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our theatre resolutions for 2026 | what we want to see, do, and create this year...
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As January draws to a close, Mickey-Jo and his stagey fiancé @AeronJames are once more talking through their theatrical resolutions for the coming year.
By taking a look at the goals they set this time last year, Mickey-Jo and Aeron are refocusing their priorities for theatregoing, content creation and travel.
These include theatres they'd like to visit, countries they're eager to return to and a handful more theatre themed goals for 2026.
check out Mickey-Jo's brand new substack newsletter:
www.mickeyjotheatre.substack.com
About Mickey-Jo:
As one of the leading voices in theatre criticism on a social platform, Mickey-Jo is pioneering a new medium for a dwindling field. His YouTube channel: MickeyJoTheatre is the largest worldwide in terms of dedicated theatre criticism, where he also share features, news and interviews as well as lifestyle content for over 95,000 subscribers. With a viewership that is largely split between the US and the UK he has been fortunate enough to be able to work with PR, Marketing, and Social Media representatives for shows in New York, London, Edinburgh, Hamburg, Toronto, Sao Pãolo, and Paris. His reviews and features have also been published by WhatsOnStage, for whom he was a panelist to help curate nominees for their 2023 and 2024 Awards as well as BroadwayWorldUK, Musicals Magazine and LondonTheatre.co.uk. Instagram/TikTok/X: @MickeyJoTheatre
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John Proctor is the Villain (Jerwood Theatre Downstairs, Royal Court, London) - ★★★★★ REVIEW
29:06|After thrilling Broadway audiences at the Booth theatre last year, JOHN PROCTOR IS THE VILLAIN has arrived at the Royal Court Theatre in London, 70 years after The Crucible was produced at the venue, for its professional UK premiere.The play, written by Kimberly Belflower, follows a group of students in 2018 Georgia responding to personal and academic questions as they study Arthur Miller's allegorical work at the height of the MeToo movement.After Mickey-Jo's 4th visit to the play, here are his thoughts on why it's been delighting audiences as well as the new cast members and subtle differences in the London production.check out Mickey-Jo's brand new substack newsletter:www.mickeyjotheatre.substack.com•00:00 | introduction02:22 | themes / synopsis11:54 | performances (spoilers)26:15 | conclusionwho is the villain in THE LAST 5 YEARS? | Mickey-Jo's thoughts on the toxic relationship in the musical
29:23|In the 25 years since it premiered, audiences have been debating which of the characters in The Last Five Years is at fault for the end of their relationship.The musical, written by Jason Robert Brown, follows the dual perspectives of Cathy Hyatt, an aspiring actress, and Jamie Wellerstein, a successful novelists, on their 5 year relationship.Productions have previously starred Norbert Leo Butz, Sherie Rene Scott, Nick Jonas, Adrienne Warren, Rachel Zegler, Ben Platt, Jonathan Bailey, Samantha Barks, and more.While many are quickly to denounce Jamie for his shortcomings, Mickey-Jo is finally sharing his perhaps controversial thoughts about the musical's true villain...check out Mickey-Jo's brand new substack newsletter:www.mickeyjotheatre.substack.com•00:00 | introduction03:35 | Jamie is the villain15:42 | Cathy is the villain27:06 | they're both the problem•Waitress starring Carrie Hope Fletcher (UK Tour) - ★★★★ REVIEW
21:35|The fan favourite musical WAITRESS, seen on Broadway and in the West End, is back on stage in a new UK Tour starring Carrie Hope Fletcher as Jenna.The musical, based on the film of the same name features a book by Jessie Nelson and a score from Sara Bareilles, and also stars Dan Partridge, Les Dennis, Sandra Marvin, Evelyn Hoskins, Mark Anderson, and more.Check out what Mickey-Jo thought of the new cast members including Carrie as well as how his feelings towards the show have developed, and what he discovered about it on my 5th visit...•00:00 | introduction02:14 | material / overview08:34 | Carrie Hope Fletcher as Jenna15:13 | the supporting cast20:35 | conclusionhow GLEE saved Broadway | the stars who found stage success in the decade since the hit TV show
28:03|Right now, it seems like there are more Glee alumni on stage in New York than ever before, and it made Mickey-Jo wonder about the impact of the TV show on the theatre industry in the years since it debuted.From Lea Michele in Funny Girl to Matthew Morrison in Just in Time, plenty of Glee cast members have either made their stage debut or returned to Broadway after finding fame on screen, and it has often afforded these productions a significant box office boost.Check out the full video essay for a recap of all of the stage careers that arose after Glee, as well as Mickey-Jo's thoughts on how the TV show has helped Broadway during a challenging chapter, and why audiences are showing up for the former members of New Directions...check out Mickey-Jo's brand new substack newsletter:www.mickeyjotheatre.substack.com•00:00 | introduction02:52 | the Broadway returns11:38 | the stage debuts20:33 | did Glee save Broadway?27:10 | conclusionMickey-Jo and Aeron James' 2026 Olivier Awards predictions | who will win at this year's London Theatre awards
49:50|With the 2026 Olivier Awards fast approaching, Mickey-Jo and his stagey fiancé @AeronJames are finally sharing our predictions for the upcoming ceremony.Check out which productions, actors, and creatives we think (and hope) will win next weekend from nominees including Paddington the Musical, Into the Woods, Kenrex, 1536, All My Sons, Evita, Inter Alia, and more.Check out today's new video for their thoughts and make sure to comment down below with all of yours!•00:00 | introduction01:57 | productions14:04 | creatives30:04 | performances 48:32 | conclusionRomeo and Juliet starring Sadie Sink and Noah Jupe (Harold Pinter Theatre, West End) - ★★★★ REVIEW
35:21|Earlier this week, Mickey-Jo was invited to review the press night performance of ROMEO & JULIET at the Harold Pinter Theatre in London.This new production of the Shakespearean tragedy has been directed by Robert Icke and stars Noah Jupe (Hamnet) and Sadie Sink (John Proctor is the Villain).Check out what Mickey-Jo thought of this bold, new staging and its leading performances...•00:00 | introduction02:04 | this production12:51 | performancces23:04 | creative choices (spoilers)33:32 | conclusionKinky Boots starring Johannes Radebe and Matt Cardle (London Coliseum, West End) - ★★★★ REVIEW
35:51|KINKY BOOTS is back in London, in a new production which opened first at Curve Leicester before touring the UK and Europe.This revival of the popular musical stars Johannes Radebe as Lola alongside Matt Cardle as Charlie Price.Check out what Mickey-Jo thought of this production, its design, and its performances and find out where Mickey-Jo thought it improved on the original version...•00:00 | introduction02:01 | material / overview12:38 | performances23:55 | creative choices34:20 | conclusionJoey Contreras on the rise of IN PIECES | writer / composer talks the new musical's London run | INTERVIEW
17:17|The contemporary musical theatre song cycle IN PIECES has become a fan favourite show, and played sold out concert performances this week at the Other Palace Theatre in London.Before seeing the final show, Mickey-Jo sat down with writer / composer Joey Contreras to discuss the show's inspirations, development, and fan reception.Comment down below with who you'd love to see me to interview next!check out Mickey-Jo's brand new substack newsletter:www.mickeyjotheatre.substack.comthe top new plays to see in London? | reviews of Choir Boy, Slippery, Summerfolk, and Jaja's African Hair Braiding)
48:28|Mickey-Jo is sharing reviews of four plays he's seen in the last couple of weeks in London:• Summerfolk at the National Theatre• Slippery at the Omnibus Theatre• Jaja's African Hair Braiding at the Lyric, Hammersmith• Choir Boy at Stratford EastCheck out what Mickey-Jo thought of the writing, creative choices, and performances in each!check out Mickey-Jo's brand new substack newsletter:www.mickeyjotheatre.substack.com•00:00 | introduction02:32 | Summerfolk13:33 | Slippery22:30 | Jaja's African Hair Braiding35:11 | Choir Boy47:30 | conclusion