For the last few years, my Top Ten has been listed in
alphabetical order because I see no point struggling any further with ranking
art. This year, more than most, any show in my Top Ten could have been my
absolute favourite – and they probably were, until I saw the next one in the
list.
How to describe seeing one of the great Broadway leading ladies from the front row of Her Majesty’s Theatre? Singing some of the most iconic songs of her repertoire, from some of my favourite shows? Making eye contact with me and talking directly to me at one point? Magical.
Favourite Theatre of 2013
Favourite Theatre of 2012
Favourite Theatre of 2011
I saw shows in Melbourne, Sydney and New York this year. I
feel very privileged to have seen amazing theatre in all three cities; there
are shows from all three places in the list. And I will never forget any of
them.
THE TOP TEN
Bernadette Peters – Her Majesty’s Theatre, Melbourne
How to describe seeing one of the great Broadway leading ladies from the front row of Her Majesty’s Theatre? Singing some of the most iconic songs of her repertoire, from some of my favourite shows? Making eye contact with me and talking directly to me at one point? Magical.
Cabaret - Broadway
Sam Mendes’ and Rob Marshall’s iconic production of this
absolute classic musical has been revived yet again, because every once and a
while people need to see Alan Cumming as the Emcee – a role he’s be returning
to for twenty years. Seeing the show at Studio 54 in the “Kit Kat Club” cabaret
seating was amazing.
Calpurnia Descending – Sisters Grimm, Malthouse
Sisters Grimm’s ode to screen divas and Hollywood bitchery was a next evolution in their development as one of the most exciting theatre companies in Australia. Ash Flanders and Paul Capsis were captivating. The whole show was mind-blowing
Sisters Grimm’s ode to screen divas and Hollywood bitchery was a next evolution in their development as one of the most exciting theatre companies in Australia. Ash Flanders and Paul Capsis were captivating. The whole show was mind-blowing
The City They Burned – Attic Erratic, Melbourne Fringe
Attic Erratic have been making great theatre for a number of
years now – and their production of Fleur Kilpatrick’s The City They Burned,
developed closely with director Danny Delahunty, will be talked about for
years. Act one’s immersion was powerful. Act two’s intimacy was blistering.
Frankenstein – The Rabble, Malthouse
The Rabble continue to make theatre that is challenging,
thought-provoking and troubling. Visually stunning with a sound design that was
unnerving, to put it mildly, it also contained one of the most commited
performances I’ve ever seen: Jane Montgomery Griffiths as the Creature.
The Glass Menagerie - Belvoir
I saw The Glass Menagerie at MTC a few years ago and Daniel
Schlusser’s adaptation/homage, Menagerie, at Neon last year. Eamon Flack’s
production at Belvoir this year prompted me to say that I never need to see the
show again – because this version was perfection. Every element working in
concert with every other like clockwork, and getting to the very heart of
Tennessee William’s stunning work.
The Government Inspector - Malthouse
Out of adversity (a cancelled production of The Philadelphia
Story) comes a triumphant show about that adversity – one of the most
ingeniously theatrical shows the incredible Simon Stone has ever put together.
And what a cast!
Hedwig and the Angry Inch - Broadway
I am a big fan of the film version, but at never seen Hedwig
on stage. Nothing could have prepared me for Neil Patrick Harris’s Hedwig on a
Broadway stage. So much energy. So much rage. So many sequins. Such wigs. And
there’s really nothing to compare to seeing two Tony-award winning performances
(Harris along with Lena Hall) the very week they took home their trophies.
Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill - Broadway
Speaking of award-winning performances, Audra MacDonald won
an unprecedented sixth Tony award for her work as Billie Holiday. If she’d
never won a Tony before this show, she would have deserved six awards for this
show alone. Audra was Billie. That show put us in that bar and grill in 1959. I
have no more words.
Sleep No More – Punchdrunk, New York
I wrote about Sleep No More last week, as an answer to the
question “What should I see when I’m in New York?” I love immersive theatre and
this feels like the pinnacle; five levels of hotel in which to explore, stare,
watch, read and interact. To have shared moments with a dozen audience members
and a large ensemble of actors; to intimate one-on-one moments with an actor in
a phone booth. And you would never see the same show twice. Stunning.
THE NEXT TEN
Green Screen – Sans Hotel, NEON Festival, Melbourne Theatre
Company
Nicola Gunn’s meditation on creativity that was built and
destroyed in front of our eyes.
Heathers: The Musical – Off-Broadway
No one is more surprised than me that one of my favourite
films actually works on stage.
Hello, Goodbye & Happy Birthday - Malthouse
This show made me smile so much. Verbatim theatre at its
finest.
Idina Menzel – Radio City Music Hall
I saw this show from the very back row of Radio City Music
Hall, filled with six-thousand (?!) Idina Menzel fans. It was as amazing and as
terrfying as that sounds.
Into the Woods – Victorian Opera
The sets might have wobbled but with a brilliant cast in a
brilliant show, it’s hard not to get caught up in the many moments in the woods
A Long Way Home
A mix of verbatim & scripted theatre, Daniel Keene has
crafted a fascinating insight into the psychology of soldiers returning home.
Matilda - Broadway
Nothing so delightful that sitting in a theatre filled with
children loving theatre. Matilda is a triumph on so many levels. It’s fun for
everyone.
Neighbourhood Watch – Melbourne Theatre Company
Lally Katz’s script is strong. Belvoir’s production under
Simon Stone’s direction makes it stronger, even if it slightly loses its way at
the end.
Once
This was on my list when I saw it in New York in 2012. It
had to go on my list again this year, because lightning struck twice. But I
arbitrarily decided not to put it in my Top Ten this time, given there were so
many deserving shows. Once is that good twice.
Pacific Overtures – Theatre Works
I am so glad I have finally seen this show on stage, even
though it will never crack my Top Five favourite Sondheim shows, it was a
surprisingly effective production.
OTHER MEMORABLE SHOWS
The Book of Loco – Malthouse
Cock – Melbourne Theatre Company
Children of the Sun – Sydney Theatre Company
The Cripple of Inishmaan – Broadway
Groundlings – Los Angeles
Les Miserables – Her Majesty’s Theatre, Melbourne
Photographs of A – NEON Festival, Melbourne Theatre Company
Pippin – Broadway
Purgatorio – Attic Erratic/5 Pound Theatre
The Witches – Malthouse
Cock – Melbourne Theatre Company
Children of the Sun – Sydney Theatre Company
The Cripple of Inishmaan – Broadway
Groundlings – Los Angeles
Les Miserables – Her Majesty’s Theatre, Melbourne
Photographs of A – NEON Festival, Melbourne Theatre Company
Pippin – Broadway
Purgatorio – Attic Erratic/5 Pound Theatre
The Witches – Malthouse
Favourite Theatre of 2013
Favourite Theatre of 2012
Favourite Theatre of 2011
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