THEATRE REVIEW

THEATRE REVIEW: The Guilty starring Russell Tovey at the Donmar Warehouse

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Aline Mahrud

WORTH A LOOK?: **** RUNTIME: 70 minutes (without interval)

WHEN?: Monday 22 June, opens 30 June and runs through 15 August 2026

Meet troubled police officer Joe, played by Russell Tovey (Constellations, Vaudeville Theatre), who takes a series of 999 calls in this real-time thriller set in London.

  • Read on for reasons including how this is the perfect setting for this real-time thriller to grip you by your collar and never let go
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THEATRE REVIEW: A Midsummer Night’s Dream starring Olivier Huband, Terique Jarrett & Mary Malone at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: ***1/2

WHEN? Saturday 20 June, opens 29 June and runs through 18 July 2026 RUNTIME: 160 minutes (including a 20-minute interval)

Seeing this play on this night at this venue has long been an ambition.

  • Read on for reasons including how the course of my true love with this play didn’t run smooth
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THEATRE REVIEW: May Day starring Jo Foster at the King’s Head Theatre

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: ***

WHEN? Friday 19 June, runs through 21 June 2026 RUNTIME: 85 minutes (no interval)

The big draw of this workshop production of a new musical is the central role for the Olivier Award-nominated Jo Foster (Into The Woods, Bridge Theatre and Why Am I So Single?, Garrick Theatre).

  • Read on for reasons including how May Day has real potential with a little tender loving care to find and bare its West End legs
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THEATRE REVIEW: Hot Mess starring Danielle Steers & Morgan Gregory at the Other Palace

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: ***1/2

WHEN? Sunday 14 June, opens 23 June and runs through 6 September 2026 RUNTIME: 85 minutes (no interval)

Hot Mess was shortlisted for our Best New Musical 2025 monsta and last year we said of it: ‘We’d definitely recommend catching it on this short run and wouldn’t be at all surprised if it scorches its way to the West End next.’

  • Read on for reasons including how Hot Mess remains 1 of the best new musicals of recent years
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THEATRE REVIEW: Pride starring Samuel Barnett at the National Theatre

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: *****

WHEN? Saturday 13 June, opens 25 June and runs through 12 September 2026 RUNTIME: 160 minutes (with a 20-minute interval)

The audience rises as 1 at the curtain to give this musical re-imagining of the beloved 2014 film about lesbian and gay support for the miners during their 80s industrial action the adulation it deserves.

  • Read on for reasons including how this is giving Redcliffe a run for its money as the best new musical of the year so far
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THEATRE REVIEW: Sinatra The Musical starring Joel Harper-Jackson at the Aldwych Theatre

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: ***1/2

WHEN? Saturday 6 June, opens 24 June and runs through 10 April 2027

Start spreading the news – there’s a sensational central performance from Joel Harper-Jackson (Daniel’s Husband, Marylebone Theatre) as Sinatra in this jukebox musical about his life.

  • Read on for reasons including how we had fun but this is probably 1 for die-hard fans of the star’s only
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THEATRE REVIEW: Glengarry Glen Ross starring Indira Varma & Rosa Salazar at the Old Vic Theatre

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: *****

WHEN? Friday 5 June, opens 16 June and runs through 18 July 2026 RUNTIME: 90 minutes (without interval)

Welcome to the 1st professional staging of this David Mamet classic about the toxic masculinity of Florida real estate salesmen with an all-female cast.

  • Read on for reasons including why you should witness theatrical electricity at work in this gladiatorial production
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THEATRE REVIEW: Redcliffe starring Jordan Luke Gage at Southwark Playhouse (The Large)

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: *****

WHEN?: Saturday 23 May, opens 27 May and runs through 4 July 2026 RUNTIME: 135 minutes (including a 20-minute interval)

Welcome to the best new musical of 2026 so far with a book, music and lyrics by Jordan Luke Gage who you may have seen leading musicals including Bonnie & Clyde.

  • Read on for reasons including how we fell head over heels in love with the songs and even shed a few tears throughout
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THEATRE REVIEW: High Society starring Helen George, Felicity Kendal, Julian Ovenden & Freddie Fox at Barbican Theatre

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: ****

WHEN?: Saturday 23 May (matinee), opens 3 June and runs through 11 July 2026 and then tours through 14 November 2026 RUNTIME: 150 minutes (including a 20-minute interval)

Helen George (Love In Idleness, Menier) may still be best known for TV’s Call The Midwife and is the central character here as Long Island socialite Tracy Lord planning a June 1938 wedding to accountant George Kittredge.

  • Read on for reasons including how this production maintains the general standard of this venue’s traditional summer musical blockbuster revival
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THEATRE REVIEW: End Of The Rainbow starring Jinx Monsoon at Soho Theatre Walthamstow

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: *****

WHEN?: Wednesday 20 May and runs through 11 July 2026 RUNTIME: 150 minutes (including a 20-minute interval)

There are moments in this glorious restored 1930 venue with its old Hollywood feel that has hosted acts like The Beatles and Buddy Holly where you could be forgiven for thinking Broadway star Jinx Monsoon is Judy Garland.

  • Read on for reasons including how this production is everything this Garland fan dreamed it could be and so much more
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