THEATRE REVIEW

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
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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
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THEATRE REVIEW: The Homecoming starring Jared Harris & Joe Cole at the Young Vic

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: ***1/2

WHEN?: Monday 18 December, runs through 27 January 2024

This Pinter play celebrates its 60th birthday this year and it invites us into a 1964 working class London living room which is the very definition of what we would now call ‘toxic masculinity’.

  • Read on for reasons including how this is an uncomfortable watch but that’s probably the point
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THEATRE REVIEW: Sleeping Beauty starring Kitty Scott-Claus & Kate Butch at Harold Pinter Theatre

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Aline Mahrud

WORTH A LOOK?: ***

WHEN?: Wednesday 27 December, runs through 31 December 2023 RUNTIME: 155 minutes (including a 20-minute interval)

‘The prince seems to be under some sort of spell,’ observes RuPaul’s Drag Race star Kate Butch as Queen Camilla, ‘Like the people who voted Brexit.’

  • Read on for reasons including Michael Marouli, Victoria Scone & Ophelia Love
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THEATRE REVIEW: Peter Pan starring Jennifer Saunders & Julian Clary at the Palladium

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

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

WHEN?: Sunday 10 December (matinee), runs through 14 January 2024

This year’s Palladium pantomime is dedicated to its former star Paul O’Grady (Goldilocks and Cinderella) and during it Julian Clary says of him: ‘A year ago he sent me a card wishing me a warm hand on my opening adding that these days I probably needed 2.’

  • Read on for reasons including how this show has honed its winning formula with this year’s being the best Palladium pantomime so far
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THEATRE REVIEW: Macbeth starring David Tennant & Cush Jumbo at the Donmar

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: ***/*****

WHEN?: Saturday 9 December, opens 15 December and runs through 10 February 2024 RUNTIME: 115 minutes (without interval) UPDATE: Transfers to the Harold Pinter Theatre 1 October through 14 December 2024 Tickets

Should the wearing of headphones ever be a requirement for theatre?

  • Read on for reasons including how this production will be divisive and felt as if it was conceived for cinema rather than theatre
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THEATRE REVIEW: Cold War starring Luke Thallon & Anya Chalotra at the Almeida Theatre

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: ***1/2

WHEN?: Monday 4 December, opens 12 December and runs through 27 January 2024 RUNTIME: 160 minutes (including a 20-minute interval)

Luke Thallon (Camp Siegfried, Old Vic, main picture) plays composer Wiktor who longs to write in communist-controlled Poland in 1949 and is drawn to the talented young singer Zula.

  • Read on for reasons including how this downbeat show has real sparks
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THEATRE REVIEW: Pandemonium by Armando Iannucci at Soho Theatre

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Aline Mahrud

WORTH A LOOK?: ****

WHEN?: Saturday 2 December, runs through 13 January 2024 RUNTIME: 90 minutes (without interval)

Meet Orbis Rex, a rotund bundle of self-confidence with a mop of unkempt blond hair, musing whether the UK should Leave or Remain in the EU.

  • Read on for reasons including how this intimate venue offers a perhaps too early opportunity to reflect on the possible humour in what was an unremittingly dark situation for so many
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THEATRE REVIEW: The Producers at the Teatro Tivoli, Barcelona

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: ****

WHEN?: Saturday 4 November (matinee), runs through 4 February 2024 RUNTIME: 150 minutes (including a 20-minute interval)

We can’t think of a less appropriate time to be staging this musical tale of producers who put on a Nazi-themed musical designed to fail to make money but are thwarted by a surprise hit.

  • Read on for reasons including how we and our companion made our Catalan stage debuts in this near-the-knuckle rollercoaster
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