Best of 2022 Theatre

With the sun beginning to set on 2022 it's time for the annual Beyond The Curtain Best of Theatre post.  

It's been an amazing year of theatre, especially as the world feels more awake than it did this time last year thankfully. I've seen over 100 performances and soaked up so many remarkable works. I'm always astonished by the skill and craft that goes into not only the performances themselves but the behind the scenes work.

I would like to thank all those whose hard work goes into theatre, the people you see and the people you don't, the volunteers, the dedicated teams and various departments that after such a difficult couple of years and the ongoing financial uncertainty keep the magic of theatre alive.

I hope you've been able to enjoy some of the incredible productions I've included and many of those I haven't been able to catch too. I hope 2023 is full of theatre and goodness for you and your nearest and dearest.

As always these are my personal preference and my own opinions. There is no winner in any of the categories. Bold indicates the photo choice.

Best Set Designs

Bunny Christie - The Curious Incident of the Dog In The Night-Time (UK and Ireland Tour)

Philip Witcomb - Carousel (Kilworth House Theatre)

Michael Taylor - Billy Elliot (Curve)

Tom Paris - The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe (Gillian Lynne Theatre)

Lucy Osborne - Fisherman's Friends The Musical (UK And Ireland Tour)

Jon Bausor - Into The Woods (Theatre Royal Bath)

Peter McKintosh - South Pacific (UK and Ireland Tour)

Colin Richmond - The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel (UK and Ireland Tour)

Into the Woods at Theatre Royal Bath. Audrey Brisson (Cinderella) and Julian Bleach (Mysterious Man). Photo by Marc Brenner

Best Costume Designs

Melissa Simon-Hartman - Much Ado About Nothing (Royal Shakespeare Company) 

Heledd Rees - The Great Gatsby (Immersive London)

Gabriella Slade - The Cher Show (UK and Ireland Tour)

Stephen Brimson Lewis - Richard III (Royal Shakespeare Company)

Philip Witcomb - Half A Sixpence (Kilworth House Theatre)

Tom Paris - The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe (Gillian Lynne Theatre)

Antony McDonald - Into The Woods (Theatre Royal Bath)

Stephen Brimson Lewis - A Christmas Carol (Royal Shakespeare Company)

Morgan Large - Sister Act (UK and Ireland Tour)

Rachael Canning - The Wizard of Oz (Curve)

Lucas Rush as Sonny Bono & Danielle Steers as Lady in The Cher Show. Photo by Pamela Raith

Best Lighting Designs

Azusa Ono - Much Ado About Nothing (Royal Shakespeare Company)

Paule Constable - The Curious Incident of the Dog In The Night-Time (UK and Ireland Tour)

Ben Cracknell - Beautiful: The Carole King Musical (UK and Ireland Tour)

Ben Cracknell - The Cher Show (UK and Ireland Tour)

Ben Cracknell - Billy Elliot (Curve)

Jack Knowles - The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe (Gillian Lynne Theatre)

Johanna Town - Fisherman's Friends The Musical (UK And Ireland Tour)

Mark Henderson - Into The Woods (Theatre Royal Bath)

Tim Mitchell - A Christmas Carol (Royal Shakespeare Company)

Tim Mitchell - Sister Act (UK and Ireland Tour)

The cast of Billy Elliot at Curve - Photo by Marc Brenner.

Best Sound Designs

Dan Samson - The Cher Show (UK and Ireland Tour)

Tom Gibbons - Animal Farm (UK and Ireland Tour)

Chris Whybrow - Carousel (Kilworth House Theatre)

Chris Whybrow - Half A Sixpence (Kilworth House Theatre)

Adam Fisher - Billy Elliot (Curve)

Ian Dickinson - The Curious Incident of the Dog In The Night-Time (UK and Ireland Tour)

Gregory Clarke - All's Well That Ends Well (Royal Shakespeare Company)

Dan Samson - Fisherman's Friends The Musical (UK And Ireland Tour)

Simon Baker - The Girl From the North Country (UK and Ireland Tour)

Adam Fisher - The Wizard of Oz (Curve)

The RSC production of All's Well That Ends Well. Photo by Ikin Yum

Best Direction

Nikolai Foster - Beautiful: The Carole King Musical (UK and Ireland Tour)

Owen Horsley - Henry VI: The Wars of the Roses (Royal Shakespeare Company)

Arlene Phillips - The Cher Show (UK and Ireland Tour)

Nick Winston - Carousel (Kilworth House Theatre)

Nikolai Foster - Billy Elliot (Curve)

Nick Winston - Half A Sixpence (Kilworth House Theatre)

Michael Fentiman - The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe (Gillian Lynne Theatre)

Blanche McIntyre - All's Well That Ends Well (Royal Shakespeare Company)

Terry Gilliam and Leah Hausman - Into The Woods (Theatre Royal Bath)

Tinuke Craig - The Color Purple (UK and Ireland Tour)

The cast of Half A Sixpence at Kilworth House Theatre. Photo by Fox Corporate Photography

Best Musical Directions

Dan-de-Cruz - Beautiful: The Carole King Musical (UK and Ireland Tour)

Francis Goodhand - Carousel (Kilworth House Theatre)

George Dyer - Billy Elliot (Curve)

Freddie Tapner - Chess The Musical in Concert (Theatre Royal Drury Lane)

Christopher Mundy - Half A Sixpence (Kilworth House Theatre)

Jordan Li-Smith - Chess The Musical (National Youth Music Theatre)

James Findlay and James William-Pattison - Fisherman's Friends The Musical (UK And Ireland Tour)

Ian Oakley - The Color Purple (UK and Ireland Tour)

Ben Van Tienen - White Christmas (UK Tour) 

George Dyer - The Wizard of Oz (Curve)

(L-R) Dan de Cruz (On-stage Musical Director, Righteous Brother and Neil Sedaka) and Peter Mooney (Nick and Righteous Brother) in Beautiful: The Carole King Musical. Photo by Ellie Kurttz

Best Choreography/Movements

Bill Deamer - The Osmonds Musical (UK and Ireland Tour)

Oti Mabuse - The Cher Show (UK and Ireland Tour)

Akram Khan - Akram Khan's Jungle Book Reimagined (World Tour)

Nick Winston - Carousel (Kilworth House Theatre)

Lucy Hind - Billy Elliot (Curve)

Nick Winston - Half A Sixpence (Kilworth House Theatre)

Michael Flatley - Lord of the Dance (World Tour)

Leah Hausman - Into The Woods (Theatre Royal Bath)

Lucy Hind - The Girl From the North Country (UK and Ireland Tour)

Stephen Mear - White Christmas (UK Tour)

The cast of Half A Sixpence at Kilworth House Theatre. Photo by Fox Corporate Photography.

Best Supporting Performances in a Play

Taya Ming (Hero) - Much Ado About Nothing (Royal Shakespeare Company)

Mohammed Mansaray (Claudio) - Much Ado About Nothing (Royal Shakespeare Company)

Rebecca Root (Siobhan and Ensemble) - The Curious Incident of the Dog In The Night-Time (UK and Ireland Tour)

Aimee Barrett (Myrtle Wilson) - The Great Gatsby (Immersive London)

Oliver Alvin-Wilson (York) - Henry VI: Rebellion and The Wars of the Roses (Royal Shakespeare Company)

Minnie Gale (Queen Margaret) - Richard III (Royal Shakespeare Company)

Jez Unwin (Mr. Tumnus) - The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe (Gillian Lynne Theatre)

Chanel Waddock (Desdemona) - Othello (Frantic Assembly - UK Tour)

Tony Timberlake (Gordon) - Maggie May (UK Tour)

Marlene Sidaway (Muriel) - The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel (UK and Ireland Tour)

Minnie Gale as Queen Margaret in Richard III at the Royal Shakespeare Company. Photo by Ellie Kurttz

Best Leading Performances in a Play

Akiya Henry (Beatrice) - Much Ado About Nothing (Royal Shakespeare Company)

Connor Curren (Christopher Boone) - The Curious Incident of the Dog In The Night-Time (UK and Ireland Tour)

Mark Quartley (Henry VI) - Henry VI: Rebellion and The Wars of the Roses (Royal Shakespeare Company)

Colin Burnicle (Chris) - The Play That Goes Wrong (UK and Ireland Tour)

Eithne Browne (Maggie) - Maggie May (UK Tour)

Arthur Hughes (Richard, Duke of Gloucester) - Richard III (Royal Shakespeare Company)

Jamie Wilkes (Parolles) - All's Well That Ends Well (Royal Shakespeare Company)

Michael Akinsulire (Othello) - Othello (Frantic Assembly - UK Tour)

Joe Layton (Iago) - Othello (Frantic Assembly - UK Tour)

Adrian Edmondson (Ebenezer Scrooge) - A Christmas Carol (Royal Shakespeare Company)

Connor Curren (Christopher) and the company of 'The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time'. Photo by Brinkhoff-Moegenburg.

Best Understudy/Alternate Performances

Aimee Fisher (Jenna) - Waitress (UK and Ireland Tour)

Holly-Anne Hull (Christine) - The Phantom of the Opera (Her Majesty's Theatre)

Matt Bateman (Piangi) - The Phantom of the Opera (Her Majesty's Theatre)

Laura Emmitt (Elsa) - Frozen (Theatre Royal Drury Lane)

Sarah O'Connor (Anna) - Frozen (Theatre Royal Drury Lane)

Jasmine Jules Andrews (Babe) - The Cher Show (UK and Ireland Tour)

Elly Jay (Vivian) - Pretty Woman (Savoy Theatre)

Hannah Qureshi (Alana Beck) - Dear Evan Hansen (Noel Coward Theatre)

Rachel Dawson (The White Witch/Mrs. Macready) - The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe (Gillian Lynne Theatre)

Ellie Mitchell (Ms. Gulch/The Wicked Witch of the West) - The Wizard of Oz (Curve)

Ellie Mitchell as The Wicked Witch of the West in The Wizard of Oz at Curve. Photo by Me.

Best Ensemble Performances

Billy Elliot (Curve)

The Choir of Man (Assembly Festival Coventry and Arts Theatre London)

Beautiful: The Carole King Musical (UK and Ireland Tour)

Carousel (Kilworth House Theatre)

Chess The Musical (National Youth Music Theatre)

Fisherman's Friends The Musical (UK and Ireland Tour)

The Cher Show (UK and Ireland Tour)

Half A Sixpence (Kilworth House Theatre)

The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe (Gillian Lynne Theatre)

Oh, What A Lovely War! (DMU/Curve)

The cast of The Choir of Man at The Arts Theatre in London. Photo by The Other Richard

Best Supporting Performances in a Musical

Georgia Lennon (Marie Osmond) - The Osmonds Musical (UK and Ireland Tour)

Nadine Higgin (Paulette) - Legally Blonde (Regent's Park Open Air Theatre)

Sally Ann Triplett (Mrs. Wilkinson) - Billy Elliot (Curve)

Tamara Morgan (Flo) - Half A Sixpence (Kilworth House Theatre)

Sarah Goggin (Helen Walsingham) - Half A Sixpence (Kilworth House Theatre)

Parisa Shahmir (Alwyn) - Fisherman's Friends The Musical (UK And Ireland Tour)

Faith Prendergast (Milky White) - Into The Woods (Theatre Royal Bath)

Lauren Conroy (Little Red Riding Hood) - Into The Woods (Theatre Royal Bath)

Joanna Ampil (Bloody Mary) - South Pacific (UK and Ireland Tour)

Bree Smith (Shug Avery) - The Color Purple (UK and Ireland Tour)

Parisa Shahmir as Alywn in Fisherman's Friends The Musical. Photo by Pamela Raith

Best Leading Performances in a Musical

Molly-Grace Cutler (Carole King) - Beautiful: The Carole King Musical (UK and Ireland Tour)

Millie O'Connell (Babe)/Danielle Steers (Lady)/Debbie Kurup (Star) - The Cher Show (UK and Ireland Tour)

Nicole Raquel Dennis (Effie White) - Dreamgirls (UK and Ireland Tour)

Matt Blaker (Billy Bigelow) - Carousel (Kilworth House Theatre)

Emma Kingston (Julie Jordan) - Carousel (Kilworth House Theatre)

Courtney Bowman (Elle Woods) - Legally Blonde (Regent's Park Open Air Theatre)

Dominic Sibanda (Arthur Kipps) - Half A Sixpence (Kilworth House Theatre)

Chelsea Halfpenny/Aimee Fisher (Jenna) - Waitress (UK and Ireland Tour)

Rosy Church (Florence Vassy) - Chess The Musical (National Youth Music Theatre)

Alex Young (Baker's Wife) - Into The Woods (Theatre Royal Bath)

Jaden Shentall-Lee/Samuel Newby (Billy Elliot) - Billy Elliot (Curve)

Me'sha Bryan (Celie) - The Color Purple (UK Tour)

Frances McNamee (Elizabeth Laine) - The Girl From the North Country (UK and Ireland Tour)

Sandra Marvin (Deloris Van Cartier) - Sister Act (UK and Ireland Tour)

Alex Lodge (Jay Osmond) - The Osmonds Musical (UK and Ireland Tour)

Georgina Onuorah (Dorothy) - The Wizard of Oz (Curve)

Molly-Grace Cutler as Carole King in Beautiful: The Carole King Musical. Photo by Ellie Kurttz

Top 10 Shows of the Year (in no particular order)

2065 (Frozen Light Theatre)

Half A Sixpence (Kilworth House Theatre)

Into The Woods (Theatre Royal Bath)

Carousel (Kilworth House Theatre)

Fisherman's Friends The Musical (UK and Ireland Tour)

The Cher Show (UK and Ireland Tour)

The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe (Gillian Lynne Theatre)

Beautiful: The Carole King Musical (UK and Ireland Tour)

Billy Elliot (Curve)

The Color Purple (UK Tour)

Carousel at Kilworth House Theatre