THEATRE REVIEW: Broken Glass directed by Jordan Fein and starring Eli Gelb, Pearl Chanda, Alex Waldmann, Nancy Carroll & Juliet Cowan at the Young Vic

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

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

WHEN?: Saturday 21 February, opens 3 March and runs through 18 April 2026 RUNTIME: 120 minutes without interval

This venue has a strong recent record of reviving Arthur Miller plays including A View From The Bridge and Death Of A Salesman and this lesser known work deserves to be considered in the same sentence as those.

  • Read on for reasons including how there are no multi cameras or technological trickery needed when the cast is this strong and material so pertinent
Read More

THEATRE REVIEW: Evening All Afternoon starring Anastasia Hille at the Donmar

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Aline Mahrud

WORTH A LOOK?: ***1/2

WHEN?: Friday 20 February, opens 24 February and runs through 11 April 2026 RUNTIME: 85 minutes (no interval)

Anastasia Hille (A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Young Vic) plays Jennifer, a woman marrying late and nervous about how she is perceived by her soon-to-be stepdaughter.

  • Read on for reasons including how meditating on grief, acceptance, unexpected love and finding contentment where you never dared look are themes that feel universal
Read More

PREDICTIONS: Melodifestivalen Heat 4 2026 starring Meira Omar and Smash Into Pieces

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

WHEN?: Saturday 21 February 2026 7pm UK time

WHERE?: Malmö Arena, Malmö WHERE TO WATCH? SVT

We were shocked Korslagda were eliminated in last week’s Heat 3 and wonder whether Smash Into Pieces will benefit from the result as rock fans look for something they can root for in the 7 March final.

  • Read on for reasons including Timo Räisänen, Cimberly and Erika Jonsson
Read More

FILM REVIEW/ALBUM OF THE MONTH: Wuthering Heights by Charli XCX (February 2026)

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Aline Mahrud

WORTH A LOOK?: Album ****/film ***

The best thing about Emerald Fennell’s (Cinderella, Gillian Lynne Theatre) reimagining of the Emily Bronte classic is the soundtrack by Charli XCX which adds an appropriate modern gothic haunting gloom.

  • Read on for reasons including how the Wuthering Whites casting detracts from what could have been a more effective film
Read More

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
Read More

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
Read More

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
Read More

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
Read More

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
Read More

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
Read More