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AIBU to ask what is the best theatre show you have seen?

293 replies

IVantToBeAlonee · 27/03/2026 11:48

It’s National Theatre Day today.

For me, I think Nye, staring Michael Sheen is the best I’ve seen, thus far. Though, my answer is subject to change since I have a few shows coming up soon.

What is the best theatre show you’ve ever seen?

OP posts:
JuliettaCaeser · 27/03/2026 12:20

Six and Moulin Rouge are ok as a spectacle but there is zero emotional depth.

We saw a play called Bad Jews that was amazing. The Lily Allen Hedda Gabbler was good too.

Createausernameplease · 27/03/2026 12:20

Starlight express. Gutted it’s leaving again

Franpie · 27/03/2026 12:19

I go to the theatre to watch plays regularly, about once a month to watch anything and everything and most of the time come out saying “that was amazing, best thing I’ve seen in a long time”, but often forget them a few months later.

The only that was truly memorable though for all the right reasons was The Night of The Iguana many years ago with Woody Harrelson.

ChamonixMountainBum · 27/03/2026 12:19

Woweehooha · 27/03/2026 12:16

Jerusalem with Mark Rylance and Mackenzie Crook. Mark Rylance was utterly brilliant.

Oooh, good shout, that was amazing too. Very dark

Howmanycatsistoomany · 27/03/2026 12:19

Yonks ago when I was a student but the RSC's Les Liaisons Dangereuses was fabulous.
Also saw Me and My Girl with Gary Wilmot in and laughed so much at the library scene I almost peed myself. The whole theatre was in hysterics for a solid 10 minutes, honestly one of the funniest things I've ever seen.

ChamonixMountainBum · 27/03/2026 12:19

Lehman Brothers Trilogy with the original cast.

JuliettaCaeser · 27/03/2026 12:18

Inter Alia with Rosamund Pike

Caberet the one showing in London now

Ninerainbows · 27/03/2026 12:17

Matilda and Hamilton.

Onemorepage · 27/03/2026 12:17

Blood Brothers! Seen numerous times. Also kite runner.

Woweehooha · 27/03/2026 12:16

Jerusalem with Mark Rylance and Mackenzie Crook. Mark Rylance was utterly brilliant.

StonwEd · 27/03/2026 12:16

Back to the future was amazing, the special effects were fascinating. Always said I'd go again but it ends in a couple of weeks and never did manage to 😭

Ophir · 27/03/2026 12:15

Iphigenia in Splott at the Lyric Hammersmith

A modern reworking of the Greek tragedy, it was effectively a one woman show and was just so moving. I’m a hard cow and shed a tear after it, had to take some time before heading home

MrsLizzieDarcy · 27/03/2026 12:13

RSC in the Swan Theatre at Stratford - Queen Anne staring Natascha McElhone. It was honestly spell binding to watch and a really magical experience.

I'd say that seeing the Sound of Music in the West End was magical too, my then teenage DD was mesmerised. I think it was Connie Fisher after winning the BBC show??

BePoisedPlumUser · 27/03/2026 12:12

We were blown away by War Horse and Hamilton. Also Wicked.

I’ve got tickets for The Shawshank Redemption, To Kill a Mockingbird, Barnum and Mamma Mia booked for this year. We really like live theatre!

NormasArse · 27/03/2026 12:12

BePoisedPlumUser · 27/03/2026 12:09

It surprises me that people vote for Six. We were very underwhelmed by it.

Me too.

Whatisthisperihell · 27/03/2026 12:11

I thought nothing would ever beat the staging of the cursed child but just saw the hunger games and loved it! Staging was incredible.

Moomintrolleys · 27/03/2026 12:10

Carmen Jones. It's pure brilliance.

NottsNora · 27/03/2026 12:10

Last summer we saw a touring production of The Tempest at Rutland Water: 7 performers and a raised platform with a small backdrop. The set was so basic that we had to concentrate on the words to visualise the scenes. Oh my goodness, it brought Shakespeare back to life and I can finally appreciate his mastery of language. It outclassed The Globe productions that I’ve seen. Elaborate sets take away from the finery of Shakespeare’s words.

Cyclebabble · 27/03/2026 12:09

I really love theatre and go quite often. I agree Nye was very good. For me in recent times I would say Funny Girl, which I saw at the Menier Chocolate Factory. A small theatre in Southwark before it transferred to the West End. Magical place and Sheridan Smith was excellent. Small Island at the National was also really good as of course was/is Warhorse. I enjoyed Christopher Ecclestone in Macbeth at the Barbican. The Barbican is really nice as a theatre and everywhere has good views. The real cheap tickets at the back are nice and there is a good camaraderie on people having a good time.

GenieGenealogy · 27/03/2026 12:09

Moulin Rouge on Broadway with Boy George playing the Harold Zidler role. Every member of the cast was brilliant, the set and atmosphere was amazing and it was worth every penny. Just the best experience.

BePoisedPlumUser · 27/03/2026 12:09

It surprises me that people vote for Six. We were very underwhelmed by it.

Scripturient · 27/03/2026 12:08

Matildatoldsuchdreadfullies · 27/03/2026 12:06

The Tempest, with Simon Russell Beale as Ariel. I couldn’t see how a slightly portly middle-aged man could possibly portray an ‘airy spirit’. Only, he did. Brilliantly.

SRB is a total genius. I have fallen in love with him more times on stage than I can count. I didn't think there was anything new to find in Benedick Much Ado About Nothing, a play I'd seen often, but he did it differently to anyone else I'd seen act it...

REDB99 · 27/03/2026 12:08

Matildatoldsuchdreadfullies · 27/03/2026 12:06

The Tempest, with Simon Russell Beale as Ariel. I couldn’t see how a slightly portly middle-aged man could possibly portray an ‘airy spirit’. Only, he did. Brilliantly.

Simon Russell Beale is an excellent actor. I saw him in something I’ve forgotten the name of but I do remember that he was wonderful!

Roadtripp · 27/03/2026 12:08

Jodie Comer in Prima Facie

Bright0nian · 27/03/2026 12:08

Matilda

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