Author: mrmonstagigz

THEATRE REVIEW: The Playboy Of The Western World starring Nicola Coughlan & Siobhan McSweeney at the National Theatre

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK? ***1/2

WHEN? Friday 5 December, opens 11 December and runs through 28 February 2026 RUNTIME 135 minutes (including a 20 minute interval)

A young man walks into a bar, confesses to the murder of his father and charms his way into the hearts of the people of County Mayo in the early 1900s especially no-nonsense barmaid Pegeen played by Bridgerton‘s Nicola Coughlan.

  • Read on for reasons including why you should delay your date with The Playboy Of The Western World
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THEATRE REVIEW: Oh Mary! starring Mason Alexander Park & Giles Terera at the Trafalgar Theatre

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK? *****

WHEN? Thursday 4 December, opens 18 December and runs through 25 April 2026 RUNTIME 80 minutes (without interval)

There’s so much that’s troubling going on in the world right now that sometimes it’s easy to forget the importance of laughing daily.

  • Read on for reasons including how Oh Mary! is arguably London’s funniest comedy of the moment
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FILM REVIEW: Pillion starring Alexander Skarsgård & Harry Melling

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Aline Mahrud

WORTH A LOOK? ****

The winner of this year’s British Independent Film Award for best film revels in being both an unflinching look at a BDSM relationship while colliding with a very embarrassed British sense of humour more likely found in fare like Four Weddings And A Funeral.

  • Read on for reasons including how this is funny, thought-provoking and far more warm of heart than you might expect
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AWARDS SHORTLIST: MONSTAS: Best Song of 2025

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

It’s been quite the year, it’s almost Christmas and what would the festive season be without some recognition of the best of 2025? Over the next month we’ll shortlist five nominees in each of 17 categories for our Oscars, or monstas if you will, of 2025.

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9 reasons why we can’t wait for December 2025 starring Oh, Mary!

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

  1. Oh Mary! at Trafalgar Theatre

This winner of 2 Tony Awards is a comedy play written by American comedian Cole Escola spoofing the lives of former US President Abraham Lincoln and wife Mary in the days leading up to his assassination where she might be an alcoholic while he is deeply closeted. Stars Mason Alexander Park (The Tempest, Theatre Royal Drury Lane). Runs 3 December through 25 April at Trafalgar Theatre. Tickets Our review

  • Read on for reasons including Into The Woods, Nicola Coughlan and Sheridan Smith
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AWARDS SHORTLIST: MONSTAS Best Album of 2025

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

It’s been quite the year, it’s almost Christmas and what would the festive season be without some recognition of the best of 2025? Over the next month we’ll shortlist five nominees in each of 17 categories for our Oscars, or monstas if you will, of 2025.

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THEATRE REVIEW: Fallen Angels starring Janie Dee at the Menier Chocolate Factory

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK? ****

WHEN? Saturday 22 November (matinee), opens 2 December and runs through 21 February 2026 RUNTIME 120 minutes (including interval)

This Noel Coward comedy about 2 married women admitting to premarital sex and contemplating adultery was 1st performed in London 100 years ago with the theatre censor initially recommending it shouldn’t be staged because the morals of the female leads ‘would cause too great a scandal’.

  • Read on for reasons including how this production is as frivolous, light and intoxicating as the champagne bubbles that its leading ladies savour so enthusiastically here
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FILM REVIEW: Wicked: For Good starring Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande & Jonathan Bailey

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: *****

WHEN? 21 November 2025 on its day of release RUNTIME: 137 minutes

Wicked (Part 1) was a 5-star hit because it built on the beloved Act 1 of a classic musical giving it the visual flair and world-building that only cinema can with a superstar cast.

  • Read on for reasons including how this is the satisfying conclusion to a tale which speaks to our lives now set up beautifully by its magical 1st film
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AWARDS SHORTLIST: MONSTAS: Best Film of 2025

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

It’s been quite the year, it’s almost Christmas and what would the festive season be without some recognition of the best of 2025? Over the next month we’ll shortlist five nominees in each of 17 categories for our Oscars, or monstas if you will, of 2025.

Read More

THEATRE REVIEW: All My Sons starring Bryan Cranston, Marianne Jean-Baptiste & Paapa Essiedu at the Wyndham’s Theatre

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK? *****

WHEN? Saturday 15 November, opens 21 November and runs through 7 March 2026 RUNTIME: 135 minutes (no interval)

Cranston (from TV’s Breaking Bad) plays under-fire US businessman Joe Keller post World War 2 in this Arthur Miller classic and occasionally sports a red baseball cap that can’t help but bring to mind the current US President.

  • Read on for reasons including how this exploration of the dark side of the American dream is the best production of this classic we’ve ever seen
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