Author: mrmonstagigz

AWARDS SHORTLIST: MONSTAS: Best Performance Of A Song 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 week we’ll shortlist five nominees in each of 17 categories for our Oscars, or monstas if you will, of 2025.

Read More

THEATRE REVIEW: Into The Woods starring Katie Brayben, Kate Fleetwood & Jamie Parker at the Bridge Theatre

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK? ****

WHEN? Tuesday 16 December and runs through 18 April 2026 RUNTIME: 170 minutes (including a 20-minute interval)

This musical is the story of a baker and his wife who are struggling to have a child and decide to work together to end the witch’s curse over them.

  • Read on for reasons including how this is a visual treat with Christmas parallels boasting an exquisite cast singing some of Sondheim’s most affecting work
Read More

AWARDS SHORTLIST: MONSTAS: Best Revival 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 week we’ll shortlist five nominees in each of 17 categories for our Oscars, or monstas if you will, of 2025.

Read More

Q&A/TV PREVIEW: Mark Gatiss & Ben Mansfield on The Room In The Tower at the BFI

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: ****

WHEN? Sunday 14 December 2025, to air at 10pm on BBC2 on Christmas Eve RUNTIME: 30 minutes

Christmas just isn’t Christmas without the now annual Mark Gatiss ghost story airing late on Christmas Eve on BBC2.

  • Read on for reasons including how this Christmas tradition is just a part of festivities as It’s A Wonderful Life
Read More

AWARDS SHORTLIST: MONSTAS: Best New Play 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 week we’ll shortlist five nominees in each of 17 categories for our Oscars, or monstas if you will, of 2025.

Read More

THEATRE REVIEW: Woman In Mind starring Sheridan Smith & Romesh Ranganathan at Duke Of York’s Theatre

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK? ***1/2

WHEN? Friday 12 December, opens 6 January and runs through 28 February 2026 and then to Sunderland Empire and Glasgow Theatre Royal RUNTIME: 150 minutes (including a 20-minute interval)

Patsy Cline’s Crazy and Jamiroquai‘s Virtual Insanity play immediately before curtain up to establish the mood as we enter the mind of Susan played by national treasure Sheridan Smith (Opening Night, Gielgud Theatre).

  • Read on for reasons including how Smith brings the warmth and humanity she is renowned for to some still topical material
Read More

THEATRE REVIEW: When We Are Married starring Siobhan Finneran, Samantha Spiro & Sophie Thompson at the Donmar

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK? ****

WHEN? Wednesday 10 December, opens 17 December and runs through 7 February 2026

What would you do if you found out on your silver wedding anniversary that you weren’t actually legally married 25 years ago?

  • Read on for reasons including how this reminds of the best of Victoria Wood and Alan Bennett and was an unexpected riot of a comedy
Read More

THEATRE REVIEW: Sleeping Beauty starring Catherine Tate & Julian Clary at the London Palladium

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK? *****

WHEN? Sunday 7 December, opens 11 December and runs through 11 January 2026 RUNTIME: 150 minutes (including a 20-minute interval)

Bovvered? Christmas is a time of tradition and this year marks the 10th since the return of the pantomime to the boards of the London Palladium.

  • Read on for reasons including why there’s simply no other pantomime in any other venue across the land that can top it for spectacle and laughs
Read More

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
Read More

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
Read More