Yorkshire

James Ballands

  1. Death Trap (Rambert, York Theatre Royal): choreographed by the wonderful Ben Duke, this double bill of dance pieces explores the themes of death and grief in a remarkably clever and playful way. My favourite theatrical experience of the year: totally thrilling.
  2. Hamilton (Palace Theatre, Manchester): after listening to the soundtrack for years on Spotify, it was a huge pleasure to finally see Lin-Manuel Miranda's masterpiece on stage. Its consistent and exuberant brilliance defies belief.
  3. After the Act (Breach Theatre, Traverse Theatre, Glasgow): in this inventive and ambitious musical, the reliably great Breach Theatre uses their considerable talents to tackle Margaret Thatcher's introduction of Section 28 in 1988—a series of laws which prevented schoolteachers from 'promoting' homosexuality in the classroom. This was the best show I saw at the Edinburgh Fringe.
  4. Oliver! (Leeds Playhouse): director James Brining's superb in-the-round production of Lionel Bart's beloved musical was near perfect in every department.
  5. Falstaff (Opera North, Leeds Grand Theatre): Opera North rarely puts a foot wrong, and this staging of Verdi's opera was beautifully sung, consummately acted and imaginatively designed.

Honourable mentions: Kieran Hodgson: Big in Scotland (touring), Crazy for You (The Gillian Lynne Theatre, London), Lord of the Flies (Leeds Playhouse), The Merchant of Venice 1936 (touring) and An Ocean at the End of the Lane (touring).