I love to look back on the previous year at the best shows I saw, usually ranking my top 5 (or 10, when there was so many in 2023 it was impossible to choose!). This year I’ve decided to go a little different and select my favourites in a few different categories, mini-awards style!
My favourite musical: Two Strangers (Carry A Cake Across New York) – Criterion Theatre
The best musical I have seen this year has to be Two Strangers (Carry A Cake Across New York). Starring Sam Tutty and Dujonna Gift as two unlikely strangers brought together by a family wedding in Manhattan, it is one of the most heartwarming and uplifting musicals the West End has seen in a long time. The soundtrack is beautiful, the music brings the story to life rather than feeling forced, and Sam’s charm and Dujonna’s deadpan humour combine to make it a really witty watch. I was so sad when it closed in August and hope it has a future life because it’s such a special production.
My favourite play: Barcelona – Duke Of York’s Theatre
I’ve seen some great plays this year: Harry Clarke at the Ambassadors Theatre was a triumph for Billy Crudup who played 19 different characters in the space of 80 minutes, and Till The Stars Come Down at the National Theatre was a touching family drama that sent shockwaves through the auditorium as a wedding threatens to tear close-knit sisters apart.
But overall, my favourite was Barcelona at the Duke Of York’s Theatre. Starring Lily Collins as Irene, whose chance encounter with Manuel (played by Álvaro Morte) in a Barcelona bar leads to an unforgettable night. Both actors made their West End debut in the play – not that you could tell, as the acting was so effortlessly skilled. Lily Collins’ character in Barcelona isn’t a million miles away from her Emily In Paris; perhaps with heightened energy and chaos, which makes the first half of the play a laugh-out-loud feast before it gradually grows darker as secrets emerge.
Best touring production: Come From Away
Come From Away is one of my favourite musicals of all-time; I was incredibly sad when it closed in the West End but relieved that it returned to the stage on a UK tour last year. A wonderfully heartfelt musical about a small town of Gander in Newfoundland, Canada who welcomed thousands of ‘plane people’ in the aftermath of 9/11, I went to see it at the Liverpool Empire Theatre and it was as brilliant as ever. It’s a true ensemble piece with the whole cast on stage, performing at least two different roles, throughout the 90 minute run time. It makes you cry, laugh (sometimes at the same time!) and has you humming the tunes all the way home. I had a lovely trip up to Liverpool to see it with my best friend who I’m so glad finally got to see it after I’ve been raving about it for years!
Most memorable show: The Notebook – Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre
I went to New York in May so naturally my some of my stand-out theatre moments of the year have to be the shows I saw on Broadway. I was working on SIX the Musical around that time and it was an amazing experience to see a show I know and love so much supersized in a Broadway theatre. The other show I saw over there was The Notebook, which I went into with little expectations and was truly blown away by. The set was beautiful, with rain that felt so real and atmospheric, and the story was so moving. If you’ve seen and loved the film or the book, you will be enthralled by the musical, and my fingers are crossed that it will come over to the UK soon.
My favourite venue: The Old Vic
I didn’t see as many shows in 2024 as I did the year before, so I consider it quite the feat that I managed to see three different shows at The Old Vic! The year began with Just For One Day, which is coming to the West End’s Shaftesbury Theatre this summer. Although not my favourite musical, its music is unquestionably great, and I did see its first preview so I can imagine with a bit of work it would come to life. I then saw The Constituent, a new play starring Anna Maxwell-Martin and James Corden, who did a great job starring as an MP and disgruntled ex-serviceman. In October, The Real Thing, a Tom Stoppard revival with Bel Powley and James McCardle was a fun character-driven play, though its first half was far stronger than its second. The Old Vic is one of my favourite theatres to visit and I can’t wait to see what it has instore next year!
What is your favourite show you saw last year?
Read my Top 5 shows of 2022 | Watch my Top 10 shows of 2023 on TikTok
