I have been privileged to be able to some absolutely phenomenal performances this year. I have listed my top 15 standout performers of 2022 below.
1) FELICIA BOSWELL
ROLE: FAYE TREADWELL
SHOW: THE DRIFTERS GIRL
Felicia Boswell made her West End debut this year in The Drifters Girl. Coming from Broadway to takeover as Faye Treadwell from Beverley Knight, Boswell made the role her own. She gave some incredible vocal performances throughout and her acting skills really showed both the strength and emotions felt by the character.
London is privileged to have witnessed her talent this year and I'm keeping my fingers crossed that she stays in the UK to do another show.
2) MARISHA WALLACE
ROLE: ADO ANNIE
SHOW: OKLAHOMA!
Marisha Wallace was knockout as Ado Annie in this years revival of Oklahoma! at the Young Vic. For the first time, this character was more than just the comedy sidekick and Wallace gave her a whole new depth which made you fall in love with her for different reasons that previous incarnations. Her rendition of I Cain't Say No blew the roof off and the audience went wild.
Wallace will not be returning to the show for its West End transfer in 2023 as she will be joining the cast of the revival of Guys and Dolls in the role of Miss Adelaide which I cannot wait to see.
3) TOSH WANOGHO-MAUD
ROLE: BEN E. KING, RUDY LEWIS & OTHERS
SHOW: THE DRIFTERS GIRL
Tosh Wanogho-Maud is a sensational performer. He is a real vocal & physical chameleon. With each character he portrayed in The Drifters Girl he changed every aspect of his voice & physicality with utter precision. His rendition of Stand By Me was an epic vocal performance. I was privileged to be at the closing night of The Drifters Girl and I will remember his performance for a very long time. It was the first time I've ever witnessed a standing ovation in the middle of Act 1!
Wanogho-Maud will be joining the cast of Ain't Too Proud as David Ruffin for its London premiere, opening in March 2023.
4) ME'SHA BRYAN
ROLE: CELIE
SHOW: THE COLOR PURPLE
Me'sha Bryan beautifully lead the cast of The Color Purple as Celie and was truly breathtaking to watch. She completely inhabited the part and whether she was in her teens or her 40's, you unequivocally believed her characterisation. I felt every single emotion and her portrayal was beautiful and sensitive. Her innocence as a youngster and growth throughout were utterly believable. Her singing voice was incredible too.
5) ALICE FEARN
ROLE: BEVERLEY, ANNETTE & OTHERS
SHOW: COME FROM AWAY
Alice Fearn has long been one of my favourite performers and I was so glad I got to see her perform in Come From Away this year. As Beverley she sublimely portrayed raw emotion and passion and she provided the standout moment of the show with her performance of Me & The Sky, which ripped my heart out.
Not sure what's next for Fearn, but she is part of the brand new studio cast recording of Footballers Wives The Musical which sounds awesome so fingers crossed that it will make it to the stage in 2023.
6) FRANCES McNAMEE
ROLE: ELIZABETH LAINE
SHOW: GIRL FROM THE NORTH COUNTRY
Frances McNamee was triumphant in Girl From The North Country as Elizabeth who is obviously suffering from a mental disturbance and McNamee's characterisation was sensitive and fantastically unwavering. She was on stage for almost the entire show and was utterly faultless. When it came to her vocals, she was breathtaking. By far the standout star of the piece for me. Although not one of my favourite overall shows of the year, I'd see it again just to witness her fantastic performance.
7) BEN JOYCE
ROLE: FRANKIE VALLI
SHOW: JERSEY BOYS
I am a huge fan of Jersey Boys and have seen it many times over the years and Ben Joyce has to be the best Frankie Valli I have ever seen. Not only did he nail the vocals, but his acting skills were fantastic. He is the first person in the role who genuinely moved me to tears and that's something that's not easy to do!
Joyce is currently playing Marty McFly in Back To The Future in the West End. I haven't seen him in it yet, but I'll definitely be booking soon.
8) DANIELLE STEERS
ROLE: LADY
SHOW: THE CHER SHOW
Danielle Steers gave a phenomenal performance in the UK tour of The Cher Show. Not only was her voice incredible but she really embodied the role & had small characteristics & Cher-isms, such as the hair toss, that were so on point it was as if she was actually channeling Cher!
9) ESH ALLADI
ROLE: ZAFAR
SHOW: THE P WORD
In The P Word, Esh Alladi played Zafar who is in London claiming asylum, fearing for his life if he is sent back to Pakistan. Alladi portrays his characters fears and vulnerability exceptionally throughout the performance and really drew you into his soul.
When Alladi broke character at the end of the play and addressed the audience, the shocking realism of the unjust asylum system punches you in the gut. His acting skills helped him gain a place on this list. He is the only performer who made it onto the list who was not part of a musical this year.
10) BREE SMITH
ROLE: SHUG
SHOW: THE COLOR PURPLE
As Shug, Bree Smith gave a stunning performance and made you fall in love with her from the very start. When she sang Too beautiful For Words I was in awe of her talent. She told her characters story with heartfelt elegance and I hope to see Smith in other roles in the future. A simply stunning performance within a truly remarkable production.
11) ADAM BAILEY
ROLE: BOB GAUDIO
SHOW: JERSEY BOYS
Simply put, Adam Bailey as Bob Guadio is a genius bit of casting. He is perfect for the role and portrays the young Bob's innocence with believable beauty and you really see his character grow. He also has a stunning singing voice and gives the performance of the first act with his rendition of Cry For Me. Bailey continues in the role in the current West End cast of Jersey Boys and his brilliance has to be seen to be believed.
12) KEVIN FULLINCK
ROLE: BARRY & OTHERS
SHOW: JERSEY BOYS
Kevin Fullinck opens Jersey Boys as he explodes onto the stage to lead the company in the opening number of Ces Soirées-La, and sets an electric atmosphere in the theatre which lasts the entirety of the show. Fullinck appears as various characters throughout and has an incredible voice which, in my opinion, is underused. I would love to see him in the lead role of Frankie Valli one day. Could Fullinck be the first person of colour to portray the singer? I think so.
Fullinck is the only ensemble member to make it onto this list but his performance was too good to be ignored. I look forward to seeing him in the show again very soon.
13) JONATHAN ANDREW HUME
ROLE: KEVIN J, ALI & OTHERS
SHOW: COME FROM AWAY
The greatest versatility in Come From Away was shown by Jonathan Andrew Hume because his two main characters were both so different. As Ali he shows vulnerability and great emotion and his other character Kevin is hilariously camp and very much over dramatic. He has some of the best lines in the whole show and has you crying with laughter! He is a real presence on the stage and I find myself constantly drawn to watching him throughout.
14) LIZZIE BEA
ROLE: SISTER MARY ROBERT
SHOW: SISTER ACT
Rising musical theatre star Lizzie Bea shone throughout her portrayal of wavering nun Sister Mary Robert in Sister Act. This young actress deserves a multitude of awards for this role. She played the part with utter believability and was so lovable. Her performance of The Life I Never Led was beautiful and powerful and the audience erupted with well deserved applause at its conclusion. If you don't already know the name Lizzie Bea then you will very soon. She's the next big name in musical theatre. Bea continues in this role in the touring production of Sister Act until January 2024.
15) ANOUSHKA LUCAS
ROLE: LAUREY
SHOW: OKLAHOMA!
Anoushka Lucas brought a real humility to the character of Laurey in this years revival of Oklahoma! at the Young Vic, and wasn't as prim & proper as expected. She had a whole new take on this classic character which was fresh and joyous to witness. She had a beautiful singing voice and I am excited to see what the future holds for this talented performer.
Neill Kovacic-Clarke
Disclaimer: All views are my own and I pride myself on being honest and free from influence. Some of my top performers were in shows for which I had received invites, which means my tickets were gifted, but this has not played a part in these performers featuring on this list. To the best of my knowledge, all information is correct at the time of writing this article.