PREDICTIONS: Andra Chansen starring Anna Bergendahl, Lisa Ajax & Nano

WHEN?: 7pm (UK time) 2/3/19 on SVT (link at the bottom of the page below)

WHERE: Nyköping

Anna Bergendahl (pictured) is Melodifestivalen’s least successful winner and so her appearance in Andra Chansen seems inevitable but will her redemption be realised by making it through to the 9 March final in Stockholm?

  • Read on for reasons including how we’re calling the 4 Andra Chansen duels this year

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PREVIEW: 9 reasons why we can’t wait for March 2019

  1. Pinter’s Betrayal stars Zawe Ashton and Tom Hiddleston

The Pinter at the Pinter season at the West End’s Harold Pinter Theatre has been hit and miss but it’s big finish stars Hiddleston and monstagigz favourite Ashton. Runs 5/3 to 1/6. We’ve reviewed Ashton at both the Old Vic and Trafalgar Studios in recent years. Tickets

  • Read on for reasons including Jade Anouka, Wiktoria, Sigrid & Sophie Ellis Bextor

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SONG OF THE MONTH: Moving On by Hera Björk (March 2019)

WORTH A LOOK?: *****

OUT: now

Eurovision season is in full swing and the song we most want to see competing in Tel Aviv in May is a gorgeous ballad with a gigantic dramatic key change sung beautifully by a former contestant who finished 19th in 2010 in Oslo in a completely different style.

  • Read on for reasons including who we want to see represent Norway at Eurovision 2019

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PREDICTIONS: Melodifestivalen 2019 Heat 4 starring Bishara, Anton Hagman & Lisa Ajax

WHEN?: 7pm (UK time) 23/2/19 on SVT (link at the bottom of the page below)

WHERE:  Lidköping

Last week’s Heat 3 was a real return to form with a song we really love in Lina Hedlund’s Victorious winning through to the final and so we enter Heat 4 with a spring in our step and well-placed hope in our heart.

  • Read on for reasons including who we think will be joining Lina in the 9 March final from this heat

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THEATRE REVIEW: Cyprus Avenue starring Stephen Rea at the Royal Court

UPDATE: This production is available to watch for a month from 27/3/20. More details

WORTH A LOOK?: ****

WHERE? Royal Court Theatre RUNTIME: 100 minutes (no interval)

WHEN? 16/2/, opens 19/2, runs to 23/3/19

We’re in the 5th row and we count 3 members of the audience who head for the exit early as this startling play hurtles inexorably towards its terrifying conclusion.

  • Read on for reasons including why this play seems especially relevant now

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THEATRE REVIEW: Jesus Hopped The ‘A’ Train starring Ukweli Roach & Dervla Kirwan

WORTH A LOOK?: ****

WHERE? Young Vic RUNTIME: 120 minutes (excluding 15-minute interval)

WHEN? 15/2, opens 20/2 and runs to 30/3/19

Angel Cruz played by Ukweli Roach (pictured above) is in prison on Rikers Island, New York, where he encounters a fellow inmate on a similar murder charge.

  • Read on for reasons including how this play was shortlisted for a Best New Play Olivier when it was 1st staged in London

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PREDICTIONS: Melodifestivalen 2019 Heat 3 starring Lina Hedlund, Martin Stenmarck & Jon Henrik Fjällgren

WHEN?: 7pm (UK time) 16/2/19 on SVT (link at the bottom of the page below)

WHERE: Leksand

Last week’s Heat 2 had the disappointing double whammy of songs far less good than its predecessor and its best song finishing last but the good news is Heat 3 is a return to form.

  • Read on for reasons including how we think this week’s 7 songs will fare on Saturday night

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THEATRE REVIEW: Come From Away at the Phoenix Theatre

WORTH A LOOK?: ****

WHERE? RUNTIME: 100 minutes (no interval)

WHEN? 9/2/19 (matinee), opens 18/2/19, booking until 14/9/19

‘Come from aways’ is a Newfoundland description for visitors from beyond the island and this is the story of what happened in the immediate aftermath of 9/11 when 38 planes were grounded there and the community embraced the outsiders.

  • Read on for reasons including why this is a big, warm hug of a musical about the importance of kindness

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THEATRE REVIEW: All About Eve starring Gillian Anderson & Lily James

WORTH A LOOK?: *****

WHERE? Noel Coward Theatre RUNTIME: 120 minutes (no interval)

WHEN? 9/2/19 (evening), opening 12/2/19, booking until 11/5/19

All About Eve is best known as a 1950 film which won 6 Oscars starring Bette Davis as Broadway star Margo Channing who finds she is usurped by ambitious young Eve Harrington who insinuates herself into the star’s life.

  • Read on for reasons including how stars Gillian Anderson and Lily James complement each other

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PREDICTIONS: Melodifestivalen 2019 Heat 2 starring Margaret, Andreas Johnson & LIAMOO

WHEN?: 7pm (UK time) 9/2/19 on SVT (link at the bottom of the page below)

WHERE:  Malmö

Melodifestivalen got off to a joyous start last weekend with Wiktoria’s glorious rain-soaked ballad Not With Me becoming our early favourite but what do we think of Heat 2’s snippets (listen and watch below)?

  • Read on for reasons including who we think will make the final on 9 March from this heat

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