THEATRE REVIEW

THEATRE REVIEW: Pygmalion starring Patsy Ferran & Bertie Carvel at the Old Vic

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: ****

WHEN?: Saturday 16 September (matinee), opens 19 September runs through 28 October 2023 RUNTIME: 135 minutes (including a 20-minute interval)

Ferran and Carvel are 2 of this country’s finest actors and here they combine in a very familiar, London-set production of this classic without songs to produce something quite unexpected.

  • Read on for reasons including why this is the funniest and sharpest Pygmalion we’ve ever seen
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THEATRE REVIEW: Tootsie starring Nicolás Vázquez at Teatro Lola Membrives, Buenos Aires, Argentina

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: ***

WHEN?: Sunday 10 September (150 minutes no interval), booking through 8 October 2023

The theatrical version of beloved 1982 film Tootsie won Tonys for Best Book and Best Leading Actor In A Musical in 2019 and has long been rumoured for a West End transfer but would it be vamos Tootsie vamos?

  • Read on for reasons including how Tootsie would need work if it is to transfer to London
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THEATRE REVIEW: A Mirror starring Jonny Lee Miller, Tanya Johnson & Micheal Ward at the Almeida

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Aline Mahrud

WORTH A LOOK?: **** RUNTIME: 120 minutes (without interval) UPDATE: This production transfers to the Trafalgar Theatre for 13 weeks from 22 January 2024 Tickets

WHEN?: Saturday 19 August, opens 23 August and runs through 23 September 2023

You join us at the wedding of Leyla and Joel as this play-within-a-play-within-a-play about the power of creating a narrative to perpetuate power begins.

  • Read on for reasons including how the audience were asked to behave as if at a wedding during this production
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THEATRE REVIEW: Next To Normal starring Caissie Levy at the Donmar Warehouse

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Aline Mahrud

WORTH A LOOK?: **** RUNTIME: 150 minutes (including a 20-minute interval)

WHEN?: Monday 14 August, opens 22 August and runs through 7 October 2023 UPDATE: Transferring to London’s West End in June 2024 Details

Think Dear Evan Hansen but where the mental health focus is on a middle-aged mother spiralling out of control rather than a struggling teen.

  • Read on for reasons including how this is hard-hitting and well-performed material which is already finding its audience
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THEATRE REVIEW: Groundhog Day starring Andy Karl at the Old Vic

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: ****1/2 RUNTIME: 155 minutes (including a 20-minute interval)

WHEN?: Saturday 12 August, runs through 19 August 2023 RUNTIME: 155 minutes (including a 20-minute interval)

Pre-Covid we told Old Vic Artistic Director Matthew Warchus after Groundhog Day‘s initial run that it was ahead of its time when he revealed his plan for its return.

  • Read on for reasons including how we think this show has the legs for a West End run after its old Vic bow
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THEATRE REVIEW: The Effect starring Paapa Essiedu & Taylor Russell at the National Theatre

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Aline Mahrud

WORTH A LOOK?: ***1/2 RUNTIME: 100 minutes (no interval)

WHEN?: 5 August, opens 9 August and runs through 7 October 2023

Clinical psychiatrists Dr Lorna James and Dr Toby Sealey are setting up a trial to discover whether they have found a ‘Viagra for the heart’.

  • Read on for reasons including how Essiedu is 1 of this country’s finest young actors and Russell is making her debut
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THEATRE REVIEW: La Cage Aux Folles at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: *****

WHEN?: Saturday 29 July, opens 5 August runs through 16 September 2023 RUNTIME: 150 minutes (including a 20-minute interval) UPDATE: now running until 23 September 2023

Close your eyes and this 40th anniversary revival of the classic musical comedy could almost be set not on the French Riveria but in a rundown British seaside town that’s seen better days.

  • Read on for reasons including why this is the best production of this iconic show we’ve ever seen
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THEATRE REVIEW: Song From Far Away starring Will Young at Hampstead Theatre

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: **** RUNTIME: 80 minutes (no interval)

WHEN?: Saturday 1 July (matinee), runs through 22 July 2023

There are 2 moments during this monologue when Will Young as grieving hedge manager Willem interacts remarkably and seamlessly with his enrapt audience

  • Read on for reasons including whether Will Young kept his clothes on and if we think this could transfer to the West End
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THEATRE REVIEW: Disruption starring Nathaniel Curtis at Park Theatre

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Aline Mahrud

WORTH A LOOK?: *** RUNTIME: 125 minutes (including a 15-minute interval)

WHEN?: Saturday 8 July, opens Thursday 13 July runs through 5 August 2023 (public ticket)

The rise of Artifical Intelligence has fuelled fears that it could wipe out humanity or, at the very least, threaten our jobs and so AI as a topic for theatre couldn’t be more now.

  • Read on for reasons including how we would have liked to have seen more of Nathaniel Curtis’ character
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THEATRE REVIEW: Crazy For You starring Charlie Stemp at the Gillian Lynne Theatre

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: ****

WHEN?: Saturday 1 July (matinee), runs through 20 January 2024 RUNTIME: 165 minutes (including a 20-minute interval) Update: now closing 31 December 2023

Channelling Michael Crawford as Frank Spencer, Norman Wisdom and Tommy Steele, Blackheath’s Charlie Stemp is an unconventional leading man although he was nominated for a Best Actor in a Musical Olivier for Half A Sixpence.

  • Read on for reasons including how Stemp is the early favourite for the Best Actor in a Musical Olivier in 2024
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