by Anastasia Glagoleva.
In 2024, I immersed myself in theatre and cultural events an impressive 119 times: 117 outings in London and its surroundings, and 2 in Moscow. Of these, 102 were entirely new productions for me, while 17 were revisits to shows I’d fallen in love with.
The breakdown is as follows: 56 visits to musical theatre, 43 to dramatic plays, 12 to concerts (some being concert performances of musicals, while others were traditional concerts—think Queen by Candlelight), and 8 events that defy easy categorisation. These included a magician’s act, clowning, a dining experience, and a few other unique offerings.
It seems 2024 has been my most prolific year of theatre-going in over a decade. While I’ve previously had years where I attended over a hundred performances, never before have so many of them been entirely new to me!
On average, I went to the theatre roughly every three days. This is, admittedly, a staggering amount, and I’m contemplating being a bit more selective next year. But how can one resist when there’s so much to explore and enjoy within easy reach?
Would you like to hear about the most memorable experiences of the year?
Year in Theatre: Musicals and Concerts
At the pinnacle of my 2024 theatre experiences sits my beloved Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812. Finally seeing it live has been an absolute dream come true. I am utterly captivated by its harmonies and voices, and I’ve happily spent far too much on repeated visits to the Donmar.
Among the new musicals that left a profound impression on me is The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, a mesmerising story with a charming cast that I am eager to revisit. Equally unforgettable was the breathtaking score of Standing at the Sky’s Edge—thank goodness for the cast recording, which I’ve been playing on repeat.
On the lighter side, I thoroughly enjoyed Fangirls and Jaffa Cake. Both were short, sweet, and brimming with fun, the kind of productions I wouldn’t hesitate to see again.
Alongside these musicals stand three absolutely electrifying musical concerts. Two were reunion performances: the original cast of Avenue Q reuniting after 18 years and Spring Awakening after 15. The Avenue Q concert felt like a time capsule of joy, taking me back to 2007, the year I first saw Jon Robyns on stage in his debut role. Meanwhile, Spring Awakening was a deeply satisfying experience, finally allowing me to see the show in English after previously only experiencing it in Russian.
The third concert was Something Rotten in Concert, a show I had never seen in any form before. Finally getting to experience it live felt like a dream realised.
This year also brought me two extraordinary solo concerts. Jon Robyns celebrated 20 years of his artistic career, filling His Majesty’s Theatre, while Jamie Muscato performed three sold-out shows at Cadogan Hall. Seeing Robyns also play the Phantom fulfilled yet another long-held dream of mine.
Of course, no list of "musical men I adore" would be complete without Declan Bennett. He is currently starring as Pierre in The Great Comet, making my dreams come true, and I also had the privilege of seeing a workshop of his original show and his performance in a drama about Marilyn Monroe.
Another dream performer of mine is Ramin Karimloo, who enchanted me in The Face in the Crowd and the concert version of Dirty Rotten Scoundrels.
What a phenomenal year for musicals and concerts—every experience has added something special to my theatre-loving heart!
Year in Theatre: Dramatic Plays
Now, let’s talk about drama. At the very top of the list this year is The Lehman Trilogy, which felt like the epitome of what theatre should be—masterful, captivating, and unforgettable. Close behind it is The Motive and the Cue, the ultimate theatre-about-theatre production, a meta masterpiece that struck a deep chord.
As for star-studded performances, my dream of seeing Matt Smith on stage again came true after an agonising 11-year wait. An Enemy of the People, from the second row, was a fantastic experience, but the title of most profound and emotionally resonant performance goes to Fear of 13 starring Adrien Brody. It felt as though he looked directly into my soul, leaving me with chills every time I think about it.
The most talked-about production for me this year was undoubtedly Slave Play. I saw it three times (thanks to £1 tickets) and spent months dissecting the motivations of its creators and characters with anyone who couldn’t escape my enthusiasm. Another thought-provoking piece was The Giant, though fewer people had the chance to see it. Its complex exploration of morality paired with the opportunity to use the text as a framework for discussing the Israeli-Palestinian conflict made it a standout.
Among smaller-scale dramas, When Vincent Met John remains etched in my mind—a beautiful tale imagining a meeting between Van Gogh and Lennon.
And, of course, I cannot overlook the most magical theatrical wonder of the year: Slava’s SnowShow. Its simplicity and enchantment are unparalleled, leaving a lasting impression that transcends the stage.
Theatrical Plans for 2025
Someone asked me in the comments: what productions am I looking forward to next year? The answer? Quite a lot!
I already have tickets for several shows, though I’m holding off on buying more for now, as the final month of The Great Comet is upon us, and every spare penny is being poured into that joy.
Here’s what’s already in the diary:
- Oedipus – Starring Rami Malek and Indira Varma. I missed the version with Mark Strong, but snagged these tickets for just £10.
- Inside No. 9 – I can’t quite remember why I needed to see this, but @theatreandsuch insisted, and I trust her judgement.
- The Producers – I’ve dreamt of seeing this musical in English for years. I had tickets for the November performances but had to reschedule when I ended up flying to Moscow. Better late than never!
- Unicorn – A new play from an acclaimed writer. Why not?
- Richard II – Tradition must be upheld! It’s another “Johnny Bailey from the front row” experience, as I’ve had with The Last Five Years and Company.
- Much Ado About Nothing – Tom Hiddleston on stage? Intriguing, as I’ve never seen him live. Jamie Lloyd directing? Not usually my cup of tea, but the ticket was inexpensive, so I’m willing to give it a chance.
- Mischief Comedy About Spies – The original Mischief Theatre cast in a new show about espionage. For a decade, I’ve never missed one of their productions, and I don’t plan to start now.
- My Master Builder – Ewan McGregor stars in a reimagined version of Ibsen’s play. I saw the original with Ralph Fiennes, so I’m curious about this take (even if my ticket is in the far reaches of the upper balcony).
- Frogs – A new-to-me Sondheim musical. The ticket was only £10, so it’s time to tick this off my list after previously selling my ticket to see Jon Robyns instead.
- Scissorshandz – This musical almost clashed with Oedipus, but thanks to Ksenia (@theatreandsuch), I managed to rearrange it.
- Sing Street – I suppose I should watch the film first, right?
Now for the shows I haven’t booked yet but hope to see:
Musicals:
12. Titanique – A comedic take on Titanic, complete with Céline Dion. It’s already running, and it sounds hilarious. If anyone’s planning to go, let me know!
13. Oliver – A classic, with Simon Lipkin in the cast. Yes, please.
14. The Great Gatsby – A short transfer from the US. Must snag tickets while I can.
15. Figaro – Likely to be a bit silly, but it features Jon Robyns, so if discounts appear, I’m in.
16. If/Then – Certainly not silly, starring Kerry Ellis and David Hunter (probably with a thousand costume changes). Prices are steep for now, though.
17. Here We Are – Sondheim’s final musical. Alongside London Road, it feels like something I should see for the sake of the genre.
18. Hercules and 101 Dalmatians – Pure childhood nostalgia in musical form.
19. Cry-Baby – Not quite childhood but still intriguing.
20. Lightning Thief – I adored the Percy Jackson books as a kid and skipped the films, so the musical is a must.
21. Stalled – A musical set in a women’s bathroom. Consider me intrigued.
22. The Devil Wears Prada – Just waiting for those ticket prices to drop!
Plays:
23. Second Best – Asa Butterfield stars in a fascinating story. Here’s hoping for discounted tickets.
24. Dear England – Yes, I want to see a football play. What of it? Especially interested in how they’ve updated the ending to reflect last year’s championship.
25. Ghosts – After seeing The Returned as an immersive experience, I’m keen to revisit Ibsen in a traditional format.
26. Homo Alone – An “adult” panto to kick off January with a laugh, if I can squeeze it in.
Quite a list, isn’t it? Are you planning to see any of these? Or is there something I’ve overlooked? Let’s share plans!