WORTH A LOOK?: ****
Next month the LP which won our monsta for Best Album of 2025 – Antidepressants by Suede – is released in an expanded version and this is 1 of the new tracks featured on it.
By Carron Stacey, A Humdrum Mum
WHEN?: Saturday 20 June, tour runs through 31 October 2026
Not being a fan of The O2 at dizzying heights, we managed to get arena floor seats and after some argy-bargy with the security (removing high-up signs), we managed to get fantastic views, despite being a seated gig. I think the special early bar helped with that, to be honest.
By Carron Stacey, A Humdrum Mum
WHEN?: 19 June 2026 and touring through 1 September 2026
Loved their early singles, liked most of the later ones, so why haven’t we been to see them before? We love Andy McCluskey when he appears as any talking head, so we knew we’d love them on stage.
By Neil Durham
WORTH A LOOK?: ****
WHEN? Sunday 21 June, opens 24 June and runs through 22 August 2026 RUNTIME: 90 minutes (no interval)
We really weren’t expecting to love this new musical as much as we did and we wonder whether it is its creators’ fondness for the awkward British humour of Ricky Gervais, Stephen Merchant and the Pythons that won us over.
By Aline Mahrud
WORTH A LOOK?: **** RUNTIME: 70 minutes (without interval)
WHEN?: Monday 22 June, opens 30 June and runs through 15 August 2026
Meet troubled police officer Joe, played by Russell Tovey (Constellations, Vaudeville Theatre), who takes a series of 999 calls in this real-time thriller set in London.
By Neil Durham
WORTH A LOOK?: ***1/2
WHEN? Saturday 20 June, opens 29 June and runs through 18 July 2026 RUNTIME: 160 minutes (including a 20-minute interval)
Seeing this play on this night at this venue has long been an ambition.
By Neil Durham
WORTH A LOOK?: ***
WHEN? Friday 19 June, runs through 21 June 2026 RUNTIME: 85 minutes (no interval)
The big draw of this workshop production of a new musical is the central role for the Olivier Award-nominated Jo Foster (Into The Woods, Bridge Theatre and Why Am I So Single?, Garrick Theatre).
WORTH A LOOK?: ****
Debut LP Pop Said was 1 of our favourites of 1989 and The Darling Buds return with their 1st new album for 34 years at the end of next month.
By Neil Durham
WORTH A LOOK?: ***1/2
WHEN? Sunday 14 June, opens 23 June and runs through 6 September 2026 RUNTIME: 85 minutes (no interval)
Hot Mess was shortlisted for our Best New Musical 2025 monsta and last year we said of it: ‘We’d definitely recommend catching it on this short run and wouldn’t be at all surprised if it scorches its way to the West End next.’
By Neil Durham
WORTH A LOOK?: **** RUNTIME: 145 minutes
It’s almost half a century since director Steven Spielberg helmed Close Encounters Of The Third Kind and his 1st film since 2022’s The Fabelmans is his best since 2002’s Minority Report.
