Tuesday, 31 December 2013

Editor's Blog: Top 10 Shows of 2013

When people ask what I do for a living and I explain that I am the Editor of a theatre website I am always asked two questions. Firstly, 'Don't you get bored of going to the theatre every night?' and secondly 'What's the best show you've ever seen?'

My answer to the first question is always no - I do not and never could get bored of going to the theatre every night due to the incredible variety we are so lucky to have in London. If I saw a big West End musical every night I would become bored. If I saw a small fringe play every night I would become bored. But 2013 has seen so many different productions staged all over London which really have pushed theatrical boundaries.

I often find it hard to answer the second question, so throughout the year I have been working on a list of my top ten personal favourite shows of the year... and below is the finished version. I would also just like to thank everyone for their unbelievably amazing support throughout 2013. It has been a very exciting year for West End Frame and, quite simply, we couldn't do it without you. Happy New Year!

10. Chess at the Union Theatre
February 2013 - March 2013

Photo Credit: Mug Photography

For me the most exciting thing about seeing Chess at the Union Theatre was that I was able to be completely open minded as I had absolutely nothing to compare it to. On press night I was surrounded by people discussing how it compared to the original West End production but I had the joy of discovering the show for the first time. Chess was one of the most exciting productions I saw in 2013, the entire run sold out before the first preview! The show took so many risks, all of which paid off. Sarah Galbraith gave the most mesmerising performance as Florence and Christopher Howell and Steven Harris' direction was nothing short of mind-blowing. Their attention to detail was sublime.

Read my interviews with cast members Sarah Galbraith and Gillian Kirkpatrick and director Christopher Howell.

9. The Light Princess at the National Theatre
October 2013 - February 2014

Photo Credit: National Theatre

I loved every second of discovering The Light Princess at the National Theatre. It was the show I had been waiting to see for a very long time - a big new adventurous musical. Nothing beats the feeling of sitting in a theatre and seeing something so imaginative for the very first time. The Light Princess has its faults but there really is nothing else like it. Rae Smith's design is quite literally out of this world and Rosalie Craig gives the performance of a lifetime and is the definition of perfection in the title role.


 8. Chicago at the Curve Leicester
November 2013 - January 2014
Photo Credit: Curve Leicester Theatre

I had already finalised this list before travelling to Leicester to see Chicago. But after sitting in absolute awe of the musical from start to finish I realised there was absolutely no way I could leave it out of my top ten shows of 2013. Chicago transported me to musical theatre heaven – the show is injected with style, flair and character, but also doesn't take itself too seriously. I had never seen the show in the West End but am now thrilled I waited to see Paul Kerryson brand new production.


7. Merrily We Roll Along at the Harold Pinter Theatre
April 2013 - July 2013

Photo Credit: Tristram Kenton

Maria Friedman's production of Merrily We Roll Along technically premiered in 2012 at the Menier Chocolate Factory. However, I didn't see the show in full until it transferred into the West End in April 2013. Due to a diary clash I never actually reviewed Merrily personally. Producers claimed it received more five star reviews than any other musical in West End history, and I certainly would have also awarded the production five stars. I have never seen anything quite like it, when the show begins you can't quite work out what is going on, but the show goes back in time meaning it ends with the characters being clueless, whilst the audience know exactly what journey they are about to embark on. Incredible cast + perfect director = phenomenal production.


6. Relatively Speaking at the Wyndham's Theatre
May 2013 - June 2013

Photo Credit: Catherine Ashmore

I have always been a fan of Alan Ayckbourn, but nothing quite prepared me for Lindsay Posner's world class production of one of his most famous plays, Relatively Speaking. I just remember sitting on my seat howling with laughter and feeling disappointed when the curtain came down for the interval as I was enjoying the production so immensely. Ayckbourn's writing has stood the test of time and the cast were terrific. I was gutted that I was unable to squeeze in a return visit. 


5. A Doll's House at the Duke of York's Theatre
August 2013 - October 2013

Photo Credit: Johan Persson

I saw Carrie Cracknell’s production of A Doll's House twice this year, first at the Young Vic and then when it transferred into the West End. Both times I found myself utterly transfixed by Ibsen's story of debt, blackmail, friendship and love. It was amazing to see how Ibsen’s play continues to shock audiences in 2013. Hattie Morahan's portrayal of Nora was extraordinary and felt unbelievably fresh. Playing the role on and off for so long must have been extremely rewarding but also very emotionally draining. I am still baffled as to why Morahan didn't win the Olivier Award for Best Actress earlier this year.


4. The Book of Mormon at the Prince of Wales Theatre
Opened February 2013

Photo Credit: Johan Persson

Usually I try to avoid listening to cast recordings prior to seeing a show for the first time, however I took my seat at the Prince of Wales Theatre knowing almost every single lyric of The Book of Mormon's score (I had had the soundtrack on repeat for the past year). There was (and still is) a lot of hype surrounding The Book of Mormon, but I ensured I was completely open minded. I have never experienced anything like it in a theatre, audience members were literally squealing with laughter (as I wrote in my review, without being too graphic I think the lady in front of me may have wet herself). The revolutionary show pushes boundaries just about as far as they can go and breaks almost every single rule in the theatrical rule book. The Book of Mormon works because it contains all the usual ingredients of a hit musical... a good score, tap dancing, a strong cast etc, but it also brings something completely new to the table.


3. A Chorus Line at the London Palladium
February 2013 - August 2013

Photo Credit: Manuel Harlan

I first saw A Chorus Line when I was invited to review the show. I sat at the back of the Royal Circle and loved the huge numbers and terrific cast but felt it took a dip in the middle and became a little bored. I was then persuaded to see A Chorus Line again when my sisters, who grew up watching the film, visited me in London and were desperate to see the show. I was actually unwell and slept through most of the performance. However, we had great seats and I loved what I saw so thought I must try and see it again. So when I saw the show for a third time I finally fell in love with it. There was no dip as the middle section is very moving. I ended up seeing the show five times, including the final performance which was very sad as I knew London would never again see such a perfect production of the show. 

Read my interview with cast member Harry Francis and Editor's Blog about the final performance of A Chorus Line.

2. Lift at the Soho Theatre
January 2013 - February 2013

Photo Credit: Darren Bell

Every time I think about Lift I am instantly filled with excitement. I don't think I have ever become so obsessed with a show and I felt very sorry for all my family and friends as I was unable to talk about anything else for several months. Time after time I see shows which simply tell the audience everything, but Lift was so wonderful as it did not spoon-feed the audience information - we actually had to think! Lift is a show which sees various stories intertwine and link up, after seeing the show for the first time I was a little baffled so had to go again... and again. I set some of the songs as my alarm clock and remember waking up one morning, sitting bolt upright and thinking 'I get it now'! The musical was exceptionally well cast and was a brilliant ensemble piece. Lift was written and directed with such love, detail and care, I think it was the most underrated show of 2013. Some people struggle to distinguish the difference between not understanding something and not liking something. I sincerely hope Craig Adams' masterpiece is seen again in London at some point in the future, it would certainly sell well based on my ticket sales alone.

Read my interviews with cast members Nikki Davis-Jones, Julie Atherton and Cynthia Erivo.

1. The Color Purple at the Menier Chocolate Factory
July 2013 - Setpember 2013

Photo Credit: Nobby Clark

The sum up The Menier Chocolate Factory's production of The Color Purple in just one short paragraph is impossible. Life as a London theatre critic is funny because you see fellow reviewers night after night so they almost become work colleagues, and nobody wants to sit in a theatre sobbing their eyes out in front of their work colleagues... but I'm not afraid to admit that I did! John Doyle's production was all about telling the story. Seeing the show for the first time was overwhelming, the story is heartbreaking, the score is joyous and truthful and the audience response was like nothing I had ever experienced in a London theatre. People were literally screaming "You go girl" as Celie found her inner strength. On top of that, to witness (and to be part of) a mid-show standing ovation after Cynthia Erivo's flawless rendition of 'I'm Here' was a very special moment. Erivo gave the best performance I have ever seen anybody give on a stage. To see her take an audience on such a journey was just... there really are no words. The musical had its faults, but I always say we go to the theatre to grow and to be changed. I arrived at the Menier Chocolate Factory feeling a little tired and angry because Google Maps had just taken me on an unnecessary tour of Southwark, but I left feeling unsure as to why I was crying. Was it because Celie's life had been so horrific? Was it because the moment she was reunited with her children was so powerful? Or was it because I was so blown away by Erivo's performance? For me that is what going to the theatre is all about. The fact that The Color Purple didn't transfer into the West End and wasn't filmed by Digital Theatre is very sad, but also makes the production even more special. It will always remain a hidden gem.


Mentions must also go to the new toruing production of The Rocky Horror Show, the Regent's Park Open Air Theatre's productions of The Sound Of Music and To Kill A Mockingbird, The Duck House at the Vaudeville Theatre, Chimerica at the Almeida & Harold Pinter Theatres and Private Lives at the Gielgud Theatre.


Bring on 2014!

Andrew Tomlins (Editor)

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