Apollo / Aeternum / 24 Preludes at Royal Opera House

Presented as part of a mixed bill, Wheeldon’s latest ballet stretched the Royal Ballet’s dancers as he stepped up to the challenge of choreographing to Benjamin Britten’s Sinfonia da Requiem.

The Audience at Gielgud Theatre

The Queen playwright Peter Morgan once more turned his thoughts to all things royal in this drama that explores the secretive meetings between Elizabeth II and her changing Prime Ministers during her 60 year reign.

Billy Budd at London Coliseum

This ENO production saw director David Alden transport Benjamin Britten’s masterpiece through space and time to the inside of a ship at the beginning of the 20th century, universalising and modernising the opera’s tale of good and evil.

Billy Elliot The Musical at Victoria Palace Theatre

Based on the Oscar nominated film, Billy Elliot The Musical’s tale about a young boy’s dream of becoming a ballet dancer has been seen by almost four million people during its eight years in the West End.

The Bodyguard at Adelphi Theatre

Thea Sharrock’s elaborate production brings the much-loved film to life, set to the iconic songs of Whitney Houston, with Heather Headley wowing audiences as the diva leading lady with the voice to match.

Breakin' Convention 10th Anniversary at Sadler's Wells

Sadler’s Wells’ groundbreaking annual festival of hip hop dance offered a weekend of exceptional dance, putting the world’s top B-boys and B-girls, poppers and lockers centre stage.

Cabaret at Savoy Theatre

Rufus Norris’ production proved it had lost none of its punch when it returned with an accomplished Will Young as the eccentric Emcee and Michelle Ryan as the iconic Sally Bowles leading the story of debauchery.

Caligula at London Coliseum

Relocating Detlev Glanert's opera to the stands of a modern stadium, Benedict Andrews crammed his production with political references in order to portray the tyranny and violence of Albert Camus’ play about the notorious Roman Emperor.

Chariots Of Fire at Gielgud Theatre

A production whose success was as fast as a sprinter but had the stamina of a marathon runner, Chariots Of Fire’s tale of determination and competition caught the zeitgeist of the Olympic summer.

A Chorus Line at London Palladium

This faithful revival made theatrical history, marking the first time in almost 35 years the seminal production had been seen in the West End and was directed by Bob Avian, the co-choreographer of the original production.

Cinderella: A Fairytale at St James Theatre

Veering away from the now more famous Disney-influenced story and taking the plot back to its Brothers Grimm roots, Sally Cookson's Christmas offering was touching and packed full of theatrical creativity.

Constellations at Duke of York's Theatre

Nick Payne’s critically acclaimed drama took a heartbreaking love story and mixed it with quantum multiverse theory to create a unique piece where conversations and meetings are replayed with changing results.

The Curious Incident Of The Dog In The Night-Time at Apollo Theatre

Adapted by Simon Stephens, The Curious Incident Of The Dog In The Night-Time brought Mark Haddon’s best-selling novel about a teenager with behavioural differences to the stage in a production that embraced theatricality.

A Doll's House at Young Vic

In the hands of playwright Simon Stephens and director Carrie Cracknell, Henrik Ibsen’s 19th century story of a strong woman pushed too far by lies and deception was given a fresh feeling of modern resonance.

The Effect at National Theatre Cottesloe

The latest play by ENRON writer Lucy Prebble, The Effect explored the world of clinical trials and mental health leaving audiences questioning who was on the placebo and which relationships were real.

Einstein On The Beach at Barbican Theatre

Audiences were invited to enter and exit at their leisure for this production of Philip Glass’ five hour opera, which, steeped in director Robert Wilson’s trademark style, juxtaposed a series of powerful recurrent images with choreographer Lucinda Childs’ abstract dance sequences.

Encounters: Dry Ice & You're Not Like The Other Girls Chrissy at Bush Theatre

Set in 1945 Paris, Caroline Horton’s intimate portrait of one woman’s experience of love and war had audiences both emotionally gripped and roaring with laughter right up to its touching and personal conclusion.

The Flying Dutchman at London Coliseum

With Edward Gardner conducting, English National Opera’s Orchestra and Chorus excelled themselves in the Jonathan Kent-directed production of Wagner’s great opera, which portrayed the action as a young girl’s dream.

Goodnight Mister Tom at Phoenix Theatre

David Wood’s heart-warming adaptation of Michelle Magorian’s classic World War II drama starred Oliver Ford Davies in the title role and won praise for its warm re-telling and nostalgic staging.

Hansel And Gretel at National Theatre Cottesloe

Writer Lucy Kirkwood and award-winning director Katie Mitchell collaborated to create this National Theatre Christmas hit and added their own unique twist on the classic story, packing the enchanting production full of songs and plenty of rhyme.

Hedda Gabler at Old Vic

Double Olivier Award winner Sheridan Smith led the cast of this Old Vic production of Ibsen’s classic that found humour where others miss it and brought an operatic grandeur to the seminal play.

In The Locked Room / Ghost Patrol at Royal Opera House

This double bill of one act contemporary operas – the first a tale of dark obsession, the second of two war veterans reuniting only to be destroyed by memories of trauma – showcased the best of new opera.

The Judas Kiss at Duke of York's Theatre

The story of Oscar Wilde and his fall from grace captivated theatregoers, with Rupert Everett shining as the iconic Irish writer and Freddie Fox growing into a stage force as his lover Bosie.

Julius Caesar at Donmar Warehouse

The all-female cast of Shakespeare’s political drama made a big impact with Phyllida Lloyd’s prison-set production that set the Bard’s classic alongside modern trappings including celebrity gossip and Krispy Kremes.

Kiss Me, Kate at Old Vic

Trevor Nunn’s slick revival of Cole Porter’s comedy musical had audiences at the Old Vic theatre in stitches with a hilariously larger than life production, sensational cast, slick staging and magnificent costumes.

The Last Of The Haussmans at National Theatre Lyttelton

Stephen Beresford’s new play saw Julie Walters return to the London stage in this touching, witty tale of changing eras and people who cling to their past way of life despite the onward movement of time.

Long Day’s Journey Into Night at Apollo Theatre

Eugene O’Neill’s Pulitzer Prize-winning masterpiece returned to the London stage with David Suchet leading the talented cast in this semi-autobiographical tale of addiction, old wounds reopened and old arguments revisited.

Loserville at Garrick Theatre

Bringing geek chic to the West End, the US high school-set tale, written by former Busted star James Bourne and Elliot Davis, mixed musical theatre with the youthful energy of pop to create a feeling all of its own.

Macbeth at Trafalgar Studios 1

The first production of Jamie Lloyd’s Trafalgar Transformed season, this Macbeth was a dirty, grimy affair set in a post-apocalyptic world where warriors wielded whatever they could find and witches wore gas masks.

The Master And Margarita at Barbican Theatre

Mikhail Bulgakov’s epic story was captured in all its bizarre, magical and passionate glory in an electric staging that crammed every scene with imaginative devices and uniquely stunning visual tricks.

Matilda The Musical at Cambridge Theatre

The combined genius of the RSC and musician and comedian Tim Minchin, Matilda The Musical hopes to add an eighth Olivier Award to its brimming collection following its overwhelming success at last year’s ceremony.

Matthew Bourne's Sleeping Beauty at New Wimbledon Theatre

Metamorphosis: Titian 2012 at Royal Opera House

The Royal Ballet's Metamorphosis: Titian 2012 offered the unique opportunity for a trio of leading choreographers Liam Scarlett, Will Tuckett and Jonathan Watkins to collaborate on this single piece of ground breaking dance.

Mixed: Viscera at Royal Opera House

Liam Scarlett, Artist in Residence at the Royal Ballet, created a thrilling piece in three segments, which performed with skill and ferocity as part of a triple bill. Swift ensemble passages contrasted with meditative duets.

Nederlands Dans Theater 2 - Mixed Bill at Sadler's Wells

Ekman’s witty piece, presented as part of an NDT2 triple bill, brought a full company of 16 to the stage, each with their own cactus, gently mocking our desire to force an interpretation on everything.

NSFW at Royal Court Jerwood Theatre Downstairs

Set in the world of a dubious lads’ magazine, Lucy Kirkwood’s latest play explored the portrayal and treatment of women in the media, tackling power games and privacy with a witty edge.

Old Times at Harold Pinter Theatre

Ian Rickson's impeccably stylish production of Harold Pinter's ambiguous memory play returned to the London stage 40 years after its premiere with leading ladies – Kristin Scott Thomas and Lia Williams – who regularly alternated roles.

The Phantom Of The Opera at Her Majesty's Theatre

The combination of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s mesmerising score, jaw-dropping scenery and breath-taking special effects has made The Phantom Of The Opera one of the West End’s longest running musicals.

Red Velvet at Tricycle Theatre

The first production of Indhu Rubasingham’s tenure as Tricycle theatre Artistic Director, Red Velvet saw Olivier winner Adrian Lester give a powerful performance as black American actor Ira Aldridge in his wife Lolita Chakrabarti’s striking play.

Robert Le Diable at Royal Opera House

The first London production of Meyerbeer’s opera to be staged since 1890, Laurent Pelly’s version of Robert Le Diable reintroduced the capital’s audiences to music that set the benchmark for 19th century opera.

Room On The Broom at Lyric Theatre

With infectious songs, colourful costumes and plenty of silly humour, theatre company Tall Stories brought Julia Donaldson’s hugely popular picture book to life on stage and had little theatregoers and parents alike singing along.

Rusalka at Royal Opera House

The Royal Opera House’s production of Dvořák’s operatic tale of a water nymph longing for human love gave tenor Bryan Hymel the opportunity to soar and shine as the story’s erring Prince.

Scottish Ballet - A Streetcar Named Desire at Sadler's Wells

A victory for creative collaboration, director Nancy Meckler and choreographer Annabelle Lopez Ochoa combined for this memorable, striking dance interpretation of Tennessee Williams’ passionate, tragic tale, full of sentiment and set pieces.

Soul Sister at Savoy Theatre

Beginning life at the Hackney Empire, following its critically acclaimed world premiere the musical based on the dramatic life and songs of Tina Turner moved into the West End with Emi Wokoma thrilling audiences as the songstress.

Sweeney Todd at Adelphi Theatre

Jonathan Church’s critically acclaimed production starred nominees Michael Ball and Imelda Staunton as the blood-thirsty demon barber and pie-loving Mrs Lovett, and entranced audiences with its suitably dark and grimy take on Sondheim’s classic.

This House at National Theatre Olivier

James Graham’s scintillating new play takes audiences into the heart of parliament at a time when every vote counts in a tense, exciting and complex drama that proved a hit with audiences and critics alike.

Top Hat at Aldwych Theatre

Bringing the glamour of the golden age of Hollywood to the West End stage, Matthew White’s sumptuous production features slick tap dances, classic songs, elegant costumes and old-fashioned razzmatazz.

La Traviata at London Coliseum

One of Europe’s leading opera directors, Peter Konwitschny made some radical changes to Verdi’s well-known opera, exposing the piece’s emotional truths on a minimalist set in a condensed 110-minute production, which served to accentuate the passions of the story and its characters.

Les Troyens at Royal Opera House

David McVicar relocated Berlioz’s Troyan war tale to the Crimea era, complete with fire-breathing Troyan horse, in this epic production, the first new version of this opera to be staged at the Royal Opera House in 40 years.

Twelfth Night at Apollo Theatre

Shakespeare’s Globe’s all-male production of Twelfth Night, with Mark Rylance reviving his previous Olivier Award nominated performance as Olivia, brought Bardic laughter to audiences both at the Globe and, after its transfer, at the Apollo.

Wicked at Apollo Victoria Theatre

Now in its seventh spell-binding year in the West End, Oz-based musical Wicked hopes to have its fellow nominees turning green with envy by becoming the first show ever to win this public-voted award twice.

Wild Swans at Young Vic

With a unique and inventive design that exposed new layers and tricks throughout the production, the Young Vic achieved the near impossible in converting a 700-page book covering three generations into a 90-minute stage production.

You Me Bum Bum Train at Barbican Theatre

This unique immersive theatrical experience ingeniously conceived by artists Kate Bond and Morgan Lloyd brought a new meaning to audience participation as audience members embarked on a life-affirming journey through a series of locations and scenarios.