WORTH A LOOK?: ****
OUT: now
They’re from ’85, they ain’t gonna lie and they don’t know what’s cool anymore.
We awarded 14 monstas for the best pop, theatre, TV and film of 2018 in December – and here we look at the cream of 2019 so far and what’s to come. Getting Married Today (Company) and Tight Connection To My Heart (Girl From The North Country) are previous winners in this category.
By Carron Stacey
WHERE?: Southsea Common (press ticket)
WHEN?: 23 – 25/8/19
During a festival, one of the things Mr Humdrum and I like to do, in that quiet slot between bands, is to wander around looking at the stalls.
By Carron Stacey
WHERE?: Southsea Common (press ticket)
WHEN?: 23 – 25/8/19
During my stint as a reporter at Victorious Festival last month, one of my highlights was to interview two people who work for the charity Tonic Music for Mental Health’s Ska Choir.
WORTH A LOOK?: ****
WHERE? Leicester Square Theatre RUNTIME: 60 minutes
WHEN? 7/9/19, closes 7/9/19
‘About me, the critics lied. I ignored them – and survived,’ sang character Billie Trix in song Friendly Fire (see below) played by Frances Barber in ahead-of-its-time 2001 Pet Shop Boys’ musical Closer To Heaven.
We awarded 14 monstas for the best pop, theatre, TV and film of 2018 in December – and here we look at the cream of 2019 so far and what’s to come. Suede (twice), Shura and Bananarama are previous winners in this category.
WORTH A LOOK?: ***
WHERE? Old Vic RUNTIME: 170 minutes (including a 20-minute interval)
WHEN? 3/9, opens 5/9 and runs to 5/10/19
‘The only thing that’s criminal here is the £4 cost of a programme – and that you have to go outside to pee.’
WORTH A LOOK?: ***
WHERE? Other Palace RUNTIME: 160 minutes (with a 20-minute interval)
WHEN? 30/8, opens 5/9 and runs to 23/11/19
There is a song here, Breaking Down, that is so good and so well performed by Laura Pitt-Pulford that you’ll want to stand and cheer at its conclusion towards the end of the opening half.
By Carron Stacey
WHERE?: Southsea Common (press ticket)
WHEN?: 23 – 25/8/19
Ms Humdrum at monstagigz was lucky enough to catch up with Mr Beats and Swing himself, Luke Fuller, at the weekend.
By Carron Stacey
WHERE?: Southsea Common (press ticket)
WHEN?: 23 – 25/8/19
Republica’s singer, Saffron Sprackling (pictured left), is bouncing with energy post-set at the recent Portsmouth Victorious Festival, on Southsea seafront. With her trademark black bob and red stripes, in a summery “pill” jumpsuit, she has just smashed out Ready to Go amongst other hits, including older tracks, Drop Dead Gorgeous, as well as new ones, New York and Hallelujah.
