Month: December 2020

PREVIEW: 9 reasons why we can’t wait for January 2021 starring It’s A Sin

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  1. New Russell T. Davies drama It’s A Sin

Years and Years‘ lead singer Olly Alexander stars in T.Davies’ latest 5-parter looking at gay life in London in the 80s. We loved co-star Omari Douglas in Wise Children at the Old Vic in 2018. T. Davies is of course the author behind the generation-defining Queer As Folk. A Channel 4 air date has now been confirmed for 22/1/21.

  • Read on for reasons including the return of the West End, Eurovision finals season and Drag Race UK season 2
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AWARDS: winners of the 2020 monstas are …

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monstagigz readers have been voting throughout December for their favourite pop, theatre, TV and film of 2020 from our shortlists. Read on for details of our 2020 monstas winners …

2020’s Best Theatre Actor

  • Michael Balogun (Death of England: Delroy, The Olivier, National Theatre, pictured above) Review National tickets
  • Thank you to everyone who voted. Picture via Facebook courtesy National Theatre
  • Read on for reasons including the remaining 13 theatre, pop, film & TV winners
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TOP 10: Best read monstagigz content of 2020 starring Richard Armitage

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  1. When Richard Armitage went topless in Uncle Vanya

We were at the 1st preview of this Chekhov adaptation by Conor McPherson and were blissfully unaware it would be closed by COVID-19 in March and be on cinema screens later in the year. The production is shortlisted for 4 monstas awarded 30/12/20.

  • Read on for reasons including the rise of Michael Balogun, the Death of England and Madonna in the West End
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Q&A/GIG REVIEW: Lucy Spraggan at The Mill in Digbeth

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WORTH A LOOK?: *****

WHEN?: 20/12/20 via livestream

SETLIST: Lighthouse; Fight For It; Flowers; Tea and Toast; Sober; Run; Fairytale Of New York; I Don’t Know; It Doesn’t Feel Like Christmas; Lucky Stars; Lightning; Don’t Know Nothing About The Blues; Choices; Stick The Kettle On; I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles); Unsinkable

Spraggan’s social media reaction immediately after this show tells you everything you need to know about what it meant to her: ‘It’s been a year since I played with my full band, last night was like a complete dream and there is nothing I love more than making music with those guys.’

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AWARDS SHORTLIST: MONSTAS: Best Gig of 2020

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It’s been quite the year, it’s almost Christmas and what would the festive season be without some recognition of the best of 2020? Over the last month we have shortlisted at least five nominees in each of 14 categories for our Oscars, or monstas if you will, of 2020.

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GIG REVIEW: Rainbow In The Dark by Culture Club at SSE Arena

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WORTH A LOOK?: ****

WHEN?: 19/12/20

SETLIST: Karma Chameleon; It’s A Miracle; I’ll Tumble 4 Ya; Everything I Own; Move Away; Time (Clock Of The Heart); We Are Gathered Here Today; Do You Really Want To Hurt Me?; Miss Me Blind; Rainbow In The Dark; Church Of The Poison Mind; Girl Gone Bad; Get It On; Karma Chameleon

The fate of this appropriately titled concert very much mirrored what a difficult year it has been for gigs because of Covid-19 – it was postponed in November because of lockdown, switched from the Royal Albert Hall and at the last minute its socially distanced audience was advised not to attend.

  • Read on for reasons including how many new songs the band play tonight

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AWARDS SHORTLIST: MONSTAS: Best Song of 2020

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

It’s been quite the year, it’s almost Christmas and what would the festive season be without some recognition of the best of 2020? Over the next week we’ll shortlist five nominees in each of 14 categories for our Oscars, or monstas if you will, of 2020.

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THEATRE REVIEW: Stay Awake, Jake starring Ahmed Hamad at Southwark Playhouse

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WORTH A LOOK?: ***

WHEN?: 19/12/20 (matinee), runs to 19/12/20 RUNTIME: 70 minutes

The best thing about this one-man musical is its star who is fresh from Rent in Manchester and the RSC’s production of David Walliams and Robbie Williams’ musical The Boy In The Dress.

  • Read on for reasons including which other Tim Gilvin musical we reviewed this year

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AWARDS SHORTLIST: MONSTAS: Best TV/film Actor of 2020

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

It’s been quite the year, it’s almost Christmas and what would the festive season be without some recognition of the best of 2020? Over the next week we’ll shortlist five nominees in each of 14 categories for our Oscars, or monstas if you will, of 2020.

Read More