THEATRE REVIEW: Peter Pan: A New Adventure

WORTH A LOOK?: *****

WHERE: Greenwich Theatre

WHEN: 25/11, runs to 8/1/17

We can remember going to a pantomime each year as a child and wish, in retrospect, that they were as Pan-tastic as the annual festive treat served up at Greenwich Theatre by Andrew Pollard (pictured above).

  • Read on for reasons including which cast member we were manhandled by in the second half

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MONSTAS SHORTLIST: Musical of the year: 2016

It’s almost Christmas and what would the festive season be without some recognition of the best of 2016? Over the next fortnight we’ll shortlist five nominees in each of 12 categories for our Oscars, or monstas if you will, of 2016.

  • Read on for the details of the 5 shows shortlisted for musical of 2016. 2015 winner: Funny Girl

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MONSTAS SHORTLIST: Album of the year: 2016

It’s almost Christmas and what would the festive season be without some recognition of the best of 2016? Over the next fortnight we’ll shortlist five nominees in each of 12 categories for our Oscars, or monstas if you will, of 2016.

  • Read on for nominees for the monsta for LP of 2016. 2015 winner: Florence and the Machine How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful

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ALBUM REVIEW: Glory Days by Little Mix

WORTH A LOOK?: ***

OUT: now

TRACKLIST: Shout Out To My Ex; Touch; F.U; Oops; You Gotta Not; Down And Dirty; Power; Your Life; Nobody Like You; No More Sad Songs; Private Show; Nothing Else Matters

Shout Out To My Ex was everything we wanted from a lead-off single for this, their fourth album.

  • Read on for reasons including details of the Glory Days world tour

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Which West End show was Lin Manuel-Miranda in the audience for last night

When queueing for the gents one doesn’t normally expect to see arguably Broadway’s hottest creative right now but that’s what happened in the West End’s Arts Theatre last night.

  • Read on for reasons including the link between Manuel-Miranda and Murder Ballad

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THEATRE REVIEW: Henry IV starring Harriet Walter

WORTH A LOOK?: ****

WHERE: Donmar at King’s Cross Theatre

WHEN: 18/11, runs to 17/12

‘Cel-e-ry, cel-e-ry, She won’t come unless you tickle her bum with a lump of celery.’

  • Read on for reasons including why this football chant fits perfectly with this all-female cast’s prison-set amalgamation of Henry IV (Parts I and II)

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THEATRE REVIEW: Buried Child starring Ed Harris

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

WHERE: Trafalgar Studios

WHEN: 17/11 (matinee), press night 1/12, runs until 18/2/17

We were in the audience for five-times Oscar nominee Ed Harris’ fourth preview for his West End debut in this Broadway transfer in which he appears alongside his real-life wife Amy Madigan.

  • Read on for reasons including our first impressions of Westworld star Ed Harris’ new role

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LAST NIGHT: The Entertainer starring Kenneth Branagh

WORTH A LOOK?: ****

WHERE: Garrick Theatre

WHEN: 12/11

The Kenneth Branagh Company’s year-long run of six plays at the Garrick Theatre closed tonight on its highest high with its star taking the lead in The Entertainer.

  • Read on for reasons including Greta Scacci’s amazing turn

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8 reasons why we can’t wait for December

  1. Cinderella goes to the Palladium

Paul O’Grady, Julian Clary, Amanda Holden, Lee Mead, Nigel Havers and Funny Girl understudy Natasha J. Barnes star in this panto at the Palladium 10/12-15/1/17 and we can’t think of a better Christmas present. Tickets Picture via Facebook courtesy London Palladium.

  • Read on for reasons including Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, Fatboy Slim and Mary Stuart

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Q&A and PREVIEW: Idris Elba on 100 Streets

WORTH A LOOK?: *****

WHERE: BFI

WHEN: 8/11, out 11/11

Idris Elba didn’t need to be in small independent film 100 Streets, which he stars in and produces, but it was the writing that convinced him.

  • Read on for reasons including former rugby player Martin Offiah’s question from the audience

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