My Top 10 Must-See Productions of 2016!

New year means new shows! Here’s a list I compiled of all the local productions I plan to see in 2016!

1. Wendy and Peter Pan – Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford-Upon-Avon.

11^th December 2015-31^st January 2016.

I impulsively bought tickets for this as a birthday treat in January. As an RSC Key member, the tickets only cost me a fiver each – so why not?

I have thoroughly enjoyed all the RSC productions I have seen before, and this one in particular looks amazing. Wendy is played by Mariah Gale who I saw previously in Measure for Measure as Isabella, and she was captivating.

I’ve had a little look at some images from the show and it looks magical, fun and a little dark, (for good measure). Also, the flying scenes and Captain Hook’s ship look incredible.

I literally feel like a kid at Christmas. V.Excited

   2. We Are Brontë – The Wardrobe Theatre, Bristol.

19^th-23^rd January 2016.

As a big Brontë fan, I’m really looking forward to seeing this wacky production.

With a mix of physical theatre, clowning, improvisation and stand-up; the gothic themes of romance, repression and madness are seen from a completely different perspective. This show happens to be on at the same time as Jane Eyre at the Bristol Old Vic (which is my number 3!), so it will be interesting to see two very different sides to the gothic genre.

  3.  Jane Eyre – Bristol Old Vic.
21^st January-6^th February 2016.

Jane Eyre is in my top 5 list of favourite books ever. This production came to the Old Vic in 2014 and I missed it, so I am determined to go and see this. If there is a single show I will make time for, it’s this one.

Madeleine Worrall as Jane Eyre at The Bristol Old Vic. Sourced from ‘The Guardian’.

I’ve heard some really fantastic things about it. From the pictures I’ve seen the set looks simplistic, yet effective, with various levels used stylistically throughout. There’s even a live band on stage which adds to the dynamic and passionate feel to the play. Just watch the trailer and you’ll see what I mean.

 

 

  4.  A Girl is a Half-Formed Thing – Tobacco Factory, Bristol.

26^th-30^th January 2016.

I have already bought a ticket to see this with my friend Georgia! This play has been adapted from a book by Eimear McBride and follows the story of an Irish girl from the womb to twenty years old. We see her battling through life as a child from a deprived Irish background attempting to make sense of the world around her.

I’m really looking forward to watching this because it’s so rare that you see truthful female representations on stage, as I’ve commented on before in my earlier blog. I’ve also heard that the writing is incredibly strong and resilient, which I hope will help inspire my own creative writing.

  5.  Toast – Theatre Royal Bath.

7^th– 12^th March 2016.

Matthew Kelly in ‘Toast’ at Theatre Royal Bath. Sourced from TRB website.

This play was first performed in 1999 and was written by Richard Bean who later wrote the hilarious play One Man, Two Guvnors which I saw last year, and the very successful musical Made in Dagenham.

There’s no denying that he is a very talented playwright, hence why I would like to check out this comedy drama. Set in a baking factory in Hull, we follow 7 men facing a crisis that could change everything.

I’m hoping it’s as good as his other work – we’ll have to wait and see.

 

 

  6.  1972: The Future of Sex – The Wardrobe Theatre, Bristol.

8^th-26^th March 2016.

Pretty much what it says on the tin. Awkward sexual encounters of the 70’s discussed in all its garishness.

I keep asking myself why I have added this to my list.

I just reckon it’ll be a bit different. Also, they won the Stage Award for Acting Excellence at the Edinburgh Fringe, which is pretty darn impressive.

   7. The Witches of Eastwick – Redgrave Theatre, Bristol.

9^th– 12^th March 2016.

It’s a UWE show! I keep meaning to see this musical as I’ve been told multiple times by musical lovers that it’s amazing. I have some friends involved in this too which is exciting; I always enjoy going to support my actor mates!

All I know so far is that it’s raunchy and the songs are really good.

Sounds ideal.

  8.  Trainspotting – The Loco Klub, Bristol.

6^th-17^th April 2016.

I saw this production at the Edinburgh Fringe and it was incredible. It was a bold, gritty, truthful in-yer-face play, exuding all the qualities of the film but creating a more immersive experience. You walk into a rave at the beginning; there’s audience interaction, unashamed nudity, thick Scottish accents and a powerful script.

Gavin Ross in ‘Trainspotting’ at the Edinburgh Fringe. Sourced from ‘Grumpy Gay Critic’.

I most definitely want to see this again and I would recommend anyone who is a fan of the film to check it out. Even if you’re not much of a theatre-goer, I reckon you would really enjoy this.

 

 

   9. Maria Ferguson: Fat Girls Don’t Dance – Bristol Old Vic.

18^th April 2016.

I find spoken word so captivating so I had to fit it in somewhere. In Fat Girls Don’t Dance, Maria Ferguson tackles the theme of women’s bodies and her relationship with the two loves in her life: Food and Dance.

The idea of body image in today’s social media-mad society is something that I am very interested in and plan to write more about, so I hope this will help inspire me.

  10.  Goodnight Mister Tom – The Egg, Theatre Royal Bath.

26^th– 30^th April 2016.

‘Goodnight Mister Tom’ at The Egg Theatre, Bath. Sourced from TRB website.

This classic book (and film, actually) made me cry so much. It is personally one of my favourite stories written about the war – along with The Book Thief. I truly hope this production lives up to my expectations.

I haven’t been disappointed by a show at The Egg yet, so I hope this will be added to the list of successes!

 

If you’re interested in seeing any of the shows above, let me know! Theatre buddies are always welcome.

Merry Christmas everyone, and I wish you all the best for the new year!