The Everything Theatre Fringe Theatre Awards, or Etties for short, are simply our fun round up of the past year. Previously, come the end of the year we’ve asked our reviewers to pick some highlights which we would publish as a round up of the best of the year. But in 2022 we decided we should do things a little differently. And that is the Etties.
Obviously we don’t have a team of assessors to go and watch every show, so we aren’t going to pretend these are anything more than a fun way to highlight some of the shows our team have loved in the past year. The shortlists have been put together by looking back at our 4- and 5-star reviews, and then discussing within the team which feel are the very best of the bunch. It’s not the most scientific approach but what awards ever are?
We aim to publish all our shortlists during the w/c 2 January, and then we’ll be announcing the winners on Wednesday 18 January.
Anyone Can Whistle
Southwark Playhouse – April 2022
it is two hours of complete escapism and fun. Never have I seen such a bonkers show, and one where although not everything was understandable, I couldn’t help but smile!
Lucy Vail
Zorro The Musical
Charing Cross Theatre – April 2022
This tongue-in-cheek production has old jokes and a predictable storyline, which are all good things… a funny, toe-tapping and joyful couple of hours. Great fun.
Irene Lloyd
Lift
Southwark Playhouse – May 2022
From the moment the first number is sung by the ensemble the vocal quality takes your breath away. Musically, every single performer is outstanding and the orchestra, positioned above the tech desk barely above the heads of the audience, complements that excellence.
Sara West
Diva: Live From Hell!
Turbine Theatre – August 2022
It’s a brilliantly funny, camp, dark story that demonstrates the acting, singing, tap dancing and all-round brilliance of Luke Bayer and the whole creative team
Lucy Boardman
A Gig For Ghosts
Soho Theatre – October 2022
The music is simply but skilfully presented. It never oversteps its boundary into feeling like we are watching a full-on-musical, but is carefully woven into the organic experience of the ‘gig’.
Dean Wood
La Maupin
Lion and Unicorn Theatre – November 2022
If only all musicals were this totally bonkers, maybe I would reconsider my belief that they should be banished from existence.
Rob Warren
The winner will be announced Wednesday 18 January
