASTING NOTES — Southwark Playhouse’s leap of faith paid-off as 6 quirky characters interconnected at a musical wine bar. (July)
- TONY! THE TONY BLAIR ROCK OPERA — Park Theatre provided the perfect venue for Harry Hill’s inspired comedy musical about the former Labour leader. Gusto on this scale definitely deserves a national tour or West End transfer. (June)
- STARCROSSED — Wilton’s Music Hall scored a raft of positive reviews with this small-scale tale of Mercutio and Tybalt’s reworked tale of forbidden love. (June)
- COCK — Ambassador’s Theatre hosted star power performances delivered under Marianne Elliot’s typically sensitive and nuanced direction. (April)
- BLUES FOR AN ALABAMA SKY — National Theatre Lyttelton’s production had as much to say about the black experience, disparity in opportunity and women’s rights (particularly access to healthcare) today, as the period in which the play is set. (October)
TOP 5
- TAMMY FAYE — Almeida’s much anticipated Elton John Jake Shears collaboration delivered in spades with Katie Brayben deserving awards (and a medal) for a simply extraordinary performance as the title character. (October)
- BONNIE AND CLYDE - Arts Theatre championed this musical production of the famous outlaws, which will soon receive a much-deserved return to the West End for an extended residency at the Garrick Theatre. (May)
- PRIMA FACIE — Harold Pinter Theatre Jodie Comer left theatregoers open-mouthed from her delivery of the very first salvo of rapid-fire observations to the enlightening and unsettling denouement. (April)
- BEST OF ENEMIES — Noel Coward Theatre received the Young Vic’s transfer and transformed itself into ABC TV studios for the 1960s intellectual cut and thrust of the political scene. (December)
- EUREKA DAY — The Old Vic witnessed one of the larger celebrity gatherings for an opening night as Helen Hunt led the cast in Jonathon Spector’s sharply observant and caustic play. (September)
