PREVIEW

PREVIEW: Melodifestivalen 2023 Heat 1 starring Tone Sekelius, LouLou from The Mamas & Eva and Ewa

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Aline Mahrud

WHEN?: 7pm UK time Saturday 4 February 2023

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

Melodifestivalen returns to the venue of the 1985 Eurovision for a 1st heat in its 2023 edition which sees the swift return to the MF stage of the contest’s 1st openly transgender participant – Tone Sekelius (pictured above) – who finished 5th last year with the uptempo anthem My Way.

  • Read on for reasons including Victor Crone, Jon Henrik Fjällgren, Eva Rydberg and Ewa Roos
Read More

PREVIEW: Estonia’s Eurovision selection show Eesti Laul 2023 starring Elysa, Janek, Meelik & Sissi

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WHEN?: 12 and 14 January, with a final on 11 February 2023

WHERE?: Tondiraba Ice Hall, Tallinn Watch on ERR

Stefan’s Hope finished 13th in Eurovision 2022 and it was our 3rd favourite in that year’s Eesti Laul with lots of big-hitters to beat.

  • Read on for reasons including Janel, Meelik and Sissi, the daughter of a former Eurovision winner
Read More

9 reasons why we can’t wait for January 2023 starring Aidan Turner & Jenna Coleman in Lemons, Lemons, Lemons

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

  1. Aidan Turner and Jenna Coleman bring Lemons, Lemons, Lemons to the West End

We last saw Turner on a West End stage 4 years ago in Martin McDonagh’s The Lieutenant of Inishmore (Noel Coward Theatre) and Coleman at the Old Vic in 2019 in All My Sons. Lemons is a revival of a 2015 two-hander with a running time of just 75 minutes about the importance of words, is directed by Josie Rourke (Sweet Charity, Donmar) and on at the Harold Pinter Theatre. Runs 18 January through 18 March 2023. Tickets Review

  • Read on for reasons including Beverley Knight in new musical Sylvia, Nolly and new plays Boys Are Kissing and The Unfriend
Read More

PREVIEW: Spain’s Eurovision selection show Benidorm Fest 2023 starring Agoney & Sharonne

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WHEN?: 31 January, 2 and 4 February 2023

WHERE?: Palau Municipal d’Esports l’Illa de Benidorm Watch on TVE

2022 saw the return of Benidorm Fest as the method for Spain to select its Eurovision entry and our choice to win, Chanel with SloMo, finished 3rd in Turin, Spain’s best result since 1995.

  • Read on for reasons including how we predict Agoney could do even better than Chanel if Spain chooses them for Eurovision 2023 in Liverpool
Read More

PREVIEW: Victorious Festival 2023 starring Jamiroquai, The Divine Comedy and Sigrid

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Carron Stacey, A Humdrum Mum

“Space Cowboy” has been orbiting the internet locally this week, a teaser for the Friday headliner at next year’s extended South Coast August Bank Holiday weekend metropolitan festival.

  • Read on for reasons including The Divine Comedy, Sigrid and The Coral
Read More

9 reasons why we can’t wait for December 2022 starring Paul Mescal in A Streetcar Named Desire

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

  1. A Streetcar Named Desire directed by Rebecca Frecknall starring Paul Mescal

Frecknall directed Cabaret which still runs at the Kit Kat Club at the Playhouse Theatre and whose EmCees have included an Olivier-winning turn from Eddie Redmayne, Fra Fee and Callum Scott Howells. The star of the Tennessee Williams classic she has chosen to follow it up with won a Best TV/Film Actor from us in 2020 for Normal People (pictured above). Streetcar runs at the Almeida 12 December 2022 to 4 February 2023. Tickets Streetcar review Mescal currently stars in film Aftersun Review Note: now opens Saturday 17 December as leading lady Lydia Wilson withdraws for health reasons to be replaced by Olivier winner Patsy Ferran (Camp Siegfried, Old Vic)

  • Read on for reasons including Julian Clary, Sir Ian McKellen and Jack O’Connell
Read More

9 reasons why we can’t wait for November 2022 starring Best Of Enemies

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

  1. West End debut of Zachary Quinto in Best Of Enemies

Quinto (The Boys In The Band) is probably best known for his role as Spock in the rebooted Star Trek franchise and here plays Gore Vidal in the Young Vic production of this James (Ink, Almeida) Graham play opposite David Harewood as William F Buckley about the 1968 ATV TV debates. Runs at the Noel Coward Theatre 14 November through 18 February 2023. Tickets

  • Read on for reasons including Florence and the Machine, The Crown and My Policeman
Read More

9 reasons why we can’t wait for October 2022 starring Tammy Faye at the Almeida

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

  1. New Elton John, Jake Shears and James Graham musical

Tammy Faye Messner was an American evangelist, singer, author, talk show host, and television personality. This musical about her life includes music by Elton John, lyrics by Jake Shears and a book by James Graham (Ink, Almeida and BBC1’s Sherwood). It stars Katie Brayben and Andrew Rannells (The Prom and The Boys In The Band). Runs 13 October through 3 December. Tickets Review

  • Read on for reasons including Brown Boys Swim, Simon Russell Beale and RuPaul’s Drag Race UK
Read More

9 reasons why we can’t wait for September 2022 starring Suede

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

  1. Suede live and new album Autofiction

Suede may have reformed in 2010 but they’ve never mattered to us in the same way as they did when we 1st saw them at Portsmouth Pyramids in 1993 – until now. Singles She Still Leads Me On and 15 Again show a flair and consistency we’ve not seen this century. New album Autofiction is released 16 September and we see them the night before at a special gig at PRYZM, Kingston. Tickets

  • Read on for reasons including The P Word, The Band’s Visit, Eureka Day and Self Esteem
Read More

Ms Humdrum’s picks for Victorious Festival, Portsmouth starring Self Esteem, Suede and James

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Carron Stacey, A Humdrum Mum

WHEN?: Friday 26 to Sunday 28 August 2022

This year, in stark contrast to other years, the Humdrums are not chasing the main acts at this year’s south coast seaside festival. I’m sure Stereophonics, Paolo Nutini and Sam Fender will do a great job bringing the crowds in, but this time, it’s the smaller acts lower down on the bill, retro acts and the comedy which we are really looking forward to. 

  • Read on for reasons including Self Esteem, James and Suede
Read More