4th November – The Buddha of Suburbia – The Barbican. I’d had the book for a good year but hadn’t picked it up. I fancied the look of the play as soon as I saw adverts and booked a Rush ticket. Starring Dee Ahluwalia a 17 year old Karim, the play starts, as does the book, with the following “My name is Karim Amir, And I am an Englishman born and bred, almost. I am often considered to be funny kind of Englishman, a new breed as it were, having emerged from two old histories. But I don’t care- Englishman I am (though not proud of it). I have now started reading the book! I was blown away by this RSC production. Dee Alhuwalia was charisma personified as we saw the story of his dysfunctional life and how difficult it must have been to go between the old and new lives. This was a funny, sad, touching tale, I left the theatre wondering when I could go again! (97)
7th November – Fly More Than You Fall – Southwark Playhouse, Elephant. Keala Settle of The Greatest Showman was tone of the pulls for me alongside this theatre. The story of a family in crisis as Keala playing Mum, Jennifer, is diagnosed with terminal cancer, we’re taken aon the rollercoaster that is the life of her daughter Malia, played by Robyn Rose-Li. I went with my friend Sheila and we both enjoyed it, espeically the vocals of Keala Settle. It did feel slightly unfinished and the reviews weren’t great. But we were both glad we went. (98)
13th November – The Buddha of Subiurbia – The Barbican – this was just so good, I had to see it twice! (99)
15th November – Never Let Me Go – The Bristol Old Vic. A rugby trip to Cardiff saw me in Bristol on a Friday night and gave me chance to go to this lovely theatre. This was an unusual tale, I was glad I read up on it, I’d have been baffled I think if I hadn’t! “Never Let Me Go, is based on Kazoo Ishiguro’s sixth novel, it takes place in an alternate reality of England during the 1990s in which mass human cloning is authorised and performed for the purpose of organ transplants, Ishiguro started writing Never Let Me Go in 1990″ I can go with the headline review on B24/7 ‘CHILLING, COMPULSIVE AND TOTALLY DEVASTATING’. Some great acting all round. (100)
26th November – MJ The Musical – Prince Edward Theatre. I had a better seat for my 2nd viewing. I thoroughly enjoyed the show, Myles Frost and Mitchell Zhangasza as the ‘older’ Michael are both outstanding. 2 set of people had to be told, twice, to stop taking photos/filming. Such an annoying thing to do and off putting for those close by! (101)
2nd December – The Duchess (Of Malfi) – I picked up a bargain ticket for this one, I’d wanted to see Jodie Whittaker. I’m very glad I didn’t shell out much! I’m going to try to pick my favourites for the year, I think this, was my least favourite of all! There was some good acting, no question, Whittaker and Jude Owosu in particular. But the random swearing and sexual references, amongst other things just didn’t do it for me! (102)
14th December – Hello Dolly – The Lido 2, Champs Elysees. I was so relieved to have this surprise trip to a show. A Xmas Gift from my daughter and her partner, it was a complete delight! Caroline O’Connor starred as Dolly and was fabulous, just right for the part. A much small stage than The Palladium, but the show worked perfectly! What a fabulous experience all round, especially after my previous theatre visit! (103)
23rd December – A Midsummer Night’s Dream – The Barbican. Another last minute, bargain booking. This was absolute joy on a stage! Most of my favourite productions this year have been Shakespeare and this was no exception. One of his comedies, this was laugh out loud funny, with Matthew Baynton as Bottom being the headline name; he was brilliant. But may favourite was Andrew Richardson as Oberon. I am going to have to go again! (104)
My December favourite Dramatic performance – Dee Ahluwalia as Karim in The Buddha of Suburbia.
Favourite Musical Performance – Caroline O’Connor as Dolly in Hello Dolly.
Favourite Plays 2024 in no particular order
- King Lear – The Almeida Theatre
- Hills of California – The Harold Pinter Theatre
- Love Labours Lost – The RSC, Stratford
- Death of England – All 3!
- The Years – The Almeida Theatre
- Waiting for Godot – Her Majesty’s Theatre, Haymarket
- Macbeth – Harold Pinter Theatre
- Coriolanus – The National Theatre
- A Tupperware of Ashes – The National Theatre
- The Buddha of Suburbia – The Barbican Theatre
- Midsummer Night’s Dream – The Barbican Theatre
Favourite Musicals 2024
- Two Strangers Carry A Cake Across New York – The Criterion Theatre
- Little Big Things – Soho Place Theatre
- Standing At The Sky’s Edge – Gillian Lynne Theatre
- Just For One Day – The Old Vic
- Oliver – The Chichester Festival Theatre
I also saw some truly wonderful concerts in 2024 including Jason Robert Brown wing Cynthia Erivo, Pippin in Concert, Adam’s Family, then at Cadogan Hall Bradley Jaden, Alex Newell and Julian Ovendon – all were fabulous! I have 24 productions booked so far in 2025, hoping the coming year is as good as the outgoing!
365 Happy Days 