Curve theatre

The best theatre of 2022

In a superb year for the stage, our chief critic gives 10 shows an extra round of applause. Plus, Guardian theatre reviewers each pick their 2022 standout

Arifa Akbar

15, Dec, 2022 @3:00 PM

The Wizard of Oz review – carnivalesque trip down the Yellow Brick Road

Catwalk-ready costumes, expressive puppetry and a knockabout cast make this a fun, if rather cluttered, production

Ryan Gilbey

25, Nov, 2022 @7:00 PM

Othello review – Frantic Assembly’s urgent, thrilling tragedy

This physical, modern-day version is immersed in violence, with gang members vying for sex and authority around a pool table

Mark Fisher

22, Sep, 2022 @9:33 AM

Finding Home review – Idi Amin’s expulsions remembered

Fifty years on, these specially commissioned pieces movingly and unflinchingly reflect the experiences of Ugandan refugees in Britain

Clare Brennan

07, Aug, 2022 @10:30 AM

Cancellations, costs and chaos: UK theatres grapple with rising Covid cases

Infections among workforce lead theatres to cancel performances, with loan repayments, soaring energy prices and the cost of living crisis adding to their woes

Chris Wiegand Stage editor

14, Jun, 2022 @3:42 PM

Ballet Hispánico review – Latinx bite, humour and vogueing in heels

The New York company makes a long-awaited English debut with a colourful and lively triple bill that interrogates Latinx stereotypes while celebrating self-actualisation

Lyndsey Winship

08, May, 2022 @10:09 AM

Beautiful: The Carole King Musical review – hits, heartache and rollerskates

Molly-Grace Cutler is in fine voice in this jukebox musical but the story shortchanges the singer-songwriter’s achievements

Chris Wiegand

03, Mar, 2022 @10:00 PM

Feel the sequins: touch tours and headset hosts are a sensation for visually impaired audiences

A writer who had felt shut out from stage plays finds out how Curve Leicester’s A Chorus Line is presented with audio description and a guide to the costumes

Caroline Butterwick

05, Jan, 2022 @12:41 PM

‘Beautiful, profound, uplifting’: readers’ favourite stage shows of 2021

A comeback year saw standout productions up and down the country. Here’s your pick of the best

Guardian readers

20, Dec, 2021 @6:00 AM

A Chorus Line review – a timely revival of the 70s musical

The 70s musical centred on a group of Broadway musical auditionees is all about the ensemble in Nikolai Foster’s winning revival

Clare Brennan

12, Dec, 2021 @11:00 AM

No turkeys allowed! 25 of the best shows to book for Christmas 2021

Looking for a jolly good trip to the theatre this winter? Here’s our pick’n’mix selection of musicals, pantos and festive spectaculars, featuring circus tricks, high kicks and puppet rodents

Chris Wiegand

16, Nov, 2021 @3:33 PM