1. Oedipus
Wyndham’s, London; October (runs until 4 January)
Robert Icke’s electric 21st-century version of Sophocles, in which secrecy was said to be in the air “like bleach”. Tremendous performances from Lesley Manville and Mark Strong – and a towering June Watson.
2. The Years
Almeida, London; August
Five shades of feminism. Five glorious, ever-changing actors. Deborah Findlay, Romola Garai, Gina McKee, Anjli Mohindra and Harmony Rose-Bremner triumphed in Eline Arbo’s extraordinary reimagining of Annie Ernaux’s 2008 memoir, interleaving intimate anecdote and public events in 20th-century France. Hurrah: it can be seen at London’s Harold Pinter, 24 January to 19 April.
3. Shifters
Bush, London; March
Lynette Linton’s ardent production of Benedict Lombe’s memory play. With a spiky, fluorescent design from Alex Berry and equally jagged, bright performances from Heather Agyepong and Tosin Cole, who moved around each other as if magnetised.
4. Giant
Royal Court, London; October
A magnificent John Lithgow became Roald Dahl in Mark Rosenblatt’s tightly argued study of antisemitism – remarkably, Rosenblatt’s first play. Directed by Nicholas Hytner with exceptional clarity and conviction, the production transfers to the West End in April.
5. King Lear
Almeida, London; February
Danny Sapani was a truly commanding Lear in Yaël Farber’s dark and swirling production, which featured one of the most lashing-ever storm scenes. Lee Curran’s marvellous dusky lighting made the stage seem to melt.
6. Machinal
Old Vic, London; April
Richard Jones’s skewering production of Sophie Treadwell’s 1928 expressionist drama, based on the real-life story of Ruth Snyder, executed for killing her husband. The cast, finely choreographed by Sarah Fahie, moved together like the pistons of a machine; Rosie Sheehy soared as the woman crushed by hostile circumstances.
7. The Forsyte Saga
Park, London; October
Upturning all expectations, Shaun McKenna and Lin Coghlan’s version of John Galsworthy’s massive novel was enacted in one of the smallest London theatres, with Josh Roche directing this argument against materialism on an almost bare stage. Anna Yates’s costumes traced character and period with beautiful detail: those ties alone told the story.
8. The Buddha of Suburbia
Swan, Stratford-upon-Avon; May
A bold beginning for Daniel Evans and Tamara Harvey’s new regime at the RSC. Emma Rice’s production of Hanif Kureishi’s 1990 novel – adapted with the author – was a whirligig of pleasure and pain.
9. Burnt-Up Love
Finborough, London; November
Extraordinary candlelight turned the tiny Finborough stage into a place of deep shadows for Ché Walker’s fiery production of his play about physical and emotional damage travelling down generations.
10. I Wish You Well: The Gwyneth Paltrow Ski-Trial Musical
Underbelly, Edinburgh; August
Trim and tuneful musical directed by Shiv Rabheru with the unforgettable instruction to the audience: “Deep breath. Smell that. It’s MY VAGINA.”
