The Best Shows we've seen in 2020!

2020.... well, that happened. 

Its been a rubbish year for our industry, but we mustn't dwell on the negatives! So, we thought we'd collect together our top shows that our wonderful reviews have seen this year! Even though these are our top reviewed shows, we just want to say a huge well done to all those who have been involved in creating content this year, as an industry we have pulled through and proven our place in society. Even if the government still don't value us, we must value one another and we wish everyone the utmost success in the new year! 

Without further ado, let's take a look at some of our top shows from 2020! 

A Christmas Carol at the Dominion Theatre

"The whole production is directed with great skill and ingenuity by Shaun Kerrison and backed by some excellent video and graphics by George Reeve projected on the large screen above the band and has the feel of a high production value West End show with great musicality and fresh and lively touches. This is no concert; this is a joyous celebration of musical theatre with a powerful and meaningful message that resonated as much today (perhaps more so) than when Charles Dickens wrote it in 1843. Bravo London Musical Theatre Orchestra. We hope you will return to the stage even stronger in 2021." 

REVIEW: Marry Me A Little, The Barn Theatre, Cirencester

A catalogue of songs largely cut from Sondheim shows; Marry Me A Little follows an estranged couple, now living in separate apartments, dreaming of a connection outside their four walls - something we can all relate to more than we’d like this year. The Barn was one of the first regional theatres to re-open and stage socially-distanced productions in their outdoor space over the Summer. Each of those shows received huge praise, and this is no exception.

It’s incredibly refreshing to see both performers in a different light. Celinde Schoenmaker (a seasoned Christine Daae), and Rob Houchen (a veteran Marius) are both given the opportunity to play with a broad range of different emotions throughout the sung-through piece. They make a formidable partnership and deliver exceptional performances.

We hear a wonderful, fuller voice from Schoenmaker in Can That Boy Foxtrot, beautifully contrasting her famous soprano, whilst Girls Of Summer is sultry and full of yearning. In the show’s title number, she teases big, belted notes and then quickly switches to a soprano sound. Finally, in There Won’t Be Trumpets she opens fire, and it is absolutely worth the wait. Thrilling!

Trailer released for Stephen Sondheim's MARRY ME A LITTLE at St. James Theatre

Marry Me A Little pieces together a selection of songs by the undisputed master of the contemporary Broadway musical to tell a charming and bittersweet tale of love, loneliness and survival as a modern singleton. Told entirely through songs written early in Sondheim’s career or previously intended for his ground-breaking Broadway musicals including A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum,Company, Follies and A Little Night Music, Marry Me a Little is funny, moving and sophisticated musical as well as a fascinating look at "the songs that got away”.

In this new interpretation, the first to be seen on the London stage in 17 years, the show finds two ex-lovers, on separate Saturday nights, alone in the flat they once shared, remembering the highs and lows of their relationship. Each is visited by memories of the other as they remember what made them fall in love, and ultimately what pulled them apart.

Simon Bailey and Laura Pitt-Pulford will turn to the roles of Man and Woman.

Marry Me a Little will return to St. James Studio from Monday 6 – Saturday 11 October 2014

Following a critically acclaimed sell-out run this August, Stephen Sondheim’s Marry Me a Little will return to St. James Studio for an extra week of performances from Monday 6 – Saturday 11 October 2014, it was announced today. On sale now.

Marry Me A Little pieces together a selection of songs by the undisputed master of the contemporary Broadway musical to tell a charming and bittersweet tale of love, loneliness and survival as a modern singleton. Told entirely through songs written early in Sondheim’s career or previously intended for his ground-breaking Broadway musicals including A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum,Company, Follies and A Little Night Music, Marry Me a Little is funny, moving and sophisticated musical as well as a fascinating look at "the songs that got away”.

MARRY ME A LITTLE to star Simon Bailey and Laura Pitt-Pulford

Simon Bailey and Laura Pitt-Pulford will star in the upcoming revival of Stephen Sondheim'sMarry me a Little at the St James Studio, which opens next month.

Directed by Hannah Chissick, the show runs from 29 July to 10 August and features songs from early in Sondheim's career.

Simon Bailey, who plays Man, most recently played Liam O'Deary in I Can't Sing! at the London Palladium. His other stage credits include Raoul in The Phantom of the Opera (UK tour), [title of show] (Landor), Passion (Donmar Warehouse), Les Miserables (Queen's).

Laura Pitt-Pulford played The Falconer in The Light Princess (National Theatre). Her other credits include A Man of No Importace (Salisbury Playhouse), Piaf and Hello Dolly (Leicester Curve).