PREVIEW: 9 reasons why we can’t wait for July

  1. Queers at the Old Vic

27/7 will mark the 50th anniversary of the repeal of the law against homosexuality and BBC4 has commissioned the filming of eight monologues curated by Mark Gatiss and featuring authors including Jackie Clune performed by stars such as Ben Whishaw (pictured above), Russell Tovey and Alan Cumming. UPDATE: 4/7: No sign of Whishaw or Cumming in the Old Vic casting announced today but it does include Tovey, Gemma Whelan, Sarah Crowe, Ian Gelder, Mark Bonnar & Kadiff Kirwan. Tickets

  • Read on for reasons including Jack O’Connell, Frank Ocean & Stockard Channing

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7 acts we most want to see at Glastonbury 2017

  1. Lorde (Other Stage, Friday 8.45pm)

Second album Melodrama out on Friday is our favourite of 2017 so far. Writer In The Dark is pure Kate Bush, Perfect Places where we’d love Robyn to go and the lyrics are as brimful of character (she’s 19 and she’s on fire) as the likes of Green Light and Supercut are dancefloor friendly.

  • Read on for reasons including Katy Perry, Charli XCX, Goldfrapp & Chic

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AWARDS: MONSTAS: Our best musical shortlist of 2017 so far

We awarded 12 monstas for the best pop, theatre, TV and film of 2016 in December – and here we look at the cream of 2017 so far and what’s to come. Funny Girl and Groundhog Day are previous winners in this category.

  • Read on for our favourite musicals of 2017 so far and our hopes for the next half year

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AWARDS: MONSTAS: Our best theatre actor shortlist of 2017 so far

We awarded 12 monstas for the best pop, theatre, TV and film of 2016 in December – and here we look at the cream of 2017 so far and what’s to come. James McAvoy and George Mackay are previous winners in this category.

  • Read on for our top 5 best theatre actors of 2017 so far and our hopes for the next half year

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5 reasons to see Bananarama on tour this winter

  1. It’s Siobhan’s 1st Nana tour

We were there at the old Wembley Arena for the first Bananarama World Tour in 1989 but founder member Siobhan Fahey took no part in the 40-plus gigs. See her for the first time on tour with the band this winter.

  • Read on for reasons including rare US TV footage of the World Tour’s opening night in Boston

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

  1. Emeli Sandé at Glastonbury

This year will be our fourth Glastonbury in a row and, although there’s far too much to be excited about to list here, we’d probably pick our first Emeli Sandé gig as the thing we’re most enthused by at the sold-out event which runs from 22/6 to 25/6. Katy Perry’s new album Witness is out 9/6 and Lorde’s Melodrama 16/6 and they both also feature.

  • Read on for reasons including Billie Holiday, Jade Anouka & Fisayo Akinade

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PREVIEW: 9 reasons why we can’t wait for May

  1. We go ape for the Eurovision Song Contest

The final of the 62nd contest takes place in Kiev, Ukraine, on 13/5 at 8pm on BBC1 and the pre-contest publicity has been dominated by the host country’s banning of Russia’s entry. Check out the search box for our predictions for this year which include the contest’s most surefire winner: Occidentali’s Karma by Francesco Gabbani (pictured above).

  • Read on for reasons including Felicity Kendal, new band Lilac Lungs & a Game Of Thrones Q&A

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9 reasons why we can’t wait for April

  1. Angels In America descend on the National

Our most anticipated theatrical event of the year. Marianne Elliott (War HorseCurious Incident of the Dog In The Night-Time) directs a stellar cast including Nathan Lane (The Producers, The Birdcage), Andrew Garfield, Denise Gough, James McArdle and Russell Tovey in this two-part Tony Kushner classic at the National Theatre from 11/4. Runs to 19/8. Tickets

  • Read on for reasons including a walk with Mark Rylance, Miriam Margoyles & Olivier Awards

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9 reasons why we can’t wait for March

  1. Sheena Easton debuts in 42nd Street

We’ve never seen 42nd Street but are very excited by the West End debut casting of Sheena Easton who we remember as far back in her career as 9 to 5 (see below) and her duet with Prince. Opens at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane 20/3 and booking through July. Tickets Picture via Facebook courtesy 42nd Street.

  • Read on for reasons including Goldfrapp, The Goat, Or Who Is Sylvia? and Marc Almond

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