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My top ten shows this year, plus sale deals galore!

Happy 1 January! I must say, 2025 flew by for me. I didn’t get a lot done that I hoped to but I achieved things I absolutely did not have on my 2025 bingo card. Life’s like that sometimes, and in 2026 I really hope I can roll with the punches a bit more and embrace the curveballs as new opportunities.

The main difference has been a much quieter year for theatre trips. The culprit is definitely my stint in Anne Boleyn the Musical this summer, but I wouldn’t have had it any other way. A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity in place of 50 or so show visits seems a fair swap! I’m determined to get back in the audience more in the New Year, but for now let’s reflect at the year that’s passed.

So, after 64 shows seen, 6,610 minutes of theatre watched, more than £2,000 saved on tickets, two shows choreographed, one stage combat workshop, one cheeky backstage tour at Phantom, and a summer dancing with a Tudor queen, here are my favourite shows of 2025!

1. The Comedy About Spies (Noel Coward Theatre)

You all know Mischief Theatre’s one of my favourites in the business. It was another bullseye with their new play about some blundering secret agents. I took my Goes Wrong Show fan dad for his birthday and we had a right giggle. I returned with my partner for my birthday and loved it even more. It was filmed in its final weeks in the West End so I’m hoping we get to revisit this one in the cinema or on streaming channels soon!

2. Ballet Shoes (National Theatre, Olivier)

I started and ended the year with trips to see this fantastic stage adaptation of Noel Streatfeild’s book. It has something for everyone, appealing to kids and adults alike. The story is fun but has meaning and warmth. Plus the dance sections are gorgeous to watch! It’s not too late to see this one - it’s running until 21 February. And don’t forget you can see it for just £10 thanks to the National Theatre’s Friday Rush.

3. Evita (London Palladium)

The hype was big with this one but frankly it was deserved. Jamie Lloyd has made my top ten several times - his style doesn’t always work with the source material (ahem, Romeo and Juliet) but the stripped back, stylised version here actually made me enjoy a musical I’ve previously been bored by. I loved the whole dramatic vibe, and the real balcony scene was a stroke of genius for many reasons, namely access to theatre which is obviously a big winner here.

4. Punch (Young Vic)

This one was certainly hard-hitting in many ways. James Graham is a master of storytelling. Out of all the shows this year, this was the one I was most engrossed by in the theatre. If you want something that keeps you thinking beyond the curtain call, this is the one to see. And luckily you still can - it’s going on a short UK tour in 2026.

5. Wendy & Peter Pan (Barbican Theatre)

Another show that nailed the ‘suitable for all ages’ brief. I enjoyed it as much as all the kids around me. A beautiful set and staging, a thoughtful adaptation with a feminist tinge to it, and an unexpectedly scary suited crocodile - what more can you want!

6. Shucked (Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre)

A musical about corn, sure! Yes it was as silly as you’d expect, but the music was great and there was a lot of heart buried amongst the fun. Stevie Webb absolutely nailed the narrator role, and the Open Air Theatre nailed the staging and design as per usual.

7. Inter Alia (National Theatre, Lyttelton)

Another one that provoked a great deal of thought. The subject matter is incredibly topical and the cast did a fantastic job at handling a difficult theme. It might have ranked higher if it had hit me as hard as Prima Facie but it is still a must-watch. You have another chance to catch it when it transfers to the West End in March.

8. Titanique (Criterion Theatre)

Another bonkers show that made me laugh and made the list. Ironic really as I refuse to rewatch the film of Titanic (long story involving a recurring nightmare as a child…) But just a general knowledge of the plot and a few iconic moments will be enough for you to enjoy this musical. Oh and Lauren Drew was phenomenal as Celine Dion!

9. Every Brilliant Thing (Soho Place)

I saw a few shows this year with mental health as the focus, but this is the one that broke through. Portraying mental conditions on stage is a delicate challenge - this one ticked a lot of boxes, both discussing the implications of careless portrayals, while also leaving you with a warm feeling at the end. We had the brilliant Sue Perkins as our storyteller.

10. Dracula (Lyric Hammersmith)

And to round things off, one of my favourite playwrights returned with a new version of one of my partner’s favourite books - a no brainer booking for us. The small cast worked hard to bring a different perspective on the story, which isn’t easy when the titular villain is not listed among the cast! Imaginative and atmospheric - we enjoyed it a lot.

Happy ticket-buying, and happy New Year!

Rochelle 🎭🎫

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Carrying the banner

In the news this week…

• New Year Honours list recognises Cynthia Erivo, Meera Syal, Idris Elba, Paule Constable and more

• Theatre numbers up but fewer new plays, study says

• Cameron Mackintosh Ltd turnover exceeds pre-Covid levels at £234m

Best of the sales

Here’s your discounts, offers and cheap seats this week.

• Plenty of agents are well into their Boxing Day/New Year’s sales. There’s some good offers about - there’s some decent £20 seats for Starlight Express in March, top stalls seats at £25 for Gerry & Sewell, and the best offer I’ve ever seen for Mamma Mia with great seats at £35. You can find the same or similar deals across multiple sites - TodayTix, LTD, Love Theatre, Seat Plan, West End Wilma, London Theatre and more. But as always, check against the price directly with the theatre, and also versus…

• …the New Year Sale! Yes it’s still going strong with tickets from just £10 to London shows. It’s always worth cross-checking the seats across deals to make sure you’re getting the best value.

• For those outside the capital, ATG has its January Sale for venues across the UK. There’s loads of different deals on musicals, plays, comedy and more.

• Malvern Theatres always has a great January sale with new deals each week - sign up to the newsletter or keep checking back to see them.

• Greenwich Theatre has a whopping 50% off selected tickets until 5 Jan. Use code NY50.

• There’s also half price tickets for The Further Adventures of Peter Pan in Bath. Use code NEWYEARPAN, selected performances only.

• Don’t forget these 2 for 1 tickets for Freaky Friday in Manchester.

• As The Stage goes digital in 2026, here’s a 99p trial for the first month of access.

• And finally, don’t forget to look at booking next year’s panto now! A lot of venues are already announcing their shows and stars, but many also do early bird booking deals. You might save a nice amount, as well as getting the best seats.

Don’t throw away your shot

Competitions, on-sales and announcements.

• As you might expect, the new show announcements are thin on the ground this betwixtmas week. So, how about a 2025 theatre quiz instead?

• Win tickets to see Matilda in Plymouth.

• And finally, win tickets to The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry.

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That’s all for this week. If you enjoyed the newsletter, please tell your friends. I’m also open to suggestions and requests for certain discounts, so do drop into my DMs. Right, time to have a relaxing New Year’s Day bath! 🛀