2014 has been a busy year. Choosing memorable moments from the 194 shows I had reviewed in these 12 months is a mind-bending exercise, but a wonderful opportunity that shows just how amazing and vibrant, theatre people are in Sydney. Thank you to artists, companies, publicists and punters who continue to support Suzy Goes See. Have a lovely holiday season and a happy new year! Now on to the Best Of 2014 list (all in random order)…

Suzy x

♥ Avant Garde Angels
The bravest and most creatively experimental works in 2014.

• Tell Me Again (The Old 505 Theatre / Eye Of The Storm)
• Fragments Of I Am (The Nest)
• Oedipus Rex (Belvoir St Theatre)
• Cain And Abel (Belvoir St Theatre / The Rabble)
• Six Characters In Search Of An Author (Sydney University Dramatic Society)

♥ Quirky Questers
The most unusual and colourful characters to appear on our stages in 2014.

• Renelle Loretta Jones in Sink Or Swim (Short+ Sweet Dance)
• Anne Wilson in Pastor Dorcas (Short+ Sweet Cabaret)
• Ford Sarhan in Love Song
• Karli Evans and Karena Thomas in This Is My Box
• The Chorus in Phaedra

♥ Design Doyennes
Outstanding visual design in 2014. Fabulous lights, sets and costumes.

• All’s Well That Ends Well (Sport For Jove Theatre)
• Manon (The Australian Ballet)
• The God Of Hell (Mophead Productions)
• Strictly Ballroom (Bazmark Productions)
• Benjamin Brockman, lighting designer for more than a few independent productions

♥ Darlings Of Dance
Breathtaking brilliance in the dance space of 2014.

• Shaun Parker, choreographer for Am I and Rika’s Story
• Stephen Colyer, choreographer and director for Falsettos
• Mau, company for Stones In Her Mouth

♥ Musical Marvels
Outstanding performers in cabaret and musicals in 2014.

• Katrina Retallick in Falsettos and Ruthless!
• Tamlyn Henderson in Falsettos
• Diana Perini in Privates On Parade
• Martin Crewes in Sweet Charity
• Andrew Worboys in Love, Death And An American Guitar, Sweet Charity and Truth, Beauty And A Picture Of You

♥ Second Fiddle Superstars
Scene-stealers of 2014 in supporting roles.

• Brett O’Neill in The Drowsy Chaperone
• Eryn Jean Norvill in The Government Inspector
• Nigel Turner-Carroll in The Motherfucker With The Hat and Thank You For Being A Friend
• Jeremy Waters in Scenes From An Execution and Lobby Hero
• Dorian Nkono in Lobby Hero and Blue/Orange

♥ Ensemble Excellence
Casts in 2014 rich with chemistry and talent.

• Shakespeare’s Reservoir Dogs
• This Is Our Youth
• Trainspotting
• Perplex
• Scenes From An Execution

♥ Champs Of Comedy
Best comedic performances of 2014.

• Paige Gardiner in Mr Kolpert and The Young Tycoons
• Helen Thomson in Children Of The Sun
• Jay James-Moody, star and director of The Drowsy Chaperone
• Aaron Glenane of Gruesome Playground Injuries
• Robin Goldsworthy in Twelfth Night
• David Woodland in Wittenberg, Wolf Lullaby and Heaven Help Us

♥ Daredevils Of Drama
Best actors in dramatic roles in 2014.

• Brendan Cowell in Once In Royal David’s City
• Sarah Peirse in Switzerland
• Andrew Henry in Howie The Rookie
• Peter Carroll in Oedipus Rex
• Hunter Page-Lochard in Brothers Wreck
• Lucy Miller in Scenes From An Execution and Sweeney Todd

♥ Wise With Words
Best new scripts of 2014.

• Kryptonite by Sue Smith
• Switzerland by Joanna Murray-Smith
• Once In Royal David’s City by Michael Gow
• Unholy Ghosts by Campion Decent
• The Boat People by Benedict Hardie
• Bad Day Insurance by Lisa Chappell

♥ Directorial Dominance
Best direction in 2014.

• Damien Ryan for Twelfth Night, All’s Well That Ends Well and Henry V
• Anna Crawford for Dark Voyager and Blue/Orange
• James Dalton for Mr Kolpert and Cough
• Anthony Skuse for Stop Kiss, Bite Me, Constellations and On The Shore Of The Wide World
• Sarah Giles for Perplex

♥ Shows Of The Year
The mighty Top 10.

• Children Of The Sun (Sydney Theatre Company)
• Perplex (Sydney Theatre Company)
• Falsettos (Darlinghurst Theatre Company)
• Gruesome Playground Injuries (The Kings Collective)
• Oedipus Rex (Belvoir Street Theatre)
• Scenes From An Execution (Tooth and Sinew / SITCO)
• Am I (Shaun Parker & Co)
• Mr Kolpert (Pantsguys / ATYP)
• Dark Voyager (Ensemble Theatre)
• Ruthless! (The Theatre Division)

♥ Suzy’s Special Soft Spot
A special mention for the diversity of cultures that have featured in its programming this year.

• ATYP

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Best of 2018 | Best of 2017 | Best of 2016 | Best of 2015 | Best Of 2013