THEATRE REVIEW

THEATRE REVIEW: Heated Rivalry: The Unauthorized Musical Parody starring Zheng Xi Yong and Joseph Dann at the Underbelly Boulevard Soho

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: ***1/2

WHEN?: Saturday 24 October and runs through 1 November 2026 RUNTIME: 70 minutes (no interval)

Heated Rivalry is a Canadian TV show and gay love story set in the unlikely world of ice hockey which was a surprise hit this year and has spawned at least 2 musical parodies of which this is 1.

  • Read on for reasons including how this is a lot of bawdy fun and a good representation for fans of the show
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THEATRE REVIEW: Man To Man starring Tilda Swinton at the Royal Court Theatre

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By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: ***

WHEN?: Saturday 17 October, and ran through 24 October 2026 RUNTIME: 90 minutes (no interval) Plays Edinburgh, Berlin and New York details far below

Oscar winner Swinton makes her New York stage debut next year in this curious monologue about a woman in 1930s Germany who puts on her dead husband’s trousers and never takes them off.

  • Read on for reasons including where and when to see this production in the US, Germany and Scotland
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THEATRE REVIEW: Thelma And Louise starring Amy Lennox and Rachel Tucker at the Young Vic

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By Aline Mahrud

WORTH A LOOK?: ***

WHEN?: Monday 19 October and running through 24 October 2026 RUNTIME: 140 minutes (including a 15-minute interval)

This musical of the 1991 classic Oscar-winning female road movie was 1 of the most eagerly awaited shows this autumn and we see it in its final week at this venue to assess whether it’s any gas left in its tank.

  • Read on for reasons including how the biggest injustice in this show is how the 5* story receives 2* songs
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THEATRE REVIEW: Table 17 starring Marisha Wallace and Jamael Westman at the Kiln Theatre

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By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: ***1/2

WHEN?: Tuesday 6 October, runs through 24 October 2026 RUNTIME: 95 minutes (no interval)

Welcome to the titular Table 17 where Jada and Dallas are attempting to rekindle their romance and leave 7 years of baggage outside the restaurant.

  • Read on for reasons including how we think this Table 17 will find a West End venue for its next encounter
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THEATRE REVIEW: The Pianist starring Daniel Krikler at the Park Theatre

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By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: ****

WHEN?: Saturday 17 October, opens 22 October and runs through 28 November 2026 RUNTIME: 130 minutes (including a 20-minute interval)

This is the new musical version of the life of Polish-Jewish pianist Władysław Szpilman during World War 2, a story which won 3 Oscars in its 2002 celluloid incarnation starring Adrien Brody.

  • Read on for reasons including how we’re here for monsta-longlisted star Daniel Krikler
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THEATRE REVIEW: The Lives Of Others starring Keira Knightley and Luke Thompson at the Adelphi Theatre

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By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: ***

WHEN?: Friday 16 October, opens 29 October and runs through 28 November 2026 RUNTIME: 130 minutes (no interval)

Adapter/director Robert Icke’s most recent leading ladies have gone on to awards success including Sadie Sink (Stage Debut Award for Romeo and Juliet) and a Best Actress Olivier and Tony for Lesley Manville (Oedipus)

  • Read on for reasons including how Keira Knightley was last on stage in 2011
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THEATRE REVIEW: Ilford Boy starring Leo Whitfield Harris, Craig Stein, Ria Zmitrowicz & Lindsey Coulson at the Donmar Warehouse

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: ****

WHEN?: Monday 12 October, opens 20 October and runs through 28 November 2026 RUNTIME: 155 minutes (including a 20-minute interval)

It’s the day of his nan’s funeral and impressionable 14-year-old Ted meets his mum’s gay best friend and suddenly his world doesn’t feel so lonely.

  • Read on for reasons including how this is 1 of the best new plays of the year so far
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THEATRE REVIEW: Martin Guerre starring Liv Andrusier and Shane O’Riordan at the Old Vic

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By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: ***

WHEN?: Friday 9 October, opens 20 October and runs through 31 October 2026 RUNTIME: 90 minutes (no interval)

The best reason to see this re-imagined revival of Martin Guerre is to hear new song Someday (watch and listen below) which very much reminds of Schönberg and Boublil’s best loved work Les Miserables thanks in part to Liv Andrusier’s beautiful vocal.

  • Read on for reasons including how Martin Guerre is a bit of a damp squib on which to end Warchus’ firework-filled reign at this iconic venue
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THEATRE REVIEW Tartuffe (Remixed) starring Mark Rylance at Marylebone Theatre

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: ****

WHEN?: Saturday 26 September (matinee), runs through 24 October 2026

Rylance (Juno And The Paycock, Gielgud Theatre) is definitely the draw here but this transformation of the Moliere classic to a Nigerian/Jamaican wedding more than makes up for the inexperience of its ensemble cast with an irresistible energy and lively comedy.

  • Read on for reasons including a chance to see Rylance in an intimate setting in a riot of a comedy with a cultural twist and an energy you might not expect
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