1. Comeback of the year
It’s hard to envisage an act of their stature coming back with quite the impact that Steps managed in 2017 (and 2018). Their Party On The Dancefloor tour moved seamlessly into Summer Of Steps. Do supports Blue, Aqua and Saara Aalto foreshadow a Steps Eurovision bow?
WORTH A LOOK?: ****
WHERE: Trafalgar Studios
WHEN: 29/7 runs through 18/11
Apologia means a formal defence of a position or action and it’s a well-chosen title for this thoughtful reflection on whether acting for the greater good can excuse parental neglect.
WORTH A LOOK?: *****
WHERE: Old Vic
WHEN: 28/7, runs to 31/7
Queers is a series of eight monologues which marks 50 years since the Sexual Offences Act of 1967 began the decriminalisation process for homosexuality between men and celebrates the British gay experience over the last century.
Nicki French is bowled over by the love shown to her new single Teardrops (On The Disco Floor), which is a slice of 70s Donna Summer, penned by a Eurovision-winning lyricist that is shaping up to be one of the hits of the season.
Imelda Staunton made our Best Theatre Actress of 2017 shortlist so far for Who’s Afraid Of Virginia Woolf and stars here at the National with Tracie Bennett and Janie Dee in the Sondheim classic (which features Losing My Mind, see below). Runs 22/8 through 3/1/18. Picture courtesy National Theatre. Tickets
WORTH A LOOK?: ***1/2
WHERE: National Theatre
WHEN: 21/7, runs to 28/9
Broadchurch star Olivia Colman won’t be the first female Doctor Who and plays a woman called Jenny here who is pregnant but worried about the risk an ultrasound might pose to her unborn child.
We awarded 12 monstas for the best pop, theatre, TV and film of 2016 in December – and here we look at the cream of 2017 so far and what’s to come. Sheridan Smith and Jade Anouka are previous winners in this category.
Read on for our top 5 best theatre actresses of 2017 so far and our hopes for the next half year
WORTH A LOOK?: *****
WHERE: Apollo Theatre
WHEN: 13/7, press night 24/7, runs to 7/10
Director Benedict Andrews’ last Young Vic production starred Gillian Anderson and was his take on Tennessee Williams’ A Streetcar Named Desire. It was the smash hit of 2014, transferred to Broadway and his follow-up is no less deserving of such an honour.
WORTH A LOOK?: ****
WHERE: Park Theatre
WHEN: 3/7 (matinee), runs to 3/7
It’s Pride weekend in London and Sir Ian McKellen is reaching the end of a week-long series of shows during which he has raised an astonishing £250,000 for north London’s four-year-old Park Theatre, which receives no government funding.
We awarded 12 monstas for the best pop, theatre, TV and film of 2016 in December – and here we look at the cream of 2017 so far and what’s to come. Temple and Oddshaped Balls are previous winners in this category.
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