1. Self Esteem debuts new album at the Duke Of York’s Theatre in London

Rotherham-born Rebecca Lucy Taylor starred in Cabaret at The Kit Kat Club at the Playhouse Theatre in London’s West End but is perhaps best known as pop star Self Esteem for last album Prioritise Pleasure, in 2021 an album of the month for us. She debuts 3rd album A Complicated Woman at gigs we join her for in London’s West End this month. Tickets are return only. Album out 25 April 2025 Our song of the month is new single 69. Our review of the gig and review of the album

• Read on for reasons including Here We Are, new Conor McPherson play and Ewan McGregor onstage

2. The last new Stephen Sondheim musical

Sondheim died in 2021 and Here We Are is his last musical. Leo and Marianne Brink have found the ideal spot to take their friends. With great reviews, impeccable service and an extensive menu it seems like nothing could go wrong. Stars Jesse Tyler Ferguson from TV’s Modern Family, Jane Krakowski, Martha Plimpton, Rory Kinnear (Force Majeure, Donmar) and Tracie Bennett (Follies, National Theatre). Runs at the National Theatre 23 April through 28 June 2025. Tickets Our review

3. Ewan McGregor onstage in My Master Builder

McGregor last appeared on the West End stage in 2008 in Othello at the Donmar and here stars alongside Elizabeth Debicki (from TV’s The Crown) and Kate Fleetwood (A View From the Bridge, Theatre Royal Haymarket) in a new play by Lila Raicek inspired by Ibsen (The Master Builder, Old Vic). Runs at the Wyndham’s Theatre 17 April through 12 July 2025. Tickets Our review

4. Callum Scott Howells in Ghosts

Like Self Esteem, Scott Howells appeared in Cabaret although we last saw the former It’s A Sin star in A View From The Bridge alongside Kate Fleetwood (see number 3). Ghosts is an Ibsen play given a Gary Owen re-imagining about the death of Helena’s high-flying husband and the return home of their son. Runs at the Lyric Theatre Hammersmith 10 April through 10 May 2025. Tickets Our review

5. New Conor McPherson play The Brightening Air

The IT Crowd‘s Chris O’Dowd stars opposite Aisling Kearns (Juno And The Paycock, Gielgud Theatre) in this new play by McPherson (Girl From The North Country, Old Vic) about fate, family and unseen forces in 1980s Ireland. Runs 10 April through 14 June 2025. Tickets Our review

6. Olly Alexander at the London Palladium

Former Years and Years (Wembley Arena) lead singer Alexander released Polari, our album of the month for February, after starring in TV’s groundbreaking It’s A Sin. In April he plays London Palladium (Tickets) as part of a European tour following his Eurovision entry Dizzy, a song of the month for us in March 2024. Our review

7. Midnight Cowboy at Southwark Playhouse

Jon Voight and Dustin Hoffman starred in the 1969 film which becomes a musical at Southwark Playhouse (Elephant) 4 April through 17 May 2025. Tickets Written by Bryony Lavery (Frozen, Theatre Royal Haymarket) and stars EastEnders’ Max Bowden with songs by Francis ‘Eg’ White, who wrote Leave Right Now for Will Young amongst many other tunes.

8. SIX, the musical, the film

In cinemas this month, trailer. SIX, the musical continues to reign triumphant in London’s West End currently at the Vaudeville Theatre in London’s West End. This is the story of Henry VIII’s wives re-imagined through the lens of a girl group concert. Tickets

9. Andrew Mosley explains The Choreography Of Ghosts

Former editor of the Rotherham Advertiser wrote the Sound Scene column with us in the evening paper the Express and Echo in Exeter in the 90s. He has written for monstagigz including reviews of Morrissey in Hull and Heaven 17 and Pete Wylie in Sheffield. His 1st novel The Choreography Of Ghosts is published this month and you can read more about him on his website and buy it here.

• Main pictures via Facebook courtesy Self Esteem Tickets
• Have you seen a Self Esteem show before and what did you think of this 1? Let us know what you thought in the comments below
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