Author: mrmonstagigz

THEATRE REVIEW: Blues In The Night starring Sharon D. Clarke at the Kiln Theatre

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WORTH A LOOK?: ****

WHERE? Kiln Theatre RUNTIME: 120 minutes (including 20-minute interval)

WHEN? 3/8, runs to 7/9/19

It’s our 1st visit to north London’s refurbished Kiln Theatre and we’re in the centre of the front row to see Olivier Award-winning Sharon D. Clarke’s (pictured above) turn in this musical set in a rundown Chicago hotel in 1938 and concentrating on the lives of 3 women.

  • Read on for reasons including why it is the live music and impressive singing you’ll remember here

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AWARDS MONSTAS: Our Best New Musical of 2019 so far

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

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. Eugenius, Everybody’s Talking About Jamie and Groundhog Day are previous winners in this category.

  • Read on for our top 5 best new musicals of 2019 so far and our hopes for the next half year

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GIG REVIEW: Eurythmics Songbook starring Dave Stewart, Nile Rodgers, Beverley Knight & Emeli Sande

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

WHERE? Royal Festival Hall

WHEN? 9/8/19

SETLIST: Intro: Take Me To Your Heart/Never Gonna Cry Again/The Walk/The City Never Sleeps; Love Is A Stranger; I Love You Like A Ball And Chain; I Need A Man; You Have Placed A Chill; I Saved The World Today; Who’s That Girl?; There Must Be An Angel; Miracle Of Love; When Tomorrow Comes; Baby’s Gonna Cry; Thorn In My Side; Here Comes The Rain Again; When The Day Goes Down; I’ve Got A Life; It’s Alright; Missionary Man; Would I Lie To You?; Sisters Are Doin’ It For Themselves; Sweet Dreams

We’re sitting in the front row next to a fan wearing a Eurythmics tour T-shirt from 1989 and we think the only time we ever saw the band live was probably around then at the old Wembley Arena.

  • Read on for reasons including why the Eurythmics never recorded later than 7.30pm

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AWARDS MONSTAS: Our Best New Play of 2019 so far

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

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. The Inheritance, The Ferryman and Oddshaped Balls are previous winners in this category.

  • Read on for our top 5 Best New Plays of 2019 so far and our hopes for the next half year

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THEATRE REVIEW: Evita starring Samantha Pauly at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre

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Screen Shot 2019-08-10 at 13.29.59

STOP PRESS: This production of Evita is now booking at the Barbican 27/6 to 22/8/20 Tickets

WORTH A LOOK?: *****

WHERE? Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre RUNTIME: 130 minutes (plus 20-minute interval)

WHEN? 2/8, opens 8/8,  runs to 21/9/19

It’s apt that in the week where UK girl group musical Six announces its Broadway transfer, that the latest actress to play Evita should have the voice of Anna Kendrick and the moves of Cheryl Cole.

  • Read on for reasons including how this 1st preview earned its standing ovation

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AWARDS MONSTAS: Our Best Theatre Actor of 2019 so far

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

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. Arinze Kene, Andrew Scott, George Mackay and James McAvoy are previous winners in this category.

  • Read on for our top 5 best theatre actors of 2019 so far and our hopes for the next half year

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PREVIEW: 9 reasons why we can’t wait for August 2019 starring Fleabag

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

  1. Fleabag takes the stage

Author Phoebe Waller-Bridge won our 2016 Best TV/Film actress monsta for her work on the 1st TV series (5 reasons to watch here) of this show and the original play on which it is based comes to the West End’s Wyndham’s Theatre 20/8 through 14/9/19. Tickets

  • Read on for reasons including Michael Ball, Alfie Boe, Carrie Hope-Fletcher & Shura

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ALBUM OF THE MONTH: Singles Party by Shakespears Sister (July 2019)

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WORTH A LOOK?: ****

OUT: now

TRACKLIST: Break My Heart; Heroine; You’re History; Run Silent; Dirty Mind; Stay; I Don’t Care; Goodbye Cruel World; Hello; My 16th Apology; I Can Drive; Bitter Pill; Pulsatron; Bad Blood; It’s A Trip; All The Queen’s Horses; C U Next Tuesday; Stay (Acoustic)

In their heyday Shakespears Sister supported Prince and headlined Glastonbury but their 15 minutes of fame was over far too early.

  • Read on for reasons including where to hear new songs All The Queen’s Horses and C U Next Tuesday

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AWARDS: MONSTAS: Our Best Song of 2019 so far

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

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. Make Me Feel, New Rules, Can’t Stop The Feeling and Goodbye To Yesterday are previous winners in this category.

  • Read on for our top 5 best songs of 2019 so far and our hopes for the next half year

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THEATRE REVIEW: The View UpStairs starring Tyrone Huntley & John Partridge at Soho Theatre

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

WORTH A LOOK?: ****

WHERE? Soho Theatre RUNTIME: 120 minutes (no interval)

WHEN? 18/7, press night 23/7, runs to 24/8/19

It’s the 1st preview and this European premiere of a recent Off Broadway success is starting 15 minutes later than advertised and running 15 minutes longer than expected – but receives a standing ovation at its climax.

  • Read on for reasons including why this is a show worthy of repeat viewing

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