THEATRE REVIEW

THEATRE REVIEW: Othello starring Giles Terera at the National Theatre

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Aline Mahrud

WORTH A LOOK?: *** RUNTIME: 180 minutes (including 20-minute interval)

WHEN?: Saturday 3 December (matinee), runs to 21 January 2023

Director Clint Dyer told the New York Times of his 1st visit to this venue in the 80s when he saw a picture in the auditorium of Laurence Olivier in blackface in the title role of this play in the 60s that broke his heart.

  • Read on for reasons including why we wanted this production of Othello to be so much better than it was
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THEATRE REVIEW: A Streetcar Named Desire starring Paul Mescal and Patsy Ferran

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: *****

WHEN?: Tuesday 20 December, opens 12 January, runs to 4 February 2023 RUNTIME: 180 minutes (including 20-minute interval) UPDATE: Transfers to the Phoenix Theatre in London’s West End for 6 weeks from 20 March 2023

Director Rebecca Frecknall (Cabaret, Playhouse Theatre) takes to the stage before curtain up to explain that its leading lady Patsy Ferran stepped into the production with 4 days’ notice to replace Lydia Wilson who had to withdraw.

  • Read on for reasons including why it is Olivier Award-winning actress Ferran that you will remember most from this illuminating revival
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THEATRE REVIEW: Mother Goose starring Sir Ian McKellen & John Bishop

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: ****

WHEN?: Sunday 18 December (matinee), runs to 29 January and then tours until 11 March 2023 RUNTIME: 140 minutes (including a 20-minute interval)

The best reason to see this energetic and fun pantomime is that its Oscar-nominated star Sir Ian McKellen is having a ball and it’s infectious.

  • Read on for reasons including how we’ve never been to a show where so much has been thrown from the stage into the audience
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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

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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

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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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