PREDICTIONS/PREVIEW: Melodifestivalen Final 2026 starring A-Teens, FELICIA, Greczula & Sanna Nielsen

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

WHEN?: Saturday 7 March 2025 7pm UK time WHERE TO WATCH? SVT

WHERE?: Strawberry Arena, Stockholm

Melodifestivalen cements its position as Eurovision’s greatest selection show with this 66th final that includes the return of 2 former winners, a boy/girl group reunited after more than 20 years apart, a novelty TV character and 1 song capable of winning in Vienna in May.

  • Read on for reasons including A-Teens, FELICIA, Greczula & Sanna Nielsen
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PREVIEW: 9 reasons why we can’t wait for March 2026 starring Aidan Turner in Les Liaisons Dangereuses

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  1. Aidan Turner and Lesley Manville in Les Liaisons Dangereuses

Turner (Lemons, Lemons, Lemons, Harold Pinter Theatre) and Melville (Oedipus, Wyndham’s Theatre) star in Marianne Elliott’s (COCK, Ambassadors Theatre) take on Christopher Hampton’s sexy adaptation of Choderlos de Laclos’ classic novel. Runs at the National’s Lyttelton Theatre 21 March through 6 June 2026. Tickets

  • Read on for reasons including Rachel Zegler live, Self Esteem and Sadie Sink in the West End
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PREDICTIONS: Melodifestivalen Heat 5 2026 starring Sanna Nielsen, Vilhelm Buchaus and AleXa

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

WHEN?: Saturday 28 February March 2025 7pm UK time WHERE TO WATCH? SVT

WHERE?: Gärdehov Arena, Sundsval

The final heat of Melfest 2026 is its most competitive with the return of a former winner and the arrival of the sole American Song Contest victor.

  • Read on for reasons including Bladë, Juliett and Lilla Al-Fadji 
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THEATRE REVIEW: After Miss Julie starring Tom Varey at Park Theatre

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Aline Mahrud

WORTH A LOOK?: ***

WHEN?: Saturday 14 February (matinee) and runs through 28 February 2026

Patrick Marber (The Producers, Garrick Theatre) reimagines Strindberg on the eve of Labour’s 1945 election win as the daughter of a powerful MP sparks a forbidden flirtation with her father’s chauffeur.

  • Read on for reasons including how this is ripe for a West End transfer to a larger venue
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THEATRE REVIEW: Broken Glass directed by Jordan Fein and starring Eli Gelb, Pearl Chanda, Alex Waldmann, Nancy Carroll & Juliet Cowan at the Young Vic

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

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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
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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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