Q&A: Armistead Maupin & Laura Linney at the Bridge Theatre

WHEN?: 9/12/19

Tales Of The City author Armistead Maupin has moved from San Francisco to London and has joined actress Laura Linney on a stage familiar to her to explain why.

  • Read on for reasons including how Maupin’s English grandmother was inspiration for Anna Madrigal

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AWARDS SHORTLIST: MONSTAS: Best New Musical of 2019

It’s almost Christmas and what would the festive season be without some recognition of the best of 2019? Over the next month we’ll shortlist five nominees in each of 14 categories for our Oscars, or monstas if you will, of 2019.

  • Read on for nominees for the monsta for Best New Musical of the year. 2018 winner: Eugenius

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THEATRE REVIEW: Teenage Dick at the Donmar starring Daniel Monks

WORTH A LOOK?: *****

WHERE? Donmar Warehouse RUNTIME: 100 minutes (no interval)

WHEN? 7/12, press night 12/12, runs to 1/2/20

Actor Daniel Monks has hemiplegia and author Mike Lew tailored his script for the British premiere of his reimagining of Shakespeare’s Richard III to modern-day US high school Roseland High.

* Read on for reasons including how it boasts one of the most accomplished theatrical performances of the year

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AWARDS SHORTLIST: MONSTAS: Our Best Venue of 2019

It’s almost Christmas and what would the festive season be without some recognition of the best of 2019? Over the next month we’ll shortlist five nominees in each of 14 categories for our Oscars, or monstas if you will, of 2019.

  • Read on for nominees for the monsta for best venue of the year. 2018 winner: Bush Theatre

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LAST NIGHT: GIG REVIEW: Sigrid at the Eventim Apollo

WORTH A LOOK?: ****

WHERE? Eventim Apollo

WHEN? 4/12/19

SETLIST: Mine Right Now; In Vain; Schedules; Plot Twist; Raw; Sight Of You; Don’t Kill My Vibe; Level Up; High Five; Fake Friends; Business Dinners; Sucker Punch; Dynamite; Home To You; Basic: Never Mine; Strangers; Don’t Feel Like Crying

It’s the last night of Sigrid’s tour, she’s a second album to write and she leaves us with a truly memorable show and wanting more.
* Read on for reasons including how ballad Dynamite wins prolonged applause here

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THEATRE REVIEW: The Duchess of Malfi starring Lydia Wilson at the Almeida

WORTH A LOOK?: ****

WHERE? Almeida RUNTIME: 175 minutes (including a 15-minute interval)

WHEN? 2/12, press night 10/12, runs to 25/1/20

The Duchess of Malfi is a Jacobean revenge tragedy written in the 17th century by English dramatist John Webster that is unusual for having a female protagonist.

* Read on for reasons including what Olivier Award-nominated director Rebecca Frecknall brings to this

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THEATRE REVIEW: Cyrano de Bergerac starring James McAvoy at the Playhouse Theatre

WORTH A LOOK?: ***1/2

WHERE? Playhouse Theatre RUNTIME: 170 minutes (including a 20-minute interval)

WHEN? 30/11, press night 6/12, runs to 29/2/20

‘This’ll work – I’ve seen it in a movie with Steve Martin.’ So says McAvoy to much audience laughter as Cyrano de Bergerac before impersonating friend Christian who is struggling to woo the challenging Roxane.

  • Read on for reasons including why this isn’t quite the crown on top of a remarkable year for director Jamie Lloyd

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PANTOMIME REVIEW: Sleeping Beauty starring Andrew Pollard and Anthony Spargo at the Greenwich Theatre

WORTH A LOOK?: *****

WHERE? Greenwich Theatre RUNTIME: 150 minutes (including 20-minute interval)

WHEN? 29/11 (press night), runs to 12/1/20

Welcome to a show worthy of the West End but at a fraction of the ticket price that speaks to what it is like to live in this beautiful nook of south-east London.

  • Read on for reasons including what writer/dame/director Andrew Pollard thinks of this show stopping panto

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THEATRE REVIEW: The Boy Friend starring Amara Okereke, Janie Dee, Adrian Edmondson and Issy Van Randwyck at the Menier

WORTH A LOOK?: ****

WHERE? Menier Chocolate Factory RUNTIME: 150 minutes (including two intervals)

WHEN? 22/11, press night 3/12, runs to 7/3/20

Julie Andrews made her American stage debut in this 1954 British musical in a role played here by Amara Okereke who won a Stage Debut award for Best Actress in a Musical

  • Read on for reasons including how this impressive cast includes comedian Adrian Edmondson

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PREVIEW: 9 reasons why we can’t wait for December 2019

  1. Goldilocks at the Palladium

This seasonal favourite returns for its fourth outing starring Julian Clary, Paul O’Grady, Gary Wilmot, Nigel Havers, Paul Zerdin and new face Matt Baker. Tempted? Read our 2016, 2017 and 2018 reviews. Runs 7/12 to 12/1/20. Tickets

  • Read on for reasons including Sigrid, Baga Chipz and Teenage Dick

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