I have seen over 120 shows so far in 2026. While we are not at the end of the year just yet, August, with its focus on Fringe festivals, feels an apt time to pause and reflect on what I have seen so far.
This week, I am presenting my Top 50 of the year so far! These are the shows that have either stuck with me or have been memorable productions.*
*It does not necessarily correlate to review rating!
40. The Price
Arthur Miller’s exploration of familial resentment and the 1929 Wall Street Crash received a dense, atmospheric revival. This production at Marylebone Theatre, with Henry Goodman, unpacked the brutal costs of duty and sacrifice between two estranged brothers trapped in their father’s past. Check out my review here.
39. Les Liaisons Dangereuses
Aidan Turner and Lesley Manville were electric in Marianne Elliott’s lavish Les Liaisons Dangereuses. Check out my review here.
38. Children of the Night
Danielle Phillips was electric in this moving 90s club culture drama, which provided a vital look at Northern identity amid the backdrop of Britain’s first heterosexual HIV cluster. Check out my review here.
37. The Virgins
Miriam Battye’s The Virgins was a brutally awkward, “Inbetweeners-style” coming-of-age comedy and a bold look at teenage self-discovery. Check out my review here.
36. Summerfolk
Sophie Rundle and Alex Lawther shone in the National Theatre’s lavish revival of Summerfolk which, with its modern approach, brought much of Gorky’s social satire to the fore, combined with a gorgeous design. Check out my review here.
35. Springwood
Robert Lindsay and Jemma Redgrave starred in Richard Nelson’s captivating new historical drama. A sharp look at the 1939 royal visit to FDR’s estate on the brink of global warfare. Check out my review here.
34. Jaja’s African Hair Braiding
The vibrant world of a Harlem salon was brought to life in Jaja’s African Hair Braiding, which landed in London from Broadway and explores Jocelyn Bioh’s poignant look at sisterhood and identity. Check out my review here.
33. Manic Street Creature
Maimuna Memon was sensational in the revival of Manic Street Creature. A raw, lyrical “gig theatre” study of mental health and the toll on carers. Check out my review here.
32. 1.17am, or until the words run out
Catherine Ashdown and Eileen Duffy starred in a raw, claustrophobic look at loss, grief and friendship. Check out my review here.
31. An Ideal Husband
Modern power, timeless scandals. This very funny 21st-century reimagining of Oscar Wilde’s classic explored political corruption and reputation through a vibrant, high-energy lens. Check out my review here.
