Month: August 2023

THEATRE REVIEW: Next To Normal starring Caissie Levy at the Donmar Warehouse

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Aline Mahrud

WORTH A LOOK?: **** RUNTIME: 150 minutes (including a 20-minute interval)

WHEN?: Monday 14 August, opens 22 August and runs through 7 October 2023 UPDATE: Transferring to London’s West End in June 2024 Details

Think Dear Evan Hansen but where the mental health focus is on a middle-aged mother spiralling out of control rather than a struggling teen.

  • Read on for reasons including how this is hard-hitting and well-performed material which is already finding its audience
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THEATRE REVIEW: Groundhog Day starring Andy Karl at the Old Vic

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: ****1/2 RUNTIME: 155 minutes (including a 20-minute interval)

WHEN?: Saturday 12 August, runs through 19 August 2023 RUNTIME: 155 minutes (including a 20-minute interval)

Pre-Covid we told Old Vic Artistic Director Matthew Warchus after Groundhog Day‘s initial run that it was ahead of its time when he revealed his plan for its return.

  • Read on for reasons including how we think this show has the legs for a West End run after its old Vic bow
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ALBUM OF THE WEEK: Balance by Lucy Spraggan (week beginning Saturday 12 August 2023)

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: ****

TRACKLIST: Everything Changes; OCD; Balance; Bodies; Seasick; Not Another Travelling Song; California; Cocaine; Hope For The Best; Caroline; Underdog; Empire; Manchester; Cost Of Living

When Spraggan released opening track Everything Changes last year incorporating her X Factor hit Beer Fear it wasn’t quite clear what she was referring to when she sang: ‘I think of things that happened 10 years ago and I feel much better letting them go.’

  • Read on for reasons including how to see Spraggan on tour including a London gig
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THEATRE REVIEW: The Effect starring Paapa Essiedu & Taylor Russell at the National Theatre

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Aline Mahrud

WORTH A LOOK?: ***1/2 RUNTIME: 100 minutes (no interval)

WHEN?: 5 August, opens 9 August and runs through 7 October 2023

Clinical psychiatrists Dr Lorna James and Dr Toby Sealey are setting up a trial to discover whether they have found a ‘Viagra for the heart’.

  • Read on for reasons including how Essiedu is 1 of this country’s finest young actors and Russell is making her debut
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ALBUM OF THE MONTH: Victory by Cian Ducrot (August 2023)

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

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

TRACKLIST: Victory; I’ll Be Waiting; Him; Heaven; How Do You Know?; All For You; Stepdad; Mama; Hurt When You Hurt Me; Blame It On Me; Endless Nights; Part Of Me; Everyone Who Falls In Love (Has Someone Else To Be Thinking Of); Thank God You Stayed

Ducrot is an Irish singer songwriter who will be 26 this month and his debut album is our favourite of 2023 so far let alone just this month.

  • Read on for reasons including how to see Ducrot on tour including in London later this year
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SONG OF THE MONTH: Call Me A Lioness by Hope FC (August 2023)

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

WORTH A LOOK?: ****

England’s Lionesses are European champions and, as we write, play Nigeria on Monday (7 August 2023) in the final 16 knockout stage of the Women’s World Cup.

  • Read on for reasons including how this song features Melanie C, Self Esteem and Shura
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