Paul Vale

Some people can be terrified of deadlines, but as a less-than-dynamic individual, I have always rather liked them. Lent has always provided a fantastic deadline and – in theory at least – it helps that it starts at the tail-end of winter and ends in the Spring (with chocolate). My last few Lenten endeavours have been lacklustre, but this year I am hoping to make it count. I have found it really difficult to keep my weight under control as I get older, and privation is not always the answer.

Now that 2022 is out of the way, it’s traditional that I try to make a list of my favourite shows of the year. It’s a difficult task and wholly personal, but these are the shows that piqued my interest both in London and Edinburgh. I’ve tried not to include transfers of productions that I saw in 2021 or before, so Rob Madge’s wonderful My Son’s A Queer (But What Can You Do?) isn’t on the list.

Due to an overloaded work schedule and some major stress about traveling I finally got to catch up with Gene David Kirk’s revival of Ben Kavanagh’s The Convert at Above The Stag. It had been a long first-week back at work and although still another week away, there are hints of the celebrations to come, as Vauxhall readies itself for Pride. Purely from a business perspective, I’m sure Pride weekend will be a massive boost to the economy of the area – Soho too.