Best plays of 2018: London theatre highlights

The Wild Duck, Almeida Theatre ★★★★★

Robert Icke made Ibsen's 1884 tragicomedy feel bracingly fresh in a production that blurred the boundaries of performance to examine the inherent conceit of storytelling. Over a pacy three hours he fleshed out Ibsen’s imagery, showing lies and secrets buried in cosy domesticy, while undercutting our understanding of truth and redemption.

Summer and Smoke, Almeida and Duke of York's Theatre ★★★★★

Tennessee Williams's lesser known story of anxiety, desire and desperation earned its place in the canon with the Almeida's immensely moving revival. Pasty Ferran brought intensity to the role of preacher's daughter Alma. And after the glowing reviews it was no surprise when the show transferred to the West End.

Company, Gielgud Theatre ★★★★★

With its gender switch up, tweaked lyrics and shift to the present day, Marianne Elliott's production of Stephen Sondheim's 1970 musical comedy Company was a timely watch in 2018. The story follows 35-year-old singleton Bobbie (a relatable and hugely likeable Rosalie Craig), whose friends cannot understand why she hasn't settled down with a husband yet. But are they truly any better off for being married?

The Lieutenant Of Inishmore, Noel Coward Theatre ★★★★★

Poldark’s Aidan Turner brought a new spin on the cliche of crazy cat lover in his crackling, wickedly funny West End debut. He prowled around the stage with a gun in each hand in this uproarious revival of Martin McDonagh's 2001 satire The Lieutenant Of Inishmore.

The Inheritance, Young Vic and Noel Coward Theatre ★★★★★

Like 2018's answer to Angels in America, this two-part epic explored legacy in the life of a group of gay men. The Inheritance was a touching, funny, often painful story of loss, grief and the ways in which we learn from the past. The impressive Young Vic premiere prompted a West End transfer.

Julius Caesar, The Bridge Theatre review ★★★★★

Bass lines soared, feet stamped and campaign posters flurried through the crowd in Nick Hytner’s promenade production of Julius Caesar. The combination of gig, political rally and rich rhetoric felt especially timely and made Shakespeare's history into an immersive vision of fake news culture.

Somnai immersive experience, London review ★★★★★

Over 90 minutes – across a 20,000 sq. ft. Clerkenwell warehouse – live performance, multi-sensory elements and immersive technologies merged in Sonmai. The result is a cryptic augmented reality experience, that took audiences on a lucid dreaming journey.

Nine Night, National Theatre ★★★★★

Nine Night was a bombastic debut from actor turned writer Natasha Gordon. Starting off with the death of matriarch Gloria, it charted three generations of grieving in a Jamaican family.

We were charmed, amused and moved in equal measure at the National Theatre premiere in May. Happily for those that missed it at the Dorfman, Nine Night's transferring to the West End.

The King and I, Palladium Theatre ★★★★★

This resplendent revival of The King and I made getting to know Rogers and Hammerstein’s classic 1951 musical a pure pleasure. The glossy production captured the charm and escapist glamour of a story that can feel all too problematic to contemporary audiences.

Girls and Boys, Royal Court Theatre ★★★★★

In just 70 minutes, all alone on an aqua-coloured stage, Carey Mulligan took us from ribald laughter to icy devastation. Dennis Kelly's monologue melded mischievous comedy and gut-wrenching darkness to scrutinise a marriage, from first encounter to final blow.