Author: mrmonstagigz

THEATRE REVIEW: Speech and Debate starring Patsy Ferran, Douglas Booth & Tony Revolori

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

WORTH A LOOK?: ****

WHERE: Trafalgar Studios 2

WHEN: 2/3 (matinee), runs to 1/4

We’re mulling over the breaking story of the audience being banned from eating in Imelda Staunton’s Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? when a group of uniformed schoolchildren walk in and their teacher hands out a giant bag of popcorn, which they share before curtain up.

  • Read on for reasons including why Patsy Ferran is a name to watch out for

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THEATRE REVIEW: Hamlet starring Andrew Scott and Juliet Stevenson

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

WORTH A LOOK?: *****

WHERE: Almeida Theatre

WHEN: 2/3, runs to 6/4

Such was our excitement about this Robert Icke production that we had second row tickets for the first preview on 17/2.

  • Read on for reasons including why Scott’s Hamlet is better than Cumberbatch’s

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LIVE REVIEW: Sophie Ellis-Bextor

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

WORTH A LOOK?: ***

WHERE?: KOKO

WHEN: 1/3

SETLIST: Wild Forever; Death of Love; The Deer And The Wolf; Unrequited; Don’t Shy Away; Cassandra; 13 Little Dolls; Mixed Up World; Today the Sun’s On Us; I Won’t Change You; Get Over You; Young Blood; Crystallise;  Love Is The Camera; Come With Us; Take Me Home; Lady; Groovejet; Sing It Back; Heartbreak Make Me A Dancer; Murder On The Dancefloor; Here Comes The Rapture

Sophie Ellis-Bextor’s most recent two albums have seen her step away from the dance floor where she made her name and try her hand at something a little more ambitious.

  • Read on for reasons including who Sophie’s surprise guest was

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Melodifestivalen 2017: Predictions for Andra Chansen duel winners

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

WHEN?: 7pm Saturday 4 March on SVT (link to watch below)

It’s been one of the most surprising Melodifestivalens ever and we’re very excited about the upcoming four duels that will see our eight-strong final become a dozen.

  • Read on for our Andra Chansen predictions and the heat performances

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THEATRE REVIEW: Ugly Lies The Bone starring Kate Fleetwood

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

WORTH A LOOK?: ***

WHERE: National Theatre

WHEN: 28/2, press night 1/3, runs to 6/6

The most remarkable thing about this play detailing the virtual reality treatment given to a soldier injured in her final Afghanistan tour is the wildly inventive stage design by Es Devlin (see picture).

  • Read on for reasons including details of lead Kate Fleetwood’s performance

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THEATRE REVIEW: Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead starring Daniel Radcliffe

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

WORTH A LOOK?: ****

WHERE: Old Vic

WHEN: 27/2, press night 7/3, runs to 29/4

We see author Sir Tom Stoppard in the audience for this second preview of a production marking the 50th anniversary since his play was first staged at the Old Vic.

  • Read on for reasons including details of Harry Potter star Daniel Radcliffe’s performance

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THEATRE REVIEW: Who’s Afraid Of Virginia Woolf? starring Imelda Staunton

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

WORTH A LOOK?: ****

WHERE: Harold Pinter Theatre

WHEN: 24/2, runs to 27/5

It’s 2am and the wife of a university lecturer has invited a younger couple back to their home for some after party drinks.

  • Read on for reasons including why Staunton is the West End’s biggest talent

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PREVIEW: Melodifestivalen 2017: Heat 4

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

WHEN?: 7pm (UK time) 25/2 on SVT (link at the bottom of the page below)

WHERE: Skellefteå Kraft Arena, Skellefteå

This heat is all about the return of 2012 Eurovision winner Loreen and we love how original and challenging  Statements is but fear it might struggle to get out of this heat which boasts at least one other nailed-on, monster pop hit already.

  • Read on for reasons including our Saturday night predictions for each of the songs

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5 greatest Andra Chansen songs of all time at Melodifestivalen

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

Everybody deserves a second chance – especially during the greatest show on earth, Melodifestivalen, which has its Andra Chansen on Saturday (4/3). Robin Stjernberg famously won from AC in 2013 but none of our top 5 did.

  • Read on for the rest of our top 5 greatest Andra Chansen songs

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9 reasons why we can’t wait for March

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

  1. Sheena Easton debuts in 42nd Street

We’ve never seen 42nd Street but are very excited by the West End debut casting of Sheena Easton who we remember as far back in her career as 9 to 5 (see below) and her duet with Prince. Opens at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane 20/3 and booking through July. Tickets Picture via Facebook courtesy 42nd Street.

  • Read on for reasons including Goldfrapp, The Goat, Or Who Is Sylvia? and Marc Almond

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