PREVIEW: 9 reasons why we can’t wait for February (2020) starring Pretty Woman: The Musical

  1. Pretty Woman: The Musical opens starring Aimie Atkinson and Danny Mac

Bryan Adams co-wrote this musical version of the beloved 1990 Julia Roberts/Richard Gere film which ran on Broadway starring Samantha Barks (performing in clip above) for a year until August. Atkinson has a Eurovision connection and we saw her in Six in the West End. Mac will be familiar to Strictly viewers. Opens at the Piccadilly Theatre 13/2, booking until 2/1/21. Tickets

  • Read on for reasons including Be More Chill, Melodifestivalen, Colin Morgan and La Cage Aux Folles

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PREVIEW: Heat 4 Melodifestivalen 2020 starring Nanne, Ellen Benediktson, Hanna Ferm and Victor Crone

Last year’s Melodifestivalen winner – John Lundvik – sang last in the final heat and here that honour goes to Hanna Ferm rather than MF royalty Nanne Grönvall.

  • Read on for reasons including Ellen Benediktson and Victor Crone who also appear in this final heat

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PREVIEW: Heat 3 Melodifestivalen 2020 starring Mohombi, Mariette, Anis don Demina & Faith Kakembo

Jörgen Elofsson has written songs for pop titans including Celine Dion, Agnetha Fältskog, Britney Spears and Geri Halliwell and this year his sole Melodifestivalen credit is for Faith Kakembo (pictured above).

  • Read on for reasons including Mariette, Mohombi and Anis Don Demina who also appear in this third heat

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PREVIEW: Melodifestivalen 2020 Heat 2 starring Linda Bengtzing, Dotter and Anna Bergendahl

UPDATE: This post has been updated to reflect the 10/1/20 running order reveal

Will it be seventh time lucky for schlager legend Linda Bengtzing at the Scandinavium arena in Gothenburg on 8 February 2020?

  • Read on for reasons including Dotter and Anna Bergendahl who also appear in this 2nd heat

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PREVIEW: 9 reasons why we can’t wait for January (2020) starring Madonna

  1. Madonna brings Madame X to the London Palladium

2019’s Madame X collection made our Album of 2019 shortlist and was Madonna’s best since 2005’s Confessions. We were at her last London gig at The 02 in 2015 and are looking forward to the shift from arenas to theatres for this 15-gig run. Tickets The tour opened in the US in the autumn and, despite the late starts, promises much. We’re just glad we don’t have to be up early after what is shaping up to be a late night albeit in thrall to the Queen of Pop.

  • Read on for reasons including new Pet Shop Boys album, Richard Armitage’s West End return and VAULT Festival

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PREVIEW: 9 reasons why we can’t wait for December 2019

  1. Goldilocks at the Palladium

This seasonal favourite returns for its fourth outing starring Julian Clary, Paul O’Grady, Gary Wilmot, Nigel Havers, Paul Zerdin and new face Matt Baker. Tempted? Read our 2016, 2017 and 2018 reviews. Runs 7/12 to 12/1/20. Tickets

  • Read on for reasons including Sigrid, Baga Chipz and Teenage Dick

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PREVIEW: 9 reasons why we can’t wait for November 2019 starring James McAvoy as Cyrano de Bergerac

  1. James McAvoy stars in Cyrano de Bergerac in the West End

McAvoy won our inaugural Best Theatre Actor monsta in 2015 for The Ruling Class and reunites with director Jamie Lloyd for this take on Cyrano de Bergerac running at the Playhouse 27/11 through 29/2/20. Tickets  McAvoy also stars in BBC1’s His Dark Materials from 3/11/19 and you can read our Q&A with cast and author.

  • Read on for reasons including & Juliet, Alphabeat, Ella Henderson and Greenwich pantomime

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PREVIEW: 9 reasons why we can’t wait for October 2019 starring Shakespears Sister

  1. Shakespears Sister Ride Again tour saddles up at the Palladium

This unlikely reunion may have been over a quarter of a century in the making but Siobhan Fahey and Marcella Detroit have released three excellent, different yet complementary singles this year already, winning both our Song and Albums of the month. The 14-date UK reunion tour kicks off rather appropriately on Halloween and we join the band at the Palladium on Bonfire Night. Tickets

  • Read on for reasons including Dear Evan Hansen, Lungs, Cher and Mary Poppins

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PREVIEW: 9 reasons why we can’t wait for September 2019 starring Frances Barber in MUSIK

  1. Frances Barber brings MUSIK to London and Pet Shop Boys play Hyde Park

Billie Trix was the most compelling character from Pet Shop Boys musical Closer To Heaven and author Jonathan Harvey has brought the star played by Frances Barber back for an hour-long show with new songs by the duo. For Every Moment was our Song Of The Month for August. An Edinburgh Festival hit, MUSIK takes its bow at the Leicester Square Theatre 3-7/9. Tickets Pet Shop Boys also play Radio 2 Live In Hyde Park 15/9 Tickets

  • Read on for reasons including Reece Shearsmith, Jay McGuiness, Kimberley Walsh and Big

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PREVIEW: 9 reasons why we can’t wait for August 2019 starring Fleabag

  1. Fleabag takes the stage

Author Phoebe Waller-Bridge won our 2016 Best TV/Film actress monsta for her work on the 1st TV series (5 reasons to watch here) of this show and the original play on which it is based comes to the West End’s Wyndham’s Theatre 20/8 through 14/9/19. Tickets

  • Read on for reasons including Michael Ball, Alfie Boe, Carrie Hope-Fletcher & Shura

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