Month: January 2024

THEATRE REVIEW: Cruel Intentions: The 90s Musical at The Other Palace

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: ****

WHEN?: Saturday 13 January 2024, runs through 14 April 2024 RUNTIME: 125 minutes (including a 20-minute interval)

Anyone wishing to hear some of the 90s best songs including Kiss Me by Sixpence None The Richer, Torn by Natalie Imbruglia, Lovefool by The Cardigans or Bittersweet Symphony by The Verve in musical theatre form should look no further.

  • Read on for reasons including how this 90s musical creates something quite intoxicating, nostalgia-fuelled and entertaining
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PREVIEW: Melodifestivalen Heat 3 starring Cazzi Opeia & Clara Klingenström

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WHEN?: 7pm UK time 17 February 2024

WHERE?: Vida Arena, Växjö WHERE DO I WATCH?: SVT Play

This heat boasts 4 MF debutants alongside the much-anticipated returns of 2 familiar names including Opeia who won 2023’s Eurovision as a co-writer of Loreen’s Tattoo.

  • Read on for reasons including Jacqline, Klaudy, Gunilla Persson & Kim Cesarion
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THEATRE REVIEW: The Little Big Things: A New Musical @SohoPlace & album of the month (January 2024)

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Aline Mahrud

WORTH A LOOK?: ****

WHEN?: Saturday 6 January 2024, runs through 2 March 2024 RUNTIME: 130 minutes (including a 20-minute interval)

It’s an absolute joy to be in the front row of this intimate space which allows this new British musical about facing the challenge of a life-threatening injury to be realised triumphantly.

  • Read on for reasons including how we had tears in our eyes almost throughout
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PREVIEW: Benidorm Fest 2024 starring Sofia Coll, Angy & Nebulossa

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WHEN?: 1st heat Tuesday 30 January; 2nd Thursday 1 February & final Saturday 3 February 2024

WHERE?: Palau Municipal d’Esports l’Illa de Benidorm Watch on TVE

Spain missed a trick at its otherwise fantastic Eurovision selection process in 2023 by not choosing runner up Quiero Arder by Agoney which won our Best Song monsta.

  • Read on for reasons including Nebulossa, Lérica, Dellacruz & Almácor
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THEATRE REVIEW: Unfortunate – The Untold Story of Ursula The Sea Witch at Southwark Playhouse (Elephant)

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

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

WHEN?: Saturday 30 December, runs through 17 February 2024 RUNTIME: 160 minutes (including a 20-minute interval)

We’re reminded of the old adage that great musicals are not written but re-written as we take our seats for a show we 1st heard the bones of during lockdown and saw originally 18 months ago at London’s Underbelly Festival.

  • Read on for reasons including how this could be the next Operation Mincemeat sleeper hit
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THEATRE REVIEW: Backstairs Billy starring Penelope Wilton & Luke Evans at Duke Of York’s Theatre

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Aline Mahrud

WORTH A LOOK?: ****

WHEN?: Saturday 30 December (matinee), runs through 27 January 2024 RUNTIME: 130 minutes (including a 20-minute interval)

We last saw 77-year-old Penelope Wilton onstage at the Old Vic in Fanny And Alexander and here playing the Queen Mother she reminds us what timing she has and how funny she can be.

  • Read on for reasons including how Wilton gives a comic masterclass that had this audience both roaring and applauding its approval
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THEATRE REVIEW: Operation Mincemeat: A New Musical at Fortune Theatre

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Aline Mahrud

WORTH A LOOK?: *****

WHEN?: Sunday 31 December, runs through 21 September 2024 RUNTIME: 130 minutes (including a 20-minute interval)

The moment we surrendered our heart to this spoof World War Two sleeper hit musical was when – rather than misdirection – we thought spinster administrator Hester Leggett played by the brilliant Jak Malone had simply made a mistake.

  • Read on for reasons including how it’s impossible not to be captured by the joyous insanity of it all
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PREVIEW: Melodifestivalen 2024 Heat 2 starring LIAMOO & Maria Sur

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WHEN?: 7pm UK time 10 February 2024

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

This week’s half a dozen new entries include 4 by artists who are making their Melodifestivalen debuts.

  • Read on for reasons including C-Joe, Engmanns Kapel, Dear Sara & Fröken Snusk
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THEATRE REVIEW: The Homecoming starring Jared Harris & Joe Cole at the Young Vic

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: ***1/2

WHEN?: Monday 18 December, runs through 27 January 2024

This Pinter play celebrates its 60th birthday this year and it invites us into a 1964 working class London living room which is the very definition of what we would now call ‘toxic masculinity’.

  • Read on for reasons including how this is an uncomfortable watch but that’s probably the point
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