THEATRE REVIEW

THEATRE REVIEW: Cat On A Hot Tin Roof starring Daisy Edgar Jones at the Almeida Theatre

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

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

WHEN?: Friday 27 December 2024, runs through 1 February 2025 RUNTIME: 180 minutes (including 2 intervals)

There’s a ghost at the piano in Rebecca Frecknall’s (A Streetcar Named Desire, Almeida) take on Tennessee Williams’ favourite of all his acclaimed plays who may be Skipper, whose love dared speak its name to ageing football jock Brick, but was rebuffed.

  • Read on for reasons including how Frecknall’s treatment of the material emphasises Maggie’s agency and, stylistically, it’s an absolute triumph
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THEATRE REVIEW: The Merchant Of Venice 1936 starring Tracy-Ann Oberman at Trafalgar Theatre

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: ***1/2

WHEN?: Sunday 29 December 2024, runs through 25 January 2025 and then tours the UK (details below) RUNTIME: 120 minutes with a 20-minute interval

This production began as a conversation in 2018 when Oberman told director Brigid Larmour she wanted to play Shylock as an East End matriarch in the 1930s, inspired by her great grandmother.

  • Read on for reasons including where and how to see this production on its tour after this memorable run
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THEATRE REVIEW: The Tempest starring Sigourney Weaver, Mason Alexander Park & Mathew Horne at Theatre Royal Drury Lane

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: ***1/2

WHEN?: Monday 9 December 2024, opens 17 December and runs through 1 February 2025 RUNTIME: 135 minutes (including a 20-minute interval)

We’ve certainly had the recent windy weather to fully appreciate the timing of this much looked-forward-to production starring Storm Sigourney.

  • Read on for reasons including how it’s only really when Weaver gets to her feet that this production has wind in its sails
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THEATRE REVIEW: Robin Hood starring Jane McDonald, Julian Clary, Marisha Wallace & Charlie Stemp at the London Palladium

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: *****

WHEN?: Sunday 8 December 2024, runs through 12 January 2025 RUNTIME: 150 minutes (with a 20-minute interval)

What would Morecambe and Wise do?

  • Read on for reasons including how this is the funniest, most heartfelt, joyous and dazzling the Palladium pantomime has ever been
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THEATRE REVIEW: Bette & Joan starring Greta Scacchi & Felicity Dean

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: ****

WHEN?: Thursday 5 December 2024, runs through 11 January 2025 RUNTIME: 135 minutes (including a 20-minute interval)

Heat and Dust, White Mischief, Presumed Innocent and The Player … if you’re wondering whatever happened to Greta Scacchi, the actress who appeared in those films, read on.

  • Read on for reasons including how this is serious subject matter given a delightfully funny airing thanks to a formidable duo
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THEATRE REVIEW: The Producers starring Andy Nyman & Marc Antolin at Menier Chocolate Factory

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: *****

WHEN?: Saturday 30 November 2024 (matinee), opens 9 December and runs through 1 March 2025 RUNTIME: 170 minutes (including interval) Update: Transfers to the Garrick 30 August 2025 through 21 February 2026 Tickets

Our companion whispers: ‘This is brilliant!’ in our ear at the end of 2nd song The King Of Old Broadway as Andy Nyman (film Wicked (Part 1) as down-on-his-luck producer Max Bialystock makes us forget we saw Nathan Lane (Angels In America, National Theatre) in the role in London’s West End.

  • Read on for reasons including how this was the funniest show our companion had seen for at least 10 years
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THEATRE REVIEW: Here And Now starring Rebecca Lock, Sharlene Hector & Blake Patrick Anderson at Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: ****

WHEN?: Sunday 24 November (matinee) and runs through 30 November 2024 Tours UK and Ireland in 2025 and 2026 Tickets RUNTIME: 155 minutes (including a 20-minute interval)

A Steps musical needs a vocalist with the power of the band’s Claire Richards and, luckily for Here And Now, it has 3.

  • Read on for reasons including how this is moving, a lot of fun and a knowing budget Mamma Mia
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THEATRE REVIEW: The Importance Of Being Earnest starring Ncuti Gatwa at National Theatre

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: *****

WHEN?: Friday 22 November 2024, opens 28 November and runs through 25 January 2025 RUNTIME: 165 minutes (including a 20-minute interval)

Oscar Wilde described this – his final and best loved play – as ‘exquisitely trivial’ and this production is exquisitely cast, perfectly judged and executed with both swagger and flamboyance.

  • Read on for reasons including how this is currently London’s funniest comedy
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THEATRE REVIEW: Priscilla, Reina del Desierto at Teatro Tivoli, Barcelona starring Sharonne

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

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

WHEN?: Sunday 10 November and runs through 4 January 2025 RUNTIME: 150 minutes (with 20-minute interval)

We last saw Jason Donovan (Joseph, Palladium) in 2009 in the West End production of this 1994 Oscar-winning musical and here Drag Race Espana winner Sharonne (Benidorm Fest 2023) takes the lead.

  • Read on for reasons including why we we join the standing ovation at this absolutely joyous show’s close
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THEATRE REVIEW: The Devil Wears Prada: A New Musical starring Vanessa Williams & Matt Henry at Dominion Theatre

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: ****

WHEN?: Tuesday 5 November 2024 and booking through 31 May 2025 RUNTIME: 150 minutes (includes a 20-minute interval)

This musical of a beloved 2006 film with a star turn by Meryl Streep goes down a storm at this cavernous venue particularly whenever Williams (City Of Angels, Garrick Theatre) as fashion editor Miranda Priestly emerges striking a pose through the stage’s trapdoor.

  • Read on for reasons including how you will be as absolutely swept up and bowled over by this as we were
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