SEASON ROUNDUP 2025: January - March

We are reaching that time where we say goodbye to the concluding year, and begin ringing in the next, so given that we have made it to almost 150 shows for the year, once again we are doing this quarterly. Here are my top 10 shows for the first three months of the year.

-----

10. KENREX

Southwark Playhouse, London

We start with not only a solo show, but one of the most gripping pieces of one-man theatre you're ever likely to see. Gripping, intense, and jam packed with terrific tunes (as performed live by John Patrick Elliott), this Jack Holden piece tells of the real life exploits of Ken Rex McElroy, predominantly focussing around 1981 and the final chapter of a long history of crime sans the punishment from the locally coined "bully of Skidmore". Holden's multiroling is simply mind blowing, and the contributions of musician Elliott enhance the experience enormously, for a truly unique, thrilling theatrical experience that will live long in the memory.

9. MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING

Theatre Royal Drury Lane, London

After two underwhelming Shakespeare productions during 2024, director Jamie Lloyd managed to make it third time lucky with a frankly brilliant modern staging of one of the bard's most beloved comedies, switching minimalism, dull and uninspiring scenery, and actors barely afforded any freedom of expression for bright colours, Jon Clark's vivid, up-beat lighting design, and a borderline excessive amount of bright pink confetti. On top of that, the casting of Hayley Atwell and Tom Hiddleston as Beatrice and Benedick respectively was a masterstroke, individually they shone bright with their wit and comic prowess, and their on-stage chemistry was spellbinding. It is exceedingly difficult to stage Shakespeare comedy in a way that makes sense of the text, but at the third time of asking, Lloyd has finally found the winning formula.

8. KYOTO

@sohoplace, London

Political drama has featured heavily in the history of theatre, from way back in ancient Greece, to Shakespeare, Arthur Miller, and into the present day, where we find this new play by Joe Murphy and Joe Robertson. It is an immense challenge to take a story so steeped in politics and diplomatic dialogue, and turn it into something so completely gripping, and this is where "Kyoto", the story of the 1997 COP3 climate conference in Japan, really comes into its own. In particular being sat in the stalls, surrounding the circular table where the bulk of the action takes place, complete with delegate identification lanyards, really gave this piece the full immersive experience, making us feel like we were there in and among the action. This was an experience like none other, and one that was a privilege to experience.

7. BALLET SHOES

Olivier - National Theatre, London

If you're looking for a sweet, endlessly endearing new play, then you need look no further, as this is one of the most adorable, relatable, magical yet grounded pieces of theatre I have seen all year, not least because of its musical contributions, absolutely breathtaking choreography, and uplifting, inspiring story that will no doubt strike a chord with younger viewers in particular. Written originally by Noel Streatfield, and adapted to the stage by Kendall Fever, this tale of sisterly love is as much about feminism and self-discovery as it is about how family comes in all shapes and sizes, and the bonds that tie us are as strong as we will them. This was a play that warmed my heart and blew my mind in equal measure, with the performance of newcomer Daisy Sequerra as Posy proving one of the major highlights.

6. COME FROM AWAY

The Lowry, Salford

Much like those stranded in rural Canada 24 years ago, this gorgeous, heart-on-sleeve musical eventually had to make its final journey. First opening at London's Phoenix Theatre, David Hein and Irene Sankoff's heartwarming, profoundly human musical about the immediate aftermath of 9/11, telling the story of "7,000 strays" getting stranded in rural Newfoundland, is one of he most brilliant and original new pieces of theatre we've seen in recent years. Combining innovative, minimalist staging with impressive multiroling, and incorporation of the band in certain scenes, this feels very much like an ensemble piece, complete with a folk inspired score that will both warm your heart and have you reaching for a bottle of screech!

5. OPERATION MINCEMEAT

Golden Theatre, NYC

Seeing fringe succeed on the biggest stages in the world brings me terrific amounts of joy, and to see SpitLip not only make it to broadway, but to be absolutely thriving, is absolutely one of the highlights of 2025. Who knew that a silly, borderline farcical comedy musical about a pivotal World War 2 intelligence operation could turn out to be one of the biggest musical hits in recent years, snagging itself two Olivier Awards and a Tony Award in the process. To experience the original cast of this riotously funny, yet surprisingly poignant spy comedy romp doing their thing in the theatre capital of the world is an experience that I shall never forget.

4. NATASHA, PIERRE & THE GREAT COMET OF 1812

Donmar Warehouse, London

The second trip to 19th century Russia was just as electric as the first, Dave Molloy's unique blend of classical, Russian folk and synth pop perfectly encapsulating the emotional, thematic and narrative complexity as adapted from Tolstoy's original literary behemoth. This staging directed by Tim Sheader presented a distinct deviation from the original broadway production, rather than the elaborate, ornate design palate favoured by Paloma Young and Mimi Lien, we are presented with something far more gritty and dichotomous, and better reflective of the blend of old and new. The cast were what really sold the show though, the quality of vocals and acting were some of the best of the year, especially from Jamie Muscato and eventual Olivier winner Maimuna Memon.

3. JOHN PROCTOR IS THE VILLAIN

Booth Theatre, NYC

A big hitter in the 2024-25 broadway season, Kimberly Belflower's newest play made some serious waves in the spring, not even just with the casting of Stranger Things star Sadie Sink, but how well the material resonated with younger audiences in particular. It re-examines the Arthur Miller classic novel "The Crucible", focussing on the titular problematic male protagonist, and through the eyes of modern day American high school students, is picked apart and reconsidered as an antagonist through means of a lens of consent, power dynamics, and deep-rooted traditional misogyny. The sheer build in tension, and the ultimate euphoric sense of emotional catharsis felt by these young students is palpable, awaking something deep within that challenged one's entire idea of how we think about theatre.

2. MAYBE HAPPY ENDING

Belasco Theatre, NYC

Broadway was always going to feature heavily in this first roundup, as I caught some spellbinding theatre during the first of two broadway trips this year, including what has become one of my all time favourite musicals. This is a sweet, endearing tale of two retired helperbots, Oliver and claire, in South Korea, who journey to Jeju Island in order to find Oliver's former owner after contact is lost between the two of them. Though they don't necessarily find what they're looking for, what they. do find is so much more beautiful, and there's a poignant sense of humanity about it in spite of the technological nature of the story. And it would have comfortably taken the top spot were it not for...

1. HADESTOWN (OBC)

Lyric Theatre, London

Ok look, anyone who knows me is fully aware of the hold this show has on me, I saw it twice with 4/5 of the original cast (minus Amber) in 2022, and the west end premiere featured on last year's annual roundup. However, it has to be said that nothing in the early part of the year could possibly match up with being able to see the fab five all together for the first time, and being able to watch it as it was being professionally filmed, attended by director Rachel Chavkin, is a memory that will remain with me forever. This classic Greek story of love, loss, power and hope, with capitalistic and climate crisis undertones, is one of the finest modern examples of reimagining centuries old stories, and there really is something special, perfect, about the original principal cast (Andre De Shields, Reeve Carney, Amber Gray, Eva Noblezada and Patrick Page) that has seldom been matched with any subsequent casting.