Author: mrmonstagigz

GIG REVIEW: Goldfrapp performs Felt Mountain live at Royal Festival Hall

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By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: ****

WHEN?: Friday 15 April 2022

SETLIST: Felt Mountain; Paper Bag; Pilots; Deer Stop; Human; Hairy Trees; Road To Somewhere; Eat Yourself; Moon In Your Mouth; You Never Know; Black Cherry; Utopia; Lovely Head; Ride A White Horse; Strict Machine; Train; Oompa Radar

An hour into tonight’s show and singer Alison Goldfrapp announces from the stage that she wants to take a picture of the audience and instructs us to get to our feet.

  • Read on for reasons including how we hope new studio album number 8 is not far off
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PREVIEW/PREDICTIONS: Eurovision Song Contest 2022 Semi 2 starring Achille Lauro, Cornelia Jakobs, Ochman & The Rasmus

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By Aline Mahrud and Neil Durham

WHEN? Thursday 12 May 2022

WHERE? PalaOlimpico, Turin, Italy

HOW DO I WATCH? BBC3 8pm (UK time)

We think the standard of this 2nd semi final is far greater than Tuesday’s 1st and also it will therefore be tougher for the better songs here to advance to Saturday’s final.

  • Read on for reasons including who we think the 10 qualifiers for the final will be from this semi
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THEATRE REVIEW: Scandaltown starring Rachael Stirling by Mike Bartlett at Lyric Theatre, Hammersmith

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By Aline Mahrud

WORTH A LOOK?: ****1/2

WHEN? Saturday 10 April, opens 14 April, booking to 14 May 2022 RUNTIME? 150 minutes (including 20-minute interval)

2 years ago 1 of the 1st comedies we had tickets for that was Covid-cancelled was a revival of Mike Bartlett’s Love, Love, Love starring Rachael Stirling at this very venue.

  • Read on for reasons including how Matthew Broome making his stage debut is a name to watch for
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THEATRE REVIEW: But I’m A Cheerleader The Musical starring Alice Croft, Evie Rose Lane & Jodie Steele at Turbine Theatre

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By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: ***

WHEN? matinee Sunday 3 April, runs to 8 May 2022

RUNTIME: 160 minutes (including a 20-minute interval)

Conversion therapy is headline news in the UK and there seems no more apt time for this new musical based on a beloved 1999 cult film starring RuPaul and Michelle Williams to be taking its bow.

  • Read on for reasons including why the story and talented cast are the best reasons to see this new musical
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THEATRE REVIEW: & Juliet starring Keala Settle at the Shaftesbury Theatre

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: ****1/2

WHEN? matinee Saturday 2 April, booking until 24 September 2022 RUNTIME: 150 minutes (including 20-minute interval)

Settle (pictued above right with Miriam-Teak Lee) sang the Oscar-nominated and Golden Globe-winning This Is Me in Pasek and Paul‘s film The Greatest Showman and here makes her West End debut memorably.

  • Read on for reasons including why Settle’s casting is the F**kin’ Perfect reason to see this show
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THEATRE REVIEW: The 47th starring Bertie Carvel at the Old Vic

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By Aline Mahrud

WORTH A LOOK?: ***

WHEN?: Saturday 2 April, opens 9 April, booking to Saturday 28 May 2022

RUNTIME: 157 minutes (including 15-minute interval)

‘Chameleon’ is the word best used to describe actor Bertie Carvel, the winner of 2 Oliviers and a Tony for roles including Rupert Murdoch in Ink.

  • Read on for reasons including how The 47th shares its Shakespearean style with King Charles III
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GIG REVIEW: Sophie Ellis Bextor at the London Palladium

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By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: *****

WHEN?: Wednesday 30 March, tour runs until 6 March 2023

SETLIST: Take Me Home; Disco Inferno; Wild Forever; Over and Over; All Night Long; Hypnotised; Mixed Up World; Young Blood; There Are Worse Things I Could Do; Love Is a Camera; Dancing Queen; Get Over You; Lady; Groovejet; Sing It Back; Crying At The Discoteque; Like A Prayer; Heartbreak (Make Me A Dancer); Murder On The Dancefloor; Our House; My Favourite Things

It’s hard to imagine this Kitchen Disco Tour being quite so successful if Sophie Ellis Bextor hadn’t broadcast shows live from her home on social media featuring her family during the Covid lockdowns.

  • Read on for reasons including how to see clips from the highlights of this show
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PREVIEW/PREDICTIONS: Eurovision Song Contest semi 1 starring Subwoolfer, Kalush Orchestra & Zdob si Zdub

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Aline Mahrud and Neil Durham

WHEN? Tuesday 10 May 2022

WHERE? PalaOlimpico, Turin, Italy

HOW DO I WATCH? BBC3 8pm (UK time)

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine sees the former thrown out of this 66th Contest while the latter are now favourites to win the whole thing.

  • Read on for reasons including who we think the 10 qualifiers for the final will be from this semi
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THEATRE REVIEW: Maria Friedman and Friends: Legacy at Menier Chocolate Factory

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: *****

WHEN?: Sunday 20 March 2022, booking to 17 April 2022

RUNTIME: 150 minutes (including 20-minute Interval)

There’s a lovely moment towards the end of this celebration of songwriters Stephen Sondheim, Marvin Hamlisch and Michel Legrand when its star Friedman, who worked with them all, encourages the audience to sing with the cast.

  • Read on for reasons including how this is a heartfelt, joyous and celebratory warm hug of a show
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