By Carron Stacey, A Humdrum Mum
WHEN?: Friday 30 October 2026, tour runs through 23 March 2027
Some six months ago, having heard Knats on 6Music, I booked these tickets for Mr H, as a bit of a surprise really.
By Carron Stacey, A Humdrum Mum
WHEN?: Saturday 31 October 2026, tour runs through 6 November 2026
This is probably the 10th or 11th time we’ve seen them (and by we, I mean my friend and I, not Mr H!).
It’s been quite the year, it’s almost Christmas and what would the festive season be without some recognition of the best of 2026? Over the next 2 months we’ll shortlist five nominees in each of 17 categories for our Oscars, or monstas if you will, of 2026.
The musical hit of the summer transfers from the National Theatre’s intimate Dorfman to the Bridge to tell its story of lesbian and gay support for the miners during their 80s strike. New cast members include Dan Hand as Bromley, Ryan Kopel as Mark and Carl Spencer as Reggie. We said back in June: ‘Don’t miss your chance to see 1 of the best new musicals of the year so far.’ It was longlisted for 3 of our monstas this summer. Runs 12 November 2026 through 8 May 2027. Tickets
By Neil Durham
WORTH A LOOK?: ***1/2
WHEN?: Saturday 24 October and runs through 1 November 2026 RUNTIME: 70 minutes (no interval)
Heated Rivalry is a Canadian TV show and gay love story set in the unlikely world of ice hockey which was a surprise hit this year and has spawned at least 2 musical parodies of which this is 1.
By Neil Durham
WORTH A LOOK?: ***1/2
WHEN?: Friday 23 October 2026 RUNTIME: 20 minutes (no interval)
Can a play ever be too short?
By Neil Durham
WORTH A LOOK?: ***
WHEN?: Saturday 17 October, and ran through 24 October 2026 RUNTIME: 90 minutes (no interval) Plays Edinburgh, Berlin and New York details far below
Oscar winner Swinton makes her New York stage debut next year in this curious monologue about a woman in 1930s Germany who puts on her dead husband’s trousers and never takes them off.
By Neil Durham
WORTH A LOOK?: *****
WHEN?: Thursday 22 October and tour running through 1 November 2026
Setlist: Trash City; Tell That Girl To Shut Up; I Want Your Love; Speedball; Sister Moon; Pressure Times; You’re A Dirtbomb, Lester; The Only One; If Looks Could Kill; Born To Be Sold; Down On You; Revolution Baby; Pay The Ghosts; Landslide Of Love; Baby I Don’t Care; The Impression Of Normalcy; Bad Valentine; Velveteen
We haven’t seen Transvision Vamp live since Portsmouth Guildhall in 1991 and are here for the hits but the added joy of this gig is the occasional nods in the set to lead singer Wendy James’ fascinating continuing solo career.
It’s been quite the year, it’s almost Christmas and what would the festive season be without some recognition of the best of 2026? Over the next 3 months we’ll shortlist five nominees in each of 17 categories for our Oscars, or monstas if you will, of 2026.
By Aline Mahrud
WORTH A LOOK?: ***
WHEN?: Monday 19 October and running through 24 October 2026 RUNTIME: 140 minutes (including a 15-minute interval)
This musical of the 1991 classic Oscar-winning female road movie was 1 of the most eagerly awaited shows this autumn and we see it in its final week at this venue to assess whether it’s any gas left in its tank.
