THEATRE REVIEW

THEATRE REVIEW: A Christmas Carol-ish by Mr Swallow starring Nick Mohammed & Sarah Hadland

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: ****1/2 RUNTIME: 80 minutes (no interval) Update: Transfers to @SohoPlace 16 November through 31 December 2024 Tickets

WHEN?: Saturday 10 December (matinee), runs to 23 December 2022

We’re in the front row here because Mohammed (2nd from left above) is very funny as part of the ensemble in Apple TV’s hilarious Ted Lasso and stars here while also writing the book and lyrics.

  • Read on for reasons including how Hadland from TV’s Miranda gets to perform the giblets out of the hit of the night I Love My Turkey
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THEATRE REVIEW: Jack And The Beanstalk at the London Palladium starring Julian Clary, Dawn French and Alexandra Burke

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

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

WHEN?: Sunday 11 December (matinee), runs to 15 January 2023

We’re in the 4th row behind a group of women who are finding Julian Clary’s character The Spirit Of The Beans uproariously funny and even taking sneaky pictures of his very many costume changes.

  • Read on for reasons including how it is Clary’s saucy quips which once again steal the show
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THEATRE REVIEW: Orlando starring Emma Corrin at the Garrick Theatre

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Aline Mahrud

WORTH A LOOK?: ***1/2

WHEN?: Monday 28 November, runs to 25 February 2023 RUNTIME: 90 minutes (no interval)

Emma Corrin identifies as non-binary and, as such, their portrayal of Virginia Woolf’s Orlando would perhaps have the celebrated author cheering from the stalls were she still alive.

  • Read on for reasons including which stars joined us in the audience for this 2nd preview
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THEATRE REVIEW: Robin Hood starring David Breeds at Greenwich Theatre

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: *****

WHEN?: Saturday 26 November (matinee), opens 2 December and runs to 8 January 2023 RUNTIME: 150 minutes (including a 20-minute interval)

There’s a new dynamic to this year’s annual Greenwich Theatre pantomime with the strongest performance we can ever remember from a leading man thanks to Dear Evan Hansen‘s David Breeds (pictured centre above).

  • Read on for reasons including how this annual pantomime’s Queen may be dead but long live the King
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THEATRE REVIEW: Best Of Enemies starring David Harewood and Zachary Quinto at the Noel Coward Theatre

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: *****

WHEN?: Saturday 19 November (matinee), running until 18 February 2023

So, cards on the table, we’re huge fans of author James Graham but chose not to see this on its run at the Young Vic last winter because its subject matter failed to fire our imagination.

  • Read on for reasons including how Quinto in particular makes a dazzling West End debut in this riveting new play
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THEATRE REVIEW: Good starring David Tennant at the Harold Pinter Theatre

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Aline Mahrud

WORTH A LOOK?: ****

WHEN?: Saturday 12 November (matinee), runs to 24 December 2022

We’ve written a great deal about musical Cabaret which celebrates its 1-year birthday in the West End this week and Good is very much the perfect play accompaniment.

  • Read on for reasons including how to catch this play live or on NTLive
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THEATRE REVIEW: My Son’s A Queer, (But What Can You Do?) at Garrick Theatre

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: ****

WHEN?: Sunday 23 October (matinee), runs 6 November 2022 RUNTIME: 65 minutes (no interval)

We’ve written before that 1 way you know when a piece of theatre is connecting with its audience is when you can hear them sobbing in the quiet bits.

  • Read on for reasons including why you should grab your chance to catch this ‘personal, different and groundbreaking’ show
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THEATRE REVIEW: Tammy Faye starring Katie Brayben & Andrew Rannells at Almeida Theatre

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: *****

WHEN?: Saturday 22 October (matinee), runs to 3 December 2022 RUNTIME: 170 minutes (including a 20-minute interval)

There are so many male reasons – music by Elton John, lyrics by the Scissor Sisters’ Jake Shears and a book by James (Ink) Graham – to be excited for this musical life story of US tele-evangelist Tammy Faye Bakker but, ultimately, it is its leading lady Katie Brayben whose input shines brightest.

  • Read on for reasons including how this is a musical designed with a Broadway transfer in mind
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THEATRE REVIEW: Marvellous starring Michael Hugo @sohoplace

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil ‘Nello’ Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: ***1/2

WHEN?: Saturday 15 October, runs to 26 November 2022 RUNTIME: 140 minutes (including a 20-minute interval)

We’re at the opening night of the 1st new West End theatre in 50 years to see the transfer of this New Vic Theatre production about the life of Neil Baldwin, ground covered in the BAFTA-winning film of the same name starring Toby Jones.

  • Read on for reasons including how this is a great venue configured brilliantly here into an intimate space
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THEATRE REVIEW: Cabaret starring Callum Scott Howells at The Kit Kat Club at the Playhouse Theatre

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: *****

WHEN?: Saturday 8 October (matinee), booking to 16 December 2023

We’re here for our 4th visit to The Kit Kat Club in less than a year because a major cast change gives us our 3rd EmCee – Callum Scott Howells from TV’s It’s A Sin – and 3rd Sally Bowles.

  • Read on for reasons including why the West End’s most magical show continues to weave that spell despite its 3rd major cast change
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