For obvious reasons, 2020 will be the year in which I saw fewer shows than in any of the last 60 years - just two, and two concerts. Having gone down to London on 16th March especially to see City of Angels, we arrived at the Garrick to be told that the decision to close the theatre had been made half an hour earlier! Another 9 shows we had already booked for later in the year were, of course, cancelled.

I found Wuthering Heights, at  Manchester's Royal Exchange, rather odd, especially the way Heathcliffe was played. Nevertheless it was a gripping production. Street Scene, by Opera North at The Lowry was very well done. My only gripe was the setting - in the apartment block, not in the street. The street set at Hull Truck when I saw it in 2011 was much more effective.

Both concerts were by the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra at the Media Studios in Salford. The 90+ piece orchestra is as amazing to watch as it is to listen to!

After months of 'lockdown' I was eagerly looking forward to theatres opening again in July. Unfortunatey the first production I saw, On Before, didn't live up to expectations. Carlos Acosta was such an exciting dancer last time I saw him but this production was less 'dance' and more 'movement to music'.

Around the World in 80 Days at the York Theatre Royal was very inventive and great fun. The theatre has been re-designed to great effect since I was last there many years ago.

I first saw Cliff perform live in 1961 and have seen him many times since. In the live relay from the Royal Albert Hall his performance was as enjoyable as ever.

I thought Quirijn de Lang had a great voice in Trouble in Tahiti but the best half of the double bill was the West Side Story Symphonic Dances.

In December, before the new Covid variant took hold, I was able to see four shows. Cabaret was a theatrical experience I shall never forget. The production and the performances in the re-vamped theatre were just incredible. I was very impressed by Lloyd Weber's new version of Cinderella. Ivano Turco and Georgina Onuorah were wonderful in the lead roles  and Victoria Hamilton-Barrit as the stepmother was terrific.

The worldwide success of Hamilton leaves me bewildered! Because the words were inaudible I couldn't follow the plot and therefore couldn't relate to anyone. The music and dancing were so repetative yet each number was cheered to the rafters. I guess it's a generational thing!.

I only went to the theatre 6 times this year which is about a fifth of my usual pre-lockdown number. However what I did see was of a high standard. Carlos Acosta's production of Don Quixote for the Birmingham Royal Ballet was excellent. I had not seen the ballet before and loved the lively music and great dancing. Mathias Dingman as Basilo was outstanding.

Another  show I had not seen before was Utopia Limited - a rarely done G & S opera. I thoroughly enjoyed it and thought the Act II septet was a great number.

Crazy For You is not a particular favourite of mine but the inventive choreography at Chichester was amazing. Charlie Stemp is a wonderful dancer but, for me, lacks warmth.

A first visit to Hope Mill Theatre in Manchester was delightful. Based in an old mill, it is not the smartest of venues but has an intimacy and individuality that many theatres lack. For a long time I have loved the music of Rodgers & Hammerstein's Cinderella and have recordings of Julie Andrews US TV version from 1957, Yana at the London Coliseum in 1959 and a video of Brandy in the 1990's - but it I had not seen it on stage before. It was a highly polished production even if it didn't quite attain the standard of Brandy's version! The stand-out performance was by Julie Yammanee.