- Company (Sheffield Crucible) 31st December 2011 but is considered part of my 2012 season. Beautiful production. Perfectly cast. Lovely harmonies, great mix of voices. Finally a Marta I could enjoy, Rosalie Craig made her fun and a little silly. Francesca Annis as Joanne broke my heart during 'Ladies Who Lunch'. 'Sorry-Grateful' was stunning, the harmonies from Damian Humbley, David Birrell and Ian Gelder were just lush. Daniel Evans' gave us a Bobby who wasn't a total dick, more a boy who just wasn't ready to hurt and yet wasn't able to be alone. His 'Being Alive' was beautiful and heartfelt, as was his 'Marry Me A Little'. I thought 'Side by Side by Side' was performed so enthusiastically and with a real energy without seeming fake and gimmicky. Everything was perfect really, all the cast were perfect. The 70s setting with the very closed off, empty set was perfect. Neil Austin has cemented his place on my list of favourite lighting designers. It was so naturalistic but eye-catching and utterly fitting. Oh and Daniel's face when he didn't have anyone to dance with during 'Side by Side by Side' was devastating, so open and happy and then his realisation just seemed so immense and his little face just shut down and looked so scared. Beautiful performance, he really is an incredible interpreter of Sondheim, oh and of course his voice was gorgeous!
- Collaborators (Cottesloe, NT) 7th January 2012 I'd seen this as part of NTLive but I was glad to see it again and in person this time. It's a very intimate play even though it's deals with epic people. Interesting stage layout, our view was only partially restricted which was good. Alex Jennings was marvellous as Bulgakov he really convinced you of the sort of naivety that Mikhail had through this play. Simon Russell Beale was both hilarious and manically terrifying as Stalin. He somehow brought a humanity and yet a coldness to Stalin. All the supporting players were wonderful particularly Nick Sampson as the doctors and man, he played three distinct parts with humour and sadness. Perri Snowdon as the Young Joseph actor was brilliant, full of humour and yet managing to walk the line between overacting and cutting indictment of Stalin & his aims. I think though for me this play is all about Mark Addy as Vladimir. He is amusing, scary and heartbreaking. He embodies the pawn in the bigger game and through him you see exactly how destructive Stalin's Russia was.
- The Way of the World (Sheffield Crucible) 14th February 2012 This production was mouthwateringly good. Everyone was perfect. Special shout outs to: Lucy Briggs-Owen, Samuel Barnett, Deborah Findlay, Leo Bill and Richard Goulding. The costumes were stunning as were the set designs and lighting. I particularly loved the opening and the reuse of it after the interval. Duelling karaoke has to be my favourite thing ever. Lady Gaga on the piano in the garden was a genius moment. It wasn't laugh out loud funny all the time but it was full of very humorous moments that made me chuckle on the way home.
- The Recruiting Officer (The Donmar) 18th February 2012 After Josie's abominal Much Ado About Nothing I became a little worried about the future of The Donmar; this utterly allayed my fears. It also managed to our Much Ado in a sort of context for me. Stunning production. I knew nothing of the play going in and found I liked it a great deal. All the actors were superb but it was the band that stole the show. The final moments with the five of them singing O'er the hills and far away was devastating. It showed perfectly the juxtaposition between the frivolity & ridiculousness of the others' fears about their romantic entanglements and the poor men recruited with lies and false promises to be cannon fodder. When Rose bowed to her brother I lost it. On a lighter note Rachel Stirling's comedic timing after hitting her head on the pillar was wonderful. I very much enjoyed all the gender-bending and kissing.
- Comedy of Errors (NTLive) 1st March 2012 The set was stunning. The prologue was wonderful. I properly teared up during Amelia's speech, and the reunion between the parents.
- Absent Friends (The Harold Pinter) 3rd March 2012 Thorougly enjoyable play. Brilliant cast with standouts from Katherine Parkinson and Elizabeth Berrington. Hilarious with weight. Katherine broke my heart when she had her breakdown. Wonderful pauses, sense of awkwardness was pitch perfect.
- Crazy for You (Novello) 3rd March 2012 Joshua Lay was on for Bobby and it was his first time on but he was outstanding. A production that completely exemplifies sheer joy and fun. Everyone was brilliant. I Got Rhythm was thrilling, epic. The comedic timing was spot on meaning the quips really zinged. Joshua's voice was beautiful particularly on They Can't Take That Away From Me. His dancing was beautiful. He also brought an endearing earnestness to Bobby. Clare Foster was marvellous as Polly, she was feisty & her voice was beautiful. It was very sweet to watch her guide Joshua in a couple of places. So sad it's closing but do thrilled I got to see this particular night.
- The King’s Speech (Newcastle Theatre Royal) 15th March 2012 I didn't like the film but everything I'd heard about the play suggested it fixed the problems I had with the film; it did not. Charles Edwards gives a magnificent performance as does Jonathan Hyde but this production is 50 minutes too long, doesn't need an interval and should definitely be a two hander. It's so stolid and dull. The moments it comes to life are when Bertie and Lionel are talking and then during the last speech; although that's almost entirely to do with Elgar. I don't know why they insisted on using that god awful screen in the middle of the stage, it's unnecessary and just serves as a reminder that this isn't original material anymore, the film has been there done that.
- Company (Lincoln Centre Broadcast) 15th March 2012 Neil Patrick Harris is a wonderful Bobby. Everyone was great, I even loved Patti LuPone's Ladies Who Lunch.
- She Stoops to Conquer (Olivier Theatre, National - NTLive) 29th March 2012 Everyone was marvellous, I loved the scene change and the use of music. Brilliant ensemble.
- Travelling Light (Newcastle Theatre Royal) 7th April 2012 The first act was definitely stronger than the second and Sher was dangerously close to a stereotypical caricature but Damien Molony and Lauren O'Neil were wonderful. I loved the scene change at the top of Act 2. I wish that it had been less quaint and schmaltzy and more about Motl's ruthlessness in getting what he wanted but the moments that were based in his bad behaviour were very compelling.
- The Awkward Squad (York Theatre Royal) 12th April 2012 Great play. Wonderfully funny, devastating punch to the gut at the end. Fabulous acting.
- Anne Boleyn (Darlington Civil Theatre) 21st April 2012 Jo Herbert was radiant as Anne, I enjoyed her utterly different take on the role; whereas Miranda was so utterly serene Jo was more feisty. I really enjoyed the new Henry as well. James Garnon just owns this play though. His performance could so easily descend into parody or farce but he manages to make it compelling, intelligent and heartfelt.
- Troilus and Cressida (Maori – Globe) 24th April 2012 This was a production that started off with a punch and the energy never stopped. Surprisingly funny production. They didn't rely on huge amounts of blood and gore to communicate the destruction of basically, everyone. Troilus [actor name] and Paris [actor name] were fantastic, normally I would have been a bit meh about them as they are basically useless fawning wimps but they imbued them with humour, empathy and strength without making them completely obnoxious.
- The Duchess of Malfi (The Old Vic) 25th April 2012 The set was stunning and I enjoyed the production but I feel like it was a little bit sanitised. It could have done with more blood. Eve Best was fantastic, as was Mark Bonnar.
- Noises Off (The Novello) 25th April 2012 I didn't find this as hysterically funny as everyone else in the theatre but I did howl with laughter during the second 'Act One' because I've been on shows like that. Lucy Briggs-Owen is ridiculous, I love her face. I was thrilled she was walking around for 90% of the show in her underwear. It is an incredibly clever production though.
- Pericles (Greek – Globe) 26th April 2012 Oh this show. I had never seen Pericles before and I wasn't really prepared for the emotions I would feel. Pericles [actor name] was magnificent as Pericles, he was charming, witty, silly and his final scene with Marina was heartbreaking. He and Thaisa leapt up to the number two place on my 'Shakespeare's Best Couples' list. Great production, my favourite of Globe to Globe so far.
- Travelling Light (Lyttelton Theatre, National) 26th April 2012 Liked this better the second time. I don't know how Damien manages to make such an obnoxious character so sympathetic. I found the set to be a little dull but that act two scene change is AMAZING!
- The Conquest of the South Pole (The Arcola) 27th April 2012 Genuinely really loved this play. Sadly still relevant and timely. I wasn't sure what to expect from it, and it had its problems but on the whole I really loved it which surprised me quite a bit. Sam Crane was brilliant. The counting!!!
- Twelfth Night (Hindi – Globe) 28th April 2012 This Twelfth Night was wonderful, it made so much sense. Loved the moment at the end of Act One where Viola took down her hair.
- Othello: The Remix (Hip Hop - Globe) 5th May 2012 This was incredible. Only 4 men plus their DJ and it finally made Othello accessible for me. It was so creative and fun and really had a lot of humour so when the time came for Desdemona to die you could hear a pin drop, everyone was enthralled. Incredible scene where they did a nod towards 'It's a Man's World' and actually pointed out the hypocrisy of it all. Brilliant.
- Love's Labour's Lost (BSL - Globe 22nd May 2012) Stunning ending.
- Posh (Duke of York's 2nd June 2012) Amazing use of music. Thought Leo Bill was phenomenal. Hilarious and cutting indictment of the class system.
- Much Ado About Nothing (French - Globe 2nd June 2012) Loved that Hero didn't faint until after her father said he would kill her. Loved that the wedding wasn't melodramatic. Loved the slap after Hero is unveiled. A sympathetic Don John. Brilliant Beatrice, and a wonderful play on gender roles.
- Tender Napalm (York Theatre Royal 7th June 2012) This play was incredible, so visceral and devastating. When I realised that they hadn't touched I just couldn't bear them not touching.
- The Physicists (Donmar 9th June 2012) Really interesting play, John Heffernan is such a dynamic actor. I really thought the ending was marvellous.
- Henry V (Globe 9th June 2012) This was incredible. Jamie Parker is a phenomenal Hal/Henry. He would've had everybody in that theatre following him into war. He's so good at underplaying the big moments, it's beautiful. No signposting of 'here's a big speech coming up'.
- Antigone (Olivier Theatre, NT 10th June 2012)
- The Norman Conquests (Liverpool Playhouse 16th June 2012)
- As You Like It (Globe Touring @ Newby Hall) - 28/8 E
- Timon of Athens (NT) - 1/9 M
- King Lear (The Almeida) – 1/9 E
- Richard III (Globe) – 2/9 M
- The Tempest (RSC) 7/9 E
- King John (RSC) 8/9 M
- Much Ado About Nothing (RSC) 8/9 E Basically the most perfect Much Ado ever. The Watch weren't stupid. There was no labouring the point of 'I am an ass' it was just PERFECT. SO MANY FEELINGS!
- Twelfth Night (RSC) 9/9 M
- Twelfth Night (Globe) 30/9 M
- Much Ado About Nothing (RSC in London) 13/10 M
- Our Boys (Duchess) 13/10 E Everyone was fantastic. This was hilarious and then it utterly punched you in the gut. Oh god I wept.
- Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (WYP) 16/10 E
- Berenice (Donmar) 3/11 M
- A Chorus of Disapproval 3/11 E
- My Fair Lady (Crucible) 22/12 M
- Merrily We Roll Along (Menier) 29/12 M (3.30)
dec 26 2011 ∞
dec 31 2012 +
