Tab's Top Shows of 2024

Let's talk about all the shows that have made an impact on me this year! Shows that deserve recognition and credit for their insane quality. The main thing that makes a show magical, strong and moving is how it makes you feel... That being said, this list is going to tell you the shows that made my 2024 by how they made me feel.

This year I have seen more shows than I have ever seen in my life. When I had a week where I was not going to the theatre, I felt lost... Yes, I do have TodayTix gold tier and I am proud! I can't believe how many shows I have seen, I should have kept count. I have taken a dive this year into theatre, I feel like it has improved my mental health, taught me so much and introduced me to some fantastic people! I've been grateful for every single second.

Let's get into the shows that made an impact on me in 2024

The show that made me cry the most:

Next to Normal - Wyndham's Theatre

I had heard so many good things about this show. I've never been a fan of how mental health has been portrayed in theatre over the last few years. That being said, I was apprehensive over how I would feel about this show. It was beautiful. The story, the acting, the songs; I was blown away! I cried for a lot of the show, there were some hard-hitting moments. Caissie Levy took the audience on an emotional journey and her performance was so real. I remember leaving the theatre, I thought my tears had come to an end, I called my mum and she asks, 'How was the show?' and I burst into floods of tears all over again...

The show that taught me the most:

Story of My Life - Stage Door Theatre

Having lost a close friend of mine a couple of years ago this show gave me a new outlook on how to deal with missing this fantastic person in my life. It was an important show. The story made you laugh, cry and think! The recipe to a fantastic show. The dynamic between Markus Sodergren and Tim Edwards was truly stunning. They showed how the two grew up together, the contrast between their characters and Sodergren gave a moving performance of how he dealt with the passing of his friend. The music was toe tapping, fun and playful. I still find myself playing the line 'Write what you know Tom' from one of the songs in moments of my life. It was so good I saw it three times!

The Show that made me laugh the most:

Marriage of Figaro - Royal Opera House

As you all know this was the year I entered the world of opera. There are some insane story lines, but nothing quite like this one! This was a comedy, which was also a shock; as all the operas I had seen were stone cold serious and this one surprised me. Ying Fang as Susanna, who is to be wed to Figaro played by Luca Micheletti gave a stunning performance. Their voices harmonsied beautifully, they were a match made in heaven. They showed the child-like element of a relationship, where you are so close and comfortable together! There were some extremely funny parts of this show, and the humour comes from the crazy parts of the story line. I gasped out loud at one point... This opera is close to my heart, its crazy, fun, questionable at times don't get me wrong, but it was written a long time ago! The songs are an ear worm and are on my Spotify most played, but Mozart is not a legendary composer for nothing.

My new favourite show:

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button - The Ambassadors Theatre

This show is ONE TO WATCH! I have not stopped listening to the music since I saw it. The performance is moving, the writing is clever, and the set is perfect. This show holds so much beauty and reminds the audience what makes a good show. I cried so much during this show, not only at the story line; but at the quality of the production. The character arc of Benjamin Button, played by John Dagleish, is clear and how he changes from 80 to 19 throughout the show is unreal... I am not sure how he does it, but his acting is like nothing I have ever seen. Great work from start to finish.

The show that impressed me the most:

Something Rotten! in concert - Theatre Royal Drury Lane

It's a musical! This show is so clever, the musical puns just keep coming. I had the most enjoyable few hours, and I did not want this show to end. The crazy thing about these 'concert's at Theatre Royal Drury lane is that they are very much a full show! The cast were fantastic and there were some great dance numbers too! Featuring one fantastic dancer Ru Fisher, their talent is very clear and really did shine brightly in this show. The super star Marisha Wallace played Bea, her voice is iconic, she played this character well and gave her some female power! Wallace has been a busy woman this year having starred in Guys and Dolls, Robin Hood and she's playing Sally Bowles this year! This show was a lot of fun and the writing impressed me. Just an all-round fantastic show and the songs are my right-hand man when I'm working out.

There is an abundance of shows I would love to mention! These are just a selection of shows that moved me. I would love to hear what your favourite shows were this year, because there were some fantastic ones. I can't wait to see what is coming 2025... Stay tuned for more.

Thank you so much for all your support this year. I would not be able to do this without people reading, interacting and liking my reviews. I am so grateful to have seen so much this year and been a part of the reviewing world. I have made so many memories, met some amazing people and experienced so much theatre. Here's to more in 2025.

Happy New Year everyone! <3