Theatre: the best and worst of 2013
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The five best and worst theatre productions of 2013, chosen by Charles Spencer
Rory Kinnear as Iago and Adrian Lester as Othello in the National Theatre's stunning production of Othello
10:00AM GMT 22 Dec 2013
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1 Othello, National Theatre 
Olivia Vinall as Desdemona, Adrian Lester as Othello at the National Theatre Photo: Alastair Muir
The latest in Nicholas Hytner’s Shakespeare productions, with outstanding performances from Adrian Lester and Rory Kinnear.
2 The Weir, Donmar Warehouse
Ardal O'Hanlon in The Weir at the Donmar Warehouse Photo: Helen Warner
Conor McPherson’s haunting play is a modern classic. Josie Rourke directed a deeply felt production.
Read Charles Spencer's review
3 The Sound of Music, Open Air Theatre, Regent’s Park
Moving: the von Trapp family in The Sound of Music at the Open Air Theatre, Regent's Park Photo: Alastair Muir
Often mocked but secretly loved by most, Rodgers and Hammerstein’s show received a touching al fresco production.
Read Charles Spencer's review
4 Ghosts, Almeida
Ghosts: Lesley Manville as Helene Alving and Jack Lowden as Oswald Alving. Photo: Alastair Muir
Richard Eyre directed a moving production of Ibsen’s dark drama. Lesley Manville is my actress of the year as the guilt-haunted Mrs Alving.
Read Charles Spencer's review
5 Chimerica, Almeida, West End
Cracking: Stephen Campbell Moore as Joe, Sean Gilder as Mel, in 'Chimerica'
This ambitious play by Lucy Kirkwood was the best of the year – funny, sad and heart-stoppingly tense. Thrillingly directed by Lyndsey Turner.
Read Charles Spencer's review
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And the worst of 2013...
1 Hamlet, RSC
Jonathan Slinger as Hamlet Photo: Alastair Muir
Jonathan Slinger’s sarky, sneery performance sold Hamlet desperately short.
Read Charles Spencer's review
2 The Ritual Slaughter of Gorge Mastromas, Royal Court
Preachy moral fable by Dennis Kelly, ploddingly directed by Vicky Featherstone, the Royal Court’s new artistic director.
Read Charles Spencer's review
3 Gastronauts, Royal Court
Andy Clark and Imogen Doel in the Royal Court's Gastronauts Photo: Johan Persson
Another stinker at the Court, combining unfunny sketches about food with a terrible meal that made this member of the audience physically gag. Featherstone needs to raise her game.
Read Charles Spencer's review
4 Nut, National Theatre
Nadine Marshall in Debbie Tucker Green's 'Nut'
The National doesn’t always get it right. This play about inner-city deprivation by debbie tucker green was a whining, self-indulgent stinker.
Read Charles Spencer's review
5 Much Ado About Nothing, Old Vic
James Earl Jones and Vanessa Redgrave in Mark Rylance's Much Ado About Nothing Photo: Alastair Muir
James Earl Jones (82) and Vanessa Redgrave (76) were wheeled out to play Beatrice and Benedick. One admired their pluck but it was dismal.
Read Charles Spencer's review
Ardal O'Hanlon in The Weir at the Donmar Warehouse Photo: Helen Warner
Conor McPherson’s haunting play is a modern classic. Josie Rourke directed a deeply felt production.
Read Charles Spencer's review
3 The Sound of Music, Open Air Theatre, Regent’s Park
Moving: the von Trapp family in The Sound of Music at the Open Air Theatre, Regent's Park Photo: Alastair Muir
Often mocked but secretly loved by most, Rodgers and Hammerstein’s show received a touching al fresco production.
Read Charles Spencer's review
4 Ghosts, Almeida
Ghosts: Lesley Manville as Helene Alving and Jack Lowden as Oswald Alving. Photo: Alastair Muir
Richard Eyre directed a moving production of Ibsen’s dark drama. Lesley Manville is my actress of the year as the guilt-haunted Mrs Alving.
Read Charles Spencer's review
5 Chimerica, Almeida, West End
Cracking: Stephen Campbell Moore as Joe, Sean Gilder as Mel, in 'Chimerica'
This ambitious play by Lucy Kirkwood was the best of the year – funny, sad and heart-stoppingly tense. Thrillingly directed by Lyndsey Turner.
Read Charles Spencer's review
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
And the worst of 2013...
1 Hamlet, RSC
Jonathan Slinger as Hamlet Photo: Alastair Muir
Jonathan Slinger’s sarky, sneery performance sold Hamlet desperately short.
Read Charles Spencer's review
2 The Ritual Slaughter of Gorge Mastromas, Royal Court
Preachy moral fable by Dennis Kelly, ploddingly directed by Vicky Featherstone, the Royal Court’s new artistic director.
Read Charles Spencer's review
3 Gastronauts, Royal Court
Andy Clark and Imogen Doel in the Royal Court's Gastronauts Photo: Johan Persson
Another stinker at the Court, combining unfunny sketches about food with a terrible meal that made this member of the audience physically gag. Featherstone needs to raise her game.
Read Charles Spencer's review
4 Nut, National Theatre
Nadine Marshall in Debbie Tucker Green's 'Nut'
The National doesn’t always get it right. This play about inner-city deprivation by debbie tucker green was a whining, self-indulgent stinker.
Read Charles Spencer's review
5 Much Ado About Nothing, Old Vic
James Earl Jones and Vanessa Redgrave in Mark Rylance's Much Ado About Nothing Photo: Alastair Muir
James Earl Jones (82) and Vanessa Redgrave (76) were wheeled out to play Beatrice and Benedick. One admired their pluck but it was dismal.
Read Charles Spencer's review
