WORTH A LOOK?: ****
This is the lead single from the album we are most excited for in 2025, Lady Gaga’s 8th studio collection expected in February.
By Neil Durham
WORTH A LOOK?: ***
WHEN?: Sunday 5 January 2025, runs through 31 August 2025 RUNTIME: 125 minutes (including 20-minute interval)
The best thing about this coming-of-age story riffing on Greek mythology is the way it encourages difference to be viewed as a superpower.
By Aline Mahrud
WORTH A LOOK?: ****
WHEN?: Friday 3 January, runs through 15 March 2025 Update: Extended through 31 May 2025 RUNTIME: 150 minutes (including a 20-minute interval)
Relocating F Scott Fitzgerald’s short story of a baby born as an elderly man and living his life backwards – best known as a 2008 film starring Brad Pitt – to the North Cornwall coast brings a community feel reminiscent of fellow musical Come From Away to this warm hug of a show.
By Neil Durham
WHEN?: Saturday 8 February 2025 7pm UK time
WHERE?: Scandinavium, Gothenburg
Hammarström has made the finalen in each of her last 2 Melodifestivalens and has co-written an entry with 4 of the authors of 2023 Eurovision winner Tattoo.
By Neil Durham
WORTH A LOOK?: ****1/2
WHEN?: Friday 27 December 2024, runs through 1 February 2025 RUNTIME: 180 minutes (including 2 intervals)
There’s a ghost at the piano in Rebecca Frecknall’s (A Streetcar Named Desire, Almeida) take on Tennessee Williams’ favourite of all his acclaimed plays who may be Skipper, whose love dared speak its name to ageing football jock Brick, but was rebuffed.
By Neil Durham
WORTH A LOOK?: ***1/2
WHEN?: Sunday 29 December 2024, runs through 25 January 2025 and then tours the UK (details below) RUNTIME: 120 minutes with a 20-minute interval
This production began as a conversation in 2018 when Oberman told director Brigid Larmour she wanted to play Shylock as an East End matriarch in the 1930s, inspired by her great grandmother.
By Neil Durham
WHEN?: Saturday 1 February 2025 7pm UK time
WHERE?: Coop Norrbotten Arena, Luleå
Melodifestivalen turns 65 this year, in 2024 gave us Unforgettable Norwegian twins Marcus and Martinus as victors and we see them live in London in March, the biggest compliment we can pay an act.
monstagigz readers have been voting throughout October, November and December for their favourite pop, theatre, TV, film and podcasts of 2024 from our shortlists. Read on for details of our 2024 10th annual monstas winners …
You can vote for Steve Pemberton (The Pillowman, Duke Of York’s Theatre) and Reece Shearsmith’s (The Unfriend, Criterion Theatre) genius 9th and final TV series of Inside No 9 to win Best TV of 2024. The anthology show’s theatre incarnation Inside No 9 Stage/Fright arrives at the Wyndhams Theatre for a run 18 January through 5 April 2025. Tickets Our review
Our most read content of 2024 was this preview review of the West End debut of Alien star Weaver in Jamie Lloyd’s take on Shakespeare’s The Tempest which runs at Theatre Royal Drury Lane until 1 February 2025. Tickets
