Monday 29 December 2014

Theatre highlights of 2015



Another exciting cultural year is ahead and even if The Guardian, Telegraph or Time Out have provided a more thorough, if not London centric, list of things to look forward to, here’s mine:

1 Adrian Mole the Musical, Curve, Leicester: After being in workshop stages for a few years, Luke Sheppard’s production of Jake Brunger’s and Pippa Cleary’s musical based on Sue Townsend’s novel opens in Leicester, where the story is set. Townsend sadly passed away in 2014, but her generosity and encouragement have set strong foundations. Earlier this year, I met the creative team who were at Bristol University together; it sounds like it will be a fun show with much promise. And in Nikolai Foster’s first year as Artistic Director, there are many other things to keep an eye on at Curve, including his production of Timberlake Wertenbaker’s Our Country’s Good, in association with De Montfort University.

2 The Nether, Duke of York’s, London: If you missed the short run of Jennifer Haley’s play at the Royal Court last Summer, Sonia Friedman is transferring it to the West End, which some may say is a creatively adventurous move. In the same sense that Jerusalem, Chimerica and King Charles III became the must see plays when they transferred to the West End, The Nether has the same potential. It’s an ambitious and topical play that is said to tackle difficult issues.

3 Death of a Salesman, RSC, Stratford-Upon-Avon: The RSC has a cracking season for 2015, including Othello and Volpone, but I’m pleased to say we have young person’s £5 tickets for Arthur Miller’s most popular play in the year of his centenary. There’s much Miller to be seen in 2015, including the World Premiere of The Hook in Northampton, and the West End transfer of the excellent A View from the Bridge, but Gregory Doran’s production starring Antony Sher is expected to be one to be remembered. It’s a fantastic play showing how the failure of the American Dream can affect the ambitions and efforts of a family, presented in an innovative way which displays the simultaneity of life.

4 Old Vic production possibly, but possibly not starring Kevin Spacey: The Old Vic continues its successful in-the-round season with Daniel Kitson’s Tree and Maria Friedman’s production of Cole Porter’s musical High Society, but there’s also a gap in the schedule which could allow for a highly-tipped play to star exiting Artistic Director Spacey. Death of a Salesman (which was suggested) is most likely now off, but there are also guesses of an Ibsen play. But whatever it will be, it will most likely sell fast.

5 Bend It Like Beckham, Phoenix, London: A new British successful musical has been long-awaited, and this also long-awaited Howard Goodall musical is finally going into the West End. After hearing great things about his work on The Hired Man, this could be a hit!

6 The Audience, Apollo, London: Peter Morgan’s 2013 play is being brought back to London with the inspired casting of Kristin Scott Thomas as the Queen. The play was, in parts, forgettable and a bit self-indulgent, but I revelled (from front row centre, no less) in its fine performances and theatricality. With a general election in the middle of the run, there is scope for topical satire and potentially an added character.

7 The Producers, UK tour: Jason Manford leads ‘an all-star cast’ in this revival of the Mel Brooks musical. They are hoping for a West End run in the Autumn but as it is a presumably smaller production than the one at Drury Lane, will it just be as impressive? And although the casting of comedians doesn’t guarantee a funnier evening of theatre, Manford has determination and theatre experience. Some might say that the show’s producers are practising what the producers in the show preach.

8 Harvey, Birmingham Rep and UK tour: Also hoping for a West End transfer is Mary Chase’s play Harvey. This is set to be a strong production even if it hasn’t opened yet: you’re in safe hands with Lindsay Posner (in a good way) and the casting of James Dreyfus sounds excellent.

9 The Importance of Being Earnest, UK tour and a Nimax Theatre, London: The great David Suchet returns to the London stage in 2015 playing Lady Bracknell in Oscar Wilde’s delicious comedy. He probably would’ve like to have played Willy Loman after his last two theatre outings in the UK but Adrian Noble’s production will certainly be something to anticipate.

10 Beautiful, Aldwych, London: With Broadway transfers in the works for Kinky Boots and A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder, this musical based on the life and work of Carole King sounds like a juke-box musical with a kick.

11 Thriller Live, Lyric – joking – , The Vote, Donmar Warehouse, London: The Donmar is  broadcasting a new play by James Graham on Channel 4 (or a partner channel) about the general election. So, if you are unable to get tickets (which is more than likely for the Donmar run), you will be able to watch it on the TV. It’s only doing a short run so, perhaps unlike Great Britain, it might retain its topicality even when it closes.

And the rest:

There’s a yet unannounced Norman Wisdom project that looks set to tour, at least one Nicole Kidman-cast play according to the Daily Mail to look forward to, and an apparently West End-bound Sleepless in Seattle musical. Dirty Rotten Scoundrels is going on tour, there’s a new Mike Bartlett play at the Young Vic, a new Simon Stephens play at the Almeida, a new Tom Stoppard play at the National (where Rufus Norris takes over Nicholas Hytner as Artistic Director), and if he has enough time from working on the new James Bond screenplay I’d like to see a new Jez Butterworth play.
There will also be many new Artistic Directors in 2015 including Rufus Norris at the National, Matthew Warchus at the Old Vic and Nikolai Foster taking over Paul Kerryson at Curve.

Happy New Year!


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