The Guardian's acclaimed stage photographer, Tristram Kenton, has unveiled his definitive visual chronicle of the year's most breathtaking theatre and dance productions. Published on Wednesday 24 December 2025, this collection captures the raw emotion, dynamic movement, and theatrical brilliance that defined the UK's cultural landscape over the past twelve months.
A Year of Theatrical Triumphs
Kenton's lens travelled across the nation, from London's West End to regional powerhouses, documenting an extraordinary array of performances. The portfolio is a testament to the vitality of British stagecraft, featuring everything from reimagined classics to bold new works.
Among the standout productions is the National Theatre's production of Hamlet, directed by Robert Hastie and featuring a powerful performance by Hiran Abeysekera in the titular role. The collection also highlights the musical innovation of Scissorhandz at Southwark Playhouse Elephant, written and directed by Bradley Bredeweg and starring Jordan Kai Burnett.
Dance is represented with equal vigour, from the narrative sweep of Northern Ballet's Merlin in Leeds—choreographed and directed by Drew McOnie and featuring Kevin Poeung—to the contemporary energy of Acosta Danza: A Decade in Motion at Sadler's Wells.
Highlights from London and Beyond
The capital's iconic venues feature prominently. At the Royal Opera House, Viola Pantuso is captured in Justin Peck's Everywhere We Go, while Natalia Osipova appears in George Balanchine's Prodigal Son. The enduring legacy of Pina Bausch is celebrated through a shot of Edd Arnold and Emily Castelli in Vollmond at Sadler's Wells.
Kenton's work also shines a light on productions outside London, demonstrating the UK's widespread cultural richness. This includes Frantic Assembly's Lost Atoms at Leicester Curve and A Single Man at Manchester's Aviva Studios.
A Diverse Stage for 2025
The photographs reveal a year marked by artistic diversity and bold storytelling. From the festive twist of Ebony Scrooge at Sadler's Wells East to the psychological intrigue of Dr Freud Will See You Now, Mrs Hitler in London, the range is vast. The collection also encompasses large-scale musicals like The Great Gatsby at the London Coliseum and intimate plays such as The Score at the Theatre Royal Haymarket, starring Nicole Ansari-Cox and Brian Cox.
This visual archive, frozen in time by Kenton's expert eye, serves as a powerful reminder of the collective experience of live performance. It documents not just the actors and dancers, but the directors, choreographers, and creative teams who made 2025 a year to remember on stages across the United Kingdom.
