2021 brought us joy and escape as we adapted to a new normal when theatres began reopening earlier this year. My bank account is certainly feeling the effects of 2021 and being able to experience all of the emotions theatres provide us with was something really special. However, 12 months on it seems daunting and as though history is repeating itself because theatres up and down the country are cancelling their shows in response to Covid cases. It is really exhausting to see the determination this industry has had to pick itself up to be dashed by a useless government.
I wanted to use this opportunity to bring together my favourite shows of the year into a blog post. It may help me to discover my motivation to write more in 2022 as well. These shows are the ones that after leaving the auditorium I have not stopped thinking about, or listening to the soundtrack of.
Enjoy reading about my favourite shows of 2021 and here's to another inspiring year of theatre in 2022!
THE COLOUR PURPLE AT HOME, CURVE LEICESTER
Whilst we were all waiting eagerly for theatres to reopen, streams were still taking place from theatres around the country. Over the Christmas period of 2020, we were treated to Sunset Boulevard at Home, a production that I loved. Therefore it was no surprise that I would love the Curve's streamed production of The Color Purple at Home just as, if not more! The Color Purple was visually presented beautifully in the round space that the theatre curated around covid regulations, in the hope that soon audiences would be able to re-enter their space. The production was gorgeous, just watching T'Shan Williams do her thing as Celie was flawless, I could watch her perform 'I'm Here' over and over.
AMÉLIE THE MUSICAL, CRITERION THEATRE
I couldn't have given my money any quicker than I did when the West End transfer of Amelie The Musical was announced. This musical has a special place in my heart and I was fortunate enough to check it out twice this summer, the perfect piece of theatre to welcome us back after the covid closures. The entire cast of this production is sublime and are exceptional storytellers. If you love this show you can see a lot of the performers in the current UK Tour of The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe which is also mentioned on my list of top shows of 2021.
THE SHOW MUST GO ON! LIVE CONCERT (ONLINE)
If there was a production that captured the importance of theatre surviving past the pandemic, it was in the form of The Show Must Go On! Live Concert back in June. I watched this along with my friends over on Zoom and the variety of shows that performed at this show was great. Aisha Jawando, Alice Fearn and Kayi Ushe gave my favourite performances of this concert. I hope to see something like this live in 2022!
HEATHERS THE MUSICAL, THEATRE ROYAL HAYMARKET AND UK TOUR
Of course, it couldn't be a 2021 roundup of shows without mentioning Heathers, because let's face it, this show has had a spectacular year. Social media went crazy earlier this year when it was announced that Heathers the musical would be having a 12-week limited run in London. Not only that but it went to have a successful UK Tour and is currently running for another limited run in London over at The Other Palace until 2022. I saw the West End and UK Tour production for myself and now understand the hype surrounding the show. It's an epic show through and through and I haven't been able to stop listening to the soundtrack ever since!
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RENT, HOPE MILL THEATRE MANCHESTER
There is always wonderful theatre happening across the UK and 2021 has definitely sparked an interest to see more across the country into the new year. The Hope Mill is a fantastic intimate theatre in the heart of Manchester and seeing one of my favourite musicals being performed in 2021 was the cherry on the top of a difficult year. I went with friends who I met through a group during the lockdown and this production was first-class. It was so much better than their streamed production of this show back in 2020 and was well worth the 2-hour commute just to see it! I'm hoping to make a visit to the Hope Mill Theatre at the start of 2022 to see their production of The Wiz before it finishes!
SIX
If my Spotify Wrapped could sum up what I have been listening to the most since October, Six would reign supreme. This show is just spectacular and it's no surprise that tickets for the UK Tour were difficult to get our hands on when it came to the Curve. I am so glad I didn't miss the opportunity to see this show because my head was blown away by the level of talent on that stage. It has a simple premise but gorgeous staging and a unforgettable soundtrack. I love how these women dominated the stage from start to finish, I don't think I'll be getting No Way out of my head anytime soon.
EVERYBODY'S TALKING ABOUT JAMIE, UK TOUR
It's been a fantastic year for this musical, with the UK tour and West End production reopening after the lockdown period to audiences being inspired and moved by this story. Not only that but we also saw the release of the Amazon film of the musical (which is just as brilliant!). The story of this show really does move you and being able to hear 'Out of the Darkness' live was a moving moment in theatre from 2021 I'll never forget. You should go and see this just for the talent of Layton Williams and Sharan Phull!
BEDKNOBS AND BROOMSTICKS THE MUSICAL, UK TOUR
There was something really joyous in 2021 about being able to experience a new musical on the other side of a difficult 18 months for the industry. One of the most wonderful examples of this was the new production of Bedknobs and Broomsticks The Musical. The 1971 film has been given some Disney on stage magic in this stunning production that will captivate the imagination of every single person that sees this show. This cast was definitely one of the strongest I saw on stage in 2021 and some of the musical numbers will stay with me for a long time. It's definitely worth seeing in 2022, you can buy your tickets here!
FROZEN
Visually, Frozen was my favourite musical of the year. This musical hit new heights in terms of what can be done with staging to create something unforgettable. After waiting months to see it after winning a competition for tickets, it was well worth the wait. Samantha Barks singing 'Let It Go' will stick in my memory forever. I have a blog post entitled '10 Reasons To See Frozen in the West End' on my blog if you need more reasons to purchase some tickets!
THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE UK TOUR
I did just say that Frozen was visually the show of the year for me but the new production of The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe definitely aligns with it because believe me when I say this show captivated me. Watching one of your most beloved stories come to life on stage with the help of Michael Fentiman and some familiar faces from Amelie, you know you are in for a treat. I love how this story was given some oomph with staging and music to make it really quite something special. The run at the Curve was cut short so I am desperate to see it at least two more times in 2022 when it comes back to the Midlands.
THE LION KING
I was hoping that Moulin Rouge would make it to this list but covid reared its ugly head and the performance I was supposed to see in December was cancelled. *hopefully* I'll be seeing it at the start of next year and I cannot wait. However, it gave me the opportunity to see a show I haven't seen in years whilst I was in London. The Lion King was the result of finding a last-minute ticket and I was not disappointed. It was so nice to be able to enjoy theatre without reviewing it afterwards, completely immersing myself in what I was witnessing on the stage. After over 20 years in London, this musical has not lost the ability to captivate its audience and fill that auditorium. I found the entire production more emotional than ever this time and Kayi Ushe is phenomenal as Simba!
A CHORUS LINE, CURVE LEICESTER
I wanted to finish off my top shows of the year with the one that definitely defines the theatre industry. It is certainly this production for me. With Nikolai Foster's definitive style for innovative and inspiring theatre, A Chorus Line was the perfect way to close a door on 2021. I love how it was staged and cast to give a momentous production for this theatre. The choreography doesn't miss a beat and you'll be moved by the stories told on that stage, some of which are more relatable than we initially believe. It'll be an exciting year for Curve in 2022 that's for sure! I just wish I had time to see it once more before it closes on 31 December.
What were your favourite productions in 2021?
Don't forget to follow me on Instagram & catch me on Box Office Radio every Monday between 2-4pm.
Don't forget to follow me on Instagram & catch me on Box Office Radio every Monday between 2-4pm.
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