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

I loved the Lion King and RSC production of the Crucible

Yes. I can’t stand football but I loved it. And love the National too.

Most of mine have come up already.

Andrew Scott’s Hamlet. I’ve seen some greats but still my favourite (even over SRB)
Death of a Salesman (Wendell Pierce/Sharon D Clarke)
The Ferryman
also The Motive & the Cue. Perfection for theatre nerds!

If I could have a time machine to see anything it would be Richard Burton’s Hamlet followed by the OG Arcadia

Frankenstein at the National starring Benedict Cumberbatch and Jonny Lee Miller. Never saw it at the theatre but saw it originally at the cinema through National Theatre Live. Must have seen each one three or four times since. Both versions just incredible.

I think sometimes it's the tiny shows with an audience of 50 and low expectations that completely blow you away. This was a kids show: https://www.trickofthelight.co.nz/shows/the-book-binder

The entire room was completely mesmerised, it was creepy and clever, and so well done. Highly recommend.

Of the big shows, I have seen Les Mis more times than I can remember, and loved it every time. Also loved HP and the Cursed Child.

It's rare that I've seen a bad show at the theatre though, to be honest. The exception is Chess, which we nearly left at the interval.

The Mull Theatre’s production of Whiskey Galore.

So far this year Operation Mincemeat - but seeing Come From Away tonight so might change my mind!

I love the theatre and I’m not especially discerning about it.

Absolutely loved War Horse when I first saw it but nothing beats then seeing it with my children and their reactions to it. That was probably my favourite theatre experience.

Prima Facie was emotionally exhausting but unbelievable and Jodie Comer deserved the accolades she got. In a similar vein, although perhaps less enjoyable was A Little Life which was an incredible piece of theatre.

Really enjoyed Six as a bit of fun.

Othello by Frantic Assembly was brilliant- they are an incredible company and everything I’ve seen by them has been spellbinding.

Yerma. I also really enjoyed Dear England

@BauhausOfEliott I came to say Kenneth Branagh as Hamlet too. I saw the Barbican production and when it transferred to Stratford I saw it again and insisted my dad came with me. He loved it too.

I admit I'm not very in to the more high brow type of theatre. I absolutely love Hamilton, seen it twice and listen to the sound track at least once a week

Ah that’s it! Well done!

I’d forgotten that I’d seen Maggie Smith in The Importance of Being Earnest! To be fair, it was a very long time ago! It was my first ever visit to London. It was a school trip and our tickets must have been the cheapest available, they were very high up. It was still marvellous. But it didn’t make such a big impression on me as The Woman in Black on that same visit. I was so scared that I couldn’t sleep!

What a lovely thread!

Another vote for Jerusalem, here. Delighted to see Michael Boyd’s History Cycle mentioned so many times - Michael was a dear colleague who sadly passed away far too soon.

A few people have mentioned ‘LLD’ - I wondered if you know it’s being staged at the National this year? Not my cup of tea, but ‘Avenue Q’ is also coming back, for those who mentioned enjoying that one.

’My Neighbour Totoro’ is outstanding, particularly for those interested in family friendly productions.

Oh We saw Nye in Cardiff and I actually think it is the best thing I have seen on stage it was Incredible, although I also thought Hamilton was the best thing I have seen on stage so I am having 2 😀

Les Mis
wicked but on Broadway

Omg Oh Mary! I didn’t know what to think of it. Not my thing at all but strangely enjoyable. I left thinking, wth have I just watched?! Amazing acting from the lead.

I'm a big musical fan so my fave London shows are Hamilton wicked avenue q and book of Mormon, my fave touring show is fiddler on the roof and on the more intimate side ( at Birmingham rep) the lovely bones and of mice and men were totally mesmerizing.
My not all that list! back to the future ( fab set and special effects rubbish songs) Six ( its a fun concept and the songs are fun and the singing is good but i just don't get the hype) dream girls ( like the film but found the show a bit boring)

Just remembered a shocker. David Walliams as Bottom in Midsummer ND in 2013. Just no!

I love the importance of being earnest, but the most recent cast at the Noel Coward theatre has been my favourite version so far.

This is years ago but Peter and Alice with Judi Dench and Ben Wishaw.

We recently say Oh Mary, it was fantastic I would definitely see it again.

I haven’t been to many and thought it was a waste of money, one that stuck out was Six, it wasn’t just the plot but I think they must have been having an off night as the singing was really poor, but I guess with so many shows that happens sometimes.

Kenneth Branagh as Hamlet at the Barbican in the 1990s.

Also, I’m not a huge fan of musicals in general, but saw Guys & Dolls at the Bridge theatre in London a couple of years ago and it was incredible.

This was amazing. The other performance that lasts in my memory was Henry V at the national (with kit Harrington) and recent production of to kill a mockingbird was excellent

musicals wise I’ve seen the lion king three times and love it. Operation mincemeat was also brilliant

This is going to make me sound uncultured but The Fully Monty.

I love the film, and usually that means I don’t rate the stage production but I absolutely loved it.

Bit of a musical nut and particularly like ones with great special effects/ use of the stage. Stand out, probably because it was my first theatre production, was Romeo and Juliet at the Royal exchange in Manchester sometime in early 90s. I went with school and was blown away by how immersive it was with a theatre in the round

There are so many. Of those already mentioned loved come from away, Hamilton & pride & prejudice (sort of). I really enjoyed the boy at the back of the class, war horse, the shark is broken & player kings recently.

All time favourite though was a company called Propeller that toured in the 00s & 2010s. Went to see various things and couldn’t really pick one out.