THEATRE REVIEW: Thelma And Louise starring Amy Lennox and Rachel Tucker at the Young Vic

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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.

  • Read on for reasons including how the biggest injustice in this show is how the 5* story receives 2* songs
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THEATRE REVIEW: Table 17 starring Marisha Wallace and Jamael Westman at the Kiln Theatre

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By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: ***1/2

WHEN?: Tuesday 6 October, runs through 24 October 2026 RUNTIME: 95 minutes (no interval)

Welcome to the titular Table 17 where Jada and Dallas are attempting to rekindle their romance and leave 7 years of baggage outside the restaurant.

  • Read on for reasons including how we think this Table 17 will find a West End venue for its next encounter
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THEATRE REVIEW: The Pianist starring Daniel Krikler at the Park Theatre

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By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: ****

WHEN?: Saturday 17 October, opens 22 October and runs through 28 November 2026 RUNTIME: 130 minutes (including a 20-minute interval)

This is the new musical version of the life of Polish-Jewish pianist Władysław Szpilman during World War 2, a story which won 3 Oscars in its 2002 celluloid incarnation starring Adrien Brody.

  • Read on for reasons including how we’re here for monsta-longlisted star Daniel Krikler
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GIG REVIEW: Antony Szmierek at 02 Academy Bournemouth

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By Carron Stacey, A Humdrum Mum

WHEN?: Friday 16 October 2026, tour runs through 6 February 2027

This was a birthday present for Mr H, but I did like The Heron, from his second album Decoding Birdsong, out earlier this year.

  • Read on for reasons including why we all need to channel our inner Szmierek. Be more heron, be more Antony
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THEATRE REVIEW: The Lives Of Others starring Keira Knightley and Luke Thompson at the Adelphi Theatre

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By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: ***

WHEN?: Friday 16 October, opens 29 October and runs through 28 November 2026 RUNTIME: 130 minutes (no interval)

Adapter/director Robert Icke’s most recent leading ladies have gone on to awards success including Sadie Sink (Stage Debut Award for Romeo and Juliet) and a Best Actress Olivier and Tony for Lesley Manville (Oedipus)

  • Read on for reasons including how Keira Knightley was last on stage in 2011
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AWARDS SHORTLIST: MONSTAS: Best Film/TV Actor of 2026

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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.

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FILM REVIEW: Ink starring Jack O’Connell, Guy Pearce & Claire Foy at the London Film Festival

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Aline Mahrud

WORTH A LOOK?: *****

Official UK release date: 8 January 2027 RUNTIME: 116 minutes

Ink very much positions itself as the precursor to HBO’s much-garlanded TV series Succession which was thought by many to have been inspired by Rupert Murdoch and his family’s fight for control of a global media and entertainment conglomerate.

  • Read on for reasons including how we look forward already to the awards glory Ink seems set for early next year
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THEATRE REVIEW: Ilford Boy starring Leo Whitfield Harris, Craig Stein, Ria Zmitrowicz & Lindsey Coulson at the Donmar Warehouse

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By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: ****

WHEN?: Monday 12 October, opens 20 October and runs through 28 November 2026 RUNTIME: 155 minutes (including a 20-minute interval)

It’s the day of his nan’s funeral and impressionable 14-year-old Ted meets his mum’s gay best friend and suddenly his world doesn’t feel so lonely.

  • Read on for reasons including how this is 1 of the best new plays of the year so far
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GIG REVIEW: Gene at Camden Roundhouse

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By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: ****

WHEN?: Saturday 10 October tour runs through 1 May 2027

Setlist: Be My Light, Be My Guide; Sick, Sober and Sorry; We Could Be Kings; As Good As It Gets; Truth, Rest Your Head; Still Can’t Find The Phone; Save Me; I’m Yours; Where Are They Now?; You’ll Never Walk Again; Left For Dust; Speak To Me Someone; Yours For The Taking; Tristan; Sleep Well Tonight; Fighting Fit; Haunted By You; Supermarket Bombscare; London, Can You Wait?; Olympian; Somewhere In The World; For The Dead; Don’t Let Me Down

‘We learned 35 songs for these 2 shows which is a world record for the Saga health generation,’ Gene lead singer Martin Rossiter tells the audience at this 2nd Camden Roundhouse gig.

  • Read on for reasons including how we wouldn’t bet against new material and more dates soon
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AWARDS SHORTLIST: MONSTAS: Best Venue of 2026

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

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.

Read on for the nominees for the monsta for Best Venue Previous winners 2025 London Palladium; 2024 @SohoPlace 2023 Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre, 2022: The Kit Kat Club at the Playhouse Theatre for Cabaret Tickets Review 1 2021: Gillian Lynne Theatre 2020: Bridge Theatre, 2019: Old Vic, 2018: Bush Theatre

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