2013 in…. THEATRE
For some reason I thought it might be fun to do some awards for all the things I’ve enjoyed this year. Today I’m covering theatre…
A Top 10 of London Theatre in 2013
This is my hastily thrown together list. What have I missed? What have I got wrong? Add your comments and let me know.
1 — Merrily We Roll Along @ Menier — 8th Jan
I loved this show since I saw it at the Donmar years back, and this production was even better. Its just so dark, so cynical. Maybe the only show I've ever had to see twice in the same run.
2 — Table @ Shed — 13th Apr
A play about a Table. And the people who use it over 100 years or something. Sounds like a load of balls, but somehow the whole thing was so totally believable that I felt like I lived it.
3 — The Scottsboro Boys @ Young Vic — 22nd Oct
Dark as hell and right on the line. A difficult but important show. Just right.
4 — The Effect @ National — 13th Feb
Depression. Love. Science. Amazing.
5 — The Color Purple @ Menier — 9th Jul
Big brassy songs that blow right through you. Impossible not to be moved.
6 — Chimerica @ Almeida — 18th Jun
Massively hyped by the time I got round to seeing this. Brilliantly staged, and a fun story. I couldn't fault it.
7 — Elixir Of Love @ Kings Head Theatre Pub — 24th Feb
Oh wow this was good. Informal opera performed in a pub, loud and in your face. Funny as hell, as it should be.
8 — Candide @ Menier — 23rd Nov
Saw the very first preview of Candide, so who knows it they changed it much after that, but I liked it. Some good songs, a nutty story, staged in the round with the audience used as props. Funny, a little philosophy, and that rousing ending. Nice.
9 — The Wasp Factory @ Royal Opera House — 5th Oct
Absolutely the most bonkers thing I've ever seen. Wonderful.
10 — Pipe Dream @ Union Theatre — 21st Aug
Well it was fun, at least. A flawed musical that makes next to no sense, but a jolly old romp anyway. This gets into the top 10 mainly for its fascinating oddness.
11 — The Low Road @ Royal Court — 26th Mar
Spoiler warning: The first half has economist Adam Smith narrate a sort of sprawling morality tale then the last 15 mins a spaceship lands full of alien bees arrives and nothing makes sense any more. You’d be mad not to enjoy that.
So what do you think? There are loads more I could add, and I’m not totally sure on the order, but whatever, this isn't the Oliviers.
