WORTH A LOOK?: ****
We’re holidaying in Barcelona and leaning into the flood of Eurovision songs just released and this Netherlands entry stands out on 1st listen for its riffing on 90s Dutch superstars 2 Unlimited and their best known charttopper No Limits.
By Neil Durham
WORTH A LOOK?: ****
WHEN?: Tuesday 27 February and runs through 16 March 2024 RUNTIME: 145 minutes (with a 20 minute interval) UPDATE: This production transfers to Southwark Playhouse (Elephant) 6 September through 10 October 2024 Tickets
You join us on 4 October 1936 in the East End’s Cable Street where its community of socialists, communists, Jews and Irish people refuse to let Oswald Mosley’s British Union of Fascists (BUF) pass.
By Neil Durham
WORTH A LOOK?: *****
Last year we described Mae Muller’s I Wrote A Song as ‘the UK’s best Eurovision entry since Gina G’ and we’d say the same of this extremely catchy and tasteful track which draws on Pet Shop Boys influences.
By Neil Durham
WORTH A LOOK?: ****
WHEN?: Thursday 22 February, tour runs until 26 July 2024
SETLIST: Venus; I Would Like; Escape; Look What You’ve Done; Girls Like; Words; Never Forget You; Ruin My Life; The Healing; Symphony; Wow; None Of These Guys; Ammunition; You Love Who You Love; Ain’t My Fault; End Of Time; On My Love; Lush Life; Can’t Tame Her
We haven’t seen Larsson live since 2017 but we’re immediately struck by how strong her live vocals are even when she’s negotiating her staging’s stairways or sashaying with her 4 dancers.
By Neil Durham
WHEN?: 7pm (UK time) Friends Arena, Stockholm Saturday 9 March 2024
WHERE DO I WATCH?: SVTPlay
Norwegian twins Marcus and Martinus are the best shot Sweden has of winning Eurovision for a record breaking 8th time. UPDATE: Marcus and Martinus won Melodifestivalen.
Smith (Shirley Valentine, Duke Of York’s Theatre) stars in this new musical directed by Ivo van Hove (A Little Life, Harold Pinter Theatre) based on the John Cassavetes film with music and lyrics by Rufus Wainwright. Runs at the Gielgud Theatre 6 March through 27 July 2024. Tickets Our review
By Aline Mahrud
WHEN?: 7pm UK time 2 March 2024
WHERE?: Löfbergs Arena, Karlstad WHERE DO I WATCH?: SVT Play
2024 will not go down as a classic year for Melodifestivalen but this 1st ever 5th heat is a reminder of everything the show does best.
By Aline Mahrud
WORTH A LOOK?: *****
WHEN?: Saturday 24 February, opens 6 March and runs through 11 May 2024 RUNTIME: 160 minutes (including a 20-minute interval) Ticket update: Nye returns for a 2nd run at the National 3 July through 16 August 2025 Tickets
A grieving son wraps his dying miner father in his arms, apologises for everything he could have done better to look after him and vows to make good by helping others.
By Neil Durham
WORTH A LOOK?: ****1/2
WHEN?: Tuesday 20 February 2024, UK release Friday 23 February RUNTIME: 100 minutes
Wicked Little Letters is based on a true story from 1920s England of neighbours Edith Swan and Rose Gooding in the seaside town of Littlehampton when a series of obscene letters begin to target Edith and others, with suspicion falling upon Rose.
By Aline Mahrud
WHEN?: 7pm UK time 24 February 2024
WHERE?: Stiga Sports Arena, Eskilstuna WHERE DO I WATCH?: SVT Play
2 Melodifestivalen runners up return to the show at the weekend and we think 1 has the best song so far.
