2023: The best theatre of the year
A drama about the dead, a comedy about the theatre, and clarion songs of acceptance.
It was a year when decision-makers found it hard to let go of bad habits, as discussed in my year-in-review for the Irish Times.
This newsletter is the skeleton key to that article, explaining each decision for each cheer given. Performances, designs, playscripts and productions are narrowed down to shortlists rather than one individual – I like to think these are more enjoyable for a group of people to debate around a table!
The final tally doesn’t divert from the funding hierarchy. The Gate Theatre has 14 mentions in the categories below. The Abbey Theatre is cited seven times. For the first time since I started doing these lists in 2017, Rough Magic is in the top three – appearing five times for its excellent production of The Loved Ones.