There’s nothing better than having a theatre trip to look forward to, so here’s a few I have already booked and can’t wait to see – and a couple I am hoping to get rush tickets for!
The Importance Of Being Earnest – National Theatre
The first show I’ll be seeing in 2025 is The Importance Of Being Earnest. Starring Ncuti Gatwa, Sharon D Clarke and Hugh Skinner, the Oscar Wilde play is currently at the National Theatre. It opened to strong reviews with some describing it as part-play, part-pantomime, in the best way. If its colourful and lively production photos are to go by, I think this will be the perfect play to start my year off to break free from the dreariness of January for a couple of hours!
Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812 – Donmar Warehouse
As someone not very familiar with War and Peace, I booked to see its musical adaptation for two reasons: the cast, which boasts Jamie Muscato, Cedric Neal and Maimuma Memon as part of its line-up; and that it’s a sung-through musical with a beautiful soundtrack. It was about time this finally opened in London as it’s so different to everything else playing here. Unfortunately the great hype around it means it’s totally sold out, so I’d recommend checking Donmar Daily or hoping for a West End transfer!
A Streetcar Named Desire – Noël Coward Theatre
I saw this production of Streetcar two years ago at the Almeida, before Paul Mescal rightly won the Olivier Award for Best Actor for his portrayal of Stanley, and it was one of the best pieces of theatre I’ve ever seen. So, when tickets went on sale for a limited 3-week run in London before it heads to New York, it didn’t take much persuasion for me to book! It’s a ruthlessly brilliant production of the play, and I can’t wait to see it again.
Dear England – National Theatre Olivier
It’s no secret that Dear England is the best play I have ever seen, so it would come as no surprise that I’m seeing it again when it returns to the National Theatre’s Olivier stage; apparently with a revised ending. The state-of-the-nation play penned by James Graham tracks the events of the past decade through England’s football team and despite having very little interest in world football, I was utterly mesmerised by how it rouses such atmosphere and emotion. I’m very pleased that after its upcoming run in London, it’s heading to The Lowry in Salford, as I think it will receive just as great a reception up north.
Here We Are – National Theatre Lyttelton
Will there be a bigger moment in London theatre this year than Stephen Sondheim’s posthumous final musical opening at the National Theatre? With a cast including Rory Kinnear, Jesse Tyler Ferguson and Jane Krakowski, it’s certainly going to make a splash and I’m very excited to see how it fares.
13 Going on 30 The Musical – Manchester Opera House
Lucie Jones is one of my favourite musical theatre performers so I’m incredibly excited to see her originate the role of Jenna Rink in the new musical adaptation of 13 Going on 30, opening in Manchester later this year. Its first workshop in 2023 received a great buzz, so I really hope this is a movie adaptation that works and may find itself in London sometime in the not so distant future.
There’s a couple of shows on my radar that I hope to get rush tickets for: I’ve heard great things about The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button at the Ambassadors Theatre, which recently extended its run until mid-April, and I’m excited that one of my favourite films, Clueless is being made into a musical – it could be a love or loathe, but I’m trying to be optimistic!
Well, we’ve established I’ll be spending plenty of time at the National Theatre this year (those 16-25 tickets are a Godsend!) but what shows are you planning on seeing this year?
