Author: mrmonstagigz

THEATRE REVIEW: Jack and the Beanstalk starring Victoria Scone at the King’s Head Theatre, Islington

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK? ***1/2

WHEN? Sunday 14 December (matinee), runs through 4 January 2026

This pantomime penned by the genius that is Andrew Pollard offers an ‘adults only’ option and we’re clearly at the wrong showing but there’s so much potential here that we can’t wait to return.

  • Read on for reasons including how author Pollard continues to show what 1 can achieve with a heart bigger than a budget
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AWARDS SHORTLIST: MONSTAS: Best Performance Of A Song 2025

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

It’s been quite the year, it’s almost Christmas and what would the festive season be without some recognition of the best of 2025? Over the next week we’ll shortlist five nominees in each of 17 categories for our Oscars, or monstas if you will, of 2025.

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THEATRE REVIEW: Into The Woods starring Katie Brayben, Kate Fleetwood & Jamie Parker at the Bridge Theatre

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK? ****

WHEN? Tuesday 16 December and runs through 18 April 2026 RUNTIME: 170 minutes (including a 20-minute interval)

This musical is the story of a baker and his wife who are struggling to have a child and decide to work together to end the witch’s curse over them.

  • Read on for reasons including how this is a visual treat with Christmas parallels boasting an exquisite cast singing some of Sondheim’s most affecting work
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AWARDS SHORTLIST: MONSTAS: Best Revival of 2025

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

It’s been quite the year, it’s almost Christmas and what would the festive season be without some recognition of the best of 2025? Over the next week we’ll shortlist five nominees in each of 17 categories for our Oscars, or monstas if you will, of 2025.

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Q&A/TV PREVIEW: Mark Gatiss & Ben Mansfield on The Room In The Tower at the BFI

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: ****

WHEN? Sunday 14 December 2025, to air at 10pm on BBC2 on Christmas Eve RUNTIME: 30 minutes

Christmas just isn’t Christmas without the now annual Mark Gatiss ghost story airing late on Christmas Eve on BBC2.

  • Read on for reasons including how this Christmas tradition is just a part of festivities as It’s A Wonderful Life
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AWARDS SHORTLIST: MONSTAS: Best New Play of 2025

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

It’s been quite the year, it’s almost Christmas and what would the festive season be without some recognition of the best of 2025? Over the next week we’ll shortlist five nominees in each of 17 categories for our Oscars, or monstas if you will, of 2025.

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THEATRE REVIEW: Woman In Mind starring Sheridan Smith & Romesh Ranganathan at Duke Of York’s Theatre

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK? ***1/2

WHEN? Friday 12 December, opens 6 January and runs through 28 February 2026 and then to Sunderland Empire and Glasgow Theatre Royal RUNTIME: 150 minutes (including a 20-minute interval)

Patsy Cline’s Crazy and Jamiroquai‘s Virtual Insanity play immediately before curtain up to establish the mood as we enter the mind of Susan played by national treasure Sheridan Smith (Opening Night, Gielgud Theatre).

  • Read on for reasons including how Smith brings the warmth and humanity she is renowned for to some still topical material
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THEATRE REVIEW: When We Are Married starring Siobhan Finneran, Samantha Spiro & Sophie Thompson at the Donmar

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK? ****

WHEN? Wednesday 10 December, opens 17 December and runs through 7 February 2026

What would you do if you found out on your silver wedding anniversary that you weren’t actually legally married 25 years ago?

  • Read on for reasons including how this reminds of the best of Victoria Wood and Alan Bennett and was an unexpected riot of a comedy
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THEATRE REVIEW: Sleeping Beauty starring Catherine Tate & Julian Clary at the London Palladium

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK? *****

WHEN? Sunday 7 December, opens 11 December and runs through 11 January 2026 RUNTIME: 150 minutes (including a 20-minute interval)

Bovvered? Christmas is a time of tradition and this year marks the 10th since the return of the pantomime to the boards of the London Palladium.

  • Read on for reasons including why there’s simply no other pantomime in any other venue across the land that can top it for spectacle and laughs
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THEATRE REVIEW: The Playboy Of The Western World starring Nicola Coughlan & Siobhan McSweeney at the National Theatre

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK? ***1/2

WHEN? Friday 5 December, opens 11 December and runs through 28 February 2026 RUNTIME 135 minutes (including a 20 minute interval)

A young man walks into a bar, confesses to the murder of his father and charms his way into the hearts of the people of County Mayo in the early 1900s especially no-nonsense barmaid Pegeen played by Bridgerton‘s Nicola Coughlan.

  • Read on for reasons including why you should delay your date with The Playboy Of The Western World
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