Pocket Size Picks: Top Shows of 2022

Theatre has been through a lot in the past few years, with the complete shutdown of the industry in 2020 we were all left with uncertainty about the industry and how it would come back. Whilst we are still feeling the effects of this, the theatrical world is back on its feet and 2022 has been a wonderful year for theatre. Pocket Size Theatre looks back at the productions we've seen this year and we have collated a list of the best 20 shows we've seen, take a look and celebrate with us all that theatre has achieved in the past year! 

The Wicker Husband at the Watermill Theatre

"This is a story with real heart and meaning. In a world ravaged by war & global warming and dominated by a superficial obsession with images & messages on social media, it is a pleasure to see a story with powerful reinforcement of natural good triumphing over evil intent and a message that what makes a person beautiful is their soul and caring attitude rather than their external appearance."

Click here to read the full review 

Cruise at the Apollo Theatre

"This is an important piece for the LGBTQ+ community, Holden gives the performance of a lifetime and you need to beg, borrow or steal a ticket to this. The most important play you can see this summer."

Click here to read the full review 

Grease at the Dominion Theatre

"This is a really great production and whilst it may not be what audiences are expecting, it's a much-needed revival that the West End needs right now to inject some life into it. An absolute mind-blowing cast and it’ll be one I will definitely be returning to!" 

Click here to read the full review 

Grease returns to the Dominion Theatre in 2023, running from the 2nd of June to the 28th of October. Click here for tickets from £21.00!

REVIEW: The Color Purple at the Birmingham Hippodrome

After a praised revival by the Leicester Curve in 2019, The Colour Purple has returned post-pandemic, co-produced with the Birmingham Hippodrome. Finally, the UK is being blessed with a production that hits a tidal wave of raw human emotion and celebrates the beauty and strength of female empowerment.

As I enter the theatre, a buzz of excitement fills each level as the audience takes their seat. A diverse variety of theatre-goers assemble as the pre-show chatter commences; an assortment of comments about the show, fans of the novel, film, musical and groups of individuals who have no idea what to expect.

REVIEW: The Color Purple at the Leicester Curve (Online)

After the success of the Curve's stream of Sunset Boulevard that successfully used the venue as the setting for the Hollywood studios-based story, I was excited to see how they adjusted their 2019 production of the Colour Purple in a socially distanced version for a streamed audience. Indeed, the production hit the headlines for the wrong reasons with an employment tribunal over one cast member which was rejected in the same week as the stream premiered.

Perhaps because I was less familiar with Alice Walker's 1983 book or the musical version of the story with music by Brenda Russell, Allee Willis and Stephen Bray or perhaps because of difficulties getting the stream to run smoothly from the start I found it hard to get into the show. However around two-thirds of the way through the first half, it suddenly burst into life and soared into a powerful uplifting and joyous second half and finale.  

It is a challenging story dealing with domestic violence, incest, racism and sexism in Tennessee over about forty years from 1920 to 1945 and turns the epistolary book into an episodic telling of Celie's life from abused child suffering at the hands of her father Alphonso and her husband Mr Albert to a successful businesswoman. Only one early song "Big Dog" with Mister and his field hands hints at the better songs to come with the rest being generally short snatches of songs that never get going.

Hardest Female roles in Musical Theatre

Being a musical theatre performer is not easy in the slightest; from the auditions to getting a job, to the constant rehearsals and finally recreating an incredible performance to a paying audience night after night. This is even before you look at some of the challenges some roles might have within them; either emotionally, physically or vocally. Here at Pocket we have teamed up with our friends at LondonBoxOffice.co.uk and we've put together a list of roles we think are among some of the hardest. And don't just take our word for it, we've had help from some of our performer friends who have played the roles to give you an insight to what it was like from their perspective. 

There are so many more that could be on this list so if we've missed any, tweet us what you think should be on it! @PocketSizeBlog

Pocket Size Theatre | Whats opening in 2019

There's a lot of things going on next year in the world of theatre; revivals of much loved shows, Broadway transfers, UK transfers, returns of shows previously in London, new writing and so much more! So here's our guide to the theatrical highlights of 2019! Get your diaries out... 

Aspects of Love | Southwark Playhouse | 7th January 

Six the Musical | Arts Theatre | Opens 16th January