By Carron Stacey, A Humdrum Mum
WHEN? Friday 20 February through 3 May 2026
What better to blow away the wet cobwebs of this dingy start to the year than to experience Youth Sector?
WORTH A LOOK?: *****
Goodrem had 5 UK top 10 singles, a number 2 album with Innocent Eyes in 2003 and at the time of writing – 22 song reveals – her Eclipse is our favourite Eurovision entry.
By Neil Durham
WHEN? Tuesday 24 February 2026
HOW TO WATCH? Final 4 episodes of season 4 now available on Netflix. Season 5 and 6 to air
ITV This Morning’s host Alison Hammond makes for a sympathetic and enthusiastic host as we view episode 5 of season 4 of this Netflix period behemoth amidst an audience of mostly women who clap, cheer and whoop their way through the most enjoyable big screen way to watch an episode of Bridgerton.
By Neil Durham
WORTH A LOOK?: ****
WHEN?: Tuesday 3 February and ran through 5 February 2026
Musical theatre festival MTFestUK is a collection of 6 new pieces shared in 60-minute workshop form and Tristan is the new work composed by Bloc Party’s Kele Okereke (Leave To Remain, Lyric Theatre Hammersmith).
WHEN?: Saturday 7 March 2025 7pm UK time WHERE TO WATCH? SVT
WHERE?: Strawberry Arena, Stockholm
Melodifestivalen cements its position as Eurovision’s greatest selection show with this 66th final that includes the return of 2 former winners, a boy/girl group reunited after more than 20 years apart, a novelty TV character and 1 song capable of winning in Vienna in May.
Turner (Lemons, Lemons, Lemons, Harold Pinter Theatre) and Melville (Oedipus, Wyndham’s Theatre) star in Marianne Elliott’s (COCK, Ambassadors Theatre) take on Christopher Hampton’s sexy adaptation of Choderlos de Laclos’ classic novel. Runs at the National’s Lyttelton Theatre 21 March through 6 June 2026. Tickets
WHEN?: Saturday 28 February March 2025 7pm UK time WHERE TO WATCH? SVT
WHERE?: Gärdehov Arena, Sundsval
The final heat of Melfest 2026 is its most competitive with the return of a former winner and the arrival of the sole American Song Contest victor.
By Aline Mahrud
WORTH A LOOK?: ***
WHEN?: Saturday 14 February (matinee) and runs through 28 February 2026
Patrick Marber (The Producers, Garrick Theatre) reimagines Strindberg on the eve of Labour’s 1945 election win as the daughter of a powerful MP sparks a forbidden flirtation with her father’s chauffeur.
WORTH A LOOK?: *****
Now this is how you make a splash when releasing your first new music for 22 years.
By Neil Durham
WORTH A LOOK?: ****1/2
WHEN?: Saturday 21 February, opens 3 March and runs through 18 April 2026 RUNTIME: 120 minutes without interval
This venue has a strong recent record of reviving Arthur Miller plays including A View From The Bridge and Death Of A Salesman and this lesser known work deserves to be considered in the same sentence as those.
