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

[IVantToBeAlonee]

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?

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)

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.

Les Mis
wicked but on Broadway

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 😀

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.

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!

Ah that’s it! Well done!

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

@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.

Yerma. I also really enjoyed Dear England

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.

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

The Mull Theatre’s production of Whiskey Galore.

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.

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.

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

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

I loved the Lion King and RSC production of the Crucible

Blood brothers in the early 90s.

So many!

Been lucky enough to see Andrew Scott in two live productions in small spaces - Birdland at the Royal Court and The Dazzle in some sort of attic room in Charing Cross, which was also in the round. Spellbinding, both of them.

Loads of musicals - Phantom, Book of Mormon, Lion King, Six all a few times each.

Seen loads and loads of National Theatre Live productions, too many to count and all just incredible.

Stamptown. If you know, you know. Absolutely batshit and unpredictable each time.

I have seen a lot and I wonder if anyone here saw any of these? .. most memorable from years ago…

*National Theatre of Scotland’s Black Watch
*Shared Experience’s Mill on the Floss
*Hamlet Hail to the Thief
*Ken Branagh’s Hamlet
*RSC Troilus & Cressida with Ralph Fiennes
*The Author by Tim Crouch
*Most stuff by Frantic Assembly / Cheek by Jowl / Kneehigh

Theatre isn’t what it used to be… but I am getting nostalgic. Thanks for making me remember!

Guys and Dolls at the Bridge Theatre - the immersive audience participation one. It was so good I actually started weeping during it.

Maybe The Queen with Helen Mirren closely followed by Sir Ian McKellen and Roger Allam in Frank and Percy.

Prima Facie, Jodie Comer is incredible ❤️

Hamilton on Broadway with Leslie Odom jr. Unbelievably good. So excited he’s coming to London this summer!