My Top 10 Theatre Shows of 2011

Everyone loves a round-up-of-the-year blog post, right?

I sketched a few ideas onto a post-it during the last week of work, in preparation for the annual Best Of The Year post we do for the visitlondon.com blog. As the various theatre shows I've enjoyed in 2011 came out around the 10 mark, it seemed fitting to put them together for you here.

Obviously, it's been a pretty unforgettable year for me, events-wise (wedding, hen do, honeymoon being in the top three!), but in amongst all those life-changing events has been a steady stream of top-notch theatre too...

1. One Man, Two Guvnors, National Theatre, June
Now transferred to the West End, and extending its run with a new lead, I was lucky enough to see One Man, Two Guvnors without having read much about it, and before hearing all the hype. It turned out to be the perfect show for the Friday before the Friday before the wedding... Total escapism for me and my husband-to-be. Hilarious, slick, surprising, hugely entertaining; I felt like we were in the hands of enormously talented people, all with incredible performance power. Long may it continue to entertain. Here's what I wrote about it for londonist.



2. Matilda The Musical, Cambridge Theatre, November
I saw Matilda after the hype. But I still loved it. I defy anyone (with just the vaguest sense of enjoyment when it comes to musical theatre) not to be won over by this show. It's just got so much heart. And the show has introduced me to the brilliance of Tim Minchin (he's really from Northampton, y'know), and Bertie Carvel (who's possibly going to be Mark Darcy in Bridget Jones' Diary The Musical - oh my...!). After writing the Matilda review for londonist, I was also invited to talk about Matilda on French Radio London, which was fun.



3. Crazy For You, Novello Theatre, October
My sister and I saw Crazy For You back in the 1990s with the whole of our family during a lavish Day Out in London for my Grandma's (75th? 80th?) birthday. I was just about a teenager (13 or 14), and the day involved a trip to Claridges' for afternoon tea too. As it turns out, all I can really remember from the day is being offered actual different types of tea (who is this Dargie Ling you speak of?); a waiter telling my Grandma she looked like the Queen Mother (what a charmer!); and a girl singing while sitting on a crescent moon hanging from the flies at the end of the show. Nothing about the musical itself. Seeing it again all these years later, I realised it was no surprise that we couldn't remember the plot! It's totally nonsensical and arbitrary, in the best tradition of all the best musicals. (But, I'd argue, still contains what I like to call the Forest of Arden displacement treatment.) After this incredible production, my sis and I were thumping our knees and crying "Again! Again!" Really, for musical lovers, it's a total treat. The music! The dancing! The shoes! The tap routines! The telephones! The sets! The gloves!



4. Frankenstein, National Theatre, April
Another top show from the National; another which is now indelibly linked to 2011 in my head, as we saw it the day before The Hen Do. That night, Johnny Lee Miller was The Creature and Benedict Cumberbatch the Doctor (a role they alternated, in case you weren't aware). I'd've been happy to see it either way, but loved the dramatisation of this ever-fascinating tale. It was also a great example of a Nat Theatre epic: sets, sound and lighting that had you wondering as much about the skills of the builders back stage as the players on it.



5. Clybourne Park, Wyndham's Theatre, February
The first mention of a Royal Court show in this top 10, Clybourne Park transferred to the West End early this year, and made quite an impression on me. As well as a deliciously sassy script, it was wonderfully acted by a fantastic cast. Here are the thoughts I put together about the show for the visitlondon.com blog.



6. Betty Blue Eyes, Novello Theatre, April
Ahh, Betty. With an actual royal wedding happening at the same time, Cameron Mackintosh producing and Alan Bennett in the mix, I just don't know what happened. At the time, I was pretty sceptical. But in hindsight, I think I actually loved a lot of it. Indeed, here's a round-up of reviews I put together for londonist, concluding:

"Fantastic choral skills ensemble, some brilliantly bonkers songwriting by Stiles and Drew (one about chiropody, another about a bad smell – seriously), and slick choreography by Stephen Mear."

Now watch this and tell me WHY this wasn't a hit?



7. The Westbridge, Theatre Local, November
It's not often you get to see Royal Court-standard theatre a short walk from your house. Unless you live in Sloane Square, of course. But I don't. So it was very exciting to be able to make the press night for The Westbridge at Theatre Local in the Bussey Building in Peckham, a mere hop, skip and a jump from my front door. As well as being wonderfully "local" in every possible way, the acting was spot-on, the script sizzled and the production was innovative and impressive. I hope the 'Court enjoyed their time in my 'hood.  Here's what I wrote about The Westbridge for londonist.



8. The Playboy of the Western World, Old Vic, October 
I was thrilled to finally see The Playboy of the Western World, having struggled through it at school. The Old Vic's production made for a fascinating evening of half-remembered A Level quotes, page-bound characters bursting to life, a strong slice of Ireland in the heart of Waterloo, and a hugely entertaining piece of comedy drama. Here's what I wrote about The Playboy of the Western World on the visitlondon.com blog.





9. Hamlet, Young Vic, October
No video here, and no review to link up either. I'm so pleased I've finally seen Hamlet live. I'm also really pleased I've seen Michael Sheen perform. He was certainly everything I'd hoped for. And there was lots to enjoy in this innovative show  at the Young Vic. But ultimately I was disappointed. Several of the other actors just weren't good enough. And the production just felt kinda cheap. But Mr Sheen's performance just inches this into the top 10 of the year... 

10. Umbrellas of Cherbourg, Gielgud Theatre, March / Pippin, Menier Chocolate Factory, December
I know, I know. Having two for tenth place in a top 10 just makes it a top 11, right? Well, there are lots of similarities between these two shows. (As well as a shared cast member in the lovely Carly Bawden.) I guess I'd list both as flawed musicals. That's not to say they weren't enjoyable; indeed, there were moments of brilliance in both. I'm sad the sweet, stylish Umbrellas of Cherbourg didn't survive for longer. Here's what we made of it at work.



And Pippin was, well, different. Really different. And I rather liked most of it. Here's what I wrote about it for londonist.

There was more, of course. I Am The Wind at the Young Vic was one of my favourite reviews to write. The Children's Hour was star-studded, but a dud play, in my opinion. The RSC were on top form with King Lear and As You Like It at the Roundhouse, both quality productions, but because I always expect so much from them, they perhaps didn't surprise me enough to make the final top 10. I quite liked the overambitious 13 at the National. Then there was Rosencrantz and Guildenstern (finally!), and Backbeat (OK, but kinda disappointing), and Double Falsehood (a new theatre for me, but far from Shakespeare's best, IMHO.)

And next year? Well, there'll be more. I should try some more venues, as well as some new companies, and some new shows. Perhaps I can be a bit more adventurous in 2012 than I have been in 2011.

I'll keep you posted...

Summer Holiday Activities for London Kids

I've talked before about how overwhelmed I'd be if I were a kid in London. There's so much going on.

I remember being paralysed trying to choose between two different colouring pencils, there's no way I'd've coped with the challenging cultural choices London kids must face. Arts and crafts or pond dipping? Or acting classes on becoming a pirate?

Happily, it means I find it easy to talk about the best of it while I'm at work.

If you want to introduce your kids to art, check out The Sunday Spot at South London Gallery in Peckham each Sunday in August. There are hands-on workshops inspired by the gallery’s current exhibitions....

Read more on the visitlondon.com blog

Theatre News: Clybourne Park wins Pulitzer and some London Theatre Casting News

Hurrah for Clybourne Park. It's won another award: a Pulitzer, which sounds super-impressive. I loved this show when I saw it; you can read my review here on my work blog.

In other news, Samantha Womack (who's really famous due to EastEnders, but will always be Samantha Janus or Mandy from Game On to me) is going to lead the cast as Nellie Forbush in South Pacific when it comes to the Barbican later in the summer. Guiltly secret: I've still never seen a musical at the Barbican. I don't know; that venue is so perfect for the Things Zoe Should Love about London category, but always teeters off into Slightly Exhausting Things about London alongside similarly perplexing institutions like the Southbank Centre's website, and the Proms.

Anyway, here's the rest of this week's Theatre News from the Visit London Blog

Theatre News: Jude Law, Ruth Wilson, Niamh Cusack et al

This week's theatre news from the Visit London Blog:

Michael Grandage is clearly hoping to leave his post as Artistic Director of the Donmar Warehouse with a bang. For his final season, he’s secured Jude Law and Ruth Wilson to star in Eugene O’Neill’s play Anna Christie this summer.

(I'm a big fan of Ruth Wilson. I think she's great. Jude, I've never seen live, so I'm not sure what he'd be like on stage!)

In addition, you can see Douglas Hodge in John Osborne’s Inadmissible Evidence and Eddie Redmayne as Richard II. These three new productions follow the already announced The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Moonlight and Luise Miller.

Other cast news this week includes:

• Actress Joanna Riding and cabaret star Meow Meow are appearing in Kneehigh Theatre’s The Umbrellas of Cherbourg at the Gielgud Theatre from 5 March
• Niamh Cusack will star alongside Anne-Marie Duff  in Terence Rattigan’s Cause Célèbre at the Old Vic from 17 March
• And Les Dennis will appear in the London premiere of Alan Ayckbourn’s comedy about fame, Drowning On Dry Land, at the Jermyn Street Theatre from 22 February

Read more London theatre news on the Visit London Blog

Theatre News: Tennant & Tate, Imelda Staunton, Mark Curry and More

Who's excited about this then? Doctor Who co-stars David Tennant and Catherine Tate are going to co-star again, this time in Shakespeare. Yes, the Doctor and the Annoying One are going to appear as Benedick and Beatrice in Much Ado About Nothing in the summer at Wyndhams. (I've been on stage there, fnarr.)

I have to say, I'm just not that fussed. I think David Tennant is lovely (of course); I quite enjoy watching bits of old Doctor Who episodes, even though I rarely know what's going on, and I'm certainly gutted to have missed his Hamlet live. (On TV it was a bit naff.)

But I really don't enjoy watching Catherine Tate act. Not on TV; not on stage (I saw her in Under the Blue Sky and didn't like it). It's a totally personal thing. (I'm not even saying I think she's bad.) I just don't like her acting. I find it very lifeless, somehow distracting, and horribly samey. I can't stand the idea of her playing Beatrice. Not when I've seen the fantastic Samatha Spiro do it so well at the Open Air Theatre. (Apologies for that annoying "I was there when" theatrical reference, I'll try to make sure it doesn't happen again.)

Happily there's more interesting cast news about this week:

• Imelda Staunton in A Delicate Balance at the Almeida
• Colin Morgan in Our Private Life at the Royal Court
• Mark Curry in Company at the Southwark Playhouse (perhaps I can see this and kill two birds with one stone: see my first Sondheim, and go to the SP, which is so close to work it seems imposible I haven't been there yet)
• Oliver Ford Davies in Goodnight Mister Tom (sniff!)

It's all looking rather exciting for 2011. I just hope I can keep up!

Read the rest of this week's Theatre News on the Visit London Blog

Happy 200th Birthday, Dulwich Picture Gallery

Here's a nice plug for south east London. By all accounts, Dulwich Picture Gallery is going to have a great year.

I wrote about their birthday celebrations on londonist earlier today.

And I've been fascinated to read about their Masterpiece a Month project. I've made it one of my New Year's Resolutions to see each and every one of them during the year and blog about it.

(Hey, it's only one a month. Twelve trips down the road to my local, incredible art gallery. It's not like I'm promising myself I'll try to read and learn about all 100 History of the World Objects over the next two years... Or talk about each of the 205 countries taking part in the Olympics before the start of the Games...

Oh, you're right. I am, aren't I?

Maybe I do get a bit ambitious when it comes to big bloggy, museumy, art, londony projects...)

Anyway, read more about this weekend's fun at DPG here on londonist

Sometimes My Job's Just Bizarre

Monday started with news about an Olympic swimmer opening the Canary Wharf ice rink. (Turns out she'd come about 8th in ITV's Dancing on Ice, so I guess it's not that strange she popped up to "cut the ice"...)

Yesterday was all about the Royal Wedding. I got to put my Heat hat on, and create a long-range flickrazzi photo-mashup.

Today, I've written about a hoard of Roman treasure unearthed when someone started building a new hotel for 2012. 

Then, I get sent this picture of McFly at Heathrow Airport, about to turn on their Christmas lights.

Isn't London wonderful?

Extraordinary Heroes at the Imperial War Museum

It was pretty gloomy, wet and windy when I made my way to the Imperial War Museum earlier this week, as you can see from the photo!

The early start was for a visit to their new show in a new space: Extraordinary Heroes in the new Lord Ashcroft Gallery.

(I chose not to repeat the epithet JC had used earlier that morning when I saw Lord Ashcroft at the museum. It wouldn't've been helpful.)

I thought the exhibition looked great. Obviously there's an aquired taste to the "treasures" in the IWM. The "big machines" bit downstairs really didn't appeal to the school-cadet-refusing part of me. (No, I will NOT learn to march and shoot guns, thankyouverymuch.) And as its remembrance week too, there's always that awkward feeling of potential jingoism and a slight worry that some people, whisper it, quite like war. Or at least get a bit too excited about studying and remembering it. But whatever your feelings about the legitimacy of various conflicts around the world, there's no denying that these are pretty incredible people being honoured. And why not.

Read my Extraordinary Heroes post on the Visit London Blog or check out my Flickr Set from the IWM

Notes from the Rob Ryan Private View

Rob Ryan is one of my most recent "art crushes". As noted in my write-up of the private view I attended this week, my interest / investment covers a few months and various media:

I've loved Rob Ryan's intricate papercuts for a while now. Since being introduced to his work by the fantastic Domestic Sluts last year, I've made the pilgrimage to his Columbia Road shop, Ryantown, bought this skirt from clothkits, and been given a beautiful framed print for my birthday. Yes, I'm something of a fan.

It was really fun to go to the private view with JC. Sadly, the room was too full and too hot for me to say I had a great time, but I'm still really glad I went. JC says he can't decide if Mr Ryan's a zeitgeisty genius, a timeless talent or just a strange obsessive that puts skill before art. I just like the out-and-out romance of his work. And I guess I've always liked text in art.

One thing that was really interesting about the show was the chance to see Rob himself. (Sadly, your writer wasn't feeling on go-getting journo form, so didn't push through to prod him for a Londony quote as she has been know to in the past.)

From the evocative, romantic male figues in his art, I'd been expecting a pre-Sherlock Benedict Cumberbatch playing-Bernard-Bligh kind of figure. Skinny in a 1930s depression-era way. Or at least like slight, and tall, and straight, like Anton du Beke preparing for a particularly traditional waltz.

But no. It turns out, Rob Ryan actually looks like a less cuddly, much hairier version of Chris' dad. Crossed with Danny Baker (GWS). With a bit of Lord of the Rings director Peter Jackson thrown in. Not quite what I'd anticipated!

Read more about the Rob Ryan Private View on the Visit London Blog

Pictures show Starry Night by Rob Ryan; and Rob Ryan by Jenny Dale

Theatre News: Oliver! Frankenstein and the Rat Pack

It's kind of sad when musicals you think are going to be around forever close. First Avenue Q, now Oliver! are leaving the West End. I just hope everyone that wanted to see it has got around to getting tickets, otherwise, you'll be disappointed! I've seen Avenue Q a healthy two times, Oliver! just the once, but I loved both.

In other theatre news this week, this amazing cast update from the National: Benedict Cumberbatch (that’s Sherlock to you and me) and super sexy Jonny Lee Miller have been announced as Dr Frankenstein and the monster he creates. Which is which? They're going to be alternating parts. My, my. Gonna have to get tickets to more than one show, methinks...

Read the rest of this week's theatre news on the Visit London Blog

World in London: Mexico, Mestizo and Tequila

I was frustrated that the Mexican blogger I'd contacted didn't get back in touch about taking part in our World in London series. But as he wasn't blogging in English, it's maybe a step too far for some people to think about doing what they do in another language. I know it would be for me!

So instead I headed to one of VL's partners: Mestizo on Hampstead Road. It's a restaurant I must've travelled past 100s of time when I worked at M&B, but I'd never ever thought about going in.

It turns out, its quite lovely inside, particularly with the impressive Day of the Dead decorations.

And it was another chance to meet someone who thinks our World in London challenge is interesting, which certainly gives me a boost.

Read the Mexico in London entry in the World in London series on the Visit London Blog

In Which I Tentatively Mention Christmas for the First Time This Year

We have to be careful with our first mention of the C word at work.

People can get very upset if you start talking about the festive period too soon.

And I have to say, I'm fairly sure mid-late September *is* too soon.

But if you're a theatre show, and you've been in negotiations and rehearsals for a while, and are now looking to start selling tickets for your big seasonal show, there comes a point when you need to start shouting about it. Otherwise, no one's going to know you're putting on a panto!

So here's this week's Theatre News, with references to London's Little Opera House, an exciting new musical, and those Christmassy shows

I'm loving the news about the Pet Shop Boys working on My Dad's A Birdman at the Young Vic. It sounds brilliant, and I can imagine it'll be a show that can, ahem, fly for many years to come.

Theatre News: James Corden, Ruthie Henshall, Denise Van Outen and more

Lots of nice celebs in the news for Londony theatrey things this week.

Of course, I can't say I know any of them personally, but I get the impression that this lot are just a nice bunch.

So we get:

• James Corden back at the National Theatre
• Denise Van Outen back in musicals
• Ruthie Henshall back in the West End

All these sound great.

Read the rest of this week's theatre news on the Visit London Blog.

Theatre News: Our Kev does Dicky III

There's loads of long-range theatre news about this week.

My favourite being the annoucement that Kevin Spacey's going to do Richard III at the Old Vic for 2012. And it'll be directed by none other than that chap Judi Dench described as "My dear boy" when he was about 16 and starting out, Sam Mendes.

Now there's something to get excited about in the Olympic year. There's a show I'd sign up for ticketing alerts and endure endless near-irrelevant emails in the meantime...

In my head it's all modern and twitchy, and Our Kev's grown a moustache to signify that he's a bit evil, and all the women are played by total stars. But that's just in my head.

We'll have to wait and see.

Read the rest of this week's theatre news here

In Which I Mention Starlight Express in the Context of Work

And my birthday.

I can't help it.

If I'm to bring theatre news to the Visit London Blog every Thursday, in order to increase inbound links to theatre pages, and talk about shows we'd never have the time to write about normally, I'm going to have to, as my first-ever Italian student Franciso would say, "put a piece of my heart in the pan."

Here it is. Wrapped up in sensible updates about what's happening this week in the merry-go-round of theatrical press releases, is my birthday, my first (and probably still best) West End musical experience, my fave nearly-Dorothy and a two references to actors who I happen to find quite sexy.

Be honest: it's less messy than what Francisco was suggesting, isn't it?

Thursday Theatre News: More Henry IV, Birdsong News & the Apollo Victoria's 80th

Theatre News: Good News for The Railway Children

I haven't seen The Railway Children, despite going on an exciting pre-theatre-installation tour of the ex-Eurostar terminal they're using for the set, and taking some photos.

People who have been seem to have really enjoyed it. As did the reviewers.

So, the crack team behind the show have got what they wanted: an extended run that hits Christmas and all the rest. Well done, people.

Here's the rest of yesterday's theatre news from the Visit London Blog

Avenue Q's Closing!! (And Other, More Upbeat Theatre News)

What a sad, sad day. Avenue Q is closing.

There are so many people I've imagined taking to see this show, and getting them to love it, and fall in love with musicals and theatre and all the rest of it. And now that's not going to happen. (Although there was very little likelihood it'd happen anyway, but that's not the point. Now it definitely won't.)

Ho hum. There's always the soundtrack, which I once listened to exclusively for months on end, until it made me feel a little bit seasick. (Other soundtracks I've done this with include Wicked. My sister told me she did it with Sweeney Todd. I blame our parents letting us listen to the same Joseph tape for several years' worth of car journeys. Altogether now: "Way, way back, many centuries ago", etc.)

And here's the rest of this week's theatre news from the Visit London Blog

Theatre News: Shrek, Les Mis, Sister Act, and the Young Vic

Here (a day late) is Thursday's Theatre News from the Visit London blog.

Hopefully, I'll be able to write more fully about yesterday's Young Vic 40th Anniversary Season launch over the weekend.

As with most things at the Young Vic, I found it really inspiring and interesting. I do love listening to David Lan talk, even when he's in front of a reasonably big audience, as he was yesterday morning.

Anyhoo, here's the rest of this week in theatre terms:

It's a long way off, but everyone's favourite green ogre will make his West End debut next summer.

Shrek The Musical opens at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane in June 2011, and is a stage version of the familiar film, with an original score by Jeanine Tesori and book and lyrics by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright David Lindsay-Abaire. You could pair this show with a matinee of Wicked, and have a green-themed day in the West End!

Read more from me on the Visit London Blog

Image: Brian Darcy James as Shrek, from the Broadway production

Theatre News: Gemma Arterton, William Shakespeare and More

Here's my week's theatre news, courtesy of the Visit London Blog.

I've seen Gemma Arterton on stage in London before.

She was in The Little Dog Laughed earlier in the year, playing a fairly mundane, flaky, 20-something girl (no stretch, to be sure), but she made a pretty good job of it.

And I read an interview with her in Stylist, which painted her as a pretty down-to-earth actress with a bit of a brain. I was kind of drawn to her, which makes a change for a Stylist interviewee.

So I'm pleased to see she's scored another acting role, this time alongside Stephen Dillane, in what sounds like a pretty interesting Ibsen play, The Master Builder, at an interesting theatre, the Almeida.

Other news to make me giddy comes in the form of the RSC's announcement about the 8-plays-in-10-weeks thingamyjig at the Roundhouse. What a company. What a venue. What an idea. What a delight.

Whenever I think about A and I getting numb bums and possible DVT and slightly delirious during a day of Shakespeare during The Histories at the Roundhouse, I feel like I have to remind myself we actually did it. And it was wonderful.

Happily, I've been offered the chance to see the two parts of Henry IV back-to-back again this summer, this time at The Globe, so looking forward to that one.

Read the rest of this week's theatre news here

Kensington Palace's Enchanted Palace Wins Innovation Award

I haven't been to this exhibition at Kensington Palace yet. But it sounds totally awesome.

The Time Out article on the Enchanted Palace really makes me want to go and visit. Maybe with my Mum or A.

And happily, this show, which is on for ages (til Jan 2012) won a cool award for being innovative last week.

Read more on the Visit London Blog...