Author: mrmonstagigz

ALBUM OF THE MONTH/GIG REVIEW: Ancient Dreams In A Modern Land by MARINA (June 2021)

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

WORTH A LOOK?: ****

RELEASED: 11 June 2021

TRACKLIST: Ancient Dreams In A Modern Land; Venus Fly Trap; Man’s World; Purge The Poison; Highly Emotional People; New America; Pandora’s Box; I Love You But I Love Me More; Flowers; Goodbye

GIG SETLIST (venue: 13 June 2021) Ancient Dreams In A Modern Land; Venus Fly Trap; Purge The Poison; Froot; Man’s World; Highly Emotional People; Blue; New America; I Am Not A Robot; Pandora’s Box; To Be Human; How To Be A Heartbreaker; Bubblegum Bitch; I Love You But I Love Me More; Goodbye

If Kate Bush had given birth to a daughter rather than a son in 1998 and she had gone on to make records, one suspects they would have sounded like this 5th collection from Welsh singer/songwriter/musician/producer Marina Lambrini Diamandis.

  • Read on for reasons including what went down at the album launch show available online on Sunday 13 June
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FILM REVIEW: In The Heights starring Anthony Ramos, Melissa Barrera & Leslie Grace

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

WORTH A LOOK?: *****

RELEASED: Preview 11 June 2021, across UK 18 June 2021

RUNTIME: 143 minutes

The sultry height of summer is the perfect time to see this much-delayed film version of the Tony Award-winning musical with a big heart celebrating community and the feeling of no place like home.

  • Read on for reasons including the many TV stars kicking up a storm in the supporting cast
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THEATRE REVIEW: Duncan and Tim’s Big Camp Show at Above The Stag

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

WORTH A LOOK?: ***

WHEN?: Matinee Sunday 6 June 2021

WHERE?: Above The Stag

Duncan James was the lead singer with boy band Blue and here he sings a selection of songs from his career in a show compered by fellow performer Tim McArthur.

  • Read on for reasons including how James was cast in his dream musical theatre role after coming out as gay
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THEATRE REVIEW: Looking For Me Friend: The Music Of Victoria Wood

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

WORTH A LOOK?: ****

WHERE?: Cabaret Lounge, Above The Stag

WHEN?: Saturday 29 May 2021 (matinee)

Victoria Wood: As Seen On TV aired on BBC2 on Friday nights at 9 and for Paulus, tonight’s star and host, the beloved episodes offered an opportunity to bond and laugh with his mother and sister in their Kent home.

  • Read on for reasons including where and how to see this show later this year and what Sherlock and League Of Gentlemen star Mark Gatiss was doing in this audience
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PREVIEW: 9 reasons why we can’t wait for June 2021 starring Constellations

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

  1. Constellations starring Sheila Atim

We saw the original production of Nick Payne’s awards-garlanded two-hander in the West End starring Rafe Spall and Sally Hawkins in 2012. It was little surprise that this tale of a couple meeting with repeat scenes and meditations on multiple universes should also find Broadway acclaim with Jake Gyllenhaal and Ruth Wilson and now it is ripe for return with original director Michael Longhurst. Opening on 18 June 2021 at the Vaudeville Theatre with Atim (Othello, Globe)) and Ivanno Jeremiah, couples will also include Russell Tovey (Angels In America, National Theatre) and Omari Douglas (Channel 4’s It’s A Sin). Tickets

  • Read on for reasons including In The Heights, Hairspray, Cinderella and Be More Chill
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FILM REVIEW: Ammonite starring Kate Winslet, Saoirse Ronan, Fiona Shaw & Gemma Craven

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

WORTH A LOOK?: ****

WHERE?: Greenwich Picturehouse

WHEN?: Saturday 22 May (matinee)

RUNTIME: 120 minutes

Writer/director Francis Lee’s last film was the monsta-winning God’s Own Country and although the subject matter here is a world apart the themes of same sex love and the differences between the classes are still very much present and correct

  • Read on for reasons including how this features members of the monsta-winning God’s Own Country cast
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SONG OF THE MONTH: Please by Jessie Ware (May 2021)

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

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

RELEASED: 28 April 2021

One of the gifts of lockdown for us has been the time it has allowed us to listen to a wider range of music and as a result we are delighted to have finally succumbed to the charms of Jessie Ware and a little embarrassed it took us 4 albums to do so.

  • Read on for reasons including how to see Ware on tour in the UK in 2021
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THEATRE REVIEW: ABBA Mania at Shaftesbury Theatre

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

WORTH A LOOK?: ***1/2

WHEN?: Friday 21 May, runs to 6 June 2021

RUNTIME: 120 minutes (including 20-minute interval)

It’s the night before the 65th edition of the Eurovision Song Contest but how best to spend it in the West End when theatres have re-opened with social distancing and the audience wearing masks for the first time since December?

  • Read on for reasons including ticket details for how to see this ABBA greatest hits show in the West End until June 2021
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