It’s gonna be May (sorry, a month too late). In 2022, I’ve managed to get to 15 shows. It pales in comparison to many theatre bloggers but some of us don’t live in London. I’ve managed to see shows in Hull, Sheffield and London so far but plan to venture elsewhere very soon. This was such a hard list to compile but here are the 5 best shows of 2022 so far that I’ve seen.
I will add that these are in order of seeing them, not ranked in favourites! I can’t pick just one favourite between them!
Waitress – UK tour (Hull New Theatre)
Having seen it in London just before lockdown/it closed, the tour stopping in Hull was highly anticipated. Chelsea Halfpenny has a bright future in musicals as she takes a star turn as Jenna. I’m thrilled she’s staying with the tour a bit longer as I might see it again! The score is definitely my top highlight of Waitress because of its variety. You get ballads, comedy and romance as well as a serious undertone to the story. You will laugh and cry watching this one!
Dreamgirls – UK tour (Sheffield Lyceum)
If you’re after a show that is all about the vocals, Dreamgirls is the best of the best. Nicole Raquel Dennis is an absolute powerhouse as Effie White but the entire cast is off the charts too. For a show to make me cry is a hard task but Dreamgirls caught me on multiple occasions. Everyone has such a presence in this show so bravo to the casting director for assembling such a force. I’m often in Sheffield purely to review shows so I love the Lyceum. Dreamgirls was one of the best shows that I’ve seen received from an audience there.
Six- UK tour
I couldn’t do a round-up without including my absolute fave, could I? If you follow me on socials, you’ll know that Six is all I talk about. This was my third visit (and first review) to see the show but the first on its UK tour. It’s 80 minutes of girl power, killer vocals and incredible music. There’s nothing I don’t like about the show, other than it’s too short! You’ll be singing the songs for days/weeks/months after seeing the show too. Whilst many moan that it’s not 100% historically accurate, I find it educational but in a herstory remix way!
Jersey Boys – Trafalgar Theatre, London
Ah, those lovely Jersey Boys. I said it before but I’ll say it again, this is the most handsome cast in the West End. Jersey Boys is one of the very few jukebox musicals that I actually like, probably because I’ve grown up with the Four Seasons’ music. Whilst I did enjoy the tour in Hull, I preferred the West End cast a smidge. I love getting to learn about the backstories of the band members too as it’s not something I knew a lot about beforehand.
Bonnie and Clyde – Arts Theatre, London
It’s been just over a month since I saw Bonnie and Clyde and I cannot stop thinking about it. I’m gutted I won’t get to see it again before it closes but fingers crossed for a West End cast album and a UK tour! You might notice that this is the only 4* review included in this list. However, I’ve been so obsessed with it since visiting, that I’m already thinking about a return visit to the Arts Theatre. Also, Jordan Luke Gage is one of the hardest working actors on the West End! The script is a bit weak but this cast is so good, that I can overlook that now!
There you have it, the 5 best shows of 2022 so far that I’ve seen. I’d be surprised if any of them fall out of my top 10 when it gets to the end of the year because I loved them all so much! Fancy reading my other theatre reviews? You can find them all here. Follow me on Twitter and Instagram for more stagey adventures and updates too!
