It’s time for my annual theatre round up and rather than summarise my top shows of 2024, this year I’ve decided to do something a little different and focus on the productions that I always come back to when thinking about my 2024 highlights. They aren’t necessarily ones that I awarded 5 stars, but they are the pieces of theatre that either inspired me the most or showed exceptional promise for the future. I have also only included shows that I watched for the first time in 2024, so there are some touring favourites which haven’t made it onto this list as I saw them originally in London. Without further ado, here are my favourite shows of 2024, covering regional theatre, the West End, off-West End productions and fringe festivals.
Murder on the Orient Express
UK and Ireland tour performance at The Marlowe Theatre, Canterbury
It’s no secret that I enjoy a good whodunnit and this year I watched the UK and Ireland tour of Agatha Christie’s ‘Murder on the Orient Express’. From a revolving stage to intricate recreations of the train carriages, the touring set was absolutely fascinating to look at, making this a really visually exciting play. In terms of the narrative, I was hooked from the moment I walked into the Marlowe. Going into it totally dark was also a brilliant idea, as I really had no idea who the culprit was when there was the big reveal at the end. Maybe in 2025 I need to finally watch ‘The Mousetrap’ in London, after adoring this Agatha Christie adaptation!
Full review of Murder on the Orient Express
Three Queens
Barons Court Theatre, London
Rosamund Gravelle’s Tudor-themed ‘Three Queens’ was possibly the most promising London fringe production that I saw this year. It was born out of various Barons Court scratch nights and enjoyed a 3-week run at the venue in the spring. The staging was exquisite, bringing the drama of the era to The Curtain’s Up basement and the costumes were so beautifully done, proving that you don’t need a huge budget to make period theatre. The fact that the play was this strong on its first outing means I can’t wait to see what happens for ‘Three Queens’ in the future.
Kev Campbell Was He
theSpaceUK at the Edinburgh Fringe
When I say I had high expectations for ‘Kev Campbell Was He’ at this year’s Edinburgh Fringe, I don’t think I’ve ever walked into a review so nervous in all my years of writing about theatre. Alexander Tait’s play about homophobia in Scotland really captured my attention in the run up to the Fringe and I was willing it to do well, even more so after interviewing the writer/performer and hearing about the underexplored themes at the centre. Looking back on the Summer in Scotland, the play was a resounding success, largely due to the script and Alexander bringing so much humour and emotion to the endearing Kev. There are also some really brilliant creative choices, courtesy of director Ivan Hamshaw Thomas. If there’s one show I want to see back in Edinburgh for 2025, it’s ‘Kev Campbell Was He’. Many more people need to see this beautiful play!
Full review of Kev Campbell Was He
The Snowsmith
Half a String at the Gulbenkian Arts Centre, Canterbury
With the amount of Christmas theatre I have seen in the past month and how much I’ve talked about ‘The Snowsmith’, I absolutely had to include Half a String’s festive show in my favourites of the year. This was possibly one of the most innovative family shows I have ever seen, featuring captivating puppetry and some imaginative set design which showcases scale. It is also a really lovely magical Christmas story, which will warm the hearts of families across the UK.
Edward Scissorhands
UK tour performance at The Marlowe Theatre, Canterbury
When I think of dance theatre in 2024, my mind goes straight to Sir Matthew Bourne’s ‘Edward Scissorhands’ and the colourful production which took to the Marlowe Theatre stage in January. It is a really inspired piece of theatre, transporting audiences to Tim Burton’s whimsical world, and features delightful, playful choreography. New Adventures are such a sensational dance company to watch and ‘Edward Scissorhands’ reminded me why I love their work.
Full review of Edward Scissorhands
Rosé-Tinted
Flat and the Curves at the Westgate Hall (Canterbury Festival)
The female musical comedy group Flat and the Curves performed their hit show ‘Rosé-Tinted’ for one night only at this year’s Canterbury Festival. I was familiar with their work after hearing about their Edinburgh Fringe success, but I had no idea how absolutely hilarious their show would be. The amusing musical accounts of being a woman in the present day had me in fits of laughter, cackling at the relatable writing and the ridiculous themes of the songs. Rosé-Tinted was definitely a highlight of Canterbury Fest!
Julie Flower: Grandma’s Shop
Gilded Balloon at the Edinburgh Fringe/Faversham Fringe
Thanks to the lovely team at Mobius Industries, a press release for ‘Julie Flower: Grandma’s Shop’ appeared in my inbox in the run up to Edinburgh. I’ll be honest I picked this as I thought it would be right up my Mum’s street, especially with the 1980s nostalgia, but I wasn’t expecting to find it quite so emotional myself. Oh my goodness did it make me think about how much I miss my own Grandmother. Later this year when Julie brought Hilda Flower’s story to the Faversham Fringe in October, I was there in a heartbeat. I have adored following this one-person show throughout 2024 and look forward to seeing what happens next!
Full review of Julie Flower: Grandma’s Shop
Fawlty Towers – The Play
Apollo Theatre, London
If it wasn’t for my Dad being a fan of ‘Fawlty Towers’, I don’t think I’d have gone to see the stage adaptation in London. I had no idea what to expect going in, other than having watched a few clips on YouTube, and was so pleasantly surprised by it. Yes, the humour is dated and you definitely couldn’t make the same original show in 2024, but if you consider it as a piece of its time, you will come away really laughing. My Dad assured me that the character portrayals were very true to the original series and the amount of laughter in the Apollo Theatre was proof of how much people were enjoying themselves.
Please Right Back
1927 theatre company at the Gulbenkian Arts Centre, Canterbury
The Margate-based 1927 theatre company came highly recommended from some Kent performers I know, so in July I booked a last minute visit to the Gulbenkian Arts Centre for their new show. ‘Please Right Back’ combines animation, live performance and some immersive elements, taking audiences on a family friendly adventure filled with lots of imagination and a really conscientious story. It is a wonderful example of creative theatre, which immediately highlighted to me why 1927 is so adored. Spontaneous theatre plans are the best!
Jesus Christ Superstar
UK tour performance at The Marlowe Theatre, Canterbury
If I were to describe my best theatre experience of 2024, it would be a toss up between the touring Regent’s Park Open Air production of ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’, ‘& Juliet’ and ‘Come From Away’. It was actually my first time watching the former and wow, was it everything I hoped it would be and more. What I liked so much about this revival is how the theme of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s work underpins the whole show, but this iteration feels very expressive, new and creative, capitalising on the quality of the movements on stage. It made me rethink the impact that long running musicals can have on the theatre industry, years since their debut. A musical just needs a clever and innovative creative team to swoop in and breathe new life into the source material.
Full review of Jesus Christ Superstar
Starlight Express
Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre, London
The musical of the summer for me was the highly anticipated revival of Starlight Express. I enjoyed the production so much that I actually headed back there in November for a repeat visit. Tim Hatley’s set design and Gabriella Slade’s costumes make this such an exciting revival, which will delight both long term fans and total Starlight Express newbies like me. The roller skating is also such a novelty!
Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York)
The Criterion Theatre, London
The show that definitely didn’t get enough time in the West End was ‘Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York). This romantic comedy packed full of humour and heartfelt moments deserved a far longer run, offering something truly exciting and new to the London theatre scene. Far too often writers look to Hollywood successes for theatre inspiration, but ‘Two Strangers’ has an entirely original book, which would appeal to both theatre and romcom fans alike. I saw the musical during previews with my sister and didn’t formally review it as the production hadn’t officially opened yet, but was so impressed that I had the cast recording on repeat for weeks. Also, a two-hander musical in the West End? I can’t help but champion the little shows!
Tina: The Tina Turner Musical
Aldwych Theatre, London
In January I finally watched ‘Tina: The Tina Turner Musical’ and it was immediately evident why this show has been so long running. Karis Anderson embodies Tina Turner and is such a force to be reckoned with. The role demands so much vocal and physical stamina and Karis nailed the characterisation and energy in every song. Local audiences have the tour to look forward to in 2025, when TINA comes to Kent in the Autumn. It will be amazing to have the show visit regional theatres and in turn reach so many more people.
Full review of Tina: The Tina Turner Musical
The Little Big Things
@sohoplace, London
Another show that should have been in London longer is ‘The Little Big Things’: a musical based on Henry Fraser’s tragic accident, which left him paralysed from the shoulders down. To some it might sound like the most unexpected foundation for a musical, but Henry’s incredible optimism and spirit for life makes for the most uplifting story. It was my first musical of the year and I absolutely loved the show. The colourful lighting and set design were absolutely glorious!
Full review of The Little Big Things
Girlhood
Greenside at the Edinburgh Fringe
As a late twenty-something female, Tiegan Byrne’s ‘Girlhood’ had a profound impact on me at the 2024 Edinburgh Fringe. The show discusses what it means to be a mother and addresses the subject of motherhood in a really topical and relevant way, considering how this has changed over the decades. I would love to see another outing for Girlhood soon, perhaps in an off-West End venue as this play certainly deserves a future beyond EdFringe.
Abigail Paul: Miss Communication
The Caxton Arms (Brighton Fringe)
It’s no secret how much of a fan I am of comedian and actress Abigail Paul. One of the reasons I visited Brighton Fringe for the first time this year was to watch Abigail’s new show at The Caxton Arms. ‘Miss Communication’ was an absolutely hilarious hour of comedy, full of the performer’s unrivalled dark sense of humour. It is a massive pivot away from her Edinburgh Fringe show ‘Involuntary Momslaughter’, but it was a joy to see the comedian take on something slightly more light hearted. I can’t wait to hear where ‘Miss Communication’ appears next, as the world needs more witty female comics like Abigail!
Full review of Abigail Paul: Miss Communication
A memorable year of theatre!
What a year 2024 has been, filled with so many amazing productions. It was so difficult to come up with this list, but hopefully it gives you an idea of the theatre that has had the greatest impact on my year. Particularly in the case of the fringe productions, I cannot wait to see how they grow in the future.
What has been your favourite show of the year?
Thanks for reading my blog today.
Love Kat xxxx
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