By Aline Mahrud

WHEN? Saturday 19 July 2025 RUNTIME: 135 minutes (including a 20-minute interval)

Writers Jim Barne and Kit Buchan are best known for musical Two Strangers (Carry A Cake Across New York) which won our 2023 Best New Musical monsta.

• Read on for reasons including to hear a song from the new musical and how Mona Loser shows great promise

At the weekend they offered the opportunity to peak behind the curtain of their new musical Mona Loser and lift the lid on a work in progress presentation with a strong cast with West End pedigree.

Inspired by Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, this is the story of a producer called Benji Dobson or Doctor Benjamin or just Doc played here by Stevie Webb (Shucked, Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre).

The titular Mona Loser is played by Melanie-Joyce Bermudez as Nora Burns who is pushed into the spotlight to play the part of a viral sensation.

Below you can hear the 1st song from the show Dead Or Alive which gives a sense of the current musical palette explored which is apt given the topic of the show.

Given the title of this blog, we’re particularly enjoying the theme of this song – sample lyric ‘You want a monster baby, careful what what you wish for.’ – and there’s plenty here to grab onto if you’re looking for a musical with a sound you might here on radio.

The cast here is nicely rounded out by some familiar faces including Chad Saint Louis (Cry-Baby the musical, Arcola Theatre) and Ahmed Hamad (Stay Awake, Jake, Southwark Playhouse).

There’s even a message from Jim and Kit on the flyer for the show: ‘Thank you for being with us at the beginning of this strange new adventure. We’re very touched that so many people have turned out to witness this early experiment in the creation of a hideous new creature. We’d love to know what you thought – what was ghoulish and what was moreish?’

Two Strangers transferred to Boston at the American Repertory Theater and, like that, Mona Loser is already showing great promise.

• Main pictures via Facebook Southwark Playhouse Tickets
• Have you seen a Southwark Playhouse show before and what do you think of this 1? Let us know what you thought in the comments below
• Enjoyed this preview? Follow monstagigz on Twitter @NeilDurham, email neildurham3@gmail.com and check us out on Instagram and Facebook