THEATRE REVIEW

THEATRE REVIEW: Mrs Doubtfire starring Gabriel Vick at Shaftesbury Theatre

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Aline Mahrud

WORTH A LOOK?: ***

WHEN?: Saturday 10 June, opens 22 June and runs through 13 January 2024 RUNTIME: 150 minutes (including a 20-minute interval)

There are 2 memorable songs in this new musical based on the 1993 film which starred the late Robin Williams as an out of work voice actor who poses as Scottish nanny Euphegenia Doubtfire to be closer to his 3 children during a messy divorce.

  • Read on for reasons including how this musical of a 30-year-old film is no Groundhog Day
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THEATRE REVIEW: Romeo and Juliet starring Toheeb Jimoh & Isis Hainsworth at Almeida Theatre

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: ****

WHEN?: Friday 9 June, opens 14 June and runs through 29 July 2023 RUNTIME: 120 minutes (no interval)

Candles burn and flicker against the brick back wall of this beautiful intimate venue and we’re reminded why director Rebecca Frecknall has been shortlisted as best director in 3 of the last 5 Olivier Awards.

  • Read on for reasons including what a fine Romeo Ted Lasso‘s Toheeb Jimoh makes
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THEATRE REVIEW: Private Lives starring Stephen Mangan and Rachael Stirling at Donmar Warehouse

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Aline Mahrud

WORTH A LOOK?: ****

WHEN?: Saturday 27 May 2023 (last night)

There’s a moment during this dark Noel Coward revival when Stephen Mangan’s Elyot expertly plays his wordless response to Rachael Stirling’s ex-wife Sibyl (The Way You Look Tonight) on the piano and it’s absolutely exquisite.

  • Read on for reasons including how this revival accentuated the darkness of the hilarious script
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THEATRE REVIEW: How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying starring Tracie Bennett at Southwark Playhouse (Borough)

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Aline Mahrud

WHEN?: Saturday 20 May, runs until 17 June 2023.

WORTH A LOOK?: *** RUNTIME: 140 minutes (including a 20 minute interval)

Southwark Playhouse is currently running theatres in 2 different south London locations and tonight we mistakenly pitch up at the new Elephant rather than the old Borough site which is our bad but gives a little insight into the rather haphazard nature of this venue.

  • Read on for reasons including how director Georgie Rankcom stepped into the cast seamlessly at this performance
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THEATRE REVIEW: Great Expectations starring Eddie Izzard at the Garrick Theatre

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: ****

WHEN?: Wednesday 24 May, runs until 1 July 2023 RUNTIME: 135 minutes (including a 20-minute interval)

The most emotional moments during this 1-woman performance of the Dickens coming of age classic are when Izzard, who plays all the 20-or-so parts, conveys the heartache of not being the choice of someone loved by main character Pip.

  • Read on for reasons including how there aren’t many people we could think of who could carry this off
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THEATRE REVIEW: BLACK SUPERHERO starring Lewis Brown, Dyllon Burnside & Rochenda Sandall at Royal Court Theatre

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Aline Mahrud

WORTH A LOOK?: ***

WHEN?: Saturday 22 April (matinee), running to 29 April 2023 RUNTIME: 130 minutes (including a 20-minute interval)

Leading man Lewis Brown took over from writer/star Danny Lee Wynter midway through this run after the creator withdrew for personal reasons and it’s all credit to this production that you could never tell.

  • Read on for reasons including how we’re looking forward to playwright Wynter’s next role and written work
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THEATRE REVIEW: TONY! (The Tony Blair Rock Opera) at Leicester Square Theatre

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: ****

WHEN?: Sunday 7 May, runs until 21 May and then tours until 14 October 2023 RUNTIME: 120 minutes (including a 20-minute interval)

We’re reminded of musical The Book Of Mormon by 2 of TV’s South Park creators during this show’s finale as the lead sings: ‘The Whole Wide World is run by assholes.’

  • Read on for reasons including where to see this Harry Hill musical as it tours the UK until October
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THEATRE REVIEW: Brokeback Mountain starring Lucas Hedges & Mike Faist @sohoplace

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

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

WHEN?: Wednesday 10 May, runs until 12 August 2023

Songwriter Dan Gillespie Sells and director Jonathan Butterell have reunited after the success of musical Everybody’s Talking About Jamie to create something quite understated, haunting and beautiful with their take on Brokeback Mountain.

  • Read on for reasons including how it is former Fairground Attraction frontwoman Eddi Reader who steals this show
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THEATRE REVIEW: A Play For The Living In A Time Of Extinction

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Aline Mahrud

WORTH A LOOK?: ***

WHEN?: Saturday 29 April (matinee), running to Saturday 29 April 2023 (evening) and then touring the UK until autumn 2023 RUNTIME: 70 minutes (no interval)

Lydia West’s (It’s A Sin, Channel 4) stage debut is a curious mix of uncomfortable audience interaction and despair at mankind-inspired climate change and species extinction.

  • Read on for reasons including how and where to see this production as it tours England
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THEATRE REVIEW: The Motive And The Cue starring Johnny Flynn, Mark Gatiss & Tuppence Middleton at the National Theatre

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: ****

WHEN?: Saturday 22 April, opens 2 May running to 15 July 2023 RUNTIME: 160 minutes (including a 20-minute interval) UPDATE: This productions transfers to the West End 9 December 2023 through 23 March 2024 at the Noel Coward Theatre Tickets

Mark Gatiss (ITVX’s Nolly) is 1 of our finest character actors and here plays Sir John Gielgud directing Richard Burton in Hamlet in 1964 on Broadway.

  • Read on for reasons including how The Motive should be more confident of its worth and rely less heavily on Shakespeare’s greatest hits
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