49. The Tempest - Cheek By Jowl at the Barbican

This was another excellent word of mouth purchase, particularly pleasing because The Tempest is quite possibly my favourite Shakespeare – it’s certainly the play I’ve seen the most excellent productions of, even the less lustrous ones have been good. Right back to my very first, though it’s long enough ago to be only the vaguest memory, was memorable for having taken place outside in an actual storm. So perhaps I shouldn’t be surprised to be treated to two superb (if very different) ones within a month of each other – still it’s definitely a thing of joy.

37. The Tempest - The Swan Theatre

Oh, I truly loved this co-production between the RSC and the Little Angel Theatre and was shocked recently to see the London run getting a two star review. All I can say is that I think the reviewer was completely wrong and also possibly a bit of a miserable fart as comparing a brutal Russian production of the play to a version designed for children is rather missing the point, especially as part of the joy of the Tempest is that it can take such polar opposite productions. And this one was utter magic from start to finish, filling me with a childish sort of wonder and glee that is exactly what I want to feel in the theatre and exactly how I would want children to first experience Shakespeare.