Month: January 2023

THEATRE REVIEW: The Unfriend starring Reece Shearsmith, Frances Barber & Amanda Abbington at the Criterion Theatre

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: **** UPDATE: The Unfriend returns to the West End at the Wyndham’s Theatre from 16 December 2023 Tickets

WHEN?: 15 January through to 16 April 2023 RUNTIME: 115 minutes (including a 15-minute interval)

One of the joys of Steven Moffat’s (BBC 1’s Inside Man) first stage comedy is its no-nonsense precision.

  • Read on for reasons including how this is the funniest play currently running in the West End
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THEATRE REVIEW: As You Like It starring Alfred Enoch & Leah Harvey @sohoplace

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By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: ****

WHEN?: Saturday 14 January, runs through 28 January 2023 RUNNING TIME: 180 minutes (with 20-minute interval)

This production of As You Like It by director Josie Rourke is her 1st theatre work for more than 4 years since Shakespeare’s Measure for Measure and it is absolutely bursting with ideas

  • Read on for reasons including how there was perhaps 1 idea too many in this intimate and musical As You Like It
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PREVIEW: Melodifestivalen 2023 Heat 2 starring Wiktoria, Theoz & Panetoz

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By Aline Mahrud

WHEN?: 7pm UK time Saturday 11 February 2023

WHERE?: Saab Arena, Linköping WHERE DO I WATCH?: SVT Play

Wiktoria (pictured) returns to MF after 4 years away with her 4th entry with 4th being her best ever finish with her debut entry Save Me in 2016.

  • Read on for reasons including Wiktoria, Theoz and Panetoz
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THEATRE REVIEW: On The Ropes starring Mensah Bediako, Ashley D Gayle and Amber James at the Park Theatre

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By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: ***1/2

WHEN?: Tuesday 10 January (press ticket), runs to 4 February 2023

RUNTIME: 140 minutes (including a 20-minute interval)

We cast our eye across the audience at this 200-seat venue and we can see Beverley Knight, David Morrissey, Meera Syal and Sanjeev Bhaskar.

  • Read on for reasons including how it’s the performance of classic hits like Labi Siffre’s Something Inside So Strong which works best here
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PREVIEW: Melodifestivalen 2023 Heat 1 starring Tone Sekelius, LouLou from The Mamas & Eva and Ewa

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Aline Mahrud

WHEN?: 7pm UK time Saturday 4 February 2023

WHERE?: Scandinavium, Gothenburg WHERE DO I WATCH?: SVT Play

Melodifestivalen returns to the venue of the 1985 Eurovision for a 1st heat in its 2023 edition which sees the swift return to the MF stage of the contest’s 1st openly transgender participant – Tone Sekelius (pictured above) – who finished 5th last year with the uptempo anthem My Way.

  • Read on for reasons including Victor Crone, Jon Henrik Fjällgren, Eva Rydberg and Ewa Roos
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FILM REVIEW: Matilda the Musical starring Alisha Weir, Emma Thompson & Lashana Lynch

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: ****

Matilda songwriter Tim Minchin (Groundhog Day, Old Vic) took to social media over the holidays to explain why this film was available on Netflix on Christmas Day in every country apart from the UK.

  • Read on for reasons including why this film isn’t available on Netflix in the UK and why it’s worth a cinema trip
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PREVIEW: Estonia’s Eurovision selection show Eesti Laul 2023 starring Elysa, Janek, Meelik & Sissi

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WHEN?: 12 and 14 January, with a final on 11 February 2023

WHERE?: Tondiraba Ice Hall, Tallinn Watch on ERR

Stefan’s Hope finished 13th in Eurovision 2022 and it was our 3rd favourite in that year’s Eesti Laul with lots of big-hitters to beat.

  • Read on for reasons including Janel, Meelik and Sissi, the daughter of a former Eurovision winner
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THEATRE REVIEW: Othello starring Giles Terera at the National Theatre

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Aline Mahrud

WORTH A LOOK?: *** RUNTIME: 180 minutes (including 20-minute interval)

WHEN?: Saturday 3 December (matinee), runs to 21 January 2023

Director Clint Dyer told the New York Times of his 1st visit to this venue in the 80s when he saw a picture in the auditorium of Laurence Olivier in blackface in the title role of this play in the 60s that broke his heart.

  • Read on for reasons including why we wanted this production of Othello to be so much better than it was
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