Author: mrmonstagigz

THEATRE REVIEW: Chicago starring Alexandra Burke at the Phoenix Theatre

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

WORTH A LOOK?: ****

WHERE?: Phoenix Theatre WHEN?: 13/8, Ms Burke appearing until 14/10/18

RUN TIME: 2 hours and 20 minutes (including 20-minute interval)

This production won middling reviews when it opened earlier this year starring Hollywood’s Cuba Gooding Jr but it was only until the casting of Alexandra Burke, who debuted tonight, that we were persuaded through its doors.
  • Read on for reasons including all the opening night gossip featuring Martin Kemp as Billy Flynn

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THEATRE REVIEW: Aristocrats starring David Dawson & Elaine Cassidy at the Donmar

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

WORTH A LOOK?: ***

WHERE?: Donmar

WHEN?: 10/8, runs to 22/9/18 RUNTIME: 2 hours and 20 minutes (with 20-minute interval)

We’ve admired David Dawson (pictured above with Cassidy) in TV’s The Last Kingdom and The Hollow Crown but we’ve never seen him perform in theatre until now.

  • Read on for reasons including how Dawson’s turn in this Brian Friel play will move you most

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AWARDS: MONSTAS: Our best new album of 2018 so far

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

We awarded 13 monstas for the best pop, theatre, TV and film of 2017 in December – and here we look at the cream of 2018 so far and what’s to come. Florence and The Machine, Lady Gaga and Lorde are previous winners in this category.

  • Read on for our top 6 best albums of 2018 so far and our hopes for the next half year

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Q&A & TV PREVIEW: Bodyguard featuring Keeley Hawes, Richard Madden & Jed Mercurio

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

WHERE?: BFI

WHEN?: 6/8/18

Bodyguard star Richard Madden is on a train to London Euston with his two children when he notices something suspicious as a passenger conceals themselves in an onboard toilet.

  • Read on for reasons including what happens next in Jed Mercurio’s new BBC1 Autumn six-parter

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THEATRE REVIEW: Little Shop Of Horrors starring Vicky Vox, Jemima Rooper, Marc Antolin & Matt Willis at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

WORTH A LOOK?: ****

WHERE: Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre

WHEN: 4/8, press night 10/8, runs to 25/8/18 NOTE: Extended to 22/9/18

RUNTIME: 2 hours and 5 minutes (including 20 minute interval)

Drag queen Vicky Vox (pictured above) makes her theatrical debut here as the voice of the mysterious plant named Audrey II which is hungry for blood at the heart of this fun-packed musical revival.

  • Read on for reasons including how Julian Clary and Strictly‘s Ian Waite featured

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AWARDS: MONSTAS: Our best new revival of 2018 so far

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

We awarded 13 monstas for the best pop, theatre, TV and film of 2017 in December – and here we look at the cream of 2018 so far and what’s to come. Shakespeare Trilogy and Follies are previous winners in this category.

  • Read on for our top 6 revivals of 2018 so far and our hopes for the next half year

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AWARDS: MONSTAS: Our best gig of 2018 so far

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

We awarded 13 monstas for the best pop, theatre, TV and film of 2017 in December – and here we look at the cream of 2018 so far and what’s to come. Suede, Shura and Bananarama are previous winners in this category.

  • Read on for our top 6 best gigs of 2018 so far and our hopes for the next half year

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THEATRE REVIEW: Othello starring Mark Rylance and Sheila Atim at the Globe

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

WORTH A LOOK?: ****

RUN TIME: 2 hours 30 minutes (including interval)

WHEN?: 28/7, press night 1/8, runs to 13/10/18

Sir Ian McKellen once told us that this Shakespeare tragedy should really be called Iago and Rylance’s performance in that role here might shock.

* Read on for reasons including what Sheila Atim did after winning her Olivier Award

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

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

  1. Alexandra Burke in Chicago

She may now no longer be playing the Palladium in September but she was the best thing about Chess at the Coliseum this year and now she stars as Roxie in Chicago at the Phoenix Theatre 13/8 through 14/10. Tickets

  • Read on for reasons including Busted Shop Of Horrors, Jake Shears and Jed Mercurio’s Bodyguard 

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THEATRE REVIEW: The Importance Of Being Earnest starring Sophie Thompson at the Vaudeville Theatre

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

WORTH A LOOK?: *****

WHERE?: Vaudeville Theatre

WHEN?: 20/7, press night 2/8, runs to 20/10/18

Oscar Wilde saved his best play until last and so Classic Spring Company’s acclaimed year-long Wilde season ends on the highest of highs.

  • Read on for reasons including how the script is the star of this fine season finale

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