THEATRE REVIEW: A Mirrored Monet: The Musical starring Dean John-Wilson at Charing Cross Theatre

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Aline Mahrud

WORTH A LOOK?: ***

WHEN? Tuesday 17 March, opens 24 March and runs through 9 May 2026 RUNTIME: 140 minutes (including 20-minute interval)

The best thing about this musical of the life of French painter and founder of the Impressionists Monet is when his wife contemplates their relationship in 11pm number There Are No Stars.

  • Read on for reasons including whether Monet’s story benefitted from musical form and why the songs weren’t better
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THEATRE REVIEW: Teeth ‘n’ Smiles starring Rebecca Lucy Taylor – Self Esteem – and Phil Daniels at Duke Of York’s Theatre

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By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: *****

WHEN?: Saturday 14 March, opens 25 March and runs through 6 June 2026 RUNTIME: 150 minutes (including a 20-minute interval)

Three-quarters of the way through this revival of a David Hare play with music which originally starred Helen Mirren its new star Rebecca Lucy Taylor, better known as Self Esteem, sits on the steps leading up to the stage and plays a new song she has written herself solo on the guitar as her character finds her voice.

  • Read on for reasons including how Self Esteem updates this work with new material that brings real soul and authenticity to it
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GIG REVIEW: Sigrid at Camden Roundhouse

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By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: ****

WHEN?: Friday 13 March 2026, tour runs through 30 August 2026

Setlist: I’ll Always Be Your Girl; Burning Bridges; Kiss The Sky; Borderline; Sucker Punch; Jellyfish; Head On Fire; High Five; Mirror; Two Years; Hush Baby, Hurry Slowly; Don’t Feel Like Crying; Do It Again; Have You Heard This Song Before; There’s Always More That I Could Say; Home To You; Dynamite; The Hype; Eternal Sunshine; It Gets Dark; Fort Knox; Don’t Kill My Vibe; Strangers

We last saw Sigrid live when she headlined Wembley Arena in 2022 and tonight she sells out a hip north London venue that better reflects 3rd album There’s Always More That I Could Say.

  • Read on for reasons including what a songwriting and performing giant Sigrid remains
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THEATRE REVIEW: The Holy Rosenbergs starring Tracy-Ann Oberman at Menier Chocolate Factory

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By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: ***

WHEN?: Tuesday 10 March 2026, runs through 2 May 2026

There’s a lot to unpack in this drama about a north London Jewish family mourning the death of their Israel Defence Force (IDF) soldier son as their daughter returns home from working for the UN in Geneva investigating alleged human rights abuses in Gaza in 2009.

  • Read on for reasons including how this is a thorny play prompting plenty for the audience to find both relevant and challenging
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PREVIEW: 9 reasons why we can’t wait for April 2026 starring Pet Shop Boys

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

  1. Pet Shop Boys Obscure at Electric Ballroom, Camden

Do I Have To? We All Feel Better In The Dark. Shameless. Pet Shop Boys Tennant and Lowe have been releasing extraordinary songs since the 80s and this 5-night residency of Obscure tracks at Camden’s Electric Ballroom in London Monday 6 April through Friday 10 April 2026 has long been sold out. We join Neil and Chris there for a post-Dreamworld (Glastonbury Festival) check in. Tickets if you’re very lucky

  • Read on for reasons including Monica Dolan at the Donmar, Cuckoo revived and Romola Garai’s Doll’s House
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PREVIEW/PREDICTIONS: Eurovision Song Contest pre-qualified finalists 2026 starring Look Mum No Computer

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By Neil Durham

WHEN? 16 May 2026 HOW TO WATCH? BBC1 in the UK at 8pm

WHERE? Wiener Stadthalle, Vienna

No Spain this year which is 1 of 5 countries to boycott 2026 because of Israel’s participation and it’s the UK’s Look Mum No Computer (pictured) which is giving us the most interesting entry of the pre-qualified finalists.

  • Read on for reasons including the UK’s Look Mum No Computer
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GIG REVIEW: The Divine Comedy at Sala Apolo, Barcelona

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By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: ****

WHEN?: Thursday 5 March 2026, tour runs through 22 August 2026

SETLIST: Achilles; The Last Time I Saw The Old Man; Rainy Sunday Afternoon; Norman and Norma; Your Daddy’s Car; Bang Goes The Knighthood; I Want You; A Lady Of A Certain Age; Songs Of Love; At The Indie Disco; Neapolitan Girl; Mar-a-Lago By The Sea; Bad Ambassador; I Like; The Heart Is A Lonely Hunter; Absent Friends; Becoming More Like Alfie; Generation Sex; National Express; Our Mutual Friend; Invisible Thread; Tonight We Fly

Rainy Sunday Afternoon is the title of the latest album by The Divine Comedy and it’s a thundery Thursday evening in Barcelona.

  • Read on for reasons including how this was a a very European expression of musical joy
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GIG REVIEW: Youth Sector at Edge Of The Wedge, Portsmouth

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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?

  • Read on for reasons including why A Humdrum Mum can’t wait to see what the future holds for Youth Sector
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SONG OF THE MONTH: Eclipse by Delta Goodrem (March 2026)

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

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.

  • Read on for reasons including how Eclipse is the sound of Australia going 1 better than Dani Im a decade ago
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PREVIEW & Q&A: Bridgerton starring Luke Thompson and Yerin Ha hosted by Alison Hammond at BFI Southbank

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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.

  • Read on for reasons including which RuPaul quote Ha’s character maid Sophie lives by
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