In 2018 I managed to see 24 productions, of which I quite a few more than once – due to the quality. So many plays that I wish I could have captured for repeat experiencing. Each iteration was different, and special, which is why I love live theatre so much.
- The top 15 were all excellent in their way, and am glad I got to see them.
- The next (16-19) were good, and worth the time to watch.
- The next lot (20-23) were ones that were ok, but if I hadn’t seen them I wouldn’t have worried about it.
- The last one (24) is one I will shudder over for years to come…absolutely hated it – which being Macbeth and that cast was doubly painful. It was 3.5hrs and £55 of awfulness, production, acting, direction, and set.
Obviously this is my opinion, and probably/may differ completely from yours.. that’s the joy of art, it’s in the eye of the beholder.
| # | Play | Venue | Spot Thoughts |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sea Wall (x6) | The Old Vic Theatre | |
| 2 | Julius Caesar (x2) | The Bridge Theatre | An immersive production with a really fantastic cast |
| 3 | The Wild Duck (x2) | Almeida Theatre | So moving, a really wonderful production – with the attic as a very excellent stage design |
| 4 | Madness of King George | (Nottingham) Playhouse Theatre | A really excellent production with a star turn by Mark Gatiss |
| 5 | Measure for Measure (x2) | Donmar Warehouse | |
| 6 | Lifespan of a Fact (x3) | Studio 54 (New York) | |
| 7 | Beginning | Ambassadors Theatre | |
| 8 | Mary Stuart | Duke of York Theatre | |
| 9 | Julius Caesar | Barbican Theatre | |
| 10 | Lobby Hero (x2) | Helen Hayes Theatre (New York) | How could I miss Chris Evans on the stage |
| 11 | King Lear | Duke of York Theatre | |
| 12 | Imperium I | Gielgud Theatre | |
| 13 | Imperium II | Gielgud Theatre | |
| 14 | Titus Andonicus | Barbican Theatre | |
| 15 | The Birthday Party | Harold Pinter Theatre | |
| 16 | Building a Wall | Park Theatre | |
| 17 | Witness for the Prosecution | London County Hall | |
| 18 | Apologia | Laura Pels Theater (New York) | |
| 19 | Antony and Cleopatra | Olivier Theatre | |
| 20 | Honour | Park Theatre | |
| 21 | Straight White Men | Helen Hayes Theatre (New York) | |
| 22 | True West | Vaudeville Theatre | |
| 23 | Killer Joe | Trafalgar Theatre | |
| 24 | Macbeth | Olivier Theatre | A completely awful production – the three witches had one running around like a toddler, one like a voodoo witch, and the other some kind of water thing… and it got worse and worse from there |