As we count down the last days of 2018, New York City's top theatre critics have been taking stock of the theatre season- deciding on their personal choices for their favorite productions of the year. With so many stellar plays, musicals, revivals and new works, both on Broadway and off, a slew of shows have gained recognition from the critics this year.
With extraordinary feats of bravery, strength and skill, the appeal of old-fashioned circus is not hard to understand. Performing a show that is the essence of traditional circus entertainment, Circus 1903 comes to London's Southbank Centre for its European premiere: a celebration of the Golden Age of circus, with highly skilled performers, raucous comedy and excellent family entertainment.
Arguably one of the most anticipated shows of 2018, MATILDA THE MUSICAL brings its spectacle from Johannesburg to delight audiences with its grand explosion of talent and technicalities in Cape Town. Its minute stars and phenomenal staging has far exceeded expectations; making it the holiday musical for audiences of all ages to revel in.
The world premiere of a stage version of Jill Murphy's The Worst Witch is the non-panto festive show at Northampton's Royal and Derngate this Christmas, ahead of a national tour in 2019.
The Sheffield Theatres' production of Cole Porter's classic is a vibrant crowd-pleaser.
Anthony Neilson's new play is inspired by the Edgar Allan Poe short story of the same name. It's a weird evening at the theatre, with flashbacks, gore, murder, a detective, night terrors, ghostly apparitions, animated furniture, eyes, eggs and everything in between.
East meets west, as the RSC's latest production of Shakespeare's comedy gets a TOWIE makeover. Following a popular summer run at the Royal Shakespeare Company's Stratford-upon-Avon base, it transfers to the Barbican for a limited engagement over the winter. David Troughton stars as the infamous knight Falstaff, who is at the peak of his lecherous and womanising ways during the course of this play - until he meets his matches in Mistresses Ford and Page.
As we're ready to draw the curtain on a busy 2018, it's time to look back on my eclectic year of theatre in a (consciously unmethodical) collection of highlights.
Having recently worked on a number of musicals (including the acclaimed Half a Sixpence), Rachel Kavanaugh returns to the RSC for a play which has some ghosts of the past and present. Sharing some of her earliest experiences with theatre, Rachel reveals what it's like to work alongside a figure from then, and what audiences can expect from this show now.
Hampstead Theatre presents Uncle Vanya in a new translation by Terry Johnson, who also directs. Chekhov's well-known piece follows Sonia and her uncle Vanya as they receive a visit from her father and his beautiful younger wife Yeliena at the rural estate they manage on his behalf. Yeliena presence stirs Vanya's long-forgotten regrets and nearly destroys the balance they've established in the country.
The Royal Shakespeare Company brings their latest season to the Barbican this Winter, made up of Romeo and Juliet, Macbeth and The Merry Wives of Winter. A number of the cast appear in one or two of these shows; Stevie Basaula features in all three, taking on more than ten roles.
If you are struggling to get into the festive spirit this year, a visit to London's Old Vic theatre is highly recommended. After the roaring success of Jack Thorne's charming adaptation of Charles Dickens' yuletide classic last year, the decision to stage A Christmas Carol again is as warm and welcoming as a hug from St Nicholas himself.
The Tell-Tale Heart marks Tamara Lawrance's third appearance at the National Theatre. Reuniting with writer Anthony Neilson, Tamara gives us an insight into his rehearsal rooms, how they've adapted originally a six page story, and what audiences can expect from the play.
American actress Johnetta Eula'Mae Ackles makes her professional stage debut in Martin McDonagh's A Very Very Very Dark Matter at the Bridge Theatre, playing the captive Congolese woman who supplies writer Hans Christian Andersen with all his stories.
Nuffield Southampton Theatres presents the world premiere stage adaptation of David Walliams' Billionaire Boy The Musical. Luke Shepard directs Alex 'Teddy' Clements (MD / Ensemble), Ryan Heenan (Joe Spud), Avita Jay (Sapphire / Raj), Eleanor Kane (Lauren), Lem Knights (Bob), Jared Leathwood (Dave Grubb), Natalie Morgan (Sue Grubb), Daisy Noir (Drummer / Ensemble), Dean Nolan (Len Spud) and Sophia Nomvete (Bobs Mum (Gwen). The production, which marks Miranda Cooper and Nick Coler's first musical opens on 28 November, with previews from 19 November, and runs until 6 January in Southampton. Billionaire Boy The Musical then tours to Manchester, Coventry and Cardiff.
New tickets to the record-breaking, multi-award winning production of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child exclusively at Melbourne's Princess Theatre, go on sale today, Tuesday November 27, 2018 at 11am AEDT.
Rebecca Lock's previous work includes Mamma Mia!, Avenue Q, Mary Poppins and Heathers The Musical. She's currently starring as Lilli Vanessi in Kiss Me, Kate, beginning at Sheffield Crucible on 7 December.
Sheffield Theatres presents Paul Foster's major revival of Kiss Me, Kate.
Hampstead Theatre has announced the appointment of Roxana Silbert as its new Artistic Director and Joint Chief Executive. Roxana will join the theatre in spring 2019, and her first season is to commence in September 2019 - kick-starting Hampstead's 60th Birthday celebrations.
Appearing in a gender swapping Measure for Measure, Lowden returns to the London stage at the Donmar Warehouse. Tackling the subjects of gender and sexual misconduct, Lowden shares just how much the play resonates today, how audiences are reacting, and the joys of doubling characters alongside Hayley Atwell.
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