THEATRE REVIEW

THEATRE REVIEW: John Proctor Is The Villain at the Royal Court Theatre

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: ***

WHEN? Saturday 21 March, opens 26 March and runs through 25 April 2026 RUNTIME: 105 minutes (no interval)

‘Well those rumours, they have big teeth, hope they bite you. Thought you said that you would always be in love but you’re not in love no more,’ sings Lorde on Green Light as modern day female high school students lip synch to it in an attempt to make sense of the situation they’re in.

  • Read on for reasons including how this will spark many talking points without necessarily providing the theatrical heft to settle any of them
Read More

THEATRE REVIEW: Kinky Boots starring Johannes Radebe and Matt Cardle at the London Coliseum

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: ****

WHEN? Thursday 19 March, opens 29 March and runs through 11 July 2026 RUNTIME: 140 minutes (including a 20-minute interval)

Condragtulations to Strictly professional dancer Radebe who makes the transition to West End leading man with perfect poise and in fine voice.

  • Read on for reasons including how this is Radebe’s musical theatre debut and he’s the perfect fit for this show
Read More

THEATRE REVIEW: A Mirrored Monet: The Musical starring Dean John-Wilson at Charing Cross Theatre

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Aline Mahrud

WORTH A LOOK?: ***

WHEN? Tuesday 17 March, opens 24 March and runs through 9 May 2026 RUNTIME: 140 minutes (including 20-minute interval)

The best thing about this musical of the life of French painter and founder of the Impressionists Monet is when his wife contemplates their relationship in 11pm number There Are No Stars.

  • Read on for reasons including whether Monet’s story benefitted from musical form and why the songs weren’t better
Read More

THEATRE REVIEW: Teeth ‘n’ Smiles starring Rebecca Lucy Taylor – Self Esteem – and Phil Daniels at Duke Of York’s Theatre

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: *****

WHEN?: Saturday 14 March, opens 25 March and runs through 6 June 2026 RUNTIME: 150 minutes (including a 20-minute interval)

Three-quarters of the way through this revival of a David Hare play with music which originally starred Helen Mirren its new star Rebecca Lucy Taylor, better known as Self Esteem, sits on the steps leading up to the stage and plays a new song she has written herself solo on the guitar as her character finds her voice.

  • Read on for reasons including how Self Esteem updates this work with new material that brings real soul and authenticity to it
Read More

THEATRE REVIEW: The Holy Rosenbergs starring Tracy-Ann Oberman at Menier Chocolate Factory

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: ***

WHEN?: Tuesday 10 March 2026, runs through 2 May 2026

There’s a lot to unpack in this drama about a north London Jewish family mourning the death of their Israel Defence Force (IDF) soldier son as their daughter returns home from working for the UN in Geneva investigating alleged human rights abuses in Gaza in 2009.

  • Read on for reasons including how this is a thorny play prompting plenty for the audience to find both relevant and challenging
Read More

THEATRE REVIEW Tristan starring Jasper Talbot at The Other Palace

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: ****

WHEN?: Tuesday 3 February and ran through 5 February 2026

Musical theatre festival MTFestUK is a collection of 6 new pieces shared in 60-minute workshop form and Tristan is the new work composed by Bloc Party’s Kele Okereke (Leave To Remain, Lyric Theatre Hammersmith).

  • Read on for reasons including why we look forward to meeting Tristan in full at a theatre soon
Read More

THEATRE REVIEW: After Miss Julie starring Tom Varey at Park Theatre

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Aline Mahrud

WORTH A LOOK?: ***

WHEN?: Saturday 14 February (matinee) and runs through 28 February 2026

Patrick Marber (The Producers, Garrick Theatre) reimagines Strindberg on the eve of Labour’s 1945 election win as the daughter of a powerful MP sparks a forbidden flirtation with her father’s chauffeur.

  • Read on for reasons including how this is ripe for a West End transfer to a larger venue
Read More

THEATRE REVIEW: Broken Glass directed by Jordan Fein and starring Eli Gelb, Pearl Chanda, Alex Waldmann, Nancy Carroll & Juliet Cowan at the Young Vic

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

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

WHEN?: Saturday 21 February, opens 3 March and runs through 18 April 2026 RUNTIME: 120 minutes without interval

This venue has a strong recent record of reviving Arthur Miller plays including A View From The Bridge and Death Of A Salesman and this lesser known work deserves to be considered in the same sentence as those.

  • Read on for reasons including how there are no multi cameras or technological trickery needed when the cast is this strong and material so pertinent
Read More

THEATRE REVIEW: Evening All Afternoon starring Anastasia Hille at the Donmar

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Aline Mahrud

WORTH A LOOK?: ***1/2

WHEN?: Friday 20 February, opens 24 February and runs through 11 April 2026 RUNTIME: 85 minutes (no interval)

Anastasia Hille (A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Young Vic) plays Jennifer, a woman marrying late and nervous about how she is perceived by her soon-to-be stepdaughter.

  • Read on for reasons including how meditating on grief, acceptance, unexpected love and finding contentment where you never dared look are themes that feel universal
Read More

THEATRE REVIEW: Dracula starring Cynthia Erivo at the Noel Coward Theatre

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: ****

WHEN?: Monday 9 February, opens 17 February and runs through 30 May 2026 RUNTIME: 130 minutes (no interval)

Erivo (film Wicked) delivers an extraordinarily committed performance in this 20,000-word monologue of a 1-woman Dracula.

  • Read on for reasons including how this is an impressive spectacle of her acting ability that will divide theatre purists who prefer fewer cameras on our stages
Read More