Podcasts

Did Lucy Kirkwood write the best play of the century?

We continue our journey through the top plays of the century!

Alex Wood

Sarah Crompton

| Nationwide |

2 October 2026

Declan Conlon and Meera Syal in The Children, © Helen Maybanks

Lead critic Sarah Wood and editoir-in-chief Alex Wood continue their journey through the finest new plays of the 21st century, landing in 2016 and 2017. This episode, Harry Potter hits the stage, climate change becomes a major theme and James Graham has an exceptionally busy year. Plus, new plays by Lucy Kirkwood, Caryl Churchill, Mike Bartlett and a romance from David Eldridge.

Crompton and Wood host a weekly series on all things theatrical. News, views, frank exchanges and lists offer an unmissable guide to what’s happening on stage (and in film and on television) now, in the past and in future.

The podcast can be listened to on various streaming platforms – including Apple Podcasts and Audible. Make sure you subscribe so you never miss an episode!

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Guide

The best plays of the century

Across 2026, WhatsOnStage will be chronicling the best plays of the 21st century – focussing on plays that opened on this side of the Atlantic or exerted a force on British theatremaking. With a new episode every month, expect dissection, analysis and reflection – from critics who were actually at the opening nights in question!

See the Guide