Now that I’m living in London, I have to take advantage of the easy access I have to the theatre (although sometimes, this is to the detriment of my bank account). Since Covid is still a thing, I’m not going as often as I might’ve gone in the “before times,” but I still tried to fill my 2022 with as much theatre as possible. I figured I’d do a little write up to look back on them all, so here we go!

8 January – A Christmas Carol: The Old Vic

After a particularly stressful week at work, I decided to treat myself to a £30 day seat for the closing performance of A Christmas Carol at the Old Vic. Yes, I’d seen it already, but I’d seen it at the start of the run, and you could tell everyone had settled into the show much more by closing. It was still just as moving and joyful as it had been when I saw it six weeks earlier, and the close to one minute standing ovation they received at the end was entirely well deserved.

9 February – Six: Vaudeville Theatre

I last saw Six in 2019, so it felt like it had been enough time to see it again! It’s an 80 minute show with no interval, and tells the her-story of Henry VIII’s six wives. It’s such a fun show, with phenomenal vocals, and I think is a good show for theatre lovers, and non-theatre lovers alike because of its pop concert style of staging.

26 February – Mary Poppins: Prince Edward Theatre

As soon as Mary Poppins opened on the West End a few years ago, I was desperate to see this production, but unfortunately living on the wrong continent to do so. I saw it in October, and knew I’d be back because it’s truly so joyful (and partially also to try and learn some more of the choreography because I’ll tell you, it would be a dream to learn Step in Time). Tickets are generally pretty expensive for Mary Poppins if you want to be in the stalls, but they have £30 day seats you can try for at 10:30am every day there’s a performance. I managed to nab some row M seats (which are typically £65), so I can’t complain!

13 March – Doctor Who: Time Fracture: UNIT HQ

This wasn’t a classic theatre experience, but rather an immersive one. It starts with the premise that audience members are volunteers, sent to London by The Doctor on a mission to help rescue the universe. Only problem is that the two weeks we thought we’d have becomes 90 minutes, and you’re quickly hurled back in time to try and mend the fractures in time! There are supposedly 17 worlds you can explore, and every time you visit you’ll get a different experience as actors pull you in different directions, down different story lines (there are 13 possible ones in total). I got to visit William Shakespeare, the pigs from Angels Take Manhattan, Torchwood, Leonardo DaVinci, and more. It was honestly really cleverly done, and I could easily see myself going back. The second half after the interval lost its momentum a little, but the first half more than made up for that. The only recommendation I’d give would be to go with friends – there is a part (or two) when you might want a hand to hold!

28 March – Small Island: The National Theatre

I’ll confess that I saw this same play back in summer of 2019, and during the lockdown when the National was broadcasting a play a week, but I love it so much that when I saw it was back at the National for a limited run, I couldn’t resist. I was able to nab a £10 Entry Pass ticket (their discount ticket scheme for 18-25 year olds), and a front row seat no less! It was very up close, but that meant I could really look at the costumes, wigs, and set. It’s such a beautifully moving piece, and was well worth losing some sleep for the 3 hour run time to see it!

9 April – & Juliet: Shaftesbury Theatre

This show has been somewhat on my list for a while, especially as it was unique to the West End until later in the year. It’s a jukebox musical, which can be hit or miss, but I thought they transitioned into the songs pretty seamlessly. The whole premise asks what would’ve happened in Shakespeare’s famous play if Juliet hadn’t killed herself, and goes on to unravel as William Shakespeare and Anne Hathaway battle it out for who is the superior writer (as a side note, I’m fully obsessed with how they portray Anne Hathaway in this show, and all the female empowerment that comes with it). It was definitely a high energy show, and a fun time! I’ll admit that it took a few days for me to fully get into it, and want to see it again (and believe me, I went back to see it at least one more time ;)), but we did eventually get there! It’s really just a fun night out – highly recommend. I also desperately want to learn all the choreography so there’s that as well!

24 May – The Mousetrap: St Martin’s Theatre

After seeing so many shows in the West End, it felt like it was high time I saw the longest running one. The Mousetrap has just entered its 70th year, and it’s still a popular night out in London. I took advantage of their day seats, which are a lovely £19.52 (in honor of 70 years), and got front row seats to an evening performance. It ended up being only the second performance of a new cast, which is always a fun coincidence. I don’t feel the need to necessarily return any time soon, but I’m glad I can now say I’ve seen it! The script is a little dated at times, but it’s a good, classic murder mystery, and no, I won’t be revealing the ending!

28 May – Much Ado About Nothing: Shakespeare’s Globe

As the weather starts getting nicer, the prospect of outdoor theatre comes about, and what better way to start it than with Shakespeare’s Globe? Much Ado About Nothing is by far my favorite Shakespeare play, so I’m always happy to see it. I’ll say this rendition did feel a little long, but it still captured the comedy, and what I love about the play.

10 June – Frozen: Theatre Royal Drury Lane

For as much as I love going to Disney properties, Disney musicals have never been top of my list of “must-sees.” That being said, I’ve had some friends recommend it, and I seem to constantly get content from West End Disney actors on TikTok, so I thought it was finally time to get myself to see Frozen. Disney does something called Magical Mondays, which every Monday at 12pm, they release a certain number of tickets for that week’s shows at £25. I did that, and ended up in a nice stalls seat, so I can’t complain there. I haven’t been to the Theatre Royal Drury Lane since I saw 42nd Street in 2017, and they’ve redone the space since then, but anyway, I did enjoy the show. It’s not one I feel the need to go see again I’ll admit, but they’ve added some songs from the film, and yes, there is the classic dress quick change in Let it Go. Overall, it was a good evening, and I’m glad to be able to say I’ve seen it.

17 June – Fantastically Great Women who Changed the World: Stratford East

As much as I love West End theatres, London offers so many opportunities to see other shows outside of that area. I headed out to Stratford (in London, not where Shakespeare is from) for the final preview performance of Fantastically Great Women who Changed the World, and I had a lovely time! It was a short 85 minute show with no interval, aimed at young children, but the messages they were conveying were applicable to all ages. Throughout the show, you’re introduced to several “fantastically great women who changed the world,” with catchy tunes, and overall I thought it was a really cute, and fun show.

18 June – Legally Blonde: Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre

Seeing an outdoor show in the UK is a risk, but it’s something I’d never done, and this production felt like the perfect first one. The theatre is located in Regent’s Park, and there aren’t really any bad seats. I came prepared with a poncho (which was needed), and had a lovely evening. We did have two weather related show stops, so the run time was definitely long, but it was a fun production, and the rain wasn’t too hard so it wasn’t unbearable. Legally Blonde is an excellent musical, and this production was no exception!

25 June – West End Live: Trafalgar Square

Every summer, the West End productions of London come together for West End Live, where they all perform throughout the day in 10-15 minute intervals. It’s a free musical theatre festival in Trafalgar Square, and I’ve never been in London for it, so I figured now was a good time to attend! I had to queue for close to four hours before I actually got into Trafalgar Square, but I was waiting in an area where I had a clear view of a screen, so I only missed two performances of the day. I went on day one, and got to see performances from Legally Blonde, Wicked, & Juliet, Mamma Mia, Come From Away, Bonnie & Clyde, Grease, Phantom of the Opera, Cabaret, Jersey Boys, Six, and more! It really was quite the event, and I’m so glad I was able to attend. I already can’t wait for West End Live 2023!

25 June – Anything Goes: Barbican Theatre

As if spending the morning at West End Live wasn’t enough, I went to see an evening performance, too! Through Theatre Royal Haymarket Masterclass, I was able to get £5 tickets to see the opening night performance of Anything Goes, and I jumped on the chance! I’d seen this production in New York with Sutton Foster ages ago, but I love the tap in it, and the show in general. The seats I had were amazing, and I was absolutely blown away by Kerry Ellis as Reno Sweeney. The show was just as good as I’d remembered it, and I’m so glad I was able to see it in London!

27 June – My Fair Lady: London Coliseum

My Fair Lady has always held a somewhat special place in my heart, so when I saw it was being performed in London, I knew I wanted to go see it. I got myself £20 balcony seats, and to my surprise, they upgraded me to the dress circle when I arrived! It’s a long show, and I’ll admit that it felt a bit small for such a big theatre, but I did enjoy it. I also liked the ending they opted for, and the costumes were beautiful.

21 July – & Juliet: Shaftesbury Theatre

Okay, I know this is cheating a little because I’ve seen it before, but it was truly the only show I saw in July! It was a front row view, though, so no complaints (even if it was a bit restricted). I don’t really have much more to add from what I wrote in April, but know that I’m still just as obsessed with this show as I was then, and I’m still desperately trying to learn all the choreography! (If the casting director ever reads this, yes, I would happily join as one of the players please and thank you).

13 August – Crazy For You: Chichester Festival Theatre

I’ve long been aware of Chichester Festival Theatre, but I hadn’t made the journey down there until this year. They were putting on Crazy For You, which has always held a special place in my heart (throwback to learning a tap routine to I Got Rhythm), and it felt like a perfect reason to head south. I absolutely loved it so much, and am so glad I went down to see it. The choreography was phenomenal (I genuinely want to know how many pairs of Laducas they have in that production), and it was so well done. My tickets were only £5 through Chichester’s Prologue scheme for 18-30 year olds, which is an incredible initiative! If you’re curious about my day in Chichester, I wrote a small write-up about it!

5 September – Much Ado About Nothing: The National Theatre

Even though I already saw a production of Much Ado this year, seeing as it’s my favorite Shakespeare play, I couldn’t pass up the chance to see it at The National as well. Starring Katherine Parkinson as Beatrice and John Heffernan as Benedict, this was everything I wanted in a production of Much Ado. It managed to find the comedy in so many places (including ones I wouldn’t normally have labeled as comedic moments), and the whole staging of it was just so clever. I managed to get £10 Friday Rush tickets, and they were absolutely worth it. It was a great production, and I’m sure I’ll watch the NT Live version of it one day just to relive it.

9 October – Back To The Future: Adelphi Theatre

When I was little, I used to be obsessed with the Back To The Future trilogy, so it made sense that I should try and see the version of it on stage. I saw a Sunday matinee, and the first thing that struck me was that the entire theatre has been redone to fit the vibe of the show. I think the show did a good job at staying true to the films, and you could tell the actors were also imitating the film (sometimes really well, too)! I found the music difficult to understand – it felt like as soon as more than one person was singing, the words all become muffled, and the sound balance wasn’t great. None of the songs were ones that I walked out of the theatre humming, but it was an enjoyable show. The car at the end especially is worth it, just for those effects alone!

4 November – The Choir of Man: Arts Theatre

When I saw an excerpt of Choir of Man during West End Live, I knew that it was a show I wanted to see. It didn’t disappoint. I got £20 rush tickets in the circle, and it was such a joyous, fun 90 minute show. There’s no interval, and the premise is that you’re in a pub for the night, and the regulars all form a choir. They sing popular songs (I knew some of them – like Adele’s Hello, Fun’s Some Nights, and ‘If You Like Piña Coladas”), and all of the nine men on stage also play various musical instruments. There was even some tap dancing, so I was immediately sold. Overall, it was just a really fun show, and if you’re one of the lucky audience members sitting in the stalls, you might even get pulled up on stage and given a free drink!

23 November – The Upstart Crow: Apollo Theatre

This play was on in London in 2020, and I was desperate to see it then, but for obvious reasons (not just the fact that I was in the US at the time), I didn’t get to see it. When it came back for a limited run, I knew I wanted to catch it, and it didn’t disappoint. The ticket prices were fairly high, so I opted to try for a rush ticket, and thankfully got one! It was as funny as the television show, and very clever. Lots of Shakespeare references, both in terms of quotes, but also plot lines and characters. I would say my highlight was the dancing bear, both because of the dancing, but also in the way it tied in with Shakespeare’s famous stage directions!

29 November – A Christmas Carol: The Old Vic

Just as I started off the year, I saw A Christmas Carol at The Old Vic as one of my last shows of the year. It’s tradition at The Old Vic, and I think I might make it my own to start off the year and end it with the show, now. The show was the same, albeit with a different cast. Mince pies were served to be eaten there and then, but the stage stalls view was still as incredible as it was at the start of the year. I still love how beautiful this particular production is, and how magical it feels (even with Brussel sprouts falling from the ceiling at one point).

11 December – Mother Goose: Hackney Empire

The year had to end with a panto (oh yes it did!), and while there are far too many to choose from in London, I opted for Mother Goose at The Hackney Empire. It was everything you’d want from a panto – audience participation, an evil villain to boo, rude jokes, and music (although I didn’t know most of the songs they used, so that bit was a little less entertaining than some others I’ve seen in the past, I’ll admit). Pantos are such a fun British tradition, and I enjoy partaking in it. I even came out of the performance to heavily falling snow, which felt very right for having just seen a panto!

There you have it, my theatre viewings from 2022! It’s not nearly as many as I would’ve liked, but considering the state of the world, and some other variables, I think averaging one show a month is pretty good! Not to mention that 2022 saw me performing in my first amdram show in London as well, so it has been a fairly theatrical year. Here’s to more theatre in 2023!