Here at LouReviews it has been a busy year, with theatre productions reviewed far and wide.
With both live and digital productions included, we can reach far beyond London, and outside the UK.
Hear all about the shows of 2022 in this four-part series.
April – June
We reviewed in the West End, off-West End, and on our sofa. We saw such a diverse range of shows it was clear that theatre was definitely standing proud on its post-pandemic legs.
There were plays, musicals, rebooted operas, comedies, dances, revivals, and a brilliant Beckett.
And the Brighton (digital) Fringe was an absolute pleasure once again.
Shows not reviewed
Exceptional
Life of Pi (Wyndham’s) * reviewed on 2nd viewing later in the year
Very good
Pretty Woman (Savoy Theatre)
The musical version of the 1990s romance film which catapulted Julia Roberts to fame.
Scandaltown (Lyric Hammersmith)
It was rather the year of Mike Bartlett plays springing up all over the place. This politically astute comedy in Restoration style hit the spot perfectly.
My Fair Lady (London Coliseum)
The Lincoln Center production came across the pond and looked loverly in its residence at the home of the ENO.
Good
Brilliant the Musical (digital)
A quirky show about autism, children and carers, this was a real surprise on the digital stage.
Straight Line Crazy (Bridge Theatre)
Architecture at the Bridge – much funnier than it should be, and far more astute, and technically brilliant.
Dreamboats and Petticoats (Cadogan Hall)
Marty Wilde and cohorts from the birth of British rock ‘n’ roll kicked back the years in a smashing concert.
Teechers Leavers (Hull Truck Theatre, digital)
John Godber’s classic schooldays comedy got a modern and riotous upgrade for the 50th anniversary of Hull Truck.
The Misfortune of the English (Orange Tree, digital)
A kind of wartime Lord of the Flies rooted in Nazi Germany, this was a strong piece but rather ponderous at times.
The End (GIFT)
A literal dance for the end of the world.
Shows reviewed
Exceptional
Anyone Can Whistle (Southwark Playhouse)
&Juliet (Shaftesbury Theatre)
How it is part 2 (Coronet Theatre)
Very good
Ay Up, Hitler! (Museum of Comedy)
Everybody’s Talking About Jamie (New Wimbledon Theatre)
Bonnie and Clyde (Arts Theatre)
La Boheme (King’s Head)
Chicago (New Wimbledon Theatre)
Shattered (Brighton Fringe, digital)
Luo yu gui gen/Getting Home (Brighton Fringe, digital)
Django in Pain (Brighton Fringe, digital)
Good
The Fever Syndrome (Hampstead Theatre)
Lilias White Sings Broadway (Crazy Coqs, digital)
The Straw Chair (Finborough Theatre)
Rabbit Hole (Union Theatre)
Tenderfoot (Drayton Arms)
Juniper and Jules (Soho Theatre Upstairs)
Abigail (The Space, digital)
Red Pitch (Bush Theatre, digital)
Alright Bitches (Above the Stag)
Dead Boy Café (Questors Studio)
Hangman (Questors Playhouse)
Mr Dilly’s Alice in Wonderland (Brighton Fringe, digital)
Singin’ in the Rain (New Wimbledon Theatre)
Fragments (Brighton Fringe, digital)
Black Love (Kiln Theatre) – for Broadwayworld.com
A Little Drape of Heaven (Brighton Fringe, digital)
Practice of Zen (Brighton Fringe, digital)
I-O 3 (Brighton Fringe, digital)
Migrant Shakespeare (Brighton Fringe, digital)
Fair
Dirty Hearts (Old Red Lion Theatre)
The Collab (The Space, digital)
Madman William (Brighton Fringe, digital)
Imagining Rachel (Brighton Fringe, digital)
Anne Bayne of Duddington Lock (Brighton Fringe, digital)
Satan vs God (Brighton Fringe, digital)
Shows reviewed for others
Very good