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.
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.
By Neil Durham
WORTH A LOOK?: ****
WHEN? Friday 30 January, opens 10 February and runs through 18 April 2026 RUNTIME: 150 minutes (including a 20-minute interval)
There’s a kindness and generosity of spirit about this new musical which reminds of the Olivier Award-winning The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button and a final reveal so devastating we spend much of the 2nd act shedding silent tears.
By Aline Mahrud
WORTH A LOOK?: *****
Secret gay ice hockey romance Heated Rivalry is so groundbreaking because it uses sex as character development in worlds where homosexual relationships are taboo.
By Aline Mahrud
WORTH A LOOK?: ****
WHEN? Wednesday 28 January, tour returns to Mighty Hoopla 30 May 2026
Setlist: 24 Hours; Here Comes The Night; Milk; Trigger; Ego; Balenciaga Covered Eyes; Fingers Crossed; Love And Appreication; Release Me
Scandipop appears to be having a moment in the UK currently with Zara Larsson’s Lush Life in the top 10, A-Teens returning to Melodifestivalen with something special and the release of the 1st great album of the year, Beautiful Madness by Agnes.
WHEN? Saturday 31 January 2026 8pm UK time WHERE TO WATCH? SVT
WHERE?: Saab Arena, Linköping
Melodifestivalen 2026 kicks off in fine style in its 66th year with the promising reunion of A-Teens who had UK hits with Upside Down and Halfway Around The World as well as 2 ABBA covers a quarter of a century ago.
By Neil Durham
WORTH A LOOK?: ****
WHEN? Monday 26 January, opens 4 February and runs through 21 March 2026 RUNTIME: 170 minutes (including a 20-minute interval)
Tom Stoppard died in November and 1993’s Arcadia is considered to be his masterpiece which makes this undercast revival all the more curious.
By Neil Durham
WORTH A LOOK?: ***
WHEN? Saturday 24 January, opens 30 January and runs through 14 March 2026 RUNTIME: 165 minutes (including a 20 minute interval)
Bret Easton Ellis’ cult 1991 yuppie serial killer novel American Psycho turned 2000 film starring Christian Bale never really screamed to become a musical.
WORTH A LOOK?: *****
Tracklist: Interlude; Beautiful Madness; Trigger; Got Any?; Milk; Focus; Wake Up; Balenciaga Covered Eyes; Not Capable; Ego; Masterpiece; Sign It; Pre; Lovesongs; Uterus & Universe
‘Life is a beautiful madness, and it’s when we stop chasing perfection that the truly interesting things happen,’ says Agnes as she releases this new album and prepares to headline London’s KOKO next week where we join her.
Erivo won our 2024 Best TV/Film Actress monsta for Wicked and recently starred in its sequel which was our 2025 Best Film. Here she is the sole focus of attention in a 1-woman Dracula directed by Kip Williams (The Picture Of Dorian Gray, Theatre Royal Haymarket) which runs at the Noel Coward Theatre 4 February through 30 May 2026. Tickets The 1st 3 preview performances have now been cancelled.
