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Post by n1david on Dec 4, 2024 12:17:25 GMT
Gosh is it December already? Just as well it’s been such a quiet, uneventful year. Isn’t it nice to know the state of the world is so calm at the moment? Anyway, looking back, another year has passed and with that a whole bunch of new shows have had the curtain rise and fall - sometimes earlier than expected - and lots of Theatreboard members have been watching those metaphorical curtains rise and fall all year. This annual poll started on a whim in 2018, and over the years it’s been interesting to see what people have really enjoyed each year. Last year Sunset Boulevard absolutely walked it with a huge 45.16 votes , Sondheim’s Old Friends on 34, and, way way behind was the top play Dear England with 20.83. The full results are here: theatreboard.co.uk/post/497885/thread and you can step back through previous years linking through from the first post in each thread. The recent thread on ‘Lost Theatre Mojo’ has raised some interesting observations about people (like me) who have reduced their theatregoing - but equally for each one of us of who might have reduced our theatregoing there is probably another newcomer to the theatre scene seeing lots of new stuff… so whether you’ve been on this site for years, or have never felt the need to actually post yet, we’re interested in your opinion. All votes are equal here. The rules are simple: any type of performance is fine, whether it was on stage or streamed, and you can nominate plays, musicals, operas, concerts, cabarets or even your grandchild’s school’s Christmas show if you really want. It can be a new show, it can be one that you’ve been enjoying for years. It’s not a poll about what is “best”, it’s about what you have enjoyed the most, whether it’s because you thought it was artistically incredibly astute, or just made you laugh more than you thought possible. Please try to limit yourself to five; if you find that utterly impossible, it’s OK, but I’ll adjust your votes so that you still only get five in total. I’ll close the books, as ever, as the bells of Hogmanay ring out at the end of December 31st, and announce the outcome on Ne’erday. So you have plenty of time to see any shows in December and cast your votes before the end of the month. Start thinking now, and let’s remind ourselves of how this theatregoing year has gone… |
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Post by Being Alive on Dec 4, 2024 12:30:19 GMT
Hanging fire until I see Oedipus on the 23rd Dec, as by all accounts this sounds right up my street and like it will probably feature in my top 5, but looking forward to reading everyone's top 5 as always!
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Post by amyja89 on Dec 4, 2024 12:38:30 GMT
I've still got The Little Foxes, Oliver!, The Tempest and Titanique to come this month, so it will be a late entry from me too!
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Post by Jon on Dec 4, 2024 12:40:06 GMT
Mine won't be until the end of December as I still need to see The Tempest at Drury Lane and Jack and the Beanstalk at the New Wimbledon and possibly 1-2 more shows.
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Post by doctorshaw on Dec 4, 2024 12:49:40 GMT
My personal votes:
1) My Fair Lady (Leeds Playhouse)
2) Avenue Q in concert (Sondheim)
3) Hello Dolly! (Palladium)
4) Spirited Away (Coliseum)
5) Kiss me Kate (Barbican)
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Post by lt on Dec 4, 2024 13:29:36 GMT
Gosh is it December already? Just as well it’s been such a quiet, uneventful year. Isn’t it nice to know the state of the world is so calm at the moment? Anyway, looking back, another year has passed and with that a whole bunch of new shows have had the curtain rise and fall - sometimes earlier than expected - and lots of Theatreboard members have been watching those metaphorical curtains rise and fall all year. This annual poll started on a whim in 2018, and over the years it’s been interesting to see what people have really enjoyed each year. Last year Sunset Boulevard absolutely walked it with a huge 45.16 votes , Sondheim’s Old Friends on 34, and, way way behind was the top play Dear England with 20.83. The full results are here: theatreboard.co.uk/post/497885/thread and you can step back through previous years linking through from the first post in each thread. The recent thread on ‘Lost Theatre Mojo’ has raised some interesting observations about people (like me) who have reduced their theatregoing - but equally for each one of us of who might have reduced our theatregoing there is probably another newcomer to the theatre scene seeing lots of new stuff… so whether you’ve been on this site for years, or have never felt the need to actually post yet, we’re interested in your opinion. All votes are equal here. The rules are simple: any type of performance is fine, whether it was on stage or streamed, and you can nominate plays, musicals, operas, concerts, cabarets or even your grandchild’s school’s Christmas show if you really want. It can be a new show, it can be one that you’ve been enjoying for years. It’s not a poll about what is “best”, it’s about what you have enjoyed the most, whether it’s because you thought it was artistically incredibly astute, or just made you laugh more than you thought possible. Please try to limit yourself to five; if you find that utterly impossible, it’s OK, but I’ll adjust your votes so that you still only get five in total. I’ll close the books, as ever, as the bells of Hogmanay ring out at the end of December 31st, and announce the outcome on Ne’erday. So you have plenty of time to see any shows in December and cast your votes before the end of the month. Start thinking now, and let’s remind ourselves of how this theatregoing year has gone… Great idea! Is there a separate category for fringe shows? As I guess they are likely to lose in any head-to-head with a big show? |
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Post by stagedreamer23 on Dec 4, 2024 13:31:00 GMT
My vote is Hadestown.
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Post by n1david on Dec 4, 2024 13:51:24 GMT
Great idea! Is there a separate category for fringe shows? As I guess they are likely to lose in any head-to-head with a big show? There is no separate section, as I don't want it to start fragmenting into multiple categories (both to make my life easier but also because inevitably it descends into where places the Almeida, Donmar and Southwark Playhouse fit), but I usually highlight the top voted off-West End and Fringe productions in my summary, along with shows outside London, so that they get their moment in the sun. And it isn't the case that fringe shows won't do well - Operation Mincemeat started appearing near the top even when it was at Southwark Playhouse. And part of the pleasure that people get is seeing what others nominate, it's not all about who comes top. |
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Post by oxfordsimon on Dec 4, 2024 13:56:49 GMT
Kyoto is probably my highlight of the year.
Hopefully it will do well when it opens in London next year.
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Post by lt on Dec 4, 2024 14:21:42 GMT
Great idea! Is there a separate category for fringe shows? As I guess they are likely to lose in any head-to-head with a big show? There is no separate section, as I don't want it to start fragmenting into multiple categories (both to make my life easier but also because inevitably it descends into where places the Almeida, Donmar and Southwark Playhouse fit), but I usually highlight the top voted off-West End and Fringe productions in my summary, along with shows outside London, so that they get their moment in the sun. And it isn't the case that fringe shows won't do well - Operation Mincemeat started appearing near the top even when it was at Southwark Playhouse. And part of the pleasure that people get is seeing what others nominate, it's not all about who comes top. Great thanks. |
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Post by thedrowsychaperone on Dec 4, 2024 14:32:11 GMT
I have no more theatre booked in for the rest of the year, so...
1) Curious Case of Benjamin Button
2) The Baker's Wife
3) Hello, Dolly!
4) Next to Normal
5) Standing at the Sky's Edge
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Post by alece10 on Dec 4, 2024 14:37:09 GMT
Mine is going to be a bit last minute as I've got several shows still to see with the last one on the 30th Dec. One or two of those yet to see may possibly be contenders.
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Post by rumbledoll on Dec 4, 2024 14:43:15 GMT
I'm done for London trips in 2024 (21 shows across 4 weeks), my picks are below in that particular order: 1. Oedipus 2. Giant 3. Ulster American 4. The Hills of California 5. The Other Place / Cold War (can't decide) The Lehman Trilogy I saw for the 5th time this year is still in a league of its own  |
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Post by keyspi on Dec 4, 2024 14:45:39 GMT
Reserving my spot for the end of December when I'll edit it with my top 5. I've still got 5-6 remaining plays to attend for this year 😁
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Post by Lopsided on Dec 4, 2024 16:07:41 GMT
I was definitely lacking theatre mojo this year. Looking at my calendar, there were an embarrassing number of shows which I'd booked for but never went to (mostly due to unfavourable reviews on here, plus suddenly finding the trip from Bristol to London more of a barrier than previous years).
Anyway, all that being said, I did enjoy at least five things!
1) Oedipus
2) Giant
3) Infinite Life
4) Some Demon
5) Player Kings
Thanks David for once again administering the poll - it is always fascinating seeing what people have enjoyed.
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Post by barelyathletic on Dec 4, 2024 16:27:07 GMT
Yet to see Cyrano and Forsyte Saga at The Park and Importance at the NT but I reckon this won't change much
5: The Fear of 13 (Donmar)
4: Shifters (Bush)
3: The Giant Killers (Wiltons)
2: Two Strangers Carry a Cake Across New York (Kiln)
1: Some Demon (Arcola)
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Post by marob on Dec 4, 2024 16:40:42 GMT
Quieter year than usual, first show wasn’t until the end of April and I’ve already seen the last. I think I counted 34 in total.
Every year I’m way too indecisive for this but standouts would be Next to Normal, Avenue Q, Red Speedo, Spirited Away, and Matthew Bourne’s Swan Lake. Would probably pick a different five tomorrow more though.
No votes, but also really liked Your Lie in April, Kiss Me Kate, Starlight Express, Mean Girls, Hadestown, and Hello, Dolly! Was also impressed by some smaller scale shows at a couple of local theatres: Theatr Clwyd’s Rope, and Storyhouse had a good production of Kinky Boots which they followed up with rep productions of Importance of Being Earnest and Gangs of New York.
Dud of the year between Slave Play and Romeo and Juliet.
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Post by Afriley on Dec 4, 2024 16:44:55 GMT
Too experience of 2024 but also my overall theatregoing life was the Spring Awakening reunion concert.
It was so special not just in terms of talent but also the love the cast clearly have for each other and the reverent, rapt and impeccably behaved audience. Special evening in every way!
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Post by danb on Dec 4, 2024 17:13:26 GMT
Too experience of 2024 but also my overall theatregoing life was the Spring Awakening reunion concert. It was so special not just in terms of talent but also the love the cast clearly have for each other and the reverent, rapt and impeccably behaved audience. Special evening in every way! Me too. This and Sunset on Broadway were my highlights. If we’re doing low lights it’d be “I Should Be So Lucky”. A more offensively ill judged piece of trash I can’t remember. |
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Post by adamkinsey on Dec 4, 2024 17:43:48 GMT
1) Giant
2) Motive and the Cue
3) Dear Octopus
4) Hills of California
5) Twelfth Night (Orange Tree)
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Post by ceebee on Dec 4, 2024 17:49:50 GMT
1) The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
2) Next To Normal
3) Macbeth
4) The Motive and the Cue
5) Just For One Day
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Post by ChristineH on Dec 4, 2024 18:42:24 GMT
I’ve picked 7 and would be hard pressed to whittle it down to 5 so in the order that I saw them:
Punch - Nottingham Playhouse
American Buffalo - King’s Arms, Salford
Sweat - Manchester Royal Exchange
These I Love - Bolton Octagon (one woman play written and performed by Julie Hesmondhalgh)
Standing at the Sky’s Edge - Gillian Lynne Theatre
Faith Healer - Lyric, Hammersmith
A Streetcar Named Desiire - Edinburgh Lyceum
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Post by thaneofglamis on Dec 4, 2024 20:52:29 GMT
1/ Giant
2/ Punch
3/ Player Kings (saw both with and without McKellen)
4/ Nye
5/ Midsummer Night’s Dream (RSC)
(Honourable mentions: Boys from the Blackstuff, Kyoto, Godot)
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Post by osdtdg on Dec 4, 2024 20:59:37 GMT
1) Next to Normal
2) Hadestown
3) Cabaret
4) Starlight Express
5) Two Strangers
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Post by artea on Dec 4, 2024 21:13:28 GMT
1. Tales of Hoffman - Offenbach at RBO formerly ROH.
2. Encounters, 4 contemporary ballets at RBO. Esp. the Statement choreographed by Crystal Pite.
3. The Years, Almeida
4. Pacific Overtures, Sondheim, menier chocolate
5. Into the Woods, Sondheim, LAMDA (before Edinburgh). The musical theatre colleges produce wonderful work in small spaces so I've included one,
a little bit at random, from the many Sondheims put on in London in 2024.
Headache of the year: London Tide, NT.
Thank you n1david for the lovely preamble and your spreadsheeting.
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