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

I’ve had a few that I couldn’t choose which I liked most.
When I lived in London I saw the Lion King three times as I loved it. I also went to see Chicago multiple times for the same reason.
Recently saw a spin off Pride and Prejudice play, peri brain fart for its official title but I think it was called “Pride and Prejudice (Or is it?!)” which was brilliant. There were only three female cast member but they play all the roles and the set continually moved and evolved along with their costumes. It was very cleverly done and I really enjoyed that.

Always wanted to see Warhorse. God I love going to the theatre but I never have the funds to do it more than once a year at best now 😭

Agree. Definitely the best. There aren't many I would actively seek to go and see multiple times, but I've seen it 3 times as well. I'm going to see Miss Saigon next week.

Guy Masterson's solo Under Milk Wood.

Billy Elliot was surprisingly great. I also really enjoyed War Horse. Can't beat The Woman in Black though I don't think.

I've not seen loads of theatre but London Road and Up Down Man really stuck with me. Oh and also Company! Amazing.

Hm... the best or my favourite?

One of the most memorable ones that I can still see and hear if I close my eyes, was i think 1991, a play called Tango at the End of Winter, and especially a scene where Alan Rickman dances a very sad tango with very young Beatie Edney to Pachelbel's canon with cherry blossom falling round them. It was just magical.

I loved Hades World and the Book of Mormon has me dying of laughter. But I have seen some brilliant Shakespeare including a sort of Vegas style Merchant of Venice at the Almeida in Islington (hilarious, captivating) and then recently a very dark version of a Midsummer's Night Dream at the Sam Wanamaker with the most dastardly Puck. It really surprised me

Operation Mincemeat is absolutely brilliant - funny, moving and a great true story.

Madame butterfly in my local theatre in the 80's...... I couldn't stop crying

Gyspy with Imelda Staunton

Oh no, he was just so amazing. I'm very sad now

I saw that Macbeth - thought it was brilliant. He was great! I’ve seen it numerous times and this was the second best (the recent Tennant version just topped it, but I do think he is one of the best Shakespearean actors so…)
I go to the theatre a lot. I agree with a lot of the ones people have already mentioned as being outstanding (Icke Oedipus, Hamilton, various Hamlets but actually Paapa Essiedu hasn’t been mentioned yet and he was prob my favourite) but the best performance I’ve ever seen was Rylance in Jerusalem. Out-of-body experience.

Desmond Barrit - referred to upthread - this sad news has just been released by the RSC:

We are very saddened to hear of the death of RSC Associate Artist, Desmond Barrit.
A distinguished presence on the British stage, Desmond was a longstanding member of the Royal Shakespeare Company, where he became renowned for his memorable - and often hilarious - performances. Over many seasons, he brought levity and gravitas to a wide range of roles, including a puritanical, Welsh Malvolio in Twelfth Night, a roguish Sir John Falstaff in The Merry Wives of Windsor and a near-definitive Bottom in A Midsummer Night's Dream.
Des’ work was marked by his generosity and warmth, with a deep connection to audiences. A valued colleague and consummate professional, his contribution to the Company was immense and enduring.

I generally find West End stuff overpriced and underwhelming, but Lehman Brothers and To Kill a Mockingbird were exceptions.

The Ring cycle at the RBO is right up there with the best, and also Dead Man Walking (ENO).

But some of the stuff I have enjoyed most in the last year or so has been away from the West End - highlights include:
Indian Ink (Hampstead Theatre)
Demetrius Wakes (Old Red Lion Theatre)
Here There Are Blueberries (Theatre Royal Stratford East)
The Holy Rosenbergs (Menier Chocolate Factory)
The Code (Southwark Playhouse)
The Glass Menagerie (The Yard Theatre)

Frankenstein at the Royal Exchange in Manchester or recently a good Macbeth at the Bolton Octagon. Or The Producers at Royal Exchange for musicals.

For me the smaller theatres are the best, I feel much more immersed in the show and I love to see the set design / how the actors play when the stage is surrounded.

This is too hard to just say one!

Les Mis is the musical I’ve seen the most, and will always come back to.
Come From Away
Death of a Salesman with Brian Dennehy
Yerma with Billie Piper
Guys and Dolls at the Bridge Theatre
Fun Home
Ocean At the End of the Lane
Let the Right One In
The Producers with Nathan Lane

I also had the immense joy of being at the opening night of a close old friends first musical on the West End, and I don’t think I will ever have another theatre experience as special as that. It was like watching someone you love win the Olympics! And they later won an Olivier for it, so cherry on top.

I was going to say both Guys and Dolls and Midsummer at the Bridge as honourable mentions. Both so joyous

Thanks. I missed that. Checking back, it seems I didn't get to Stratford much that year and now I am wondering why!

Love all theatre especially musicals. Regent’s Park magical one of my favourites was Billy Elliot the musical.

He was in the news yesterday - on the BBC website I think.

I saw Fiona Shaw in Medea and she was mesmerizing. Minimal staging,simple costume, absolutely electric. When she went to kill the children, a single slash of red was squirted on the other side of the frosted glass at the back of the stage and the entire audience gasped. Its not like people did not know what was going to happen, so it was a real testament to the power of the performance that it got that reaction.

Musicals = the opening of the Lion King made me tearful and gave me goosebumps, it was so beautiful.

Mousetrap is a classic.
Jesus Christ Superstar
The Woman in Black
Les Mis
And tonight (coincidentally) I’m going to see Fame locally.

I loved Moulin Rouge, saw it twice. Though I didn’t like either of the leads, overall it was brilliant.

Phantom I loved too, Lion King was pretty good but I wouldn’t probably rush back. Wicked I really enjoyed too and We Will Rock You.

But overall my favourite was come from away. Absolutely outstanding.

Le Miserables and Blood Brothers. The story lines, the issues explored, the lyrics express so much. Have seen both several times and would go to either any time.
I love Musicals. Also like Fiddler on the Roof and several others almost as much but the first two stand out for me.

The one I really couldn't get away with was Phantom of the Opera. Didn't seem to have a story line I could follow and couldn't really engage with the Phantom randomly (as a phantom would 😁) keep appearing and disappearing on stage 🤔