Here at LouReviews it has been a busy year, with theatre productions reviewed far and wide.
With both live and digital productions included, the net is cast wide and online work allows us to reach beyond London, and indeed the UK!
So – over 200 shows reviewed here, plus 7 for other outlets, plus 50 viewed and paid for but not reviewed.
Hear about them all in this series looking back at 2022 Theatre at LouReviews!
January – March
A large chunk of this first quarter of the year should have been the Vault Festival, but that was sadly cancelled for the second year in a row. (Don’t worry, though, it is now booking for its 2023 return).
Instead we reviewed 45 productions and saw 19 others (reviewing 4 elsewhere).
Shows not reviewed
Exceptional
The Chairs (Almeida Theatre)
An absurdist play teaming Kathryn Hunter and her husband Marcello Magni (who sadly died later this year). Funny, physically accomplished, and blessed with the chemistry of the performers.
Miss-Leading Ladies (Crazy Coqs)
Musical theatre’s Ria Jones and her brother, drag performer Ceri Dupree, were funny and supremely talented in this cabaret showcase.
Five Guys Named Moe (Upstairs at the Gatehouse)
A really enjoyable revival of the hit musical, with fantastic sound design. For the second year running, this venue has provided one of my shows of the year
Operation Mincemeat (Southwark Playhouse, Large)
My third trip to see this – a lightweight compared to some other fans, I know – and it still continues to shine. I’ll be seeing it again in 2023. Reviewed back at its first run at the New Diorama.
The Shark is Broken (Ambassadors)
A brilliant piece of writing and imitation as Ian Shaw portrays his late father Robert during the filming of Jaws.
Wonder Boy (Bristol Old Vic)
An excellent live-stream from Bristol of the play which celebrates difference.
Very good
Magic Goes Wrong (Duchess)
Written by Mischief Theatre with Penn & Teller, this show teams magic, humour and the special style we know from the company’s earlier work.
The Ocean at the End of the Lane (Duke of York’s)
Fantasy, peril and stunning puppetry come together in this stage version of the popular book. Look out in 2023 for a full review of this on tour.
Good
The Alchemist (Red Bull Theater)
Ben Jonson’s play set in the 17th century sparkles in this recording of the off-Broadway production.
Best of Enemies (Young Vic)
Now in the West End, this tale of broadcasting heavyweights in America was clever and original.
The Collaboration (Young Vic, Main House)
Now on Broadway, this play teams Andy Warhol with Jean-Michel Basquiat. With lots of in-jokes and artistic references, this one was a joy.
Conundrum (Young Vic, The Maria)
A one-person show about language, self-acceptance and genius. Both the performance of Anthony Ofoegbul and the set design were spot on.
The Convent of Pleasure (Red Bull Theater)
Margaret Cavendish’s 17th century play is performed live on Zoom by a takented cast.
Frozen (Theatre Royal Drury Lane)
Disney brings their animated hit into real life with stunning illusions, a scene-stealing puppet, and a baffling sauna scene.
Light Shining in Buckinghamshire (Royal Central School of Drama)
Caryl Churchill’s Civil War play performed by MA Acting Contemporary students.
Running With Lions (Lyric Hammersmith)
A family saga of a Black family touched by mental illness, with intriguing set design and some convincing relationships between the generations.
10 Nights (Bush Theatre, digital)
Recently made available again by Graeae, this moving and funny play is about one man’s spiritual journey.
Fair
Any Suggestions, Doctor? (Norwich Playhouse, Stage 2)
Amusing impro with a Doctor Who slant, with a lively company keeping proceedings moving.
Stand Up for Ukraine (Leicester Square Theatre)
A comedy showcase fundraiser for war-torn Ukraine. A bit uneven although with its heart in the right place.
Walking Cats (Camden People’s Theatre)
A WIP on homelessness, using collage, patterns and puppets – written and performed by Zhaolin Zhou.
Shows reviewed
Exceptional
Cold (London International Mime Festival, digital)
An Evening Without Kate Bush (Soho Theatre Downstairs)
Passion Fruit (New Diorama)
Very good
Agatha (Pleasance Theatre Downstairs)
Barb Jungr – Dylan and Cohen in Love (Crazy Coqs)
Disenchanted (Living Record, digital)
Hedda (After Ibsen) (Soho Theatre, digital)
In the Heat of That Night (The Space, digital)
The Marriage of Alice B Toklas by Gertrude Stein (Jermyn Street Theatre)
Occupy the Stage (National Women’s Theatre Festival, digital)
Pass It On A-C (Yellow Coat Company at The Space, digital)
Pea / A Spare Seat (Living Record, digital)
Piss and Bile (The Space, digital)
The Red (Original Theatre, digital)
Riot Act (stream.theatre, digital)
School of Rock (New Wimbledon Theatre)
Snow White (Questors Playhouse)
Stop Messin’ About! (Retro Bar)
When The Long Trick’s Over (touring, digital)
Good
ALEX Weight/Wait (digital)
Becky Fury – C**t Live! (Living Record, digital)
An Earl’s Court Miscellany (Finborough Theatre, digital)
The Forest (Hampstead Theatre)
Fridge (Hope Theatre)
Ghosts of the Titanic (Park Theatre 90)
Handmade Puppet Dreams (London International Mime Festival, digital)
Is He Musical? (MPTheatricals, digital)
Little Wimmin (Queen Elizabeth Hall, WOW Festival)
Love, Linda (BroadwayHD, digital)
No One Is Coming (Riverside Studios 3, Bitesize Festival)
Sea Girl (Carbon Theatre, digital)
Sessions (Soho Theatre, digital)
Shuck ‘n’ Jive (Soho Theatre, digital)
Steve (Seven Dials Playhouse)
Strange But Perfect (digital)
Tell Me Straight (Chiswick Playhouse)
Thrill Me: the Leopold and Loeb Story (Jermyn Street Theatre)
Fair
All the King’s Men (Living Record, digital)
Ava: The Secret Conversations (Riverside Studios 2)
Host (Living Record, digital)
Power Luncheon (Hope Theatre)
Sigil (Living Record, digital)
Truth to Power Cafe (digital)
The Winston Machine (New Diorama Theatre)
Shows reviewed for others
Very good
Clybourne Park at Park Theatre 200 (for Broadwayworld.com)
Dracula at Richmond Theatre (for NorthWestEnd.com)
Disappointing
Mimma at Cadogan Hall (for NorthWestEnd.com)
The Rubber Merchants at the Old Red Lion Theatre (for NorthWestEnd.com)