PREVIEW: 9 reasons why we can’t wait for October 2026 starring Keira Knightley & Luke Thompson

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

  1. Keira Knightley in The Lives Of Others

Knightley performs in the West End for the 1st time since 2011 opposite Bridgerton‘s Luke Thompson (A Little Life, Harold Pinter Theatre) in this story of a writer and actor under surveillance in 1984 at the Adelphi Theatre. Written, adapted and directed by Robert Icke (Romeo and Juliet, Harold Pinter Theatre) Runs 14 October through 9 January 2027. Tickets

  • Read on for reasons including Kristin Scott Thomas, Tilda Swinton and Michelle Dockery in the new Ava Pickett
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ALBUM OF THE WEEK: Live! by Pulp (week beginning Wednesday 9 September 2026)

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

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

Tracklist: Spike Island; Slow Jam; Sorted For Es And Whizz; Disco 2000; Help The Aged; Farmers’ Market; This Is Hardcore; Sunrise; Something’s Changed; Grown Ups; O.U.; Do You Remember The First Time?; Mis-Shapes; Got To Have Love; Babies; Common People; A Sunset

Actress Kelly Macdonald, arguably best known for 1996’s iconic Trainspotting, welcomes this encore performance and bids the audience farewell with a charming: ‘Goodnight and safe travels – and remember, take care of each other.’

  • Read on for reasons including how this is the story of pop’s greatest resurrection of recent years
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AWARDS LONGLIST: MONSTAS: Best Theatre, Music, TV, Film & Podcasts of 2026 so far (Part 2 of 2)

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You, dear reader, are given the chance to vote in 17 categories from October this year to tell us your favourite theatre, music, TV, film and podcast of 2026.

  • Read on for reasons including 8 of 17 categories of our Best Theatre, Music, TV, Film and Podcasts of 2026 so far
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THEATRE REVIEW: Kimberly Akimbo starring Maria Friedman at Hampstead Theatre

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: *****

WHEN? Saturday 29 August, opens Wednesday 9 September and and runs through 7 November 2026 RUNTIME: 165 minutes (including a 20-minute interval)

The key to the success of this Tony Award-winning musical is the casting of its leading lady who can convince as a 16-year-old ageing four times more quickly than her peers and as the pensioner she physically appears to be.

  • Read on for reasons including how this is is filled with joy, love and laughs even at its tear-spattered finale
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THEATRE REVIEW: The Story starring Letitia Wright & Lorraine Toussaint at National Theatre

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Aline Mahrud

WORTH A LOOK?: ***

WHEN? Friday 28 August, opens 3 September and runs through 24 October 2026 RUNTIME: 150 minutes (including a 20-minute interval)

The best thing about this revival of a 2003 US play inspired by a 1981 scandal in which a journalist won a Pulitzer Prize for writing about an inner city child only to later admit the story was fraudulent is the promising performance of Letitia Wright (pictured centre above) at its heart.

  • Read on for reasons including why today’s UK headlines would be a more relevant place for this venue to seek to represent the population it should be serving
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ALBUM OF THE MONTH: Jenius by Paul Heaton (September 2026)

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: ****

Tracklist: Can’t Get Next To You; Favourite Kind Of Idiot; I Want The Job; Sad Songs And Lawsuits; She Ain’t Pretty; One Eye Open; Send In The Clowns; Do Not Ask Me; Don’t Lean On Me; Jet Black Sky; The Whisky Did; Before Before; Good For The Bees; Go Upstream; A Son Of A Father

We 1st saw Heaton live at Aldershot’s West End Centre with his 2nd band The Beautiful South as chart-topper Song For Whoever was released in 1989.

  • Read on for reasons including where to see Heaton on tour where tickets are less than £40 each
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