Hey readers!
As some of you may have seen, I am unfortunately retiring from my position as The Basic Theatre Reviewer. I have now left London to attend university, meaning that my free time is likely to be limited in the coming months. It was by no means an easy decision, but all good things must come to an end. This blog has meant so much to me for many years and I continue to thank all of those that have supported me. To celebrate my final post I decided to create a 'Top 10 Shows List', reminiscing on all the theatrical highlights I have encountered throughout my lifetime. So, for the final time, please join me as I present my Top 10 Theatre Shows of all time...
10. Ink
The first time I saw Ink was purely through chance; I was in London searching for evening plans. I stumbled past the Duke of Yorks Theatre, where they were advertising available 'day seats'; this was an offer I couldn't refuse. Little did I know that Ink would go oto become my favourite play of all time. Ink later transferred to Broadway in 2019, where I had the pleasure of seeing it for a second time.
Ink gives its audience an insight into the world of journalism and the early days of 'The Sun' newspaper. One of the most striking aspects of Ink is the way in which the writing is so well-layered. On the surface, it's an absorbing tale regarding the newspaper business. Beyond that though, Ink investigates the problematic nature of populism and the various ways it can be used to win success at the expense of others. Considering that the play was first staged in 2017, the themes were highly topical given the ongoing political climate.
Both the West End and Broadway casts of Ink were sublime. The constant in both productions was Bertie Carvel as Rupert Murdoch, who received multiple awards for his portrayal. Every aspect of the performance was so carefully carried out, including posture, movement and hand gestures. The show is also stunning creatively; from the direction to the detailed set design and atmospheric lighting, it's all faultless.
9. Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812
After watching numerous clips of Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812, I desperately wanted to see it. I had listened to a number of the songs and had immediately fallen in love with it. Thankfully I had the opportunity to see it in August 2017 during my stay in New York City, just two weeks before its planned closure. Great Comet surpassed my already high expectations, becoming one of my favourite shows of all time.
Great Comet adapts 60 pages from Tolstoy's War and Peace, turning it into a stand-alone story containing both humour and heartbreak. I was extremely touched by the narrative, and found that the emotional journeys of the main characters really struck a chord with me. The musical score is equally as moving, and David Malloy's lyrics all feel very meaningful. It's best described as an 'electro-pop opera', which was not only an ambitious idea, but proves ingenious.
The set of Great Comet, designed by Mimi Lien, is quite possibly the best I have ever seen; the entire theatre was completely remodelled to make the venue look like a Russian club. Beyond the designs, the cast were also a stand-out element. In particular, Scott Stangland and Lucas Steele, as Pierre and Anatole respectively, gave two of the best performances I have ever witnessed live on stage.
8. Kinky Boots
Prior to its West End transfer, I had heard a lot of hype surrounding Kinky Boots. As a result, I was quite keen to see it when it came to London in 2015 and I am immensely grateful to have had that opportunity. I adored the show so much that I ultimately went to see it one more time the following year after the first major cast change. Both of my visits to the show were truly magical!
Kinky Boots is one of the most uplifting shows I have ever seen; it has so much heart, and there are some really good lessons to be learnt from it. The show promotes acceptance, teaching us how "you can change the world when you change your mind". The musical score is written by Cindi Lauper, featuring a wide variety of extremely catchy songs that will stay with you long after you leave the theatre. I've listened to the Original Cast Recording on numerous occasions, and I still love it.
At both viewings of Kinky Boots, there were a handful of stunning performances. Among them was understudy Arun Blair-Mangat, who was covering the role of Lola during my second trip and remains one of the best understudies I have ever seen. Killian Donnelly, who originated the role of Charlie Price, was also phenomenal, with his rendition of 'Soul of a Man' being an all-time theatrical highlight.
7. Finding Neverland
Kelsey Grammer is among my favourite actors, and I was subsequently rather keen to see him live during his stint in the Broadway production of Finding Neverland in 2015. Whilst I thoroughly enjoyed seeing Grammer, it was the overall show itself that I was most impressed with. In spite of a mixed critical reception, I simply adored it and it soon entered my top 10 shows of all time.
I was extremely moved by the story of Finding Neverland and shed multiple tears toward the end of the show. I felt extremely invested in the character's lives, highlighting just how well-written the show actually is. The musical score, by Gary Barlow and Eliot Kennedy, accompanies the story well and there are some very heartfelt songs throughout the course of the show. In particular, the song 'When Your Feet Don't Touch the Ground' is among the most poignant musical numbers I have ever listened to.
The cast of Finding Neverland were all outstanding, and there wasn't a weak link among them. In the leading role of J. M. Barrie was Matthew Morrison, who was simply faultless. He was an excellent actor, a talented singer, a fantastic dancer and, to top it all off, he did a superb Scottish accent. The child actors were also very good, with Aidan Gemme as Peter proving to be a particular highlight.
6. Sweeney Todd and the Demon Barber of Fleet Street
My first experience with Sweeney Todd was at the London Coliseum in a semi-staged production starring Emma Thompson in 2015. It was a theatrical event like no other, and I was blown away by what I saw. Two years later I had the pleasure of seeing an entirely different production Off-Broadway which was similarly special. The theatre was remodelled into a real-life pie shop, immersing the audience in the world of the characters.
As someone who is a major fan of Stephen Sondheim, I would argue that Sweeney Todd is his greatest work. The musical score is extremely haunting, with a wide range of affecting melodies that will continue to stay with you. The tale of Sweeney Todd is one of tragedy, and the main characters are extremely villainous. In spite of this you are still deeply invested in their story, signifying the overall strength of the writing. The characters are fascinating and the show is intriguing to explore from a psychological perspective.
Emma Thompson's portrayal of Mrs. Lovett is among the best theatrical performances I have seen in my lifetime. She was utterly hilarious, and had remarkable comedic timing. Additionally, Jeremy Secomb's portrayal of Sweeney Todd was fantastic in the Off-Broadway production. Looking to the productions themselves, they were both extremely creative. They weren't at all similar, but both were phenomenal in their own right.
5. Dirty Rotten Scoundrels
From all the entries on this list, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels is the one I have the longest history with. I first saw the show at a relatively young age in 2014 and instantly fell in love with it. I then went on to see it three more times over the next year and it never lost its charm. I even attended closing night, cheering the actors on as they took their final bow in what had become my favourite show.
Dirty Rotten Scoundrels is one of those feel-good shows that promises to entertain and provide its audience with a great time; that may be a simple achievement to some, but it cannot be understated just how entertaining this musical was. Even after seeing it on numerous occasions, I thoroughly enjoyed each viewing. It's a brilliant story full of twists and turns, and the jokes all land faultlessly. The musical score by David Yazbek is equally as delightful, featuring a number of fun, upbeat and catchy tunes.
Robert Lindsay's leading performance as Lawrence was extraordinary, and he excelled at everything from comedic timing to a variety of accents. Alex Gaumond, who joined as a replacement for the role of Freddie, was also superb and gave a hysterically funny performance. David Rockwell's detailed and captivating set design was yet another aspect of Dirty Rotten Scoundrels that couldn't be faulted in any way, shape or form.
4. Mean Girls
As a high schooler at the time, it should come as no surprise that I was rather eager to watch Mean Girls; a musical detailing the dramas of high school. Thankfully, I had the opportunity to watch it during my trip to New York City in Summer 2018. I was completely stunned after watching the show, and instantly connected with its themes. I listened to the Original Cast Recording numerous times after seeing it, and continue to adore it.
No matter what your social position was in high school, you are extremely likely to find at least one aspect of Mean Girls relatable to your own childhood. I could personally see myself in several of the characters, which is why I found the show so easy to connect with. Given that I was a high schooler at that time, it genuinely felt as if I had gone through similar experiences. Moving beyond the story, the musical score by Jeff Richmond and Nell Benjamin is marvellous, with over a dozen of extremely memorable tunes.
Whilst all the cast are stand-outs, it was Taylor Louderman as Regina George who stole the show. She created the perfect characterisation, giving careful thought to her way of speaking and movement. The most striking aspect of the creatives was the set, by Finn Ross and Adam Young. It consisted primarily of video projections, and they were almost certainly the best I have ever been witness to.
3. Lazarus
I first saw Lazarus during its world premiere at an Off-Broadway venue in 2015. I liked it a lot, though it was a lot to take in on a first viewing. I later saw it again in its London transfer and it won me over from the get-go. Whilst I know this choice may be controversial, I genuinely believe it is one of the greatest musicals I have ever seen, and very few shows have connected with me in the same way since.
It has previously been claimed that the story of Lazarus is unclear, but that's one of things I love about it. There are so many interpretations you can take from the story, and all explanations are theoretically correct; Lazarus is whatever you want it to be. I personally interpreted it to be the tale of a dying man; given the circumstances of Bowie's death, this is all the more heartbreaking. The show features songs from David Bowie's collection, all of which are very evocative. To this very day, whenever I listen to the Original Cast Recording, I am overcome with emotion.
Michael C. Hall's portrayal of Newton is one of the best musical theatre performances I have ever witnessed. It's an extremely demanding role, and it's truly astonishing to think he remains onstage for almost all of the show's run-time. Sophia Anne Caruso's portrayal of Girl was also first-rate, and her rendition of 'Life on Mars?' was spell-binding. A special mention must also be awarded to Michael Esper, who excelled in the role of Valentine.
2. Something Rotten
Similar to the way I first saw Ink, Something Rotten had a number of available 'rush seats' during my stay in New York City in 2015 and this was an offer I couldn't say no to. I had no idea what to expect, and little did I know this would be one of the best shows I have ever seen. I later went to see the show twice more; once later that very week, and the final time several months later.
Something Rotten is unquestionably the funniest musical I have ever seen. The book, by Karey Kirkpatrick and John O'Farrell, is ingenious and had the audience laughing throughout. It's an original concept too, and that in itself is commendable. From Shakespeare being a pop-star to the endless musical references, it was all so imaginative. The musical score, by Karey and Wayne Kirkpatrick, is also worthy of praise. The lyrics are extremely witty, and the song 'A Musical' is one of the greatest musical numbers that I have ever seen.
The show is full of incredible performances, none of which can be faulted. The stand-out performances included Brian d'Arcy James, Christian Borle and Brad Oscar; all of whom were nominated for numerous awards. The three actors were extremely funny, and each had perfect comedic timing. The costumes, designed by Gregg Barnes, were also amazing, perfectly conveying the dress sense of those who lived in 16th Century London.
1. Hamilton
After a lengthy countdown we have reached the number one spot, and the gold medal goes to Hamilton. The reason as to why I first saw Hamilton is rather unique; it was recommended to me by none other than Anne Hathaway! I had seen Ms. Hathaway in a play at the Public Theater in Off-Broadway and during a stage door encounter, we had discussed a shared love for theatre and she told me that Hamilton (a new musical making its debut at the Public) was a must-see. I eventually saw the show on Broadway and the rest is history! I then saw the show three more times (once more in NYC, once in Chicago and once in London), and I still love it.
From the first time I saw it, I instantly connected with the story of Hamilton. Alexander Hamilton was a great man and whilst it's true to say he was deeply flawed, that's what makes his story so compelling. The story has a number of meaningful messages, teaching people to rise up and fight for their beliefs, seek compromise to achieve greatness, and forgive those who have wronged you or else suffer a fall. Hamilton is also intriguing from a historical perspective, detailing not only the events of the American Revolution but also the initial stages of creating a new nation. The show is almost entirely sung-through, with a diverse musical score by Lin Manuel-Miranda rap, hip-hop and pop. The lyrics are very effective at storytelling, and there are some beautiful melodies throughout.
In my multiple viewings I have seen a number of extraordinary performances in Hamilton, so here are some of the highlights: Lin-Manuel Miranda (Hamilton), Leslie Odom, Jr. (Burr) and Daveed Diggs (Lafayette/Jefferson) on Broadway, Daniel Breaker (Burr) in Chicago, and Jamael Westman (Hamilton) and Jason Pennycooke (Lafayette/Jefferson) in the West End. Hamilton is also incredible from a creative standpoint, and there are numerous elements worthy of praise. The most striking however is the lighting design by Howell Binkley, which is quite possibly the best lighting I have ever seen. The choreography, by Andy Blankenbuehler, and the costumes by Paul Tazewell, are also astonishing.
And with that, my final blog post must unfortunately come to an end. It's sad to say goodbye, but the end of one chapter is the beginning of another. Once again, a huge thank you to all of those that have supported me over the years; I greatly appreciate each and every one of you. I will continue to have a presence on Twitter, and will continue to post my thoughts on various theatre shows in tweet-form.
Until next time,
-The Basic Theatre Reviewer
