Theatre in 2012 started with confirmation of my worst prejudices: an ex-West End South Pacific touring the provinces with a tediously competent production which lacked both energy and imagination.

Never mind – compensation in the post with new brochures from the NT & Chichester (now they do know how to stage a musical), and exciting news about the Globe casting for the summer: Sam Barnett (hugely likeable on stage and adorable on Twitter) , Mark Rylance (awe-inspiring in Jerusalem) & Johnny Flynn (last seen by me on stage supporting Mumford and Sons) in the all-male productions of Twelfth Night and Richard III.  Since Jamie Parker (Guildernstern to Sam’s Rosencrantz at Chichester last summer – or was it the other way round?) is already confirmed to be Henry V, I am investing in comfortable shoes, waterproofs/suncream as required and getting ready to be a groundling.