THEATRE REVIEW: A Strange Loop starring Kyle Ramar Freeman at the Barbican

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: *****

WHEN?: Monday 26 June, runs through 9 September 2023 RUNTIME: 100 minutes (no interval)

‘The Bible says homosexuality is worse than murder,’ the mother of our hero, Usher, tells him three-quarters of the way through this 2 Tony-winning musical.

  • Read on for reasons including how A Strange Loop will have you laughing one moment and shedding a tear another
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SONG OF THE WEEK: Don’t Say Love by Leigh-Anne (Week beginning Monday 26 June 2023)

WORTH A LOOK?: ****

Little Mix were a trio when they played their last gig at London’s The 02 on 14 May 2022 and Leigh-Anne is the 1st of the remaining 3 to release a single.

  • Read on for reasons including how Don’t Say Love compares to former Little Mix member Jesy Nelson’s solo singles
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SONG OF THE WEEK: Summer Hungover by EYJAA (week beginning Thursday 22 June 2023)

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

This is the 2nd song of the week from Danish/Icelandic duo EYJAA – Sara and Brynja – who contemplate the end of summer in supremely catchy fashion on their latest single.

  • Read on for reasons including how EYJAA were our pick for the Danish Eurovision ticket this year
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9 reasons why we can’t wait for July starring La Cage Aux Folles at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre

  1. La Cage Aux Folles at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre

Arguably 1 of our favourite London theatre venues, this atmospheric outdoor spot is particularly musical friendly. Director Tim Sheader has run this venue for over a decade and takes over as artistic director at the Donmar next year. La Cage Aux Folles is the story of a gay male couple whose son visits with news that he is to marry the daughter of an ultra-Conservative MP and farce ensues when this defender of the most traditional values in family life arrives with mother and daughter. Runs 29 July through 16 September 2023. Tickets Review

  • Read on for reasons including debut Cian Ducrot LP, the return of Pulp and Crazy For You
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SONG OF THE WEEK: Jeans by BBYBITES (week beginning Friday 16 June 2023)

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

We’re well into summer, it’s Glastonbury Festival next week and we think we might have unearthed the song of the season already.

  • Read on for reasons including how this new single reminds of the greatness of Prince’s Kiss
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THEATRE REVIEW: Dear England starring Joseph Fiennes at the National Theatre

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: *****

WHEN?: Tuesday 13 June, runs through 11 August 2023 RUNTIME: 180 minutes (including a 20-minute interval) BREAKING: This production transfers to the Prince Edward Theatre 9 October through 13 January 2024 Tickets

Can it really be true that England’s football team are the ‘premature ejaculators’ of penalty taking and the quick speed with which they take them corresponds directly to their lack of success?

  • Read on for reasons including why this is the best new play of the year so far and so much more than about football
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THEATRE REVIEW: Mrs Doubtfire starring Gabriel Vick at Shaftesbury Theatre

By Aline Mahrud

WORTH A LOOK?: ***

WHEN?: Saturday 10 June, opens 22 June and runs through 13 January 2024 RUNTIME: 150 minutes (including a 20-minute interval)

There are 2 memorable songs in this new musical based on the 1993 film which starred the late Robin Williams as an out of work voice actor who poses as Scottish nanny Euphegenia Doubtfire to be closer to his 3 children during a messy divorce.

  • Read on for reasons including how this musical of a 30-year-old film is no Groundhog Day
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THEATRE REVIEW: Romeo and Juliet starring Toheeb Jimoh & Isis Hainsworth at Almeida Theatre

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: ****

WHEN?: Friday 9 June, opens 14 June and runs through 29 July 2023 RUNTIME: 120 minutes (no interval)

Candles burn and flicker against the brick back wall of this beautiful intimate venue and we’re reminded why director Rebecca Frecknall has been shortlisted as best director in 3 of the last 5 Olivier Awards.

  • Read on for reasons including what a fine Romeo Ted Lasso‘s Toheeb Jimoh makes
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ALBUM OF THE WEEK: Hana by Sophie Ellis Bextor (week beginning Wednesday 7 June 2023)

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: ****

TRACKLIST: A Thousand Orchids; Breaking The Circle; Until The Wheels Fall Off; Everything Is Sweet; Lost In The Sunshine; Tokyo; Beyond The Universe; He’s A Dreamer; Reflections; Hearing In Colour; Broken Toy; We’ve Been Watching You

We’ve only ever been to Tokyo once and it was so different to anywhere we’ve been before or since that it was extremely disorientating while being fascinating at the same time.

  • Read on for reasons including how and where to see Ellis Bextor on tour in 2023
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ALBUM OF THE MONTH: Last Man Dancing by Jake Shears (June 2023 and gig at Village Underground)

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: ****

TRACKLIST: Too Much Music; Do The Television; Voices; I Used To Be In Love; Really Big Deal; Last Man Dancing; 8 Ball; Devil Came Down The Dancefloor; Mess Of Me; Doses; Radio Eyes; Diamonds Don’t Burn

SETLIST: Too Much Music; Really Big Deal; Any Which Way; Meltdown; Do The Television; Voices; Comfortably Numb; I Used To Be In Love; Creep City; Laura; Take Your Mama; Last Man Dancing; I Don’t Feel Like Dancin’; Devil Came Down The Dancefloor; 8 Ball; Destiny; Invisible Light; Filthy/Gorgeous

We’ve recently read Shears’ memoir Boys Keep Swinging and it’s a fascinating insight into the mindset of the former Scissor Sisters’ frontman who has struggled for inspiration.

  • Read on for reasons including how Shears invited his audience to his east London home after this gig
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