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.
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.
WORTH A LOOK?: *****
Now this is how you make a splash when releasing your first new music for 22 years.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
