.png)
2013 Year in Review: Theatre Stars' Best and Worst, Part One!
By: Carrie Dunn Dec. 16, 2013
Lucy Trodd, Showstopper! The Musical
My highlights: Frances de la Tour in People at the National; Guildford Youth Theatre's Just So Stories in Gilded Balloon in Edinburgh - amateur but had me sobbing, probably the most joyful thing I saw in Edinburgh; Some Like it Hip Hop - wish I'd had better seats - great energy - great singing; The Sound of Music in the Park - very traditional - reminded me of when we did this at school!
2013 has been a great year for theatre, although the Olympics and the state of the economy had left a lot of performers and staff worried that audiences would dwindle, as far as I can see, in general everything is fairly buoyant in the West End!
I've been busy with my own new "production", my second daughter, whilst performing in Spamalot, Billy Elliot, and touring with the John Wilson Orchestra - it's no wonder I look like Dracula's Daughter most of the time.
Productions I've managed to see this year include Chimerica, The Light Princess and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, which I suppose is a varied bunch.
For me, the stand-out performance was Beverley Knight in The Bodyguard. Not only were her vocals off the scale but her acting and stage presence oozed star quality. I gave my husband bruised thighs by squeezing them for two hours during the show as she was so phenomenal!
Personally, it's hard to choose as working with my husband in Spamalot was so special and the children in Billy Elliot bowl me over every night with their talent and effervescence, but I think travelling to LA with the John Wilson Orchestra and singing for 2,000 of LA's top industry professionals would be my personal highlight - let's hope 2014 brings more of the same!
Chimerica and The Effect were huge highlights for me. Great pieces of writing and both done so beautifully! I wish I could watch them again! There have been so many amazing musical theatre performances as well, the entire cast of The Book of Mormon are incredible, such a talented company. Jenna Russell's Performance as Mary in Merrily We Roll Along was heartbreakingly unforgettable and Cynthia Erivo was mind blowing in The Color Purple.
This year I got to do my favourite show at my favourite theatre, Sweeney Todd at the Royal Exchange. 2013 has been a cracker!
Reader Reviews
Videos