Theatre: the best and worst of 2013 2 The Weir, Donmar Warehouse Ardal O'Hanlon in The Weir at the Donmar Warehouse Photo: Helen Warner Conor McPherson's haunting play is a modern classic. Josie Rourke directed a deeply felt production. Read Charles Spencer's review 3 The Sound of Music, Open Air Theatre, Regent's Park Moving: the von Trapp family in The Sound of Music at the Open Air Theatre, Regent's Park Photo: Alastair Muir Often mocked but secretly loved by most, Rodgers and Hammerstein's show received a touching al fresco production. 4 Ghosts, Almeida Ghosts: Lesley Manville as Helene Alving and Jack Lowden as Oswald Alving. Richard Eyre directed a moving production of Ibsen's dark drama. Lesley Manville is my actress of the year as the guilt-haunted Mrs Alving. 5 Chimerica, Almeida, West End Cracking: Stephen Campbell Moore as Joe, Sean Gilder as Mel, in 'Chimerica' This ambitious play by Lucy Kirkwood was the best of the year - funny, sad and heart-stoppingly tense. Thrillingly directed by Lyndsey Turner. 1 Hamlet, RSC Jonathan Slinger as Hamlet Photo: Alastair Muir Jonathan Slinger's sarky, sneery performance sold Hamlet desperately short. 2 The Ritual Slaughter of Gorge Mastromas, Royal Court Preachy moral fable by Dennis Kelly, ploddingly directed by Vicky Featherstone, the Royal Court's new artistic director. 3 Gastronauts, Royal Court Andy Clark and Imogen Doel in the Royal Court's Gastronauts Photo: Johan Persson Another stinker at the Court, combining unfunny sketches about food with a terrible meal that made this member of the audience physically gag. Featherstone needs to raise her game. 4 Nut, National Theatre Nadine Marshall in Debbie Tucker Green's 'Nut' The National doesn't always get it right. This play about inner-city deprivation by debbie tucker green was a whining, self-indulgent stinker. 5 Much Ado About Nothing, Old Vic James Earl Jones and Vanessa Redgrave in Mark Rylance's Much Ado About Nothing Photo: Alastair Muir James Earl Jones (82) and Vanessa Redgrave (76) were wheeled out to play Beatrice and Benedick. One admired their pluck but it was dismal. READ: Theatre review of the year 2013