GIG REVIEW: Florence and The Machine at The 02

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: ****

WHEN?: Monday 16 February and runs through August 2026

Setlist: Everybody Scream; Witch Dance; Shake It Out; Seven Devils; Big God; Daffodil; Which Witch?; Cosmic Love; Spectrum; You Can Have It All; Music By Men; Buckle; King; The Old Religion; Howl; Heaven Is Here; Sympathy Magic; One Of The Greats; Dog Days Are Over; Free; And Love

Two and a half years ago Florence Welch had an ectopic pregnancy onstage and it’s an experience that informs current album Everybody Scream and gives added weight to her closing chant of ‘Peace is coming’ from final song tonight And Love.

  • Read on for reasons including how Florence’s fans are in debt to her for sharing such honest and raw truths
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PREVIEW/Q&A : How To Get To Heaven From Belfast starring Lisa McGee at BFI Southbank

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WHEN? Tuesday 10 February 2026

HOW TO WATCH? Episodes available on Netflix from Thursday 12 February 2026

McGee created Derry Girls and her follow-up – How To Get To Heaven From Belfast – is about 3 women in their late 30s who investigate the mysterious death of the former schoolfriend they haven’t seen for 20 years.

  • Read on for reasons including how this is recognisably by the creator of Derry Girls but throws a little Scooby Doo-style mystery into the mix as well as some reflection on youth
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PREDICTIONS: Melodifestivalen Heat 3 2026 starring Medina

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

WHEN?: Saturday 14 February 2026 WHERE TO WATCH? SVT 7pm UK time

WHERE?: Kristianstad Arena, Kristianstad

FELICIA triumphed in last week’s Heat 2 as we predicted but even we were surprised by how banging it was and the equally enthusiastic response to it.

  • Read on for reasons including Korslagda, Saga Ludvigsson and Patrik Jean
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THEATRE REVIEW: Dracula starring Cynthia Erivo at the Noel Coward Theatre

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: ****

WHEN?: Monday 9 February, opens 17 February and runs through 30 May 2026 RUNTIME: 130 minutes (no interval)

Erivo (film Wicked) delivers an extraordinarily committed performance in this 20,000-word monologue of a 1-woman Dracula.

  • Read on for reasons including how this is an impressive spectacle of her acting ability that will divide theatre purists who prefer fewer cameras on our stages
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THEATRE REVIEW: Deep Azure by Chadwick Boseman at Sam Wanamaker Playhouse

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: ****1/2

WHEN?: Saturday 7 February, opens 17 February and runs through 11 April 2026 RUNTIME: 195 minutes (including a 20-minute interval)

Respect is due to Black Panther star and Oscar-nominated actor Chadwick Boseman who also wrote this play about US police brutality in 2005 years before his film career took off.

  • Read on for reasons including how this timely material and hip hop template makes for a bold, entertaining and hugely thought provoking evening
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FILM REVIEW: 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple starring Jack O’Connell & Ralph Fiennes

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: ****

The arrival of Jack O’Connell (Cat On A Hot Tin Roof, Apollo Theatre) as a Jimmy Savile-inspired cult leader at the end of last year’s 28 Years Later and the departure of director Danny Boyle left us concerned about the content of this film.

  • Read on for reasons including how this does enough – and quite brilliantly – to make us super excited for the final chapter
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PREDICTIONS: Melodifestivalen Heat 2 2026 starring FELICIA

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

WHEN? Saturday 7 February 2026 WHERE TO WATCH? SVT

WHERE?: Scandinavium, Gothenburg

We predicted last weekend’s Heat 1 100 per cent correctly but think Heat 2 covers such a vast array of different musical styles it’s far less easy to call.

  • Read on for reasons including Arwin, Laila Adèle, Robin Bengtsson and Brandsta City Släckers
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THEATRE REVIEW: Kenrex starring Jack Holden at The Other Palace

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: ****

WHEN? Saturday 31 January 2026, runs through 1 February 2026 Transfers off Broadway 15 April through 27 June 2026 (Ticket link below) RUNTIME: 125 minutes (including a 20-minute interval)

It’s the extraordinary performance by Jack Holden (Cruise) playing multiple roles which is the best reason to see this true crime retelling of the death of town bully Ken McElroy in Skidmore, Missouri in 1981.

  • Read on for reasons including how it will be fascinating to see what the US makes of this British take on a difficult story from its past
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FILM OF THE MONTH : Becoming Victoria Wood (February 2026)

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK? *****

I was 14 when Victoria Wood: As Seen On TV 1st aired in 1985 and suddenly I had comedy sketches so funny I could delightedly recite with my friends at school.

  • Read on for reasons including how it was Wood’s uniqueness which made her success so hard-fought but her reputation everlasting
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THEATRE REVIEW: I’m Sorry, Prime Minister starring Griff Rhys Jones at Apollo Theatre

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Aline Mahrud

WORTH A LOOK?: ***

WHEN?: Saturday 31 January (matinee), opens 12 February and runs through 9 May 2026

Yes, Minister and its sequel Yes, Prime Minister was a BBC political satirical comedy starring Paul Eddington and Nigel Hawthorne lifting the lid on the relationship between politicians and Government that was hugely popular in the 80s.

  • Read on for reasons including how the attempt to do something interesting creatively feels like a missed opportunity
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