Author: mrmonstagigz

THEATRE REVIEW: Dear Octopus starring Lindsay Duncan & Billy Howle

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: ****

WHEN?: Friday 9 February, opens 14 February and runs through 27 March 2024 2024 RUNTIME: 165 minutes (including a 20-minute interval)

The beating heart of this play about family by The Hundred And One Dalmatians author Dodie Smith is the unlikely romance between Dora and Charles Randolph’s son Nicholas, played by Billy Howle, and family friend Fenny.

  • Read on for reasons including how Dear Octopus was soapy but swimmingly entertaining
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PREDICTIONS: Melodifestivalen 2024 Heat 2 starring LIAMOO & Maria Sur

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Aline Mahrud

WHEN?: 7pm UK time 10 February 2024

WHERE?: Scandinavium, Gothenberg WHERE DO I WATCH?: SVT Play

Last week our predictions were 50 per cent correct and this week we have a higher number of debutants which always makes forecasting more tricky.

  • Read on for reasons including our predictions for who’s progressing in Heat 2
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SONG OF THE WEEK: Dancing With Demons by Cyan Kicks (week beginning 5 February 2024)

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

WORTH A LOOK?: ****

Rock quartet Cyan Kicks finished runners up in Finland’s Eurovision selection show UMK (Uuden Musiikin Kilpailu) in 2022 and on Saturday (10 February 2024) return again with this song.

  • Read on for reasons including who Cyan Kicks’ main UMK competition is
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THEATRE REVIEW: Just For One Day starring Jackie Clune, Craige Els & Olly Dobson at the Old Vic

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: ***

WHEN? Saturday 3 February 2024, opens 13 February booking until 30 March 2024 RUNTIME: 150 minutes (includes a 20-minute interval) Update: now booking Shaftesbury Theatre 15 May through 10 January 2026 Tickets

On 13 July 1985 we weren’t quite old enough for a Saturday job in Woolworth’s or WH Smith’s and instead watched Live Aid on TV at home after our paper round and if there’s 1 message from this global jukebox musical that resonates it is that individuals matter and when they work together they can change things.

  • Read on for reasons including how this is over-earnest and perhaps lacking in the killer material to make good on its promise
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THEATRE REVIEW: The Hills Of California at the Harold Pinter Theatre

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Aline Mahrud

WORTH A LOOK?: ****

WHEN?: Saturday 3 February, runs through 15 June 2024 RUNTIME: 180 minutes (including a 15-minute interval and a brief pause)

It’s the long hot summer of 1976 and 3 sisters reunite in the front room of their mother’s Blackpool guesthouse as she lays dying upstairs.

  • Read on for reasons including why despite the inevitable air of melancholy this is occasionally laugh-out-loud funny
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FILM REVIEW: Pet Shop Boys Dreamworld: The Greatest Hits

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: ****

WHEN?: Wednesday 31 January 2024, also showing in selected cinemas Sunday 4 February 2024

‘A Friday night in Copenhagen – what could be better?’ asks Pet Shop Boy Neil Tennant as the duo follow Taylor Swift and Beyonce into cinemas.

  • Read on for reasons including how some of the band’s greatest hits have recently featured in films
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PREDICTIONS: Melodifestivalen 2024 Heat 1 starring Elisa Lindström & Smash Into Pieces

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Aline Mahrud

WHEN?: 7pm UK time 3 February 2024

WHERE?: Malmö Arena, Malmö WHERE DO I WATCH?: SVT Play

This year’s Melodifestivalen has 4 rather than 5 heats with this opener from the venue where the Eurovision Song Contest final itself will take place on Saturday 11 May 2024.

  • Read on for reasons including who we think will be going straight to the final
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THEATRE REVIEW: I Should Be So Lucky at New Wimbledon Theatre

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: ***1/2

WHEN?: Monday 29 January, runs through 3 February 2024, touring the UK until 11 May 2024 RUNTIME: 135 minutes (including a 20-minute interval)

‘The wedding’s off but the honeymoon is on!’ runs the tagline for this fun Stock Aitken Waterman musical and, plot-wise, there’s very little else you need to know.

  • Read on for reasons including why this production has West End legs and a hen-do feel
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GIG REVIEW: Depeche Mode at The 02

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Aline Mahrud

WORTH A LOOK?: ****

WHEN?: 27 January 2024, tour runs through 8 April 2024

SETLIST: My Cosmos Is Mine; Wagging Tongue; Walking In My Shoes; It’s No Good; Policy Of Truth; In Your Room; Everything Counts; Precious; Before We Drown; Home; Somebody; Ghosts Again; I Feel You; A Pain that I’m Used To; Behind The Wheel; Black Celebration; Stripped; John The Revelator; Enjoy The Silence; Waiting For The Night; Just Can’t Get Enough; Never Let Me Down Again; Personal Jesus

This is our 1st time seeing Depeche Mode since 1986’s Black Celebration and 1988’s Music For The Masses tours at the old Wembley Arena.

  • Read on for reasons including which new song made its live debut at this gig
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FILM REVIEW: All Of Us Strangers starring Andrew Scott & Paul Mescal

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: *****

Growing up gay in the 80s wasn’t much fun with its AIDS and Clause 28 and Andrew Scott’s (Vanya, Duke Of York’s Theatre) screenwriter Adam is struggling with writer’s block, watching old episodes of Top Of The Pops and living alone in a high-rise London tower block which is sparsely populated.

  • Read on for reasons including why this is beautiful, haunting and likely to stay with you long after the end credits
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