I decided to compile a quick look at the best theatre of the year, though I failed to see anything in December.
The year had many highlights; new plays hosted by Theatre N16, which closed in December and is looking for a new home, amongst revivals of forgotten classics such as Incident at Vichy, which later transferred to the King’s Head following its success at the Finborough.
It was ultimately a year about women, with Herstory Festival and Bechdel Testing proving that there was plenty of excellent new writing from women, despite Hampstead Theatre claiming otherwise. Ballroom and I Loved Lucy showcased great roles for older females. The Revlon Girl with its all-female cast was moving and humorous play about a difficult subject. Inside Pussy Riot was an immersive look at what happens when you speak out but why you should do so anyway
Though men did try to give them a run for their money; Ian McDiarmid in What Shadows gave a fantastic performance in play about Enoch Powell that feels as relevant today as it ever will. Incident at Vichy, with its large ensemble cast, looked at persecution from the point of view of the persecuted.
This also gives me an opportunity to thank all my contributors, who are not only much better at reviewing than me but have kept this site alive when I can only be in one place at once. I hope I am lucky enough to retain them in 2018.
January
- The Wild Party, Hope Theatre
- Raising Martha, Park Theatre
February
- HIV Monologues, Ace Hotel Shoreditch
- Claustrophilia, Vaults Festival
March
- Incident at Vichy, Finborough Theatre
- Swifties, Theatre N16
- Custody, Ovalhouse
April
Sublime, Tristan Bates
Ripe, Theatre Utopia
May
Ballroom, Waterloo East
June
Herstory, Theatre N16
July
Bechdel Testing Life, The Bunker
I Loved Lucy, Arts Theatre
Queen Anne, Theatre Royal Haymarket
Torn Apart (Dissolution), Hope Theatre
August
Olympilads, Theatre N16
September
The Revlon Girl, Park Theatre
Turkey, Hope Theatre
Otelo, Southwark Playhouse
October
Mendoza, Southwark Playhouse
What Shadows, Park Theatre
November
Inside Pussy Riot, The Saatchi Gallery
IED, Theatre N16
The Red Lion, Trafalgar Studios
