As a theatre addict, I’ve seen many shows over the years but these three have a special place in my heart. Yes, yes I know…it’s not an earth shattering revelation that musical theatre and gay men go together like a horse and carriage…but hey…what can I say?!

Avenue Q

I got a press night freebie for the opening of the London production in June 2006 and left the theatre on cloud nine. Avenue Q is absolute gem of a show with astonishingly good performances, technical brilliance and catchy tunes. Clever, very funny, joyful, cheeky and ultimately uplifting, it’s the only show that’s mades me say “I wish I’d thought of that”. Saw it again at Christmas 2007 (with most of the original main cast members) and with a new cast in October 2008.

Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street

The first time I saw Sweeney Todd was at the National Theatre in 1993 with the most extraordinary cast including Alun Armstrong, Julia McKenzie, Dennis Quilley and Adrian Lester. I find it difficult to put in to words how it felt to be watching that level of performance, it was almost an out-of-body experience! What do I like about Sweeney Todd? The wonderful songwriting, the humour and Mrs Lovett. I saw the reworked production at Trafalgar Studios in 2004 which was very enjoyable but lacked the scale and power that a full orchestra brings. I was deeply skeptical when the movie version was announced but am pleased to say they did an amazing version.

Rent

The London production opened in 1998 at the Shaftesbury Theatre and I fell in love with the show. Saw that production twice I think and also in 2003 when it returned to the West End after a UK tour. Above all the thing that I love most about Rent is the music and the energy of the performances. I was going to say that I’d love to see Rent on Broadway one day but in writing this page, I visited the official site and was saddened to see it is closing in September after a 12 year run. In January 2008, I was unlucky enough to see Rent Remixed in the West End…but let’s sweep that one firmly under the carpet…