PREVIEW

PREVIEW: 9 reasons why we can’t wait for October 2026 starring Keira Knightley & Luke Thompson

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

  1. Keira Knightley in The Lives Of Others

Knightley performs in the West End for the 1st time since 2011 opposite Bridgerton‘s Luke Thompson (A Little Life, Harold Pinter Theatre) in this story of a writer and actor under surveillance in 1984 at the Adelphi Theatre. Written, adapted and directed by Robert Icke (Romeo and Juliet, Harold Pinter Theatre) Runs 14 October through 9 January 2027. Tickets

  • Read on for reasons including Kristin Scott Thomas, Tilda Swinton and Michelle Dockery in the new Ava Pickett
Read More

Q&A & PREVIEW: Bookish starring Mark Gatiss & Connor Finch at BFI Southbank

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

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

WHEN? Tuesday 18 August 2026 Show airs from Wednesday 26 August 2026 on U&Alibi

The genius of Mark Gatiss period detective drama Bookish is that as well as 3 Agatha Christie-esque murder mysteries to solve each series it boasts a heartfelt emotional backstory of lost love, longing and hope to keep you glued.

  • Read on for reasons including how the Christmas special is in the can and a 3rd series starts shooting soon
Read More

PREVIEW: 9 reasons why we can’t wait for September 2026 starring Gillian Anderson

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

  1. Gillian Anderson in Virginia Woolf

We last saw Anderson resplendent on a revolving London stage at the Young Vic in A Streetcar Named Desire and here she stars in the classic Who’s Afraid Of Virginia Woolf? opposite Billy Crudup (High Noon, Harold Pinter Theatre) at the intimate @SohoPlace. Directed by Marianne Elliott (Les Liaisons Dangereuses, National Theatre) runs 21 September through 19 December 2026. Tickets

  • Read on for reasons including Golden Boy Josh O’Connor, Christine Baranski’s Hay Fever & farewell to St Etienne
Read More

PREVIEW: 9 reasons why we can’t wait for August 2026 starring Cate Blanchett

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

  1. Cate Blanchett in Electra/Persona

Blanchett (The Seagull, Barbican) stars opposite Nina Hoss (The Cherry Orchard, Donmar) in Benedict Andrews’ (Cat On A Hot Tin Roof, Apollo Theatre) production fusing ancient myth and modern psychology at the Lyttelton at the National 19 August through 10 October 2026. Tickets Our review

  • Read on for reasons including Abigail’s Party, Kimberley Akimbo and Letitia Wright in The Story
Read More

PREVIEW: 9 reasons why we can’t wait for July 2026 starring Ben Platt at the Menier

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

  1. Ben Platt in Midnight At The Never Get

Platt (The Last Five Years, London Palladium) stars in this story about Trevor Copeland and Arthur Brightman who perform love songs in 1965 New York at a time when their love is against the law. Runs at the Menier Chocolate Factory 11 July through 12 September 2026. Tickets Our review

  • Read on for reasons including Cats, Confessions II and Rosie Sheehy in The Oresteia
Read More

Q&A/PREVIEW: Tip Toe starring Russell T Davies, Alan Cumming & David Morrissey at BFI Southbank

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

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

WHEN?: Monday 18 May 2026, show airs on Channel 4 from Sunday 31 May 2026

Writer Davies may be best known for Queer As Folk and It’s A Sin but his new Channel Four drama Tip Toe is his 1st thriller, with a political edge and opens with Cumming’s Leo apparently hanging by his neck in a noose from a lamp post on a Manchester street.

  • Read on for reasons including how Tip Toe promises to be a wild ride although we’ve no idea where it goes next
Read More

PREVIEW: 9 reasons why we can’t wait for June 2026 starring Pride

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

  1. Pride at the National Theatre

Writer and director Stephen Beresford and Matthew Warchus (Oedipus, Old Vic) return from the 2014 film for the musical of a group of gay men and lesbians supporting the striking miners in the 80s. Stars Samuel Barnett (Feeling Afraid As If Something Terrible Is About To Happen, Bush Theatre) at the National’s Dorfman Theatre 11 June through 12 September 2026. Original music by DJ Walde (SYLVIA, Old Vic). Tickets Our review

  • Read on for reasons including Russell Tovey in Guilty, Midsummer Night’s Dream and Glengarry Glen Ross
Read More

PREDICTIONS/PREVIEW Eurovision Song Contest 2026 Final starring Delta Goodrem, Linda Lampenius x Pete Parkkonen, Monroe & Look Mum No Computer

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WHEN? 16 May 2026 HOW TO WATCH? BBC1 in the UK at 8pm

WHERE? Wiener Stadthalle, Vienna

The 2nd semi final of the 70th Eurovision Song Contest is over and we’ve updated this preview with our predictions for the qualifiers joining the host country and remaining Big 4 after Spain’s boycott.

  • Read on for reasons including predictions for France’s Monroe and the UK’s Look Mum No Computer
Read More

PREVIEW: 9 reasons why we can’t wait for May 2026 starring Gary Oldman in Krapp’s Last Tape

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

  1. Gary Oldman in Krapp’s Last Tape

Oscar winner Oldman (Apple’s Slow Horses) directs and stars in this monologue about a man on his 69th birthday who sits alone and listens to the echoes of his younger self. The play returns to the Royal Court where it ran in 1958 in this York Theatre Royal production. The run is sold out although tickets are available on Mondays. Runs 8 through 30 May 2026. Tickets Our review

  • Read on for reasons including Rosalia at The 02, High Society and Delta Goodrem at Eurovision
Read More

PREVIEW/PREDICTIONS: Eurovision Song Contest 2026 Semi Final 2 starring Delta Goodrem, Antigoni, Dara & Atvara

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WHEN? 14 May 2026 HOW TO WATCH? BBC1 in the UK at 8pm

WHERE? Wiener Stadthalle, Vienna

The final half of this 2nd semi final is Eurovision at its most competitive and 1 of our favourites is sure to miss out but we do think superstar Delta Goodrem’s is the performance to watch out for here because the song is contest-winning worthy.

  • Read on for reasons including Søren Torpegaard Lund, Jonas Lovv & Simón
Read More