Podcast Summary: "the BEST theatre Mickey-Jo saw in 2024 | Mickey-Jo's favourite shows from the West End, Broadway and beyond"
Podcast Information:
- Title: MickeyJoTheatre
- Host/Author: MickeyJoTheatre (Mickey-Jo)
- Description: Mickey-Jo reviews the latest shows from the West End, Broadway, Off-Broadway, Off-West End, Edinburgh Fringe, and global theatre scenes. With over 60,000 YouTube subscribers, Mickey-Jo is a prominent voice in theatre criticism, offering reviews, features, news, interviews, and lifestyle content.
- Episode: The BEST theatre Mickey-Jo saw in 2024 | Mickey-Jo's favourite shows from the West End, Broadway and beyond
- Release Date: January 5, 2025
Introduction
Mickey-Jo opens the episode reflecting on a challenging start to the year and expresses a desire to recount the theatre highlights from 2024. He mentions having watched approximately 264 shows globally in the past year, contemplating reducing the number to 250 in 2025 to avoid burnout. He encourages listeners to subscribe for more reviews and invites them to share their favorite shows of 2024.
Notable Quote:
"I thought it would be a good idea if I sat down and actually told you about the theatre that I enjoyed last year." — [00:00]
Top 15 Favourite Shows of 2024
Mickey-Jo presents his top 15 favourite theatre productions of 2024, ranking them from 15 to 1. Each ranking includes detailed insights, personal reflections, and notable quotes with timestamps.
15. Les Misérables at Théâtre du Châtelet, Paris
Mickey-Jo praises the gritty and authentic rendition of the classic musical, highlighting the powerful moment where the cast democratizes the experience by engaging directly with the audience.
Notable Quote:
"This doesn't feel like grand, glorious, clean Les Mis. This felt more down to earth, more gritty." — [02:00]
14. Cats: The Jellicle Ball, Off-Broadway
A bold reimagining of the beloved musical, integrating ballroom culture and queer elements, creating a vibrant and inclusive atmosphere.
Notable Quote:
"I love to see authentic queer culture on stage. And it was so cleverly done." — [04:10]
13. The Hills of California by Jez Butterworth
Mickey-Jo commends the play's realistic dialogue and profound character development, particularly lauding Laura Donnelly's dual performance and Sam Mendes' direction.
Notable Quote:
"The writing is so thorough and the characters are so fleshed out." — [06:00]
12. People, Places and Things at Trafalgar Theatre, London
An insightful portrayal of an actress's rehabilitation process, featuring Denise Gough's remarkable performance. The play delves deep into personal transformation and emotional resilience.
Notable Quote:
"An utterly remarkable play, an utterly incredible performance." — [08:06]
11. Pippin in Concert at Theatre Royal Drury Lane
A successful staged concert production that stays true to the original material with minimalistic sets, allowing the music and performances to shine.
Notable Quote:
"They trusted the material enough to just do Pippin in all of its oddity." — [10:00]
10. Prayer for the French Republic, Broadway
A fiery and topical play that explores a Jewish family's dilemma of moving to Israel amidst rising anti-Semitism, praised for its nuanced perspectives and outstanding performances.
Notable Quote:
"It's a revelatory piece of theatre. Just a revelatory piece of theatre." — [12:00]
9. Illinois at St. James Theatre, Broadway
A contemporary dance show that combines storytelling with emotional depth, focusing on mental health struggles portrayed through poignant dance sequences.
Notable Quote:
"The music is beautiful and just rich enough in its lyrics, in its themes." — [14:00]
8. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Ambassadors Theatre, West End
A magical and emotional musical that tells an original story inspired by the reverse-aging concept, featuring standout performances and a quintessentially British touch.
Notable Quote:
"This is probably my biggest recommendation in the West End, especially if you are coming to see something in the world of musical theatre and something of extraordinary quality." — [16:18]
7. The Motive and The Cue, [Venue Unspecified]
Jack Thorne's play offers a deep dive into the actor-director dynamic within a production of Hamlet, showcasing intense character interactions and insightful theatrical processes.
Notable Quote:
"It's such a brilliant insight into the actor's process and the way that we really... investigate the exact characterization of this one interpretation of that character." — [18:00]
6. Suffs, Broadway
A critically acclaimed musical focusing on the suffrage movement with strong intersectionality, addressing racial exclusion and character development amidst historical contexts. Despite closing on Broadway, it leaves a lasting impact and is expected to endure through filmed versions and future productions.
Notable Quote:
"It manages to develop this many different characters simultaneously and feels as though it does justice to all of them." — [20:00]
5. Every Brilliant Thing, Edinburgh Festival Fringe
An emotionally charged play that fosters community and personal reflection through interactive audience participation, leaving a profound impact on attendees.
Notable Quote:
"I became a changed human being for having experienced this show." — [22:45]
4. Cyrano at Park Theatre, London
A stripped-back and contemporary reinterpretation of Cyrano de Bergerac, featuring a queer protagonist and exceptional performances that resonate deeply with modern audiences.
Notable Quote:
"It was damn near a perfect theatrical experience." — [24:25]
3. Two Strangers Carry a Cake Across New York at Criterion Theatre
A charming, witty musical that delivers a relatable character study through a simple yet compelling narrative, evoking nostalgia and emotional investment.
Notable Quote:
"It felt like traveling to the streets of New York, even though you weren't." — [26:36]
2. Stereophonic, Broadway
A play that explores intense interpersonal dynamics within a band, highlighting underlying emotions and power struggles without relying on traditional conflict tropes.
Notable Quote:
"It's not about the tempo that they're playing... It's about everything else that is lingering beneath the surface." — [28:15]
1. Maybe Happy Ending, Broadway
Mickey-Jo crowns this futuristic science fiction musical as his favorite of the year. It narrates the poignant journey of two robots navigating emotions, love, and mortality, serving as an allegory for neurodiversity and the human experience.
Notable Quote:
"It is my new favourite Broadway musical. It's gorgeous, it is charming, it is so, so funny, but it's so smart as well." — [32:52]
Honorable Mentions
Mickey-Jo briefly acknowledges other noteworthy productions that didn't make the top 15 but left a significant impression, including:
- Babies at the Other Palace
- Sunset Boulevard, Broadway
- Cabaret at the KitKat Club
- Come From Away in Gander
Conclusion
Mickey-Jo wraps up the episode by expressing excitement for 2025's theatrical offerings and encourages listeners to share their views on the discussed shows and their personal favorites. He reiterates the importance of subscribing to his channel for ongoing theatre reviews and content.
Notable Quote:
"I'm very excited to find out which shows from 2025 make the list in 12 months time." — [34:00]
Final Thoughts:
This episode provides a comprehensive overview of Mickey-Jo's top theatre selections from 2024, blending personal opinions with critical analysis. Each recommendation is thoughtfully explained, making the summary valuable for both dedicated theatre enthusiasts and casual listeners seeking quality productions to explore.