Favourite Theatre From 2021
It’s been an incredibly challenging year yet again for the arts, which has continued to battle on through a global pandemic. Before launching into the year ahead, here’s a look back on some of the theatre from 2021 we enjoyed the most.
Top Five – in no particular order…
Secret Society of Leading Ladies – Barn Theatre
This was a clever piece of digital and interactive theatre from Barn Theatre, presented online. The format was a ‘choose your player’ from a line of musical theatre characters. The range of options created around 150 different combinations.
This is definitely a fantastic idea which was brilliantly executed by a fantastic cast. It would be great to see the idea expanded into musical theatre universes.
Original Review: https://backstagebristol.com/the-secret-society-of-leading-ladies-review/
Oz – Tobacco Factory Theatres
Known for producing a reliable hit of a Christmas show year after year, Oz was no exception. This fantastic journey of adventure, self-development and friendship was brilliant. A breath-taking realisation of the City of Oz which at times drew some uncomfortable parallels to our own reality.
Original Review: https://backstagebristol.com/review-oz-tobacco-factory-theatres/
Destiny – Tobacco Factory Theatres
We didn’t review this show, this was a night out. But what an incredible bit of storytelling from writer and performer Florence Espeut-Nickless. A real breath of fresh air.
The semi-autobiographical work tells the story of Destiny. She lives on an estate in Chippenham and has big dreams. There’s an underlying sense of growing unease beneath the funny banter and adolescent dreams as the piece grows to its gripping climax.
Doctor Who – Time Fracture
This brand new immersive piece of theatre, throws you straight into a Doctor Who adventure. The venue has been hit by Covid delays and unfortunate flooding, but is definitely worth a visit from Whovians.
Along the way, you get to meet characters from the stories as well as monsters. We chatted with Shakespeare, fled from Cybermen and avoided a Dalek along the way. There are multiple story options after the interval space bar entertainment, and if you end up with the Weeping Angels, definitely don’t blink.
https://www.immersivedoctorwho.com/event/doctor-who-time-fracture
Heathers The Musical
As a fan of the film into the start of the 90’s, this musical had a lot to live up to. It has a cracking reputation amongst its dedicated fanbase and it’s easy to see why. In many respects, and this may be a sacrilege, but it’s possibly better than the film.
Up in your face in all its musical glory, this story really works on stage and is the darker, more subversive material that musical theatre really needs.
www.backstagebristol.com/heathers-the-musical-bristol-hippodrome-review/
Full List of our Favourite Theatre From 2021
Lazarus – Digital stream via Dice.FM
The Poltergeist – Digital Stream Southwark Playhouse
Secret Society of Leading Ladies – Barn Theatre
Doctor Who – Time Fracture
The Play That Goes Wrong – Theatre Royal Bath
Destiny – Tobacco Factory Theatres
Priscilla Queen of the Desert – Bristol Hippodrome
Everybody’s Talking About Jamie – Bristol Hippodrome
The Book of Mormon – Cardiff Millennium Centre
Heathers the Musical – Bristol Hippodrome
Magic Goes Wrong – Theatre Royal Bath
Hairspray the Musical – Bristol Hippodrome
Oz – Tobacco Factory Theatres
Kid Carpet & The Noisy Animals present: A wonderful magical Christmas filled with all the usual stuff – The Wardrobe Theatre
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