These are a few of our favourite things

Arts celebrate turning 50 by taking a look at the shows you love

Saturday Night Fever

This is a lively show with sensational choreography. The collaboration of fast stylistic routines and 70s disco classics gave the production vibrant energy and life, and certainly had me singing in my seat.

Rebecca Child

Blood Brothers

Is a musical for people who didn’t think they liked musicals. Set in 60s Liverpool, it tells the story of twin brothers tragically separated at birth. With big, catchy numbers and lots of laughter the story is enrapturing, and when the final song draws to an end there is not a dry eye in the house.

Kayleigh Excell

First come tears of laughter, then come tears of pain as every hair on the back of your neck stands up. I have never been so moved by a play.

Amy Harrison

The Rocky Horror Show

I saw this and enjoyed the vibrant culture of the evening; especially the stockings and eye makeup.

Ross Eales

I’ve been to see The Rocky Horror Show twice and it just gets better, and Jason Donovan in suspenders is a sight I shall never forget!

Cat Richards

We Will Rock You

An amazing show with loads of wonderful music, very good actors and a brilliantly funny story. A respectful tribute to one of the best bands ever!

Natalia Popova

Gisèle

Gisèle is one of the most thought-provoking and ethereal ballets in existence, covering betrayal, devotion and love both before and beyond the grave. Its treatment of love as bittersweet, a mixture of extreme happiness and consuming madness, is realistic and heart-rending.

Tasha Prest-Smith

The Woman in Black

Definitely the scariest and simplest play I have ever watched. As the two actors enact the drama the message is ‘less is more’.

Amy Harrison

Miss Saigon

My favourite show is Miss Saigon. I first saw it when I was little, and I

was transfixed by the glittering comparison between East and West,

especially during wartime.

Claudia Pang

Under Milk Wood

This was a brilliant show to launch the Wales Theatre Company. Dylan Thomas’ affectionate depiction of Welsh community was handled masterfully by a talented cast. Funny and touching.

Kim O’Connor

Fuertzabruta

Unlike anything I have ever seen – a storm of images, music andsensation. The paddling pool above the audience’s heads brought outthe excited child in all of us.

Kim O’Connor

Tap Dogs

An energetic take on tap dance, these athletic Aussies manage to incorporate angle grinders and scaffolding into their passionate performance.

Rosanne White

Ship of Fools

I love the Knee High theatre company, particularly their version of Ship of Fools. They have a very distinct style, telling the story through a collaboration of dance, comedy and stage illusions.

Jessie Collins

Edward Scissorhands

I really liked Matthew Bourne’s ballet production of Edward Scissorhands that came to Cardiff last year. It provided an alternative medium of storytelling and promoted individual interpretation.

Josie Wiltshire

Out of Sight, Out of Murder

I loved Act One’s production of Out of Sight, Out of Murder performed last year. The play used comic satire to mock the classic ‘whodunit’ mysteries and was highly entertaining.

Rebecca Child

Trainspotting

This was an extremely convincing and compelling show, portraying the lure of heroin culture. It was a vein-tapping, loo-diving virtuoso piece and a deliciously entertaining play that had me enthralled.

Rebecca Child

Mappa Mundi

Are a company that always do fun and inventive productions of classics like Shakespeare and Chaucer. They’re performing Moll Flandersat the Sherman Theatre soon – don’t miss it!

Kim O’Connor

At Swim, Two Boys

I’d wanted to see an Earthfall performance for ages and this did notdisappoint: magical, engaging and completely original. At Swim, Two

Boys is a beautifully poignant story that was translated perfectly forthe stage in this production.

Kim O’Connor

The Blue Man Group

You never quite know where you stand with this spectacle. It is visually, audibly and tangibly marvellous, challenging theatre as we know it.

Amy Harrison

Les Misérables

Love this musical; I saw it in London for my twenty-first and thought it was fantastic! It has so much energy to it with strong and beautiful voices, excellent choreography and amazing set design.

Rebecca Manley

Grease

Grease has been going over thirty years. Its catchy songs, dance routines and loveable characters will undoubtedly keep it going for at least another thirty years.

Amy Harrison

Mary Poppins

One of the best shows ever, with an amazing performance by the two child-stars. Even the parents couldn’t resist singing along to the cheerful music. A truly heart-warming show.

Natalia Popova

Sound of Music

I sneaked into the Sound of Music Sing-a-Long for free and it was fabulous! Everyone was dressed up and waved edelweiss flowers when the famous song played.

Claire Power

Cabaret

A musical for people who don’t do musicals. Dark, unsettling and the dude from Gimme Gimme Gimme gets butt naked!

Hollie Clemence

West Side Story

A couple of years ago I went to see West Side Story. The singers and the dancers were amazing. I particularly enjoyed seeing them perform ‘America’. I would definitely go see it again if I had the chance.

Sarah Vine

Chicago

This play oozes with passion and sexuality. Raw and edgy, it captures the 1920s gangster vibe and makes you want to be part of it.

Amy Harrison