1. Kylie brings Tension tour to The 02

Ms Minogue’s Tension show arrives in London for 4 gigs at The 02 this and next month as part of a world tour which runs through 26 August 2025. Tickets We 1st saw her live on the Enjoy Yourself tour at London’s now-no-more London Arena in 1990 and have seen her since at the old Wembley Arena, Eventim Apollo Hammersmith, new Wembley Arena and many times at The 02 – but not since 2014. Our review

• Read on for reasons including Eurovision Song Contest predictions, Scissor Sisters reunite and Imelda Staunton

2. Eurovision Song Contest starring Erika Vikman

Finland’s Vikman sings Ich Komme in semi final 2 on Thursday 15 May and was a song of the month for us in February. Check out our predictions for semi 2, semi 1 2 days earlier and how the pre-qualified finalists might fare in the Saturday 17 May final in Basel, Switzerland. Tickets

3. Scissor Sisters reunite and play The 02

We’ve seen the Sisters a lot over the years including an emotional last gig in London at Camden Roundhouse when they announced their hiatus in *checks notes* October 2012. Since then we’ve reviewed lead singer Jake Shears live at the Scala in 2018, Village Underground in 2023 and, even, in the gorgeous Cabaret. The band return without the peerless Ana Matronic for their 1st gigs in 13 years this month including a bow at The 02 which we saw them play in 2010 supported by the glorious Hurts (see below). Our review

4. Hurts mark 15 years of Happiness and play 02 Brixton Academy

It’s 15 years since Hurts released their acclaimed debut album Happiness and they play the 02 Brixton Academy this month to celebrate as well as gigs across Europe where they found most success through summer. We join them there for a sold-out gig at the venue we last saw them live in 2017. Tickets Our review

5. Imelda Staunton in Mrs Warren’s Profession

We last saw Staunton in Hello, Dolly! at the Palladium and here she stars opposite her real-life daughter Bessie Carter (from TV’s Bridgerton) in George Bernard Shaw’s tale of a woman ahead of her time at the Garrick Theatre from 10 May through 16 August 2025. Tickets Our review

6. The Fifth Step starring Jack Lowden and Martin Freeman

Lowden (from Apple’s Slow Horses and Measure For Measure, Donmar) stars opposite Freeman (Pinter at the Pinter, Harold Pinter Theatre) in this story of sobriety @SohoPlace. Runs 12 May through 26 July 2025. Tickets

7. Beverley Knight stars in Marie and Rosetta

Knight (Sylvia, Old Vic) plays Rosetta Tharpe, the Godmother of Rock’n’Roll, who influenced musicians from Elvis through Little Richard as she brought an electric guitar to gospel music in Mississippi in 1946. Debuts at the Rose Theatre, Kingston 2 through 24 May 2025 before transferring to Chichester Festival Theatre. Tickets Our review

8. Shucked at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre

The winner of 1 of the 9 Tonys it was nominated for in 2023, Shucked is a new musical with a book by Robert Horn (Tootsie) about Maizy and Beau who are about to get married when the corn that protects their small community starts to die. Stars Sophie McShera (The Entertainer, Garrick Theatre), Georgina Onuorah (Cinderella, Gillian Lynne Theatre) and Matthew Seadon-Young (The Baker’s Wife, Menier). Runs 10 May through 14 June 2025. Tickets Our 5* review

9. Radiant Boy at Southwark Playhouse

Radiant Boy: A Haunting is a new play about trainee singer Russell and his mother Maud who await the arrival of a young priest, who believes Russell is a victim of possession. Runs at Southwark Playhouse (Borough) 21 May through 14 June 2025. Tickets Our review

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