The Boar Arts official theatre rundown of 2024

The 2024 theatre world has showcased remarkable creativity and serious talent, blending revivals of much-loved classics and adaptations of our favourite stories. From Sigourney Weaver’s powerful portrayal of Prospero in The Tempest to Nicole Scherzinger’s captivating performance in Sunset Boulevard, this year has been flooded with rich theatrical talent. This year has also introduced dazzling new works, including Elton John’s fresh new take on The Devil Wears Prada, arriving in the West End this winter.  

 The Boar Arts has celebrated this incredible year by appreciating productions locally in the West Midlands and on London’s iconic West End. As we reflect on our favourite theatre moments of 2024, we eagerly anticipate the exciting prospects 2025 promises to bring to the stage (and yes, we are talking about Paul Mescal’s return to A Streetcar Named Desire!)  

Tom Francis takes Sunset Boulevard to the Strand – Abigail Mableson (Arts Editor)                     

Whether you’re an avid theatre follower, or just a musical appreciator, everyone has been talking about Tom Francis, and more excitingly, his singing of the classic ‘Sunset Boulevard’ whilst walking down London’s famous hub of musical theatre, The Strand. At age 25, Francis shows the musicality of a pro in his field, not only being able to pull off the testing vocals as Joe Gills in Sunset Boulevard, but also the ability to walk down one of London’s most bustling streets whilst belting out the lyrics. For a period of time, I could not escape the TikTok videos showing this daily ritual performance, but I am forever in awe of Francis’s incredible talent, and I wish I could have witnessed this stellar moment of musical theatre in person. The jury is out on how long Francis’s walking and singing fusion will last on Broadway, but I hope it stands the test of time.   

Guys & Dolls brings a dynamic revival to The Bridge Theatre – Lucy Gibbons (Music Editor) 

Stepping into The Bridge Theatre back in February, I immediately knew that the audience was in for a spectacular performance. The foyer for the performance of Guys & Dolls was set out to take us back to the streets of New York in the 1920s, with stands selling hot dogs and pretzels. Although Guys & Dolls first took to the stage on Broadway in 1950, the production still felt as fresh as ever. The unusual layout of the theatre, with the stage in the middle and the seats all around it, created an immersive experience. This experience was also encouraged by the live band being seated within the stalls. Wherever you looked, there was something to see. It was not only the fantastic performance from theatre veterans Marisha Wallace and Daniel Mays that made the musical, but also the incredible moving stage, which added a different and dynamic element to the show. The London revival of Guys & Dolls is a must-see for any musical fans! 

Shakespeare’s Othello captivates audiences at the Royal Shakespeare Company – Imaan Aziz (Writer)                                                                                                                                                                       

My favourite theatre moment of 2024 was when I got to watch Shakespeare’s Othello at the Royal Shakespeare Company in Stratford-upon-Avon. “Men should be what they seem,” an ironic slogan for a play about deadly deception and jealousy. In his debut performance, John Thompson gave a compelling, emotional depiction of Othello. The actor truly captured the realms of deceit and devastation the character encounters, delivering his lines with such a captivating presence. I also enjoyed Juliet Rylance’s depiction of Desdemona. She portrayed the character’s paradoxical wit and naivety with grace, and did so in such beautiful Elizabethan attire. Throughout the entirety of the play no props were present on stage, which intrigued me, and I found that the bareness of the platform aligned itself with the theme of exposing one’s true intentions that is weaved throughout the plot. Overall, the play was an accurate adaptation of Othello with engaging actors and an interesting production style. 

Max Webster’s Macbeth and the Porter’s hilarious surprise – Emma St-John (Writer)           

I’ve had the pleasure of seeing Max Webster’s Macbeth twice, and I thoroughly enjoyed every moment of it. However, when The Porter starts to do his monologue, I have never laughed more. His voice suddenly bellows into the audience’s headphones, and yet he is nowhere to be found on stage. Heads start to turn before landing on a man hanging over the side of an upstairs tier of seating. He starts his monologue, loudly and drunkenly, and then leaves the audience and tries to get to the stage, out of sight but still speaking through the headphones. He finally re-enters and falls onto the stage where he finishes his speech. The content of what he says has been different both times I went. This time included some hilariously rude jabs at Trump, fitting considering my show was on the days following the American election. It was a joy to experience.    

The bittersweet success story of Merrily We Roll Along – Harriet Curry (Deputy Arts Editor) 

2024 marks my personal discovery and the rise to success (finally) of my favourite musical to date, Merrily We Roll Along. Hadestown has had a lot of lyric changes over the years, but Merrily has been in the works for over four decades after its failure on Broadway in 1981. The journey from flop to four Tony wins has been an uphill battle, though the hard-won victory is bittersweet since its creator, Stephen Sondheim, never got to see the production flourish in the way it deserves. Though I’m still waiting for an opportunity to see it, I will carry on listening to the soundtrack(s) on repeat, rewatching the extremely pixelated recording of the original production on YouTube (for which I am eternally grateful), waiting for the promised pro-shot, and, of course, talking about the musical and its history to anyone who will listen. Thank you Mum for letting me play my musical soundtracks in the car, or I probably would never have gotten around to actually listening to this incredible musical. 

A criminal theatre trip seeing Witness for the Prosecution – Rachel Gore (Sports Editor)         

My favourite theatrical experience of 2024 was Witness for the Prosecution. This play stands out above all as a unique and exceptional performance. The show takes place at London County Hall which is situated on the South Bank of the River Thames. The setting of the former home of London’s local government immerses the audience: the stalls are where council members would have sat, and the circle is the galleries which were assigned to the public and press. Additionally, audience members form the jury, playing a role in the play itself. Throughout the play, actors move through the stalls, absorbing the audience in what is an already gripping story. The play is unlike anything else I’ve seen, the fact that it is on its seventh year is evidence of how riveting it is.