THEATRE REVIEW

THEATRE REVIEW: Tootsie starring Nicolás Vázquez at Teatro Lola Membrives, Buenos Aires, Argentina

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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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THEATRE REVIEW: The Pillowman starring Lily Allen and Steve Pemberton at the Duke Of York’s Theatre

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

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

WHEN?: Friday 30 June, runs through 2 September 2023 RUNTIME: 145 minutes (including a 20-minute interval)

Returning Doctor Who David Tennant (Good, Harold Pinter Theatre) played writer Katurian in the original National Theatre production of this Martin McDonagh play and much has been made of the gender swap of this role now played by Lily Allen (2.22 A Ghost Story, Noel Coward Theatre).

  • Read on for reasons including how The Pillowman is funny, dark yet hugely thought-provoking
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