2013 really has highlighted the importance of story, structure & character above all else. The disappointments for me this year have all too often been spectacular and expensive messes. Many mediocre productions could have been potential classics if the emphasis placed on the book and music was equal to the technology created to mount them (there are several big shows that have disappointed me for these reasons). On the other hand, the greatest theatre I have seen this year have been a tribute to inspired writing with design that allows the production to breathe rather than attempt to command all of the attention (Bob Crowley's "Once" design being the strongest in my view this year). Tom Stoppard has described theatre in terms of the "ambush" of the experience and whilst I agree with the need for constant surprise in theatre I also think that sometimes we can forget that this can come in many forms, "by an unexpected word, or by an elephant falling out of the cupboard, whatever it is".
Small venues & intimate productions have excited me a great deal throughout 2013, namely the Union Theatre (Southwalk, London) and the (now renamed) Hayes Theatre, providing wonderful, personal touches with beautiful productions of Chess & Torch Song Trilogy respectively. Staging the tumultuous "Chess" to an audience of 30 really brings home just how stunning the score is (it really is one of the best even if not the most successful musicals). I'm also very happy that all the venues I have visited this year are but a few degrees warm or cool of perfect. I really went to some awful venues last year and I'm glad that I haven't needed to go back to them.
I have had the privilege of watching some remarkable performers in wonderful roles and some incredible productions this year. Part of that joy is sharing the moment that performer and the audience, knowing it is so different to watching a film or listening to an album.
I hope that all of you have seen some remarkable performances this year. Let's hope 2014 is just as lush.
See you at the theatre.
1. Once (NY Theatre Workshop)
2. Macbeth (Trafalgar Transformed & Jamie Lloyd Productions)
3. La Traviata (English National Opera)
4. Matilda (Royal Shakespeare Company)
5. The Judas Kiss (Chichester Festival Theatre &The Hampstead Theatre)
6. The Graduate (Kay & Maclean Productions)
7. Rosencrantz & Guildenstern Are Dead (STC)
8. Torch Song Trilogy (Gaiety Theatre)
9. Chess (The Union Theatre, London)
10. The Bodyguard The Musical
Honourable Mentions -
Quartermaine's Terms (Michael Codron & Theatre Royal Bath Productions)
The Magistrate (National Theatre of GB)
Best Female (play) - Helen Mirren in The Audience
Best Male (play) - Rupert Everett in The Judas Kiss & James McEvoy in Macbeth
Best Female (musical) - Heather Headley in The Bodyguard
Best Male (musical) - Declan Bennett in Once
Worst Production - Spamalot (ATG)
Sexy Sex Sex Award - Freddie Fox and Tom Colley in The Judas Kiss
OMG OMG OMG Award - The Bodyguard The Musical
Best Use of the Male Torso - The Lion King (for the gay hyena disco dance-break) & Grease (for the three topless men in shower cubicles for no apparent reason)
