THEATRE REVIEW

THEATRE REVIEW: Just For One Day starring Jackie Clune, Craige Els & Olly Dobson at the Old Vic

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: ***

WHEN? Saturday 3 February 2024, opens 13 February booking until 30 March 2024 RUNTIME: 150 minutes (includes a 20-minute interval) Update: now booking Shaftesbury Theatre 15 May through 10 January 2026 Tickets

On 13 July 1985 we weren’t quite old enough for a Saturday job in Woolworth’s or WH Smith’s and instead watched Live Aid on TV at home after our paper round and if there’s 1 message from this global jukebox musical that resonates it is that individuals matter and when they work together they can change things.

  • Read on for reasons including how this is over-earnest and perhaps lacking in the killer material to make good on its promise
Read More

THEATRE REVIEW: The Hills Of California at the Harold Pinter Theatre

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Aline Mahrud

WORTH A LOOK?: ****

WHEN?: Saturday 3 February, runs through 15 June 2024 RUNTIME: 180 minutes (including a 15-minute interval and a brief pause)

It’s the long hot summer of 1976 and 3 sisters reunite in the front room of their mother’s Blackpool guesthouse as she lays dying upstairs.

  • Read on for reasons including why despite the inevitable air of melancholy this is occasionally laugh-out-loud funny
Read More

THEATRE REVIEW: I Should Be So Lucky at New Wimbledon Theatre

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: ***1/2

WHEN?: Monday 29 January, runs through 3 February 2024, touring the UK until 11 May 2024 RUNTIME: 135 minutes (including a 20-minute interval)

‘The wedding’s off but the honeymoon is on!’ runs the tagline for this fun Stock Aitken Waterman musical and, plot-wise, there’s very little else you need to know.

  • Read on for reasons including why this production has West End legs and a hen-do feel
Read More

THEATRE REVIEW: Plaza Suite starring Sarah Jessica Parker & Matthew Broderick at the Savoy Theatre

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: ****

WHEN?: Saturday 20 January, runs through 30 March 2024 RUNTIME: 150 minutes (including a 20-minute interval) UPDATE: Run extended to 13 April 2024

Real life husband and wife Matthew Broderick and Sarah Jessica Parker are the perfect pair to bring the best out of this Neil Simon comedy which is arguably the funniest show currently playing in London’s West End.

  • Read on for reasons including how Parker’s West End debut is dazzling as she shows off her funny bones
Read More

THEATRE REVIEW: Ulster American starring Woody Harrelson, Andy Serkis & Louisa Harland

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: *****

WHEN?: Saturday 13 January (matinee), runs through 27 January 2024 RUNTIME: 105 minutes (no interval)

We had 4 walk-outs and at least 1 audience member crying during this provocative 3-hander comedy without interval.

  • Read on for reasons including how this 3-hander is occasionally hilarious but always thought-provoking
Read More

THEATRE REVIEW: Cruel Intentions: The 90s Musical at The Other Palace

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: ****

WHEN?: Saturday 13 January 2024, runs through 14 April 2024 RUNTIME: 125 minutes (including a 20-minute interval)

Anyone wishing to hear some of the 90s best songs including Kiss Me by Sixpence None The Richer, Torn by Natalie Imbruglia, Lovefool by The Cardigans or Bittersweet Symphony by The Verve in musical theatre form should look no further.

  • Read on for reasons including how this 90s musical creates something quite intoxicating, nostalgia-fuelled and entertaining
Read More

THEATRE REVIEW: The Little Big Things: A New Musical @SohoPlace & album of the month (January 2024)

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Aline Mahrud

WORTH A LOOK?: ****

WHEN?: Saturday 6 January 2024, runs through 2 March 2024 RUNTIME: 130 minutes (including a 20-minute interval)

It’s an absolute joy to be in the front row of this intimate space which allows this new British musical about facing the challenge of a life-threatening injury to be realised triumphantly.

  • Read on for reasons including how we had tears in our eyes almost throughout
Read More

THEATRE REVIEW: Unfortunate – The Untold Story of Ursula The Sea Witch at Southwark Playhouse (Elephant)

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

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

WHEN?: Saturday 30 December, runs through 17 February 2024 RUNTIME: 160 minutes (including a 20-minute interval)

We’re reminded of the old adage that great musicals are not written but re-written as we take our seats for a show we 1st heard the bones of during lockdown and saw originally 18 months ago at London’s Underbelly Festival.

  • Read on for reasons including how this could be the next Operation Mincemeat sleeper hit
Read More

THEATRE REVIEW: Backstairs Billy starring Penelope Wilton & Luke Evans at Duke Of York’s Theatre

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Aline Mahrud

WORTH A LOOK?: ****

WHEN?: Saturday 30 December (matinee), runs through 27 January 2024 RUNTIME: 130 minutes (including a 20-minute interval)

We last saw 77-year-old Penelope Wilton onstage at the Old Vic in Fanny And Alexander and here playing the Queen Mother she reminds us what timing she has and how funny she can be.

  • Read on for reasons including how Wilton gives a comic masterclass that had this audience both roaring and applauding its approval
Read More

THEATRE REVIEW: Operation Mincemeat: A New Musical at Fortune Theatre

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Aline Mahrud

WORTH A LOOK?: *****

WHEN?: Sunday 31 December, runs through 21 September 2024 RUNTIME: 130 minutes (including a 20-minute interval)

The moment we surrendered our heart to this spoof World War Two sleeper hit musical was when – rather than misdirection – we thought spinster administrator Hester Leggett played by the brilliant Jak Malone had simply made a mistake.

  • Read on for reasons including how it’s impossible not to be captured by the joyous insanity of it all
Read More