THEATRE REVIEW

THEATRE REVIEW: What If If Only starring John Heffernan & Linda Bassett at the Royal Court

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

WORTH A LOOK?: ***1/2

WHEN?: Wednesday 6 October (matinee), runs to 23 October 2021 RUNTIME: 20 minutes

Bassett is 1 of our favourite actresses and we last saw her onstage in author Caryl Churchill’s considerably longer Escaped Alone at this very venue 5 years ago.

  • Read on for reasons including how we combined this play with another new piece of supernatural writing to make more of a day of our theatre experience
Read More

THEATRE REVIEW: Foxes starring Michael Fatogun, Anyebe Godwin and Doreene Blackstock at Theatre503

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

WORTH A LOOK?: ***1/2

WHEN?: Tuesday 5 October, runs to 23 October 2021 RUNTIME: 85 minutes (no interval)

We are at the home of new writers and author Dexter Flanders gives us Daniel played by Michael Fatogun (pictured below) whose girlfriend is pregnant with their child while he is confused by his relationship with friend Leon.

  • Read on for reasons including which actor from Netflix’s Sex Education appears here
Read More

THEATRE REVIEW: The Tragedy Of Macbeth starring James McArdle & Saoirse Ronan at Almeida Theatre

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

WORTH A LOOK?: *****

WHEN?: Monday 4 October, runs to 20 November 2021 extended to 27 November 2021 with livestream option

RUNTIME: 190 minutes (including a 20-minute interval)

Prolonged handwashing is forthright in our consciousness post-Covid and perhaps, like Chekhov’s gun, it should have come as little surprise that the onstage tap in this dreamlike, almost modern-day production should play such a pivotal role.

  • Read on for reasons including how good Ronan is in her UK stage debut but how it will be McArdle’s brutish Macbeth that will be remembered
Read More

THEATRE REVIEW: Get Up, Stand Up! The Bob Marley Musical starring Arinze Kene at the Lyric Theatre

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

WORTH A LOOK?: ****1/2

WHEN?: Sunday 3 October 2021, opens 20 October, booking to 3 April 2022 RUNTIME: 150 minutes (including a 20-minute interval)

The biggest compliment we can pay this jukebox musical is that it worked its audience up at only this 3rd preview into such a frenzy that 2 songs before the finish everyone was up on their feet, dancing and singing along.

  • Read on for reasons including how Kene is 1 of this country’s finest performers but here the whole ensemble shines
Read More

THEATRE REVIEW: & Juliet starring Miriam Teak-Lee, Cassidy Janson, David Bedella, Oliver Tompsett & Alex Thomas-Smith

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

WORTH A LOOK?: ****

WHEN?: Friday 1 October 2021 at Shaftesbury Theatre RUNTIME: 150 minutes (including 20-minute interval) Booking to 25 June 2022

We 1st caught this musical in previews at this West End venue almost 2 years ago and we’re back because it has re-opened after multiple lockdowns with a new cast member as May, Alex Thomas-Smith (pictured above).

  • Read on for reasons including how the audience’s loudest screams were for the reformed boy band in this jukebox musical
Read More

THEATRE REVIEW: The Normal Heart starring Ben Daniels, Dino Fetscher & Daniel Monks at National Theatre

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

WORTH A LOOK?: ****

WHEN?: Saturday 25 September, opens 30 September, booking to 6 November 2021

WHERE?: Olivier Theatre, National RUNTIME?: 160 minutes (including 20-minute interval)

New York was the epicentre of the HIV/AIDS pandemic crisis in the 80s and 90s and, before Channel 4’s award-winning It’s A Sin in 2021, theatre’s response to the issue had very much been American.

  • Read on for reasons including how The Normal Heart is a well-cast rallying cry against a Government not listening
Read More

THEATRE REVIEW: Hairspray starring Michael Ball, Marisha Wallace, Les Dennis & Rita Simons at The Coliseum

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

WORTH A LOOK?: *****

WHEN?: Saturday 18 September 2021, runs to 29 September 2021

RUNTIME: 150 minutes (including 20-minute interval)

We loved John Waters‘ 1988 film on which this musical is based but it is a show which has surpassed its origins and there is a moment tonight when rising star Marisha Wallace sings I Know Where I’ve Been that brings the house down.

  • Read on for reasons including why Michael Ball’s number with Les Dennis reminded of Morecambe and Wise at their best
Read More

THEATRE REVIEW: Blithe Spirit starring Jennifer Saunders at Harold Pinter Theatre

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

WORTH A LOOK?: ****

RUNTIME: 140 minutes (including 20-minute interval)

WHEN?: Matinee Saturday 18 September, booking to 6 November 2021

The last time we saw Noel Coward’s Blithe Spirit the part of clairvoyant Madame Arcati was played by the late great Peggy Mount at Guildford’s Yvonne Arnaud Theatre in 1989.

  • Read on for reasons including how Absolutely Fabulous star Jennifer Saunders plays the Mme Arcati role
Read More

THEATRE REVIEW: Back To The Future: The Musical at the Adelphi Theatre

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

WORTH A LOOK?: ***

WHEN?: Sunday 12 September 2021 (matinee), booking to February 13 2022 RUNTIME: 160 minutes (including 20-minute interval)

‘Great Scott!’ Michael J. Fox starred as hero Marty McFly in 3 Back To The Future films which made more than 900 million dollars in the 80s and 90s.

  • Read on for reasons including how this musical is big on spectacle but short on memorable songs
Read More

THEATRE REVIEW: Camp Siegfried starring Patsy Ferran and Luke Thallon at the Old Vic

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

WORTH A LOOK?: ****1/2

WHEN?: Saturday 11 September, opens 18 September, runs to 30 October 2021

RUNTIME: 90 minutes (no interval)

Playwright Bess Wohl penned this play last summer during the pandemic while staying outside New York as Donald Trump’s presidential re-election campaign kicked into gear.

  • Read on for reasons including how Olivier Award-winning Ferran’s indoctrination is centre stage here
Read More