Writer Eugene Smith looks back on the highs and lows of the theatre world during 2022.
In the spirit of the season, I’m looking back at the best productions of the year. I’ll deal with the worst ones in January. And possibly February.
Before starting, we have to acknowledge the sad passing of two brilliant actors, the excellent David Warner and everyone’s honorary grandfather Bernard Cribbins. Thank you both.
Possibly due to post-pandemic wariness, the West End has concentrated on revivals, but Matthew Graham can always be relied upon, and Best of Enemies maintains the remarkably strong pedigree of this greatest of modern playwrights.
Florian Zeller’s The Forest may not be up there with The Father, but it was still a highlight of Hampstead Theatre’s somewhat dull offerings.
Southwark Playhouse came up trumps with Tom Ratcliffe’s Evelyn, a sensitive examination of the fallout from a Soham-style incident.
Not Your Circus Dog’s Not F**ckin’ Sorry was without a doubt the best sexy punk crip cabaret I’ve ever seen.
The Donmar’s Henry V was a fine production, thankfully free from the sneering condescension that so often accompanies anything to do with English patriotism.
Said patriotism was also evident in the short revival of Jez Butterworth’s Jerusalem, which really deserved the hype, especially for Mark Rylance’s astonishing lead performance.
The big event of the year was the Broadway transfer of To Kill a Mockingbird, a beautifully-staged production which shows that racism can be addressed without recourse to hectoring and tantrum-throwing.
And on the musical side newcomer Back to the Future proves to be just as fun as the film.
Elsewhere touring shows provided the highlights, and with the Arts Council diverting funding from London, maybe this is a sign of things to come.
The Two Popes looks at the modern Catholic Church without recourse to the usual sniggering, so absent in examinations of certain other religions.
Joe Pasquale pulls off the seemingly impossible task of equalling Michael Crawford in Some Mothers Do ‘Ave ‘Em, and The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel proves to be that rarest of things, a genuinely good-natured play.
Whether you’ve made it to the theatre or not this year, I hope you’ve enjoyed my column and may I wish you all a very happy Christmas.
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