By Aline Mahrud
WORTH A LOOK?: *****
Secret gay ice hockey romance Heated Rivalry is so groundbreaking because it uses sex as character development in worlds where homosexual relationships are taboo.
By Aline Mahrud
WORTH A LOOK?: ****
WHEN? Wednesday 28 January, tour returns to Mighty Hoopla 30 May 2026
Setlist: 24 Hours; Here Comes The Night; Milk; Trigger; Ego; Balenciaga Covered Eyes; Fingers Crossed; Love And Appreication; Release Me
Scandipop appears to be having a moment in the UK currently with Zara Larsson’s Lush Life in the top 10, A-Teens returning to Melodifestivalen with something special and the release of the 1st great album of the year, Beautiful Madness by Agnes.
WHEN? Saturday 31 January 2026 8pm UK time WHERE TO WATCH? SVT
WHERE?: Saab Arena, Linköping
Melodifestivalen 2026 kicks off in fine style in its 66th year with the promising reunion of A-Teens who had UK hits with Upside Down and Halfway Around The World as well as 2 ABBA covers a quarter of a century ago.
By Neil Durham
WORTH A LOOK?: ****
WHEN? Monday 26 January, opens 4 February and runs through 21 March 2026 RUNTIME: 170 minutes (including a 20-minute interval)
Tom Stoppard died in November and 1993’s Arcadia is considered to be his masterpiece which makes this undercast revival all the more curious.
By Neil Durham
WORTH A LOOK?: ***
WHEN? Saturday 24 January, opens 30 January and runs through 14 March 2026 RUNTIME: 165 minutes (including a 20 minute interval)
Bret Easton Ellis’ cult 1991 yuppie serial killer novel American Psycho turned 2000 film starring Christian Bale never really screamed to become a musical.
WORTH A LOOK?: *****
Tracklist: Interlude; Beautiful Madness; Trigger; Got Any?; Milk; Focus; Wake Up; Balenciaga Covered Eyes; Not Capable; Ego; Masterpiece; Sign It; Pre; Lovesongs; Uterus & Universe
‘Life is a beautiful madness, and it’s when we stop chasing perfection that the truly interesting things happen,’ says Agnes as she releases this new album and prepares to headline London’s KOKO next week where we join her.
Erivo won our 2024 Best TV/Film Actress monsta for Wicked and recently starred in its sequel which was our 2025 Best Film. Here she is the sole focus of attention in a 1-woman Dracula directed by Kip Williams (The Picture Of Dorian Gray, Theatre Royal Haymarket) which runs at the Noel Coward Theatre 4 February through 30 May 2026. Tickets The 1st 3 preview performances have now been cancelled.
WORTH A LOOK?: ****
Talk To Me is the 2nd single from Robyn’s new album Sexistential which cements a sound reminiscent of 2010’s Body Talk trilogy during which she won most acclaim.
By Aline Mahrud
WHERE? Gärdehov, Sundsvall WHEN? Saturday 28 February 2026 WHERE TO WATCH? SVT
Nielsen is the 2nd former Melodifestivalen winner competing in its 66th year and finished 3rd in Copenhagen in 2014 singing the gorgeous Undo.
By Neil Durham
WORTH A LOOK?: *****
WHEN? Saturday 17 January, opens 22 January and runs through 21 February 2026 RUNTIME: 100 minutes (without interval)
A pregnant couple make small talk and play guessing games as they await the result of their 20-week scan.
