Theatre is meant to move, divide, thrill and sometimes completely disappoint. From West End giants to smaller gems, here’s my unapologetically honest breakdown of the most overrated, most underrated, and absolute best theatre productions I’ve seen.
Agree, disagree this is my stage, and I’m not holding back.
THE MOST OVERRATED MUSICAL – Hadestown
I’ve already written a full article explaining why Hadestown left me cold (read it here), but let me say this: for a show with so much buzz, it completely failed to deliver. It’s moody, messy, and tries far too hard to be profound without earning it. Hades isn’t the only thing stuck underground so is the storytelling.
Hot Take: Just because a musical is different, doesn’t mean it’s deep.
THE MOST OVERRATED PLAY – Lyonesse
Reading the synopsis, I was all in. A reclusive actress re-emerging after 30 years? Secrets, fame, mystery? Sign me up. But Lyonesse was a chaotic disappointment. Despite a powerhouse cast with Kristin Scott Thomas and Lily James, the plot was muddled, and many scenes felt completely unhinged.
Hot Take: A good concept doesn’t save a bad script even when the stars are dazzling.
THE BEST MUSICAL – White Rose the Musical
One of the most powerful off-West End productions I’ve seen in a long time. The White Rose tells the harrowing true story of Sophie and Hans Scholl, siblings who resisted the Nazi regime with courage and intellect. The writing was sharp, the score haunting, and the performances unforgettable especially Collette Guitart, whose voice and presence lit up the stage. Tobias Turley as Hans was equally compelling, and together they made this story sing (literally and emotionally).
Hot Take: The White Rose deserves a West End run, now. London needs this show.
THE BEST PLAY – Harry Potter and the Cursed Child
I saw this on my 18th birthday, and yes, I’m a lifelong potterhead but even with that bias, this play stands tall. The production is mind-blowing, the effects are unlike anything else in theatre, and the script has both emotional depth and humor. It’s not just nostalgia it’s genuinely spellbinding theatre.
Hot Take: It’s not just for fans. Even Muggles would be enchanted.
THE MOST UNDERRATED PLAY – Touching the Void
This 2019 production adapted from Joe Simpson’s mountaineering memoir is still lodged in my memory like a pickaxe on an icy cliff. Visually breathtaking, emotionally raw, and gripping from start to finish, this play delivered something most shows struggle to: pure adrenaline on stage. Directed by Tom Morris (of War Horse fame), it deserved a longer run and wider recognition.
Hot Take: If this ever comes back, drop everything and go. It’s a masterclass in tension and storytelling.
Theatre isn’t just about what’s popular it’s about what moves you. Sometimes the shows with all the hype fall flat, and the ones you least expect sneak up and shake your soul. These hot takes aren’t meant to be the final word they’re meant to start a conversation.
So whether you’re nodding along or furiously disagreeing, let’s keep talking about the magic (and madness) of the stage.