FringeReview UK

A paean to wonder and possibility, dreaming to some purpose. Like other winter growths, this should prove a hardy perennial, evergreen as the book.

BBC Prom 24 Purcell The Fairy Queen, Les Arts Florissants/Agnew at the Royal Albert Hall, August 6th 2024

A musically riveting, dramatically rather episodic production where the dancers and singers make the best of it

BBC Prom 68 Britten A Midsummer Night’s Dream Garsington Opera

A triumphant revival, it’s still the most elusive of Britten’s major operas, easy to enjoy, still hard to fathom the melodic root of.

Before After

A pristine, heartwarming Valentine of a musical, it fully deserves its revival

Cowbois

Cranford’s gone Wild West, via the Court and RSC. Cowbois is of course daft. But it’s magnificent in its silliness, contains wonderful – and truthful – moments. Deadly serious can have you rolling in the aisles and still jump up for the revolution.

Janie Dee’s Beautiful World Cabaret

Who could object to its urgency, or its starry messenger? A gem.

Just For One Day

Despite history’s caveats, O’Farrell’s core message isn’t about white saviours or pop stars but how ordinary people unite to change things.

Napoleon: Un Petit Pantomime

A sure-fire miniature epic, spanning history and damn lies. Sublimely written and with a superb cast both seasoned and fresh, the finest concentration of panto this season.

Oliver!

There’s not a moment in this two-hours-40 where you’re not at the edge of your seat. The best musical revival this year. Don’t wait till it transfers to the West End.

Princess Essex

The more we see of such uplifting, uproarious, yet probing works the better.

Stranger Than the Moon

Essential for anyone interested in Brecht or 20th century drama, it’s far more: starkly entrancing, then engrossing over 110 minutes.