Theatre is a sacred and glorious art form that we all know and love. Here at Adventures in Theatreland, we're particularly keen to see how classics like Shakespeare or Wilde are reimaged on stage, and how innovative and creative more recent plays are brought to life on stage.
Here's a few of the team's favourite entertaining, thought provoking and ambitious plays of the year.
People, Places and Things | Trafalgar Theatre
"Among a strong year of plays, the West End return of People, Places and Things particularly stood out for me. The subject matters explored are not for the faint of heart, but for those open to an evening of thought-provoking theatre asking some of the more controversial questions, featuring sharp writing by Duncan Macmillan and an award-winning leading performance from Denise Gough."
Wyman
Reverberation | Bristol Old Vic
"I went into Reverberation at the Bristol Old Vic completely blind, only knowing that Michael Ahomka-Lindsay (Newsies) was in a lead role. The play is so sharp, with incredible writing by the amazing Matthew Lopez (The Inheritance). The show is so unapologetically human and depressing, and has left a lasting impression even months later. The set and lighting design were great, and performances even more so. I found myself in not one, but in all three of the characters."
Oviya
Mind Mangler | Apollo Theatre
"My favourite play, as in most years, has been one from the Mischief Gang – Mind Mangler. I saw it a few times last year, whenever I got the chance, so was over the moon when I saw it was going to be in London again. It makes me cry with laughter and shows off just how amazing Henry Lewis and Jonathan Sawyer are as comedy actors and doing improv. They bounce off the audience and the whole show was fantastic."
Ally
Fear of 13 | Donmar Warehouse
"The best compliment anyone can give a play is that it not only fully held their attention, but elicited a very real, profound emotional response, such was the quality of acting and storytelling on display. Adrian Brody’s performance alone warranted the ticket price, and his chemistry with Nana Mensah, who was equally brilliant, was truly believable, and the two took us on a real journey, pulling us to and fro, with our expectations constantly being subverted, we never know how it’s going to pan out."
James
The Other Other Brontë | National Theatre
“Witty, thought-provoking and beautifully-staged, with a star turn from Gemma Whelan as Charlotte Brontë, Underdog: The Other Other Brontë is the story of the often-overlooked third Brontë sister, Anne. With an incredible script from Sarah Gordon and stunning performances across the board, Underdog has something to offer Brontë enthusiasts and those who are still recovering from the trauma of GCSE English alike.”
Julie
Birdsong | UK and Ireland Tour
“Birdsong is a perfect WW1 piece with impressive acting performances, costuming and sound design. The story is heartbreaking but the execution is magnificent.”
Emma
White Rabbit, Red Rabbit | @sohoplace
“White Rabbit Red Rabbit has such an interesting concept by having a different performer each night step on stage without a clue of what’s going to happen. This was one of my favourite theatre experiences of the year especially seeing one of my favourite actors, Calum Scott Howells, performing this fascinating thought provoking piece.”
Jordan
The Gangs of New York | Grosvenor Park Open Air Theatre
“Grosvenor Park’s Open Air Theatre in Chester provides the most delightful summertime theatre experience. Using an in the round set up, The Gangs of New York was an incredible immersive theatre experience. The cast were all phenomenal and the story was so gripping and exciting”
Vicky
The Cherry Orchard | Donmar Warehouse
“A classic play by Anton Chekhov, this revival directed by Benedict Andrews threw everything you thought about the characters and the story in the air and subverted it in the best possible way, making it intensely, provocatively relevant to today.”
Benjamin
Life of Pi | UK and Ireland Tour
“This was one of the best pieces of theatre I’ve ever seen, such a powerful story told by an incredibly talented cast. The sets (Tim Hatley) are breathtaking and the puppetry by Nick Barnes and Finn Caldwell adds to the spectacle. I was lucky enough to see both Divesh Subaskaran and Adwitha Arumugam as Pi, who both shone in their portrayals of the character.”
Katie
Let us know your favourite plays of 2024 and check out the rest of our categories of AIT's Twelve Days of Christmas in the blog section..
Comments